Mashable

Meta cannot target a user’s sexual orientation in its personalized ads — even if they are openly queer and make public statements about the subject, the European Union’s highest court ruled Friday.

The case was brought from longtime Meta antagonist Max Schrems, as Wired reports. The Austrian activist, whose separate privacy case recently led to a $1.3 billion fine against the company, claimed in this case that Meta broke EU privacy laws by pulling data on his sexual orientation via website visits, app logins, and other sources outside of Facebook, using all that data to target him with LGBTQ-specific ads.

Meta denies it engages in this practice. The company says it considers information on sexual orientation sensitive, and doesn’t indiscriminately include it in its advertising efforts.

When Schrems first took his claim to court, an Austrian judge ruled Meta has a right to target Schrems with ads related to his sexual orientation since he previously discussed being gay during a public panel discussion. But the judge also sent Schrems' case up to the EU legal system for its ruling.

Now the Court of Justice of the European Union has disagreed with the Austrian court, saying public statements aren’t a green light for tech companies like Meta to target sensitive ads to users.

The EU court also backed up Schrems’ assertion that Meta just doesn't pull data from users’ activity on their social media services, but also considers their behavior elsewhere on the internet.

'Meta's data pool is growing every day'

Even if Meta can detect that a user is queer from their online or offline activities, the court said, they cannot take that information and use it to target them with personalized advertising. 

In a statement, Meta said it takes privacy very seriously. The company added that it offers settings for users to control how information about them is used.

Schrems' lawyer, Katharina Raabe-Stuppnig, said the court’s ruling will increase limits and controls on Meta’s data-gathering.

"Meta has basically been building a huge data pool on users for 20 years now, and it is growing every day," Raabe-Stuppnig said in a statement, according to ABC News. "However, EU law requires 'data minimisation' ... following this ruling, only a small part of Meta’s data pool will be allowed to be used for advertising — even when users consent to ads."

Schrems' claims may seem like small potatoes. But there are enormous safety risks for LGBTQ+ people online if they are outed by targeted ads, especially in countries where homosexuality and bisexuality is illegal, and transgender people are already targeted for violence.

There may be money to be made by tech companies from deducing someone’s sexual orientation — since that individual may be more prone to buy certain goods and services — companies cannot put people’s lives and livelihoods at risk for that financial advantage, at least in the EU.

Meta just announced a new generative AI model to help users turn simple text into images, videos, and audio clips.

Meta Movie Gen allows users to input text and automatically generate new videos, personalize videos, do video editing, and generate audio, all of which is trained on a "combination of licensed and publicly available datasets."

If that seems a lot like OpenAI's Sora, that's because it is quite similar. But Movie Gen builds upon Meta's previous work with AI — you might remember, or even use, Llama Image, for instance. But Movie Gen is the third wave of its generative AI work, which Meta says combines all of its previous modalities. "Similar to previous generations," Meta wrote in a blog post, "we anticipate these models enabling various new products that could accelerate creativity."

Meta notes that "generative AI isn't a replacement for the work of artists and animators," but says the company "believe[s] in the power of this technology to help people express themselves in new ways and to provide opportunities to people who might not otherwise have them."

"Our hope is that perhaps one day in the future, everyone will have the opportunity to bring their artistic visions to life and create high-definition videos and audio using Movie Gen," the blog post reads.

Tweet may have been deleted

The entire post about this new technology is focused on the future, noting that you can't actually use Movie Gen yet.

Chris Cox, Meta’s chief product officer, wrote on Threads that the company isn't "ready to release this as a product anytime soon — it's still expensive and generation time is too long — but we wanted to share where we are since the results are getting quite impressive."

The company said it was looking to tweak the model in the lead-up to it hitting the public.

"As we continue to improve our models and move toward a potential future release, we'll work closely with filmmakers and creators to integrate their feedback," Meta wrote in the blog post. "By taking a collaborative approach, we want to ensure we're creating tools that help people enhance their inherent creativity in new ways they may have never dreamed would be possible. Imagine animating a 'day in the life' video to share on Reels and editing it using text prompts, or creating a customized animated birthday greeting for a friend and sending it to them on WhatsApp. With creativity and self-expression taking charge, the possibilities are infinite."

Critical Role's Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, and Travis Willingham go head-to-head-to-head in Choose Your Squad: 'The Legend of Vox Machina' edition.

Pharrell Williams details his decision to go full Lego in his biopic 'Piece by Piece'

The Internal Revenue Service's free tax filing program, Direct File, will be open to residents of 12 new states for the 2025 tax return season.

Those states are Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, according to an IRS announcement. They join 12 states — Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington State and Wyoming — that participated in the program this year, expanding Direct File access to more than 30 million taxpayers nationwide. The remaining 26 states not part of Direct File have not yet opted into the program.

Direct File allows eligible taxpayers the opportunity to file their taxes directly with the IRS, using software built by the agency. Direct File works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers.

SEE ALSO: 'Nobody is immune': Don't fall for a Bitcoin ATM scam

The IRS is also enhancing Direct File for the 2025 tax season by adding a chatbot to guide taxpayers through the agency's eligibility checker and covering new tax situations.

This year, taxpayers could use Direct File if they had simple returns, which excluded those with gig economy or business income, itemized deductions, and credits like the child and dependent care credit or saver's credit.

