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Is there an audio or speaker problem with the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max?
On Reddit and Apple forums, some users have been complaining about a crackling or "popping noise" coming from their new iPhones' speakers. Some of the users think the issue stems from the earpiece speaker, and Mashable found complaints about the problem with both the Pro and Pro Max models.
We also want to note that multiple Mashable reporters have a new iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max device (read our full review), and none have experienced any audio popping issues. However, the potential issue has been reported in multiple places.
Mashable reached out to Apple to ask about a possible speaker issue and will update this piece if we receive a response.
One Redditor described the issue as sounding as "if someone is pulling out an aux cord and you hear a brief click pop noise." The user said the clicking noise occurred during numerous activities, from playing music to switching apps to receiving notifications.
One user reported that an Apple Store employee told them that this was most likely a software issue that would be fixed with an update. However, the latest iOS 27.0.1 update, which was released earlier this week, did not fix the audio problem for some of the users who reported experiencing the problem, according to posts on Reddit.
At least one user said they exchanged their iPhone for a new one due to the problem, only to discover that their replacement phone had the same exact problem.
RedditTL;DR: The Bahrain GP in Malaysia is free to viewers on F1’s exclusive U.S. home Apple TV this weekend — no subscription required.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV Shop NowThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix was everything that's great about F1. We had electric racing, dramatic incidents, and a nail-biting race to the chequered flag. Can the Bahrain GP in Malaysia compete with that? We believe.
George Russell's win last weekend has narrowed the gap to leader Kimi Antonelli, but the young Italian still looks like the favorite to end up on top. Lando Norris had been the man to beat coming into the last race weekend, but he ended up with a dreaded DNF. There's plenty of time to turn things around, and that starts at the Sepang International Circuit.
SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presenceIf you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the Bahrain GP?The Bahrain GP is the 16th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Sepang International Circuit:
Practice 1 — 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 2
Practice 2 — 4-5 a.m. ET on Oct. 2
Practice 3 — 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 3
Qualifying — 4-5 a.m. ET on Oct. 3
Race — 3 a.m. ET on Oct. 4
Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.
How to watch the Bahrain GP for freeIt's at the stage where we usually suggest using free trials to access F1 race weekends, but that's not necessary this time around. Instead, fans can watch every session live on Apple TV — including practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s Grand Prix — with no subscription required.
Not for the first time, Apple TV has made an entire F1 race weekend available to live stream for free to viewers in the U.S. Live coverage of the Bahrain GP in Malaysia runs from Oct. 2-4. You simply need to visit Apple TV and tune in. It's that simple.
We don't know why Apple TV has chosen this race weekend, but we're not going to ask too many questions. We're just going to sit back and relax all weekend with live action from the Sepang International Circuit.
Amazon has overhauled its entire Kindle e-reader lineup in honor of its 20th anniversary, and you can already buy the new models — though most won't ship until late October.
On Oct. 1, the company announced a newly redesigned basic Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Colorsoft, plus kid-friendly versions of each. It's also launching some all-new Kindle accessories, including a page-turning remote called the Kindle Click. (Mashable's resident e-reader expert thinks that one will sell like hotcakes. Read her recap of all the new Kindle updates.)
Meet the sleek new Kindle lineup. Credit: René Ramos / MashableThe new Kindles have thinner, lighter designs and come in new colors like ube, alpine sky, and seaglass green. The standard Kindle also now has a flush-front display and an optional aluminum back, which was previously exclusive to the "Signature Editions" of the Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft.
Amazon's fresh e-readers cost the same as their predecessors, which recently saw $30 to $50 price hikes because of the global memory shortage:
Kindle (16GB) — $149.99
Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) — $199.99
Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) — $289.99
Kindle Kids (16GB) — $179.99
Kindle Kids Paperwhite (16GB) — $229.99
Kindle Kids Colorsoft (16GB) — $299.99
Meanwhile, the new Kindle accessories start at $35. Besides the Click remote, there's a new cover with physical page-turn buttons and a charging stand for both versions of the Kindle Paperwhite. There's also a new sling bag for the basic Kindle — complete with its own miniature Kindle keychain charm.
Kindle Click — $34.99
Charging Stand — $59.99
Kindle Page Turn Cover — $79.99
Kindle Sling Bag — $99.99
The new standard Kindle and Kindle Kids are now available for immediate purchase through Amazon and Best Buy. The other new Kindles and most of their accessories are up for preorder on Amazon ahead of their joint release on Wednesday, Oct. 28. We'll be on the lookout for deals on them during Amazon's upcoming Prime Big Deal Days sale.
Amazon hasn't set a launch date for the charging stand yet, but shoppers can sign up to get email notifications when it's available.
