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Check out the best deal at Amazon this week that cost under $50.

Our top picks: Best tech deal under $50 Roku Streaming Stick 4K $34 at Amazon (save $15.99) Get Deal Best headphones and earbuds deal under $50 Soundcore Anker Life Q20 $39.90 at Amazon (save $20.09) Get Deal Best kitchen deal under $50 Ninja Blast Portable Blender $49.99 at Amazon (save $10) Get Deal Best travel deal under $50 Tile Mate (3-pack) $49.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

Since it can feel like everything is too expensive these days, we love shopping for great deals that work well for those on a strict budget. Whether you're saving for a down payment, a winter vacation, or are simply trying to spend less, we've gathered some of the best deals at Amazon during the week of Aug. 8 that cost less than $50. You can snag a new blender, some solid noise-cancelling headphones, or a new streaming stick at an affordable price this week.

Below are some of our favorites:

Best tech deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Our pick: Roku Streaming Stick 4K $34.00 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Streaming shows and movies has become a way of life for most of us. Instead of waiting for Saturday night to tune into whatever movie the local TV channels play, we use streaming sticks to watch the selection at Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more.

Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is just $34, down from the usual price of $49.99, which means you're getting a 32% discount. The Roku stick comes with a remote with quick access to your favorite streaming platforms, and you can use voice control.

Mashable reporter Samantha Mangino found out that not all streaming sticks are created equal. In her review of the Roku Streaming Stick vs. the Amazon Fire TV Stick, she found the Roku to be an all-around winner, with snappier performance and a user-friendly design, so today's sale price makes this a great deal on one of the best models around.

More tech deals under $50 at Amazon:

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Samsung 15W Wireless Charger — $34.96 $59.99 (save $25.03)

• Anker Nano II USB C Charger (65W) — $39.99 $55.99 (save $16)

• TP-Link Deco Whole Home Mesh WiFi System — $49.49 $59.99 (save $10.50)

• Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb — $49.99 $69.98 (save $19.99)

Best headphones and earbuds deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Our pick: Soundcore Anker Life Q20 $39.90 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.09 Get Deal Why we like it

Everyone deserves serenity in their lives. If you're feeling like the outside world is salting your vibe, it might be time to use some noise-cancelling headphones. As of Aug. 8, the Soundcore Anker Life Q20 hybrid noise-cancelling headphones are on sale for just $39.90 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $59.99. Thanks to this sale price, you'll be saving 33%.

The Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones earned Mashable's choice as the best budget-friendly noise-cancelling headphones for flying. With 60 hours of playtime, it's no surprise they work great for travel days. The memory foam ear cups also mean they're comfortable for all-day wear, whether you're sitting on a plane or at your desk.

More headphones and earbuds deals under $50 at Amazon:

• Soundcore P30i earbuds — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Soundcore V20i earbuds — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Soundcore Life P3i earbuds — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

Best kitchen deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Our pick: Ninja Blast Portable Blender $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Kitchen appliances have come a long way in the last decade. Some people have even ditched the traditional oven for a countertop air fryer. But one thing is certain — there's no more kitchen space for another appliance. However, the Ninja Blast Portable Blender is compact without sacrificing function, so we still think it's worthy of kitchen space. It's currently on sale for just $49.99, a $10 discount off its typical price of $59.99.

One of the coolest aspects of the Ninja Blast is its portability with a rechargeable power base, meaning you can take it with you anywhere. The 18-ounce vessel is dishwasher safe, and so is the leak-proof lid, so cleaning is a breeze.

More kitchen deals under $50 at Amazon:

• Chefman XL Electric Griddle (10 x 20 inch) — $34.99 $39.99 (save $5)

• Dash Tasti-Crisp Electric Air Fryer Oven (2.6-quart) — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker — $38.33 $45.09 (save $6.67)

• KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender — $49.99 $59.09 (save $10)

Best travel deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Our pick: Tile Mate (3-pack) $49.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're hoping to have a stress-free vacation, you'll want to utilize the reassurance that comes from Bluetooth trackers. These small devices slip into your luggage and allow you to keep tabs on their location 24/7. That means if you fly from Chicago to Amsterdam and notice your suitcase is in Paris, you'll be able to let the airline know ASAP. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, a 3-pack of the reliable Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers are on sale for just $49.99. That's a 29% discount off the usual price of $69.99.

The 3-pack means you can stash one in your checked luggage and keep one in your carry-on, or slip one into your travel tote bag for when you're out exploring a new destination. The Tile Mate trackers are iOS and Android compatible, so you can use them regardless of which smartphone operating system you prefer.

More travel deals under $50 at Amazon:

• Anker European Travel Plug — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)

• Anker Nano Power Bank — $17.99 $25.99 (save $8)

• Tile Sticker Bluetooth Tracker — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)

UP TO 40% OFF: As of August 8, save up to 40% when you book select flight and hotel packages with the Priceline Solo Explorer Sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Priceline Priceline Solo Explorer Sale Save up to 40% off flight and hotel packages to select destinations Get Deal

Looking to travel the world on your own for a bit? There's nothing wrong with hopping into a plane and flying solo. In fact, companies like Priceline are encouraging you to get out there and take that trip you've been thinking about with deals like the Solo Explorer Sale, which discounts a variety of flights to destinations as well as hotels to exotic locales around the world. It's time to rip off that solo travel Band-Aid and do the thing with the savings you can take advantage of.

As of August 8, you can save up to 40% off when you book select flight and hotel packages during the Priceline Solo Explorer Sale. Choose from locations like Kyoto, Sedona, Kauai, and other locales, and you'll be given a sample itinerary of your visit. Then book your flight with one of the package deals offered through the Solo Explorer Sale landing page and you'll receive your booking discount. You must book before August 11 to take advantage of the sale.

This is a great option if you've been bitten by the travel bug, but aren't quite sure where to go. Or if you've been wanting to go globetrotting, but haven't yet found anyone who wants to go with you. You can take care of two birds here and snatch a more affordable trip with hotel included, plus you get to do things on your own terms. And the best part is, you can have your entire vacation planned out for you. Just be sure and book soon, because you only have a few days left to make a decision. No pressure, it's just the trip of a lifetime, right?

The Umbrella Academy has finished forever, and to end it all, the Netflix series blasts a musical throwback to the very first episode.

In the final moments of Season 4, we find ourselves in a utopian park filled with characters we've met across the series (some are missing for spoilery reasons). But as we're careening through this verdant picnic ground, the sounds of Tommy James and the Shondells' original 1967 version of "I Think We're Alone Now" will be an instant delight for longtime fans.