In 2025, taxpayers claiming the child and dependent care credit, premium tax credit, credit for the elderly and disabled, and retirement savings contribution credits will be eligible. Additionally, Direct File will expand to support taxpayers with retirement income, 1099s for interest greater than $1,500, the 1099 for the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, and deductions for health savings accounts will be eligible.

"Above all, our goal is to improve the experience of tax filing itself and help taxpayers meet their obligations quickly and easily," IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement.

Taxpayers who used Direct File this year largely reported positive experiences, according to an IRS survey of more than 15,000 participants. Nearly half said they'd paid for tax preparation the previous year. Ninety percent of respondents said their experience was excellent or above average. They particularly liked that the software was easy to use, trustworthy, and free.

TikTok loves a good true crime mystery. It's not uncommon for folks to go viral over somewhat creepy stories where viewers can try to guess what happened.

The latest viral series involves a buried rug, cadaver dogs, and lots of theories from TikTok. In short, folks online were enthralled by the story of a woman who found a rug buried in her backyard. They wondered if she perhaps had found a body or if there was some much more innocent explanation.

Friday afternoon, we finally got an answer: there was no body. But there remains a lot to explain about how this situation went so viral.

We've got the full breakdown.

What happened with the buried rug?

It all started with then-relatively obscure TikTokker Katie Santry, a woman in Columbus, Ohio, posting a TikTok four days ago. In the video, Santry wondered if her house was haunted, citing her laptop getting shattered and her workspace disturbed overnight, seemingly without explanation.

Toward the end of the video, Santry mentioned that she and her boyfriend also recently discovered a rug buried in their backyard while digging to install a fence. That TikTok got more than 4 million views, which led to a series of followups. The next video, for instance, racked up 10 million views as it showed the actual rug in the ground.

As these things are wont to do, each forthcoming installment added bits of info and racked up tons of views. For instance, a Bloodgood tree was planted over where they found the rug, which, of course, people found creepy. After the comment section insisted, Santry tried to dig some more, but the rug was too big and too long for her to dig out. She was going to leave it as it was, but after a while the comment section then convinced her to call the police.

What happened with the cops and cadaver dogs?

The police came out and apparently told Santry it did seem weird, but there wasn't much to do. Santry kept digging, both literally and figuratively. She enlisted friends to help dig in the backyard and got in touch with family members of the previous owners of the home.

But eventually the professionals got involved again. Santry said that the local homicide department got in touch and sent more officers to the property, including cadaver dogs. Santry said both dogs sat by the hole in the ground, indicating they had found something.

That would seemingly indicated something strange was going on in the backyard, which, of course, all of TikTok found disconcerting. Meanwhile, Santry's account ballooned to 1.6 million followers as tons of people anxiously followed along.

What has Santry said about it all?

The newly famous Ohio woman did an interview with People about the situation that published on Thursday.

"The Internet is about 50/50 on whether it's a dead body or an animal, and maybe 10% think this was just a junkyard," she said. "However, we've dug a lot of posts and fenced in most of our yard at this point, and I can say we haven't come across any other rugs. So, the Internet thinks it’s either a junkyard, a dead body, or a dead dog."

Though Santry said she didn't think it was a body.

"I truly don't think there's a dead body down there," Santry told People. "The curiosity about why that rug is there definitely haunts me. But my biggest concern is my computer because, at the end of the day, it shattered for no apparent reason. That leaves me with the most question marks. I actually have a psychic who reached out to me and wants to do a reading."

So, what's in the rug?

Developments in the strange situation continued to roll in through Santry's TikTok account. Friday morning she posted videos saying that a bunch of officers had come over to her house and were prepared to dig.

Around 11 a.m. ET she posted a video saying the digging had begun. Clearly a bit shaken, Santry seemed to be ready for the whole ordeal to conclude.

"We don't know anything yet," she said. "My goal is that we can all laugh about it tomorrow. We're all going to say, 'Huh, this was a funny, silly-goose waste of time."

And by about 2 p.m. ET, Santry revealed on TikTok that the cops had found only the rug, some rubber, and nothing else of consequence. It's not clear why the dogs got a hit in the yard, but it doesn't seem to be for any nefarious reason. She still wondered what happened to her laptop, but there was definitely a sense of relief.

"There's no body. There's no body," she said. "Honestly, let's praise the lord there's no body. I can stay in my house."

Combining the oomph of a PC with the creative functionality of a tablet, 2-in-1 laptops make solid buys for shoppers who prioritize versatility and value.

In the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's "October Prime Day" sale on Oct. 8 and 9, the retail giant isn't offering a ton of great deals on 2-in-1 machines — but that's no surprise. During such sitewide sales, Amazon usually saves its best laptop deals for the exact windows of the event, forcing eager shoppers to be patient.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Start time, the competition, and more

That said, there's one noteworthy 2-in-1 laptop deal up for grabs there outside of the official Prime Big Deal Days programming (i.e., its not featured on its event page), and it's a $105 discount on the Mashable Choice Award-winning Asus Zenbook Duo, our favorite dual-screener.

According to the price-tracking site camelcamelcamel.com, this isn't some new deal Amazon just whipped out; the Zenbook Duo has been sitting at the same price since late September. Knowing that, we think there's a good chance it could get even cheaper once Prime Big Deal Days formally starts. Up to you if you want to wait to find out, but it may help to know that this is its current all-time low.