SAVE $49.01: As of Oct. 1, the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) is marked down to just $349.99 at Target — that's 13% off its usual price of $399.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 at TargetBuying older Apple devices is a great way to save on an upgrade. The only trick is finding them in stock: Apple usually discontinues its last-gen models as soon as their successors arrive, and once third-party retailers sell their remaining inventory, they're pretty much gone for good.
With that in mind, I was surprised to catch the Apple Watch Series 11 in stock and on sale at Target. It's marked down to $349.99 there in the lead-up to next week's Circle Deal Days event — a 13% discount on its usual sticker price of $399. Take your pick from three styles of the 42mm model:
Rose gold aluminum case with light blush Sport Band
Jet black aluminum case with black Sport Band
Space gray aluminum case with black Sport Band
This deal makes the Series 11 a full $50 cheaper than the new Apple Watch Series 12, which debuted last month during the company's "Surprise and Shine" iPhone event. The Series 12 has more durable glass, faster charging, upgraded heart rate sensors, and a speedier S11 chip that supports new Readiness and Audio Intelligence tools. But otherwise, they're identical and both run on watchOS 27. (Read Mashable's full review of the Series 11 from last year.)
The Series 11 has been cheaper before — $279 is its all-time low on Amazon — but I wouldn't wait to see if Target lowers its price any further during its Circle Deal Days sale on Oct. 6 and 7. If anything, it'll probably sell out there first. The Series 11 was MIA or full price at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart at the time of writing.
SAVE $100.99: Normally $249.99, the Shark SpeedStyle Flex Pro is on sale for just $149 on Amazon ahead of its October Prime event. That's a 40% savings and a record-low price on one of the best Dyson Supersonic alternatives.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark SpeedStyle Flex Pro $149 at AmazonWe're big fans of Dyson's beauty tech here at Mashable — and most of its vacuums, for the record — but we're even bigger fans of saving money whenever possible. Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard spent months vetting the best budget-friendly dupes for Dyson's splurgy Supersonic hair dryer. Now, one of them happens to be on sale for a record-low price.
As of Oct. 1, the Shark SpeedStyle Flex Pro is only $149 on Amazon. That's 40% off its usual sticker price of $249.99, which works out to a $100 savings. The only other time it's been this cheap was during Amazon's summer Prime Day sale in June, according to the price-tracking site camelcamelcamel.
Shark makes several iterations of its SpeedStyle hair dryer, all of which share an "IQ Styling" feature that automatically adjusts their heat and airflow depending on the attachment you're using. The "Flex Pro" model comes with the most attachments and has a twisting base for easy storage.
Allard said her "first and lasting impression of this hair dryer was that it doesn't play with its air speeds — they're strong. ... Reliably, my whole head was entirely dry in less than 15 minutes." She especially liked its QuickSmooth Brush for styling.
Amazon's deal on the SpeedStyle Flex Pro comes ahead of its Prime Big Deal Days event on Oct. 6 and 7 (commonly referred to as "October Prime Day"). If you're looking for even more early deals on beauty tech, check out our running list of the best. Crucially, this is one of the few that isn't exclusive to Prime members.
If the SpeedStyle Flex Pro sells out or gets more expensive on Amazon by the time you go to buy it — it's labeled as a "limited-time deal" — try Sephora, which was also selling it for $149 at the time of writing. It was 99 cents pricier at Best Buy, Ulta, and on Shark's own website.
Pete Davidson has a lot to get off his chest. And, no, not just the tattoos.
In a new Variety cover story and accompanying videos published Sept. 30, the comedian opened up about famous exes Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande, discussed Ye's harassment, took aim at influencer culture, and defended AI filmmaking. And, naturally, the internet had plenty to say about all of it.
He reflected on dating Kim Kardashian — and offered Ye some sympathyDavidson revisited one of his most scrutinized relationships: his time with Kim Kardashian.
The two began dating after sharing a kiss in an October 2021 Saturday Night Live sketch, while she was divorcing Ye (formerly Kanye West). They split in August 2022, but Davidson says there's still love there. "I’m one of the survivors — the few and the proud. We’re like the Marines," he joked about men who have dated Kardashians.
He said Kardashian respected his boundaries, but the constant attention and security became overwhelming while he was dealing with mental health and substance use issues. His comments drew criticism online, with some users accusing him of portraying himself as a victim. "There he goes crying again, nobody made you date her," said one user.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.As for Ye, who targeted Davidson on Instagram in 2022 and released an "Eazy" music video depicting a claymation version of the comedian being kidnapped and beheaded, Davidson gave a look into what exactly he faced at the time: "What tripped me out is I was super open about mental stuff — everyone knows this about me — and it's like he was [saying], 'Kill yourself.' And he did push me," Davidson said.
