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By now, you've probably seen the viral videos of the Tesla Cybertruck get stuck trying to do, well, truck things. Videos such as the one showing a Cybertruck struggle to get through a little bit of snow in an off-road setting have spread all over the internet.
But is this a Cybertruck issue? Or has the Cybertruck opened up off-road driving to a new audience who is inexperienced with what they need to do with their new truck? Perhaps it's a combination of the two.
Nevertheless, it appears Tesla realizes it's their problem to solve.
In a post on X, Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill shared that he has considered adding a "stuck detection" feature to the Cybertruck to help drivers deal with all the issues he's seen arise in these viral Cybertruck videos.
What will Cybertruck "stuck detection" do?According to Morrill, his idea for "stuck detection" consists of a pop-up feature that appears on the Cybertruck's dashboard screen when the vehicle detects that the driver is stuck and provides tips to help them get unstuck.
Some examples of suggestions that "stuck detection" could offer drivers include "air down tires, try using trail assist, raise ride height, try sand mode, etc."
Tweet may have been deleted"No one is an expert the first time they drive off-road but anyone can learn," Morrill said.
The Cybertruck lead engineer shared his idea in a reply to another X user who was criticizing Tucker Carlson after the right-wing talk show host posted a video testing out his Cybertruck, which got stuck in the mud.
While new truck drivers may be partially responsible for the Tesla vehicle getting stuck, this seems to be just one aspect of a broader issue.
There have been numerous instances showing that there are issues with the Cybertruck design and production. Perhaps the most notable example was the accelerator pedal getting stuck — an issue that has since been fixed and prompted a Cybertruck recall.
Mashable will continue to follow this story and provide updates if "stuck detection" for the Cybertruck goes beyond the idea stage.
X's native AI chatbot Grok is now providing users with election-related queries a Vote.gov banner and directs them to visit the site for "accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 US Elections."
SEE ALSO: How Big Tech is approaching explicit, nonconsensual deepfakesEarlier this month, Secretaries of State for Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington demanded action from X after they investigated reports that the chatbot populated incorrect election information. False responses included inaccurate information about ballot deadlines for multiple states. The group urged the company to follow in OpenAI's footsteps, which partnered with the National Association of Secretaries of State to provide election information through CanIVote.org.
While X didn't agree to such a partnership, state leaders responded positively to Grok's new update: "We appreciate X’s action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year."
Lawmakers still want to see more movement on the spread of election misinformation and deepfakes by industry players and federal agencies, however. On Aug. 27, a coalition of Democratic lawmakers once again petitioned the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to clarify its stance on AI-generated synthetic images of candidates. The group, joining consumer rights watchdog Public Citizen, has demanded the FEC establish rules on the use of "deceptive AI" and decide if they can be classified as “fraudulent misrepresentation” in campaigning.
In a letter sent to the FEC, the lawmakers specifically called out recent images generated by Grok 2, the bot's latest version introduced with brand new image generation capabilities. "It is critical for our democracy that this be promptly addressed, noting the degree to which Grok-2 has already been used to distribute fake content regarding the 2024 presidential election," the letter reads.
"While electoral disinformation campaigns and voter suppression are not new in this country, AI has the potential to supercharge deception in an ecosystem already rife with false content," wrote Congresswoman Shontel M. Brown. "Twitter and Elon Musk have the responsibility to implement and require responsible use of its AI technology and, if not, the FEC must urgently step in to prevent further electoral fraud, especially by one of the two major candidates for president of the United States.”
An estimated 27,000 Swifties gathered last night, not for the Eras Tour, but to rally for the election of Vice President Kamala Harris.
SEE ALSO: Is it 'Kamala' or 'Harris'? The answer is complicated.Swifties logged onto Zoom, streamed on YouTube, X / Twitter, and Instagram to hear fellow Taylor Swift fans, politicians like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey, organizers including Annie Wu Henry and Indivisible's Kim McMurray, and Carole King make Swiftian puns and encourage Swifties to mobilize. The group raised over $100,000 over the course of the two-hour call.
The fans operate independently of Swift, aiming to leverage their organizing skill set as fans for Harris. Rohan Reagan, a representative for Swifties for Kamala, told Cosmopolitan last week: "We are not waiting on Taylor to show her support for Kamala Harris. We are doing this outside of her, using the platform of Swifties as a way to get people involved in the election. Taylor did throw her support toward Joe Biden during the 2020 election, so it is possible that she’ll show her support again. But Swifties for Kamala aren’t waiting for her to do that."
While Swifties actually have mobilized for Harris, her opponent has faked that support. Former president Donald Trump recently took to Truth Social to share AI-generated images of both Swift and Swifties claiming to have their vote.
Swifties for Kamala's Zoom rally took inspiration from the record-breaking Win With Black Women call that took place the night President Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. The weekly call saw a whopping 44,000 participants, a huge spike from their first 90 person call in 2020, and raised $1.6 million in just three hours.
Inspired by the Win With Black Women, Win With Black Men hosted their own four-hour call the following night. The coalition drew 53,000 attendees and raised $1.3 million. Three days later 164,000 women logged on for the White Women: Answer The Call! Show up for Kamala Harris Zoom call, raising over $8.4 million. White Dudes for Kamala held their own Zoom rally as well with 190,000 in attendance where they raised $4 million.
Swifties for Kamala, while providing a fun space for fans to get involved in campaigning, has yet to make the impact of other more established voting blocks. But as Senator Warren said, there's still 69 days and 144 'All Too Well' (10 Minute Versions) in a day.
This summer was Brat summer. We're approaching demure fall, which may transition into a season with longer staying power than the "demure" and "mindful" trend holds.
One trend that appears to have miraculously enduring appeal is Barbie Summer a label for June and July 2023 that has somehow maintained relevance well into 2024. So much so that HMD just dropped a Barbie-branded flip phone. According to The Verge, the phone was preannounced earlier this year at Mobile World Congress and will go on sale in October for $129.
As with all flip phones, the screen is just 2.8 inches and you'll be typing out in T9. There are "no distracting apps," encouraging users to "disconnect to reconnect," according to HMD's website. But there is a five-megapixel camera with built-in flash which will give your pics that early digital camera look.
Tweet may have been deleted"Nothing beats spending real time together," the website reads. "That’s what the HMD Barbie Phone is all about!"
The phone comes with Barbie covers, stickers, crystals, a beaded lanyard with barbie charms, and more to personalize your flip phone experience.
"This flip phone is chic, sleek and pink – and that’s just on the outside," according to the website. "Open it up and everything on the screen feels like it’s straight out of The Barbie DreamHouse."
It’s available for preorder on September 23 on the HMD website.
SAVE 20%: The Amazon Smart Thermostat is on sale for $63.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $79.99. That's a savings of $16.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Thermostat $63.99 at AmazonThe nights are getting cooler and we're almost into September. After consuming everything pumpkin spice, the weather will chill and you'll be in a thermostat battle with your other household members to find the ideal temperature for everyone (once again). Instead of constant fiddling, smooth things out with a smart thermostat that'll take control. Today's deal at Amazon features an affordable model loaded with features.
As of Aug. 28, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is on sale for $63.99, down from the list price of $79.99. That's a 20% discount, or a savings of $16.