SEE ALSO: 'The Umbrella Academy' finale: A guide to everyone in that last scene

It's a perfect nod to the 1987 synthpop cover by Tiffany that won hearts in Season 1. If you'll cast your memory back to 2019, when we first met the Hargreeves in the series, there's a moment in the first episode when the siblings need a timeout.

Luther (Tom Hopper), the leader of the bunch, decides to play the song in his room loud enough for the rest of the Hargreeves manor to hear, and Diego (David Castañeda), Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), Klaus (Robert Sheehan), and Viktor (Elliot Page) all can't resist the temptation to dance. The scene cuts between the siblings, eventually panning out to reveal the whole house throwing down a move, unbeknownst to each other.

It's the dance scene that would ensure an Umbrella Academy dance scene every season, including Season 4. Viktor, Klaus, and Alison muck around to Sam Cooke's "Twistin' The Night Away" in Season 2, and the season-opening "Footloose" dance-off from Season 3 is a series highlight.

The Season 1 "I Think We're Alone Now" moment proved such a hit with fans the cast recreated the scene during lockdown — including Number Five (Aidan Gallagher) and Ben (Justin H. Min), who weren't in the original. The video was used to promote Season 2's date announcement, and it's brilliant:

So, to finish the entire series with the song that started it all? 11/10. Yes, there's a different song for Season 4's end credits (Talking Heads' "This Must Be The Place"), but this is the real finisher. Crank it up.

The Umbrella Academy Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.

The very promise of real life lovers Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally starring as a dastardly dream team of conspiracy theorists and cult leaders in The Umbrella Academy's fourth and final season is exquisite enough.

And then they hit you with a choreographed dance to Cher.

In one of the very best scenes of Season 4, in episode 3, the Fargo-like villains and kidnappers throw down some folk-rock boot-scootin' stylings to the icon's 1971 classic "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," wearing matching aviator spectacles, western shirts, bolo ties, and their hair in braids. Honestly, I can't tell you whether Offerman and Mullally had this routine ready to go, show or not, but it absolutely slaps.

SEE ALSO: 'The Umbrella Academy' Season 4 review: A bonkers victory lap

The Umbrella Academy has long championed the dance scene, whether the Hargreeves are blissing out privately to Tiffany's cover of "I Think We're Alone Now" in Season 1, Viktor, Klaus, and Alison "Twistin' The Night Away" in Season 2, or the season-opening "Footloose" dance-off from Season 3, brilliant work from stage choreographer John Heginbotham.

But in the final season, the Hargreeves are benched from the dancefloor for the series' villains, Gene and Jean Thibedeau.

Gene and Jean, you beautiful, problematic weirdos. Credit: Netflix

In a sequence that involves a daring rescue, the show needs a legitimate reason why Gene and Jean aren't surveilling their kidnapping victim for three minutes or so. And because we've spent the last few episodes watching this dynamic duo team up for everything from Euchre tournaments to casual carpark murder, it's not out of character to have them practicing a little somethin' somethin' for their own amusement: a dance routine.

During the rescue sequence, the camera alternates between henchmen getting brutally owned and Gene and Jean absolutely tearing up their home's floorboards with sweet moves. Their chosen tune, Cher's "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," could only be an old favourite of this conspiracy theory loving pair, who perhaps listen less to the lyrics about teen pregnancy and sex work, and concentrate more on that sick beat.

It's not the first time Offerman and Mullally have appeared on screen together by any means: Offerman appeared in Mullally's realm Will and Grace back in the day; Mullally played the only weakness of Offerman's Ron Swanson, his ex-wife Tammy, in Parks and Recreation; they've voiced animated characters in Bob's Burgers, Axe Cop, Hotel Transylvania 2, and the English dub of Ernest and Celestine together; and co-starred in You, Me and the Apocalypse, Speaking of Sex, Smashed, and The Kings of Summer. So we can add this glorious dance scene, and their run on The Umbrella Academy, to the pile.

Luckily for us, The Umbrella Academy saves its last dance for Mullally and Offerman, and it's one of the highlights of the season. Get it, Gene and Jean.

The Umbrella Academy Season 4 is streaming now on Netflix.

SAVE 24%: The Apple iPad Mini is down to $379.99 — its lowest price ever. Shop now on Amazon and save $119.01 for 24% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Mini, 8.3-inch (A15 chip, WiFi, 64GB) $379.99 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $119.01 Get Deal

If you've spent your summer getaways hauling around both a laptop and a stack of books — cut that out. There's better tech out there that takes up a fraction of the space in your carry-on. If you've been jealously side-eyeing your fellow travelers with tablets, it's time to join the crowd. And for readers especially, we have just the thing.

Apple's iPad Mini is the smallest in the brand's line of tablets. At 8.3-inches, it has a nice hand feel, which is why we think it's the best iPad for reading. Whether you use Apple Books, the Kindle app, or Libby, the iPad Mini holds all your vacation reads. While it does have a smaller screen than other iPads, we found that it's still satisfactory for streaming on-the-go. It comes with the A15 Bionic chip, which isn't as advanced as Apple's latest M-series of chips, however, it's still speedy and won't get stuck buffering between apps.

This small but mighty iPad is an even better value than usual. It's knocked down to its lowest price ever of $379.99. That provides a nice $119.01 off the price to give you 24% savings.

A24 has released its trailer for Lana Wilson's new documentary "Look Into My Eyes", which follows psychics at work in New York.

The number of tweaks Apple has added to the next big update appears to be countless, so we’ve narrowed it down to the most useful features.

Want to fully get rid of ads on X? Now, there's a way (sort of), but it will cost you.

The company's official account just announced that its Premium+ subscription tier is now "fully ad-free."

Premium+ costs $20 per month or $210 per year, and it comes with a number of perks, including the ability to write rich-text articles on X, as well as the largest reply boost, which means you get the largest possible boost for your replies. It also includes everything you get in the cheaper, Basic and Premium tiers, including stuff like checkmark and early access to X's AI assistant Grok.

Tweet may have been deleted

When the company introduced the Premium+ tier in October 2023, it (maddeningly) did not come with the ability to fully get rid of ads, which were only gone from the For You and Following timelines. Now, ads should be completely gone, though it once again comes with a small caveat: According to X, users will still see "occasional branded content in less common areas."

Read the small print. Credit: X

Occasional branded content aside, this is now the tier to get if you love X, hate ads, and are willing to pay the price for Premium+.