He added a joke that whoever Kardashian dated first would have faced Ye’s wrath: "I cleared the path for her to get back into the dating pool."
Despite that history, Davidson expressed a surprising amount of sympathy. "He’s also lost a parent and has mental stuff, and I don't know how he deals with it or who he has around him," he said. Davidson added that Ye was trying to push people away, concluding: "There's zero way he really feels like that."
He defended Ariana Grande against comments about her appearanceDavidson had kind words for Grande, whom he dated and was briefly engaged to in 2018. "I think Ariana’s fuckin’ cool and immensely talented and an awesome girl," he said. "We’re not texting or whatever, but we’re cool."
Asked about the scrutiny surrounding her appearance, he was considerably less fond of the people doing the commenting. "I don’t like it at all. It’s not cool. She’s a really strong person — I’ve witnessed it — and I don’t understand it," Davidson said. "She knows how to handle this stuff, though. She’s been around. So she’ll be OK, but I think it’s fucked up."
He also joked that there should be a support group for men like him and Jake Gyllenhaal, who have become the subjects of famous breakup songs. (Gyllenhal is thought to be the inspiration for Taylor Swift's song, All Too Well.)
SEE ALSO: We're having the wrong conversation about Ariana Grande He had something to say about influencers, tooIn Variety’s accompanying "Ask a Local" video, Davidson mocked "get ready with me" videos and TikTok dances.
"Girls are just talking to themselves on there, and they’re like, 'OK, come get ready with me,' and I’m like, 'Who the fuck are you? What do you do?' Nothing. What the fuck is this?" He claimed creators make "$40 million a year," (without naming anyone), and declared that "the world’s broken."
Creators had responses. Hayley Kalil wrote: "Mind you, he does the same thing, just for a TV camera instead of a phone camera." In Variety’s Instagram comments, Claudia Oshry, known as @girlwithnojob, wrote: "But he literally does nothing and also makes $40M....??"
"Imagine dating the biggest influencer of all time and still having these thoughts?" added Oti Mabuse. Creator @wellwithraele questioned why his criticism focused on women: "If the influencer industry was dominated by men, no one would care or have any qualms about a single thing."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Other responses were more supportive of Davidson’s criticism. "Pete Davidson said what everyone else was thinking," said one user. Another called it the "right message, wrong messenger."
He explained the AI behind his upcoming movieDavidson also defended the use of AI for locations in Doug Liman's upcoming thriller Bitcoin, saying it allowed the production to avoid extensive travel. "We were trying to shoot a $250 million movie," he said. TheWrap reported that the film actually cost $70 million and used AI for settings and lighting.
Davidson stressed that the production still employed a full crew and extras, adding: "None of our performances are AI or being altered or anything."
The cost-saving argument wasn’t winning over everyone online. "This might just be the least appealing movie of all time," wrote one user. "Oh, they used AI? Well, guess I won't be seeing the Gal Gadot/Pete Davidson Bitcoin movie after all," wrote another.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Some people just have a natural talent for finding gifts on a budget, whether it's Christmas, an anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or birthdays. Some people nail it every time, getting the "best gift-giver" award among those who are lucky to know them — wife, husband, boyfriend, teens, in-laws, and everyone else.
If you're not one of those people, don't fret. We're here to help no matter the occasion. We've put together a list of the best gift ideas for under $50, from expected-but-useful trinkets to cool items they definitely don't have yet. These unique, budget-friendly gift ideas come from a variety of categories, so you're sure to find something they'll love.
If you're a Reddit user who prefers the old Reddit platform, colloquially referred to as "Old Reddit," over the newly designed one, then you're going to want to pay attention to this.
According to Reddit, the company will start blocking Old Reddit for Redditors that haven't used Old Reddit in the previous six months.
Reddit previously limited Old Reddit only to users who are logged into their account.
"In the next few months, we'll further limit access for logged-in users to only those who have used Old Reddit in the last six months (which covers the vast majority of all Old Reddit users)," Reddit posted in r/modnews.
The Reddit employee who posted this news added that this change will not apply to logged-in platform mods. They can continue to use Old Reddit without any usage requirements.
This latest move appears to point to the company eventually moving away from the old version of the platform, although Reddit has not yet committed to that publicly, at least.
"We’re still working on the future of Old Reddit," the employee posted alongside the usage announcement.
These changes over at Reddit, including the recently announced shutdown of RSS feeds and its public API, have been attributed to the rise of AI bots, according to the company.
SEE ALSO: Reddit is ending RSS feeds — with no replacement. You can blame AI bots."Earlier this year, we required people to log in to use Old Reddit, addressing its largest source of abusive scraping and automated traffic: unauthenticated access," Reddit said in its latest update. "That change helped reduce scraping and automated abuse, but still allowed any logged-in account to access Old Reddit, including accounts with no prior Old Reddit use."