The Mashable Shopping team will be closely monitoring Prime Big Deal Days deals, and we'll update this story if we find any other, better doorbusters on 2-in-1s. In the meantime, you can learn more about the Zenbook Duo below.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook Duo (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,394.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $105.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024).

After reviewing the Zenbook Duo, tech editor Kim Gedeon declared that "[single]-screen laptops are now cancelled." She gave it a near-perfect 4.8/5 rating for its slick, made-for-multitasking design, gorgeous displays, solid battery life, and extremely reasonable price point. Note that it includes a built-in kickstand, a stylus, and a detachable keyboard — no need to purchase accessories separately.

The base configuration (our testing unit) comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and dual 1920 x 1200 displays — and at $1,394.99, or $105 off its $1,499.99 MSRP, this is its best price on Amazon since launch. For comparison's sake, it's currently selling for $1,410.99 at Best Buy and full price on the Asus website.

For about $109 more, you can upgrade to a model with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2880 x 1800 displays.

If you're an Android user, and you've been sensing some deep tensions between yourself and iPhone users, you may not be imagining it. According to a new survey conducted by All About Cookies, some iPhone users "think less" of others represented as a green bubble while texting, which often depicts Android users.

Conversely, a notable number of Android users have considered switching to iPhone. Not necessarily because they believe that it's a better device, but because they've felt pressured or ridiculed into making the change.

For this study, All About Cookies surveyed 1,000 anonymous adults in July 2024 via Pollfish, a market research survey tool.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps and sites in October 2024 iPhone users: How do they really feel about Android owners?

Among the iPhone users surveyed in the study, nearly a quarter — 22 percent — admit that they look down on users that send "non-iMessage texts" (e.g., Android users). However, 78 percent of iPhone-owning participants say they don't feel superior to green-bubble senders.

Survey results based on 1,000 participants Credit: All About Cookies

Interestingly, 23 percent of iPhone users get turned off when they discover that a potential love interest comes up as a green bubble in their first text conversation, calling it a "dealbreaker."

Credit: All About Cookies

The survey looked at how male and female participants differed in their responses. One question asked, "Would it be a dealbreaker for someone you were interested in to use a non-Apple phone?" Thirty-one percent of men said yes; 16 percent of women said the same.

Android users felt marginalized, according to survey

The survey discovered that 52 percent of Android users were "made fun of at some point" by iPhone users for their mobile device; 36 percent said they were "negatively judged." Twenty-six percent confessed to feeling embarrassed about their Android device.

Additionally, 30 percent of Android users considered switching due to peer pressure, the survey revealed.

Android, iPhone users seek other apps for better cross-platform experiences

While there’s some friction between Android and iPhone users, the survey found that both camps are seek equal footing by exploring more seamless messaging platforms (e.g., WhatsApp).

Forty-two percent said yes when asked, "Have you ever switched to a third-party messaging app to accommodate non-iOS users?"

While Apple hasn't shown any indication that it will drop the green bubbles any time soon, the Cupertino-based tech giant now supports RCS messaging (also known as Rich Communication Services) in Messages with the launch of iOS 18.

Without RCS Messaging support, Android and iPhone users experienced some foibles while messaging each other. For example, videos and pictures appeared blurry and low-quality due to heavy media compression. Plus, there are no read receipts nor typing indicators. However, as mentioned, that is now changing with iOS 18.

Expect higher-quality media sharing and other modern messaging features between iPhone and Android users, thanks to iOS 18. The only thing that won't be featured with iPhone-supported RCS is end-to-end encryption, though the GSM Association (Global System for Mobile Communications), which is at the helm of the RCS standard, is working to bring end-to-end encryption to both mobile operating systems.

Meta has deemed the inverted red triangle (and its accompanying emoji) a proxy for pro-Hamas support, and is enforcing its removal on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The new policy was initially communicated only in internal guidelines, discovered by the Intercept.

The inverted red triangle emoji has been used widely among internet users in posts, usernames, and graphics, and the symbol is incorporated into the propaganda of both Hamas and related militant groups, as well as the Israeli government. Hamas falls under the company’s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals blacklist.

Posts that include what The Intercept's Sam Biddle called "the offending triangle," and that Meta deems were uploaded in the context of the conflict or to glorify Hamas, will be deleted, the guidelines read. But there's room for more general removal as well, as in the case of a triangle appearing in a user's profile picture — such a broad ban worries digital rights advocates, who warn indiscriminate removal would be a blow to free speech. Accounts may receive further disciplinary action depending on the severity of its use, the publication reported. Meta has yet to provide comment.

SEE ALSO: The watermelon emoji indicates solidarity with Palestine

One of several debated symbols for Palestinian resistance and solidarity, the triangle is pulled directly from the Palestinian flag, representing those sacrificed during the Arab Revolt against Ottoman control. It's also a unifying regional hue: Red, green, black, and white are the colors of Pan-Arab unity. On one hand frequently used by militant groups, including Hamas, to represent armed revolt, Palestinian supporters and users online have long used it to quickly signal their support for the besieged people.