Rather than needing to adjust the temperature when you wake up, leave, get home, and go to bed, hand over the task to the Amazon Smart Thermostat. Powered by Alexa, the thermostat can get to know your temperature preferences. But you're always in control and can manually override Alexa's chosen temp should you prefer. From the Alexa app, you can control the temperature even when you're not home. This feature means you can turn up the heat before you arrive home, or turn it down if you forgot to before leaving for vacation.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat comes with an Energy Star certification, and the EPA estimates certified thermostats save an average of $50 on power bills per year, which means it'll only take a bit over a year in energy bill savings to make up the cost of the thermostat.
SEE ALSO: Echo vs. Echo Dot: Which Amazon device should you buy?If you already have an Amazon Echo Dot, you're in for even more functionality since the Dot can synch its temperature sensor to the smart thermostat, helping to detect any hot or cold areas in your home.
Get the Amazon Smart Thermostat for 20% off today and get ready for winter temps with a thermostat that does all the work for you.
These are the best headphones deals ahead of Labor Day:
Best Labor Day Headphone Deals Best Headphones Deal Apple AirPods Max $399 at Amazon (Save $150) Get Deal Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $349 at Amazon (Save $80) Get Deal Best Budget Headphones Deal Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones $119 at Amazon (Save $80.95) Get DealNothing soothes the soul like music. Or your favorite podcast. Or a call to Mom and Dad for a fun little chat when you're missing home.
If you're looking to score a pair of headphones at a great discount, Labor Day Weekend is the time to do it. We're already seeing some excellent deals on popular headphone brands, including Bose and Beats, meaning you can pick up some of your most coveted headphones at low prices that'll have you smiling all the way through the holiday.
Whether you're looking to grab a budget pair to take with you on a trip or you want to invest in long-term headphones that'll carry you through life's biggest moments, now's the time to invest with discounts you'll be excited about. But your time is precious. That's why we've put together a variety of deals you can already find on headphones ahead of Labor Day. Below, find some of our favorite picks you'll want to add to your cart immediately.
Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Apple AirPods Max $399.00 at AmazonApple's premium AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones are a great buy if you're wanting some of the best audio you can get from the retailer's great lineup. Great for audiophiles and casual listeners, they boast excellent sound, lengthy battery life, simple controls, and come in multiple colors to satisfy that itch for customization. Plus, their noise-cancelling options are top-notch. If AirPods don't do it for you, and you've been looking for something over-the-ear instead, these headphones are what you're going to want to go with, especially now that you can get them for a discount ahead of Labor Day.
Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Ultra $349.00 at AmazonIf you still haven't invested in a pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, now's a great time to do so. These excellent noise-cancelling headphones feel premium in every sense of the word. They offer three different noise-cancellation modes, comfortable, plush ear cups for long listening sessions, and spatial audio support. With their 24-hour battery life, you can take them on long trips or car rides without worrying about them missing a beat. Plus, they're stylish, which does matter, believe it or not. And if you haven't already guessed, yes, they sound fantastic. Be sure and get a pair while they're still discounted ahead of Labor Day.
Best budget headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones $119.00 at AmazonDon't want to spend hundreds on a new pair of headphones? You don't have to, and you don't have to skimp on quality, either. The Beats Solo3 use an Apple W1 chip to power their excellent audio, providing you with rich sound and great acoustics, so you get an immersive surround sound effect without having to shell out the big bucks. Though they lack some of the features their more expensive brethren have, their on-device controls make it easy to take calls and enjoy music or podcasts with when you're out and about. They also have adjustable ear cups, so lengthy listening sessions are no problem, either.
More of this week's best headphones deals:Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) — $199 $249 (save $50)
Bose QuietComfort Headphones — $249 $349 (save $100)
Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling in-Ear Bluetooth Earbud Headphones — $98 $119.99 (save $21.99)
JBL Tune Buds — $49.95 $99.95 (save $50)
JBL Vibe Beam — $29.95 499.95 (save $20)
Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $59 $79.99 (save $20.99)
Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 — $99.95 $217.17 (save $117.22)
Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones Bluetooth On-Ear Headset — $38 $59.99 (save $21.99)
JBL Tune 510BT — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)
Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation — $44.99 $119.99 (save $75)
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones — $248 $348 (save $100)
Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones — $98 $149.99 (save $51.99)
Concord is Firewalk’s debut game — and it’s part of Sony’s initiative in releasing more live-service games. With the monumental success of Helldivers 2 earlier this year, it seems like Sony was on the right track.
Concord has solid gameplay mechanics, but fails when it comes to providing characters to care about and doesn’t accomplish its attempts to stand out from other hero shooters.
SEE ALSO: Mashable's best games 2023: No, 'Baldur's Gate 3' isn't No. 1 Concord plotOne of the ways that Concord tries to stand out from other hero shooters like Overwatch and Valorant is that it attempts to attach a narrative. Each week, Concord receives new vignettes (i.e., a cutscene that shows what its characters are up to). The issue is that I feel like I’m just being dumped into an existing storyline without any context. It’s difficult for me to care about any of the characters as there’s no buildup — and it feels like I’m watching an MCU movie post-credit scene. But without knowing where the overall story is going, I feel lost.
Credit: FirewalkThere’s also an encyclopedia called the Galactic Guide where all of Concord’s lore is documented. It’s actually incredibly engrossing if you take the time to sit down and read through all of it. The characters you play as are called Freerunners, and they’re up against the Guild, a governing body that controls trading routes in space. In terms of lore, the Galactic Guide provides a wealth of information on hidden trading routes for Freerunners, so they can slip by the Guild’s checkpoints.
While all of this is genuinely interesting to read, that’s the problem: I’m reading instead of playing the game. Lore in collectibles is one thing, but siphoning off the substantial world-building in a separate menu doesn’t make for engaging gameplay.
Whenever I read the guide, I feel like I’m in an enriching sci-fi universe like Mass Effect or Starfield. No matter how many matches I play or gameplay modes I participate in, Concord’s story doesn’t budge a single inch forward, making it feel completely detached. I would honestly enjoy a single-player game in Concord’s universe and it seems like it could be a Star Wars: Outlaws kind of adventure.
Concord’s character roster starts off with 16 unique Freerunners to choose from.
Credit: FirewalkDue to how vignettes are dolled out, I can’t really bring myself to care about them at the moment. I’m hoping that the sentiment changes as time progresses, because the Galactic Guide contains so much interesting lore that can potentially morph Concord into a compelling space opera.
Concord mechanicsLike any other hero shooter, each character has its own unique weapons and abilities to fight with in battle. It’s fun to experiment with how each character plays to see which one fits your playstyle the best.
Credit: FirewalkEach character is separated into six different classes: Anchor, Breacher, Haunt, Ranger, Tactician, and Warden. The Anchors are your typical tanks, being able to take a ton of damage while Tacticians have more unconventional abilities and require more strategic gameplay. This lets each character shine in their own way and makes matches memorable as they class.
The Job Board consists of daily, weekly, and seasonal challenges that grant you experience upon completion, such as dealing a certain amount of damage at short range or eliminating four opponents with critical hits. What I like about how Concord handles them in particular is that, even when I lost a match, I still felt I made progress.
Concord’s unique mechanic to help separate itself from other hero shooters is called Crew Bonus. Essentially, using a particular class gives you a passive bonus that stays with you for the entire match. For example, using a Tactician character like Teo grants you faster reload speed, while playing as a Warden like Haymar grants longer weapon range.
