- Help
- Google+
The balance beam at the 2024 Paris Olympics made more than a few enemies today.
Monday's Women's Balance Beam Finals — the second to last gymnastics event Team USA competed in — featured not one but four athletes falling, including Team USA's beloved all-around champs Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee. After their falls both Biles and Lee were shut out of medaling, much to commentator and fan dismay. Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, received a 13.1 placing her in fifth, while Lee, the Olympic all-around-champion in Tokyo, finished sixth.
SEE ALSO: 9 Olympians to follow on TikTok right now"It was just crazy to kind of see how everybody was going down like that," Lee told the New York Times. "I think it’s just because there’s just so much pressure, you could feel the tension in the room."
Many fans echoed her sentiment on X / Twitter. One user wrote, "That balance beam final was….insane? 6 gymnasts falling including suni and Simone, two gymnasts who fell making podium, and Rebecca, Suni and Simone all falling off the podium? Whack asf" The post garnered nearly 6,000 likes.
Tweet may have been deletedCommentator and former Team USA gymnast Laurie Hernandez felt similarly. During the broadcast, she made an offhand remark, "Not to be a silly goose, but can someone check the beam." One user pointed out that they all fell on a similar part of the beam, inciting conspiracy theories about a loose beam.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedFans of Lee were particularly upset by the outcome as it was her last chance to earn another medal because she didn't qualify for Floor Finals. One wrote, "god take suni lee’s pain from falling off the beam and give it to ME." Another posted a video of an angry woman captioned, "Me and the beam that made suni fall."
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedThere's always the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for a balance beam comeback. Do you think Biles has one more Olympics in her?
Several online trading sites are down after the U.S. stock market took a nosedive on Monday morning.
After the Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and S&P 500 indexes all sharply dropped, Downdetector (which shares Mashable's parent company Ziff Davis) reported outages with financial sites. Currently, major outages on Downdetector include Charles Schwab, Vanguard, Ameritrade, and Fidelity. Bloomberg also reported that Robinhood and E-Trade are experiencing issues.
The Charles Schwab site is completely down and says it is "experiencing technical difficulties." On the Fidelity site, users have reported that they can't access their account balances.
Following last week's report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics that showed unemployment rising to 4.3 percent and fewer-than-expected 114,000 jobs added, a major selloff occurred. Major tech stocks Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Tesla all opened at lower valuation, resulting in a $1.2 trillion loss in market value (per Forbes). The market has regained some ground although tech stocks still remain negative.
Downdetector outage reports spiked around 10 a.m. ET, but have been decreasing.
This story is developing...
Whether you're already back-to-school shopping or your current buds are failing on the job, there are plenty of good deals this week on Amazon for shoppers looking for their new favorite pair of headphones or earbuds. The best deals we've found for this week so far include favorite models from Apple, Bose, Beats, and more.
Best headphones and earbuds deals for the week of Aug 5: Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) $79.99 at Amazon (save $49.01) Get Deal Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Bose QuietComfort 35 II Noise Cancelling Headphones $320 at Amazon (save $29) Get Deal Best affordable headphones deal Beats Solo3 Headphones $119 at Amazon (save $80.95) Get DealSome of the best earbuds and headphones deals we're seeing for this week of Aug 2 include Apple AirPods for under $100 and Beats Solo3 over-ear headphones for just $119. While these earbuds and headphones (like a lot of what we're seeing this week) aren't at their lowest-ever prices, these deals are still bringing in significant savings that make scoring high-quality earbuds and headphones a bit more budget-friendly.
Take a look at some of the best earbuds and headphones deals for the week ahead.
Best earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) $79.99 at AmazonThis week at Amazon, you can score a pair of Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) for just $79.99. At 38% off, the classic earbuds are a great value buy. They offer 24 hours of battery thanks to the included Lightning Charging Case, effortless Bluetooth setup, and Siri voice control. They're also powered by the Apple H1 headphone chip that's designed to deliver high-performing, clear sound. Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) are a great place to start if you're looking for a quality pair of everyday earbuds.
Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort 35 II Noise Cancelling Headphones $320.00 at AmazonThe Bose QuietComfort 35 II Noise Cancelling Headphones come with a premium price tag. While 8% off isn't a whole lot, every bit counts on these investment-worthy headphones. This week, we're seeing the Alexa-enabled headphones list for $320, putting $29 back in your pocket. Whether you're an audio purist or just want to drown out the noise of the world on your commute, you'll how these headphones have three different levels of noise cancellation to help you find your perfect listening experience. These headphones are also helpful for making phone calls thanks to their dual microphone system that blocks out outside noise and focuses on the pickup of your voice.
Best affordable headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo3 Headphones $119.00 at AmazonDon't feel like dropping a couple hundred bucks on headphones? Don't sweat it. While the Beats Solo3 headphones aren't noise-cancelling, they're reliable, high-performing over-ear headphones built for everyday use. They have an extensive 40-hour battery life which can easily be replenished thanks to Fast Fuel charging. (Just 5 minutes of charging can bring you back to three hours.) Today at Amazon, you can score the Apple H1-chip powered headphones for just $119. While this isn't the lowest price we've seen, it brings the headphones down to a much more budget-friendly price.
More headphones and earbuds deals:Sony WH-CH520 Best Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones — $68.92 $99.99 (save $31.07)
Sony WH-CH520 Best Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Cancelling Overhead Headphones — $248 $349.99 (save $101.99)
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones Satin Silver — $147.49 $199.95 (save $52.45)
Marshall Major IV On-Ear Bluetooth Headphone — $96.53 $149.99 (save $53.46)
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones — $55.99 $79.99 (save $20)
JBL Tune 230NC TWS - True Wireless In-Ear Headphones — $59.95 $99.95 (save $40)
Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)
Beats Studio Buds — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50)
Looking to start your week with a little shopping? We've rounded up the best deals we could find at Amazon on Aug. 5 — including top brands like Apple, Samsung, Kindle, and more. What better way to kick off the month?
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic, WiFi, 64GB) $379.99 at AmazonWith the rumored iPad mini 7 expected to hit shelves soon, it comes as no surprise that the current model just got a big price drop. The 2021 iPad mini 6 (WiFi, 64GB) is back down to its record-low price of $379.99. That's a savings of 24% and matches its Prime Day price. When it debuted in 2021, Mashable's Stan Schroeder called it "the best iPad if you want a small iPad" and "a better deal than the iPad Air." He credited the sleek new design, camera upgrade, speed, stereo speakers, and practical Touch ID features for his high rating.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (WiFi, 64GB) $209.98 at AmazonAn Amazon-exclusive tablet, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite offers the same design as its previous iteration, but adds an updated Exynos processor and comes with Android 14 out of the box. Its predecessor is one of our favorite tablet options for kiddos (thanks to its included S Pen, dazzling display, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, and the ability to switch from kid mode to parent mode with a PIN), so we only expect that extra boost of processing power to make us like it even more. The 64GB version is regularly $329.99, but you can snag it on sale for just $209.98 as of Aug. 5. That's 36% in savings and one cent cheaper than its previous all-time low.
