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Not that long ago, a 3D printing hobby wasn't really possible unless you had serious cash to burn. These days, while buying a 3D printer isn't super cheap, there are definitely some affordable options out there, which only become more so during sales like Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days.
None of the below deals from brands like AnkerMake, Sovol, and Anycubic are officially tied to Big Deal Days, but some of them are limited to Prime members only. These printers are also all from third-party sellers, with the Bambu deal coming straight from the brand's website.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's early Prime Day laptop deals are finally ramping up: Shop record lows on Apple, LG, and AcerWhile we typically only recommend products shipped and sold by Amazon, we found that 3D printers are mainly sold by third-party sellers. We still vetted the seller pages and brands, but as always, we recommend shopping at your own risk with third-party — if something feels way too good to be true, it probably is.
With all that said, here are the best 3D printer deals ahead of October Prime Day's official start on Oct. 8.
Best 3D printer deal Opens in a new window Credit: AnkerMake AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer $199.99 at AmazonOur friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) deemed the AnkerMate M5C the best budget option for folks looking to get a 3D printer. They were fans of how easy the printer was to use, and how quickly it worked without sacrificing quality. It comes without higher end features like real-time video monitoring or an on-device display, but as Senior Analyst Tony Hoffman writes "it has a generous print area for its price, and the prints we produced were of high quality, even with the default settings in the slicer software." In other words, it's a great buy even at full price, so shaving $100 off the price makes it an even better value 3D printer.
More 3D printer dealsAnycubic Kobra 2 Neo — $159.99 $219.99 (save $60)
Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer — $199 $299 (save $100)
Sovol SV06 — $209 $239 (save $30 with on-page coupon)
Anycubic 3D Printer Kobra 2 Pro — $209.99 $428.99 (save $219 with on-page coupon)
Flashforge Adventurer 5M — $298.99 $399 (save $100.01)
Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus — $349.99 $419.99 (save $70)
Anycubic Kobra 2 Max — $429.99 $579.99 (save $150)
Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.
Timeless beverage as it may be, espresso is having an especially good year. For starters, Sabrina Carpenter made it the song of the summer. Now, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days are making espresso machines one of the sale's must-get deals.
SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is just one day away — here are all the best deals to shop so farIt makes sense — the weather is finally cooling down, and the days are getting shorter. Hot espresso and the access to a latte whenever you want it are perhaps most essential at this time of year. Plus, if you like getting your holiday shopping done early, grabbing an espresso machine on sale can save you a couple hundred bucks.
Case in point — most of Breville's espresso machine line is on sale, from the Duo Temp Pro at just $299.95 to the fancier Barista Touch, also on sale for $200 off. If you're more into popping in a pod, Nespressos are also on sale, as well as picks from De'Longhi and Mr. Coffee. Whether you're looking for a high-end machine that can make any espresso drinks with the touch of a button, or something simple that can reliably pull an espresso shot, we've got you covered.
SEE ALSO: Instant Pot deals aren't great, but there are a few worth checking out ahead of Prime DayFind all our picks for the best espresso machine deals below, and if you don't see one you like, make sure to check back during Prime Big Deal Days — we'll be updating this list as new deals appear.
Best espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Duo Temp Pro $299.95 at AmazonEspresso machines can easily run you near $1,000, and though Breville is known for their pricier machines, this Duo Temp Pro deal sits squarely in the middle of the budget range for most consumer espresso machines. You'll get the low-pressure pre-infusion designed to help you achieve even extraction, a milk frother, and a machine that heats up quickly. If you're not a huge coffee drinker or prefer to be as minimal effort as possible, one of the under $200 options or a Nespresso might work better for you. However, if you're looking to level up your espresso game but don't want to pay $500-plus, then the Duo Temp Pro is a solid pick.
According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, this machine has dropped lower in price only one time before for a record low of $279.99.
More espresso machine dealsBest deals under $200
Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso — $47.99 $56.83 (save $8.84)
De'Longhi Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine — $98.98 $129.95 (save $30.97)
Nespresso Vertuo Next — $109.19 $179 (save $69.81)
Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine — $142.49 $249.99 (save $107.50)
Nespresso Vertuo Next with Aeroccino Milk Frother — $149 $229.95 (save $80.95)
De'Longhi Dedica Arte — $159.95 $299.95 (save $140)
Best deals under $500
De'Longhi Magnifica S — $399.95 $499.95 (save $100)
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo — $499.95 $749.95 (save $250)
Best deals under $1,000
Breville Barista Express Impress — $699.95 $899.95 (save $200)
Breville Barista Pro — $679.95 $849.95 (save $170)
Breville Barista Touch — $799.95 $999.95 (save $200)
Comcast customers are the latest victims of a data breach – and the information taken in this one is extremely sensitive.
According to a notice sent to the Office of the Main Attorney General, more than 200,000 Comcast customers have been affected by a data breach at Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS). FBCS is a debt collection agency contacted by various companies to collect on unpaid debts.
