Mashable

Elon Musk's 30-day offer of free Starlink internet to the thousands of displaced and disconnected Hurricane Helene victims isn't as good as it sounds.

First reported by the Register and Gizmodo earlier this week, the "free" Starlink trial is more like a classic marketing ploy than a legitimate option for disconnected residents. The offer doesn't include the satellite internet's required hardware — including a $350 Starlink terminal kit — and, at the end of the 30 days, customers could be auto-enrolled in the $120-per-month subscription plan.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Please note," the Hurricane Helene support page reads. "A Starlink kit is required to access this free service. If you do not already have a Starlink kit, you will need to purchase one from starlink.com/residential or an authorized retailer such as Best Buy or Home Depot." The offer does extend a 30-day credit to existing customers, however. But they still have to create a help ticket in order to receive a waiver at an undetermined date, according to the company.

All of this is gambling on individuals having access to stable electricity or generators. One week after Hurricane Helene's devastation, more than 850,000 residents across seven states were still powerless, and restoration efforts are ongoing as a second storm, destructive Hurricane Milton, just touched down in Florida.

SEE ALSO: How to connect your iPhone to a satellite to send messages

Despite the company's promotional bait and switch, Starlink's emergency services are helping humanitarian efforts, with the federal government deploying emergency Starlink satellites and dozens of ground devices to support relief organizations in the region. On Tuesday, Starlink announced it was unlocking Direct to Cell satellites, which enables SMS text messaging, for T-Mobile users ahead of Hurricane Milton.

Save $75: Walmart's 10-foot-tall skeleton named Steve is on sale for $174, down from its typical list price of $249. It might just be the next best thing to Home Depot's viral, sold-out giant skeleton.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Steve the Poseable 10' Skeleton $174.00 at Walmart
$249.00 Save $75.00 Get Deal

Walmart might have the deal to make all your spooky season dreams come true. Its 10-foot skeleton decoration, dubbed Steve, is $75 off on the heels of Amazon's Prime Day.

Typically, Steve will run you a $249 but its price is reduced 30 percent to $174.

Walmart's giant, 10-foot skeleton is not the viral giant skeleton you might've seen everywhere for the past few years. Home Depot's Skelly has become a Halloween staple since its debut in 2020. But Skelly, which retails for $299, is currently out of stock, meaning ol' Steve might be your next best option.

Still, Walmart's Steve is pretty massive and can be put into different poses — so let your creativity run wild this Halloween season.

You might be curious why people are putting print-outs of cartoon characters into cakes. And, well, the answer is a tiny bit uncomfortable: It's basically confessing an attraction to the strangest characters, people, or things

So the so-called "hear me out" cake is basically the people somewhat jokingly saying, "Hear me out; I would hook up with this character."

The trend follows a few key beats. Two or more people — sometimes large groups — take turns placing skewered print-outs of their "hear me outs" into a cake. Oftentimes, things get more unhinged or obscure as the TikTok goes on. You might hear the dad from Finding Nemo, a background character in Spongebob, or the literal number eight, for instance.

The trend has proven to be really popular, seemingly as viewers either find themselves agreeing or being shocked. Here's one from the couple account @MeghanandJack that's racked up some 3.4 million views.

Here's a group of friends that posted one that's garnered nearly 28 million views.

There are lots of videos with lots of views.

It's not totally clear where the trend started, exactly. Crush cakes have been a thing online for a while, where people put their crushes into cakes. Today noted that one of the earliest videos with a crush cake and the phrase "hear me out" came from user @desgovname in late September. The video initially highlighted K-Pop idols before transitioning to the types of unconventional crushes typically featured on "hear me out" cakes.

So, yes, that really is what's happening — people are posting their strangest crushes via skewers in a cake. The internet is a wild place.

As AI gets better and better it may seem harder and harder to tell what's real and what isn't, but not all hope is lost. Here’s how you can tell the difference between the real and the computer-generated.

X (formerly Twitter) takes swift action when taking down deepfake nude images that are reported as copyright violations — but not when they're reported under "nonconsensual nudity," a study has found.

The paper, published by researchers at the University of Michigan and Florida International University, is an audit of X's reporting systems and hasn't yet been peer-reviewed, 404 Media reported. Researchers created five AI "personas" of young white women (to prevent further variables of race, gender, and age) and then made 10 replica images of each, resulting in 50 images. In terms of the ethics around generating deepfake porn themselves, researchers said these images underwent a "rigorous verification process" to ensure they didn't represent an existing individual.

SEE ALSO: How Big Tech is approaching explicit, nonconsensual deepfakes

They posted these images to X on 10 "poster accounts" they created, and then they created five X accounts to report the images. Twenty-five images were reported as Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violations, and the other 25 were reported as nonconsensual nudity.

Researchers then waited three weeks to see the results of these reports. All 25 images reported for copyright were removed from X within 25 hours. In contrast, none of the images reported for nonconsensual nudity were removed within the three-week waiting period.

