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Amazon has already moved on from Labor Day already and shifted its focus to new deals not tied to any particular shopping event or sale. These are just deals simply for the sake of deals — our favorite kind. We went ahead and rounded up a few that have caught our attention on Sept. 4, with standouts from Sony, Hisense, Acer, and Shark.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these spark your interest, be sure to check back at our picks from Sept. 3 — many of those are still live.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 58-inch U6HF Series ULED 4K Fire TV $319.99 at AmazonIf you're in the market for a new TV, it's hard to beat a 58-inch ULED option from Hisense for only $319.99 — a new record-low price. This 4K Fire TV 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 remains budget friendly. It also features a dedicated gaming mode and smooth motion handling, a bezel-less design for extra screen real estate, lots of local dimming zones, and built-in Fire TV for a world of entertainment at your fingertips.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XE200 Bluetooth speaker $68.99 at AmazonWe haven't tested the SRS-XE200 speaker ourselves, but Sony has been a leader in the audio world for decades, and we're big fans of other speakers and headphones in its lineup. This portable powerhouse includes two x-balanced speakers, a line shape diffuser, and dual passive radiators — in other words, it packs a punch in its lightweight package. It'll last you up to 16 hours on a single charge, and quick-charges to give you an extra 70 minutes of playtime in just 10 minutes. The gray option is currently on sale for only $68.99, which is not only lower than its Prime Day price, but is also its lowest price on record. That also puts it in the range of most budget-friendly speaker options.
Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V15 gaming laptop (Intel Core i5-13420H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $649.99 at AmazonA Mashable Choice Award winner and our favorite budget gaming laptop, Acer's Nitro V 15 (originally dubbed the Nitro 5) is "packed with delicious internals that can handle triple-A gaming," according to Mashable Tech Editor and reviewer Kimberly Gedeon. Its 13th-gen Intel Core i5-13420H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics paired with a 15.6-inch, 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate make it a solid choice for gamers who don't want to spend $1,000 or more. It's certainly not a perfect pick, but it does offer "excellent gaming performance for the price." The model with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD regularly goes for $779.99, but it's down to just $649.99 at Amazon as of Sept. 4. That's its lowest price on record. Plus, as a bonus, you'll get Assassin's Creed Shadows free with your purchase.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Detect Pro self-empty robot vacuum $399.99 at AmazonMashable's resident robot vacuum expert tested the Shark Detect Pro and dubbed it the best Shark for carpet. Thanks to NeverStuck technology, it can seamlessly maneuver between floor types and large obstacles. Plus, it offers Matrix cleaning, which means it can conquer dirty spots by taking multiple passes from multiple angles. When it's finished tidying up, it empties itself into its bagless base, which holds up to 30 days of dirt, dust, and debris. It's regularly $549.99, but as of Sept. 4, it's back down to its record-low price of $399.99 at Amazon.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Google Assistant is arguably the best digital assistant compared to the likes of Siri and Alexa. However, now that Google has been pushing to replace Google Assistant with AI-powered Gemini, the former's prowess over other virtual companions is even more evident.
On my daily driver, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, my Google Assistant got swapped with the new Gemini assistant. Unfortunately, some of the things I loved to do with Google Assistant no longer works on Gemini.
For example, asking, "Hey Google, what song is playing right now?" used to prompt Google Assistant to tap into its inner Shazam and accurately identify tunes in the background. But with Gemini, this command no longer works.
Fast Company, which said that the new Pixel 9 phones are shipping with Gemini as their default assistant, claims that Gemini is a "trainwreck." The tech and business outlet, and some users on Reddit, called out Gemini for not being able to perform basic tasks that Google Assistant once did, like creating calendar events, playing music, and reading webpages.
If you've been wanting to revert back to Google Assistant, we can help you accomplish that.
SEE ALSO: Gemini vs. ChatGPT: Which one planned my wedding better? How to replace Gemini with Google AssistantYou can switch back to Google Assistant in a few simple steps.
However, keep in mind that these steps are based on navigating with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, so your journey may be slightly different, depending on your device.
Total TimeStep 1: Go to Settings
Tap on "Google / Google Services."
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStep 2: Tap on "All Services"
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStep 3: Tap on "Settings for Google apps"
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStep 4: Tap on "Search, Assistant, and Voice"
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStep 5: Tap on "Google Assistant"
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStep 6: Tap on "Digital Assistants from Google"
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStep 7: Tap on the "Google Assistant" bubble
Here, you can choose which digital assistant you want. In this case, you'll want to tap on the Google Assistant bubble.
Credit: Kimberly GedeonNow, you have Google Assistant back as your digital assistant. If you change your mind, you can always switch back to Gemini by following the same steps.
SAVE $120: The Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 is on sale for just $249.99 at Best Buy, marked down from the list price of $369.99. That's a 32% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 $249.99 at AmazonSure, pumpkin spice-flavored everything is on the store shelves, but the temperature might not give fall vibes when you step outside just yet. September can often feel like the new August, ushering in heat that not all of us enjoy. If you're struggling with lingering summer heat, Best Buy has a solution.
As of Sept. 4, the Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 is on sale for just $249.99, down from the normal price of $369.99. That's a 32% discount, or a savings of $120.
SEE ALSO: My Best Buy members get 20% off the new Dyson Airwrap, Airstrait, and CorraleWhile Dyson does an exceptional job of making vacuums, the brand also produces some incredibly powerful fans to keep us cool. The Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 has 10 speed settings and uses the brand's Air Multiplier technology. This produces a high-velocity jet of air that's capable of cooling the whole room. Thanks to its 70-degree oscillation, cool air will reach your full space.
The included remote control means you'll be able to tune settings to your liking from the comfort of the couch or your bed. Speaking of sleep, you can program the fan with a sleep timer, which will automatically shut the fan off after a pre-set time.
Another major benefit of a Dyson fan is the blade-less design. Instead, the fan has a simple loop design which can also easily wipe clean.
While Dyson products tend to come with a steep price, today's sale at Best Buy brings the price of the Cool Tower Fan AM07 to just $249.99. But you'll want to snag one quickly, because this deal expires at 11:59 PT tonight.
Get 20% OFF: As of Sept. 4, My Best Buy Total and Plus members can get 20% off the latest Dyson Airwrap, Airstrait, and Corrale in the strawberry bronze and blush pink colorway.