The FBCS breach was previously reported during the summer. More than 3.2 million Americans were affected by the breach. However, the notice, first reported by Bleeping Computer, gives us a look at which customers of which specific companies were affected.
This report revealed that 237,703 Comcast customers were among those impacted.
What data was exposed in the Comcast breach?The private data involved in the breach is especially concerning. According to the notice, an "unauthorized party" downloaded files that contained Comcast customers' name, address, birthdays, Social Security number, ID numbers, and Comcast account number.
While FBCS discovered the breach in February, according to Comcast, the cable service provider was only made aware that the breach affected its customers in July.
According to The Verge, Comcast no longer uses FBCS' services and the data affected in the breach dates back to around 2021.
Comcast says it's providing affected customers with 12 months of free identity theft protection. In addition, the notice states that there has been no evidence yet of this private data being misused by bad actors.
If you're in the market for a PlayStation 5, now is a perfect time to strike, as some of the best deals on the PS5 Slim are rolling in ahead of Amazon Prime Day. Both versions of Sony's latest, more compact console are currently discounted by $50. The PS5 Slim with a disc drive is now priced at $449 (down from $499), while the all-digital version is available for just $399.
Whether you're looking for a streamlined digital experience or want the flexibility of physical games and media, this deal is tough to beat.
One noteworthy deal to keep an eye on this week is Walmart’s preorders for the PlayStation 5 (Slim) Digital Edition 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle. As part of Walmart’s Holiday Deals event — its counterprogramming to Amazon's Prime Day — the preorders will open on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. ET, with early access for paid Walmart+ members. This bundle, which sold out quickly on PlayStation Direct last month, is expected to be in high demand once again. If you're looking to score this limited edition PS5 Slim, you’ll want to act fast.
Best PS5 console deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony PlayStation 5 Slim $449.00 at AmazonFor gamers who prefer physical media, the PS5 Slim with a disc drive strikes a perfect balance between flexibility and performance. At $449 during this Prime Day deal, it’s $50 off, making it an attractive choice for those who enjoy building a physical game collection or prefer buying used games to save even more.
The disc drive also doubles as a 4K Blu-ray player, giving you access to a broader entertainment experience beyond just gaming.
Best PS5 deal for the budget-conscious Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon PlayStation 5 Digital (Slim) $399.00 at AmazonThe Digital PS5 Slim is perfect for those looking to embrace the convenience of an all-digital gaming experience. Without the bulk of a disc drive, this version is slightly slimmer and sleeker, making it an ideal fit for minimalists who want to keep their setup clean and simple. Priced at $399 during Prime Day, it’s the most affordable way to get into next-gen gaming.
Plus, with the rise of digital game sales and subscription services like PlayStation Plus, you won’t miss physical discs. It also offers the same 1TB of storage and cutting-edge performance as its disc counterpart, so you’re not sacrificing power or features for the savings.
More PS5 dealsEA SPORTS College Football 25 — $47.99 $69.99 (save $22)
Madden NFL 25 — $47.99 $69.99 (save $22)
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Amazon edition) — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)
JBL Quantum Wired Headphones — $24.95 $39.95 (save $15)
Some hurricanes rapidly intensify. Hurricane Milton has "explosively" intensified.
The National Hurricane Service, after observing the Category 5 cyclone continually strengthen, reported Monday that Florida-bound "Milton Explosively Intensifies With 175-Mph Winds." This means Milton "is unfortunately hitting the top-end of possible intensification rates," meteorologist Levi Cowan posted online. The hurricane jumped from a Category 1 to 5 in under a day.
Tropical storms, particularly the most powerful hurricanes, can exploit favorable environment conditions to rapidly intensify. This means increasing wind speed by some 35 mph, or 30 knots, in 24 hours. Milton has gone well beyond that.
"There is such a thing as 'extreme rapid intensification' and #Milton has done it," Kathryn Prociv, a meteorologist with NBC news, explained online. "Extreme RI defined as a 58mph+ increase in 24 hours. Milton has gone 90mph."
SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the futureThe footage below, captured by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellites, demonstrates Milton's robust windup and growth. The storm is projected to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula on Wednesday, and is tracking toward the well-populated Tampa Bay region. It's serious.
"If the storm stays on the current track, it will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in over 100 years," the National Weather Service said.
Tweet may have been deleted "Extreme RI defined as a 58mph+ increase in 24 hours. Milton has gone 90mph." Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedThe storm is now rapidly spinning through the Gulf of Mexico, with extreme winds circulating around its well-defined eye:
Tweet may have been deletedThough a number of factors influence the formation of strong hurricanes (opposing winds that can break apart storms, moist or dry air, etc.), a vital influence is warm sea surface temperatures of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Warm oceans act as jet fuel for hurricanes, storm scientists explain. That's because warmer oceans fuel tropical storms as more water naturally evaporates into the air, giving storms energy and moisture to intensify. Crucially, the oceans, which absorb most of the heat created by burning fossil fuels, are relentlessly warming.
