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iPhone SE 4, Apple’s cheapest phone, tipped to come with 3 big upgrades

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 14:14

The fourth-generation iPhone SE is set to bring significant upgrades, according to well-known leaker "Ice Universe." As reported by MacRumors, these changes were posted on Chinese blogging site Weibo, and detailed three major additions to the iPhone SE 4.

SEE ALSO: iPhone SE 4: It reportedly borrows features from iPhone 13, iPhone XR iPhone SE 4: 3 biggest upgrades

These are some big upgrades and big news for those who love Apple devices, but don't want to spend a month's rent on a device.

Face ID

The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a departure from the Touch ID Home button and Lightning port of previous models. These changes align with broader trends in Apple's product line, emphasizing convenience and compatibility with other devices.

Larger OLED Display

Another anticipated addition is a larger 6.06-inch OLED display, up from the current model’s 4.7-inch screen. This would be the first time an iPhone SE model features an OLED panel, promising richer colors and better contrast.

Performance Boost

Finally, The iPhone SE 4 is expected to offer up to 8GB of LPDDR5 memory, an A18 chip, and an aluminum chassis. Alongside a single rear 48-megapixel camera, the new generation SE should be able to match the performance of the rumored iPhone 16.

Microsoft releases easier CrowdStrike fix

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 13:27

The massive global tech outage that occurred on Friday due to an error in an update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike may largely be out of the public's mind today. And that's thanks to IT admins and departments around the world who sprung into action to fix the problem that took down many airlines, hospitals, and banks' Windows-based networks.

However, while things may be all and well for consumers, ITs are actually still dealing with getting their company's computers back up and running. As Mashable previously reported, the faulty CrowdStrike update that went out requires a technical fix and direct access to each individual affected device. So, for big organizations, this will take awhile.

But, ITs now have a major assist thanks to an easier recently released fix from Microsoft.

Microsoft's CrowdStrike recovery tool

CrowdStrike issued an updated fix soon after the faulty version went out, but for many computers that had automatically installed the update it was too late. Once installed the fix became a manual process that involved booting the computer in Safe Mode to get around the Windows "Blue Screen of Death" and then deleting the update file.

While this could be a bit technical for the average Windows user, it's not a problem for an IT professional. The issue, though, is that this is a time-consuming process: Boot into Safe Mode. Find the update file. Delete. Repeat. It has to be done for every single affected individual machine. 

Microsoft's fix, released over the weekend, speeds things up considerably. Yes, the fix still requires manual work on every single computer. But, the more tedious processes are automated. 

The recovery tool by Microsoft utilizes a bootable USB drive that logs into a lightweight version of Windows known as Windows Preinstallation Environment or Windows PE. From there, it automatically deletes the CrowdStrike update file that's causing the issue on the affected computer.

As The Verge points out, this saves time as it  "avoids having to boot into Safe Mode or a requirement of admin rights on the machine, because the tool is simply accessing the disk without booting into the local copy of Windows." 

While a third-party was responsible, the only affected devices were computers running Microsoft's Windows operating system. So, it appears Microsoft felt compelled to act in order to help out its many affected customers.

Microsoft has also provided detailed steps to fixing the CrowdStrike issue on various versions of Windows computers, including details on the USB tool.

Get $20 off the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar with this post-Prime Day deal

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 13:07

SAVE $20: Grab an Amazon Fire TV Soundbar with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio for $99.99, which is a $20 (or 17%) down from a list price of $119.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar $99.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Day is over, but there are a ton of deals still ongoing, even on Amazon's own products. If you're a fan of Amazon's ecosystem, and own a few Echo or Fire TV devices already, then this Amazon Fire TV Soundbar might be worth your money.

As of July 22, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is back to its lowest price of $99.99. That's a $17% discount, knocking off $20 off the list price of $119.99. Good soundbars are expensive, so this Amazon pick which lands under $100 is a great way to add some zest to your home theatre setup.

The key highlight here is that despite the budget price, this soundbar packs in a ton of features. You get dual speakers, which means proper stereo sound. In addition, this has all the Dolby bells and whistles, including Dolby Atmos for deep, crisp sound. You also get support for DTS Virtual:X, which promises three-dimensional virtual audio. What this means is you can expect clear, booming sound that fills your living room.