What’s cool about this is that these bonuses stack and carry over, even when you die. So you can start off the match as a Tactician character, then play as a Warden to obtain both bonuses. It’s a unique incentive that encourages players to frequently switch up their characters. The issue is, however, that these bonuses feel negligible over the course of an entire game. In the heat of battle, I’ve never felt like these bonuses made a difference between life and death.
Concord has your typical gameplay modes like Team Deathmatch, where you simply eliminate the other team and area control, where you secure a spot and keep enemies away. However, it also lacks a signature gameplay mode like Overwatch’s Escort mode. This contributes to Concord’s lack of a unique identity when it comes to its competition.
Concord graphicsThis is where I believe Concord stumbles the most. Many of the game's hero designs are unappealing and lack any flare. Sony’s first party games like The Last of Us and Ghost of Tsushima are known for their hyper-realistic graphics, but I think it backfires in Concord. The 3D models look too realistic to the point where it feels like an uncanny valley. Also, the color palette is too pastel-like and there isn't enough contrast. The hues just look washed out.
Credit: FirewalkFor example, the character Roka wears an astronaut-like helmet with some slimming body armor. However, her costume just consists of dull greens and browns, and I can’t make out her personality through her helmet at all. Another character, Amari, has almost the exact same monotonous color palette on her suit, and she looks like a bad Doomguy cosplay. At least, though, I can tell that she’s a tank character because of her enormous size. The character Lennox looks exactly (I’m not kidding) like the actor who plays Yondu in the Guardians of the Galaxy films.
I actually found Concord’s 2D and concept art to be much more artistically appealing, which you can see in the menus like in the Play and Freegunners sections. It reminds me of Deathloop’s 1960’s inspired artwork and it looks so much more vibrant. It just didn’t translate well to 3D models because of Sony’s push for hyper-realistic graphics, and going for a more stylistic graphical direction like in Overwatch or Valorant would’ve been better.
Concord music and audioConcord’s soundtrack is fine for the most part, and not that much particularly sticks out as memorable or bad. The audio jingle that plays every time you level up sounds satisfying, though. I also like the swelling orchestral music that plays while going through the Galactic Guide.
Concord challenge difficultyGiven that Concord is a multiplayer game, its difficulty entirely relies on whether you’re good at the game. While I didn’t feel the impact of Crew Bonuses all that much, players who learn and take advantage of the mechanic will perform better than those who don’t.
Credit: FirewalkPlayers also can’t use real-world currency to pay for stronger boosts, so Concord is an even playing field where skill matters the most.
Concord performanceI didn’t experience any performance issues nor glitches during my time playing Concord. It has reasonable loading times and very few frame drops, if any at all.
Is Concord worth getting?Concord has plenty of replay value given that it’s a multiplayer shooter, but that all depends on the amount of players currently playing it.
Credit: FirewalkIt’s a $40 game compared to most of its contemporaries, which are free-to-play. While this lets Concord avoid aggressive monetization, it’s also a barrier to entry for a game that still has yet to find its footing.
Concord has some good foundations, but Firewalk definitely needs to build on them. The shooting and movement all feel fluid, but the story and the Freegunners themselves aren’t very memorable so far. Hopefully, Firewalk improves on those aspects by adding more Freegunners with more striking designs and color, as well as providing more context via the vignettes. Its current price tag of $40 is high, so maybe wait for a sale if you enjoy hero shooters.
September is setting up to be an iOS-centric month, but the last gasps of August are all about Android at Amazon.
Through the end of the day (Aug. 28), the retail giant is offering deals on all things Android as part of a 48-hour "Android Days" sale — think unlocked phones, tablets, accessories, and more. (This appears to be the second time Amazon has hosted such an event.) Full disclosure: It largely feels like an excuse for Amazon to plug some of its ongoing deals on Google's latest gadgets, which have been hanging around since their preorder days. But hey, savings are savings.
SEE ALSO: What to expect from Apple's September event: iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, and moreWe've combed through all 20 pages of the sale and rounded up the very best deals below:
Best unlocked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google / Amazon Our pick: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (128GB) $1,099.00 at AmazonRead Mashable's full review of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The biggest smartphone in Google's new Pixel 9 lineup, the 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL is the longest-lasting smartphone we've ever tested: It clocked in at nearly 19 hours on a single charge in our TikTok rundown trial. It also has better cameras and a nicer display than last year's Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, said Tech Editor Kim Gedeon. It's a newly crowned Mashable Choice Award winner, and all configurations of it come with a free $200 gift card at Amazon (starting at $1,099 for the 128GB version). Take your pick from four colors: Obsidian, Hazel, Porcelain, and Rose Quartz.
More unlocked phone deals:Motorola moto g play (32GB) — $98.10 $169.99 (save $71.89)
Motorola moto g 5G (128GB) — $140.26 $249.99 (save $109.73)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G (128GB) — $174.99 $199.99 (save $25)
OnePlus Nord N30 5G (128GB) — $229.99 $299.99 (save $70)
Motorola moto g stylus 5G (256GB) — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170)
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G (128GB) — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)
OnePlus 12R (128GB) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)
Motorola razr (128GB) — $399.99 $699.99 (save $300)
Google Pixel 8a (128GB) — $449 $499 (save $50)
Motorola edge (256GB) — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (128GB) — $499.72 $599.99 (save $100.27)
Motorola edge+ (512GB) — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300)
Google Pixel 8 (128GB) — $549 $699 (save $150)
Motorola razr+ (256GB) — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)
OnePlus 12 (256GB) — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150)
Samsung Galaxy S24+ (256GB) — $799 $999.99 (save $200.99)
Google Pixel 9 (256GB) — $899 + free $100 Amazon gift card
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (512GB) — $1,099.99 $1,219.99 (save $120) + free $100 Amazon gift card
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)
OnePlus Open (512GB) — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400 with Prime)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (512GB) — $1,899.99 $2,019.99 (save $120) + free $300 Amazon gift card
Mashable hasn't reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, a fall 2023 release, but our sister site PCMag (owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable's publisher) deemed it "the Android slate to beat" for its slick design, performance, long battery life, and top-tier build quality. (It's waterproof and it ships with an S Pen at no extra cost.) It earned a 4/5 rating and an Editor's Choice nod over there. Amazon's Android Days event has brought the Silver base model down to $479.99, which is a 20% savings and $10 away from its lowest price to date. The other colors are $20 more.
More tablet deals:Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB) — $209.98 $329.99 (save $120.01)
Google Pixel Tablet (128GB) — $349 $399 (save $50)
OnePlus Pad (128GB) — $369.99 $479.99 (save $110)
Google Pixel Tablet (128GB) with Charging Speaker Dock — $399 $499 (save $100)
Oddly, this is the only Chromebook featured in Android Days. (Chromebooks can run Android apps.) It's not an impressive laptop by any means, with that dinky Intel Celeron processor and 64GB of eMMC storage. But for $190, it works as a simple, frills-free laptop for schoolwork or email-sending. If it helps, this appears to be its cheapest price ever.
Best smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung / Amazon Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 40mm) $299.99 at AmazonSamsung's new Galaxy Watch 7 comes equipped with a built-in blood oxygen sensor, blood-pressure monitor, and a sleep apnea sensor — three features you won't find in the current-generation Apple Watch. It's the primo wearable for health-conscious users, and Amazon will give you a free $40 gift card if you buy it there. The Bluetooth-only version starts at $299.99, while the LTE model starts at $349.99.