Opens in a new window Credit: Therabody TheraGun Mini $149.00 at AmazonThe TheraGun Mini is back down to its Prime Day price of $149 — 25% off its usual cost. We've tested this tiny massage gun and love its ergonomic and compact design, quick and easy setup, and three powerful speed options. It comes with three different head options to target specific muscle groups as well. Our reviewer called it an "effective handheld massager for both at-home and on-the-go care."
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Revolve+ $229.00 at AmazonWe love the quality and durability of Bose products, but not so much the prices. With this discount on the SoundLink Revolve+ speaker, however, you can get 360-degree surround sound, 17 hours of battery life, improved bass power, and seamless portability for $100 off. While it doesn't beat its all-time low Prime Day price of $195, this 30% discount is still pretty impressive for a random Monday in August.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Paperwhite Kids Bundle (16GB) $167.97 at AmazonConsidering the lack of deals on Kindles on Prime Day, we'll take anything we can get. It may not be the best deal we've ever seen, but as of Aug. 5, you can pick up the Kindle Paperwhite Kids bundled with a kids cover, power adapter, screen protector, and one year of Amazon Kids+ for just $167.97. That's $35 in savings and essentially gets you the device and a handful of accessories for less than the cost of the device alone. A step up from the basic Kindle Kids, the Paperwhite Kids adds key features like IPX8 waterproofing, a larger display, longer battery life, double the storage, and an adjustable warm light to cut down on blue light.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Music isn’t just noise, and whoever said that clearly doesn’t have a soul or they’ve never experienced just how magical a new speaker system can be.
Whether you’re a true audiophile looking to upgrade your entertainment setup or you can’t stand the thought of listening to those tired old speakers that sound like they’re broadcasting from a tin can, this week’s filled with speaker deals that’ll take your at-home listening experience to the next level.
SEE ALSO: 7 of the best speakers for those who want crisp, clear audioWe’ve sifted through hundreds of deals to bring you the best of the best, from premium like Sony and JBL to budget-friendly options that won't break the bank.
Here are our top picks for the best speaker deals this week.
Best portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose SoundLink Flex $109.00 at AmazonThe Bose SoundLink Flex has been on sale for a few weeks now, but it’s still one of the best portable speaker deals we've seen. (According to CamelCamelCamel, it’s currently at its lowest price ever on Amazon.) This rugged, waterproof speaker is perfect for outdoor gatherings at the pool, beach, or campsite. And, despite its small size, it delivers that signature Bose sound quality the brand’s known for.
SEE ALSO: I went hands-on with Sony's new ULT Field 1 speakerWith up to 12 hours of playtime on just one charge and Bluetooth connectivity, the SoundLink Flex is a solid option for anyone looking for a portable speaker to take along on their next adventure, wherever that may be.
More portable speaker dealsSony ULT Field 1 — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)
Marshall Emberton II — $119.99 $169.99 (save $50)
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ Series II — $229 $329 (save $100)
JBL Boombox 2 — $399.95 $499.95 (save $100)
If your Echo just isn’t cutting it, the KEF Q Series 5.25-inch 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers (pair) are a great upgrade option. Plus, they’re $250 off right now at Best Buy.
These speakers come in satin black, walnut, and white and offer 51Hz-28kHz frequency response so you can jam out to your favorite tunes with crisp, high-quality sound. (Imagine Super Tramp coming through these babies.) The design of the bass reflex enclosure (with rear-firing port) and the Uni-Q driver let you experience what you’re listening to without restrictions, no matter where you are in the room.
More bookshelf speaker dealsPreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5-inch Near Field Studio Monitors (pair) — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Klipsch R-51PM Powered Speakers (pair) — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)
KEF LS50 Meta Passive Bookshelf Speakers — $1,500 $1,599.99 (save $99.99)
When I was younger, my mom blasted Motley Crue, Martina McBride, Pearl Jam, and countless other artists on an old tower speaker system in our living room. Those memories of being immersed in the music will always be a part of me.
SEE ALSO: Sonos Move 2 Review: Fantastic sound and a price to matchAlthough her massive tower speakers have long since been retired (I think they’re in the attic), the Klipsch Reference 800 Series Dual 8-inch 2-Way Floor Standing Speaker is a modern-day alternative. It has a 4.8-star rating and a $100 discount at Best Buy.
This floor-standing speaker can handle up to 600W peak power (150W continuous) and features two eight-inch spun-copper TCP woofers for a deep, powerful, and resonant bass response that no smart home device could ever hope to match.
More tower speaker dealsKlipsch R-610F Floorstanding Speaker — $168 $389 (save $221)
Samsung MX-ST40B Sound Tower — $174.90 $497.99 (save $323.09)
Polk Signature Elite ES60 Tower Speaker — $479.99 $549 (save $69.01)
After 17 years without a proper, non-VR Half-Life title, fans have at least a little reason to hope again.
That's due to supposed leaks appearing in a couple of different places, per Eurogamer.
Evidence of Half-Life 3?First, a voice actor's website was found to include a reference to something called "Project White Sands," which was attributed to Valve. That, alone, doesn't tell us much. Valve occasionally still makes new video games — even if they aren’t called Half-Life. It's worth noting that White Sands is the name of a national park in New Mexico, the setting of the original Half-Life.
But after people found that and flooded the webpage, all references to Project White Sands were removed. Then, Valve data miner Tyler McVicker posted a YouTube video explaining that he believes he has found explicit references to a non-VR, single-player game set in the Half-Life universe that is either actively in development, or was in development recently, in Valve's code updates.
Specifically, the project is called "HLX" and many of the files associated with it are obviously linked to Half-Life. The main character wears an HEV suit (as did protagonist Gordon Freeman in the first two games). There are also multiple references to "Xen," a prominent alien location in Half-Life. Enemies such as "Xengorilla" and "Xenjellyfish" are even named.
SEE ALSO: There's a new Deadpool Xbox controller — and it has butt cheeksOne has to wonder why Valve would put so many obvious references to Half-Life in a place where people could see it without using codenames, but still, this is the most substantial lead on a proper new Half-Life game in quite some time. 2020 saw the release of Half-Life: Alyx, which was well-received as the first extension of the series since 2007, but it remains a VR-exclusive title that requires both a powerful PC and a headset to play. Before that, a former series writer posted what may have been the story for a canceled Half-Life single-player game in 2017, but that was after he left Valve and what he posted probably shouldn't be seen as indicative of what Valve's future plans might be.