Picking a soundbar can be difficult because of the number of options available. The Amazon Fire TV soundbar is an easy pick for those who have Amazon Fire TV, letting you control the two devices with a single remote.

The powerful Vitamix Explorian Blender is $50 off in a limited-time deal

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 12:47

SAVE $50: As of today, the Vitamix Explorian Blender is on sale at Amazon for $329.95. That's 13% off the blender's list price of $379.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Vitamix Vitamix Explorian Blender $329.95 at Amazon
$379.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If your happy place is in the kitchen bringing flavors and feasts to life, then you need kitchen appliances that can keep up and work as hard as you do. This professional-grade Vitamix Blender is one of the best places to start if you're leveling up your cooking equipment.

As of today, July 22, the Vitamix Explorian Blender is on sale at Amazon for 13% off, bringing the price down from $379.95 to $329.95. This limited-time deal saves shoppers $50 and makes the premium blender a bit more affordable.

The 48-ounce Vitamix Explorain Blender is an ace in the kitchen: it can swiftly switch from chopping, blending, grinding, emulsifying, and even making hot soups. With variable speed control and different pulse settings, you can harness the Vitamix's power to suit your cooking needs perfectly. Its formidable blades can tackle even the toughest ingredients thanks to their durability. We also appreciate how easy to clean the Vitamix Explorain Blender: you can put it in the dishwasher for a quick clean.

Take your culinary skills to new heights with the help of the Vitamix Explorain Blender when you score today's limited-time deal.

Amazon deal of the day: Get the AirPods Max for even cheaper than Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 12:34
Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Apple AirPods Max $382.70 at Amazon (save $166.30) Get Deal BEST TV DEAL Hisense 65-inch U6HF Series ULED Fire TV $449.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH TRACKER DEAL Tile Mate (2-pack) $34.99 at Amazon (save $13) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Dash Tasti-Crisp air fryer (2.6-quart) $34.99 (save $15) Get Deal BEST PRINTER DEAL HP DeskJet 2855e wireless inkjet printer $49.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day may be over, but that doesn't mean the deals are. The mega retailer is still dropping deals worth adding to your cart a week later. Whether you missed out on the shopping event or you don't want it to end, we've found a few deals you'll want to know about from brands like Apple, HP, Dash, and more.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on July 22, a week after the official Prime Day shopping extravaganza.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $382.70 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $166.30 Get Deal

The AirPods Max dropped 28% to their lowest price on record during Prime Day, making them one of our favorite tech purchases during the two-day shopping event. A week later, they're now even cheaper at $382.70. That's a new record-low price for the fancy Apple headset. "The AirPods Max are stupidly comfy, they sound amazing, look good, and play nice with Apple gadgetry," Senior Editor Stan Schroeder writes. There's just one catch: only the pink pair are down to the all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U6HF Series ULED Fire TV $449.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

In the market for a new TV? It's hard to beat this $300 discount on a 65-inch ULED Fire TV. While it's not the lowest price on record, the Hisense 65-inch U6HF ULED Fire TV is a great deal for only $449.99. It features Hisense's version of QLED technology, which incorporates a blend of LED backlighting, local dimming, and quantum dot color enhancement for a richer visual appearance that's still budget friendly. It also packs smooth motion handling for gamers, lots of local dimming zones, a bezel-less design, and a dedicated gaming mode.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Tile Mate (2-pack) $34.99 at Amazon
$47.99 Save $13.00 Get Deal

A Bluetooth tracker makes a great travel companion — and this deal on a two-pack of Tile Mates comes just in time for your summer getaway. Slip one into your luggage to make sure it goes where you go. Upon testing, we found the Tile Mate to be "a reliable GPS tracker that works equally well for iOS and Android." And we like that you can get notifications when you leave items behind and qualify for item reimbursement if you can't recover lost items (with the paid Tile Premium subscription). Snag a two-pack for only $34.99 and save 27% as of July 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dash Dash Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer (2.6-quart) $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Some air fryers are unnecessarily complicated and have a hefty learning curve. The Dash Tasti-Crisp makes things easy. Its analog design features just two knobs — one for temperature and one for time. Just select both, pop in your food, and you're good to go. This 2.6-quart version is pretty small, but if you're only cooking for one or two people, it should get the job done. And at only $34.99, it won't set you back too much. That's a savings of 30% with Prime and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP DeskJet 2855e wireless inkjet printer $49.99 at Amazon
$84.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

