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SAVE $34.99: As of Sept. 20, get the Amazon Echo Pop with Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle for just $24.99. That's a discount of 58%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop with Sengled Smart Color Bulb $24.99 at AmazonHalloween's right around the corner. If you're planning a party, or just a hangout with friends where you touch grapes and pretend they're eyeballs or demand your visitors believe that spaghetti is a bunch of monster brains, you need ambiance. What better way to do that than with a smart bulb and a hub to control it? Amazon is offering its compact Echo Pop smart assistant with a smart bulb right now at a great price, which means you can have the coolest Halloween party on the block with little effort and without having to spend very much money.
As of Sept. 20, get an Echo Pop bunlded with a Sengled Smart Color Bulb for just $24.99. That's down from its normal price of $59.98 and a discount of 58%. You save $34.99 by snagging this bundle on sale, and it's $19.99 less than if you were to buy both items separately.
The Echo Pop is a smaller version of the Echo smart speaker, which can play music, podcasts, work with Alexa apps, and even make calls to other devices. But you'll likely find the most use with it as a smart home hub that can control your new Sengled smart bulb. Turn your lights on and off with the Echo Pop and change up your light colors as you please. You can even set a schedule during which your lights will come on – and other useful patterns as well.
Set up a blood red light for a full moon, pink and purple for a Halloween rave, or just use it to set the mood while you decorate for the season. Whatever you choose, this is a great deal you'll have plenty of uses for.
A tablet is the perfect middle ground between a smartphone and a laptop. If your current tablet is slowing down, doesn't keep a charge, or lacks in display quality, today is a great day to look into a new Amazon Fire tablet. Here are some early Prime Big Deal Days deals that'll take up to 54% off the list price.
Fire tablet deals to shop today Best overall deal Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) $99.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best budget-friendly Fire tablet Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $59.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best kids Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet $139.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get DealThe second iteration of Prime Day is fast approaching. Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days kicks off on Oct. 8 and 9 this year, and we expect to see some great discounts. If you've become a fan of shopping for the holidays well before Black Friday, Prime Big Deal Days is likely to be one of your best opportunities to shop sale prices.
Like most Prime Day events, Amazon isn't making us wait around to score great discounts, and we're already seeing sale prices on items like Amazon devices, Apple products, and robot vacuums.
If you happen to be shopping for a new tablet, Amazon has gone ahead and marked down many Fire tablets ahead of the official sale. That means you can shop today and have your new tablet in hand by the time the official Prime Day Big Deal Days start. Here are some great deals to snag today.
Best Fire tablet deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) $99.99 at AmazonWith a 10.1-inch screen and 64GB of storage space, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is ready for all your streaming shows or typing out that work email from bed. The octa-core processor and 3GB RAM means you'll be able to multitask with the Fire HD 10. Amazon mentions the tablet gets about 13 hours of battery life, so it could also be a great choice for taking on your next trip.
Thanks to the early Prime Big Deal Days sale price, the Fire HD 10 tablet with 64GB of storage is just $99.99 at Amazon, a 44% discount off the usual price of $179.99. The 32GB size is on sale for $89.99, so you'll be scoring twice as much storage capacity for just $10 more.
Best budget-friendly Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $59.99 at AmazonYou can still grab a tablet upgrade from Amazon even if you're shopping on a budget. The Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) is an impressive 54% off today at Amazon, selling for just $59.99 instead of the usual price of $129.99. That means for under $60, you're getting an 8-inch tablet with 2GB RAM. If the 64GB storage ends up being too small for your downloaded shows, the tablet can accept a 1TB microSD card.
Through Amazon's app store, you'll be able to download streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and more. If you don't already own a Kindle, this size can also be great for reading e-books.
Best kids Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet $139.99 at AmazonThe Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet doesn't mess around when it comes to features and functions. For starters, it offers ad-free content, parental controls, and 13 hours of battery life. The 10.1-inch display means kids can play games, read books, or watch movies on the HD screen.
Amazon also added some peace of mind to this kids' tablet by including a durable case to help with protection from inevitable falls and a two-year warranty. If the tablet happens to break within those two years, Amazon will replace it for free.