This six-month usage requirement will be introduced to "close the gap," according to the company.
Reddit is not shutting the door on AI. The company has become a favorite source for many AI chatbots. As a result, Reddit has discovered that licensing deals with AI companies can be quite lucrative for the social platform. These latest moves are intended to shut out the AI bots that are scraping the platform's content for free.
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) is on sale for $49.98 at Amazon, saving you $20.01 from the regular list price of $69.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) $49.98 at AmazonThe Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration continues with more packs from this new expansion — and we're seeing price cuts already, which is a good incentive for trading card collectors to get started on this particular line.
As of Oct. 1, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) is $49.98 at Amazon, a reduction of $20.01 from the regular list price of $69.99.
SEE ALSO: Shop the best early Prime Day deals on Pokémon, including 30th Celebration trading cards for under market priceThis Tech Sticker Collection includes three Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration booster packs, a Lucario foil promo card, and a matching tech sticker sheet. And there's an Alolan Exeggutor variant of this collection, also marked down to $49.98 right now — not to mention plenty more Pokémon deals as Amazon gets ready to launch October Prime Day.
Alternatively, you can grab single 30th Celebration cards on TCGplayer if you're looking for something specific.
It's a new fact of life in 2026: If a gadget has memory, it's going to get a price increase eventually.
And on the first day of October, PhoneArena noticed that Samsung had raised prices by $100 or more on its latest-generation flagship smartphones in the U.S., the Galaxy S26 line. Samsung opened the new phone release season when it released the Galaxy S26 in March, and since then, we've documented price increases from Apple, Acer, Google, HP, Motorola, Lenovo, Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox.
Because of a multi-trillion-dollar AI infrastructure spending spree, the memory components that are necessary for laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and other tech products are in short supply.
The Galaxy S26 price hikes hurt even more because the S26 and S26 Plus were already more expensive at launch than their S25 counterparts.
The new prices are:
Galaxy S26, 256GB — $999.99
Galaxy S26 Plus, 256GB — $1,199.99
Galaxy S26 Ultra, 256GB — $1,399.99
Prices vary depending on the storage option you choose, but in general, all the S26 phones are now $100 more expensive. As PhoneArena noted, the 1TB version of the S26 Ultra received a $200 increase.
We do have some good news, however.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, announced on Sept. 3, is unaffected by the price increases; you can still preorder that phone for a starting price of $699, and it's set to be released on Oct. 5.
In addition, you can still find some deals on the Galaxy S26. Amazon is selling the Galaxy S26 Ultra in the white colorway for over $100 off, letting you cancel out the price increase; you can also buy the base model S26 for its original price in select colors, also at Amazon. Finally, mobile carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile will often offer up to $1,000 off new phones if you switch, trade in an old device, or sign up for a specific plan.
SEE ALSO: Is Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE still a good value at $700? Top deals of the day:Wondering what the Moon will look like tonight? Its shape and brightness change throughout the month, so there's always something slightly different to see on its surface. Here's the lunar phase for tonight, plus what you might be able to see.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Thursday, Oct. 1, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 75% of its surface visible.
Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Copernicus Crater, Oceanus Procellarum, and the Kepler Crater. If you have binoculars, you can also spot the Clavius, Alphonsus, Gassendi Craters. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 11 and 15 landing spots, plus the Descartes Highlands.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.
What are Moon phases?The Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth, and as it moves through this cycle, we see different amounts of its sunlit side from here. That's what creates the Moon's different phases, from a thin crescent through to a half Moon and, eventually, the Full Moon. Once it reaches the Full Moon, the cycle starts over again. NASA explains that the phase we see depends on the Moon's position in relation to Earth and the Sun.
The eight phases are:
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
TL;DR: Watch Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League for free on GE TV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The UEFA Nations League has not started well for Germany. They were lucky to draw against the Netherlands, but then lost to Greece. Jürgen Klopp has got his work cut out. He'll be desperately hoping for a positive result at home to Serbia.
If you're interested in watching Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is Germany vs. Serbia?Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 1. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.
How to watch Germany vs. Serbia for freeGermany vs. Serbia in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on GE TV.
GE TV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Germany vs. Serbia for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil
Visit GE TV
Watch Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Germany vs. Serbia without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for GE TV?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on GE TV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.
Live stream Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection is on sale for $49.98 at Amazon, saving you $20.01 from the regular list price of $69.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $49.98 at AmazonIf you're in the market for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration merch, we're keeping an eye on one expansion’s smaller collections. This deal, however, isn't a small one — it's a significant markdown that should tempt trading card collectors to get involved with this latest expansion.