SEE ALSO: Disney+ and Hulu have just gotten pricier. Yes, even with ads.

For those users who don't like ads but don't hate them all that much, there's still the regular, $10 per month Premium subscription tier, which will reduce the amount of ads you see in the For You and Following timelines by half.

Elon Musk once famously tweeted that he hates advertising, so it's nice to see that those who share his disdain for ads can have an (almost) ad-free experience on Twitter. But Musk's relationship with advertising is a complicated one. Earlier this week, X sued advertisers claiming that they conspired to withhold billions of dollars in advertising revenue after Musk took over X (then Twitter) in 2022.

Hunter Schafer had never made a movie before. But the 'Euphoria' alum feels like that helped shape her performance in 'Cuckoo'. Here's how.

It's hard to say goodbye to the Hargreeves, but with the fourth and last season of The Umbrella Academy, they've taken a final bow.

In a short and bonkers six-episode season, Netflix's truly undefinable, superpowered adaptation of Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's comic book series has ended. But not ones to live a regular ol' human life, Luther (Tom Hopper), Diego (David Castañeda), Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), Klaus (Robert Sheehan), Number Five (Aidan Gallagher), Ben (Justin H. Min), Viktor (Elliot Page), and honorary Hargreeves Lila (Ritu Arya) spend this season trying to save the world — yep, again.

SEE ALSO: 'The Umbrella Academy' Season 4 review: A bonkers victory lap

The series takes a look at some of the show's biggest unsolved mysteries — though it leaves most behind — with the most prominent being what exactly happened to Ben all those years ago. And what exactly are the plans of Gene and Jean Thibedeau (Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally), Umbrellaphiles and leaders of extremist conspiracy theorist organization The Keepers? And where do we leave the Hargreeves?

We're about to dive into the ending of the finale of The Umbrella Academy, so brace yourself for extreme spoilers.

What happens at the end of The Umbrella Academy? Poor Ben and Jen. Credit: Netflix

What doesn't happen in the finale?

At the end of episode 5, Jean and Gene (actually Abigail (Liisa Repo-Martell), alien Reginald's alien wife, revealed to have been wearing Sy Grossman (David Cross) like a suit, now wearing Gene, keep up), put out the call to begin The Keepers' major plan. This is to ensure the apocalyptic event known as "The Cleanse" happens. In the finale, that call comes in the form of a broadcast of Muse's "Map of the Problematique", which snaps the organisation's followers into armed mob-like ranks. The Keepers converge on the dilapidated department store where kindred apocalyptic spirits and lovers Ben and Jennifer (Victoria Sawal) are holed up having been taken over by The Cleanse, actually an oozing virus that threatens to envelop them and subsequently the world.

Remember, we learn this season that Ben and Jennifer were actually murdered by Reginald in the original timeline, shot when Ben rescued Jennifer from her cage as teens — Reginald says he was trying to stop their combustible connection which would destroy the world (brutal but kind of accurate?). But he meddled with their memories so they'd never know.

We also learn that Abigail thwarted all Reginald's plans to keep Ben and Jennifer apart, in order to enable The Cleanse and destroy everything Reginald created.

Viktor tried! Credit: Netflix

Meanwhile, in one of the biggest curveballs of the season, Lila and Five, who fell in love during their seven years lost in a time-travelling subway system, have returned to the real timeline to face the music — and it all comes out at Christmas at Diego and Lila's place (honestly, Luther, Alison, and Klaus on the couch in this scene are all of us).

Back to the big storyline, Viktor tries to save Ben and Jennifer by using his power to extract their marigold (more on that below), but before he can finish, Ben is shot by Reginald's sniper. So, the Umbrella Academy must fight the Ben/Jen monster together, but they eventually retreat to the Hargreeves manor.

What's the deal with the scene with Five in Max's Delicatessen?

During the battle with The Ben/Jen Cleanse, Lila makes it clear to Five "it's over." So, he returns to the subway solo, to live out his days presumably either travelling mindlessly or to return to the strawberry-filled greenhouse he and Lila spent their happiest days in. But glimpsing another Five on the platform, he finds his way to a subterranean diner called Max's Delicatessen, filled with alternate versions of Five from different timelines, all of whom have ended up in the delicatessen trying to solve the problem like Five is right now.

In a conversation over pastrami sandwiches and coffee with himself, Five realises that there's only supposed to be one timeline after all, and that the only thing that shattered the original timeline was...the Umbrella Academy itself.

The Umbrella Academy broke the original timeline (guyyyys!) That brutal insult "I wish you'd never been born"? Well... Credit: Netflix

Yup, the Hargreeves siblings, who have both caused the end of the world and saved it multiple times over four seasons, broke the original timeline by being born. Five finds out from himself that their births — remember, when 43 women around the world simultaneously gave birth on Oct. 1, 1989 — started an infinite loop of them trying to save the world while being the cause of its destruction.

"The family is the problem. We're doomed to save or destroy the world over and over again, ad infinitum," Five realises gazing around at all the deli's photos of apocalypses past.

"The family is the problem. We're doomed to save or destroy the world over and over again, ad infinitum."

Five takes this knowledge to his siblings, who have converged on the original Hargreeves manor, and he goes multiverse-explainer on them all.

"We are the reason that this is happening," says Five. "The marigold that infected our mothers, bringing forth our births, had an unexpected side effect. It shattered the timeline, and it broke it in to an infinite number of alternate timelines. The timelines are bleeding into each other."

Five explains that's how The Keepers were able to find the artefacts (Umbrella Academy merchandise, news clippings, paraphernalia from the first three seasons) which led them to realise there were multiple timelines and start their cult — again, they were...right?

"So we need to go back to the original timeline before any of the other ones were created," Five explains. How? The Umbrella Academy needs to let the marigold in their bodies merge with the durango in The Jen/Ben Cleanse monster.

Wait, what the hell is the marigold and the durango?

That glowing substance Ben spiked everyone's drink at the teppanyaki restaurant with in episodes 1 and 2? The stuff that gave them back their talents? That's marigold, a particle that gives the Hargreeves their powers in the first place. All the women who gave birth to the Hargreeves siblings were infected with it, then passed it to their instant babies. Durango is another particle, one that lives inside Jennifer, and the physical reaction between Ben's marigold and Jen's durango created the monster that is "The Cleanse."

SO, to undo The Cleanse, save the world and stop the extinction of humanity, the Hargreeves make a decision — they need to cancel out the monster by letting their marigold merge with the durango inside it. "They should cancel each other out," is the idea. But it will erase them too.