Today, Atlantic hurricanes are already twice as likely to develop from a milder storm into a major hurricane.
SAVE $35: If your mornings need a boost, now is the perfect time to upgrade your wake-up routine with the Amazon Echo Spot. With this early Prime Day deal, it's nearly half off, bringing all the smart functionality of Alexa to your bedside for just a fraction of the price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at AmazonIt's more than just a smart alarm. Sure, it’ll wake you up with your favorite tunes or a custom alarm, but it also lets you control your smart home, check your calendar, or stream music — all hands-free. You can even sync it with other Alexa devices for a whole-home wake-up routine, like having your bedroom lights gradually brighten while Alexa kicks off your morning playlist.
This compact, stylish smart clock is 44% off right now — making it the ideal time to grab one and make mornings a little easier (and smarter). Don’t snooze on this deal — it’s the perfect excuse to refresh your routine before Prime Day.
SAVE $55: The Kindle Paperwhite Kids is on sale just in time for a Fall birthday present for the young reader in your life. Grab one as of Oct. 7 for $114.99, down from $169.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids $114.99The Paperwhite Kids is an e-reader designed with children in mind, so it's durable, water resistant, and has a glare-free screen. Additionally, the screen lights up, so it can be used at night. It also comes with one year of Amazon Kids+ (which normally costs $2.99/month). Amazon Kids+ gives you access to thousands of kid-friendly books and a tool called Vocabulary Builder that's essentially a dictionary.
Regularly priced at $169.99 it's marked down to $114.99 for October Prime Day, which is 32 percent off. While it's not an all-time low price, it's the lowest price since last October Prime Day.
SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is just one day away — here are all the best deals to shop so farKeep in mind, though, that this is just an e-reader; all you can use the device for is reading. It offers no games or internet browsing.
The e-reader also comes with a two-year warranty.
The viral "Natalie Nunn! Baddies! Pose for me!" tune has been blaring across countless TikTok videos, with a trending seated dance alongside it.
This isn’t the first time Nunn’s name appeared in a trending TikTok song. In "Endless Fashion," rapper Nicki Minaj said, "Ayo, even if my name was Natalie Nunn, these [expletive] still couldn't chin-check me."
But the question is, "Who is Natalie Nunn?"
TikToker asking, "Ok, but does anyone actually know who Natalie Nunn is?" Credit: @itskc_10 Who is Natalie Nunn?Nunn is an alumni of Bad Girls Club, a long-running show that kicked off its first season in 2006. It's basically like The Real World, but with self-proclaimed "bad girls" who try to "out alpha" each other inside a swanky mansion.
The show is now cancelled, but it had a good run with 17 seasons under its belt.
Despite giving nearly 300 women a platform between 2006 and 2017, Nunn is one of the few who stood out from all the cast members.
The promo image for the 14th season of "Bad Girls Club." Credit: Tim Brown/Oxygen Media/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesTanisha Thomas, from Bad Girls Club Season 2, set the tone for the show, becoming viral for a memeable in a scene in which she slammed pots and pans together to vengefully get back at her castmates for not letting her sleep. "I didn't get no sleep 'cause of y'all! Y'all not gonna get no sleep 'cause of me!"
But it's Nunn, I'd argue, who rocketed the show to success.
Natalie Nunn attends a TV premiere in Houston. Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for The ZEUS NetworkFirst introduced to us in December 2009 via Bad Girls Club season 4, Nunn's unique personality caught users' attention. She developed a reputation of being "the most controversial bad girl" in the show's history.
"My roommates need to know that it's about me! Me, me, me, me, me!" she shouted before walking into the Bad Girls Club mansion. "And the minute I get into this house, I'm going to do what I'm going to do, and there are no rules 'cause I make up the rules."
And well, for better or worse, Nunn stood by her word. She did what she wanted to do, said what she wanted to say, and fought when she wanted to fight. Often seen as loud and obnoxious, she regularly shouted, "I run LA!", which is still one of her catchphrases to this day. Beyond her bold behavior, she also made headlines when she claimed to have a relationship with singer-songwriter Chris Brown.
Nunn's season was the most watched in Bad Girls Club history.
To put it succinctly, while some people gain fame from adoration, Nunn launched her career by being controversial, playing the villain, and sparking conversations around her rebellious behavior.
Nunn became the girl you love to hate, and although 15 years have passed since she first graced our TV screen, she's been popping up regularly with new gigs and pop culture moments.
How did Natalie Nunn extend her '15 minutes' of fame?Nunn is a niche pop culture icon for wild reality TV lovers. She's not quite as well known as figures from The Kardashians nor Jersey Shore, but true consumers of 2000s reality TV know Nunn, as well as the likes of Tiffany Pollard from VH1's Flavor of Love, Nene Leakes from Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Spencer Pratt from The Hills.