As of Oct. 1, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Alolan Exeggutor) is $49.98 at Amazon, down $20.01 from the $69.99 list price. That's a 29% discount overall.
SEE ALSO: Shop the best early Prime Day deals on Pokémon, including 30th Celebration trading cards for under market priceThe Tech Sticker Collection is more expensive at Walmart, where it's currently listed for $51. With Walmart, you receive either the Alolan Exeggutor or the Lucario variant at random, whereas at Amazon, you can choose which one you receive (the Lucario version is priced at $49.98). At Amazon’s price, it works out to around $16.66 per booster pack.
This Tech Sticker Collection includes three Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration booster packs, an Alolan Exeggutor foil promo card, and a matching tech sticker sheet.
Alternatively, you can pick up single 30th Celebration cards on TCGplayer right now if there's something you really need.
When buying an e-reader from Amazon, you don't have to make many decisions beyond which color to go with. But Amazon gives you one other option: Do you want to pay extra for a Kindle without lockscreen ads?
This question is particularly relevant now that Amazon has released all-new Kindles for 2026, some of which are already available for preorder.
If you look closely at the Kindle product page at Amazon, you'll notice there are two options:
Credit: Screenshot courtesy of AmazonAd-Supported
Without Lockscreen Ads
Going ad-free on your Kindle is an upgrade that will cost you $20 more, unless you go for one of Amazon's premium Signature Edition e-readers, which always come without ads. However, Signature Editions also come with a premium price.
But after Kindles saw huge price hikes in August (and as prices everywhere are on the rise), are Kindles without lockscreen ads worth it?
We are a house divided. Mashable's Tech Editor, Tim Werth, says yes, you should 100 percent pay a small fee to go ad-free. But as Mashable's resident Kindle expert, I say absolutely not. Both Werth and I are dedicated Kindle readers who love books, and we're each going to plead our case.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (with ads) $149.99 at AmazonTL;DR: The Kindle ads aren't obtrusive and can be easily ignored. Save the extra $20!
To be clear, I'm not a fan of ads! I always pay for the premium streaming services so I can avoid them, but I just don't think ads on a Kindle are that big of a deal.
The lockscreen ads market other books in the Kindle library. Generally, I find them pretty unobtrusive and mostly ignore them. To be honest, I don't find them much different from the other generic screensavers that come on the Kindle. The main difference is that the ads are just trying to push a new read on you.
So, I say, save some money and buy the regular, ad-supported Kindle. You can always put the extra money toward the new Kindle Click page turner, which costs $34.99.
The case for buying Kindles without lockscreen adsTL;DR: Ads are super annoying, the Kindle lockscreen artwork is much more visually appealing, and when buying Kindles as gifts, it's borderline rude to get the cheaper, ad-supported version.
Hello — this is Timothy Beck Werth, Mashable's tech editor — stepping in. As much as I respect Sam's opinion on e-readers and Kindles, I have to disagree with her here. I have enough ads in my life, thank you.
I don't need to explain to you why ads are annoying. Unless you're using an ad blocker, you're seeing multiple ads as you read these words right now. (And, please don't use an ad blocker — we're trying to keep the lights on here at Mashable.) Do I really want to see more ads while I'm reading? When I'm trying to disappear into a great book, the last thing I want to see is more advertisements.
Artwork on the lockscreen of the new Kindle Paperwhite. Credit: René Ramos / MashableI'm also a fan of the E Ink artworks that appear on the Kindle lockscreen. These black-and-white, photograph-style images show close-ups of pencils, letter blocks, and other reading motifs. (Newer Kindles also show more artistic drawings, all created by real human artists.) And because they're E Ink, they're always on. But that means the advertisements are always on, too.
My partner has a Kindle that's ad-supported, and we've never seen an ad for a book we actually wanted to read.
But there's one other case in which I think you should always pay the $20 premium to remove lockscreen ads from a Kindle — when you're buying a gift.
If you're buying a Kindle as a gift, spend the extra cash for the best version of the device.
The good news here? There isn't really a wrong choice.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (with ads) $199.99 at AmazonWant to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
Amazon is finally launching a Kindle remote.
On Tuesday morning, Amazon announced it was refreshing the entire Kindle e-reader lineup, and also introducing the Kindle Click, a new page-turning accessory, for $34.99. Mashable got to try the new page turner at a demo event, and we're excited to test it at home. The head of Kindle's design team said the goal was to bring a more tactile and convenient page-turning experience to those who want it.
After a page-turning remote became the must-use Kindle accessory among the BookTok community, plenty of brands jumped on the trend, making remotes of their own for the devices. The problem is that these remotes aren't native to Kindles and require a clip-on piece to tap the screen, and they can't navigate backward. Fellow e-reader brand Kobo introduced its own Kobo Remote last year. And now, Amazon is giving us seamless page turning with the Kindle Click.