More smartwatch deals:Google Pixel Watch — $179.99 $279.99 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (Bluetooth, 40mm) — $144.72 $199.99 (save $55.27)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 44mm) — $216.45 $329.99 (save $113.54)
In another random deal, Amazon will give you a bonus $30 gift card if you pre-order the new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 ahead of their Sept. 26 release. (For what it's worth, this one will almost certainly stick around after Android Days formally ends.) Announced alongside the Pixel 9 series at Made By Google 2024, these are Google's first earbuds with its AI chatbot Gemini built-in. They also have a slimmer, supposedly comfier design with a new "twist-to-adjust stabilizer" that helps keep them in place.
GET $30 OFF: As of Aug 28, you can snag a Keurig K Mini single-serve coffee maker for just $59.99, down from $89.99, at Target. That's a $30 discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Our pick: Keurig K Mini $59.99 at TargetWhen I was an undergrad, it was nearly impossible to find a decent cup of coffee before my dreaded 8 a.m. classes. The campus coffee shop was always packed, and the vending machine options were less than desirable. Don’t be like me — make sure you have a reliable way to get your caffeine fix this back-to-school season with your very own Keurig K Mini.
The Keurig K Mini is on sale for only $30 right now at Target, down from its usual $89.99 price tag. That's a 33% discount.
This little coffee maker is Keurig’s slimmest model yet (less than five inches wide), so you can stash it in your dorm or communal kitchen (if you can trust your roommates) without taking up too much precious counter space.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: One of our favorite Bluetooth speakers, the Sonos Move 2, just got $90 cheaperThe Keurig K Mini is available in multiple colors, including evergreen and stone, so you can choose one that matches your aesthetic. It’s also equipped to brew six- to 12-ounce cups, has a one-cup reservoir, and can brew everything from hot coffee and tea to iced beverages (you’ve just got to get the right K-cup pods).
Keep caffeinated and carry on.
Google has announced that Gemini, its AI tool that rivals ChatGPT, now supports AI-generated images of people.
The feature was previously available on Gemini, but was disabled in February by Google after users quickly discovered they were able to create disturbing images using the tech giant's AI tool. To prevent exploitative misuse, Google claims that it is implementing strict guardrails.
In addition to this news, the search engine giant said that it's rolling out customized Gems, a new feature that was unveiled at Google I/O.
SEE ALSO: Gemini Live: I got to use it before you and it's the biggest threat to ChatGPT right now Gemini now lets users create AI-generated images of people — but there are restrictionsAs mentioned at the outset, Google announced that that Gemini users will now have the opportunity to create AI-generated images of people. As it stands now, if you type in a command that attempts to prompt Gemini to create an AI-generated person, you'll get the following message:
"Image generation of people is coming soon to Gemini Advanced. Sign up and get notified when you receive early access at gemini.google/advanced."
Well, the wait is now over. Google said that, over the coming days, users will have the opportunity to use Gemini to create AI-generated images of people. Users with Gemini Advanced, Business, or Enterprise accounts will get early access to the feature.
Google wants to make clear, however, that this isn't a free-for-all. The search engine claims that it has made "technical improvements" to Gemini ahead of the rollout, as well as "improved evaluation sets, red-teaming exercises and clear product principles."
"We don’t support the generation of photorealistic, identifiable individuals, depictions of minors or excessively gory, violent or sexual scenes," said Google Gemini's Senior Director of Product Management David Citron.
Citron went on to say that Google Gemini is imperfect, but the company will continue to keep an eye on user feedback to improve it. For now, Google Gemini's new people-focused AI-generated feature supports prompts in English, but the company has plans to add more languages soon.
Google Gemini runs on Imagen 3. As we reported last week, this Google-developed generative AI model received an upgrade to its capabilities, including improved image quality. Similar to Imagen 2, Imagen 3 uses SynthID, Google's tool for watermarking AI-generated content.
A new personalized Gemini is hereGoogle unveiled its plans for customized "Gems" (i.e., personalized variants of Gemini) at Google I/O. Here's how Google described Gems in a mid-May blog post:
"You can create any Gem you dream up: a gym buddy, sous chef, coding partner or creative writing guide. They’re easy to set up, too."
Google claims that you can create a customized Gem by telling it what you want it to do and how you want it to respond. For example, you can use a prompt like, "You're my nutrition coach. Give me a daily nutrition plan. Be optimistic, energetic, and inspiring." And just like that, Google Gemini will create a personalized Gem for you that meets your needs.
If you have no idea how you want to customize your Gem, Google said it has created premade Gems for users:
The Learning Coach — clarifies complex topics
The Brainstormer — helps you brainstorm creative ideas for inspiration
The Career Guide — offers advice, recommendations, and plans to achieve your career goals
The Writing Editor — gives you constructive feedback on your writing
The Coding Partner — elevates your coding skills
Gems are now rolling out to Gemini Advanced, Gemini Business, and Gemini Enterprise users.
TL;DR: Sign up for lifetime cybersecurity training with an InfoSec4TC Platinum Membership for only £42.40 (reg. £212.10). That's over 1,800 hours of frequently-updated, self-paced training for life.
Opens in a new window Credit: InfoSec4TC InfoSec4TC Platinum Membership: Cybersecurity Training Lifetime Access £42.40 at Mashable ShopThe cybersecurity industry is growing all the time, and current predictions estimate it will be worth more than £285 billion by 2029. All that growth points towards a steady supply of promising career opportunities, but those positions require a lot of training. If you want to get started on your own time, then try an InfoSec4TC Platinum Membership and get unlimited access to nearly 2,000 hours of expert training materials and a community of like-minded learners, all for £43.
Start your cybersecurity training onlineCybersecurity isn’t just one skill that you can master. It encompasses many topics to learn, but this bundle has resources for all experience levels. Many of the courses do rely on some experience in IT and cybersecurity, but the bundle also provides the course materials to get to that level. Learn about ethical hacking in The Complete Ethical Hacker Course and Hacking using Python From A to Z, or check out any of the other intro courses.
This bundle even gives you access to certification practice exams, and they update often, so you won’t be studying old, outdated material. It’s like a study guide that could land you an exciting new job. Prove to potential employers that you’re a self-motivated expert in your field by studying courses in GSEC, CISSP, CISM, CISA, and other internationally recognized IT certifications. Passing your exams might just land you that first industry job, and you can get support the whole way through by checking out everything your InfoSec4TC student portal has to offer.
Learn about cybersecurity at your own paceExpensive university courses aren’t the only way you can start your cybersecurity training. Join over 1,000 other students and get lifetime access to 1,840 hours of cybersecurity instruction. Get an InfoSec4TC Platinum Membership on sale for £42.40 (reg. £212.10).
Prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Find out what the weather has in store with Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus, your weather hub with storm updates, road conditions, and more all for $39.99 (reg. $149.97).
Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus: Lifetime Subscription $39.99Weather can be unpredictable. When it does turn, you want to be prepared — or at least have an umbrella. That’s where Weather Hi-Def Storm Watch Plus comes in. This advanced weather app provides real-time and future-animated radar images, giving you a clear view of current and upcoming weather conditions, and you can get it for 73% off.
Your pocket meteorologistWhen you open the app, you’re greeted with sharp, interactive radar imagery showing you precisely what’s happening right now and what’s expected in the near future. Whether you’re tracking a storm system, checking for snowfall, or monitoring hurricane paths, the app’s detailed maps are displayed in full-screen mode, providing a comprehensive view of the weather.