Natalie Nunn in 'Celebrity Big Brother' final Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesThis isn't to say that Nunn is on the same level as these aforementioned stars who have a hint of mischievousness. The point is that they've all been memorialized in some of the most popular memes and GIFs of our time, showcasing how they've left a mark on viewers and captivated audiences.
Since Nunn's season 4 appearance on Bad Girls Club, she has been casted in numerous Bad Girls Club spin-offs, as well as shows like Bridezillas (which documented her wedding planning woes with Arizona Rattlers football star Jacob Payne), Marriage Bootcamp: Reality Stars 2, and Celebrity Big Brother 22.
Nunn with husband Jacob Payne. Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagicAcross all these shows, Nunn maintained her "bad girl" image, playing the villain in many instances. She's the girl you'd expect to be casted in a show like House of Villains, which featured fiery characters like Anfisa Arkhipchenko from 90 Day Fiance and Omarosa Manigault Newman from The Apprentice. (Perhaps she'll be casted for House of Villains 2, if it gets a second season.)
While many former Bad Girls Club contestants shied away from the cameras, hoping to shed their "bad girl" image, Nunn leaned into it, even partnering with the Zeus Network for a new-ish franchise called "Baddies."
Baddies! Pose for me!So this is where the word "Baddies" in the TikTok song comes from.
In fact, it's Nunn herself who is rapping the viral TikTok snippet. Nunn is promoting Baddies, the franchise she’s currently executive producing, which premiered in 2021, starting with Baddies ATL. It's similar to Bad Girls Club, but I'd argue it's far more intense, with more physical and verbal altercations than ever. Baddies received a similar critical response to Bad Girls Club, in that some people believe it's "problematic" and "exploitative."
But even if you've never heard about Baddies, nor Nunn, the snappy 11-second tune has been climbing in popularity in recent weeks. The trend originated with @lyssa and it took off, with TikTok users of all ages participating in it. The video below, for example, has nine million views.
The elements of the seated dance trend are simple: pretend you're stroking your hair, pose for the camera, swoop your head from right to left across the camera, and show off your "slim thick" figure.
Even Nunn herself eventually hopped on the trend.
View this post on InstagramIn another video, she applied a filter that made her chin more prominent, leaning into critics who poke fun at her distinct profile. (As mentioned at the outset, even Nicki Minaj referenced it in "Endless Fashion.")
View this post on InstagramThe tune comes from a two-minute song called "Pose for Me" ft. Natalie Nunn by John Mackk. On Instagram, Nunn released the song to her 2.7 million followers in late August.
Love her or hate her, Natalie Nunn has managed to stay in the limelight, proving that some personalities are simply unforgettable.
SAVE $250: If you're in the market for an ultra-portable laptop, now might be the perfect time to grab Apple's M2 MacBook Air at its lowest price ever at $749 — down 25% from its original price. Known for its sleek design and top-notch performance, this laptop is a dream for anyone looking to upgrade from an older MacBook.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M2 Macbook Air $749.00 at AmazonThis early Prime Day deal marks the first time the Apple M2 MacBook Air hit its lowest price on Amazon. The last time we saw this price was over Labor Day weekend, but it was exclusive to Best Buy and required a paid "My Best Buy" membership to access.
In our review of the M2 MacBook Air, we wrote that the device offers impressive speed, and fantastic battery life thanks to Apple's M2 chip, along with a crisp 13.6-inch display, all while staying remarkably lightweight. Per Alex Perry's review:
“If you’ve been waiting four or five years to upgrade your MacBook Air, go ahead and do it now. That’s because the 2022 MacBook Air, powered by Apple’s in-house M2 silicon, is just about the ideal work-from-home (or work-from-wherever, really) companion.”Though it could use more ports and a higher refresh rate, the overall package makes it a must-buy—especially at this discounted price. Whether you're working from home or on the go, this machine's excellent keyboard and nearly silent operation make it a standout.
Don't wait too long; deals like this don’t last forever.
Another powerful hurricane is barreling towards Florida directly on the heels of the devastation wrought across multiple states by Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a Category 5 storm that is all but certain to make landfall in Florida as soon as Wednesday.
Mashable has the info on the latest projections for where and when the storm might hit via forecasting spaghetti models. But the long and short of it is that a major hurricane is once again heading for the state.
"Milton can bring a variety of life-threatening dangers, including an extreme storm surge of 10-15 feet along and near the coast, including in the Tampa Bay area, destructive winds and major flooding to one of the most densely populated parts of Florida, the I-4 corridor, especially from Tampa toward Orlando," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter.
Tweet may have been deletedBut, because the internet is the internet, there has been loads of fake information circulating about the dangerous storm. While Floridians should expect another damaging hurricane, they can also expect to see more misinformation about Milton.