Overview Airwrap deal Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler (Stawberry Bronze/Blush Pink) $454.99 at Best Buy with Plus or Total (save $45) Get Deal Airstrait deal Dyson Airstrait Straightener (Strawberry Bronze/Blush Pink) $374.99 at Best Buy with Plus or Total (save $125) Get Deal Corrale deal Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener (Stawberry Bronze/Blush Pink) $374.99 at Best Buy with Plus or Total (save $125) Get DealICYMI, Dyson’s strawberry bronze and blush pink colorway product lineup is available for purchase — and it’s on sale for My Best Buy Plus and Total members.
Dyson’s newest colorway dropped at the end of last month (it was available for preorder on Aug 23). Now, Best Buy’s giving its members an exclusive 20% discount when they purchase Dyson Airwrap, Airstrait, and Corrale stylers. That’s $145 off the Airwrap, $125 off the Airstrait, and $125 off the Corrale. Not too shabby!
If you’re not a paid My Best Buy member, you can still get the strawberry bronze and blush pink colorway for a slightly higher price. Or you can join My Best Buy Plus or Total for $49.99 or $179.99 per year to get your 20% off. You’ll also get free two-day shipping on all purchases, exclusive sales and deals, and other perks.
Here’s some more info on each product and how much you’ll save:
Dyson Airwrap deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler $454.99 at Best BuyThe Dyson Airwrap has been a cult-fave hairstyling tool since its release way back in 2018. The only problem? It’s super expensive.
This model retails for $599.99 full price but is currently $120 off for “regular” Best Buy customers. You'll get an additional discount if you’re a Plus or Total tier member, making it $454.99 (or $145 off).
It comes with a complimentary detangling comb and multiple attachments, including the 2-in-1 Coanda smoothing dryer, two Airwrap barrels, a soft smoothing brush, a firm smoothing brush, one large round volumizing brush, and a storage case.
Dyson Airstrait deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airstrait Straightener $374.99 at Best BuyThe Dyson Airstrait is a newer addition to the Dyson fam, and it’s more affordable than the Airwrap. It’s designed to dry and straighten in a single pass, even if your hair is wet. Thanks to its airflow and styling technology, you shouldn’t smell that awful burning hair scent that usually comes with speedier styling. (If you went to high school in the early 2000s, you know exactly what I’m talking about.)
The list price for the Airstrait is $499.99, but it's currently $100 off for non-members. With a Plus or Total membership, you can get it for $374.99. You’ll also get a storage case with your purchase.
Dyson Corrale deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener $374.99 at Best BuyThe Dyson Corrale is a cord-free straightener that uses flexing plates built to straighten and style with less heat and 50 percent less breakage. It can last up to 30 minutes on one charge and fully recharges in 70 minutes. It also has a safety lock and auto shut-off feature for easy storage.
The Corrale retails for $499.99, but you can get it for $100 off without a membership or for $125 off ($374.99) with a Plus or Total membership.
Singles are sick of dating apps, opting instead for IRL events — or, as some Spanish-speaking TikTokkers have started doing, creating meet cutes at the supermarket.
Spanish TikTok is exploding with videos of singles trying to find love at supermarket chain Mercadona, BBC reports. These folks are placing upside down pineapples — a stateside symbol of swinging — in their grocery carts to signal that they're looking for love. Another rule, according to ITV News, is to bump another cart with a pineapple if you like someone. The time to do this — "flirting hour," as it's apparently been dubbed — is 7 to 8 p.m.
SEE ALSO: People are using AI to date youThe #mercadona hashtag on TikTok has nearly 200,000 posts at the time of publication, many of them about flirting hour. Influencers are trying it out in sparkly gowns, women are trying to signal that they're not available if they have to shop during that time, and others are joking about whose cart they might bump into.
According to the BBC, this trend was fueled by actor and TV personality Vivy Lin, who posted a TikTok in August about hooking up at Mercadona from 7 to 8 p.m.
Someone commented on Lin's post, "Mercatinder." Who needs dating apps, eh?
12 MONTHS FOR THE PRICE OF 10: As of Sep. 4, existing subscribers can get 12 months of Kindle Unlimited for the price of 10. That's $119.90, down from its normal price of $143.88. Alternatively, new subscribers can get 3 months for the price of 1 for a limited time.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 12 months of Kindle Unlimited $119.90 at AmazonKindle Unlimited is officially 10 years old, and Amazon is giving you a chance to celebrate. The subscription service, which lets you read as many books, comics, audiobooks, and magazines as you like for a relatively low price each month on your Kindle device, has been around since 2014. And now with over 3 million books read globally and millions in revenue made, Amazon is giving back. You can save big on a subscription as both a new and existing member.
As of September 4, current Kindle Unlimited members can get 12 months of service for the price of 10: $119.90, down from $143.88. After a year, your Kindle Unlimited membership will renew at $11.99 per month until you cancel your subscription. New members can get in on the festivities as well, with 3 months for the price of 1: $11.99, normally $35.97.
SEE ALSO: Dive into fall reading with a free Kindle book for Prime membersThere's a wide variety of books to read on Kindle Unlimited, from the Harry Potter series to Colleen Hoover's massive catalog of romance sagas, and hundreds of others to keep you busy. To help sweeten the deal, Amazon has also announced a slew of new books that have been added to Kindle Unlimited, with some new releases available only through September 15.
Some of the new titles include Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See, now a Netflix film, Britney Spears' blockbuster memoir The Woman in Me, Jessica Knoll's Bright Young Women, and Kristin Hannah's Firefly Lane, all of which will be available for the next few weeks to borrow and return when you're ready.
If you're looking to get some serious fall reading in, this is a great opportunity to do it without spending an arm and a leg on a bushel of new books. Be sure to snag your subscription or new read before this deal goes away.
SAVE 20%: The JBL Endurance Peak 3 headphones are just $79.95 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $99.95. That's a savings of $20.
Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Endurance Peak 3 headphones $79.95 at AmazonIf you've ever tried to work out in heavy, over-the-ear headphones or tiny earbuds that bounce out, you know how important it is to take headphones with a secure fit to the gym. Not only is the fit critical, many over-the-ear models use foam that you probably shouldn't saturate with sweat. If you don't yet own a pair of gym-worthy headphones, Amazon has a great deal in store today.