If you'll be heading to the grandparent's for Thanksgiving, now is a great time to snag a kid-friendly tablet at a great sale price.
More Amazon Fire tablets on saleAmazon Fire 7 Kids tablet (16GB) — $54.99 $94.99 (save $40)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet (32GB) — $64.99 $119.99 (save $55)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet (64GB) — $94.99 $179.99 (save $85)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (64GB) — $179.99 $229.99 (save $50)
Sony might make PS6 — PlayStation's next-gen console — very expensive at launch.
In a chat with GamesBeat, multiple prominent games industry analysts, including Circana's Mat Piscatella and Midia Research's Rhys Elliott, expect a theoretical PlayStation 6 to cost around $600, whenever it comes out, though that likely won't be anytime soon.
Sony is about to release the $700 PS5 Pro in November, and these analysts believe the huge price tag on that mid-generation update console is a sort of trial balloon for more expensive consoles in the future.
For reference, the OG PS5 launched at $400 without a disc drive and $500 with a disc drive in 2020, so a $600 PS6 would indeed be an escalation for an entry-level machine.
SEE ALSO: PS6 rumor: Intel reportedly rejected for the next-gen console — here's whyBut Sony might have an uphill climb to get there. The internet raised torches and pitchforks when the PS5 Pro price was announced a couple of weeks ago, but perhaps more relevant to this discussion is what happened when Sony originally revealed the price of the PlayStation 3 in 2006. The phrase "five hundred and ninety-nine U.S. dollars" has echoed through the halls of internet history ever since.
For those who remember the old days, it might be difficult to believe that Sony would repeat history more than 20 years later. But, like it or not, inflation is real, and prices tend to climb over time, whether it makes sense or not.
If you’re eyeing a PS6, it might be wise to start saving up now.
It's officially cozy season. If you're thinking about settling down on the couch or cuddling up in bed with a good book, now's the time to do it. And what better way to do so than with a new Kindle? If you've had your eye on one, this is one of the best times to go ahead and lock one in, because when the weather gets cooler, snuggling with a loved one or a pet and a great read just hits different.
Thanks to Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, you can save on some of the best Kindle bundles at Amazon right now. While individual Kindle deals are scarce at the moment, and more likely to appear in the next couple of weeks, there are still some great options to be had here if you're looking to start getting more reading in.
Below, find some of our favorite Kindle deals to be had during Prime Big Deal Days and be sure to grab them while you still can.
Best Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle with Basic Pen (16 GB) $379.97 at AmazonThe Kindle Scribe is a great multifunctional tablet that lets you enjoy your favorite books and magazines with the added function of use as a digital notebook. This bundle nets you a Kindle Scribe (16 GB) with a Basic Pen, leather folio cover, and power adapter. The Basic Pen lacks the eraser and built-in "Shortcut" button, but it connects magnetically to the Scribe. In addition to all your normal Kindle options, the Scribe lets you take notes while reading or use it as a dedicated tablet with smooth writing and a responsive screen. You can save big with this bundle that nets you everything you need to get started with your new device.
Best Kindle Paperwhite deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle (32 GB) $237.97 at AmazonThe Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the best version of the Kindle Paperwhite, with wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light. You can get it as a part of this bundle with 32 GB of storage and an adjustable warm light that you can change to your liking. The bundle offers a fabric cover as well as a wireless charging dock, so you're prepared to jump in and attack your fall reading list right away. That's plenty of space for most of the books you want to add and a great option for just about every reader at this bundle price.
Best budget Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle (16 GB) $184.97 at AmazonIf you don't need any additional bells and whistles, the Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle is a good budget option when it comes to e-readers. This bundle comes with a 16 GB Kindle Paperwhite, a fabric cover, and a power adapter. It doesn't have auto-adjusting lighting or wireless charging, but it's the Kindle Paperwhite you know and love, with a few extras tossed in for good measure.