I didn't think about the need for a printer until I had multiple Amazon labels I needed to attach to returns with no way of retrieving them. Buying your own definitely pays off in time and energy. You don't need to spend a fortune, either. This HP DeskJet printer is down to a record-low $49.99 and can get the job done. Better yet, it comes with three months of ink to get you started.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Pixel 9 leaks hint at a new 'Pro XL' device: Is a third model in the works?

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 12:18

It appears that Google is aiming to further expand the Pixel family.

At least, that's if a post from XDA Forums (as spotted by 9to5Google) is to be believed. The post contains leaked photos of what is purported to be a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, which would be a new addition to the Pixel portfolio. Google plans to show off its latest line of Pixels at an event on Aug. 13.

SEE ALSO: Google reveals Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold in new videos

In the past year or so, Google has released four Pixel phones: The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel Fold, and the Pixel 8a. We already know for a fact that Google will show off the Pixel 9 Pro and a new Pro version of the Pixel Fold on Aug. 13. That would normally leave just the regular Pixel 9 (a theoretical Pixel 9a wouldn't launch until next year), but if this leak is true, there will also be a Pixel 9 Pro XL for Google to show off.

There isn't a lot else to glean from this leak, unfortunately. The model posted in the leak apparently has 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, as well as a new internal modem courtesy of Samsung, per 9to5Google. It's difficult to tell from the photos without a direct comparison how much bigger it is than the Pixel 9 Pro — or if there are any noteworthy tech spec differences on the inside.

But still, if you've been wanting a bigger Pro Pixel, this might be your year.

Tons of printers are on sale at Amazon just in time for back-to-school shopping

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 12:05

GET UP TO 41% OFF: As of July 22, you can get up to 41% off an HP printer at Amazon.

Our top picks: Best deal overall HP DeskJet 2855e $49.99 at Amazon (save $35 ) Get Deal Best runner-up deal HP OfficeJet 8015e $99.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best for larger print jobs HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e $199.99 at Amazon (save $89.91 ) Get Deal

Being able to print stuff at home is top-tier adulting, and with the back-to-school season right around the corner, the timing couldn't be better for the slew of printer deals currently available on Amazon.

SEE ALSO: The best WFH gear for staying focused, keeping fit, and getting stuff done

Sure, you could argue that everything’s digital now, but I never had a syllabus that didn’t require at least a few pages of printing, and I’m sure there are plenty of other documents students need to get on paper — no matter their field or level of study. And having your own printer is way better than running down to the student center or library every time you need something printed.

Right now, tons of HP printers are on sale at Amazon. You can get up to 41% off, and with prices as low as $49.99, these deals are hard to pass up.

Here are our top picks from the sale:

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: HP Our pick: HP DeskJet 2855e $49.99 at Amazon
$84.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The HP DeskJet 2855e is an all-in-one color inkjet printer, scanner, and copier, and it comes with three months of ink when you subscribe to HP+ Instant Ink Delivery. (That alone is a steal.) It’s currently 41% off, bringing it to $49.99, and can handle simple tasks like printing letters, financial documents, assignments, and more. It’s also compact (I have this printer in a small sideboard in my apartment) and comes with wireless connectivity, making it ideal for dorm rooms or small spaces.

Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP Our pick: HP OfficeJet 8015e $99.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The HP OfficeJet 8015e is larger than the model listed above, but it includes six months of ink, can handle two-sided printing, and has an auto document feeder for scanning and copying multi-page documents. With fast print speeds of up to 18 pages per minute in black and white and 10 pages per minute in color, this printer is an affordable option for small businesses or big families.

Best for larger print jobs Opens in a new window Credit: HP Our pick: HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e $199.99 at Amazon
$289.99 Save $90.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is a little pricier, but it’s a serious printer with some high-end features. Its crisp output quality can handle brochures, presentations, and flyers, and you'll get up to three months of ink when you sign up for HP+ Instant Ink Delivery. It has a 250-sheet input tray and a 2.7-inch touchscreen for added convenience.