As of Sept. 4, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 headphones are on sale for just $79.95 at Amazon, down from the list price of $99.95. That's a 20% discount or a savings of $20.
SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024Ready for whatever workout you have in store, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 focus on both performance and comfort. You'll get up to 50 hours of playback time on one charge with the included case while being treated to sound powered by 10mm dynamic drivers. In terms of comfort, the pair uses a bendable TwistLock ear hook, which snugly but gently hug the back of your ear for a fit that won't bounce out.
Mashable's sister publication PC Mag (owned by Mashable publisher Ziff Davis) reviewed the JBL Endurance Peak 3, noting they're "ideal for exercise thanks to their secure fit and serious bass thump." The headphones earned the PC Mag Editor's Pick for affordable exercise-friendly earphones, scoring an "excellent" rating from the publication.
Since fit is important, the earbuds come with three pairs of silicone ear tips: small, medium, and large. Plus, they're waterproof and dustproof. The IP68 waterproof rating means the earphones can withstand 30 minutes of being in salt or fresh water at a maximum depth of 4.9 feet. That means you can take the JBL pair out on a rainy day run, to a hot yoga class, or even on your next surfing trip.
If you're not equipped with workout-friendly headphones, today is a great day to upgrade. Amazon has the JBL Endurance Peak 3 headphones on sale for just $79.99, a 20% discount off the standard price. Plus, purchasing the JBL headphones means you'll be eligible for a free 90-day subscription to Amazon Music. Not only will you be better equipped, you'll be set with streaming music, too.
GET A FREE KINDLE BOOK: Amazon Prime members get a free Kindle e-book with Amazon's First Reads program during the month of September. No Prime membership? Get these books for just $1.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free Kindle book with Prime membership at AmazonWith summer slithering to a close, we're inching closer to the gifts of fall. Cool weather brings a slower pace, with cozy days curled up on the couch with a good book. While summer trips may have burned a hole in your wallet, it's time to kick off fall with some savings. Luckily, Amazon's First Reads program is coming in clutch.
With the First Reads program, Amazon Prime members can choose from eight books to receive a free Kindle book. The variety is plentiful; you can choose between a memoir, contemporary fiction, thriller, romance, and more. In addition to your free Kindle book, members receive a free short story. This month's comes from Jane Green, titled When We Were Friends, about a friendship that is not all that it seems. Non-Prime members can buy one of the eight books and the short story for just $1.99 each.
To take advantage of the Amazon First Reads program, sign up for free. Members receive an email at the beginning of each month with the latest drops. And to read your new Kindle book, you don't need a Kindle device (even though we really like Kindles). As long as you have the Kindle app, you can enjoy your free book.
Make the most of your Prime membership, and get a free Kindle book with the First Reads program.
GET 15% OFF: As of Sept. 4, you can get an Amazon Kindle for just $84.99, down from $99.99, at Amazon. But you'd better hurry; this deal ends in a couple hours.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle $84.99 at AmazonNot to sound dramatic, but you have about two hours left to snag an Amazon Kindle for $84.99 at Amazon. Yes, we covered this deal last week, but now’s your last chance to snatch it up before it’s gone.
The Amazon Kindle (2022) is currently $84.99 at Amazon — $15 off the listing price and just $10 more than its lowest price ever of $74.99 back in October. It’s not the newest model, but if you enjoy reading e-books and aren’t interested in the bells and whistles that come with the Paperwhite ($149.99), this is your chance to get Amazon’s lightest e-reader on the cheap.
SEE ALSO: Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: Which one is for you?It has a six-inch display, a six-week battery life, and 16GB to store thousands of e-books. It’s also sustainable, made with 30 percent recycled plastics and 90 percent magnesium, and is packaged in 100 percent recyclable packaging.
According to Mashable’s Mallory Minich, this basic model is ideal for anyone who’s just looking to read. “If you are a book fanatic like me, I highly recommend adding it to your collection,” Minich writes. “For only $99, it has genuinely made me read more than I have in months.”
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, GoPro announced the imminent arrival of two new action cameras, the Hero13 Black and the Hero, as well as new professional lenses. The Hero13 Black is the successor to last year's Hero12 Black, which earned a Mashable's Choice award, but the mini Hero camera is a beginner-friendly addition to the lineup.
The Hero13 Black will cost $399 and is available for preorder now; the camera will be delivered and available for purchase starting on Sept. 10.
The Hero, a smaller, simpler action camera, is priced at $199, available for preorder now, and set to be released on Sept. 22. GoPro says it's the smallest camera of its kind ever made.
SEE ALSO: Review: The best travel camera for every type of photographerMashable got the chance to preview and test both cameras at an August event hosted by GoPro in New York City (on the Hudson River, to be exact). A full review of both cameras will be coming soon, but in the meantime, get the full download on new features and our first impressions.
Opens in a new window Credit: GoPro GoPro Hero13 Black $399.00 at GoProThe Hero13 Black offers iterative improvements in key areas you'd expect, including battery life, editing features, and motion stabilization. However, the new camera also has some new features and accessories geared toward pro users.
The new Hero13 Black can capture close-up footage like never before — with the right lens mod. Credit: GoProSome of the new features include:
New lenses and ND filters
Improvements to color clarity, shadows, and highlights
A new magnetic mounting system
Improved battery life
The return of GPS geotagging
New open-source video overlays that let you track altitude, speed, and G-force
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) HDR video for broadcast-standard footage
The new Hero13 Black can capture 5.3K footage at 120 frames per second. You can also capture HD-quality footage at up to 400 fps.
SEE ALSO: The best concert cameras for capturing the magic of live music New lenses, accessories, and magnetic mountWhile the Hero12 Black made big advancements to motion stabilization and battery life, the Hero13's biggest changes will be harder to appreciate for casual users. GoPro previously dropped GPS capabilities for the Hero12 (they were a big drain on battery life), but GPS is back in the 13 model.
Credit: GoPro Credit: GoProFor the Hero13 Black, GoPro is debuting new lens mods and filters that give creators and adrenaline junkies new tools for capturing professional-quality photos. However, all of the new accessories have to be purchased separately.
The new GoPro lenses include:
Ultra-Wide Lens Mod: Ideal for capturing POV footage with a 177-degree field of view. A new 1:1 aspect ratio lets you switch between vertical and widescreen while editing. This lens will cost users $99.99.