Since Half-Life 2: Episode 2 came out and ended on a massive story cliffhanger in 2007, Valve has shifted to mostly developing multiplayer games with some sort of live service elements, like Dota 2 and the recently data-mined Deadlock. These games, combined with all of the money that Valve gets from running the pre-eminent PC gaming digital marketplace Steam, have made it difficult to believe Valve would ever revisit Half-Life without a serious incentive to do so.
But maybe it's actually happening. Or maybe it isn't. At least we all have a reason to talk about Half-Life again.
House of the Dragon Season 2 had one more Harrenhal vision for Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) up its sleeve — and this one was a doozy.
In the Season 2 finale, titled "The Queen Who Ever Was," Daemon touches Harrenhal's weirwood tree and has a vision of the future, including images that any Game of Thrones fan would recognize, like White Walkers and Daenerys Targaryen herself. But she's not the only Game of Thrones character to feature prominently in Daemon's vision.
SEE ALSO: The 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 finale, explainedAs Daemon's vision begins, we see a man (Joshua Ben-Tovim) sitting in a weirwood tree in the middle of a cave. He has Targaryen-pale hair and a red birthmark on his cheek and neck, which morphs into a three-eyed raven. That image, combined with the man's weirwood perch, signals that he is none other than the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran Stark's greenseer mentor in the later seasons of Game of Thrones. However, long before he taught Bran, the Three-Eyed Raven was known by a different name: Brynden Rivers.
Who is Brynden Rivers, or Bloodraven?Brynden Rivers is the Targaryen bastard of King Aegon IV, meaning he's born several decades after the events of House of the Dragon. His birthmark, thought to resemble a raven made of blood, earns him the nickname Bloodraven.
SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 finale: Daemon's strange vision of Daenerys, explainedThroughout his life, Brynden is involved in the Blackfyre Rebellions, which pit House Targaryen against House Blackfyre, founded by a legitimized Targaryen bastard. Brynden also serves as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch for a time. He goes on to disappear behind the Wall, where he must have found a nice little weirwood cave where he could greensee in peace.
You don't really need to know any of this for House of the Dragon — again, Brynden is years from being born — but knowledge of Brynden might be useful for HBO's next Westeros-set series: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Featured Video For You Sorry to break it to you, the dragons in 'House of the Dragon' are actually wyverns What is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms about, and how is Brynden Rivers involved?A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, about Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). Brynden Rivers appears in the third novella, The Mystery Knight, as Hand of the King. But could his appearance in House of the Dragon mean that he'll be popping up earlier in the onscreen stories of Dunk and Egg?
If so, Daemon isn't just seeing the in-world future of Westeros in his vision: He's seeing the rest of HBO's Westeros-based programming. Between hints at The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones itself, this weirwood is clearly a fan of cinematic universe-style storytelling (and HBO corporate synergy).
If you're one of the 50 million Cash App users, you might be entitled to some money.
The mobile banking app was hit with a class action lawsuit for failing to protect its users from several security breaches that occurred in 2022 and 2023. Block Inc., which owns Cash App denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to settle for $15 million. That means, Cash App users are entitled to up to $2,500 by submitting a claim online.
Cash App, whose parent company Block Inc. (formerly known as Square) was founded by Jack Dorsey, surged in popularity on Reddit as a Robinhood alternative for trading Bitcoin and stocks. Then in 2021, a former employee downloaded investing reports, gaining access to users' personal financial data. Another breach occurred in 2023 by using recycled phone numbers linked to user accounts to access financial information. According to the complaint, given the multiple breaches, Cash App "utterly failed to properly secure and protect customer accounts."
Who is eligible to receive a Cash App payout?According to the settlement website, users are eligible for compensation if:
You're a current or former Cash App user
Your personal information or account information was accessed or obtained without your authorization
You experienced fraudulent transactions between August 23, 2018 through August 20, 2024
Cash App users must submit a claim on the settlement website no later than November 18, 2024. Depending on the type of claim, users an receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket losses, lost time, or fraudulent charges. If fraudulent activity occurred as a result of the breach, users might also need to provide additional information like receipts or a police report.
Save 46%: The week of August 5, find major deals on robot vacuums including the iRobot j7+ for $429.99, knocking $370 off for 46% savings.
Best robot vacuum deals this week Best Roborock deal Roborock S8+ robot vacuum $619.99 at Amazon (Save $380) Get Deal Best iRobot deal iRobot Roomba j7+ $429.99 at Amazon (Save $370) Get Deal Best Shark deal Shark PowerDetect robot vacuum $449.99 at Amazon (Save $350) Get DealBig shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday shower us with deals, blinding us from the weekly sales on top products. Sneaky deals are always popping up, so on a random Monday in August, you can score a Roomba and other robot vacuums for hundreds of dollars off.
This week, starting August 5, is no different. We've scoured the internet for the best robot vacuum deals and found them to be quite plentiful. Amazon and Best Buy especially have markdowns on all the best brands including iRobot, Shark, and Roborock. Here are the best deals on robot vacuums.
Best iRobot deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba j7+ $429.99 at AmazonWhile our very favorite robot vacuum from iRobot is the Roomba j9+, before that came the j7+. This self-emptying vacuum is fantastic at navigating your home and moving around the smallest of obstacles. It includes a self-emptying dock, making it virtually hands-free.
Right now, it's down to $429.99, saving you $370. This is an exceptional value, just $10 more than it's lowest price ever. Get it now from Amazon for 46% off.
More robot vacuum dealsiRobot Roomba Q0120 robot vacuum — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)
Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum — $329.99 $423 (save $93.01)
iRobot Roomba i5+ robot vacuum and mop — $349 $549.99 (save $200.99)
Shark Matrix robot vacuum — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)
Shark PowerDetect robot vacuum — $449.99 $799.99 (save $350)
Roborock Q8 Max Plus robot vacuum and mop — $549.99 $819.99 (save $270)
Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni robot vacuum and mop —$599.99 $1.099.99 (save $500)
Roborock Q Revo S robot vacuum and mop — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)
Roborock S8+ robot vacuum — $619.99 $999.99 (save $380)
Samsung Jet Bot+ robot vacuum — $699.99 $799.99 (save $100)
iRobot Roomba j9+ robot vacuum and mop — $1,199.99 $1,399 (save $199.01)
This iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison will clarify the exact differences between the two popular iPhones. On top of price, design, display, battery life, and more, we'll explore how the cameras differ, too — a popular request among prospective iPhone 15 buyers.
The iPhone 15 costs $799, but the iPhone 15 Pro is more expensive at $999. That being said, I know what you're thinking. Is the iPhone 15 Pro actually worth an extra $200?
Don't expect me to stand on a soapbox and tell you which iPhone to get. Instead, I'm going to tell you all the differences between the two. Then, I'll let you decide which is the best phone for you. Let's dive into this iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro face-off, shall we?