Be sure to check out the different map overlays. These add crucial layers of information to your radar view. You can see if roads are icy, check for active wildfires, or view recent earthquake activity. The air quality monitoring is particularly useful in areas with high pollution, letting you know if it’s safe to head outdoors.
The app also allows you to set up multiple locations. Get storm warnings to send to your family or check the weather conditions ahead of a visit.
Storm's a-brewin'? You’ll receive instant notifications about precipitation, lightning strikes, and severe weather warnings for any of your saved locations. This includes alerts for storm tracks, flood warnings, and even winter storm warnings.
This app is compatible with iOS and Android devices and is only available in the US. Lifetime access means you won't ever have to wonder if those clouds on the horizon mean rain.
Stay ahead of the stormWhether you want to know if you should bring an umbrella or need the latest on a coming hurricane, now you don't have to look any further than your phone.
Get a Lifetime Subscription to Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus for $39.99 (reg. $149.97). That's the best price online, too.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Some of our favorite brands — from Samsung to Sonos — are getting the deal treatment at Amazon as we inch closer to Labor Day weekend. Summer's final hurrah is cause to treat yourself, don't you think?
We've rounded up the best Amazon deals we could find on Aug. 28 to save you from having to do the hunting yourself. Just add them to your cart and get back to enjoying your end-of-summer shenanigans.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these speak to you, be sure to check back at our deal picks from yesterday, Aug. 27. Many of those are still live — including 15% off the basic Kindle and AirPods Max for only $399.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Move 2 $359.00 at AmazonThe Sonos Move 2 is one of our favorite Bluetooth speakers — particularly for smart homes — and it rarely gets discounts. Ahead of Labor Day weekend, however, you can slash 20% off its full price and pick it up for only $359. That's not its lowest price to date, but it's still a great deal and only the third time Amazon's had it on sale this year. While the Move 2 is a Bluetooth speaker, it's not exactly the most portable choice. As Stan Schroeder writes in his review, "It sounds fantastic, but it's essentially a home speaker that also happens to be somewhat portable." It's all good, though; what it lacks in portability, it certainly makes up for in impressive stereo sound, 24-hour battery life, and dynamic smart features. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that it looks good either.
Read our full review of the Sonos Move 2.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung T5 EVO portable SSD (4TB) $199.99 at AmazonIf you're looking for a portable way to increase speed and capacity on your hard drive, check out the Samsung T5 EVO. Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) called it a "tough sell" at full price, which is $425, but we're much more inclined to recommend it with its current 53% discount. "The T5 EVO is a good (though not cost-effective) upgrade to a spinning hard drive, giving users a boost in both speed and capacity," PCMag's review states, but "you may want to hold off on buying it until it goes on sale." The time has come: the 4TB option is down to just $200 as of Aug. 28.
Opens in a new window Credit: eufy eufy 11S Max robot vacuum $139.99 at AmazonThere are hundreds of robot vacuums to choose from these days, but if you're looking for something that can get the job done on a budget, allow us to introduce the eufy 11S Max. It's equipped with over 10 infrared sensors to keep it aware of its surroundings, including anti-collision and anti-drop sensors. It also offers 2000Pa of suction power, a three-point cleaning system, and a remote control that allows you to set schedules and pick cleaning patterns. If you have lots of high-pile carpets in your home, the eufy 11S Max is probably not the best choice for you, but it can glide over just about any other floor type with ease. And the best part is it's on sale for only $139.99 — that's a savings of 44%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) Bundle $219.97 at AmazonOur absolute favorite Kindle device overall, the Paperwhite Signature Edition, is on sale again. It's not the biggest discount we've ever seen, but it is one of the best (and only) deals we've seen on this model all year. Like the original Paperwhite, the Signature Edition features a 6.8-inch glare-free display with adjustable warm light and IPX8 waterproofing. The SE adds a couple upgrades, though, including 32GB of storage, no lockscreen ads, automatically adjusting lights, and wireless charging. This bundle deal includes a fabric case and a charging dock all for just $219.97, down from $257.97.
Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.
Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill $479.00 at AmazonRunning in this heat is downright miserable, not to mention dangerous. Grab yourself an indoor alternative like the NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill and keep your training going no matter the weather. The T Series 5 offers a zero to 10 percent incline, zero to 10 MPH speeds, and SmartAdjust, which can automatically make the adjustments for you based on your workout history and performance. You can even connect your heart rate monitor through iFIT's ActivePulse, and it will make auto-adjustments based on your target heart rate zones. Your purchase includes 30 days of iFIT to get you started. Just connect your phone or tablet via Bluetooth and enjoy thousands of workout options that allow you to run or walk across the world. Regularly $599, you can save 20% and get it on sale for $479.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Welcome in fall with a comfortable new mattress that'll help you get great sleep every night. Labor Day sales on mattresses can save you up to 50% when buying a new bed. Here are some of our top picks.
Best Labor Day mattress deals Best overall mattress deal Casper The One (queen) $799 at Casper (save $346) Get Deal Best hybrid mattress deal The WinkBed (queen) $1,499 at WinkBeds (save $300) Get Deal Best college dorm mattress deal Bear Original (twin XL) $553 at Bear (save $279) Get DealSleep is one of life's essentials. We've all had bad nights (or months) where sleep just didn't happen, and we know how painful that can feel the next day. Having a hazy brain, no gusto, and the heaviest of eyelids is not a great experience. If you're not sleeping well, it might be time to consider if your mattress is holding you back.
Whether it's feeling lumpy, too soft, or it's so old that you can no longer remember when you bought it, it's probably time for an upgrade. But buying a new mattress can feel intimidating since there are actually thousands to choose from and some of them cost quite a bit. You're in luck though if you're shopping for a new mattress this week because Labor Day brings about some incredible deals on beds.
Here are our top picks for mattress deals:
Best overall mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Casper Our pick: Casper The One (queen) $799.00 at CasperIf you're looking for an affordable all-foam mattress, check out Casper's The One. Thanks to the brand's Labor Day sale, a queen-size The One is on sale for just $799, down from the usual price of $1,145.
Mashable's review of the best online mattresses rated the Casper Original as the most well-rounded bed. The One is Casper's latest iteration of the Original, offering support with three layers of foam designed for great pressure relief. Casper included Breathe Flex Foam in the upper layer of the bed, which has an open-cell construction to offer better airflow. Just below this layer, memory foam aims to cradle the curves of the body.
Casper considers The One to have a medium-firm feel, but if you're not totally sure what firmness level you prefer, you won't have to lose any sleep. Casper offers a 100 night sleep trial with The One, so you can sleep on it in the comfort of your own bedroom for over three months while still being eligible for a return.
Best hybrid mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: WinkBeds Our pick: The WinkBed $1,499.00 at WinkBedsA hybrid mattress can be a great combination of ergonomic support and ultimate comfort. If this sounds like your ideal mattress, the WinkBed could be great. Thanks to the brand's Labor Day sale, a queen-size WinkBed is $1,499, down from the usual price of $1,799, which means you'll save $300. Not only do you bank some cash, you can also choose your ideal firmness level since the WinkBed comes in Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer versions.
The WinkBed uses gel-infused foams for pressure relief and a quilted pillow-top layer. The coil layer focuses on providing optimal ergonomic support, and it's zoned to offer more support in heavier areas like the hips.
Order the WinkBed during the Labor Day sale and you'll be getting a mattress hand-made in the U.S. that could be your best ticket to restful sleep.