Macro Lens Mod: The Macro Lens mod provides variable focus, letting the camera clearly depict objects up to four times closer than the default lens. (Focus on objects just 4.3 inches away from the camera.) Plus, a focus ring lets users manually adjust the focus. The Macro Lens Mod is priced at $129.99.
Anamorphic Lens Mod: GoPro created this lens for creators who want to capture more artistic, cinematic footage with their cameras. This lens mod offers a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and J.J. Abrams-style lens flares. This lens won't be released until 2025; it will also be priced at $129.99.
ND Filter 4-Pack: For professional videographers, a new ND filter set is available for the Hero13. The 4-pack includes ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters. These neutral density filters give creators more options and result in more cinematic motion blur. The 4-pack is available for $69.99.
When you attach a lens mod or filter to the Hero13, the camera automatically recognizes the filter and adjusts settings accordingly. It can even recommend the right ND filter for the light conditions.
Finally, a new magnetic latch (a ball joint mount and traditional mount are also available) makes it easier to attach the camera to mounts and accessories. The latch doesn't rely solely on magnetism, and in our initial testing, the connection was plenty secure and much easier to attach.
Introducing the Hero, a smaller 4K action camera The Hero lacks a front-facing display. Credit: GoProWhile the new Hero13 offers new features that pro users will appreciate, what about the rest of us? For those of us not shooting professional surfing videos or jumping out of airplanes, the Hero is an entry-level camera that's more beginner-friendly. GoPro claims it's the smallest, lightest, and cheapest 4K camera with a screen in the world, and I believe them.
The Hero, set to be released on Sept. 22, is priced at $199 and weighs just 46 grams. It's a true micro camera, about the size of a book of matches.
Not only does it have a much simpler UI, but it also strips down the settings to the bare necessities. That said, it's still waterproof up to 16 feet and has some impressive specs for a mini camera:
Capture Ultra HD 4K and HD1080p video
Capture 12MP photos
Capture slow-motion videos in 2.7K and 60 frames per second
Shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio optimized for YouTube-style videos
I'm still in the process of testing these cameras, but in the meantime, I can tell you that I've been very impressed so far. For casual users who already have the Hero12 Black, I probably wouldn't recommend updating to the new camera, but it's working hard to justify its $399 price tag.
I've been having a lot of fun playing around with the new lenses and accessories. I think vloggers, professional videographers and photographers, and adrenaline junkies will feel the same way. I haven't been able to really play around with the Hero yet, but I can confirm it's adorably small.
Look how small it is! Credit: GoProThe HLG video on the Hero13 is also impressive. A GoPro representative showed Mashable side-by-side footage from the Hero12 and Hero13 on an XDR display, and there were noticeable improvements to color, shadows, and highlights. This camera shoots true professional, broadcast-ready video that can only be fully appreciated by pros (and camera nerds).
Of course, those are just my first impressions, and I'm withholding a verdict and endorsement for now.
Head to GoPro to pre-order the new Hero13 Black ($399) and Hero ($199) cameras now.
GoPro's annual action camera update has arrived, with the company unveiling its new HERO13 Black today — as well as introducing its baby brother HERO.
This year GoPro's flagship model doesn't have many significant changes from last year's HERO12 Black though, with the HERO 13 Black rocking many of the same specs. Like Malibu Stacy's hat, the real upgrades here lie in the accessories.
SEE ALSO: Insta360 launches GO 3S, a tiny 4K action camera with Apple's Find My GoPro HERO13 Black: If it ain't broke Credit: GoProThe $399.99 HERO13 Black unsurprisingly sees the return of GoPro's tried and true form factor, making it compatible with most past accessories. The one notable change to its external hardware is in the new camera's mounting options. While GoPro's standard flip-down mounting prongs are still present, the HERO13 now has a 1/4-20 mounting thread enabling you to attach it to a standard tripod. Other than that, it's the same GoPro body we're familiar with.
Not much has changed regarding its capabilities either. The HERO13 Black's maximum resolutions are the same as the HERO12 Black, maxing out at 5.3K at 60fps or 4K at 120fps. In fact, the vast majority of its specs are the same as last year's model, from its digital lenses to its aspect ratio options, to its video stabilisation, horizon lock, and time lapse intervals.
Though that isn't to say there's nothing new at all.
Credit: GoProThe most notable new feature is that the HERO13 Black's power capacity has been boosted with a new 1900mAh battery, up from the HERO12 Black's 1720mAh. GoPro states that this larger battery combined with the HERO13 Black's improved power efficiency provides the camera with enough juice to continuously record for 1.5 hours at its highest resolution settings, over twice the length of the HERO12 Black's 70-minute limit. However, it's worth noting that the HERO13 Black and its battery have no cross-compatibility with previous GoPros or their batteries, so you can't mix and match.
Another new feature is the HERO13 Black's Burst Slo-Mo mode, which captures short clips at high frame rate and resolution. Both the HERO13 and HERO12 Black already have a slo-mo mode, which has a maximum framerate of 240fps. Burst Slo-Mo mode bumps this framerate to a maximum of 400fps at 720p, turning 15 real-time seconds into a three-minute and 20 second video. It can also record 360fps at 900p, turning 15 real-time seconds into a three-minute clip, while its maximum resolution of 5.3K at 120fps turns five real-time seconds into a 20-second slow motion video.
Further changes include a new audio tuning option which allows you to prioritise voices while retaining ambient sounds. The HERO13 Black also sees the return of GPS data support, a feature which was first introduced in HERO5 Black but was missing from the HERO12 Black.
Even so, the HERO13 Black's improvements are relatively minor overall. If you already have a HERO12 Black, there seems little incentive to upgrade to this year's model. That is, unless you want to take advantage of GoPro's new array of HERO13 Black-exclusive accessories.
GoPro's new magnet mount is much more convenient Credit: GoProGoPro embraced the power of magnets this year, introducing a new Magnetic Latch mount. Previously, mounting a GoPro required taking the time to twist a thumb screw through the camera's pronged mounting system. While undoubtedly secure, this system is irritating if you just want to quickly switch mounts and get back to the action.
The HERO13 Black's Magnetic Latch mount bypasses this process by using magnets to snap the camera into place, as well as a dual-latch system to keep it there. You simply need to pinch the Magnetic Latch mount's sides when you want to attach or remove the camera, making changing your mount so easy that you might actually do it more often.