Before you kick off your weekend shenanigans, we've rounded up a few sweet deals at Amazon for your retail therapy needs. As we inch closer to Amazon's October Prime Day, the mega retailer is already dishing out ultra-low prices on gadgets and gizmos from top brands. We've handpicked the ones we think are worth adding to your cart on Sept. 20.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to look back at our picks from Sept. 18 and Sept. 19. Many of those deals are still live, including a record-low price on the Google Pixel Buds A and $100 off a very advanced Garmin smartwatch.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm, Bluetooth) $196.06 at AmazonNow's as good of a day as any for a record-low price on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. The 40mm model with Bluetooth, in particular, is down to just $196.06 at Amazon as of Sept. 20. That's 35% off. Named the "king of the Android smartwatch mountain" by Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry upon its release, the Galaxy Watch 6 features a more nuanced breakdown of sleep habits, sleep coaching, personalized heart rate zones, and irregular heart rate notifications. It also lasts longer on a single charge and has a 20 percent larger display than its predecessor.
Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q7 Max robot vacuum and mop $219.99 at AmazonIf you want a gadget that can tackle two cleaning tasks in one and you're on a budget, check out this deal on the Roborock Q7 Max. It features powerful 4200Pa suction and an electronic pump with 30 water flow levels, plus precise home mapping, a 180-minute runtime, and support for the Auto Empty Dock Pure (which is sold separately). It checks vacuuming and mopping off the cleaning task list. As of Sept. 20, it's on sale for only $219.99 at Amazon instead of the usual $599.99. That's 63% off and on par with the cheapest it's ever been.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $249.99 at AmazonWhile we haven't reviewed the Garmin vívoactive 5, we have tested the previous model and were big fans. As per our reviewer: "The vívoactive 4 is an excellent smartwatch for active people wanting to be more in tune with their bodies, and for less active individuals who have the desire but need a little nudging to stick to their goals." The newer model boasts even more advanced features, an upgraded AMOLED display, better heart rate sensor, upgraded sleep and stress coaching, and over 30 sports apps. It's usually $299.99, but you can save 17% as of Sept. 20 and get it for $249.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker 633 Magnetic Battery $39.99 at AmazonThe travel companion your phone has been searching for, the Anker 633 snaps magnetically to the back of your iPhone (compatible with iPhone 12 and newer) and extends your battery life without adding much bulk. And thanks to its built-in kickstand, you can keep your phone upright for comfortable viewing while you power up. The 10,000mAh battery contains enough power to charge up an iPhone 13 Pro 1.8 times. Plus, it comes in a couple color options, which are all on sale. Usually $79.99, it's on sale for just $39.99 as of Sept. 20. That's 50% in savings and the lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Air Fryer XL (5.5-quart) $109.99 at AmazonNeed a quicker way to whip up game day snacks this season? Grab this air fryer deal on the Ninja XL and save some time and money. With a 5.5-quart basket, it can cook up to three pounds of fries or wings in a flash. Forget waiting for your oven to heat up. Beyond crispy air fried goodness, it can also roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate at the touch of a button. Regularly $159.99, you can pick up the sleek and slim Amazon-exclusive Ninja XL air fryer on sale for $109.99 as of Sept. 20. While that's not the cheapest it's ever been, you'll still save 31%.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
With Piece By Piece, American multi-hyphenate Pharrell Williams brings his life story to the big screen — but with a Lego movie twist.
Directed by heralded documentarian Morgan Neville, Piece By Piece is a musical biopic that translates American music icons like Williams, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, and Gwen Stefani into Lego's signature minifigures. Now, ahead of the film's theatrical release, you can get in on the fun by building a virtual mini Lego of your own!
SEE ALSO: 'Piece By Piece' review: Pharrell Williams finds his happy place in Legoland biopicToday, Focus Features has launched the Piece By Piece Lego Minifigure Generator, where you can toggle between seven skin tones, over 60 hair styles, scads of facial expressions, and over 90 outfits to create a mini-you that'd fit into Pharrell's imaginative world. Tied to the movie's theme, this online game encourages you to "build who you want to be, piece by piece."