Others, however, view the bold shape as a symbol of hate, co-opting the use of color-coded triangles used to delineate prisoners at concentration and extermination camps in order to, in their eyes, glorify violence and death.

Users online have used a variety of emoji, including vague red, black, and green symbols and shapes, to signal their support for Palestinian independence and get around moderation (or "shadowbanning") policies on social media platforms.

Finding the best gift for a kid requires attention to detail — and an ear for their reactions to various toy commercials.

Kids can be particular. The things kids like change not just with age, but also with evolving trends from TV shows and new technology. If parents are lucky enough, their kid will write a long list of the precise items they'd like as a birthday gift or a Christmas gift and put it up on the fridge in pride — but sometimes, it can be as much of a crapshoot as coming up with a gift idea for someone else's kid.

Instead of buying yet another random stuffed animal, here are some tips on how to successfully zone in on the best gifts for kids of all ages.

What to get for a toddler

Everyone is familiar with the "terrible twos" rep that the not-a-baby-but-not-yet-an-independent-kid stage of development gets. At this age, kids are bouncing constantly between the desire to explore on their own and the reliance on parents for most basic needs like eating, getting dressed, or going to the bathroom. That's a lot of frustrating emotions to go through in a day. Kitchen play sets, toys that involve different motor skills, and anything with music are gifts that can let toddlers feel in charge without too much assistance from a parent — making them ideal for this age category.

What to get for elementary and middle school kids

Potentially a more daunting phase than the terrible twos: The one where the pressure to be cool is relentless. This is that age. Though "cool" can lend itself to multiple interpretations, gifts that contribute to an older kid's evolving critical thinking skills and sense of independence, responsibility, and style are all smart ideas. These could be anything from STEM toys to beginner's makeup tools to a fitness tracker or a pretend pet that encourages routine-making. Anything that involves an app, tablet, or e-reader is also a guaranteed win.

What to get for teenagers

Finding a gift that a teenager will think is cool (and that will be on-trend for longer than a few months) might be some of the trickiest shopping you'll do all year. They'll probably offer up a few big softball suggestions, but if you're going the surprise route, remember that they care about brands. Thanks to social media influencers promoting products directly to teens on Instagram or TikTok, Gen Z kids are loyal to very specific brands of tech, accessories, and even water bottles. If you follow the trends as closely as they do (trust us, we do), cracking the "best gifts for teenagers" code isn't rocket science.

So, without further ado, here are the best gifts for kids of all ages — including toy and non-toy gifts alike:

SAVE $67.27: As of October 4, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 at Amazon for just $262.72. That's a discount of 20% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $262.72 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $67.27 Get Deal

You've got a lot of options if you're looking to buy a smartwatch. Sure, you might be tempted to go for an Apple Watch, but if you don't use an iPhone you might not be so keen on losing out on many of its features. Samsung has its own lineup of smartwatches to choose from, however, and they're not so shabby themselves. And if you want to lock one in right now, whether for yourself or someone else this holiday season, you'll want to snatch up this deal from Amazon.

As of Oct. 4, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 at Amazon for just $262.72. That's $67.27 off its normal price of $329.99 and a discount of 20%. It's also the lowest price we've seen this watch go for, though this price currently only applies to the Green colorway and 44mm size.

This smart watch is rife with plenty of the features you'd want from a wearable, from heart rate tracking to sleep and workout tracking as well as a host of "wellness tips" and a readiness score to help you stay at your best. It can even detect whether you suffer from sleep apnea and help you establish better habits when it comes to getting more sleep. It also uses Galaxy AI to help you improve on your best in terms of your regular runs or bike rides so you can get better over time.

As far as normal smartwatch functions, you can answer calls, text, and use a host of different apps on the watch as you'd expect. Galaxy AI can help you with suggested text replies, you can stream your favorite songs and podcasts, and keep your day top of mind with a built-in calendar. Grab yours before it goes back up in price.

Let's get this out of the way first: Amazon isn't offering any good Chromebook deals in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days, its "October Prime Day" sale (set for Oct. 8 and 9). Not a single one.

In fact, the retail giant's laptop deals are currently scant across the board. A few configurations of the M3-powered Apple MacBook Pro have dipped to their previous all-time lows there. But aside from that, the one Windows model that Amazon previously featured in a "limited-time deal" ahead of the event has since returned to its full sticker price. It's slim pickings.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Start time, the competition, and more

With that in mind, anyone hunting for a good deal on a Chromebook has two options at present. One, of course, is to simply wait for Prime Big Deal Days to start; Amazon could be reserving some doorbusters for the kickoff. For less patient shoppers, the other option is defecting to another retailer like Best Buy, or to OEMs like Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo, where Chromebook deals are more plentiful at the time of writing.

Keep in mind that these alternatives might also roll out better deals when Prime Big Deal Days goes live, in order to compete with it. (For its part, Best Buy has a 48-Hour Flash Sale planned for Oct. 8 and 9.) But if time is of the essence, keep reading: We're keeping a running list of the best early October Prime Day Chromebook deals across the web, none of which you'll see on Amazon right now.

Best Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599.00 at Best Buy
$699.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A spring 2024 release, this 14-inch hybrid packs above-average specs for a Chromebook, including an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U processor, a 1440p webcam, and 256GB of SSD storage. (Those far exceed Google's basic requirements for the "Plus" certification.) It also has a sleek aluminum chassis — no cheapo plastic here, folks. Later this month, it'll get new AI features like Help Me Read, a summarizing tool, and Live Translate.