Note: While we're focusing on the iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro in this comparative analysis, keep in mind that the next-gen iPhone is right around a corner. Check out our iPhone 16 series rumor hub for credible leaks about the iPhone 15 series' successor.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 rumors: Release date, price, specs, features, and more iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: priceThe iPhone 15 has a starting price of $800 via Apple's official website — and it comes with the following specs:
128GB of storage
6GB of RAM
A16 Bionic chipset
6.1-inch display
Keep in mind that you can get more storage, but it'll cost you. If you want 256GB of storage, the iPhone 15 will set you back $900. Speaking from experience, I'd recommend getting the 256GB variant, particularly if you love hoarding photos and videos. Otherwise, the 128GB model will haunt you with a "storage full" error, forcing you to delete your treasured media content within a year (or less) of use.
The base iPhone 15 model comes with 128GB of storage. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableIf you're a big spender, you can get the iPhone 15 with 512GB of storage, which costs $1,100. But if you have enough money to spend on that, you'd be better off upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro with 256GB of storage, which is exactly the same price.
Speaking of the iPhone 15 Pro, it has a starting price of $999 via Apple's official website and comes with the following specs:
128GB of storage
8GB of RAM
A17 Pro
6.1-inch display
The most expensive iPhone 15 Pro, packed with 1TB of storage, will set you back $1,500. But again, if you have that kind of money to blow, you might as well upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 512GB of storage, which costs $100 less at $1,400.
Again, I'd recommend upgrading to at least 256GB of storage if you have a treasure trove of media you'd like to store. However, if you don't mind deleting a few stuff along the way, or you have cloud storage, the 128GB variant should be fine.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 15 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Get Deal Featured Video For You A brief history of the iPhone iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: designCue Sia singing "Titanium" at the top of her lungs! The iPhone 15 Pro's biggest selling point is that it consists of a titanium frame, making it lighter and more durable than its predecessor's stainless-steel chassis.
The iPhone 15, wrapped in an aluminum enclosure, doesn't have a hint of titanium. Womp, womp! It is, however, a little lighter than its Pro sibling (6.03 ounces vs. 6.6 ounces).
As far as colors are concerned, I'd argue that the iPhone 15's colors are more fun and lively.
The iPhone 15 comes in five fun colors. Credit: AppleIt comes in five colors:
Pink
Yellow
Green
Blue
Black
The iPhone 15 Pro is a little bit more low-key — more mature and sophisticated.
The iPhone 15 Pro's colors are a lot more neutral. Credit: AppleIts colors are more urbane, subtle, and minimalist:
Natural Titanium
Blue Titanium
White Titanium
Black Titanium
One subtle difference between the two phones is the iPhone 15 Pro's Action Button feature located on the left side of the chassis. The iPhone 15, on the other hand, still has a very boring mute switch instead. What's so great about the Action Button? You can customize it to launch any app or task you want.
For example, with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I've set the Action Button to launch the Notes app since I use it so frequently, but the possibilities are endless. You can set up the Action Button to launch whatever app you want.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: displayThe iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro actually share the same display size: 6.1 inches. If you want something bigger (e.g., 6.7 inches), consider getting the iPhone 15 Plus or the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Dynamic Island is here to stay. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableThey also have the same resolution: 2,256 x 1,179 pixels
Although the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max share the same screen size, they do not have the same display tech. For example, the iPhone 15 does not have ProMotion technology nor does it have an Always-On display — but the Pro model has both of these perks.
What's ProMotion? It's just a fancy term for, "This phone has a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz." In other words, the iPhone 15 Pro has a zippier display that adapts to your workflow. If you're simply scrolling through an article, the refresh rate will slowdown. However, if you fire up a fast-paced mobile game, the refresh rate will pick up.
Conversely, the iPhone 15 has a refresh rate of 60Hz, which will feel slower only if you've ever owned a phone with a refresh rate of 90Hz or higher. And for the uninitiated, an Aways-On display lets you get information like time, widgets, and more at a glance because — well — the screen is always on. I can't say the same for the iPhone 15.
Both have the snazzy Dynamic Island featured at the top of the display, and plus, the duo can climb to a peak brightness of 2,000, according to Apple.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: camerasCameras are one of the biggest selling points smartphones, and as you might have guessed, the iPhone 15 Pro has an edge over the iPhone 15. Here's a break down of the camera specs:
iPhone 15Wide camera - 48MP
Ultrawide camera - 12MP
Selfie camera - 12MP
No telephoto
Wide camera - 48MP
Ultrawide camera - 12MP
Selfie camera - 12MP
Telephoto - 3X optical zoom
Unlike the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 15 does not have a telephoto lens, which means that zoomed-in shots will have a dip in quality. It's also worth nothing that the iPhone 15 Pro's ultrawide lens has a slightly wider aperture, which means low-light shots in dim environments should have a better outcome.
If you're a telephoto lens stan, you're going to want to go Pro. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableThe iPhone 15, unlike the iPhone 15 Pro, does not support macro photography, Apple ProRAW, nor Night Mode portraits. (This isn't to be confused with Night Mode, which the iPhone 15 does have. It's just not available for portrait mode.)
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: performanceThe iPhone 15 Pro, without a doubt, is zippier and beastlier than the iPhone 15, thanks to its new A17 Pro Bionic chip. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 sports the chipset featured inside the iPhone 14 Pro models: the A16 Bionic.
The iPhone 15 Pro is more of a powerhouse. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableTruth be told, the A16 Bionic is still a stellar, breakneck chip that is actually overpowered for what's needed for mobile tasks, so imagine the herculean power behind the A17 Pro.
Without getting into the weeds of things, just know that the A17 Pro is capable of cutting-edge AI computations and graphics. So much so that high-fidelity games like Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding are available on the iPhone 15 Pro. Assassin's Creed Mirage will also be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, but the release is June 6.
It's also worth noting that the iPhone 15 has 6GB of RAM while the iPhone 15 Pro has 8GB of RAM. This means that latter will do a better job at juggling multiple tasks simultaneously (e.g., switching between a bunch of apps should be faster).
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: battery lifeApple ran a video playback test on the iPhone 15 and it lasted 20 hours on a single charge.
Compare that to the iPhone 15 Pro, which lasted 23 hours on the same test.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Apple IntelligenceAt WWDC 2024, Apple announced that it is jumping into AI head first with a suite of perks called "Apple Intelligence." These features will rollout alongside the launch of iOS 18, but keep in mind that not every iPhone will get Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone 15 will not support Apple Intelligence, but the iPhone 15 Pro models (e.g., iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max) will.