Best college dorm mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Our pick: Bear Original mattress (twin XL) $553.00 at BearIf you're heading back to school soon, but this time it'll be in a college dorm, you might consider packing along your own mattress. The Bear Original mattress comes in at an affordable price without sacrificing any comfort and thanks to the Labor Day sale, a twin XL is just $553.
The Bear Original mattress is a 10-inch thick bed with three layers of foam, designed to send you off into dream land with both comfort and support. Plus, cooling gel memory foam should help keep you sleeping at a desirable temperature.
The Bear Original weighs about 50 pounds in the twin XL size, and it arrives at your doorstep vacuum sealed in a box. Both attributes make hauling the bed into your new digs a bit more manageable. Bear's Labor Day sale also throws in the Bear Sleep Bundle for free, which means you'll also get two pillows, a sheet set, and a mattress protector for your twin XL bed.
More Labor Day mattress dealsAmerisleep — save $500 on any mattress
Avocado — save up to $1,540 on organic mattresses and up to 50% off on bedding
Bear — save 35% sitewide and get two free pillows, sheets, and a mattress protector with every mattress purchase
Birch — save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with every mattress purchase using code LDW25
Brooklyn Bedding – save 25% sitewide through Sept. 3
Casper — save 30% on all mattresses and up to 30% off sleep accessories
DreamCloud — save 50% on select mattresses
Helix — save 25% sitewide and get a free bedding bundle (worth $330+) with the purchase of a Luxe or Elite mattress using code LDW25
Leesa — save 30% on select mattresses and get a free sleep bundle (worth $299) with every mattress purchase through Sept. 10 at 8 a.m. ET
Layla — save up to $200 on select mattresses and get two free Layla pillows
Nectar — save up to 40% on mattresses
Purple — save up to $700 on select mattresses, up to $300 on bases, and up to 20% on pillows and bedding through Sept. 10
Saatva — save up to $600 on mattresses
Sealy — save up to $300 on the Posturepedic Plus collection and get a free $200 Visa gift card
Serta — save up to $900 on select mattresses and adjustable base sets
Tuft & Needle — save up to $700 on select mattresses and 20% on select bedding
GET $200+ OFF: As of August 28, you can get $200+ off a robot vacuum at Amazon. Save on Shark, iRobot, and more ahead of Labor Day.
Our top picks: Best eufy deal eufy 11S MAX $139.99 at Amazon (save $110) Get Deal Best Shark deal Shark AI Ultra (AV2501S) $329.99 at Amazon (save $75.01) Get Deal Best Roomba deal iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO (3550) $314.47 at Amazon (save $235.52) Get DealIf you’ve been trying to get your hands on a new robot vacuum, now might be the perfect time to snag one for a discounted price. With Labor Day just a few days away, Amazon’s offering deals on popular robot vacuum brands like Roomba, Ecovacs, and Shark.
SEE ALSO: The best robot vacuums for every budget in 2024Whether you’re shopping for your first robot vacuum or trying to replace an older model, there’s bound to be a vac on this list that’ll fit your needs.
Here are our top picks for the best robot vacuum deals ahead of Labor Day:
Best eufy deal Opens in a new window Credit: eufy Our pick: eufy 11S MAX $139.99 at AmazonRobot vacuums are expensive, but this budget-friendly model by eufy delivers great value at a discount. The eufy 11S MAX is compact, quiet, and can run for 100 minutes on a single charge. The BoostIQ Technology is built to increase power when extra vacuuming strength is needed for those tough jobs. There’s also an infrared sensor to prevent it from crashing into furniture or falling down stairs. It’s not voice-activated like more premium models, but at this price point, it's hard to beat.
Note: This robot vac doesn't come with a self-emptying base (hence the cheaper price).
More budget robot vacuum dealsLefant M210Pro — $94.99 $209.99 (save $115)
Lefant M310 — $129.99 $259.98 (save $129.99)
roborock Q7 Max — $299.99 $599.99 (save $300)
Shark is one of the biggest names in the robot vac game — I have one, and I love it. The Shark AI Ultra (AV2501S) is a pretty good upgrade pick if you want more advanced features. It’s not crazy expensive, and the self-emptying base means you can go longer between emptying the dustbin.
SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineupsShark’s Matrix Clean navigation with LiDAR vision maps out your floors to clean every nook and cranny. You can also set no-go zones through the SharkClean app and schedule cleanings even when you're not home.
More Shark robot vacuum dealsShark ION (AV753) — $219 $229.99 (save $10.99)
Shark RV2502AE AI Ultra — $375 $599.99 (save $224.99)
Shark AI Ultra — $405.66 $599 (save $193.34)
The iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO (3550) is a bit more affordable than the high-end Roombas, but still has great features. The smart mapping technology and self-emptying base are two of the biggest perks that make this robot vacuum worth the price.
SEE ALSO: Roomba models, explained: The guide to deciding which Roomba to buy (2024)Thanks to its three-stage cleaning system and power-lifting suction, this little robot vacuum can handle ground-in dirt, dust, and pet hair. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and the base holds up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and debris (30 more than the Shark listed above), so you can put your house chores, at least the vacuuming, on autopilot.
More iRobot robot vacuum dealsiRobot Roomba (Q0120) — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)
iRobot Roomba Combo i5 — $229 $349.99 (save $120.99)
iRobot Braava Jet M6 (6110) — $299 $449.99 (save 150.99)
Like leftovers long forgotten inside a mini fridge, heaps of data that cellphone users buy from their providers go to waste. Research has shown that nearly three out of five Americans with limited data plans rarely consume all of their data. That stinks, especially for college students who'd be better off using that money toward their education.
TextNow does phone plans differently. Unique in the industry, their service is built around unlimited free access to calling, texting, and using the essential apps on the nation’s largest 5G network. Like several streaming platforms, TextNow provides phone plans for $0 through ad support.
Opens in a new window Credit: TextNow TextNow Phone Service $0.00But unlike traditional providers, TextNow strives to provide more for less. They recently introduced Free Essential Data, a signature feature that allows users to access critical apps like email, maps, and rideshare for free (without incurring any data usage fees). Here are three ways TextNow makes it easy and affordable to connect, making it a campus favorite.
Budget-friendly pricingTextNow recognizes that 75 percent of Americans rely on Wi-Fi for at least half of their phone usage, and 35 percent believe they're paying for more data than they need. That's why TextNow offers flexible, affordable, no-contract data passes based on hourly, daily, or monthly use, ensuring you only pay for the data you need. Hour Passes are $0.99/hour; Day Passes are $4.99/day; and Monthly Passes are $39.99/month. (See more plan details.)
So even if you do find yourself without Wi-Fi and a Wordle streak to maintain, you can add on more data without committing to a plan that will take you longer to get out of than finding the nearest Wi-Fi spot.
FlexibilityBecause TextNow's calling and texting are supported through an app, the service can be easily installed on pretty much any smartphone, so customers can typically keep their device and phone number when switching hassle-free. Just note that while calls & texts will be immediately available for free over Wi-Fi, the one-time purchase of a SIM card is required to access the nation’s largest 5G network for continued access to calls, texts, plus essential data without Wi-Fi.
Smooth performanceTextNow's technology dynamically changes how calls are connected — via cellular network or Wi-Fi — to maintain the best call quality and limit dropped calls. since the provider offers 5G cellular coverage on the nation's largest network. Find out if TextNow is available in your area by consulting its Network Coverage Map.