And hey, you can even get a "pic" with Lego Pharrell.
Mini Lego Pharrell invites you into his playful world. Credit: Focus Features / screenshotWe're still a few weeks away from the official kickoff of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event, but that doesn't mean you need to wait around. We're already spotting some nice discounts on Amazon Echo devices. Here are some of the best deal to shop today:
Early October Prime Day sales on Echo devices Best overall deal Echo Show 8 $104.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal Best deal for kids Echo Dot Kids $39.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best home organization deal Echo Hub $144.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get DealAmazon is well-known for many things, but today's deal combines a couple of our favorites: smart home tech and serious savings.
As of Sept. 20, take 33% off several Amazon Echo devices ahead of the retailer's Prime Big Deal Days sale on Oct. 8 and 9. Amazon devices are one of Mashable's top recommendations for items to buy during the sale (and check out what not to buy, too, to avoid disappointment).
Here are some of our favorite choices if you're shopping Echo devices.
Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Show 8 $104.99 at AmazonIf you're interested in a smart display, the Amazon Echo Show 8 is a great option that offers tons of features. Video chat with your parents, cue up some jazzy music while cleaning, or pull up a dinner recipe on the Echo Show 8. You can also use it as a way to check your calendar, display the weather, or control other Alexa-enabled devices.
In Mashable's review of the best Echo devices, the Echo Show 8 earns the top spot for those looking for a budget-friendly smart display. However, thanks to today's sale price at Amazon of just $104.99, the Echo Show 8 is 30% off its typical price of $149.99.
Best deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Dot Kids $39.99 at AmazonFor the kiddo or grandkid in your life, the Echo Dot Kids is a great device that can help them with independence. Coming in two adorable designs that depict either an owl or a dragon, the Echo Dot Kids allows kids to stream music, ask Alexa questions, set an alarm clock, or tune into a bedtime story. The device also comes with a year of free access to Amazon Kids+ which includes kid-friendly Audible audiobooks, games, morning routines, and more.
Amazon also includes a two-year warranty on the Echo Dot Kids, which means if the device breaks, Amazon will replace it for free within the first two years of ownership.
Best home organization deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Hub $144.99 at AmazonBusy family schedules can be hard to keep track of. If you're tired of re-writing the weekly schedule on the white board each Sunday, the Amazon Echo Hub could be ideal. The eight-inch smart home control panel allow you to synch up your family's schedule, display the weather, play music, and more. The Echo Hub is also designed to link up with your other Alexa-enabled smart home systems like lights, security alarms, a smart thermostat, and video doorbells.
More Echo device sales at AmazonEcho Pop — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)
Echo Pop Kids — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Echo Dot — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)
Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)
Echo Spot — $64.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Look, I know you can be underwhelmed and you can be overwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed? Reader, you absolutely can (and not just in Europe) — it's the feeling of not knowing what the hell to watch.
With avalanches of TV shows and movies consistently careening into cinemas and streaming services, and not all of it good, there's a chance you've just about had it with choosing what to spend your hard-earrned money and time on. There's just SO MUCH.
SEE ALSO: The 13 best TV shows of 2024 (so far)Luckily, Mashable's deeply obsessed, disarmingly tasteful, and superbly dressed entertainment team is constantly reviewing the series and films trying to elbow their way into your eyeballs — we even pick one as our Watch of the Week.
But in case you need slightly more to choose from, here are three (just three!) things are Actually Good to watch right now.
1. Agatha All Along Kathryn Hahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / MarvelIt's pretty much spooky season and while we can't yet offer up a new season of Wednesday, there's another seasonal delight for you. Agatha All Along, the MCU spinoff from WandaVision, is here with Kathryn Hahn leading a star-studded coven. It's our Watch of the Week this week, so we're not taking any chances of you not watching it.
As Mashable's Belen Edwards wrote in her review, "Agatha All Along feels like a witch's potion brewed specifically to make me giddy with joy. How could it not, when its ingredients include magical trials, rocking songs, and Patti LuPone herself?"