Why do the Umbrella Academy know their sacrifice will save their loved ones?

In the finale, the Hargreeves have more than each other to worry about — namely Diego and Lila and their family, and Alison and her daughter Grace. They're not sure whether their loved ones will be safe in the timeline with their monster-merging sacrifice, but Viktor remembers he had a vision when trying to save Ben, showing a park where their families (without the Hargreeves siblings) were living happily. So, they make it?

In a heartbreaking scene, Lila puts her family and Grace on a train back to the original timeline and stays behind, ensuring that the Umbrella Academy's sacrifice won't erase the existence of their children.

Do the Hargreeves siblings die in The Umbrella Academy finale? Is it death if you never existed in the first place... Credit: Netflix

By sacrificing themselves to The Cleanse, the Hargreeves cease to exist at all. In fact, they never did — everything we just watched, done. Gone. "We'll be erased from history," Five explains, saying that no one in any other timeline will have a memory of them at all.

Gathering in a circle as the oozing Cleanse seeps into the Hargreeves manor, and powering up their marigold, ready for engulfment, the family say some pretty hilariously crap final words to each other. Alison genuinely saying "I'm sorry you left Canada for this," to Viktor gets an 11/10 from me.

"Fuck you" are literally the last words anyone says to each other. And it's perfect.

Then, in the final scene, we're in the park that Viktor saw, with basically every character from the show's four seasons having a lovely time, as Tommy James and the Shondells' original version of "I Think We're Alone Now," the iconic song from The Umbrella Academy Season 1. Even the Swedish assassins from Season 2 are here! And of course, thanks to Lila's train delivery, all the Hargreeves' loved ones are here too.

So yes, the Hargreeves are dead, but thanks to their sacrifice, they were never actually born in this, now the original and only timeline.

Essentially, the Umbrella Academy never existed. OK, I'm going to go stare at a wall now.

The Umbrella Academy Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.

"Daily Show" host Michael Kosta has mocked Donald Trump's reaction to Kamala Harris' appointment of Tim Walz.

TL;DR: For $29.99 (reg. $49) through September 3, turn any wired audio device wireless with the Mymanu Link, a versatile Bluetooth transmitter and receiver.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mymanu Mymanu Link $29.99 at The Mashable Shop
$49.99 Save $20.00 Wireless Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver for Planes, Gyms, Vehicles, Gaming and more Get Deal

Ever wish you could make your old headphones wireless, or stream music from your TV to your Bluetooth speakers? There's a handy device on sale now that will help you do just that.

Upgrade your audio experience without replacing your favorite gear with the Mymanu Link, a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver that offers seamless wireless streaming. It's on sale now for just $29.99 (reg. $49.99) through September 3.

If you're watching a late-night movie and don't want to wake up the whole house, simply plug this device into your TV and stream audio directly to your Bluetooth headphones. Or maybe you have a killer playlist on your phone and want to play it on that vintage speaker system that doesn't have Bluetooth. Just plug it in, pair it with your Bluetooth device, and you're good to go.

It's perfect for anyone who wants to cut the cord and enjoy wireless freedom for up to 33 feet. Use it in your car to connect your phone to your stereo, or take it to the gym for those workout jams. Whether you're an audio enthusiast or just looking to simplify your setup, this little device is a game-changer.

With a 20-hour battery life, you can take this transmitter anywhere and enjoy high-quality sound without the hassle of tangled wires.

Through September 3, take advantage of this 40% discount on the Mymanu Link Wireless Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver, on sale for just $29.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro for just $19.97 for a lifetime license through August 8, and boost your PC's performance.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $19.97 at The Mashable Shop
$199.00 Save $179.03 Lifetime license Get Deal

Is your PC ready for an upgrade? With Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro, you can take your computer to the next level, enhancing productivity, security, and performance.

Whether you're a professional needing advanced tools or a gamer seeking smoother graphics, these operating systems have the features and technology you need. Choose a lifetime license to Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro for just $19.97 each (reg. $199), offering unique features to suit your needs.

Windows 10 Pro is perfect for those looking for a stable, reliable OS with strong security and business features. It offers powerful tools like BitLocker for data protection and Remote Desktop for accessing your PC from anywhere. Its familiar interface makes multitasking easy, and it supports a wide range of software, making it ideal for professionals who need a reliable platform without worrying about compatibility issues.

Windows 11 Pro, on the other hand, is the go-to choice for those who want the latest in tech and design. It features a sleek, modern interface with improved multitasking through snapping windows and virtual desktops. With advanced security options like biometric login and Smart App Control, your data remains safe. Gamers will love the DirectX 12 Ultimate for enhanced graphics, while professionals can take advantage of Azure AD and AI-powered tools like Copilot for seamless productivity.

Before upgrading, ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements. Windows 11 Pro is designed for PCs needing a new license and meeting these specs. If your computer runs Windows 10 but can't upgrade via Windows Update, consider Windows 10 Pro to keep your system current without the need for hardware upgrades.

Both versions offer unique advantages, so pick the one that aligns with your needs and experience.

Hurry and get these lifetime licenses before the price increases after August 8:

• Microsoft Windows 10 Pro, on sale for $19.97

• Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, on sale for $19.97

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Through September 3, save 40% on a refurbished, 6th generation Apple iPad (32 GB, WiFi) — on sale for $149.97 (reg. $249.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 9.7-inch Apple iPad, 6th Gen (32GB, WiFi) + Accessories Bundle $149.97 at The Mashable Shop
$249.99 Save $100.02 Refurbished Get Deal

Looking to get Apple tech for less? To anyone looking for a brand-new item off the shelves, that is nearly impossible. But with refurbished products, you can save a pretty penny with an iPad that looks and functions just like new.

Through September 3, save 40% on a refurbished, 6th generation Apple iPad (32 GB, WiFi) — on sale for $149.97 (reg. $249.99).

This refurbished iPad and accessories bundle gives you the Apple experience without the hefty price tag. Enjoy all the features of a lightweight, like-new iPad perfect for streaming, browsing, and getting stuff done on the go. It also comes with charging accessories, a case, a screen protector, and a stylus.

The "A" refurbished rating means your iPad arrives in near-mint condition with minimal to no scuffing on the case, so it looks and feels like new. It’s an excellent pick for students, busy professionals, or anyone needing a reliable tablet for daily tasks. The iPad’s powerful performance makes it great for multitasking, gaming, and streaming your favorite shows and movies.