Milton is not a HAARP 'weather weapon' that 'they' can controlThis shouldn't be something that we need to explain but, no, neither the government nor some nefarious "they" are able to generate a storm to unleash on its own citizens. But that is something that's circulating online ahead of Milton's landfall. Typically speaking, these sorts of conspiracy theories are coming from rightwing accounts that specialize in trafficking that kind of misinformation. Here are a couple of examples of the whole weather weapon thing, which, to X's credit, have inspired lengthy Community Notes fact-checks.
The conspiracy theorists have latched onto the "High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP") as a buzz-phrase to explain how Democrats or some other "they" created Helene, Milton, or other storms. The HAARP program cannot control the weather, as the AFP news service broke down in detail.
"HAARP had absolutely no connection to the formation of Hurricane Helene, the formation of any other hurricane, or the genesis of any other natural weather event for that matter," Howard Diamond, director of the Atmospheric Sciences and Modeling Division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Air Resources Laboratory, told AFP.
HAARP has even feIt the need to address the idea of weather manipulation on its site. It wrote on its FAQ page: "The HAARP system is basically a large radio transmitter. Radio waves interact with electrical charges and currents, and do not significantly interact with the troposphere." That's the lower atmosphere where weather exists.
HAARP added: "Radio waves in the frequency ranges that HAARP transmits are not absorbed in either the troposphere or the stratosphere—the two levels of the atmosphere that produce Earth’s weather. Since there is no interaction, there is no way to control the weather."
The false idea that the government, or some other shadowy force, is somehow manipulating the weather has been pushed by some folks in positions of prominence in Republican politics. Folks like Alex Jones have been pushing it for years and now Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — the rightwing congresswoman from Georgia — openly spread the conspiracy theory. She even used the ominous phrasing of "they," which is commonly understood to be anti-Semitic.
"Yes they can control the weather," Greene wrote on X during Hurricane Helene. "It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done."
So it's no surprise the conspiracy theories continue apace as Milton nears landfall. Just know they are baseless.
What's going on with FEMA?There have also been lots of rumors and headlines regarding FEMA in the wake of Helene and before Milton.
"We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said last week. "FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season."
This quote, in part, helped feed into the idea that the government wouldn't be able to help folks recover from Helene or Milton. But, in truth, it just means FEMA might have to spend against the president's budget in response to natural disasters.
Sparked by baseless claims from former President Donald Trump, the idea began to circulate that President Joe Biden's administration had spent disaster relief funds on migrants. The Washington Post published a piece noting that Biden had not redirected disaster money to migrant programs, but Trump's administration had.
FEMA even has a page devoted to debunking the false rumors going around. It reads, in part.
"The funding for communities to support migrants is appropriated by Congress to Customs and Border Patrol – it has nothing to do with FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund. FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund has enough funding to support Hurricane Helene efforts and FEMA has what it needs for immediate response and recovery efforts. As FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has said, she has the full authority to spend against the President’s budget, but we’re not out of hurricane season yet so we need to keep a close eye on it."
So, no, money that might be needed to help folks recover from Milton has not been redirected.
What to expect with Hurricane Milton?Unfortunately, it seems that Milton is yet another disaster. NASA has noted that worse hurricanes could be a product of climate change.
The agency wrote in 2022:
"Due to global warming, global climate models predict hurricanes will likely cause more intense rainfall and have an increased coastal flood risk due to higher storm surge caused by rising seas. Additionally, the global frequency of storms may decrease or remain unchanged, but hurricanes that form are more likely to become intense."
After rapidly intensifying, Milton is expected to hit Florida on Wednesday as a powerful hurricane.
Another storm has rapidly intensified. This time, it's Hurricane Milton.
The now Category 5 hurricane, packing over 160 mph winds, is projected to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula on Wednesday, and is tracking towards the well-populated Tampa Bay region. The hurricane jumped from a Category 1 to 5 in under a day.
For those in the Tampa area or interested in the storm's impacts there, you can watch on the webcams below.
This hurricane will undoubtedly be life-threatening. "Prepare for MAJOR impacts from storm surge, hurricane winds, & flooding rainfall far from the center," the National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office posted online. Watch for guidance from local National Weather Service offices and other relevant agencies for updates and evacuation information.
SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the futureThough a number of factors influence the formation of strong hurricanes (opposing winds that can break apart storms, moist or dry air, etc.), a vital influence is warm sea surface temperatures of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Warm oceans act as jet fuel for hurricanes, storm scientists explain. That's because warmer oceans fuel tropical storms as more water naturally evaporates into the air, giving storms energy and moisture to intensify. Crucially, the oceans, which absorb most of the heat created by burning fossil fuels, are relentlessly warming.
Today, Atlantic hurricanes are already twice as likely to develop from a milder storm into a major hurricane.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tampa Bay Riverfront webcam Siesta Key Beach(You may to click the video to watch it on YouTube.)
Clearwater Beach Hilton Clearwater Beach Cam Tweet may have been deletedAnd remember, as you're watching the slightly shifting track updates of Hurricane Milton, the track forecast cone is not an impacts cone. Other regions will see extreme deluges of rain, surge, and flooding.