And make sure you watch Agatha All Along star Sasheer Zamata playing "Slash or Pass: Witches Edition" with us.
How to watch: The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.
2. The Babadook Essie Davis in "The Babadook". Credit: Matt Nettheim/Causeway/Smoking Gun Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock10 years ago, Jennifer Kent created both one of the most terrifying horror movies of the 21st century and an LGBTQ+ icon. The Babadook is celebrating a decade of scaring the shit out of us and it's back in theatres. Check out Mashable's Kristy Puchko interviewing Kent in the video below.
How to watch: The Babadook 10th Anniversary re-release is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
Featured Video For You 'The Babadook' filmmaker Jennifer Kent on how her character became an LGBTQ+ icon, and why we will never see a sequel 3. How to Die Alone Natasha Rothwell and Conrad Ricamora in "How to Die Alone." Credit: Ian Watson / HuluKnown for Insecure and The White Lotus, Natasha Rothwell's own show is all about seizing the damn day. Rothwell leads her deadpan-titled comedy How to Die Alone as Mel, a JFK airport employee who feels unfulfilled in life on many levels. When she's faced with a pretty embarrassing near-death experience, Mel gets a dose of perspective that propels her to get stuck into life.
Described by entertainment reporter Belen Edwards in her review as "a sweet, vulnerable ride", this show is one not to miss.
And make sure to check out Mashable's interview with Rothwell herself.
How to watch: How to Die Alone is now streaming on Hulu.
You're probably reading this on a phone in your hand, or perhaps a laptop on your coffee table, and you have no idea — none — the blood, sweat, and tears that engineers endure to deliver the smooth-as-butter product you're using as we speak.
Before it got into your hands, it’s highly likely that engineers were hard at work, pulling their hair out and yelling obscenities, fixing hardware challenges that drove them up a wall. But there’s always a “Eureka!” moment where the masterminds experience that spark of a light bulb, bringing you the ready-for-market gadget you’re effortlessly using today.
For instance, I’ve spoken with engineers who’ve grappled with the difficult task of balancing heat output from powerful components with portability — a recurring issue in devices like headsets, gaming laptops, phones, and more.
This time, I got to speak with two head honchos behind the new AirPods 4 to take a peek through the peephole at how the new earbuds came to be — particularly the one with active noise cancellation.
SEE ALSO: AirPods 4: The new active noise cancellation made ‘Espresso’ sound like it was performed in a soundproof café First, a little background on AirPods 4Apple recently unveiled the new AirPods 4 with two iterations: one without active noise cancellation ($129) and one with active noise cancellation ($179).
Apple AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou may shrug and think, "So? What's the big deal?"
Well, before the AirPods 4 dropped, if you wanted ANC, you'd have to secure earbuds from the pricier AirPods Pro line. There's also the entry-level, non-Pro AirPods line (the lineage that the AirPods 4 descends from) that delivered great sound, but delivered zero ANC.
After all, the entry-level AirPods line have an open-ear design, making ANC trickier. Unlike the AirPods Pro, which have silicon ear tips that seal the ear canal to facilitate ANC technology, the non-Pro AirPods don't. But somehow, some way, Apple managed to pull it off with the AirPods 4.
AirPods Pro 2 with ear tips Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAnd as someone who has tested them on a plane myself, they're pretty damn good. So the question is, how did Apple pull it off? Well, I ended up asking the AirPods team myself.
ANC on AirPods 4 was a challenge"It's unbelievable all the things that need to be balanced," Eric Treski, Director of AirPods Product Marketing at Apple, told Mashable regarding the AirPods 4. "It's battery size as it relates to battery life, and it's sound quality, which includes noise cancellation," and more.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableNot to mention, Treski added, that our ears are very sensitive, making it difficult to include all of these internals into a tiny form factor that is the AirPods 4 without causing comfort to the average user.
But the real challenge, Treski said, was ensuring that active noise cancellation doesn't affect the music that you're listening to.
In other words, without getting too much into the weeds of things, active noise cancellation works by the device "monitoring" the outside noise and emitting an inverted soundwave, or what Treski calls "the anti phase," to neutralize or negate the external cacophony.