A Google AI model is improving climate forecasting

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 11:57
NeuralCGM, developed by Google Research, is faster and more accurate than traditional climate models.

Grab a Hisense 50-inch QLED 4K TV for an all-time low price

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 11:28

SAVE $84: Snag a Hisense 50-inch Class U6HF Series QLED 4K TV for just $279.99, down from $363.65. That's a discount of 23% and one of the best deals on a QLED TV we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 50-Inch Class U6HF Series ULED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (50U6HF) $279.99 at Amazon
$363.65 Save $83.66 Get Deal

Prime Day is long gone, but that doesn't mean the deals are over. You can still get some of the best TV deals right now, if you've somehow missed the shopping holiday and want to find a TV deal now. 4K TV deals are available year-round, but not all are worth getting, and if you're on a budget, you might want to get this one.

As of July 22, the Hisense 50-inch Class U6HF Series QLED 4K TV is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 23%, or $84 off.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

We've seen 55-inch TVs from Hisense at a lower price than this 50-inch TV deal. However, smaller TV sizes are not too common today, so a 50-inch TV at this price isn't bad, especially if you have a smaller room. This is also the lowest price we've seen on this particular model, which makes it a good time to buy it.

In addition to the smaller size, which means sharper picture at the same resolution, this TV also has QLED technology. What that means is that you get smaller lighting zones with the backlight, leading to better local contrast. So, the dark scenes will look better on this TV.

QLED, or Quantum dot LED TVs are a step up from LED and OLED models. They give a stellar price-to-performance ratio currently, so you're getting better value than an OLED TV. QLED TVs also give you the best picture quality without significant risk of burn-in. This particular model also comes pre-loaded with Amazon's Fire TV, which is an excellent smart TV platform, so you don't have to worry about the UI and app support.

Get a refurbished Kindle Scribe for less and save $75 at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 11:19

SAVE 23%: Today, July 22, the Refurbished Kindle Scribe (32GB) with Premium Pen is on sale at Amazon for $249.99. This shaves $75 off the list price of $324.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Refurbished Kindle Scribe (32GB) with Premium Pen $249.99 at Amazon
$324.99 Save $75.00 Get Deal

If you know the joys of reading and writing, you also know it's not always convenient to lug around a hardcopy book and notebook on the side. With the Kindle Scribe, you can tap into the world of imagination and creativity wherever you are without a heavy bag.

As of today, July 22, the Refurbished Kindle Scribe (32GB) with Premium Pen is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. Normally, the list price is $324.99. Today's sale saves shoppers 23%, or $75.

The Refurbished Kindle Scribe (32GB) with Premium Pen is tested and certified to perform just like a brand-new Kindle Scribe. It even comes with the same warranty protection that new devices are afforded. With a 10.2-inch display screen, the Kindle Scribe has the largest screen out of any other Kindle devices, making it super comfortable for reading, writing, and drawing. You can even convert your handwritten notes to text and share them with others - a helpful feature for students, teachers, and professionals.

Whether you've never used an e-reader before or you need an upgrade, today's Kindle Scribe deal lets you score a 2-in-1 model for less.

'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 6: Did Alys Rivers kill Grover Tully?

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 10:58

Who are the most powerful characters in House of the Dragon?

Of course you've got your obvious ones like the rulers and dragon riders, but there's another MVP in Season 2 who seems to be getting more important by the day: Alys Rivers (Gayle Ranking), the witch messing with Daemon's (Matt Smith's) head in Harrenhal.

Up until recently her mystique has been confined to the castle walls, but in episode 6 Daemon finally asks for her help outright. A few days later Grover Tully, Lord of Riverrun and thorn in the side of Daemon's attempted Riverlands conquest, is dead.

So: did Alys kill him?

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 6: Who is Seasmoke's new rider? What happened to Grover Tully in episode 6?

Lord of Riverrun, and the most important figure in swaying the allegiances of the ever-crucial Riverlands, Grover Tully, has been sick throughout Season 2. But in episode 6, we finally get word that he's passed away.