Whether you’re taking notes in class, catching up on emails, or unwinding with a movie, this iPad bundle can get the job done. It’s also a great travel companion; it's lightweight and easy to pack, so you can bring it anywhere.

Upgrade your tech game with this fantastic deal and enjoy the seamless Apple experience without breaking the bank.

Until September 3, check out this refurbished 6th-generation Apple iPad and accessories bundle on sale for $149.97 while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Through August 11, get a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning for just $139.97 (reg. $599).

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $139.97 at The Mashable Shop
$599.00 Save $459.03 Get Deal

If you're juggling a busy schedule but still dream of speaking a new language — whether it's in preparation for your next trip, to boost your résumé, or just for fun — Babbel is your go-to solution.

For just $139.97 through August 11, you'll get lifetime access to every language Babbel offers — which also means no annoying recurring costs to worry about every month. Babbel uses smart technology like speech recognition and adaptive learning to give you lessons that fit your vibe and pace, making each session feel personal and efficient.

Babbel’s strength lies in its practical approach to teaching languages. You'll learn to order a café au lait in Paris or impress a client in Berlin with ease. The app focuses on real-world conversation skills, helping you sound like a native speaker, and its speech recognition tech is like having a personal coach, helping you nail that tricky accent.

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We knew it was coming, but Disney+ is actually, really going to start cracking down on users sharing passwords next month.

Disney's streaming service started rolling out its focused shutdown on password sharing in the U.S. in February, but the company specified in April it would really ramp this up in June in "just a few countries", then roll out to all paying subscribers in September. The company first announced account sharing restrictions in August 2023.

In a Q3 earnings call Wednesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed Disney+'s password sharing crackdown "kicks in, in earnest, in September."

SEE ALSO: Disney+ and Hulu have just gotten pricier. Yes, even with ads.

We still don't have any information about how much shared Disney+ accounts will cost. Disney's Subscriber Agreement, updated in September 2023, says "additional usage rules may apply for certain Service Plans," but the current Disney+ pricing page doesn't have any further details on how much users might have to pay to add extra users outside the household.

Once the crackdown rolls out, you won't be able to share your Disney+ subscription outside of your household, defined by Disney's Subscriber Agreement as "the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein." Disney's agreement says the company "may limit or terminate access" to your account if you're caught sharing.

Disney is also hiking prices for its streaming services including Disney+ from Oct. 17, with the company burying the announcement in a blog post on Tuesday.

Disney+'s crackdown follows Netflix's crackdown on password sharing last April, and similar moves by Hulu and Max. If you want to share streaming accounts nowadays, you've got to pay.

A pair of U.S. astronauts who test-piloted a new Boeing spaceship in June may not fly home on the craft they rode in on. 

While Boeing has conducted a variety of tests in space and on the ground to try to better understand problems with its Starliner capsule, now docked at the International Space Station, NASA apparently has been busy making contingency plans for an alternative way to bring Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore, 61, and Sunita "Suni" Williams, 58, back to Earth. 

NASA officials said they would decide whether the two would return on Starliner or Boeing's competitor, SpaceX's Dragon capsule, by mid-August. That possible shift in plans, announced during a call with reporters on Wednesday, comes after two months of the agency insisting it wasn't entertaining the idea of changing horses — or, rather, spacecraft — in midstream.

If NASA chooses to use SpaceX for Wilmore and Williams' return voyage, they would remain at the space station for at least another six or seven months. That would extend their originally planned eight-day visit to a nine-month layover and would have a cascading effect on the crew lineups for future expeditions. 

"I want to reiterate we haven't made a decision yet," said Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager. 

SEE ALSO: Here's the real deal with Boeing's Starliner right now Tweet may have been deleted

Clues that NASA was making changes emerged one day earlier when the space agency announced through a blog post that it would be postponing its next crew launch to the space station for more "flexibility" in the schedule. That SpaceX flight, originally slated to bring four people to the station this month, will now launch no earlier than Sept. 24.  

If NASA chooses to send Starliner's test pilots back with SpaceX, the decision would reduce the upcoming September launch to carrying just two passengers instead of four. It would also cut short Boeing's first human spaceflight test for Starliner, making the path forward for the spacecraft to become operational unclear. 

Wilmore and Williams reached the space station on June 6, despite encountering problems with Starliner's propulsion system right before docking. The issues involved helium leaks and weak thrust, apparently the result of five of the 28 thrusters malfunctioning. The thrusters are necessary for controlling and handling the ship in space. 

Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams have been in limbo on the International Space Station since June, while NASA and Boeing work on problems with the Starliner spacecraft they flew. Credit: NASA

The team has since reactivated all but one of the faulty thrusters. Boeing has continued to run tests to try to diagnose the problems and says Starliner has more than enough helium, which is used to pressurize the thrusters, to get back home. 

But one of the thruster tests conducted on a replica back on Earth revealed an issue with a Teflon seal, about the size of a pinky finger, that may be swelling and shrinking, causing a blockage in the flow of propellant.

"If we could replicate the physics in some offline testing to understand why this (seal) is heating up and extruding, and then why it's contracting, that would give us additional confidence to move forward," Stich said. 

Two NASA test pilots reached the space station in the Starliner spaceship on June 6, 2024, despite encountering problems with its propulsion system right before docking. Credit: NASA

NASA did not include representatives of SpaceX or Boeing on the media call Wednesday. In its own blog post, Boeing has said it is confident that Starliner can bring the astronauts home safely. 

NASA hired both Boeing and SpaceX to build spacecraft to ferry astronauts back and forth to the space station a decade ago. After the agency retired the Space Shuttle in 2011, it had to pay Russia millions of dollars to get seats for U.S. astronauts on Soyuz rockets. The goal was to establish a commercial space taxi industry in the United States so that wasn't necessary. 

Though SpaceX has built and run its Dragon spaceship since 2020, Boeing's Starliner has yet to pass the testing phase. 

I like to consider myself to be a skeptic when it comes to viral gadgets. I love scrolling TikTok, and I’m definitely a sucker for an aesthetic video, but I’ve tried countless TiKTok gadgets in the past — some which passed the test (like my much-beloved Solawave skincare wand) while others have flopped pretty dang hard. With TikTok Shop greatly increasing the number of products on my FYP, however, my standards for a wow-worthy product have only gone up. 