Some Apple Intelligence features that iPhone 15 Pro users will enjoy include Genmoji (generate your own emoji), ChatGPT integration, a new-and-improved Siri, new AI-powered summarization features, and more.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Which should you buy?To sum it all up, the iPhone 15 Pro has an Action Button that I believe is totally underrated — the iPhone 15 doesn't have one. Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro has a better camera system. If taking better zoomed-in shots are important to you, it'd be worth it to shell out an extra $200.
If you enjoy mobile gaming, with the iPhone 15 Pro getting a GPU boost from its A17 Pro chipset, the upper-tier model is a better choice for you.
Finally, if the aforementioned AI-powered features tickle your fancy, you'll have to get the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 15 does not support Apple Intelligence.
However, if neither of those bells and whistles tickle your fancy, you'll be fine with the entry-level iPhone 15.
Apple iPhone 15 $0.01 at AmazonThe FCC wanted to reinstate some net neutrality rules, but a U.S. appeals court has temporarily blocked the decision, siding with broadband providers challenging the regulations.
This decision came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to resume oversight of broadband internet earlier this year. According to Reuters, the court's appeal is a setback to President Joe Biden's attempt to reinstate the rules, which would require that internet service providers treat all internet data and users equally. These rules were first adopted under President Barack Obama's administration and then were rescinded under President Donald Trump's administration.
New oral arguments will be scheduled for late October or early November, which, if you're familiar with the election calendar, falls around the same time as the presidential election.
SEE ALSO: The U.S. is suing TikTok for allegedly violating children's privacy lawsThe court wrote, "The final rule implicates a major question, and the commission has failed to satisfy the high bar for imposing such regulations. Net neutrality is likely a major question requiring clear congressional authorization."
FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel told Fox Business, in response to the decision, "The American public wants an internet that is fast, open, and fair. Today's decision by the Sixth Circuit is a setback, but we will not give up the fight for net neutrality."
As Mashable has previously reported, net neutrality is an internet anti-discrimination principle that would lead us toward an "open internet." It tends to be a particularly partisan issue, and with the issue continuously battled in the courts, we may not know its future until we know which party will lead the nation this November.
SEE ALSO: The FCC is reviving net neutrality. But what does that mean?Less than 48 hours ago, I sat at a table in the sunshine outside my favourite wine bar waiting for my date to arrive. 15 minutes passed as I sipped my rosé, watching the world go by. "What's the grace period for lateness on a date?" I texted my mum. "30 minutes max," she replied, followed by a string of angry faced emoji. At 26 minutes past I messaged asking his ETA and a few minutes later I called him. He didn’t pick up.
At the 30-minute mark, I got up, blinking back tears as I made for home. I felt humiliated as I paid the bill and traipsed past diners and drinkers enjoying their summer evening. I stepped out of my chosen black dress when I got home, wiped off the makeup I'd excitedly applied earlier, called my mum and finally allowed myself to cry tears of frustration.
What had just happened? I let him know I'd left the bar, adding "that really did not make me feel good." No reply. No call back. Just a heavy protracted silence.
This wasn't a first date. This person wasn't a stranger, either. I met this man on Feeld three months ago. The timing wasn't exactly ideal for me — I was feeling fragile, both physically and emotionally, after freezing my eggs and recovering from the retrieval procedure. But I also knew I deserved better treatment.
SEE ALSO: Dating culture has become selfish. How do we fix it?In the beginning, the messages were flowing. We talked about our shared love of gardening, books, food. It was the first time I felt excited about someone since I'd ended a nebulous situationship, which had left me feeling bruised and disillusioned with dating. It was time to knock down the protective walls I'd built around my heart.
The first date was great — wine, good conversation, kissing, mutual confessions of attraction. We made a plan to see each other again. But that's when things began to change. His messages weren't as abundant as they'd been in those early stages. I didn't immediately write him off because I know life can get in the way — people get busy, they get sick, they have to work. Still, it felt pretty rubbish. The disillusioned dater in me knew this wasn't a good sign: he was almost certainly pulling away. I'd been here before and I knew the direction of travel. Just when I made peace with the fact I'd never hear from him again, he messaged me asking when we'd be getting together. W — and I cannot stress this enough — TF.
Eventually I sent him the following: "I know we talked about going out again, but I'm going to be honest, the signals I'm getting are very hot and cold and it's hard to not interpret that as disinterest. I'm not sure this is a good fit in terms of communication style — typically I need more consistency in the early stages of something to sustain my interest." I wished him well and hoped he understood. The following morning he replied amicably and apologised for wasting my time. I archived our chat and moved on.
A week ago, while on holiday in France, I opened WhatsApp to see the dreaded "1" next to "Archived". Assuming it was just another group chat notification, I idly opened the archive, only to see a message from the aforementioned man. It was a photo of the pub we'd gone to on our first date and the words "walking past the scene of the crime."
My best friend was sitting beside me at the time and I leaned over and showed him the message. "I'd block him," he said. I should have listened.
Featured Video For You How Tinder and other dating apps use algorithms to find your match — Horny on MainI replied and things started up again. In the time since ending things, I had thought of him. I felt I'd be abandoning myself if I didn't explore things and give him some grace.
For the next five days, we messaged morning, noon, and night. He wished me good night and when I woke up the next morning and opened my phone, there'd be a message waiting for me. Had he taken on board what I'd said before about consistency?
He seemed to be in the dating mindset this time around. He talked about marriage, children, a future life. Red flag, I wondered? Then again, he's in his late 30s, so these aren't conversation topics that are necessarily out of bounds for the stage of life we're at. In hindsight I feel naive for entertaining the second chance for as long as I did. One minute you're talking like you're my future husband, the next, you can't even show up for our date.
Once back in the UK, we made a plan to meet up for a glass of wine at a different bar (not the "scene of the crime"). He told me he had plans at five but should be wrapped up by eight. He told me he was having a pint in the sun and sent me a photo of his dog basking in the glorious weather.
8 p.m. came and went, as you know. And since then, I've heard nothing from him. In the immediate aftermath, I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt — emergencies arise, things go wrong. I didn't convey the true weight of my disappointment because I wasn't sure if something serious had happened.
I poured myself a gin and tonic and put Charli xcx’s Brat on full blast. What else can a girl do in the circumstances?
The next day, I woke up after a particularly troubled sleep and had to remind myself of what had transpired. I ran through scenarios in my mind. Did he lose his phone? Did he get drunk and fall asleep? I called my friends and talked through my feelings. Even now, I still can't wrap my head around it. I will likely have to make peace with never knowing what happened that night and why he treated me that way.
When I say to readers that I've been in the trenches of the dating app scene, I really mean itAs a perennially single woman in her mid-30s, the hardest part of this is not allowing myself to give up on dating.