It's usually priced at $699, but Best Buy has it on sale for $599 — a 14% savings.

More Chromebooks on sale

• Acer Chromebook 311 (Intel N100, 8GB RAM, 64GB SSD) — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)

• Acer Chromebook 314 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)

• HP Chromebook 14at-nf000 (Intel Processor N100, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $229.99 $319.99 (save $90)

• Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $249 $379 (save $130)

• HP Chromebook x360 14b-cd0013dx (Intel Processor N100, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $329 $429 (save $100)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $399 $499 (save $100)

• HP Chromebook Plus 15at-nb000 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $419.99 $549.99 (save $130)

• HP Chromebook 15a-nb0097nr (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $469.99 $549.99 (save $80)

• Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip (AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

Blue checkmarks have appeared next to certain websites on Google Search for some users.

According to a report from The Verge, this is because Google is experimenting with a verification feature to let users know that sites aren't fraudulent or scams. A staffer from The Verge was one of the users who noticed blue checkmarks showing up on links to the official sites for Microsoft, Meta, Epic Games, Apple, Amazon, and HP.

Tweet may have been deleted SEE ALSO: The new Google AI Overview layout is a small win for publishers

By hovering over the checkmark, a message pops up, saying "This icon is being shown because Google's signals suggest that this business is the business that is says it is."

A Google spokesperson confirmed the experiment, telling Mashable, "We regularly experiment with features that help shoppers identify trustworthy businesses online, and we are currently running a small experiment showing checkmarks next to certain businesses on Google."

We don't know whether this feature would expand beyond commercial sites to, say, verifying sites that aren't AI-generated spam reportedly boosted by Google News. AI-generated slop aside, a 2024 German study found "a torrent of low-quality content, especially for product search, keeps drowning [out] any kind of useful information in search results." It's unclear what's motivating Google to test out a verification feature, or whether it will ever ship, but it would be a welcome change for frustrated users who feel like Google Search has gotten worse. Mashable has reached out to Google for more detail on the feature and will update this story with any further comment.

The feature might be related to Google's Gmail feature which adds blue checkmark badges to email senders as part of its participation in the Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) group.

Google did not respond to a request for comment on future plans for this tool and motivations behind its development.

GET $50 OFF: As of Oct. 4, you can snag the Shark SpeedStyle for just $149.99, down from $199.99 at Amazon. That's a $50 discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Our pick: Shark SpeedStyle Hair Dryer $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Prime Day is creeping up fast, and Amazon’s been dropping deals left and right in the lead-up to the big event — from tech gadgets to small appliances to beauty tech, there are tons of great sales to take advantage of.

As of Oct. 4, you can score the Shark SpeedStyle for just $149.99. That’s a hell of a lot cheaper than its rival, the Dyson Supersonic, which usually retails for $429.99. It’s also $50 off the list price and the lowest price we’ve seen for this model, which normally sells for $199.99.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Dyson Airwrap dupes under $300: The Shark FlexStyle is no longer your only option

The Shark SpeedStyle is compact, includes three attachments, and doesn’t skimp on performance. This little thing regulates temperature 1,000 times a second and won’t get hotter than 230 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ionizer technology helps reduce frizz, while the RapidGloss Finisher attachment gives you a smooth, salon-style finish. Press the Cool Shot button to set your style, and you're good to go. As for the lower price tag, you're sacrificing a few bells and whistles compared to the Dyson, but who really needs to pay triple the price for a hair dryer?

GET $70 OFF: As of Oct. 4, Prime members can snag a Kindle Paperwhite essentials bundle for just $134.97, down from $204.97. That's a $70 discount and cheaper than buying the Kindle Paperwhite on its own.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Our pick: Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle $134.97 at Amazon
$204.97 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Prime Day ~fall edition~ is just a few days away, and Amazon’s already pulling out some Prime-exclusive deals to get shoppers excited for the big event.

As of Oct. 4, Prime members can get a Kindle Paperwhite essentials bundle (which includes a Kindle Paperwhite, a fabric cover, and a power adapter) for just $134.97 — that’s a $70 discount, and it’s cheaper than buying the Kindle Paperwhite on its own for its standard $149.99 price.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: Which one is for you?

The Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) is built with readers in mind. The flush-front design and 300 ppi glare-free display mimic the look and feel of a physical book and make it comfortable to read for hours on end, even in bright sunlight. The adjustable warm light shift from white to amber helps with eye strain, and the waterproof exterior means you can take it to the beach, sit by the pool, or read in the bathtub without worry.

Plus, it can hold thousands of books, so you'll never run out of reading material.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Oct. 4: OUR TOP PICK Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle $134.97 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER DEAL Marshall Emberton II $99.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Shark Wandvac handheld vacuum $79.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal

Only four days separate us from Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days shopping event (aka October Prime Day). For all you impatient shoppers, however, there are plenty of deals already live. You can start shopping today and still take home a great deal. In fact, we've been rounding up the best deals to shop every day this week.