Let’s say you’re listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” The challenge is ensuring that the anti-noise signal filters out the background noise without messing with the song or diminishing its sound quality.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, the AirPods team managed to dodge this issue with the help of "algorithms and filtering," Treski said, as well as the H2 chip — the processor that the new AirPods 4 earbuds adopted from the AirPods Pro lineup.
And that's not the only thing that the AirPods 4 borrowed from the Pro family.
"One of the microphones for [the AirPods 4's] ANC is from the 'Pro' product," said Kate Bergeron, VP of Hardware Engineering at Apple, adding that it's a high-quality microphone that is ideal for the open-ear design found on the fourth-gen earbuds.
Because the AirPods 4's form factor is, for a lack of a better word, more "leaky" than the AirPods Pro, the H2 chip has to work harder than it does inside the Pro model to execute ANC — but it gets the job done.
"If you don't have really good mics, you'll hear a low noise hiss," Treski added. "So we have exceptional microphones."
The microphone that facilitates ANC is monitoring what you're hearing at 200 times a second. With a process called "adaptive EQ," it's ensuring that sound distortions caused by noise cancellation and other factors are corrected ASAP.
As someone who has listened to "Espresso" on the ANC-supported AirPods 4 over and over again, I can confirm that the H2 chip and the microphones have been doing their thing. The sound quality is mint and the ANC is impressive.
But ANC wasn't the only hurdle Apple had to overcome.
Transparency mode is no easy task either"Transparency seems so simplistic and easy," Treski said. Unlike ANC, Transparency Mode heightens environmental noise around you, so it can't be that difficult to implement, right?
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWrong!
"It's incredibly challenging because you need to make sure that it sounds natural," Treski said. "Not just the environmental noise, but also your own voice while you're speaking."
On top of that, Transparency Mode would have to execute this task flawlessly with "extremely low latency." Otherwise, there would be too much of a mismatch between the sounds and what you're seeing.
Despite this challenge, Apple managed to fine-tune Transparency Mode to seamlessly blend environmental sounds with what you’re hearing through the AirPods. The result is a more natural experience, where voices and ambient noise flow through smoothly, making it feel like you’re not wearing earphones at all.
How did Apple discover the best fit for 'most'?For some, AirPods fit perfectly — and for others, like myself — not so much.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI'm just one of those folks with "weird ears," I guess. Bergeron assured me that that's not the case. "You look at people's ears and they're totally different in all aspects of their physiology," she said.
"We'll hear from people, 'The Pro' doesn't fit me' or 'The AirPods 3' doesn't fit me,'" Bergeron added. "And we want to learn from the challenges that people have."
In order to educate itself, Apple did some extensive research to find a "one-size-fits-most" shape on the AirPods 4.
As mentioned in Apple's "Glowtime" keynote that introduced the AirPods 4, Apple analyzed thousands of ear shapes, relying on advanced technologies like 3D photogrammetry and laser topography, that amassed over 50 million data points to refine the earbuds' design.
"We've come up with a relatively efficient way to scan people's ears through our own tools so we can build that database [and continue to find the 'best fit'] on an ongoing basis," Bergeron said.
After popping the AirPods 4 into my ears, I was relieved that they didn't creep out of my canal to take a tumble. Even when I violently shook my head from left to right, they stayed in place like they were holding on for dear life in a windstorm.
What's next for AirPods?Out of curiosity, I asked what Apple had up its sleeves for the next AirPods down the line, like AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3, for example. The Apple representatives, as expected, declined to respond.
However, Treski did conclude the interview with some food for thought.
"As you think about Apple Intelligence and Siri, and how 'one' that's becoming," Treski said, "it's just so natural right?"
"And so, that's this sort of journey that we're on to really, you know, extend it further, which is why Siri Interactions is also a great time and opportunity to introduce Apple Intelligence."
Siri Interactions, by the way, lets you reject calls and texts, as well as accept them, just by shaking your head 'no' or nodding your head 'yes.' This is available on both the AirPods 4 without ANC and with ANC.