SAVE $15: Skullcandy's already inexpensive EcoBuds are at an even lower price ahead of October Prime Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Skullcandy Ecobuds $24.99 at AmazonLooking for a budget-friendly pair of earbuds? As of Oct. 7, the Skullcandy EcoBuds are on sale for $24.88 — 62 percent off their MSRP of $39.99.
The earbuds come in a fun blue tie dye color, "Glacier," and perform similarly to other inexpensive earbuds. The EcoBud's commitment to sustainability sets it apart from other budget earbuds. To cut down the earbuds' carbon footprint, Skullcandy uses mostly recycled post-consumer plastic that typically ends up in landfills or the ocean and these buds don't feature a battery in the storage case to limit the use of lithium. Skullcandy claims that this cuts the carbon footprint of the EcoBuds by 50 percent compared to similar models.
SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is just one day away — here are all the best deals to shop so farHowever, the EcoBud's commitment to sustainability do make them different from similar models. The case doesn't shut, instead, the EcoBuds are kept in place via magnets and Mashable's Leah Stodart writes that it doesn't take much to accidentally jostle them out. Additionally, the case does not charge the earbuds, but they do have an eight hour battery life.
If you're choosing to stock up on a pair of cheaper earbuds, perhaps pick the one that limits e-waste.
SAVE $22: As of October 7, get Madden NFL 25 for just $47.99, down from $69.99, on PlayStation and Xbox at Amazon. That's a discount of 31%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Madden NFL 25' $47.99 at AmazonIt's finally football season again. If you're the type of person who loves to invite friends and family over and catch the game over dinner, you might also be interested in playing your own version on your favorite console. The Madden series is a great way to do that, and with a new iteration each year, you can have all your favorite teams and players at your fingertips. Didn't buy the latest game yet? You can do so right now with this early Prime Day deal.
As of Oct. 7, get Madden NFL 25 for PlayStation 5 or Xbox for just $47.99. That's $22 off its normal price of $69.99 and a discount of 31%. Both versions are physical editions, so you'll have to wait for the game to be shipped to you.
SEE ALSO: Scope out the best gaming deals ahead of October Prime DayMashable Assistant Editor Chance Townsend called this year's Madden "good, not great" in his review, noting that you'll love the game "if you haven't played Madden anytime in the last 10 years." However, he praised its "fluid gameplay, improved visual fidelity, and better player customization." While it's much of the same from last year's version, if you value having the most up-to-date faces and teams at your disposal, it's still worth picking up at a discount.
Don't forget the option to grab this game for friends or family as a gift. The holidays are right around the corner, and this is a popular one for playing online with the squad.
AI is demanding more and more energy for its immense processing needs, and while many of it's leaders are addressing the climate concerns, others are letting artificial intelligence lead the way.
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt is among the latter, for one. Appearing at a recent Washington AI summit, Schmidt argued that current climate goals should be abandoned in favor of a no-bars-held approach to AI investment. "All of that will be swamped by the enormous needs of this new technology," said Schmidt, referring to recent efforts to make AI more environmentally friendly. "We may make mistakes with respect to how it's used, but I can assure you that we're not going to get there through conservation."
Schmidt has his own AI investments, including the defense company White Stork, which is testing a new legion of AI-powered military drones. "We're not going to hit the climate goals anyway because we're not organized to do it," Schmidt continued. "I'd rather bet on AI solving the problem, than constraining it and having the problem."
SEE ALSO: Bill Nye will only take a selfie with you if you're voting pro-climateThe former executive served as the company's lead from 2001 to 2011, during which time the company became "carbon neutral" for the first time. Since then, the tech giant has invested even more in its image as a climate-conscious company, eliminating its carbon legacy and planning to invest in the clean energy economy.
But Google has admitted its own climate goals (including net zero emissions by the year 2030) are farther off than they would like. The company's 2024 sustainability report showed a 48 percent increase in total greenhouse gas emissions between 2019 and 2023, with the majority tied to larger processing demands beginning in 2022.
Last month, a report from the Guardian revealed that Big Tech's emission stats are still likely off the mark, with true emission numbers obfuscated by what the industry refers to as "market-based" figures achieved by clever renewable energy certificate accounting. In the adjusted report, Amazon was an exponentially worse offender than any other company, with more than double the amount of emissions than the next player on the list. Google and Microsoft (which also saw a rise in emissions since 2020) stood out among the offenders for pledging to phase out the opaque system from its reporting process.
As many AI executives, like OpenAI's Sam Altman, race toward sustainable energy options for AI, others are doubling back to fossil fuels to meet the present demand. Meanwhile some, including several of tech's biggest names and Microsoft itself, are exploring the potential of nuclear energy to match both the speed of AI investment and its demands on the energy grid.