"Our findings reveal a significant disparity in the effectiveness of content removal processes between reports made under the DMCA and those made under X's internal nonconsensual nudity policy," the study states. "This highlights the need for stronger and directed regulations and protocols to protect victim-survivors."

X owner Elon Musk dissolved the platform's trust and safety council in 2022, but the site has recently opened up two dozen safety and cybersecurity positions in the U.S. Mashable has reached out to X for comment.

Earlier this year, WIRED found that victims of nonconsensual deepfake porn leveraged copyright laws to take down deepfakes on Google.

If you have had intimate images shared without your consent, call the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s 24/7 hotline at 844-878-2274 for free, confidential support. The CCRI website also includes helpful information as well as a list of international resources.

SAVE $27: Amazon has EA Sports College Football 25 for nearly 40% off. It's currently $42.99, a huge discount from its $69.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Electronic Arts EA Sports College Football 25 $42.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $27.00 Get Deal

In real life, college football is heating up with thrilling upsets and a race to a new 12-team playoff that's sure to pack plenty of excitement in the postseason. You probably can't go and join the roster at Georgia right now, but you can step into their cleats virtually with EA Sports College Football 25, which is deeply discounted for October Prime Day.

The first official college football video game in a decade is a delightful return to form for a series that was a good deal better than Madden when it went dormant in 2014. The developers lovingly rendered and included stunningly accurate portrayals of each included school's stadium, including obscure pre-game rituals that only alumni should know about.

The part where you actually play football is really good, too, thanks to a variety of modes that let you inhabit whatever role you want to inhabit and do almost anything you want. Do you want Kennesaw State to suddenly become a national powerhouse? The world is your oyster in College Football 25.

More gaming deals

• Razer Huntsman Mini Gaming Keyboard — $69.99 $119.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Core Wireless Controller + 1-Month Game Pass Ultimate Bundle — $79.99 $136.97 (save $56.98)

• Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Gaming Headset — $179.99 $199.99 (save $20)

• PlayStation 5 Slim Console — $449 $499.99 (save $50.99)

Netflix has dropped its teaser for Echo Wu's "Jentry Chau vs the Underworld", an upcoming anime series starring Ali Wong.

Music videos are so yesterday. It's 2024 — time to strap on the Vision Pro and experience Apple Immersive Video instead.

Apple just revealed that The Weeknd, who made a cameo appearance during the iPhone 16 "Glowtime" livestream, is unleashing a new "breathtaking immersive experience" that is designed exclusively for the Vision Pro. It will celebrate a new song from the "Blinding Lights" crooner.

Credit: pio3 / Shutterstock.com

This will be all part of the Apple Immersive Video experience, a new-ish, enveloping 3D storytelling format, enhanced with spatial audio, that transports viewers into the center of the action with a 180-degree field of view.

It's not out yet, though. It'll be released next month, Apple said in a press release.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro: I watched a Billie Eilish concert in Bora Bora — and I didn't need to spend a penny Apple announces 5 additional new immersive experiences for Vision Pro

In addition to the The Weeknd's music video, Apple is dropping an immersive film called 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend that features the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-point challenge between Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu.

Credit: Apple

You can enjoy 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend on Oct. 17.

Other upcoming Apple Immersive Video projects arriving on Vision Pro include:

• Concert for One: Imagine getting up close and personal with your favorite artists in the most intimate way possible. Kicking things off is a performance by British singer-songwriter, RAYE. Apple’s latest concert series is dropping later this year.

• Adventure takes you on thrilling journeys with pioneering athletes as they conquer the world’s most breathtaking challenges. In a new upcoming episode called “Ice Dive," viewers will join freediver Ant Williams as he attempts to break his record for the longest distance under ice on a single breath. This will launch in December.

• Elevated: This show is for viewers who enjoy aerial views of sweeping landscapes. The first episode, for example, showcases Hawaii's majestic volcanoes, awe-inspiring waterfalls, and other eye-catching natural wonders. It's already been released for U.S. Vision Pro users, but it now has global availability.

As if that's not enough, Apple also announced that Submerged, the Vision Pro's first scripted short in the "Apple Immersive Video" format, is dropping. Submerged allows users to follow the troubles of a WWI-era crew inside a torpedo-attacked submarine.

Promo image for "Submerged" Credit: Apple

It will be available to stream via the Apple TV app on Vision Pro starting today.

Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini star in "Conclave." Watch the trailer.

Amazon's October Prime Day might be over according to the calendar, but we're still seeing major discounts. If you're shopping for a new monitor, you're still in luck and will have your pick of brand, size, and specialty. Here are some top deals to shop after Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.