Here are our top three picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 4. Be sure to check back at our picks from Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 as well. Most of those are still live and ready to add to your cart, including a whopping 71% off the Echo Buds with noise cancellation and up to $100 off the Oura Ring 3.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle $134.97 at Amazon
$204.97 Save $70.00 Get Deal

The Kindle Paperwhite, our top pick for reading outside, is finally back on sale as part of an essentials bundle. It comes with a fabric case and a power adapter all for just $134.97, down from $204.97. That's 34% in savings and less than buying the Kindle device on its own. The Paperwhite features a 6.8-inch glare-free display with adjustable warm light and IPX8 waterproofing. As Mashable's Alex Perry summed up in his review, "In general, this is an elegant e-reader that is enjoyable to use."

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth speaker $99.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested the Marshall Emberton II and found it to be "a stylish waterproof Bluetooth speaker that sounds solid." It has a longer battery life than its predecessor and is more durable, but otherwise isn't a major upgrade. It has a tough time at extreme volumes, but mostly delivers a rich audio experience. The PCMag reviewer noted that regular retail price is a bit steep, so this 41% discount definitely makes it a better value. Slash $70 off and pick it up for just under $100 (its lowest price to date) ahead of Prime Day 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Wandvac handheld vacuum $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Upright and robot vacuums might take care of your floors, but what about all the cracks and crevices in your car, furniture, and everywhere in between? The Shark Wandvac can help you reach all the places your regular vacuum can't. It weighs just over a pound, is super easy to maneuver, and is compact enough to slip in just about anywhere. The high-speed brushless motor and streamlined airflow offer powerful suction for such a small gadget, making it a breeze to suck up all the crumbs and dog hair plaguing your fabrics. It's regularly $129.99, but you can score it for only $79.99 in the rose gold shade ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. That's 38% in savings and the lowest price on record.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

X, formerly Twitter, owes the Australian government some money.

Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Elon Musk's microblogging site has to pay the equivalent of $418,000 USD because of its refusal to work with Australian online safety regulators regarding the site's anti-child abuse policies.

The country's eSafety Commissioner filed a notice to X seeking information about the site's child abuse policies — and X has so far refused to cooperate.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X sucks and I'm not leaving X contested the penalty

X challenged the fine in Australian court, but the court system upheld the charge. The company's side of the story is that, since Musk made X private in 2022, it's not obligated to abide by Australia's regulations. Australia disagreed — and now we're here.

Per NBC, Musk's social network and Australia have feuded in the past. The Aussie government ordered a takedown of a violent stabbing video filmed in Australia, which Musk alleged was censorship. The post ultimately stayed up. It should be noted that Musk has not actually been that committed to free speech on X since he took over. Specifically, X has historically complied with takedown requests from countries like Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

We'll see if Australia's government ever gets that check.

SAVE $50: As of October 4, get a pair of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at Amazon for $249. That's a discount of 17% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $249.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

The market for earbuds has gotten more than competitive over the last couple of decades. You can find plenty of excellent, affordable buds that tick all the boxes you're looking for with a simple glance at Amazon. Bose remains one of the brands that continually pushes out quality audio gear, but you can typically expect to pay a pretty penny for what Bose has on offer. Luckily, there are also usually plenty of sales on Bose products, like this pre-Prime Day deal you're going to want to snatch up before it's out of stock.

As of Oct. 4, get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for just $249 at Amazon. That's $50 off their normal price of $299 and a discount of 17%. That's the lowest price we've seen as well, though the price cut only applies to the Black, Moonstone Blue, and White colorways right now.

These buds are a bit unorthodox as they have open ear backs. They're flexible so you can wear them by hooking them around the back of your ear so you can hear your music, which might seem a little strange at first, but they do stay put. They're ultra light, and include Bose's immersive spatial audio support so you can get a little closer to your favorite songs. They boast IPX4 water resistance, let you switch seamlessly between multiple Bluetooth connections, and feature on-board controls so you can swap between devices and adjust volume or answer calls without using your phone.

These buds can be your constant companion as well, with up to 7 hours of play time and 48 hours of standby. Their charging case can net you up to an additional 2.5 full charges as well, so you're covered on the go too. They're an interesting way to experience some of your favorite audio-centric content, especially if you're looking for something a little different in the earbud department. At this price, don't pass them up.

Apple is working on a new version of its most affordable phone, and it might be surprisingly good this time around.

According to 9to5Mac, which cites a source familiar with the matter, Apple's new iPhone SE 4 will have a new, modern look, with a notch on top. The OLED display will have a 1,170 x 2,532 pixel resolution, and it will probably be similar in size to the 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 14.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 10 review: Buy it for the faster charging

Yes, this also means that the iPhone SE 4 will lose the Home Button and get Face ID biometric recognition. While I personally am a little nostalgic about the Home Button, I do have to admit that Face ID works well and it's better to just get rid of the button and expand the display.

The iPhone SE 4 will also come with Apple's A18 chip — the same chip that powers the company's new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus phones.

Featured Video For You 5 reasons iPhone 16 is the best upgrade for you

Furthermore — and this is perhaps the biggest surprise — the iPhone SE 4 will come with the same 48-megapixel rear camera, and the 12-megapixel front camera as you get on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. You will not, however, get additional cameras on the back; you'll have to make do with just a single rear camera.