Usually, that means I’m the person who obsessively scours reviews prior to purchasing a product — and waiting for the hype to die down so I don’t end up with yet another gadget I barely use — but the instant I saw Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk on TikTok, I knew I needed to try it out ASAP. 

What is the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk?

Billed as the ultimate work-from-home kit, Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk is finally available in North America — and it’s easy to understand the hype. The bento-esque foldaway kit includes the Casa Keys wireless keyboard, Casa Touch wireless trackpad, and an ergonomic laptop stand — which conveniently folds into a beautiful storage case that holds all of your gear and fits easily into a backpack or laptop bag. 

The laptop stand, keyboard, and trackpad all fold up into one small carrying case. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

Compatible with most laptops and tablets ranging from 10 inches to 17 inches, including operating systems like Windows, macOS, iPadOS, and ChromeOS, the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk is smart, sleek, and stylish…and sports some impressive specs. The Casa Keys and Casa Touch both hold an impressively long battery life, with a five-month battery life for the wireless keyboard and a three-week battery life on the touchpad. Plus, thanks to Logitech’s Logi Options+ App, it’s easy to customize your experience — meaning even Mac users can access some of the same gestures on the Casa Touch.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops we've tested and reviewed First impressions of the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk

Let’s be real — the Casa Pop-Up Desk is super pretty. It’s probably one of the more aesthetically pleasing products I’ve tried in the last few years, and Logitech didn’t disappoint in the visuals department. While there are three colors available, I received the unit in bohemian blush — a subtle, rosy pink — and I was pleased to discover that it looks soft and understated rather than garishly loud like many pink products. The recycled plastic material and certified carbon-neutral packaging offer a nice sustainable touch, and I was pleased to discover that the Casa Pop-Up desk looked great while also feeling great. It’s sturdy without being too thick, and it’s lightweight without feeling cheap or breakable.

The Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk folded up. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable The inside of the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable The Casa Pop-Up Desk is super user-friendly

Using the Casa Pop-Up Desk is incredibly easy. After charging the Casa Keys and Casa Touch with the included USB-C charging cable (which, yes, meant I needed to charge them one at a time), I packed up the case and took it to my favorite coffee shop to get to work. 

Once I was there, it only took a few moments to set up my workstation. I was worried it would look a bit obnoxious (considering laptops already are portable), but it was quick and easy to toss my M2 MacBook Air onto the ergonomic laptop stand, and connecting both the keyboard and trackpad via Bluetooth was a breeze. Both were user-friendly and incredibly responsive, even for someone with a typing speed of nearly 100 words per minute. 

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for graphic design, according to experts

Plus, the learning curve for each device was relatively low — especially once I installed the Logi Options+ App. The tutorial was quick and effortless, and I really appreciated being able to set up more of the gestures I was used to on my MacBook. I did struggle with the keyboard layout from time to time, but — as someone who typically uses a custom gaming keyboard instead of my MacBook’s built-in keyboard — this wasn’t a huge deal. 

I’ll actually use the Casa Pop-Up Desk longterm

As for actually using the Casa Pop-Up Desk on a regular basis? I loved the versatility of the entire thing. I didn’t find myself reaching for the keyboard and trackpad when I was home (since I’m pretty happy with my home setup), but I use the laptop stand daily — and love taking the entire setup with me to coffee shops. I’m also eager to bring the Casa Pop-Up Desk on a few of the upcoming trips I have on my calendar, and I know it’s going to make working away from my home office much easier.

The trackpad had a slight learning curve

Most of my issues with the Casa Pop-Up Desk were pretty small, and most of them involved the Casa Touch trackpad. I really struggled to get some of the multi-touch gestures to work — including clicking and holding with one finger while dragging the other to select text — as well as drag-and-drop. Everything else worked pretty well, but it simply wasn’t as responsive as my MacBook’s built-in trackpad. I could drag and drop, but it required a lot of trial and error before I figured out I needed to click much harder on the Casa Touch than I do on my MacBook. As for the two-finger click and highlight, maybe it’s a classic case of user error, but I eventually gave up trying to make it work. 

For most tasks, the difference between the Casa Touch and my MacBook’s trackpad (or my Magic Trackpad) isn’t very noticeable. Writing this article with the trackpad and keyboard, for example, has been relatively seamless. However, when I was locked into a graphic design project, the differences slowed me down enough that I ditched the trackpad completely. I think I could get used to it with more practice, but since it’s not my daily device, it’s not really worth the time investment for me. 

Is the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk worth it?

Clocking in at $179, the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk is a bit of a splurge. However, for the right person, I could definitely see this product being well worth the investment. 

Whether you’re someone who works from your kitchen table, travels a lot, or loves camping out at a coffee shop, investing in the Casa Pop-Up Desk would be a great way to upgrade your remote-work kit — without needing to lug around a ton of separate pieces. It’s beautiful, functional, and oh-so-convenient, which means it’s definitely a worthwhile investment for those looking for a travel-friendly kit.

If you’re looking for a wireless keyboard and mouse to upgrade your desk — or you’ll only be an occasional user of the Casa Pop-Up Desk — I might recommend looking elsewhere. Logitech has some amazing wireless keyboards on the market at a lower price point, including the much-loved MK540 and the more portable Pebble 2 combo, so there are lots of options available. Granted, most of these come with a standard wireless mouse instead of a trackpad, but — if you’re looking for a fantastic, reliable trackpad — I’m not sure the Casa Touch is quite good enough to warrant splurging on the entire kit. In fact, my previous home office setup included Apple’s Magic Trackpad and a budget Logitech keyboard that was roughly the same price (and far more performant) than the Casa Pop-Up Desk.

That being said, I am still very pleased with the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk, and I can definitely say that — for certain users — it’s totally worth the hype. Is it for everyone? Not really. But for me, it’s a pretty big win.

Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk $170.99 at Amazon
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I've tested well over 59 laptops during my career as a tech reviewer. I've seen terrible laptops, mid laptops (devices that are OK, but have better competitors for your money), and extraordinary machines that are worth every penny.

I look at the durability of the chassis, the clickiness of the keys, the visual enticement of the display, how hot it gets when you run intensive tasks, whether it gets slow when you overwhelm it with Google Chrome tabs, and more. On top of that, I run industry benchmarks from the likes of Geekbench and PCMark 10 to determine how the review units — with hard numbers — compare to other rivals.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

When it comes to reviewing laptops, I always ask myself one crucial question: "Would I buy this with my hard-earned money?" If the answer is no, I'm not recommending it (unless it's still a great laptop, but would better suit a specific consumer niche).