The AirPods 4 lineup, starting at $129, is available for pre-order now — and it will hit store shelves on Sept. 20.
Apple's iPhone 16 is launching without Apple Intelligence, but there's still a pretty simple way for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro owners to try it out — all you have to do is install the latest public iOS beta.
That's right, Apple's iOS 18.1 beta is here, and it brings — for the first time in a non-developer beta — a number of Apple Intelligence features.
SEE ALSO: Is Apple Intelligence only on iPhone 16? We have the answersSo how do you get the AI goods? First, it's important to know that Apple Intelligence still isn't available to all users. Merely updating to the latest version of iOS, even if you're one of the lucky few who already received their iPhone 16, will not get you any of the new AI features.
Don't forget to back up your device. Credit: AppleInstead, you have to sign up for Apple's Beta Software Program, over at beta.apple.com. Then, you'll have to enroll your iOS device into the beta program by going to Settings - General - Software Update - Beta Updates. From there, you'll be able to choose the latest beta, which is iOS 18.1. Don't forget to back up your device before you install the beta software, which is by definition less stable and tested than public releases.
If you want to take it a step further and try the latest developer beta, check out Mashable's piece with the instructions on how to get that, but beware — developer betas aren't meant for wide public consumption and will almost certainly be buggy.
I'm running the developer beta, but you don't need it; iOS 18.1 public beta is very similar to the latest developer beta. Credit: Stan Schroeder/MashableIf you want to try Apple Intelligence on your Mac or iPad, the iPadOS 18.1 beta and macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta are available as well; the onboarding process is the same as above.
There's a caveat to all this. If you're in Europe or China, Apple Intelligence features will not be available to you, no matter which iOS version you have installed. That's because of AI regulations, which are different in the European Union and China than they are in the U.S. I wrote a short primer on how you can try to overcome this limitation, but the short version is that it is not worth the trouble. And if you want to know more about EU laws that caused this gap, you can read about that on Mashable too
As far as what kind of AI features can you expect in this beta, the list isn't complete (some features are coming later this year) but it does include several key features seen in Apple's "It's Glowtime" event held earlier this month. For example, you'll get the glowy, around-the-display Siri effect when you invoke her, and Siri will be a little smarter when it comes to understanding your mumbly requests.
You'll also get AI-powered spell and grammar checks when writing, as well as AI summaries of your text. Photos will be able to create slide shows based on your text input, Clean Up can be used to remove unwanted objects in photos, and Messages and Mail are getting smart replies.
Never Let Go creeps onscreen like a dark fairy tale, enveloping its audience in a forest landscape of gnarled tree branches and mossy stones. At the center of this grove lies a solitary wooden house, home to a woman known simply as Momma (Halle Berry), as well as her twin sons Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins). According to Momma, they're the only three people left in the world. A great Evil wiped out the rest of humanity, and now it's coming for her family.
There are ways to fight the Evil, though. Like Never Let Go's wooded setting, these defense mechanisms come straight out of folklore. Momma, Nolan, and Samuel tether themselves to their house with a rope anytime they step outside. That bind grants them protection against the Evil. The same goes for the house as a whole, which the family treats as some kind of holy guardian. They touch its wooden walls to cleanse their souls of any contact with the Evil, reciting a well-worn rhyme that declares, "Heaven is here within our home."
SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fallAll these elements form an intriguing blend of folk horror with religious undertones. Yet Never Let Go, directed by Alexandra Aja (Crawl, Horns), fails to deliver on its promising start. The film sometimes plumbs the depths of sinking dread, but for the most part, relies on cheap tactics to elicit any kind of scare.
What's Never Let Go about? Anthony B. Jenkins, Halle Berry, and Percy Daggs IV in "Never Let Go." Credit: Liane Hentscher for LionsgateFor Samuel and Nolan, the house is all they've ever known. The same goes for Momma's insistence that they stay attached to the all-important rope and follow each of her rituals. Momma knows best after all, as only she can see the Evil. It manifests in different forms for her, shedding its skin like a snake to take the shape of her deceased family members. Often in zombie-like states of decay, these apparitions shamble towards Momma and taunt her with painful memories.