Finally, the iPhone SE 4 will reportedly be the first phone to feature Apple's first 5G modem. This is notable as Apple acquired Intel's modem business back in 2019 to built its own modems, but nothing came out of it so far (Apple's iPhones still use Qualcomm modems). This should also have additional benefits to end users, as Apple's modem, which will handle 5G, Bluetooth, and WiFi connectivity, should be better integrated with Apple's hardware, resulting in better battery life.

While we have heard some of these details before, including Face ID support, and the new OLED display, the part about the cameras and the modem is new.

If all of this sounds exciting, we've got a bit of a downer for you: The iPhone SE 4 is unlikely to arrive this year. Instead, Apple will probably launch it in spring 2025.

Horror movies come in all shapes and sizes.

You've got your comedy horrors, your psychological horrors, your tense thriller-y horrors — and, of course, your genuinely scary horrors.

I'm not just talking about your run-of-the-mill, yikes-that's-a-bit-creepy kind of films, here, either. I'm talking about the truly terror-inducing — the type of movies you wake in the dead of night thinking about, and which stay with you for a long, long time after the credits have rolled. The horribly twitchy, sleep-with-the-lights-on-and-avoid-all-mirrors kind of movies.

Streaming platform Shudder has a lot to offer in this regard.

SEE ALSO: The best movies on Shudder that you can't stream anywhere else

We've combed through the archives of the service (which is chock-full of horror, sci-fi and thrillers of all kinds) to track down the most terrifying films we could — from jumpy classics like Ring to the bleak puppet-themed horror of Matthew Holness' Possum. If you're unable to deal with jump-scares, these are not for you.

Cushions to hide behind at the ready...

Possum

What's it about?

After losing his puppeteering job, a man returns to his childhood home to destroy a creepy puppet he carries in a brown bag. But after a local teenager goes missing, it's clear that something more sinister is at play.

Why's it so scary?

The overall tone of Possum is probably more bleak than scary, but the puppet is the stuff of nightmares: a near-person sized, spider-like creation with a human mask for a face that has the disconcerting habit of reappearing even after it's been disposed of. The ominous, jagged background score that follows Philip (Sean Harris) around doesn't help, and the jump scares – when they do come – are well placed and unpleasant.

How to watch: Possum is streaming now on Shudder.

The Medium Credit: Christine Ramage

What's it about?

A documentary film crew travel to northern Thailand to interview a shaman who claims to be possessed by a goddess — only to get caught up in something far more sinister when her niece begins to act strangely.

Why's it so scary?

"The film's first two acts move at a subtle, simmering pace, but the finale is sheer frightening chaos," writes Mashable's Shannon Connellan in her review. "It's a diabolical move from director [Banjong] Pisanthanakun, who lulls audiences into a sense of security before swiftly pulling the rug out from under us. Sitting at over two hours, the film spends ample time with the characters but keeps the momentum through a sense of foreboding — thanks in part to Chatchai Ponhprapaphan's haunting score. As events escalate, the documentarians' distance to their subjects becomes compromised while they wonder whether they should try to help Mink. This shift is reflected in a mix of their footage and security camera coverage. And in the well-worn tradition of found footage/documentary horror films like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project, The Medium saves the most disturbing moments for last. There's a scene featuring a Hereditary-level reveal that had me sleepless for days."

How to watch: The Medium is now streaming on Shudder.

The Unheard Credit: Shudder

What's it about?

After undertaking an experimental procedure to restore her hearing, a woman staying in her childhood home experiences auditory hallucinations that may have something to do with her mother's disappearance.

Why should you watch it?

"As you might have guessed from that description, [director Jeffrey A.] Brown's movie is a bit of a genre mish-mash," I wrote in my review for Mashable. "The setup sounds like a Black Mirror episode, the hallucinations and isolation are straight-up horror, and the disappearances blend it all together with a kind of mystery/crime/thriller element. It's a combination that could easily start tripping over itself, but somehow it keeps a steady, confident footing. Between Brown's perfectly unnerving direction, a tight script from Michael and Shawn Rasmussen and a well-acted story, The Unheard crackles through its two-hour runtime with scares and tension aplenty."

How to watch: The Unheard is streaming now on Shudder.

Skinamarink Credit: IFC Films/Shudder

What's it about?

Given how experimental Kyle Edward Ball's movie is, this one's sort of hard to summarise. But it's essentially about two siblings who can't find their dad and are trapped in a dark house by themselves with only a whispering voice for company.

Why should you watch it?

"It totally and entirely wants to terrify us," writes Jason Adams for Mashable in his explainer. "Skinamarink wants us to become children trapped in our beds again. It wants the very concept of the dark to be foreign, filled with questions and strangeness and terror. Forcing us back to when we were little and we didn't know more than what was right in front of us, when what lay beyond our hallway or, God forbid, our front door might as well be the edge of the flat earth, falling off into nothingness."*

How to watch: Skinamarink is streaming now on Shudder.

The Power Credit: Shudder

What's it about?

In 1974, Val (Rose Williams) starts a new job as a nurse in a London hospital. But she soon discovers that the oppressive hierarchy and rolling blackouts aren't the only horrible things she'll have to confront.

Why should you watch it?