That being said, among the many laptops I've reviewed thus far, there's only one Windows machine that's truly the best laptop of 2024: the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review: 23 hours of battery life? MacBooks are in trouble Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is the best Windows laptop of 2024: 3 reasons why

A few years ago, I was smack talking the Surface Laptop 5 when I reviewed it for a different publication. I had so much faith in Microsoft. I wanted it to win so badly, but it couldn't live up to my expectations at the time.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Microsoft was arguably the software king, but it just couldn't get its hardware right. It's not that Microsoft Surface laptops were awful — they just kept getting outperformed by cheaper, better competitors. As such, I couldn't, in good conscience, recommend them.

Now, if you were to tell me that, in 2024, I'd be recommending a Surface laptop, I'd say, "You're out of your mind!" But here I am, as a laptop expert, actually suggesting a Microsoft laptop to my readers. But you know what? I'm backing this up. I have proof that it's the best Windows laptop of the year. Here are my three reasons:

1. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 performance blows rivals away

I don't want to bore you with too many details about chipsets, but they're crucial to bring up to help you understand why Microsoft Surface family now has positive critical reception from testers after a tumultuous few years of less-than-favorable reviews.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Long story short, Intel, the most popular chipset maker for Windows, was holding the Microsoft Surface series — and other mobile Windows machines — back from laptop nirvana. Even Apple stopped dealing with Intel a few years ago. In 2020, the Cupertino-based tech giant introduced its new in-house, custom ARM chips (i.e., M-series processors). Apple debuted its non-Intel-based M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro laptops and it never looked back. (Apple's current-gen MacBooks are now rocking M3 series chips and it's reportedly eyeing an M4 release soon).

Now, non-Apple laptop vendors have finally hopped aboard the "Intel ain't it" train, thanks to Qualcomm, an Intel rival. Qualcomm announced it had a chipset, dubbed the Snapdragon X Elite processor, that is so good, it beats all M3-based MacBooks. Now, I was skeptical, but this Snapdragon X Elite processor was packed inside the new Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 that dropped this year — and it blew its rivals out of the water.

With "Best performance mode" turned on in Settings, the Surface Laptop 7 notched an incredible multi-core score of 14,548 on Geekbench 6. For context, here are the multi-core scores of other laptops I've tested this year:

• 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro - 11,998

• 15-inch M3 MacBook Air - 12,057

And yes, I purposely highlighted M3 MacBooks here to prove a point (i.e., Qualcomm was right). This wasn't just a fluke either. The HP OmniBook X I reviewed this year, also packed with a Snapdragon X Elite chip, is almost as good as the Surface Laptop 7, but delivered a multi-core score of 13,888.

2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 has the best battery life

When I tested the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 to see how long it could last on a single charge, it just. wouldn't. die.

The Surface Laptop 7's keyboard is OK. Nothing to write home about. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Qualcomm wasn't kidding when it said that the Snapdragon X Elite chip is power efficient. To my surprise, the Surface Laptop 7 delivered a battery runtime of 22 hours and 50 minutes. That's nearly 23 hours! This is literally unheard of for Windows laptops these days.

This is the best runtime we've ever recorded at Mashable in recent years. Here are some of the other runtimes of our laptops:

• 15-inch M3 MacBook Air - 10 hours and 52 minutes

• HP OmniBook X - 16 hours and 47 minutes

• Lenovo Yoga 9 2-in-1 - 7 hours and 21 minutes

Can you guess which chip was inside the Lenovo Yoga 9 2-in-1, which lasted only a measly 7 hours? It certainly wasn't a Qualcomm chip.

3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 makes Windows fun again with AI

Remember when Windows used to be fun? As a kid (I'm now a Millennial adult for context), I used to mess around on Paint, play Microsoft 3D Pinball, and watch visualizers bounce along to the music I played on Windows Media Player.

Me using Cocreator in Paint, which creates masterpieces based on your sketches. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Now, Microsoft has revitalized that excitement with a flurry of new AI features. From the new ChatGPT rival Copilot to AI additions that seduce you back to Paint (e.g., Cocreator), getting to play around with the AI on Windows has captivated me. If Microsoft is using AI to seduce users away from Apple (though Apple Intelligence is officially landing on supported Mac systems very soon), it's working — at least for me.

The Surface Laptop 7's AI capabilities are possible thanks to the NPU, an AI accelerator packed inside the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite.

The Photos app as a new AI-powered Image Creator feature that lets you create AI-generated images with prompts Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, as a laptop reviewer, I know more than anyone that no machine is ever perfect. One flaw that I spotted with the Surface Laptop 7 is app incompatibility. It's something I spotted when I tried to install the Apple Music app. I typically have no issues with doing this on other Windows systems, but it looks like some developers haven't enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite support for their apps yet.

The Surface Laptop 7 isn't a gaming PC, but I'll admit that you can get away with some light gaming on it. Keep in mind that some games, according to this list, may not run properly on the Surface Laptop 7.

Overall, though, the Surface Laptop 7 has never-ending battery life, engaging AI features, zippy performance, a sturdy, anti-fingerprint chassis, and more. How could it not be the best Windows laptop of 2024?

The Surface Laptop 7 is $1,599 on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 $1,599.00 at Amazon
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During COVID lockdown in 2020 and 2021, Emma, now a 28-year-old in Cambridge, Massachusetts, discovered something unexpected on TikTok. Suddenly, her For You Page was full of content that would lead her to challenge her own identity: Cool lesbians.  

Emma, who chose to go by her first-name only for privacy reasons, had not allowed herself to engage with the part of her that desired women, though she always knew it was there, deep down. 

SEE ALSO: Celibacy is all the rage online. Here's why.

"I tried so hard to be straight," she says of her adolescence, having exclusively dated men up until her mid-20s, despite being raised in a supportive family that consisted of multiple queer people. "Society forces us to kind of be in the closet." 

In the wake of sapphic TikTok rabbit holes, Emma decided to add women to her Hinge preferences, while still "really questioning" her sexuality and grappling with internalized homophobia. 

"I would use it from afar," she says. "I wasn't fully engaging in it." 

After spending a quarter of a century not allowing her attraction to women "surface" even in her own conscious thoughts, the idea of matching with — or even dating — a woman was almost unimaginable. "I couldn't really see myself doing that," she says. 

She soon met a man from Hinge whom she dated for nearly a year and a half. Throughout that relationship, she was open and honest with her partner about her sexuality journey. With his support, she redownloaded Hinge and set it on women only. Emma noticed right away how much easier it was to make a profile geared towards women rather than men. Finally, she wasn't "trying to be someone [she's] not." 