Despite this, it's important to note that GoPro's Magnetic Latch does still need to be attached to your tripod, head strap, or other mount via the traditional thumb screw. As such, you'll have to invest in several Magnetic Latches for each of your various mounts if you want to swap them out on the fly. The Magnetic Latch isn't as secure as GoPro's standard thumb screw mount though, so you'll still want to stick with that for activities such as extreme sports.
GoPro has also introduced a new Ball Joint mount which will allow you to pivot your camera 180 degrees, simplifying the process of adjusting your camera angle.
New external charging accessory lets you record for longer Credit: GoProAnother new magnetic accessory is the Contacto Magnetic Door and Power Cable Kit.
Attaching a GoPro to an external power source previously meant leaving the battery door open to access the USB-C port underneath, exposing it to the elements. This new kit allows you to swap out the HERO13 Black's battery door for one with magnetic charging capabilities, letting you snap on the included cable and charge your camera while the cover is closed. You can also run your HERO13 Black on this cable alone, with no battery installed in your camera.
This kit means you no longer need to weigh up the risk of your GoPro dying in the middle of a time lapse with the danger of it getting destroyed by inclement weather. The Contacto Magnetic Door and Power Cable Kit is also waterproof to 33 feet (10 metres) deep, even while the charging cable is attached. It is only compatible with the HERO13 Black though, so you'll have to pick up GoPro's new camera if you want to benefit from this functionality.
GoPro's HERO13 Black gets special eyesWhile the HERO13 Black can be operated more or less straight out of the box, this year GoPro has revealed several new lenses offering alternate filming options.
Fortunately, you won't have to fiddle around with the settings on your GoPro every time you swap out its lens. The HERO13 Black automatically detects when a new lens is attached and adjusts its settings accordingly. All the lenses are waterproof to various depths, so you can safely take them on beach trips as well.
However, buying these lenses can feel like a lot after you've already shelled out $399.99 for the camera itself. GoPro's new lenses are all sold separately to the HERO 13 Black, and are unfortunately incompatible with previous models. As such, you'll probably want to see if the base camera alone is enough to fulfil your needs before you consider investing in a new lens.
Ultra Wide Lens Mod Credit: GoProThe Ultra Wide Lens Mod allows you to capture footage in a 1:1 aspect ratio, allowing you to crop it to your preference later on. This ability to choose between landscape or portrait later seems particularly handy for people who want to create both YouTube videos and TikTok clips from the same footage.
With a 177-degree field of view, the Ultra Wide Lens Mod isn't compatible with the HERO13 Black's maximum resolution, topping out at 4K at 60fps. Even so, that's still more than enough for the average user. Its flexible aspect ratio still means it's arguably the HERO13 Black's most versatile optional lens.
Macro Lens Mod Credit: GoProClose-up shots probably aren't the first thing to come to mind when you think of an action camera. Even so, getting up close and personal can let you highlight the subtle details of a scene, as well as produce good B-roll fodder for your final edit. The new Macro Lens Mod allows you to focus on objects as close as 4.3 inches (11 centimetres), four times closer than the GoPro's standard lens. It also has a variable focus for manual adjustments.
Anamorphic Lens Mod Credit: GoProThe Anamorphic Lens Mod offers an ultra-wide 21:9 field of view, the widest ever offered on a GoPro HERO camera. It does this with little distortion as well, so you don't get that fish-eye look that frequently appears in wide action camera shots. GoPro's Anamorphic Lens also adds horizontal lens flares to help make your shots look more like movie scenes than home videos.
ND Filter 4-Pack Credit: GoProFinally, GoPro's ND Filter 4-Pack set adds a motion blur to your footage for a cinematic effect, allowing you to choose between ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters. You don't have to have a deep understanding of videography to use GoPro's new neutral density filters either. The HERO13 Black automatically detects whichever ND filter you've added, adjusts its settings accordingly, and even suggests you switch out the filter if it isn't the optimal choice for your environment.
More advanced users can still choose to adjust the shutter speed and exposure manually, but the HERO13 Black's ability to automatically optimise its settings makes its ND filters much easier for the average person to use.
Introducing GoPro's little HERO Credit: GoProGoPro strayed into the tiny camera space in 2022 with the HERO11 Black Mini, a screenless 133-gram device comparable in size to an AirPods Pro case. This year the company's going even lighter, introducing the 86-gram HERO. And this time, it has a screen.
Like the HERO11 Black Mini, the $199.99 GoPro HERO is capable of shooting 4K video and has just one physical button. Unlike the HERO11 Black Mini, the HERO has a LCD touchscreen making it easier to frame up shots and swap between modes. It also claims up to 100 minutes of recording at its highest settings on a single charge, and can take 12MP photos while the HERO 11 Black Mini is restricted to video.
Not everything is an upgrade. The HERO is only waterproof to 16 feet (five metres), half the depth that the HERO11 Black Mini and HERO13 Black can handle. It also isn't as small and lightweight as other options, such as the thumb-sized 39g Insta360 GO 3S.
Even so, the addition of a screen makes the HERO an intriguing prospect for those who prefer a smaller camera, but still want to see what they're filming without referring to an app.
Credit: GoProThe $399.99 GoPro HERO13 Black and most of its lenses are available for preorder now, with shipping to begin Sept. 10. The exception is the Anamorphic Lens Mod, which will arrive in 2025. The $199.99 HERO is also currently available for preorder, however it will only begin shipping Sept. 22.
Just in time for IFA 2024, Acer unveiled a concept gaming laptop called Project DualPlay.
This isn't just any ol' gaming laptop. This rig has a touchpad that doubles as a gaming controller. In other words, Acer has conceptualized a gaming laptop with a detachable wireless controller.
And once you're done with it, you can pop it back into its dock.
Project DualPlay: Everything we know about itThe operative word here is "concept." This gaming laptop that Acer has envisioned here is nowhere near the ready-for-market stage.
Credit: Mashable Composite: Acer/Mikhael Johanes/Shutterstock.comIn fact, it may never come to market at all, but it's certainly a bold idea.
Users can detach the controller from its electromagnetic lock by placing two fingers on the release button, which is located on the keyboard deck.