Post Prime Day monitor deals at Amazon Best monitor for work Samsung Essentials S3 Monitor (27-inches, 100Hz, HDMI/VGA) $129.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best gaming monitor Acer Nitro Monitor (23.8-inches, 165Hz) $99.99 at Amazon (save $73) Get Deal Best portable monitor Asus ZenScreen $119 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

If you've never had the heavenly experience of working with an external monitor, you're missing out. A second monitor can make all the difference when it comes to productivity. Or an addition monitor on your desktop can be great for gaming during your free time. And if you travel often, a portable monitor can be excellent for both working and streaming shows without needing to log into your accounts on a hotel TV.

Amazon has some special deals in store for those who know the joys of having an additional monitor. Here are some of our favorites.

Best monitor for work Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Essentials S3 Monitor (27-inches, 100Hz, HDMI/VGA) $129.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The 27-inch Samsung Essentials S3 monitor means business when it comes to display. The curved monitor give you a more immersive feel, which might not seem super necessary when filling in a spreadsheet, but it certainly is useful. It's also great for watching your favorite movies and shows once the workday is over. During Amazon's post Prime Day sale, the monitor is on sale for just $129.99, down from the normal price of $179.99, which means you'll be saving $50.

Best gaming monitor Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro Monitor (23.8-inches, 165Hz) $99.99 at Amazon
$172.99 Save $73.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Acer Nitro monitor could be great if you're shopping for an affordable gaming monitor. Amazon's sale price brings the monitor down to just $99.99, which works out to a 42% discount off the list price of $172.99. The 23.8-inch monitor uses Acer's ZeroFrame design for a full view of the display. AMD Freesynch gives you a speedy refresh rate and response time, ideal for gaming or watching your favorite YouTuber stream while gaming.

Best portable monitor Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ZenScreen $119.00 at Amazon
$139.00 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If work takes you away from home or the office often, a portable monitor might be ideal. With a super lightweight design, the Asus ZenScreen measures 15.6 inches and comes with the ability to mount it on a tripod. The anti-glare screen makes it easier on the eyes, as does the low blue light technology and anti-flicker technology. Adding to the travel-friendly design of the portable monitor, the Asus ZenScreen doesn't require its own power source, but rather powers through a USB-C connection to your laptop. That means there's one less plug to pack on your travels.

More monitor deals still live after Amazon Prime Day

• Samsung Odyssey G3 Gaming Monitor (27 inches, 180Hz) — $139.99 $229.99 (save $90)

• LG UltraGear QHD Gaming Monitor — $180.49 $299.99 (save $119.50)

• Samsung Odyssey Monitor (32-inches) — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)

• Samsung ViewFinity S50GC Monitor — $219.99 $349.99 (save $130)

While Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days may have technically come to an end on October 9, we know well that Amazon extends their sales past the official date.

If you're curious about all the deals that are still live, we're still following them here. But now that the event has wrapped, we're curious about the things our readers actually bought. We put together lists of all the best deals on headphones, tablet, and laptops during these events, but that doesn't always mean that's what our readers are excited about.

We have all the details on what our readers actually purchased during Prime Big Deal Days, and let's just say you guys really like AirPods. If you're curious what other people are buying (we always are), here are the 10 most popular products Mashable readers bought during Amazon's recent sale.

1. Most popular headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $59.01 Get Deal Why people like it

They topped the pack last Prime Day, so it's no surprise that they're back on top this time. Apple AirPods Pro 2, were easily the most popular item purchased during Prime Big Deal Days, and we get why. The noise cancellation on these earbuds is seriously good, and with sweat- and dust-resistance, they're great for working out too. They were down to their all-time low price during this Prime Day, and while they've gone back up in price, they're still 24% off for $189.99.

2. Most popular tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th generation (A13, 64GB, WiFi) $199.00 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal Why people like it

Yes, another Apple product tops the list. The iPad 9th generation is the cheapest iPad we've ever seen at $199. It still has plenty of processing power with the A13 chip so you can read, stream, and game without delay. It's still on sale post-Prime Day for 40% off.

3. Most popular e-reader deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $149.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why people like it

The Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader we've tested, and it's a favorite of our readers too. With 16GB of storage, you can hold your entire library in this Kindle. Plus, it comes with adjustable warmth and brightness, making it suitable for reading in any environment. During Prime Day it was down to $124.99, but it's back up to $149.99. You can try and hold out for a good deal come Black Friday, but we don't blame you if you're ready to buy it at full price.

4. Most popular budget headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $119.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why people like it

This Prime Day, we had a sneaky new competitor in the headphone popularity contest — the Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation. It's for good reason, these earbuds dropped to just $34.99 during Prime Big Deal Days. The price was certainly unbeatable, and even though they've climbed back up to $119.99, they're still a budget-friendly choice — cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2.

5. Most popular smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tapo Tapo TP-Link Smart Light Bulb $22.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $2.00 Get Deal Why people like it

If you're looking to create a real vibe in your home, smart bulbs certainly help with that. Tapo TP-Link Smart Bulbs are the most popular option among our readers. There are 16 million color options, with adjustable warm and cool white tones too. They're compatible with both Alexa and Google Home and controlled through Tapo app on your smartphone. They're still on sale for a minor discount, saving you 8%.