Eventually, when that relationship ended, she felt ready to start seeing women out in the real world, not just within an app on her phone. 

Now, she is still with her girlfriend whom she met on Hinge. 

Emma is part of a huge cohort of women who are discovering their queerness later in life with the help of social media platforms and dating apps. 

Exploring sexuality on dating apps

It's no great shock that dating apps offer the semblance of a private place to explore. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans are "far more likely" to date online than heterosexuals, as the Pew Research Center found in a 2022 study. In its 2023 Future of Dating report, Tinder found that 54 percent of young LGBTQ+ survey respondents had "come out" on dating apps before coming out to friends and family.  

Justin R. Garcia, Ph.D., executive director of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, says dating apps "allow people to dream" in an "unprecedented" way, offering "a window into a world of possibility."

Gen Z has ushered in massive generational shifts in awareness around human sexuality and forces like compulsory heterosexuality, or "comp het": the idea that women are socialized to compulsively desire male attention, regardless of sexual orientation. The "Lesbian Masterdoc," a viral PDF originally published on Tumblr, can take at least some credit for the widespread understanding of the concept, as Them reported in January. But TikTok and a new wave of pop cultural representation have been engines of sapphic education.  

More than 38 million videos on TikTok use the hashtag #comphet as of publication. Top videos under the hashtag, many of which have millions of likes, educate women on the "signs" and "symptoms" of comp het that may be holding them back from realizing they're gay. 

Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!" — all about a woman who makes out with boys in bars "just to stop the feeling" of being attracted to girls — is the artist's most popular song on Spotify with over 440 million streams. The artists Reneé Rapp and Billie Eilish have both recently come out as women who love women, with both sharing that they took time to come into their sexualities. 

This visibility is changing the landscape for women like Emma, who said she didn't observe much lesbian culture that resonated with her in her upbringing in the 2000s and 2010s. 

"There's just less documentation and awareness of sapphic culture," says Robyn Exton, the founder and CEO of HER, a sapphic dating app that first launched in 2015 and changed the dating app landscape for queer women. 

Now, Exton says, our culture is having a "sapphic renaissance." 

Discovering my queerness online

When I've come out to people over the last year, many peers have joked that my queerness is part of the moment. And maybe it is — I definitely knew all the words to Chappell Roan's "Casual" before I let myself have feelings for a woman for the first time. But it took a hell of a long time to get here. 

I downloaded Tinder soon after turning 18. I had only dated boys, but in the safety of my iPhone, I allowed myself to engage with my attraction towards women for the first time. 

Over the next 10 years, this became a habit, as I teetered in and out of the closet. Whenever I was single, I'd toggle my dating app settings from men to women and swipe, chat, and flirt with women. There was an illicit rush in what felt like lurking. 

Inevitably, when someone would ask to meet up, or I ran into someone in real life whom I'd spoken to on an app, I would panic: matches deleted, app switched back to men. But for a little while, I allowed my desire for women to seep through in small bursts, hidden within my phone's blue light. 

I had only dated boys, but in the safety of my iPhone, I allowed myself to engage with my attraction towards women for the first time.

Moe Ari Brown, LMFT, a relationship therapist and queer advocate who works for Hinge as the company's love and connection expert, says dating apps give people who are questioning the "control to navigate their journey and preferences at their own pace." 

Those days, I sometimes felt guilty for taking up space in an app where I wasn't sure I belonged. Several Reddit threads depict women questioning the ethics of engaging in a queer online space while still figuring out their own sexuality. 

Experts say there's nothing to be ashamed of, as long as you're open and honest about where you are in your journey. 

"While not every queer person has identified as questioning, the exploration and integration process is still a common experience," Brown says, adding that 80 percent of LGBTQIA+ daters polled in a 2023 Hinge survey said they were open to being someone's first queer dating experience. 

'Questioning' sexuality – but staying scared 

I remember so many of those girls whose pretty faces and flirty texts terrified me. Something felt foreign and dangerous in my desire, so different from my attraction to men. 

Last year, Eilish herself famously told Variety that she was "still scared" of women, highlighting how anxiety-laden new sapphic experiences can be. 

Ava Shakib, ASW, a therapist and educator at the queer-focused Expansive Group in San Diego, California, says she has had many sapphic clients express fear around coming on too forward with women, especially after years of playing a submissive role in relationships with men. 

Women fear their "assertiveness" may be seen as "aggressive or coercive," because they have a "high awareness" of the potential for a dominant sexual partner to "victimize other women." 

Garcia cites the lack of sex education in America as a key element to folks struggling to understand their sexual desires. "A lot of people don't have the language to speak about this," he says. 

HER, Tinder, and Hinge allow users to identify their sexualities as "Questioning." Exton says she believes HER plays an "incredibly critical role" for people in the coming-out process, specifically. 

SEE ALSO: How Grindr is trying to keep LGBTQ athletes safe at the Paris Olympics

Feeld, which is most popularly known as a kink- and polyamory-friendly app, regularly updates its sexuality and gender identity label offerings. The app's users are encouraged to "pursue personal growth through connection with others" on the app, according to Ashley Dos Santos, head of communications at Feeld. 

Dos Santos says that more than 60 percent of Feeld members reported having a "personal transformation" in their first year on the app, shifting their sexuality or desires. 

Of course, women with same-sex attraction don't always end up with other women once they've had the time to explore. When Amanda* was in her early 20s, she took to Tinder to explore her attraction towards women. She had long been masturbating to lesbian porn and images of beautiful women in magazines, with no understanding of what that might mean for her sexuality. 

While she spent some time dating and sleeping primarily with women for the first time, both in Boston and in Chicago, she felt she lacked the romantic connection she had always felt with men. Her sexual attraction for women was real, but there seemed to be something missing. 

"Such a bummer," jokes Amanda, now 33 and living in Chicago with her male long-term partner.

Still, Amanda is hesitant to label her sexuality. "People always want to call me bisexual," she says, citing her frustration around memes mocking bisexual women in relationships with men. "It's more nuanced than that." 

Amanda says she is still open to further exploring throughout the course of her life. For now, she tends to use the word "queer" when describing her sexuality, though she's afraid to take up that space as a cisgender woman in a relationship with a cisgender man. 

As Shakib says: "Questioning your queerness is part of queerness."

* Pseudonym used to protect sources' privacy on the topic of sex and relationships.