If that's not enough, Acer said the controller on this concept laptop will be able to separate into two joysticks. What's one of the use cases for this? "Head-to-head combat on the next evolution of the Street Fighter series," Acer said.
Releasing the controller also prompts two speakers to pop out from the sides of the laptop; this audio system offers "high fidelity," five-watt speakers.
If you're a fan of the flashy gamer aesthetic, you'll love that Project DualPlay is wrapped in customizable, 360-degree RGB lighting on the display bezels, keyboard, and trackpad area.
Credit: AcerIt's a bit wacky, yes, but it gives us some insight into how gaming laptops may look like in the future.
Alongside Project DualPlay, Acer announced a slew of other laptops that are actually real, including the Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI laptops, as well as some gaming laptops like the Nitro V 14 and the Nitro V 16.
Finally, Acer also unveiled a new Steam Deck rival called the Nitro Blaze 7.
The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 joins the likes of the Lenovo Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally X, and the recently announced MSI Claw 8 AI+.
Its design language reminds me of Acer's Nitro gaming laptop line, with a striking black-and-red color scheme that screams "I'm a gaming beast!"
The question is, does its performance match its aggressive aesthetics? We won't know until we test it ourselves, but let's take a look at the specs.
SEE ALSO: MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a new handheld gaming PC: 3 ways it may beat Steam Deck Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Everything we knowFirst, let's talk about the display. The Nitro Blaze 7 comes with a 7-inch, 1080p IPS touchsceen, similar to the ROG Ally X. But the difference is, unlike the Asus handheld's 120Hz refresh rate display, the Nitro Blaze 7 has a 144Hz screen.
Credit: AcerI'm not convinced that users will be able to get games to run anywhere near 144 frames per second to take advantage of the Nitro Blaze 7's refresh rate. However, the Acer handheld's 144Hz screen should make gameplay feel smooth and seamless.
The display supports AMD FreeSync Premium, too, a technology that should enhance the visual performance of the Nitro Blaze 7's panel.
This AMD mention brings me to my next point.
Nitro Blaze 7 internalsThe Nitro Blaze 7 comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, which boasts up to 39 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second). This is a metric that helps users understand how well a device can handle AI-based computational tasks.
Credit: AcerFor reference, laptops like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip) have up to 45 TOPS of power, so the Nitro Blaze 7 isn't far off from some laptops' AI capabilities.
You may be wondering, "What does AI have to do with gaming?" Well, AI is helpful for graphical upscaling when a game is rendered at a lower resolution to reduce strain on the GPU.
The Nitro Blaze 7 also comes with the following:
AMD Radeon 780M GPU
16GB of RAM
Up to 2TB of SSD storage
As you might have guessed, the Nitro Blaze 7 also ships with Windows 11 Home. For my candid thoughts on Windows on a gaming handheld PC, read my Asus ROG Ally X review.
Credit: AcerRegarding ports and connectivity, the Nitro Blaze 7 supports Wi-Fi 6E, and features a USB4 (USB Type-C) port and a microSD card reader.
Unfortunately, we don't have any word on pricing just yet, but we'll update this piece as soon as we know.
After playing The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for about 90 minutes, my main takeaway is that Princess Zelda finally being the protagonist of a Zelda game is maybe the fourth or fifth most interesting thing about it.
That's not to say Zelda taking center stage after a few decades of being a damsel in distress isn't significant or awesome — because it is both of those things. But Nintendo's latest mainline Zelda entry (surprisingly launching only a year and a half after Tears of the Kingdom) is experimental in more ways than just giving players a new pair of shoes to step into.
With what seems like a refreshing mix of classic Zelda design and modern Zelda mechanics, Echoes of Wisdom might have a little bit of something for every type of Zelda fan.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo is shutting down 'Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp' — but you'll still be able to keep playing Tri to keep up Trampolines are great. Credit: NintendoAs announced in the June Nintendo Direct, Echoes of Wisdom is a new 2D Zelda game that uses the same tech and art style as the 2019 Link's Awakening remake. My demo involved most of the game's opening bits, up to and including the first dungeon. While I didn't get to see the entire opening of the story, it seems appropriately Zelda-y.
Basically, some evil purple magic stuff has started taking over parts of Hyrule and stealing citizens away to another realm called Still World. Link, the brave swordsman who has starred in every Zelda game up to this point, is nowhere to be found, so Zelda herself has to save her kingdom.
She'll do so with the help of Tri, a fairy who joins the franchise's legendary pantheon of magical blobs that help the player throughout their journey.
Tri's got more tricks up their sleeves than just shouting "Hey! Listen!" over and over, though. Tri turns into the "Tri Rod," a magical staff that can store "echoes" of inanimate objects and live enemies Zelda has encountered, which Zelda can then, in turn, summon back into the world whenever she pleases.
You got your 3D Zelda in my 2D Zelda You don't wanna go in there. Credit: NintendoAll of that has been known since Nintendo first showed the game over the summer, so my time with the demo was spent mostly looking for the things we didn't know.
After sleeping on it, I think Echoes of Wisdom is a hybrid between what Zelda used to be and what Zelda is now. In other words, it seems to be taking the more structured, puzzle-based overworld and dungeon design from old Zelda games and giving players a mechanical toolset more akin to the last two comparatively freeform entries: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild.
Perhaps the game opens up after a while (in fact, I'm almost certain it does), but what I played was not anywhere near as free-roaming as those two games. Like a classic 2D Zelda, the map is made up of small screens that each feel like a small puzzle room to solve on the way to your destination.
There may be enemies to kill or a treasure chest to find, or maybe just a cliff you need to figure out a way to climb. But the point is that this isn't a game about traversing wide open expanses.
The twist, of course, lies in the echo system. A traditional Zelda game would hand you an item in the middle of a dungeon and structure the rest of the dungeon around that item. But here, Zelda is capable of conjuring tables, beds, trampolines, and even live enemies whenever she wants.
There's a hard limit of four or five summons you can have on-screen at once, but there's no cooldown on the act of summoning an echo itself. If you want to spam tables, you can spam tables.
This means there's a lot of latitude in how you solve any given puzzle, but not too much, from what I played. For instance, when I wanted to climb from one level to another, and a ladder wasn't available, things like tables and trampolines are always useful. There might be some kind of fun, tricky way to achieve the same goal by summoning enemy snakes, but puzzles feel like they're designed around a specific subset of your available echoes and not necessarily all of them at once.