The Kindle Click comes with a removable wrist lanyard, and it can even adjust brightness.
Credit: AmazonThe Kindle Click syncs via Bluetooth to Amazon's newly announced e-readers. It's also backward-compatible with Kindles from 2024 onward, making it an easy upgrade for existing users. It features two big haptic buttons for page turning and smaller side buttons to control brightness, truly maximizing the hands-free experience. It's the ultimate accessory for reading curled up on the couch or while exercising on a treadmill or elliptical.
Chris Green, Vice President of Design at Kindle, told Mashable that his team is keenly aware of the latest trends on BookTok (and among competitors in the e-reader space). Green said the new lineup of Kindles and accessories is meant to meet readers where they are, and to make the reading experience as comfortable and seamless as possible.
The Kindle Click is available for preorder at $34.99 and will be released on Oct. 28.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Click $34.99 at AmazonThe year 2027 will mark the 20th anniversary of the very first Kindle, and Amazon is already celebrating by launching a fully redesigned collection of e-readers.
Amazon announced the new 2026 lineup of Kindles today, and some are already available for preorder. The new devices include a basic Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Kindle Colorsoft, and Kindle Kids versions of each. The new Kindles are thinner and lighter than ever before and feature various design upgrades, including a more flush front display and new materials.
The new Kindle Colorsoft offers more paper-like color, Amazon told us. Credit: René Ramos / MashableKindles got their last makeover in 2024 (Kindle Scribe devices were refreshed in 2025), and now the whole e-reader collection is getting a refresh. The Kindle team rebuilt the popular e-readers with new colors like ube purple and seaglass green. And, for the first time ever, we now have an aluminum option for the Kindle and a cover with haptic page-turn buttons, inspired by the beloved Kindle Oasis (RIP).
And for the passionate community of Kindle users on BookTok, just know that Amazon is listening. In response to the popularity of page-turners, Kindle is finally launching a wireless remote of its own, the Kindle Click.
Mashable was invited to a demo to try the new Kindles and accessories ahead of their release, where Kindle leaders insisted we're witnessing a "resurgence of reading." The company said that 2025 was the biggest year for Kindle device sales in a decade, and that in January 2026, the company recorded its busiest month of reading in its history.
Here's everything we learned about the new Kindles, our first impressions, and pricing and preorder details.
Meet the 2026 Kindles The new 6-inch Kindle comes in a new ube purple color. Credit: René Ramos / MashableBefore we dive into all the details, a quick note on pricing. Amazon increased prices on the Kindle lineup in August, and the new devices will have the same prices as their predecessors. (Fingers crossed we'll see some discounts during the October Prime Big Deal Days sale.
The new Kindle — $149.99-$169.99
Kindle Paperwhite — $199.99-$219.99
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition — $249.99
Kindle Colorsoft — $289.99
Kindle Kids — $179.99-$299.99
Kindle Click page turner — $34.99
A 6-inch, pocket-friendly Kindle with a new flush-front display to match the rest of the line-up. It's now 30 percent faster, too. The new base Kindle is lighter and thinner, measuring just 6.8mm and weighing a mere 140 grams. Building off the love of the popular matcha color, the new Kindle comes in ube (a light purple) and graphite. The device will be available for preorder on Oct. 1.
The new Kindle is also available in an aluminum finish for the first time, at a price of $189.99. The device looks strikingly like an iPad Air, and Chris Green, Vice President of Design at Kindle, told Mashable the new design should feel familiar to readers used to metal smartphones and tablets.
Made from 80 percent recycled aluminum, this Kindle has a matte finish in alpine sky blue and seaglass green. The aluminum Kindle has 32GB of storage, no lockscreen ads, and a magnetic cover attachment. It's also available for purchase on Oct. 1.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon All-new Kindle $149.99 at AmazonThe Paperwhite, Amazon's 7-inch e-reader, is also getting an upgrade while maintaining everything we love about it, including 12 weeks of battery life, adjustable warm light, and waterproofing. It's also just 6.8mm thick, weighs just 204 grams, and is available in the classic graphite color.
The Signature Edition ($249.99) adds aluminum in seaglass green (with the option to purchase a slim magnetic case), adaptive front lighting, 32GB of storage, and ad-free reading. These devices will be available for purchase on Oct. 28.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle paperwhite All-new Kindle Paperwhite $199.99 at AmazonThe new version of the Kindle Colorsoft, Kindle's color e-reader, delivers more paper-like color that’s easy on the eyes with a glare-free, flush-front display. Like the other new devices, it's also thinner and lighter than its predecessor.