Porn performers differ in their views on Project 2025, the right-wing plan to — among other measures — outlaw pornography and imprison its creators. As Mashable reported last month, some think it's merely a scare tactic used by Democrats. Others, however, see it as an existential threat to their livelihoods.
Nearly 20 performers in the latter camp are part of a new digital ad campaign announced today called Hands Off My Porn. The $100,000 campaign will appear on adult content websites in swing states — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada — and warn viewers about the potential outcomes of Project 2025, according to a press release sent to Mashable. Pornhub is currently blocked in North Carolina due to age-verification laws, which require proof of age to view sites that primarily host adult content. The announcement also stated that the ads will soon appear in more states, too.
SEE ALSO: Top 5 digital security tips from sex workersThe ads will link to the Hands Off My Porn site, where viewers can watch safe-for-work video testimonials from performers like Siri Dahl about the dangers of Project 2025. The site also provides links to register to vote and donate to the political action committee Artists United for Change.
"In my 12 years since I started my career in the adult film industry, I've seen a lot of political attacks on our industry," said Siri Dahl in the press release. "But Project 2025's plan to make pornography illegal and throw all the pornographers in jail is really the worst example yet. This plan of Project 2025's is an egregious attack on your right to privacy, and not to mention it's just purely unconstitutional."
These performers are certainly not alone in their fears: nearly 89 percent of adult content creators are concerned about cultural and political attacks on the adult industry, according to research firm SWR Data. Concern among trans performers (93 percent), creators of color (94 percent), and gay and lesbian creators (100 percent) were the highest, in data sent to Mashable.
"I'm deeply concerned about how Project 2025 could impact not just our personal freedoms but also the rights of sex workers and the adult film industry as a whole,” said performer Cherie Deville in the Hands Off My Porn announcement. (DeVille has written for Mashable.) "These policies have the potential to undermine our work, our rights, and our ability to create content safely and freely. This is about protecting our livelihoods and ensuring that sex workers aren't pushed further into the margins."
SAVE $46.99: The Amazon Echo Pop is back at its all-time low price with the added bonus of a TP-Link Smart Color Bulb. Grab the bundle for $17.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop with TP-Link Tapo Smart Color Bulb $17.99 at AmazonThe Echo Pop debuted in 2023 and is Amazon's simplest and least expensive smart home device. It can play music and podcasts and works with Alexa apps. While it lacks the Echo Dot's motion detection and temperature sensing capabilities, it otherwise performs similarly, comes in more fun colors, and is more compact. The TP-Link Smart Color Bulb allows you to control your lights and their colors via Bluetooth.
The Echo Pop regularly returns to this low price on shopping holidays. Normally priced at $39.99, the Echo Pop is on sale ahead of Prime Big Deals Days on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 for $17.99, saving you 45% on the list price. The charcoal, glacier white, lavender bloom, and midnight teal models are all on sale and come with the TP-Link Smart Color Bulb.
Everyone is currently awaiting the new line of M4 Apple computers. New MacBooks, Mac Minis, and more are all expected — based on Apple's previous annual launch schedule.
Apple has been fairly predictable when it comes to new product releases. Software announcements come in June at WWDC, followed by new hardware. For example, new iPhone announcements have long been slated for Apple's September event, followed by new MacBook launches later in the fall.
However, that dependable annual release schedule from Apple appears to be coming to an end. According to Bloomberg's Apple insider, Mark Gurman, Apple has been "slowly" moving away from this annual release strategy.
SEE ALSO: Apple's new M4 MacBook Pro is coming soon, but it may have already leaked Apple changes up it's annual product release cycleFor many years, Apple users have come to expect new Apple hardware releases to come on a fairly consistent schedule.
According to Gurman, this was done for a few reasons. It provided employees with a deadline to work towards. It helped investors know what to expect. And it provided Apple's marketing team with the post-summer timeframe to go all out with its press and marketing push.
However, as Gurman explains, this has become more challenging as Apple expands well beyond just smartphones and computers. Some products, like certain AirPods or Apple Watch models, don't need a yearly hardware update.
In addition, certain Apple teams have been spread thin in order to work within these scheduled launch dates. Gurman shares that Apple's audio team needs to work on every device – from Macs and iPhones to the Apple Watch and AirPods.
Software updates have also made things more challenging, as Apple now deals with a range of operating systems from iOS to Apple Vision Pro's visionOS. Every time new hardware is announced, the work has to be done to make sure everything is compatible with the software too.
Unfortunately, the timeframe to get both hardware and software out the door doesn't always line up. For example, Apple has heavily promoted its new iPhone 16 as being built specifically for Apple's AI, Apple Intelligence. However, Apple Intelligence hasn't even yet been launched even though the iPhone 16 launched last month and has been in customers' hands for weeks.
Gurman does expect iPhone's annual update and September announcement event to continue. However, Apple's experiment to ditch the annual announcements for certain products has already begun to roll out. In the past few years, there have been more random Apple releases for new Macs in January and in June. Apple launched new iPads in May, which is not a regularly scheduled Apple launch time period.