"Lord Grover is dead," Castellan Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) tells Daemon at the episode's end. "He'd been ill, of course. Riverrun's maesters have been at their wits' end. Our own healer, Alys Rivers, volunteered her renowned skills — she plied her craft, but there was naught more to be done."

At this, Daemon smiles, as if he suspects there was more to it than that. So was there?

Did Alys Rivers kill Lord Tully?

The short answer? Almost certainly yes. Lord Tully was a thorn in Daemon's side because his condition meant that Daemon was unable to approach him directly to ask for his allegiance.

Earlier in the episode, Daemon asks Alys Rivers for her counsel on how to keep the Riverlords in line. In response, she reminds him of how important Lord Tully is.

"Lord Tully is their Lord Paramount," she says. "Without him they will never raise their banners as one."

"Then I can do nothing," responds Daemon.

"You...no," replies Alys.

Moments later, when Daemon finally asks for her help directly, she tells him to do nothing for now.

"In three days' time," she says, "the winds will shift."

The implication? Alys accepted Daemon's request for help, travelled to Riverrun under the guise of trying to help heal Lord Tully, and then finished him off.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Get $300 off the Roborock Q5 DuoRoller+ at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 10:54

GET $300 OFF: As of July 22, the Roborock Q5 DuoRoller+ is available for $299.99 at Amazon, down from $599.99. That's a 50% discount, saving you $300.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Our pick: Roborock Q5 DuoRoller+ $299.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

Prime Day is just a faint memory now, but we’re pleasantly surprised to find that deals (some even better than Prime Day) are still out there. Just this morning, we realized the Apple AirPods Max hit a new record low price. As we dug deeper into the sales page, we came across another great deal — the Roborock Q5 DuoRoller+ robot vacuum with a self-empty dock is 50% off at Amazon right now.

SEE ALSO: The 6 best robot vacuums for pet hair, tested and reviewed

Normally priced at $599.99, the Roborock Q5 DuoRoller+ robot vacuum is now $299.99, a $300 discount. We’re pretty sure this is the most affordable this model has been in a while. According to CamelCamelCamel, it was $399.99 in June.

The Roborock Q5 DuoRoller+ robot vacuum is advertised as a seven-week hands-free cleaning machine thanks to its self-emptying dustbin. It can hold up to 2.5L of dirt before you need to empty the bag. It also features 5500 PaHyperForce suction power for deep cleaning on all floor types and a dual-roller brush designed to pick up pet hair, dirt, and debris.

Its LiDAR navigation system lets you create a quick map of your home, customize room preferences, set no-go and no-mop zones, and control it all using your smartphone. You can also control it via Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Home using the “magic word.”

Apple Airpods Max hit new record low price after Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 10:38

GET 30% OFF: As of July 22, the Apple AirPods Max are $382.70 at Amazon, down from $549. That's $166.30 off the listing price and the lowest price we've seen these headphones go for yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods Max $382.70 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $166.30 Get Deal

If you didn’t get the chance to splurge during Prime Day, you might be in luck — Apple’s most-coveted and most expensive noise-cancelling headphones, the Airpods Max, have hit a new record low price on Amazon.

Just in time for back-to-school season, the AirPods Max are currently on sale for $382.70, down from $549. That’s $166.30 off the regular price, making this the lowest price we've ever seen for Apple's premium over-the-ear headphones. During Prime Day, the AirPods Max were discounted to $394.99, but this deal beats that by over $12.

While the AirPods Max may not be everyone’s cup of tea, given their high price tag, they are some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market. They have remarkable sound quality, effective active noise cancellation, and a sleek design in a variety of color options. According to Mashable’s review, the AirPods Max “check off almost all the boxes for what makes an excellent pair of headphones: great sound quality, ideal battery life, easy controls, and a stylish design."

In Silicon Valley, Democrats Are Invigorated by Biden’s Withdrawal

NYT Technology - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 10:34
Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen and others have endorsed Donald J. Trump. But President Biden’s withdrawal has re-energized Democrats across the tech industry and may blunt that momentum.