In the Wi-Fi-blanketed world of college campuses, there's little need to rely on cellular data to browse the internet and use apps on your mobile phone. This means a $0/month phone plan from TextNow can sustain the average student's needs with the cost-effective satisfaction of an endless supply of instant noodles. Learn more here.
Who gets the final say on the Song of the Summer? Is it TikTok, which crowned Tommy Richman's "MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS)" and Tinashe's "Nasty" its songs of the summer earlier this month? Or is it Spotify, which has released its five songs of the summer today, Aug. 28?
Perhaps there's a personal song of the summer in each of us.
SEE ALSO: TikTok revives Sinéad O'Connor's 'Famine' to address colonial woundsSpotify named five songs that defined summer 2024 and presented them without a rank, instead organized by the artist's name. The songs include viral sensation and earworm "Espresso" from Short n' Sweet Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar's triumphant Drake diss track "Not Like Us," and "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" off Billie Eilish's latest album. Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!" and "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey rounded out the list.
In a press release, Spotify explained its methodology, writing that these tracks were "hand-picked by Spotify’s global music editorial team" and "represent the various sounds and moments that defined summer 2024 for listeners across the Northern Hemisphere." In the past, the music streaming giant only picked one song of the summer. But it should be said that "Espresso" has the most streams to date of the chosen five, with over one billion streams.
Both "Not Like Us" and "HOT TO GO!" received their biggest streaming spikes of the summer after viral performances — Lamar's Juneteenth concert and Roan's Gov Ball set, respectively.
"Not Like Us" and "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" were the only songs on both Spotify and TikTok's lists. Notably, neither list included any tracks from Charli XCX's Brat despite its undeniable cultural impact.
By the time I tapped out of Persona 5 after 60 hours of a massive high school adventure that I was enjoying less and less, I wasn’t sure I’d be excited to play the next game from Persona series director Katsura Hoshino. After spending about three hours with the team's next effort, Metaphor: ReFantazio, I will gladly spend about 90 more with it when it launches in October.
Rather than making a full-fledged Persona 6 (though that is thought to be in the works as well), Hoshino, and some of the other chief creatives from that series, formed a new team to make an original fantasy RPG with many of the same trappings as Persona. Metaphor has turn-based combat, slickly stylish visuals, catchy music, and the same signature, calendar-based time management system from Persona.
However, by ditching the modern high school setting and opting for something more fantastical, Metaphor may have also shedded some of the things that made me swear off finishing Persona 5 all those years ago.
What is Metaphor: ReFantazio?Metaphor is a brand new original turn-based RPG from some of the people who made Persona 5.
It's set in a fantasy universe where the use of magic is strictly regulated by the government — and only possible with the use of special equipment. The world is structured as one large united kingdom, though the unity is only skin-deep; this is a world steeped in fantasy racism, where people with horns and elves socially lord over people with cat ears for long-standing — and likely very stupid — cultural reasons.
I got to play the first two hours or so of Metaphor (plus a shorter section from a later save) and, with some caveats, I was immediately sold on the team's creative vision here. I'm iffy on the fantasy racism angle (more on that later), but this is a gorgeous anime-style fantasy world full of creepy monsters and cool fashion. The monsters are called "humans," which made me laugh, if nothing else. And the protagonist carries around a "fantasy novel" that more or less just describes Earth. I'm pretty sure there's something weird going on here, is what I'm saying.
One detail I loved is that there is no music for the first 10 to 15 minutes of the game, not until your fairy companion casts a spell to have music constantly playing in your head. That's very silly and endearing.
I won't go too deeply into the premise of the store because, frankly, I didn't see that much of it. But it seems to be a game about helping out a childhood friend while also maybe ascending to the now-vacant throne of the kingdom. Along the way, you'll almost certainly meet a colorful cast of companions who will be your friends both in and outside of combat.
SEE ALSO: PS5 Pro: There are new whispers that the release date is fast approaching How is it similar to Persona 5?Despite seeing a handful of trailers ahead of my hands-on session with Metaphor, I wasn't sure how it would actually work in practice. It turns out that, in many ways, it's a lot like Persona 5.
Battles look familiar. Credit: Sega/AtlusThe combat basics, for instance, are very similar. Fights are turn-based and enemies (and player characters) are all strong and weak against different weapon types and magical elements. There’s a calendar with deadlines for major story milestones, and if you miss them, it’s game over. Nearly every action you take consumes time in some way. Party members, as well as non-combat NPCs, also form bonds with the protagonist, and developing these bonds over the course of the game by spending time with people will presumably unlock various benefits.
The main one of those benefits seems to be unlocking Archetypes, which take the places of Personas as the omnipresent magical beings who characters equip to bolster or even totally alter their fighting styles. There are more than 40 Archetypes in the game, and each one carries a series of elemental strengths and weaknesses to go along with some spells and abilities that any character who equips that Archetype can use. Oh, and when a character first unlocks their Archetype, they reach into their chest and pull out a metal heart. It's awesome.
Metaphor also has that funky verve that Persona fans will instantly recognize. The menus and combat interfaces move with a distinct motion graphical flavor, and the battle music was stuck in my head for a week after playing the demo. Seriously, it heavily features what I would call "operatic yodeling" (I know there's probably a more accurate term, but that's what I'm going with) and a bombastic chorus that hopefully doesn't get old over the course of a long, long RPG.
How is it different from Persona 5?The moment-to-moment gameplay in Metaphor resembles Persona 5 enough that fans of that game will feel at home, at least until things start diverging. This is where Metaphor's demo really grabbed me; now that this team isn't restricted by the need to set its RPGs in realistic Japanese high schools, they can do some fun, weird stuff.
Of course, the screen where you unlock Archetypes looks like this. Credit: Sega/AtlusFor example, the main character speaks now. That's obviously not strictly related to the setting, but it's an immediately noticeable difference. Your dude will talk in full sentences, which really threw me off at first. Metaphor also has a healthy dose of lore, with a codex you can open at any time during dialogue scenes to learn about the places, people, and things in this fantasy kingdom.
Remember how I said fights are turn-based in Metaphor? That's true, but only some of the time. Perhaps the biggest mechanical divergence from Persona is the addition of simple, real-time action combat that complements the turn-based fights. When you encounter an enemy in a dungeon, you can use a three-hit combo and a dodge button to gradually deplete their stamina meter. Once the enemy's meter is down, then you enter turn-based mode, with a significant health advantage over the now-stunned enemy.
Of course, this is optional, and you can fight enemies in turn-based encounters without dealing with the real-time stuff. But I found that there's a serious advantage to engaging with this system, as enemies will start fights at about half health if you've managed to bop them a few times with your sword in the overworld. There's also risk to this, though. If an enemy hits you, the turn-based fight starts with your entire party at such a disadvantage that you might as well start over.
Speaking of which, there's a button to just start over turn-based fights from the first turn, whenever you want. I want every RPG to have this going forward.
Strohl is the first homie you meet in the story. He's got cool horns. Credit: Sega/AtlusThe action element, and the fact that hitting enemy weaknesses in turn-based fights doesn't automatically stun them anymore, made the combat I experienced in the Metaphor demo feel much more dynamic and unpredictable than in Persona. In the latter, fights often boil down to hitting every enemy's weakness until they're all down, then using a big team-up attack to end the fight. In Metaphor, that doesn't seem to be an option. You have to fully engage with the systems and think on your feet here, and fights feel challenging as a result.