The Signature Edition ($319.99) adds aluminum housing, 32GB, an auto-adjusting front light, double-tap to turn pages, and comes in the fig and graphite colors. It will be available for purchase on Oct. 28.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $289.99 at AmazonAll of the new Kindles also come in Kids versions. While the base design of each e-reader is the same, the Kindle Kids feature kid-friendly covers designed by real artists, 12 months of Amazon Kids+, and a 1-year warranty. Kindle Kids+ gives young readers and their parents access to thousands of books and audiobooks on demand, and new Kindle Kids accessories will be coming soon, according to Amazon.
The new Kindle Kids e-readers are available for purchase now, and the Kindle Kids Colorsoft is available for preorder in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, and Japan.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon All-new Kindle Kids $179.99Alongside the new Kindles come a batch of new accessories. Finally, we're getting the Kindle Click, a wireless page-turning remote designed to work with the full Kindle collection. This follows up on the release of the Kobo Remote last year. Best of all, the Kindle Click will be backward compatible with existing Kindles (from 2024 or later) with Bluetooth support.
Plus, Amazon has listened to all the noise about page-turning buttons. While they're not bringing back page-turning buttons on the actual devices, a new magnetic folio cover for the Signature Editions does include haptic page-turn buttons.
Other accessories include a wireless charging dock and fabric, plant-based leather, and leather cases.
Our first impressions of the new Kindles Credit: René Ramos / MashableAs Mashable's e-reader expert, I will admit I'm really excited about these new Kindles. I love that Amazon is embracing color in its e-readers and a more sleek design silhouette. So often companies feel disconnected from their users, but Amazon seems totally keyed into what Kindle users and readers really want.
As I'd hoped, I'm thrilled they've moved the pesky power button that used to live on the bottom of their devices. Plus, a wireless remote is going to be huge, especially as we head into cold fall and winter nights. But I think one of Amazon's smartest moves is the addition of a cover with page-turn buttons. Even though they're not adding buttons back to devices, they're still meeting customers halfway.
The new aluminum Kindles feature magnetic pins for connecting cases. Credit: René Ramos / MashableWhat do the devices feel like in your hands? Our tech editor Timothy Werth got to go hands-on with the new devices, and he was impressed by the new aluminum models in particular. He did note that while the front-flush design is an improvement over the old "crumb catcher" design, as Kindle leaders called it, there is still a very thin plastic lip around the edge of the non-aluminum models, though that's not a bad thing. The aluminum Kindles feel very similar to the iPad Air, Werth noted.
"All of the new devices feel great in your hand, which isn't a surprise, and Amazon promises they offer 30 percent faster page turns," Werth said. "I just got a new Kindle Paperwhite last Christmas, so I probably won't upgrade, but I imagine a lot of people will be buying Kindles for the first time. I really liked the aluminum versions with magnetic cases. The Kindle design team clearly has a passion for paper, books, and reading in general, and I think that shows in the care taken to get the new devices just right."
Mashable will be testing the new Kindle lineup, so look out for full reviews once we spend more time with all of the new devices.
TL;DR: HP announced the OmniBook 5, starting at $699.99 — positioning it as a direct Windows rival to Apple’s $699 MacBook Neo. Arriving in October 2026, the 14-inch AI laptop features a 2.5K OLED touch display, an Intel Core 7 chip, and a wild 42-hour battery life.
Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP OmniBook 5 $699.99 at HPApple's budget MacBook Neo may finally have a serious Windows rival.
HP just announced the new OmniBook 5, a sleek 14-inch laptop starting at $699.99, clearly designed to go head-to-head with Apple's entry-level Mac. Rather than stripping away premium features to keep the price down, HP packed in high-end perks you rarely see on a budget laptop — most notably a gorgeous OLED screen and a battery built to last through days of work or entertainment.
Credit: HPThe real draw of the OmniBook 5 is its display. Instead of the dull, washed-out screens typically found on sub-$700 laptops, HP equipped this machine with a vibrant panel. It reaches up to 2.5K resolution with touch support, so colors look rich and punchy, blacks are deep, and streaming movies or editing photos look crisp from almost any angle. The display also reduces harmful blue light and is bright enough for comfortable use in well-lit rooms or near a window.
If you hate carrying charger cables everywhere you go, the OmniBook 5 delivers where it counts. HP promises up to 42 hours of local video playback on a single charge. While real-world battery life always depends on what apps you are running, that kind of efficiency lets you leave the wall adapter at home when heading to class, a coffee shop, or a long flight. When you finally do run low, the included compact charger can juice the battery back up to 50 percent in about 30 minutes.