Ironically, I've just finished writing a book about the current state of dating culture and why it feels so tough right now. When I say to readers that I've been in the trenches of the dating app scene, I really mean it. As someone who's been writing about dating and relationships for over a decade, who's witnessed the evolution of online dating, who's read through the never-ending online discourse surrounding dating, I have had more than my fair share of disappointments, of egregious incidents, of complicated and confusing situationships. This isn't my first time being stood up either. It's so draining.
Over the years, I've had hiatuses from dating. I've deleted apps only to redownload them months later. I've wondered if there was something wrong with me, if I'm too soft, too forgiving, too much of a pushover. In real low points, I've let my insecurities get the better of me and believed the negative voice in my head telling me if I was thinner, prettier, cooler, this wouldn't happen to me. A lot of therapy has disabused me of this idea.
SEE ALSO: 'I was cloaked.' What it's like to be blocked and stood up by your Hinge date.Really, getting stood up — while painful — is a blessing. This man has shown me his true character. Getting stood up sucks, but in many ways, I've been saved from a far worse fate.
I believe everyone should do what they need to do to make themselves feel emotionally safe when dating. It's not as simple or straightforward as saying "you have to get yourself back out there." Because honestly, the last thing I want to do right now is open up a dating app.
Believing in the good of people — even after witnessing people at their worst — takes generosity.Romantic love isn't the be-all-and-end-all for me. It's a nice-to-have, but not an essential item. I have a very happy life, just as it is.
But one thing that's giving me hope and strength is knowing that I deserve so much better than the way I've been treated. It takes strength to be vulnerable, to put yourself out there knowing full well it could end in tears. Holding off until I get what I deserve takes resilience. Believing in the good of people — even after witnessing people at their worst — takes generosity.
Right now, I'm protecting my heart, but I'll be “back out there” again soon because I refuse to let dating app culture grind me down.
Ever the dramatic loose cannon, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) realises he's outnumbered by Team Black's new scaly recruits in the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale — so he decides to torch a town instead.
But where is this place that Aemond decides to burn, and why does he choose that poor town of all places? Let's break it down.
SEE ALSO: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale: What does Helaena’s prophecy about Aemond mean? What does Aemond do in the finale?Early on in the House of the Dragon finale we see a shot of Aemond on mighty dragon Vhagar, watching on as a coastal town burns in the distance. There's a close-up shot of the flames and we hear people screaming in pain as Vhagar takes wing and flies off.
Soon, when Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) visits Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) in his sick bed, we find out what's happened.
"He has gone in fury to Sharp Point and laid waste to the whole of the town," says Larys.
But what is Sharp Point, and why does Aemond specifically target that place?
What is Sharp Point?If we take a look at the official map of Westeros, we can see Sharp Point on the very edge of a peninsula surrounding the Blackwater Bay. It's probably the closest mainland town to Dragonstone, which is where Aemond was flying at the end of episode 7 when he got rebuffed by Rhaenyra's (Emma D'Arcy's) new dragons. Because of this there's a clear geographic reason why it might have fallen victim to his anger — simply put, it's one of the closest places for him to burn.
But as showrunner Ryan Condal explains in a YouTube breakdown of the finale, there's more to it than that.
"Aemond lashes out," says Condal. "It's also a strategic act because Sharp Point is the seat of House Massey, who serves on Rhaenyra's council. It's a punishment to them for siding with the pretender."
So there you have it. Aemond, even in his rage, isn't just wildly levelling random towns. Gormon Massey (James Dreyfus), who sits on Rhaenyra's council is the target of the attack.
Elon Musk says Neuralink has implanted a brain chip into a second patient, Reuters reports.
The medical technology company owned by Musk, developed to help people with spinal cord injuries, quadriplegia, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), inserted its first implant into a human patient in January 2024. Notably, the implant wasn't without issues, revealed by Neuralink in May.
On Friday, Musk took time away from picking grown man fights, promoting Donald Trump, and spreading political misinformation on the steaming bin fire that is X (formerly Twitter) to speak on an eight-hour (seriously) podcast with MIT research scientist Lex Fridman about Neuralink, in which he spoke of a second human test.
SEE ALSO: Neuralink's first patient can play chess using only his mindReuters, who was valiant enough to listen to the whole thing while I was watching House of the Dragon's Season 2 finale, notes Musk gave very light details on the reported patient, whom the CEO says has a spinal cord injury similar to Arbaugh's.
"I don't want to jinx it but it seems to have gone extremely well with the second implant," Musk said, per the news outlet. "There's a lot of signal, a lot of electrodes. It's working very well."
Fridman has previously interviewed Big Tech founders including Mark Zuckerberg, who was interviewed in the Metaverse. Nolan Arbaugh, Neuralink's first test patient, was also interviewed on the podcast, along with the company's COO and president DJ Seo, head neurosurgeon Matthew MacDougall, and brain interface software lead Bliss Chapman.
Thankfully, Fridman posted the topics and timestamps on X, if you want to skip the Ayahuasca chats.
Tweet may have been deletedIf you want to watch the whole thing, it's on Fridman's YouTube Channel.
I've been wearing the Samsung Galaxy Ring for three weeks now — and I'll admit that I underestimated it. Don't get me wrong, between my first impressions of the Galaxy Ring and my official in-depth review, it had a cornucopia of impressive perks.
For example, unlike the Oura Ring, it doesn't require a subscription. Secondly, its ability to track my stress has been creepily accurate, with the trend line in Samsung Health (the companion app) spiking during work hours and dipping during breaks.
A look at my stress levels throughout the day via Samsung Health Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashablePlus, save for the blood-oxygen sensor and the absence of a display, it can do almost everything my Apple Watch Series 9 can do when it comes to health tracking and fitness monitoring.
As a cherry on top, I can use the Samsung Galaxy Ring to initiate a hands-free experience with my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, allowing me to use a double-pinch gesture to take photos, record videos, and snooze alarms.
I used the double-pinch gesture to trigger the camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, nothing could prepare me for how well the Samsung Galaxy Ring can take my health data and make intelligent inferences based on the information it collected about me. I thought the Samsung Galaxy Ring was great, but now I believe it's a mind-blowing piece of tech.
SEE ALSO: I wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring for 7 days — and it upstaged my Apple Watch Series 9 The Samsung Galaxy Ring detected my inebriation — but how?On Aug. 24, I checked my Energy Score in Samsung Health — and I received a measly score of 52.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWhat's an Energy Score, you ask? It's a calculation that looks at your sleep, physical activity, and heart rate. A score of 92, for example, is pretty good because it's quite close to 100, which is the pinnacle of health. (You've reached wellness nirvana at that point.) A score of 52, however, is quite mid.
My Energy Score was down a whopping 26 points from the day before. The Samsung Health app revealed that this score was negatively affected by my sleeping heart-rate variability and poor previous day activity.
However, when I read the short paragraph below my Energy Score, a chill ran down my spine.