6. Most popular tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags 4-pack $79.98 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $19.02 Get Deal Why people like it

The deals on Apple AirTags are still live post-Prime Day. They're down to $79.98, saving you 19%. You save by buying in bulk with this 4-pack of AirTags, so you can keep track of your keys, luggage, or whatever you need. It's no wonder our readers like these, when they've been the hero in several news stories this year.

7. Most popular Echo device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $49.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why people like it

Of all the Echo devices on sale during Prime Big Deal Days, the Echo Dot was our readers' favorite. It makes sense considering it dropped down in price to $22.99. It's back up to $49.99 now, but if you're still interested, it's a great smart home device with vibrant sound and Alexa routines.

8. Most popular home security deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Outdoor 4 $89.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why people like it

There are a lot of home security options, some far better than others, but the one our readers prefer is the Blink Outdoor 4. This speaker mounts outside and delivers clear 1080p HD video quality. It features two-way talk so you can monitor visitors, even when you're away from home. It's no longer on sale, but you can buy it for $89.99.

9. Most popular smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) $299.00 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why people like it

With all the fitness trackers and smartwatches on sale during Prime Day, the one our readers bought the most is the Apple Watch Series 9. And the good news is, it's still on sale for $299, saving you $100. This model comes with a silver aluminum case and a blue loop band, and will help you track all your fitness goals.

10. Most popular printer deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP ENVY 6455e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer $89.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why people like it

If you want a printer that does it all — print in color, scan, and copy — the HP ENVY 6455e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is a fantastic option. Our readers agree, as it was the most purchased printer during Prime Big Deal Days. It's capable of mobile printing, plus it comes with three months of Instant Ink with HP+.

The Internet Archive is currently under attack from hacker groups. And, it seems these bad actors have been able to access sensitive data for millions of the Internet Archive's users.

The non-profit Internet Archive, which keeps archived versions of digital media including websites via The Wayback Machine, has been suffering from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks since the beginning of the week. These attacks have resulted in prolonged inaccessibility.

Tweet may have been deleted

"@internetarchive is being cautious and prioritizing keeping data safe at the expense of service availability," posted Internet Archive digital librarian Brewster Kahle on his X account.

However, the DDoS attacks aren't the only thing the Internet Archive has to worry about. It appears that the Internet Archive has been unable to keep at least some of its data safe as it undergoes attacks from threat actors. 

SEE ALSO: Internet Archive loses first ruling in copyright lawsuit

Emails, screen names, and encrypted passwords for 31 million Internet Archive users have been stolen in a data breach. At this time, it's unclear if the data breach and the DDoS attacks are related.

Internet Archive hacked

Along with the downtime related to the DDoS attacks, social media users began noticing a pop-up prompt on the Internet Archive's website on Wednesday.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Have you ever felt like the Internet Archive runs on sticks and is constantly on the verge of suffering a catastrophic security breach?" read the prompt. "It just happened. See 31 million of you on HIBP!"

HIBP refers to the website Have I Been Pwned, a website that notifies users if their data was involved in a data breach.

According to Bleeping Computer, Have I Been Pwned founder Troy Hunt confirmed to the outlet that they had received a 6.4GB SQL database file which includes users' "email addresses, screen names, password change timestamps, Bcrypt-hashed passwords, and other internal data."

Hunt has been able to confirm the legitimacy of the data. Based on the timestamp on the hacked information, it appears that it was likely stolen on September 28, 2024. Hunt said that he contacted the Internet Archive before loading the data into the Have I Been Pwned service. He has not yet heard back.

A group known as SN-Blackmeta has claimed responsibility for the DDoS attack. Again, its unclear if they are involved in the data breach. The group said that it carried out the DDoS attack because of the United States' support for Israel and that the Internet Archive "belongs to the USA." Many social media users were quick to point out that the Internet Archive is an independent non-profit organization and is not affiliated with the U.S. government.

Mashable has reached out to the Internet Archive for more information on the attacks and will update this post when we hear back.

SAVE $235: Amazon has the dual-screen Asus Zenbook Duo laptop for $1,264.99, a savings of $235 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus/Amazon Asus Zenbook Duo (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,264.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $235.00 Get Deal

Most laptops only have one display, but the Asus Zenbook Duo has two and you can get it for a pretty decent discount right now as part of a lingering October Prime Day deal.

SEE ALSO: Check out the best PlayStation 5 deals still live after October Prime Day

In our review, Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon praised nearly every aspect of the Zenbook Duo. The two 14-inch, 1900x1200 displays can be configured into several different physical "modes" to fit whatever your needs are. You'll also get a whopping 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Seriously, for $1,264.99, this is a lot of laptop, especially if you're a Windows fan.

If that isn't enough, Gedeon loved the detachable keyboard and the selection of ports on the device. October Prime Day may be technically over, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take advantage of what deals are left.