The Viral Ninja Creami Deluxe ice cream maker is $33 off today at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 10:22

SAVE $33: As of today, July 22, the Ninja Creami Deluxe ice cream maker is on sale at Amazon for $216.99. That's 13% off the regular list price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Deluxe ice cream maker $216.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $33.00 Get Deal

If you missed out on Prime Day this year, all is not lost. You can still score the TikTok-craze Ninja Creami Deluxe ice cream maker at a reduced price at Amazon.

In a limited-time deal, the Ninja Creami Deluxe ice cream maker is on sale for 13% off today at Amazon, taking the price down from $249.99 to $216.99 (saving you $33.) While we saw a better deal over Prime Day that brought the dessert maker down to just $199.99, today's sale is still a good opportunity for anyone who doesn't want to pay full price.

Celebrated for its ability to turn any base into thick, creamy ice cream, the Ninja Creami Deluxe gives you the ultimate creative power in your kitchen, choosing your ingredients and consistency for the perfect treat. The Ninja Creami Deluxe has 11 different settings, including those beloved by users of the standard Ninja Creami (smoothies, gelato, and ice cream) plus new additions that include Italian ice, frozen yogurt, and slushis. The Deluxe also has a larger capacity, holding 50% more ice cream than the original version.

Shake up your kitchen with the Ninja Creami Deluxe when you score this limited-time deal at Amazon.

'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 6: Who is Daeron, Alicent's other son?

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 09:29

It's easy to forget, but Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) actually has four children in House of the Dragon. Just take a look at the Targaryen family tree: We have Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Helaena (Phia Saban), of course, but there's also another son who's never appeared in the show: Daeron.

You could be forgiven for thinking this spare kid was all but cut out, but after episode 6 it looks like he might finally be getting a look in.

So who exactly is Daeron, where is he, and how might he feature in the rest of Season 2?

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' cinematographer talks dragons, 'Succession' inspiration, and more Who is Daeron?

Alicent's third son isn't in the show because, unlike his brothers and sister, he doesn't reside in the Red Keep. Daeron was sent to ward at Old Town when he was young, where he's been raised with the rest of the Hightower clan.

He's been mentioned in passing before – and he features in the book, Fire & Blood – but it's not until episode 6 that we really learn all that much about him.

What do we learn about Daeron in episode 6?

When Alicent says goodbye to her brother, Ser Gwayne (Freddie Fox), she asks him about Daeron. We learn from Gwayne that he's sixteen years old, before the knight gives Alicent's third son the following, fairly glowing review.

Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

"He's stalwart," Gwayne says. "Clever. As adept with his lute as he is with his sword. And a feature in the fancies of many a young lady, I'd wager. He's kind."

This final tidbit is the one Alicent latches onto. "That's good," she replies. "Kindness is a quality I've found lacking in his brothers."

Could Daeron be important later on in Season 2?

Judging by the trailer that's just been released for episode 7, it seems the answer might be yes. He only gets a brief mention, but it's a significant one.

"Prince Daeron's dragon has taken to wing," says a voice in the preview, while we see shots of Aemond looking concerned at a Small Council meeting. "The Hightower host will be unstoppable."

So we know Daeron has a dragon, which already makes him kind of a big deal — but why does a mention of the Hightowers have the Small Council looking worried? They're on the same side after all, aren't they?

On paper, yes, but don't forget Aegon II recently banished his grandfather and former Hand, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), from the Red Keep — and that Otto hasn't been returning Alicent's letters. Is it possible that he and his other grandson, Daeron, have been plotting something from Old Town?

We'll have to wait and see, but it is worth noting that Daeron definitely won't be appearing on screen this season. As showrunner Ryan Condal confirmed to Variety, he hasn't been cast yet.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Delta Flight Cancellations Continue As It Struggles To Recover From Tech Outage

NYT Technology - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 09:20
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg singled out the airline on Sunday for continued disruptions and “unacceptable” customer service as it canceled another 1,300 flights.

A new Olympic Roblox experience featuring Mike Tirico puts you in athletes' shoes

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 09:00

A new Roblox experience puts U.S. players in the middle at the action of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. "The Team USA Ultimate Obby" ("obby" is Roblox shorthand for "obstacle course") features 20 athlete avatars, video highlights of the Games, and an Olympics-themed obstacle course. Players are also able to buy Games-themed gear, including an emote that replicates the moves of breaking Olympians Sunny Choi and Victor Montalvo.