Samsung Galaxy Ring detected my alcohol consumption prior to sleep, but the question is, how? Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable“Sleep is compromised,” Samsung Health said. “REM sleep, sleeping HRV, and low heart rate early in the night are vital for full recovery. But, drinking alcohol and late-night eating can negatively impact them. Consider changing your habits before bed to ensure quality sleep and gradual waking.”
I couldn't believe what I was reading. "How the heck did my Samsung Galaxy Ring know that I had a swig of whiskey last night before going to bed?" I reached out to a Samsung rep for the answer.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable"The Galaxy Ring can track your sleep patterns by measuring your heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature while you’re sleeping, all things that are affecting your system," the Samsung rep told Mashable in an email. "The Samsung Health app will also monitor abnormal signs while you’re sleeping to ensure you’re staying healthy and receiving the proper rest."
Reading in between the lines, it appears that the Galaxy Ring doesn't directly detect alcohol consumption, but it can make an educated guess based on a combination of factors during sleep. All of the metrics the Samsung rep mentioned can be affected by alcohol consumption. For example, it can alter heart-rate variability and affect thermoregulation.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAs such, my Samsung Galaxy Ring likely discovered some irregular patterns compared to my baseline sleep data, allowing it to make a smart inference based on abnormal deviations.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring excels at offering wellness suggestionsI didn't realize how helpful the Galaxy Ring's Wellness Tips would be. Initially, I thought, "Now, why would I need a device to tell me that I need to sleep more or be more active. Isn't that obvious?"
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, there are times where I was overworking and submerging myself in projects, and I didn't think it was noticeable enough to affect my health. Unfortunately, I ended up get nudges from Samsung Health to get some damn rest so that my body can return to its "normal functioning rhythm."
Samsung Health wagged a finger at me for overworking. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIt's one thing to get readings on your blood-oxygen level, heart rate, skin temperature, and more, but the question is, can you actually analyze that data on your own to best determine what your body needs? The answer is likely no, making the Samsung Galaxy Ring one of the most useful tech products — if not the most useful tech product — I own.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring comes in nine sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13. You can grab the Samsung Galaxy Ring for $399 on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Samsung Galaxy Ring $399.99 at AmazonWrinkles, your days are numbered! The NIRA Pro Laser caught my eye as someone who is a beauty-tech enthusiast. From LED masks to pricey red-light panels, I've used them all.
I've been chasing the technological fountain of youth for quite some time now — and I haven't discovered it yet. And no, don't tell me to "age gracefully." The only reason I haven't injected my face with Botox yet is because of my crippling fear of needles. Otherwise, bring on the anti-aging tools, treatments, and skin care routines, alongside my vitamin C serums and tretinoin.
The NIRA Pro is my latest skin care tech obsession. I first discovered it when it was spotlighted as an Innovation Award nominee for CES 2024. I saw the words "wrinkle reduction" and "youthful looking skin in 90 days," and I was like, "Sign me up!"
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe NIRA Pro is an at-home laser designed to offer professional-grade results to users. After 90 days of use, NIRA claims that its skin care device reduces wrinkles and renews skin by inciting the production of collagen. But the question is, does it actually work?
NIRA Pro Laser priceThe NIRA Pro Laser costs $599 on NIRA's official website.
NIRA also sells the NIRA Precision Laser, which has a price tag of $449.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable NIRA Pro Laser $599.99The NIRA Precision Laser came first. It has a narrow head, allowing users to target wrinkles and other skin care woes more, well, precisely.
The NIRA Precision Laser Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, the minor setback with the Precision device is that it takes too long. Could you imagine standing up in front of the mirror and placing its small head on each unwanted wrinkle one by one? Not a bad purchase if you're 27 and you're losing your marbles over a few rogue fine lines. But if you've got "trouble areas" up the wazoo, the NIRA Pro Laser is your best bet.
The NIRA Pro Laser Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe NIRA Pro Laser has a larger head, allowing it to cover more surface area on your face. In contrast, the NIRA Precision Laser is better suited for treating hard-to-reach wrinkles.
So you'd be better off with the NIRA Precision Laser if you just have a few fine lines to tackle — or if they're located in places where there's a lot of curvature (e.g., the inner corner of your eye). But if you've got a lot more than the Precision Laser can handle, the NIRA Pro laser has you covered.
For this review, I only tested the NIRA Pro laser.
What does the NIRA Pro Laser claim to do?NIRA boasts that the Pro Laser is a clinically proven, FDA-cleared, at-home laser treatment that can do the following:
reduce fine lines
diminish wrinkles
tighten skin
even skin tone
lift hooded eyes
brighten dark spots
improve acne scarring
The company claims that one can achieve "younger looking skin" in just 90 days.
What's the science behind the NIRA Pro Laser?The NIRA Pro Laser stimulates the production of collagen in your skin. How? It uses NIRA's patented laser tech to transmit something called "a non-fractional, non-ablative laser fluence" to your dermis.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIf this sounds like gobbledygook to you (like it once did for me), allow me to explain. Non-fractional means that the laser light covers the whole area you're pointing at (as opposed to just tiny spots), so you're treating your targeted area evenly.
Non-ablative means the laser doesn't remove any layers of your skin, so it should, in theory, be relatively painless.
The NIRA Pro Laser warms your skin. It's hot enough to kick off the heat-shock protein (HSP) formation, but cool enough that it should remain below the pain threshold.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThink of HSPs as molecular firefighters for your skin. When the NIRA Pro Laser stresses your skin, an SOS signal is released, so to speak, inviting the HSPs to rush to the scene and stimulate skin regeneration. They can also boost collagen production, which tends to slow as we grow older.
How do you use the NIRA Pro Laser?Before using the NIRA Pro Laser, I always make sure that my skin is makeup-free and cleansed. After drying my face, I turn on the Pro Laser and tap it several times to set the treatment level to the highest tier.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableNext, I use the NIRA Pro Laser to treat my biggest frustrations: crows' feet and under-eye wrinkles. I start by placing the NIRA Pro Laser on my crows' feet — and I can feel the rush of heat hit my skin. I must hold the NIRA Pro Laser there until I hear a beep. (If you hear a rejection tone, it means you didn't place the Pro Laser on your skin properly, so you should redo the section).
To do my crows' feet and under-eye wrinkles for both eyes, it takes me less than a minute.
After the NIRA Pro Laser, I continue with my skin routine, which has been a personalized formula that I've been using from the skin care brand Curology.
NIRA Pro Laser designThe NIRA Pro Laser makes me feel like I'm holding an anti-wrinkle weapon of sorts. It looks like a futuristic ray gun, ready to decimate my wrinkles into oblivion with a single zap. The elongated grip makes the NIRA Pro Laser easy to hold. Its gaping opening is where the laser escapes, tackling any area you choose to place it on.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThere's a power button on the front as well as a USB-C port for charging. (The NIRA Pro Laser comes with the USB-C cable, but you're on your own as far as a charging brick is concerned.)