More laptop deals

• Acer Aspire 3 (AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $298.15 $329.99 (save $31.84)

• Asus TUF Gaming A15 (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599 $699.99 (save $100.99)

• Asus ROG Strix G17 (AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,199.99 (save $250)

• LG gram SuperSlim (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,196.99 $1,799.99 (save $602.01)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,799 $1,999 (save $200)

• LG gram Pro 17 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $1,996.99 $2,499.99 (save $503 with Prime)

"The Gutter," starring Shameik Moore, D'Arcy Carden, and Susan Sarandon, is a bowling comedy that's brilliantly stupid. Trailer.

The cast and crew on 'Teacup' discuss how separating characters from their support systems heightens the tension and leaves them vulnerable to the unknown.

As we wait for any news at all about Nintendo Switch 2, the first Switch will not go out quietly.

Nintendo made that clear with a banger Nintendo Direct in June that opened with a genuinely lovely surprise: a new Mario & Luigi RPG. Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the first game in the beloved series of brotherly turn-based RPGs in nearly a decade, following 2015’s Paper Jam for 3DS. 

Perhaps more notably, it’s the first one to be made since series developer AlphaDream sadly shut down in 2019. Nintendo said some original developers from the older games are working on Brothership, though. 

Anyway, I got to play about 90 minutes of it at a preview event — and it seems like it could be yet another late-in-life banger for the O.G. Switch, with possibly some of the best visuals achieved on the console to go along with satisfying combat.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership could be yet another awesome 2024 RPG Connecting islands looks a little something like this. Credit: Nintendo

If you’ve been following along with games this year, you’ve probably noticed that RPGs are back. Not that they ever left, really, but it’s been an astoundingly packed year for the genre, between FFVII Rebirth, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and the brand new heater Metaphor: ReFantazio. 

However, none of those games will prepare you for Brothership like this summer’s remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. That is also a turn-based RPG starring the iconic Italian plumber where you precisely time button presses during attacks to do extra damage. If you missed the earlier Mario & Luigi games, but played that, you’ll feel somewhat at home with Brothership.

The gimmick here, of course, is that Mario and Luigi are working together the entire time as a duo. That is your party. Everything you can do stems from the brotherly relationship between Mario and Luigi, from partner attacks in combat to goofy special abilities you use in the overworld to solve puzzles.

If the game’s title and marketing didn’t make that clear, this is a nautical adventure. Mario and Luigi are in a place where a bunch of islands have lost magical connection with the local giant magical tree, leaving the brothers with no other choice but to sail around the ocean in an island that is shaped like a boat, connecting each island back to the tree, one by one.

You do have to plan out your sailing routes, but I didn't get a great sense for how involved this is. Credit: Nintendo

My demo started at Twistee Island, where everybody loves to dance. I had to help a guy get some hair product so he could do a special dance to rejuvenate a big, dying plant called the Twisten Sprout. I haven’t stopped thinking about “Twisten Sprout” since the demo, to be clear. 

The sojourn through Twistee Island took maybe half an hour, which included time spent getting used to the mechanics. As with previous Mario & Luigi games, you can make the brothers jump or attack with hammers independently of each other in the overworld using dedicated buttons for each brother. Combat also works this way; if you want to nail an attack or dodge an enemy with Luigi, you need to press Luigi’s button, or else it will fail.

One of the big new mechanics Nintendo showed us is, hilariously, called “Luigi Logic.” You can activate Luigi Logic in certain scenarios with a button press, at which point Luigi will perform some context-sensitive action to help you out. These can range from breaking boxes that might have items in them to holding down switches to solve puzzles.

Combat in Brothership could be great Combat looks fantastic. Credit: Nintendo

All of that is fine and dandy, but the combat portions of the demo stood out to me the most. As I said earlier, this works like previous Mario RPGs. Timed button presses for both attacking and dodging are key here. Both brothers have jump and hammer attacks, which come in handy depending on the enemy type. Each one also has a different sequence of button presses you have to do to maximize their attack power, and these sequences differ depending on which brother initiated the attack.

Thanks to an absolutely stunning visual style that feels like a faithful 3D interpretation of the cartoony box and instruction manual art from the original Mario & Luigi games, all of the fights look and feel satisfying. Seeing Mario and Luigi do flashy hammer attacks with Saturday morning cartoon flair is a ton of fun.

But it’s what’s going on behind the scenes that could really make combat sing in Brothership. You have access to a plug system (there’s a pervasive electrical theme throughout what I saw of this game) where you can craft and insert plugs with different effects into two slots. These plugs can do all sorts of things, from making counter timing easier to modifying attacks so they make enemies dizzy or drop iron balls on baddies for additional damage. 

Got a plug? Credit: Nintendo

Where this really gets interesting, though, is when you start combining plugs. For example, by getting creative with combinations, I was able to modify my attacks so they did area-of-effect damage or caused iron balls to drop on every enemy instead of just one. It seems like experimentation will pay off in Brothership, which is a hallmark of any decent RPG.