But, fear not Apple fans. Gurman says that Apple's decision to change up strategy will likely result in "more frequent releases and fewer jarring delays." When a product is ready to go, Apple will plan its roll out accordingly instead of trying to work within the predetermined Apple event schedule.
Wondering how to factory reset a PS4? Sony's PlayStation 4 has been a trusty sidekick for over a decade (yeah, it’s really been that long), but with the PlayStation 5 Pro hitting shelves soon, you may be opting to sell the console.
Or maybe your PS4’s cluttered with years of digital baggage — and you're ready for a clean slate.
SEE ALSO: Sony finally announces the PS5 Pro, including release date and preorder detailsWhatever your reason — whether you’re passing it on, trading it in, or just craving that new console feeling — we’ve got you covered.
How to factory reset a PS4Here’s how to factory reset your PS4 and give it a proper send-off, no matter the occasion. Let's get into it.
1. Deactivate your PS4 accountSimply factory resetting your PS4 won’t cut it if you’re prepping to sell it or pass it on. If you skip a crucial step — deactivating your PS4 as the primary console — you could run into headaches when trying to sign in on new devices later. Plus, leaving your account linked could give the next owner access to your digital content. So, here’s what you need to do first:
Fire up your PS4 and head to the Settings menu.
Scroll down and select Account Management.
Next, choose Activate as Your Primary PS4.
On the following screen, hit Deactivate. (Don’t worry if the "Activate" button is grayed out—that just means your account is already active on this system.)
Confirm by selecting Yes, and you’re all set.
Once your PS4 is deactivated, you can safely proceed to the factory reset.
2. It's reset timeNow for the main event: the factory reset. Thankfully, it’s a straightforward process — just follow the steps below, and your PS4 will be as clean as a whistle, with all your personal info, downloaded games, and save data gone for good. (Quick tip: If you want to hold onto your save data, back it up first using a USB or via PSN's cloud storage if you’ve got a subscription.)
Here’s how to do it:
Go to the Settings menu on your PS4.
Scroll down and select Initialization.
Choose Initialize PS4 to see options on how much you want to clear.
For a full reset, select Full—this will completely wipe the console, leaving only the operating system intact.
Once you've done this, your PS4 will be wiped clean and ready for its next adventure.
Google is stepping up its device security game for Android users, with long-promised theft protection tools that are beginning to make their way to select devices this week.
Spotted by Android journalist Mishaal Rahman on X (formerly Twitter), the rollout introduces three major features: Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock. Initially spotted on devices like the Xiaomi 14T Pro and some Pixel models, these tools aim to give users more control when their phones are stolen, offering quick lockdown options even when the device is offline.
SEE ALSO: Google Search is testing blue checkmark feature that helps users spot genuine websitesThe new features are designed to be straightforward. Theft Detection Lock leverages Google’s AI to sense when your phone is physically snatched from your hands, locking the device instantly. If the thief cuts off internet access, Offline Device Lock kicks in, keeping your phone secured even when it’s not connected.
Then there's Remote Lock, which simplifies locking your phone from a distance. While you can already do this with Google’s Find My Device, Remote Lock eliminates the hassle of logging into your Google account. Instead, you just enter your phone number and pass a quick security check to lock things down.
According to Rahman, these features are being rolled out globally and will be available on all phones running Android 10 or higher.
TikTok parent company ByteDance is amassing huge volumes of web data way faster than the other major web crawlers
ByteDance may be planning to release its own LLM, and is aggressively using its web crawler, "Bytespider," to scrape up data to train its models, Fortune reported.
Bytespider showed up on the scene in April, and since then, its rate of consumption puts web scrapers from OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Anthropic to shame.
SEE ALSO: Texas adds to TikTok's legal woes over children's safety concernsSam Crowther, CEO of Kasada, a company that specializes in bot management, told the outlet that Bytespider's scraping rate is 25 times more than OpenAI's GPTbot and 3,000 times the rate of ClaudeBot, which is Anthropic's web crawler for its Claude LLM. Crowther also said that Kasada's data has seen "huge spikes in scraping activity" from Bytespider in the last six weeks.
As Bytespider voraciously consumes the web, the U.S. government is trying to inhibit potential access of American user data to the Chinese government. In April, President Biden signed a bill forcing the ban of TikTok unless it was sold by ByteDance within the year. Given ByteDance's ticking clock for selling TikTok, the sense of urgency fits the massive rate of its web crawling activity — whether for an LLM, a better algorithm, or something else, we don't know.
What ByteDance plans to do with all of its newly-mined data remains to be seen. But TikTok has launched several AI-powered features for the platform. In May, it announced a suite of tools for advertisers to create AI-generated ads, and AI-generated avatars for brands and creators. TikTok is also rumored to be working on an internal search engine, with results powered by AI — possibly using ChatGPT.
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