SEE ALSO: I tested the best battery-life laptops of 2026. This HP OmniBook shocked me.Despite its big battery and high-resolution screen, the OmniBook 5 stays super easy to carry. It weighs just 2.56 pounds and measures under half an inch thick, slipping smoothly into any backpack or tote. Inside, it runs on Intel’s Core 7 processors with built-in AI chips to keep your daily multitasking workload running smoothly without draining extra power.
You also get practical built-in extras like dual full-function USB-C ports, an HDMI port so you do not need dongles, a sharp 1080p webcam for clear video calls, and speakers tuned by Poly Studio for clear sound.
The HP OmniBook 5 is scheduled to launch in October 2026 on HP's website and at Best Buy, starting at $699.99.
How do you remake a story that's as well-known as Carrie?
Stephen King's first published novel has been a part of the horror canon for over half a century. It already has two film adaptations, a sequel, a miniseries adaptation, and even a Royal Shakespeare Company musical (yes, really). How can you possibly take a tale that's such a big part of popular culture and do something new with it?
Well, Mike Flanagan has had a good go. His Prime Video adaptation of the novel places King's story of a tormented telekinetic high-schooler in a modern day setting, filled with the horrors of school shooting drills and online bullying. It's an interesting idea that undoubtedly gives the story a new flavour. The question is, does it work?
SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, ranked What's Carrie about?First, a recap. For anyone who hasn't read the novel or seen the previous adaptations, Carrie follows the titular main character (Summer H. Howell) as she starts high school. Carrie has lived a sheltered, paranoid existence with her religious mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan,) and conspiracy theorist father (Tahmot Penikett), but the sudden death of the latter throws her into a new and overwhelming teenage world.
Unsurprisingly, it's not easy. With her homemade clothes and complete naivety, Carrie stands out. She's soon picked out as a target by popular girl Chris (Alison Thornton), and what first seemed like it could be an escape from her domineering mother quickly because a fresh source of horror and anxiety.
What everybody doesn't know, though, is that Carrie has the gift of telekinesis. And as her anger at her own mistreatment grows, so do her powers.
The book's infamous "plug it up" scene is made even worse in the show by smartphones. Credit: Prime Carrie makes several key changes from the bookWe already know Mike Flanagan makes high-quality TV shows. As a showrunner he typically brings recurring team members between projects, and as such you can normally expect the direction and scripts to be solid. Carrie is no exception. The bigger question is whether the story works. Is it for Stephen King fans, or people unfamiliar with the original story? Or both?
Flanagan’s show makes several key changes from the book. One works well, the other works brilliantly, and the last feels like it’ll divide. First, the 2026 setting. It's effective. The presence of social media and the internet adds a hellish new dimension to Carrie’s suffering, as almost every interaction she has in school is now captured on multiple smartphones. The book’s infamous "plug it up" scene in the girls’ changing room remains, but now it’s the seed for an anonymous Instagram account set up by Chris to bully fellow students and spread rumours about staff. Wherever they are, and whether they’re perpetrating the abuse or absorbing it, students’ faces are permanently bathed in the glow of their phone screens. It’s an element of the show that’s even more constant than Carrie’s telekinesis — a force that has just as much power to ruin lives. The presence of technology works well in Carrie, which is really more about bullying — and the consequences that bullying can have — than it is about psychic powers. It adds something new to the story and will likely introduce it to a fresh audience.
Another key change from the book that feels a little more divisive, however, comes in the first episode. The show is bookended by interviews with survivors of Carrie’s infamous prom night, but early on it’s made clear that Carrie "wasn’t the only one" there that night with powers. This, coupled with a storyline that has echoes of The Umbrella Academy, feels like world-building that risks falling into well-trodden territory and dividing fans. Personally I think the show gets away with it in the end, but I can see how it might put some people off.
Fortunately, it’s a small part of a chilling and effective story that’s been well adapted to fit an eight-episode series. Which brings us to our last point…
Alison Thornton does a brilliant job of making Chris Hargensen both vulnerable and terrifying. Credit: Robert Falconer/Prime Carrie does an excellent job of fleshing out its charactersRather than giving it a feeling of being stretched, Flanagan’s team has added additional texture and shade to King’s novel. The characters are different because they have to be. They’re arguably more complex. King’s version of Margaret White is a strict religious nightmare with no redeeming features. The show keeps her core but makes her more subtle and manipulative. Carrie's teachers are given more to do, including their own storyline that ties in effectively — and unexpectedly — with that of the students. Chris’ home life is expanded to draw attention to why she’s a bully, with Thornton doing an excellent job of showing her character's repressed vulnerability, which you can almost see turning to anger on her face in real time.
Overall, this is a series that will be enjoyed by people unfamiliar with Carrie, while keeping and changing enough of the book to also appeal to Stephen King readers. It's not a perfect adaptation, but it is a visceral and engaging take on a story that looks set to keep its grip on horror fans for many more years to come.
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