Between that and a simple leveling system in which you choose from a series of permanent upgrades (you can’t get them all, I was told) at set level intervals, it seems like Brothership has enough customization to bolster the tactile satisfaction of the combat. My demo unfortunately didn’t give me much else to talk about, but honestly, that’s fine. I’ve already played like a dozen really good RPGs this year, I might as well play another.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch on Nov. 7.

The second wave of preorders for the PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle go live across major retailers today (Oct. 10). The drop comes two weeks after Sony initially launched the bundle in its PlayStation Direct storefront, where it promptly sold out.

Preorders were expected to begin at 10 a.m. ET, though Target's listing went live overnight. (The bundle is now out of stock there.) If availability is a top-of-mind concern, consider signing up for Walmart+.

Paid (non-trial) members of Walmart's benefits program get early access to PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary bundle preorders there starting at 10 a.m. ET. Demand will still be reasonably high, but that paywall should thin the crowds a bit (and hypothetically deter scalpers). The listing doesn't specify whether preorders will ever open to non-members.

Quick links: set an alarm PlayStation 5 (Slim) Digital Edition - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle $499 at Walmart Pre-order Here sign up Walmart+ $12.95/month or $98/year Sign Up Now

Walmart+ costs $12.95/month or $98/year and unlocks early access to certain drops and savings events at the big-box store, including a Holiday Deals event it's hosting this week. (Live through Sunday, Oct. 13, the sale competed with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event and serves as Walmart's holiday shopping season kickoff.) That's on top of additional perks like free shipping, fuel discounts, travel savings, and streaming freebies.

If you want to try your luck elsewhere, the PS5 Slim Anniversary Edition bundle will also be up for grabs at Amazon and Best Buy Oct. 10.

Released in honor of PlayStation's 30th birthday, the bundle features a disc drive-free PS5 Slim console in a retro gray finish that harkens back to Sony's very first console. It comes with a matching DualSense controller, a cover for a disc drive (sold separately), a vertical stand, and several collectibles, and it'll set you back $499.99.

That's $100 less than the price of a PlayStation Pro, Sony's upcoming mid-gen console. It's also sold out at PS Direct, but its retailer preorders are set to go live today, too.

When 28-year-old publicist Millie got out of her taxi and into the safety of her home, she expected to slide on a pair of slippers and watch some trashy reality TV, as she would most nights. But this time, her night turned into one of fear after a "super weird text" reading "Hi gorgeous" from an unknown phone number. Millie and others asked to be referred to by their first-name only for privacy reasons.

Millie asked the sender who they were, and they quickly replied telling her it was her taxi driver. Then she received an even more unsettling text: "I can't wait to pick you up and see your beautiful face again, I long for you."

"I'd never given him any indication I was interested in him," she tells Mashable. "It was so creepy and I was terrified but I also wasn't sure if I was being overdramatic." 

"It was so creepy and I was terrified but I also wasn't sure if I was being overdramatic." 

Millie's experience exemplifies a new and unsettling form of harassment: "text pesting." This term describes the inappropriate use of personal information, such as a phone number or email address, by individuals who, under the guise of a professional relationship, attempt to initiate unwanted romantic or sexual advances. In a world where personal data is exchanged at the click of a button, text pesting is a worrying emerging trend.

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It's so common, in fact, that The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says a third of 18-34-year-olds in the UK have experienced it according to research they conducted in 2023. Because of this, the ICO is focused on spreading more awareness of both text pesting itself, and ways to get help with it. 

Mashable spoke to women who have experienced text pesting along with experts in the field to better understand this kind of harassment, why it's happening, and what we can do about it. 

Is text pesting against the law?

Millie found her text pesting encounter extremely unsettling, but also wondered if she was overreacting and whether this was anything to truly worry about. "I wasn't even sure if this was a reportable offence," she says. 

It is reportable, but the legality of text pesting is in fact complicated, with multiple existing UK laws that could cover this behaviour. According to Dr. Patrick Bishop, a senior lecturer in law and cybercrime at Swansea University, text pesting could be considered a crime under the Data Protection Act 2018, which covers any organisation that makes use of personal data in the UK. 

SEE ALSO: The U.S. is suing TikTok for allegedly violating children's privacy laws

He tells Mashable: "This includes the offence of knowingly or recklessly retaining personal data without the consent of the data controller, typically an employer. For example, if a delivery driver retains a customer's phone number after completing a delivery and uses it for unauthorised purposes, this could constitute an offence."

Still, the potential legal consequences for text pests are significant. Under the Data Protection Act, the only available penalty is a fine. However, the Act grants the power to order the erasure of a phone number if it has been used to commit an offence. Bishop also points out that the act of pest texting might also constitute an offence under the Computer Misuse Act, which can lead to a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment for unauthorised access to data.

"I felt so violated." 

Text pesting isn't only a data-retention issue, though. With access to her phone number, Millie's text pest was able to add her on Snapchat and Instagram too, and continued to sexually harass her – even sending a non-consensual explicit image to her over direct message. "It was absolutely disgusting," she says. "I felt so violated." 