Here's what players can expect from the experience, which is exclusive to U.S.-based players, and live now at TeamUSA.com/Roblox or NBCOlympics.com/Roblox.

SEE ALSO: The world of Roblox accessories is betting big on young, Black creators

Track medal counts in Central Plaza – At the heart of the experience, players can stay up-to-date on medal counts, a schedule of Olympic events, and obby performance leaderboards.

Kick back in the Team USA House – In real life, the Team USA House will be located in Paris's historic Palais Brongniart. In Roblox, a digital version of the house will feature a selfie station, rock-climbing wall, and the avatars of more than 20 Team USA athletes who can tell you more about their sport. The house is fully accessible, with wheelchair ramps between floors.

Become a commentator or cameraman in the Peacock Fan Zone — Mike Tirico, primetime host for NBCUniversal's coverage of the Olympic Games, will welcome users to a virtual broadcast studio where they can take the stage to commentate a broadcast of their own. Once you're off the air, grab and seat a catch the latest Olympic and Paralympic highlights.

An overhead view of the experience, themed to the six colors of the Olympic rings. Credit: Roblox

Beat the ultimate Olympic-themed obby, narrated by Mike Tirico – The main attraction in the experience is a speed-running obby that transforms players into soccer balls, rock climbers, swimmers, and more as they attempt to scale Game Mountain.

Scavenge to save the Team USA Museum – The museum curator has misplaced some important items, and needs you to find them in a scavenger hunt around the experience. Swim, jump, and run through the experience to find them and collect stars along the way that can be used to purchase sporting equipment to accessorize your avatar.

The Team USA Shop — Team USA gear, including looks designed by Official Outfitter of Team USA Ralph Lauren, are available for purchase in the Team USA Shop. A breaking emote — which buyers can use across Roblox — will be available for purchase in the experience, with a portion of proceeds going directly to breaking athletes Sunny Choi and Victor Montalvo.

Portal to Olympic World — Walk through a portal to enter a separate Games-themed experience created by The International Olympic Committee and Visa called the Olympic Shop. There players will find unique Olympic-branded gear, an Olympic-themed museum and several additional mini-games inspired by Olympic sports.

The experience is available to play today at TeamUSA.com/Roblox or NBCOlympics.com/Roblox.

CrowdStrike outage is still causing hundreds of flight cancellations daily

Mashable - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 08:17

Three days after a faulty update in cybersecurity company CrowdStrike's software caused a global IT outage, thousands of flights are still being cancelled or delayed.

The CrowdStrike outage may feel like distant history as so many things happened in the last couple of days, including President Biden announcing he's dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.

But the issue, which impacted an estimated 8.5 million Windows computers, is still causing disruptions in numerous sectors, with airlines being among the most impacted.

According to Reuters, Delta Air Lines had to cancel 1,250 flights on Sunday, and an additional 305 flights on Monday, with the total number of canceled flights being at more than 5,000.

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"As we continue operational recovery, we apologize for the disruptions many customers are experiencing. Canceling a flight is always a last resort & not taken lightly," Delta wrote in a post on X. "We’re notifying customers about delays & cancellations in their itinerary via the Fly Delta app & text message & offering re-booking options that can be managed online."

United Airlines is another airline who was hit hard by the CrowdStrike outage, but it recovered better, having cancelled 266 flights on Sunday, Reuters reported.

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According to FlightAware, there has been a total of 771 flight delays globally on Monday, and a total of 1,084 cancellations today, 745 of which are within, into, or out of the United States.

SEE ALSO: CrowdStrike on outage: 'Bad actors will try to exploit events like this'

All in all, the total damage from the CrowdStrike outage could go into billions of dollars, and CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz warned it may take weeks before a total recovery from the outage.

Elon Musk’s Novel and Polarizing Cybertruck

NYT Technology - Mon, 07/22/2024 - 05:03
Elon Musk’s Cybertrucks are hitting the road. They’re provoking strong aesthetic judgments — and assumptions about the people who drive them.

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