Another promising development is that Archetypes don't work the way Personas did. In a Persona game, the protagonist can find, unlock, and develop dozens of Personas, but each party member just has one. Here, every character can unlock and equip every Archetype, and each one comes with an accompanying weapon type. In this way, selecting Archetypes feels more like choosing a new class than the equivalent system in Persona.
This is a much more difficult judgment to make after just a few hours with Metaphor, but in a general sense, I find it really refreshing that it's set in a fantasy world rather than trying to deal directly with real-world problems like Persona does. Trust me; I'm not a "keep politics out of games" person at all. It's just that I don't think Persona was ever particularly good at dealing with real-world problems. Persona 4 walked back on having gay and trans party members in a cowardly way, and 5 wasn't much better.
Adding a layer of abstraction might help this team tell a better story this time around. I am worried about the fantasy racism aspect of Metaphor, as that's a concept that can quickly get out of hand if handled poorly. I didn't get enough time with the demo to fully grasp Metaphor's take on it, though, so that'll have to wait until the game is out.
Regardless of that one hang-up (and it's potentially a big one), Metaphor: ReFantazio quickly shot up my "most anticipated games" list after I played it for a few hours. Seriously, just listen to that battle music and tell me you don't want to know more about — er — whatever is going on there.
Metaphor: ReFantazio launches on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on Oct. 11.
If The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's first season was about teasing the return of the Dark Lord Sauron (Charlie Vickers), then its second season is all about unleashing Sauron's darkness in full. And honestly? Call me Mount Doom, because I had a blast watching it.
SEE ALSO: 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' recap brings you up to speed in Middle-earthSauron's resurgence unlocks several opportunities for The Rings of Power to go full throttle with its interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. New forms of corruption, new evil creatures, new battles — it's all on the table, making for a season that is substantially darker than the first (but more wickedly fun).
Middle-earth faces the darkness in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Owain Arthur and Sophia Nomvete in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Credit: Prime VideoThe events of The Rings of Power Season 1 have left Middle-earth in disarray. The eruption of Orodruin (aka Mount Doom) has created the wasteland known as Mordor, leaving the inhabitants of the Southlands in a constant battle with orc hordes. The loss of Númenórean soldiers in the battle for the Southlands has radicalized a portion of the great island kingdom, pushing it further towards political chaos. And in the Elven realm of Lindon, the realization that Halbrand was Sauron all along has rendered High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo) suspicious of Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), who brought Halbrand back to Middle-earth in the first place. Still shaken by her deception at the hands of Sauron, all Galadriel wants to do is destroy him once and for all. But how can she trust her own mind after Sauron managed to worm his way in?
As the Elves debate their next course of action, including whether it's even safe to use the three Rings of Power forged by smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) at the end of Season 1, darkness only spreads further across Middle-earth — including places where Sauron never held direct influence. Tremors from Mount Doom's explosion lead to catastrophe in the Dwarven realm of Khazad-dûm, prompting King Durin III (Peter Mullan) to take drastic measures in order to help his people. Elsewhere, in the Eastern lands of Rhûn, the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) and Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh) come face to face with a foreboding Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds).
SEE ALSO: 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' trailer teases an epic battle for the fate of RohanLike in Season 1, showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne are playing fairly fast and loose with the timeline of Tolkien's legendarium. Some characters are completely original, while other plots are cobbled together from references to other non-Second Age-era Tolkien texts. Much of the Stranger's initial encounter with the mysterious Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear), for example, plays out like an early portion of The Fellowship of the Ring novel — one that was omitted from Peter Jackson's film trilogy. Yet despite the sometimes fanfiction-y feel of certain character combinations, fabricated storylines, or the occasional on-the-nose quotation, the actual details, character beats, and themes of The Rings of Power remain unmistakably Tolkien in nature.
The Rings of Power Season 2 proves villains have more fun Charlie Vickers in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime VideoBut where's Sauron in the middle of all of this? What's that tricksy little Maia up to? Now that his cover's been blown, is he gathering armies and storming across the land? Or is he continuing his Season 1 tactics and taking a more subtle approach?
If you guessed "subtle," you're right! Your prize is 20 Rings of Power, to be kept secret (and preferably safe).
Season 2 sees Sauron briefly recycling his Halbrand disguise in order to put some plans into motion involving orc leader Adar (Sam Hazeldine). But it's not long before he heads to Eregion to hang out with Celebrimbor and get a stylish villain makeover. One long blonde wig and some Elf ears later, and Sauron has transformed into Annatar, the so-called "Lord of Gifts" who's here to help Celebrimbor forge more Rings of Power. Celebrimbor, having already been deceived once by Sauron at the very end of Season 1, buys the disguise and is in.
SEE ALSO: 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2 Comic-Con trailer gives us rings, wights, and wigsThe ensuing dynamic between Celebrimbor and Sauron becomes the most intriguing of the season, as we get to watch Sauron ensnare yet another Elf's mind in his quest for power. Since the Sauron reveal was treated as the big surprise of Season 1, The Rings of Power often kept Sauron-as-Halbrand's villainy hidden, only showing it in surprise bursts of violence. But now that the truth is out in Season 2, Sauron-as-Annatar's villainy simmers in every scene, lurking in each of Vickers' smirks and stares. His performance is deliciously fun to watch in the way that all great villains are, yet the cost of Sauron's plotting becomes harder to stomach as the season goes on and his victory seems more assured. Whenever he cajoles Celebrimbor to do his bidding, using increasingly manipulative methods, it's enough to make you want to reach through the screen and shake the Elven smith's shoulders to snap him out of Sauron's control.
To Celebrimbor's credit, he does have his doubts throughout the season, and Edwards delivers a tragic portrait of an Elf losing his grip on reality throughout. It's here that The Rings of Power most fully embraces the terror of Sauron's abilities, showcasing some sinister powers that had me leaping off my couch in both fear and excitement of, "wow, we're actually going there." In a season full of treats — including The Rings of Power's biggest battle yet, new displays of magic, and one very evil sentient pile of ooze — it's this mental warfare that hits hardest.
The Rings of Power continues to overstretch itself in Season 2 Sam Hazeldine in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime VideoWhile The Rings of Power soars to new heights in Season 2, it occasionally feels like a collection of standout moments, as opposed to a cohesive narrative. That was also the case in Season 1, when certain storylines would drop away for episodes at a time, only to resurface later.
That problem only grows in Season 2, with the Rhûn and Númenórean plotlines especially feeling more distant from the others by virtue of having fewer overlapping characters. They tend to appear in every other episode, and when we return to them, it feels as if we're missing connective tissue between where we left them and where they are now. These stories and the characters inhabiting them occupy an important space within the series, and within Tolkien's legendarium, yet they're not getting the time they need to develop. It's proof of The Rings of Power's vast scope and ambitions, as well as the small amount of real estate (only eight episodes!) the show gets to explore them. To paraphrase a wise Hobbit, the resulting effect is a series that can sometimes feel stretched thin, like butter scraped over too much bread.
However, the official return of Sauron proves to be exactly what The Rings of Power needs to hold itself together and build momentum. His darkness binds each and every inhabitant of Middle-earth to one another, serving as an effective through-line even as some disparate characters spin off on their own adventures. And while the rise of that evil may seem daunting, light will always shine through in true Tolkien fashion thanks to The Rings of Power's bravest (and sometimes most unlikely) heroes. Their trials remain a shining beacon of hope and earnestness not just in Middle-earth, but on TV as a whole.
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