SEE ALSO: Federal cyberflashing bill introduced with Bumble endorsement

The legal implications extend beyond data breaches. Bishop also notes that if a message contains sexually explicit content, it could fall under the Communications Act (applicable to England, Wales, and Scotland), which makes it a crime to send messages that are "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" via public electronic communication systems. In cases where multiple messages are sent, the Protection from Harassment Act — applicable to the whole of the UK — might also apply. This Act requires a course of conduct — defined as two or more instances of harassing behaviour — that causes alarm or distress. 

In the U.S., tackling text pesting legally is more complicated as laws vary state to state. There are federal laws covering harassment, though. Andrew Rossow is a cyber law and digital media attorney at Minc Law, who specialise in online harassment. He tells Mashable that text pesting could be in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) if the nature of the text pesting involves making false or misleading representations.

On the other hand, if we are looking at statutory laws, he says there are two major factors at play – the location of the sender and the recipient (the text pesting victim) and the frequency in which these unwanted communication takes place. "More often than not, one single instance may not be sufficient to prove targeted harassment," he explains. "But each situation should be determined on a case-by-case basis." 

Rossow adds that each state has its own version of a harassment law, stalking law, and privacy law which is based on California's Consumer Protection Act, and that text pesting could also fall in violation of this. 

Jamie E. Wright, attorney and CEO of the Wright Law Firm, adds that if you're caught using a customer's phone number from a business interaction to ask them out without their consent‌, you could also be in breach of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) which aims to protect people from unsolicited communications​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​. Like GDPR in the UK, it’s commonly associated with marketing scenarios, but it could also cover cases of harassment.  

She adds that victims of text pesting in the USA could also take up the case with the employer of the perpetrator, as this company has demonstrated "inadequate protection of customer data" which could land them in hot water.  

Neither Millie nor Nicole have pursued legal action, though, as they’re both worried this could cause them further stress. 

Text pesting certainly does cause distress. 31-year-old Nicole has also experienced text pesting with a delivery driver. She had a sofa delivered and got a "hi" message from an unknown number the next day. "I asked who it was and he just admitted it was the delivery driver, as though he didn't think he was doing anything wrong, and then he asked if I was single." 

Nicole told him she was in a relationship, but it didn't stop his communication, which became persistent. "He would ring me in the middle of the night and send me selfies of him driving his delivery truck around as though we knew each other. I didn't feel like I could block his number because he knew where I lived," she explains to Mashable. "What if he turned up again?" 

"People have the right to order a pizza, or give their email for a receipt, or have shopping delivered, without then being asked for sex or a date a while later."

Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner for Regulatory Policy at the ICO, highlights the disturbing nature of this behaviour: "People have the right to order a pizza, or give their email for a receipt, or have shopping delivered, without then being asked for sex or a date a while later," she says. 

Nicole adds that this kind of harassment seems to be a "step up" from regular online harassment, which is something 38 percent of women experience across 51 countries. "I've been harassed online before but this was a man who'd been in my house. There was something utterly frightening about this exchange specifically. I always wondered if he would come back," Nicole says. "I haven't ordered anything to my house since — not even McDonald's — without my boyfriend being in the house and making himself visible."  

This intrusion into personal life can have serious emotional repercussions. Victims often feel violated, anxious, and unsafe. The unsolicited nature of these messages can lead to a loss of trust, not only in the individual responsible but also in the broader service or company they represent. This erosion of trust is particularly concerning in an era where digital communication is ubiquitous, and personal data is routinely shared in everyday transactions.

What can victims do about text pesting?

For anyone who finds themselves targeted by a text pest, there are several routes they can take for action. Wright explains that for those in the United States, there are a few paths you can take if you fall victim to text pesting, including the local police and federal agencies.  

"If the texts contain threats or harassment and are persistently unwelcome they have the option to alert law enforcement authorities since several states have enacted legislation to safeguard individuals from this," she explains. "It is advisable to preserve copies of the messages by taking screenshots to capture the senders phone number and gather any information demonstrating the harassment before presenting this evidence to local authorities." That way, you have a much better case and a shot at receiving police support. 

She adds that authorities could also help you to obtain a restraining order to halt the messages being sent to you unlawfully. "Alternatively, if the messages are unsolicited materials or spammy in nature you have the option to lodge a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC) citing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Here, you can register complaints efficiently and conveniently," Wright explains. 

For people in the UK, Bishop advises that the first step should be to report the incident to the company involved. 

"The employer will have several obligations under the GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018, including ensuring that data which is consensually collected and processed for one purpose is not used for a different purpose. They might also consider disciplining or even dismissing the offending employee," he explains.

Victims can also report the incident to the ICO, which offers guidance on how to handle situations where personal data has been misused. The ICO's recent call for evidence is part of a broader effort to crack down on text pests and ensure that companies take their responsibilities seriously. As Keaney emphasises, "They have a right to know that when they hand over their personal information that it will not then be used in ways that they would not be comfortable with."