On top of the USB-C port, you'll find an LED indicator, which blinks when it's running out of juice.
The NIRA Pro Laser is also super light and compact. I've brought it with me to several locations, including London and California for WWDC 2024. It's lightweight and compact, so it slipped comfortably in my travel bag, too.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou'll also find LED lights on top of the power button with five power levels. I highly recommend you start with the lowest tier to test your tolerance for the NIRA Pro Laser. As you carry on with the NIRA Pro Laser over time, feel free to climb up the power-level ladder until you reach the top setting.
Is the NIRA Pro Laser painful?I used the highest setting throughout the entire experiment (do as I say, not what I do). I wouldn't say that the NIRA Pro is completely painless. For the most part, the experience is comfortable. But every once in a while, I'd find myself wincing. Sometimes, there is discomfort because it feels as if it's getting a little too warm for my tastes.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, throughout my time using the NIRA Pro Laser, I've never gotten burned or injured in any way. On rare occasions, I noticed some temporary redness, but there was no peeling nor anything dramatic.
NIRA Pro Laser battery lifeThe NIRA Pro Laser can last weeks on a single charge. I've taken the NIRA Pro Laser with me on three-week vacations and never had to recharge once.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou can totally leave the charging cable behind. Again, I only use the NIRA Pro Laser for less than a minute — and I'm not exaggerating. As such, I'm not expending a lot of energy nor power, so it has a pretty long runtime. When it does run low on juice, you'll see a flashing LED indicator telling you it's time to recharge.
Does NIRA Pro Laser actually work? Before and after picturesI started using the NIRA Pro Laser in March of this year. About 48 days later, or a month and a half into the 90-day treatment, I did a check in for any visible changes.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAt first glance, I didn't see any profound differences in the before-and-after photos. If anything, it looked like my crows' feet had deepened. So much so, I reached out to the NIRA team to help make sense of it. However, with the help of the NIRA team, I realized there is some progress that I didn't catch initially. The after photo shows lifted hooded eyes, brighter dark circles, and reduction to the fine lines under my eyes.
Granted, this is only about 48 days in — and NIRA boasts that it takes 90 days, or three months, to see any visible results. So I decided to continue to using NIRA Pro. Here are the results of my 90-day treatment, with the before photo showing my first day using the device in March while the after photo is a mid-July snapshot.
Nira Pro Laser before (top) and after (bottom). Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWell, I'll be. It actually worked!
There is a visible reduction across the board to my crows' feet and under-eye wrinkles. You need a magnifying glass to see the difference, but hey, the NIRA Pro Laser has lived up to its promise.
Is the NIRA Pro Laser worth it?I have the patience of a caffeine addict in line at Starbucks. I want to get rid of my wrinkles — and I want to do it now. I don't want to wait a few weeks, a couple of months, nor a season. Unfortunately, that's just not the way life works. As much as this trite line makes me want to roll my eyes, "consistency is key," particularly with the NIRA Pro Laser. And, most importantly, you need patience.
Even 90 days in, while there was definitely improvement to my skin, it was subtle. It took three months to see any significant smoothing to my crows' feet. It also seemingly gets worse before it gets better. However, the operative word here is "better." The proof is in the pictures. My skin did get better. It just took some time to get there. And it will take even more time to get the results I want.
The plus side is that the NIRA Pro Laser facilitates fast, at-home treatments. Whether you're a busy parent or an overwhelmed worker bee, you can always find time in your day for the NIRA Pro Laser. It only takes a minute or two.
So yes, the NIRA Pro Laser is totally worth it. It's the best beauty tech device I've used in 2024. Just make sure you keep your patience and consistency handy because you're going to need it.
TL;DR: Create an AI avatar of you with a lifetime subscription to AI X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus. For a limited time, this AI video generator is on sale for $89.99, a 75% discount from the usual $360 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: x-me X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus Plan: Lifetime Subscription $89.99 at The Mashable ShopWhether you're camera shy or just don't have time to write and star in yet another video, being the face of a video isn't easy, even if you're just reading a script. This is one of those tasks that seems simple, is actually hard, and is prime real estate for a robot to do the hard work instead.
X-Me is your way of creating your own personal AI avatar that can read a script in your video. It's a bit like programming yourself to act in a video — only now you can speak in 126 different languages. Whether you're a content creator, professional with a presentation deadline, online instructor, or student, you can get an X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus Lifetime Plan for $89.99 (reg. $360).
Create an AI version of youHere's how it works. First, you upload a video of yourself. It can be as short as just 10 seconds, but avoid things like loud background noise or moving around a lot during recording. There's a full list of things to look out for with your sample video.
Once the AI has analyzed the sample, you can start creating new videos with your own AI avatar. Job applicants can make a video resume. Content creators can save time while the robot takes over for a video. Even students can turn their essays into a TED Talk-style presentation.
Your lifetime subscription to this AI video generator gives you 30 credits a month. One credit equals one minute of content, and don't worry, there's no watermark or anything. Your videos are generated in 1080p HD resolution, and you don't even have to write the script all on your own.
X-Me comes with its own GPT script writer, so you can save time on the video creation process from top to bottom.
AI presenters for content creatorsNow the robot can be the star of your next video. Create a virtual avatar and video star with this affordable new AI tool.
Get a lifetime subscription to X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus for $89.99, a 75% discount.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Learn AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Midjourney, and more with this $29.99 online course bundle (save 80%).
Opens in a new window Credit: Skill Success The 2024 AI Super Skills Bundle $29.99 at The Mashable ShopWe have a theory: Everyone who hates AI is secretly experiencing FOMO. If that’s you, droning on about how much you hate ChatGPT even though you’ve never used it, we’re gonna try to change your mind. Because AI is part of the future, whether you like it or not.
Plus, we have good news. ChatGPT isn’t the only AI tool out there these days, and this online learning bundle can help you master the best AI tools for only $29.99 (reg. $152).
Our first point of persuasion is that AI could save you time at work, period. If you write a lot of, well, anything — emails, reports, blogs, ad copy, etc. — tools like Quillbot AI and ChatGPT can help take some of the stress off of your shoulders.
A huge part of using AI is understanding its limitations, and your instructor (Skill Success) helps you understand that these tools won’t do your job for you but rather help you write faster and more confidently by brainstorming ideas, revising your writing, or summarizing a large amount of information into a shorter format.
The same goes for generating AI images, which can sometimes create whack results (like people with twenty fingers). These courses cover DALL-E 3, Midjourney, and Leonardo AI and how to get the most out of them, hopefully inspiring accurate images and graphics that don’t have too many digits.
If you want to keep up without missing out, you should probably learn AI. This 8-course online learning bundle is a great place to start at $29.99 (reg. $152).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...