Beds are also super useful, it turns out. Credit: NintendoI played the game's first dungeon and pretty much immediately noted that it felt more like a regular Zelda dungeon than anything in Breath or Tears. Small, self-contained rooms contained bespoke, clever little puzzles that were often easy to solve using echoes that were conveniently placed in or near the room. It harkened back to old Zelda for me when I saw a fire-based echo and then the next few rooms revolved around using fire to solve puzzles.
Of course, combat is a thing here, and that's where enemy echoes come in. You can conjure enemies you've defeated before and they'll work on your behalf. A new lock-on targeting system (seriously, they put Z-targeting in a 2D Zelda!) makes it easy to command your echoes to attack specific enemies, and each one is useful in different scenarios.
Zelda also gets a magical "Swordfighter Form," with which she can basically just play like Link and use a sword for a while. It's meter-based and seemed pretty limited from what I could tell, so you can't just live in Swordfighter Form. You'll have to learn how to fight with echoes, too.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom: Final thoughtsOverall, I came away more impressed with Echoes of Wisdom than I anticipated. Creatively solving puzzles using echoes came to me pretty quickly despite it being unlike any other Zelda game.
As much as I love the last two gargantuan open-world adventures, the idea of a smaller, more traditional (but still very weird and unique) mainline Zelda right now sounds downright lovely.
I just can't wait to see how wild the puzzle design gets in the second half of the game.
Like any other dating app, Feeld isn't perfect. Feeld users have complained about bugs, fake profiles, and bad behavior. What the "dating app for the curious" has going for it that others don't, however, is the plethora of kinky and non-monogamous users. This makes it perfect to partner with Dr. Justin Lehmiller, fellow at Indiana University's sex research center the Kinsey Institute, for insights about sex, gender, and kink.
In a new survey of 3,310 Feeld users aged 18 to 77 from 71 different countries (including the U.S., UK, Canada, and the Netherlands), Feeld and Kinsey research fellow Lehmiller found that Gen Z in particular has both traditional and kinky desires.
SEE ALSO: Predictions for sex in the future that some will love — and some will hate Gen Z fantasizes about monogamy...In another broad sample of people — 4,175 Americans aged 18 to 88 — Lehmiller found that 81 percent of Gen Z reported fantasizing about monogamy, while 44 percent said they fantasized about it often. Gen Z was also least likely to fantasize about being in an open relationship; 62 percent said they'd have that fantasy, and only 18 percent have it often.
For older generations (there wasn't much difference across boomers, Gen X, and millennials), 71 percent fantasize about monogamy and 23 to 27 percent fantasize about it often. Meanwhile, 75 to 80 percent of these generations have fantasized about an open relationship, with 31 to 32 percent fantasizing about it often.
Among Feeld users (the app calls them "Members"), monogamy was the single most preferred relationship type among Gen Z. For millennials and Gen X, non-monogamy was most preferred, and for boomers, it was friends with benefits.
Feeld and Lehmiller theorized this could be because older adults have more experience with monogamy — and since humans are drawn to novelty, they want something new and fresh. For Gen Z, though, that could very well be a relationship with one person. Many came of age during lockdown, meaning they have less IRL dating experience and are less confident daters. At the same time, Hinge found earlier this year that Gen Z is more "romantically idealistic" than millennials. In the survey of over 4,000 Americans, however, nearly half of Gen Z reported that they were single.
Young people are having less sex, too. In the same survey Lehmiller conducted, the median number of times millennials and Gen X reported having sex in the last month was five. For both Gen Z and boomers, the median was lower: three times. Over a third (37 percent) of Gen Z reported having no sex in the last month, considerably less than 19 percent of millennials and 17 percent of Gen X who reported the same.
...but is also pretty kinkyWhile they're fantasizing about more traditional relationship styles (and not having much sex), Gen Z is apparently getting kinkier as well. In Feeld's survey, Gen Z members were most likely (55 percent) to say they've discovered a new kink since getting on the app. That number dropped to 49 percent of millennials, 39 percent of Gen X, and 33 percent of boomer users.
SEE ALSO: KinkTok is rife with misinformation. Here's why that's dangerous.Gen Z was also most likely to report having BDSM fantasies (56 percent) according to data by both Feeld and Lehmiller, compared to 52 percent of millennials, 31 percent of Gen X, and 12 percent of boomers. Feeld contributed this to the proliferation of porn as well as the lack of sex education as a possible reason for this, along with the mainstreaming of kink (like the Fifty Shades series) and less societal kink shaming overall.
More research is needed as to why Gen Z is seemingly kinkier than older generations in some ways, while not actually having much sex. Perhaps it's not only due to porn but also the wealth of information online about different types of sex, such as on KinkTok. At the same time, it can be difficult to find someone IRL who shares the same desires as you — and also difficult to push through the awkwardness of IRL encounters. Fantasy, however, is easy.
No matter the reason, Feeld will surely keep us abreast with the latest sex and kink research.
Spotify is expanding its listening data-generated "daylist" to even more users, so I won't be the only one playing something as niche as a "demure power ballad Wednesday morning," "scream writer Monday evening," or "laurel canyon classic folk Friday afternoon" playlist around here.
The audio streaming company launched its personalised, ever-changing playlist in January in select markets, then rolled it out to 65 more markets in March. Now, Spotify is making "daylists" available to all free and paying Premium users — that's 180 markets in total at this point.
But most interestingly, the feature will be supported in 14 new languages (it was previously only available in English).
SEE ALSO: Here are the 5 songs of the summer, according to SpotifyAccording to Spotify's blog post, the "daylist" now comes in Arabic, Catalan, French (Canada), French (France), German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Mexico), and Turkish. The company gave examples of daylists such as "pazartesi sabah etiyopya caz enstrümantal funk" (Ethiopian jazz instrumental funk Monday morning) and "afrofuturisme funk moderne du mercredi après-midi" (modern funk afrofuturism Wednesday afternoon), two playlists I would personally love someone to send me.
"Our product team worked closely with our local music and culture experts to infuse the spirit of daylist into each language, ensuring that the feature resonates with new users worldwide," reads Spotify's blog post.
You can find your "daylist" on Spotify in the "Made for You" section in the app or on Spotify's web browser. The feature changes for morning, afternoon, and night, and is AI-generated using your listening data, much like Spotify's Niche Mixes and AI DJ — which just launched in Spanish.