If the messages contain sexually explicit content or cause significant distress, victims should not hesitate to involve the police. Even if the authorities decide not to pursue a formal investigation, an informal warning from the police can often be enough to deter future contact. 

The Online Safety Bill was introduced this year and although it's certainly not perfect, it does provide a specific offence for sending unwanted photographs or films of genitals (also known as cyberflashing) offering another layer of protection against the most egregious forms of text pesting.

Where do we go from here?

Text pesting is a clear violation of personal boundaries and a serious form of harassment. It's essential that individuals are aware of their rights and the legal protections available to them. 

When the text pest knows where you live, fears for one's own safety aren't exactly unfounded. 

But there is also a cultural problem enabling this kind of behaviour. We live in a culture that normalises rape and sexual harassment, that encourages us to brush off incidents like text pesting as a mere nuisance rather than the threat that they are. As the interviews in this article demonstrate, there is also a fear of something called "rejection violence" — the possibility that blocking or rejecting text pests could lead to the sender exacting revenge in the form of physical violence. And when the text pest knows where you live, fears for one's own safety aren't exactly unfounded. 

The ICO even found that only 66 percent of the public believes it's morally wrong to use personal details given for business purposes for romantic or sexual propositions. Sadly, men were twice as likely to think it's OK than women. 

The ICO's proactive stance in addressing this issue is a step in the right direction, but we need to work on building a culture wherein perpetrators don't feel entitled to do this in the first place, wherein they know that misusing personal data in this way is not only creepy, but a violation of trust and privacy. We need a culture in which men step in when their friends admit to behaving like this, and point out that it’s creepy and not OK. And we need workplaces to ensure that they’re hiring employees who aren’t displaying predatory behaviours, so that clients who are women can feel safe as a bare minimum. Hopefully, we will see that kind of progress as conversations about harassment open up. 

While text pesting may seem like a minor annoyance to some, it's a form of harassment that can have serious legal consequences and, more importantly, emotional ones. By holding perpetrators accountable, we can work towards creating a safer digital environment for everyone.

If you have experienced sexual violence and are based in the UK, call the Rape Crisis helpline on 0808 802 9999. If you're in the U.S. and have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.

Cockatiels are unapologetically serving on TikTok, in probably the most adorable trend I've seen on the platform for an age.

The small parrots and other birds who enjoy sitting on their owners' shoulders are all over my FYP right now, vibing to rapper Lola Brooke's track "Don't Play With It".

Reader, it's so damn cute.

SEE ALSO: From Moo Deng to Pesto the Penguin, here are the cutest animals taking over our feeds

The trend appears to be started by TikTokker @queenbee576, whose video posted last week has 17.7 million views, and has prompted numerous interpretations from fellow bird parents. Each video sees TikTokkers lip synching to Brooke's track and moving the camera swiftly to catch their bird reacting to these lyrics (the bird does the bit in brackets):

Gimme beso (muah), extendo (grrah)

I carry bitches like I'm prego (bop-bop, bop-bop)

And honestly, it's all about the grraah.

"Who is this DIVA 💜" wrote @isabellacarrasqui5 on the original video.

"it's the grraaaahhh for me!!🤣🤣😭😭👏👏❤️” wrote @DatBishMELLY.

"He ate and left no crumbs!😂" wrote @noemi.rangel.

Fellow TikTokker @kiki.tiel posted a version that has 15.5 million views and it's outrageously cute. There are also great posts by bird owners @a.ngelie, @unnysony, @monicaeerie, @thenewkentuckian, @trityca, @a.danilove, @brenmakesthings and so many more, every single one of them is aggressively adorable. Look at their little beaks! The wings serving!

There's no big discourse to unpack here about this TikTok trend. It's not that deep, it's just delightful. Enjoy.

SAVE $350: As of Oct. 10, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is on sale for $649 at Amazon. That's a saving of 35% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 8 Pro $649.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $350.00 Get Deal

Prime Day is a great excuse to upgrade your phone and save some money, and there's a handful of deals still live after the event.

There's been great deals across many brands, including Apple and Samsung, but if Google is more your thing then check out this deal on the Google Pixel 8 Pro. Discounted by 35%, the phone is now priced at $649.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple Watches deals still live after October Prime Day

This phone features a bright 6.7-inch OLED display and a fantastic camera. You can snap pictures either on the 50 MP main camera or on the 48 MP ultra-wide lens camera. For its functionality, the phone uses Google’s latest processor, the Tensor G3 chip, ensuring a smooth and quick performance.

This however is not the latest of the Google Pixel range, with the Pixel 9 being released earlier this year (so sadly no discounts yet).

But if the newest model isn't top on your priority list, we think the Pixel 8 Pro discount is well worth considering. But don't forget, Prime Day deals officially wrapped up at midnight, so act fast so you don't miss out.