"It's the perfect setup for building a creeping sense of dread [...] and [writer/director Corinna] Faith does this with a deft hand," I wrote in my review for Mashable. "There are plenty of jump scares, too, but these never feel gratuitous — like all the best scary films, The Power's horror is used to draw out the movie's main themes, rather than wielding them for mere shock value.

"All in all, the film is pretty hard to fault. The performances are excellent all-round, with Rose Williams showing off incredible range in the central role."

How to watch: The Power is streaming now on Shudder.

Satan's Slaves

What's it about?

After the strange death of their mother, a family begins to suspect that her presence may not have entirely left the house.

Why's it so scary?

Indonesian director Joko Anwar knows how to make a creepy film. It's apparent during the opening scenes in Satan's Slaves, when Rini (Tara Basro) makes a grim discovery in her mother's bedroom, and it only gets clearer from there on out. The movie has a solid mixture of slow build, bumps-in-the-night style tension, and outright jump-scares, putting you on edge early and offering little by way of reprieve.

For fans of Ring (which features further down on this list), there's even a very creepy well...

How to watch: Satan's Slaves is streaming now on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: The best women-centric and feminist horror movies Ring Stay away from those unmarked video tapes. Credit: Omega/Kadokawa/Kobal/Shutterstock

What's it about?

A journalist attempts to get to the bottom of a cursed video tape, which supposedly kills the viewer a week after they've watched it.

Why's it so scary?

Hideo Nakata's 1998 horror classic not only kick-started a global franchise, but it also proved you don't necessarily need high-tech special effects and intense music to generate scares. By today's standards, Ring may not provide as many jump-scares as some as the other films on this list, but there are still plenty of nightmare-inducing scenes and images (and you probably won't ever look at a well, or a grainy TV set, in quite the same way again).

How to watch: Ring is streaming now on Shudder.

The Dark and the Wicked

What's it about?

A brother and sister return to their parents' farmhouse to help their mother care for their dying father. But after things take a sudden, tragic turn, they realise something more sinister is going on.

Why’s it so scary?

Creaky old remote farmhouses are already the ideal setting for jumps, but Bryan Bertino's chiller is extra effective because of its use of sound — whether it's jangling horseshoes placed to ward off evil, a jagged background score or simply yawning, empty silence. The jumps in this one are unexpected and genuinely terrifying, and the story is unremittingly bleak.

How to watch: The Dark and the Wicked is streaming now on Shudder.

Host

What's it about?

Unable to meet in person due to the coronavirus lockdown, a group of friends decide to try out a seance over Zoom.

Why's it so scary?

One word: realism. The premise of the story, its Zoom setting, and the very natural dialogue all conspire to make Host feel horribly realistic. It's like you're watching the recording of an actual Zoom call between friends, and that makes it all the more unnerving when things begin to go really, really wrong.

Oh, and if you're worried that the movie's set-up might be limiting in terms of scares, don't be: the jumps in this one are frequent, and — thanks to the creativity of director Rob Savage — always inventive.

How to watch: Host is streaming now on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: How 'Host' director Rob Savage went from viral tweet to 3-movie deal Terrified

What's it about?

A group of paranormal investigators examines some disturbing goings-on in a neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Why's it so scary?

Rather than just having one scary monster or theme, Demián Rugna's Terrified has a whole bunch of them — from IT-style voices gurgling away in the drain to the unmoving corpse of a dead child, returned home from the grave to sit stiffly at the dinner table.

Basically, the film is a trick box full of scares, and if one thing doesn't get to you, chances are something else certainly will.

How to watch: Terrified is now streaming on Shudder.

Featured Video For You 'Nightmare Alley' director Guillermo del Toro explains what makes carnival noir so terrifying Hell House LLC

What's it about?

After the opening of a haunted house tourist attraction results in death, a fictional documentary crew tries to uncover what really happened.

Why's it so scary?

Like all the best found-footage horror movies, Stephen Cognetti's Hell House LLC uses realism to amp up its fear factor, splicing shaky camera shots with moving mannequins and half-glimpsed figures in the night. The tourist attraction setting could easily have come across as cheesy in this one, but luckily the movie's prop department sourced some genuinely creepy-looking clowns for the occasion (one of which provides more than a few nasty jumps).

How to watch: Hell House LLC is streaming now on Shudder.

Z

What's it about?

A mother grows increasingly worried about her eight-year-old son after he gets a new imaginary friend called "Z."

Why's it so scary?

If the likes of The Babadook and Hide and Seek have taught us anything, it's that children having imaginary friends (at least in the context of a horror movie) is never a great thing. Brandon Christensen's Z takes this concept and gives it a fresh twist, putting us in the shoes of Beth (Keegan Connor Tracy) as she grows increasingly disturbed by her son's behaviour.

The thing that makes Z so unnerving isn't so much the creepy child aspect as it is the unknowable monster — the lingering idea of "Z," this unseen creature that dominates every scene with its absence. The fear of seeing something is often more disturbing than the thing itself, and this is an idea that the movie understands perfectly well — and uses to nail-biting effect.

How to watch: Z is streaming now on Shudder.

*This blurb appeared on a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Oct. 4, 2024, 12:52 p.m. EDT This list was first published on Sept. 15. 2023. It has since been updated to reflect current streaming options.

Do you like scary movies? Peruse our editor-chosen list of 100 of the best horror films and use the filters to narrow down your picks for which to watch tonight.