A guy — we'll call him David but that's not his real name — just sent me a picture of his cat with a couple of small kittens by its side over Instagram DMs. "My cat gave birth a couple of weeks ago and had kittens," he tells me in a reply to one of my stories, a picture of my dog. It would be fair for you to think I know this person, but I don't. It's just some guy who replies to absolutely everything I post, both publicly and privately, even though he never gets a response. Above his cat, who is admittedly very cute, I can see the trail of unanswered messages spanning months, maybe even a year, behind this one.
I wonder if I should reply to him. He's sent me so many messages, some of them detailed, and I've never replied beyond a sympathetic double-tap like here and an awkward "cheers mate!" there. Perhaps I should give him an actual response.
But then I wonder if I should block him instead, because replying to everything a stranger does when you're not getting anything back is honestly a bit weird.
Having a reply guy is pretty stressful. If you're unfamiliar with the phrase, it's like it sounds. A guy who replies. A guy who replies all the time. The reply guy is usually a man, and a woman seems to be the usual target, and they're a confusing phenomenon.
What do the reply guys want? Are they flirting, trying to make friends, or do they have ill intentions? What led them to think incessant replying was a good way to do any of those things? What should we do about them — date them, tell them to piss off, or leave them to keep adding to your engagement rate?
SEE ALSO: Why some people on dating apps just want to be 'pen pals'To better understand reply guys, Mashable enlisted the help of relationship therapists who detailed why reply guys do so much replying in the first place, and what we should do when faced with one.
Why are reply guys like this?Ayo Adesioye, a therapist at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy describes a reply guy as someone who identifies a person of interest — often a woman — and consistently responds to their posts on social media.
While not all interactions are problematic, the reply guy's behaviour is often intrusive, inappropriate, or irrelevant.
"This is a pattern of behaviour that is persistent, intrusive, unwanted, and often, as we're about to see, masks a number of unmet needs.""This is a pattern of behaviour that is persistent, intrusive, unwanted, and often, as we're about to see, masks a number of unmet needs," she explains. These needs, Adesioye believes, stem from a lack of emotional literacy, particularly among men. Many men struggle to identify and express their emotions or needs, leading them to seek validation and attention in ways that aren't always socially appropriate. Replying to every single post is, for them, a way to fulfil these unmet needs, even if they're not entirely aware of it.
The motivations behind a reply guy's behaviour can vary. Some are genuinely attempting to initiate a romantic connection, viewing their replies as a form of online dating. However, this strategy often falls short.
Eloise Skinner, psychotherapist and author of But Are You Alive? tells Mashable, "When we decide who to date, it's normally based on a mix of characteristics: personality, background, appearance, sense of humour, general compatibility, etc." The problem with reply guys, she points out, is that they don't provide a context where these characteristics can be explored. Their interactions are reactive and one-sided, making it difficult to build a meaningful connection.
It's hard to understand exactly what your reply guy is looking to gain. Skinner explains there are lots of potential motivations behind the reply guy, but a consistent one might be a desire for attention. "The act of replying puts their voice into the conversation, and makes them more visible in the comments sections or DMs," she says.
She adds that more specific reasons might include a desire for involvement, community or connection, a sense of expertise in the subject matter or a desire to contribute to a conversation, or a desire for closeness or intimacy with someone, or a group of people.
But there's also a darker side to the reply guy phenomenon. Adesioye suggests that some reply guys might be motivated by a desire for power and control. The mansplaining, condescension, and unsolicited advice that often accompany their comments can be indicative of this. "On the less benign end of the spectrum, some may be motivated by a desire for power and control," she warns. This behaviour is not just about getting attention; it's about asserting dominance in a space where they feel they have some authority.
H2: So, should you date your reply guy?Both Adesioye and Skinner advise caution. There are some success stories out there. For instance, 42-year-old estate agent Ellen tells Mashable she met her partner because he was her reply guy. “The constant replying made me realise he was trying to get my attention and I asked him out. We have a great relationship that’s been going seven years now. No regrets,” she says. And the same can be said for 28-year-old copywriter Katherine, who tells Mashable she hooked up with her reply guy and it was the “best sex of my entire life”.
Adesioye says that even though some have used it as a method of online dating, her suggestion is not to entertain reply guys because the persistence and one-sided nature of a reply guy's behaviour can carry over into a relationship, potentially leading to issues down the line.
Should you block them, ghost them, or confront them?If you're not interested in dating your reply guy, the question then becomes how to handle them. Should you block them, ghost them, or confront them?
Skinner believes it depends on the individual and the situation. "For women who feel like it doesn't bother them, and if they feel safe or comfortable with the dynamic... it might be okay to leave it without acknowledgement," she says. However, for those who find the behaviour intrusive or uncomfortable, blocking is a perfectly acceptable strategy. Instagram, for example, now offers a "block all accounts" option, allowing you to block someone without them even knowing across all of their accounts as well as new accounts they may make in the future.
Adesioye, however, suggests a more hands-off approach: "Muting/ignoring/not communicating about the obsessive reply is the best strategy as what they're seeking is a response or some form of engagement from you that, once offered, may be difficult to extract yourself from." Reply guys may lack self-awareness, so even a gentle confrontation might not have the desired effect. The best approach might be to simply ignore them and hope they lose interest over time.
What if the replying gets weird?Being a woman online is scary and sometimes this behaviour can escalate to online sexual harassment, something 38 percent of women across 51 countries have experienced according to a study by the UN. Both experts agree that your safety and well-being should always come first.
SEE ALSO: The best dating apps and sites in September 2024Skinner advises that if you feel targeted or harassed, you should block or mute the person, report their behaviour if necessary, and seek support from friends or platform administrators. Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 women are found to report their sexual harassment to the platform moderators or to the authorities. "It's important that you remember you're not responsible for taking care of them or the situation" she emphasises. "Your comfort and safety are key, and it's okay to prioritise your own well-being over someone else's feelings."
While reply guys might seem harmless at first, their behaviour can quickly become intrusive or even problematic. Whether you choose to engage, deter, or ignore them, it's essential to be mindful of your boundaries and prioritise your own comfort and safety. Make your next move based on what you want, not what you think you might owe someone. Many of us learn the hard way that not every online interaction is worth your time.
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