All that definitely sounds scary, but since Samuel and Nolan have never seen or experienced the Evil themselves, even in the brief moments when they let go of the rope, it's only natural that doubt eventually creeps in. Samuel, ever the rule follower, remains steadfast in his trust in Momma. But Nolan grows bolder in questioning whether the Evil is even real. As starvation closes in and tensions rise, the stage is set for a family reckoning and all the beliefs they once held dear.
Never Let Go raises fascinating questions, but never goes deep (or truly horrifying) enoughUnfortunately, that reckoning never quite arrives. That's a shame, as Never Let Go does wring some dread from its ambiguous approach to whether the Evil is actually real or not. Take Momma's story of the time she left a young, injured hiker to die for fear that she was one of the Evil's many forms. Are we certain that she outsmarted some malevolent force? Or did she actually abandon a real girl who needed her help? The different possibilities can tear you in two, and Never Let Go remixes that scenario a few times throughout its run for maximum dread.
Too often, though, Never Let Go turns away from this complexity in favor of clichéd frights. Jump scares and nightmare sequences abound, prompting quick moments of fear that quickly give way to exasperation. I don't need to see another mysterious creature dart across the frame! Give me unbridled panic about losing that vital, protective rope or the horrifying inevitability of starvation any day.
Some genuinely fascinating ideas do shine through Never Let Go, even with these half-baked scares clogging the runtime. Real or not, there are different ways to read the Evil's significance to Momma, especially through the lens of family trauma. There's also the angle of children breaking away from their parents: Is Nolan's skepticism a coming-of-age moment for him? Momma mentions she had a similar phase once, so is her family trapped in a cycle of rebelling against then conforming to rituals surrounding the Evil? Never Let Go certainly seems happy to let us keep asking these questions, but after its plodding pacing and scattershot climax, you'll wish it had held onto those ideas for just a bit longer.
Never Let Go was reviewed out of Fantastic Fest's opening night. It is now in theaters.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit against "Pokémon with guns" game Palworld this week, officially kicking off a fight that's been looming since January. Now Palworld developer Pocketpair has responded, claiming it has no idea why it's being sued. This actually isn't as absurd as it sounds.
In a statement released on Thursday, Pocketpair confirmed it had received notice of a patent infringement lawsuit and was investigating its claims, though refrained from specifically naming either Nintendo or The Pokémon Company.
Interestingly, Pocketpair also said it doesn't yet know the details of exactly what it's accused of.
SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon with guns' game 'Palworld' hit with inevitable Nintendo lawsuit"We have received notice of this lawsuit and will begin the appropriate legal proceedings and investigations into the claims of patent infringement," Pocketpair wrote in its statement. "At this moment, we are unaware of the specific patents we are accused of infringing upon, and we have not been notified of such details."
Tweet may have been deleted Why is Nintendo suing Palworld? Credit: PocketpairThough Pocketpair's claims of ignorance may initially seem ridiculous, they're less surprising once you consider the nature of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's claims.
Palworld drew international attention during its January early access launch due to perceived similarities between its titular Pals and Pokémon designs. Some 3D modellers even directly compared character models, speculating that Pocketpair had stolen assets — a theory the developer has consistently denied.
However, patents don't cover such elements, which would more appropriately be handled by a copyright. Instead, a patent infringement lawsuit is more likely to deal with technical elements such as gameplay mechanics.
Palworld's gameplay does have undeniable gameplay similarities to the Pokémon franchise, with both allowing players to capture and battle teams of fantastical monsters. Even so, they're far from the only monster-taming games out there, with games such as Dragon Quest V and Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei series preceding both.
As such, the exact nature of Nintendo's beef with Pocketpal isn't immediately apparent.
It seems reasonable to speculate that the lawsuit may involve Palworld's "Pal Spheres." To capture a Pal in Palworld, players first fight their target to lower its health and increase the probability of a successful capture. They then throw a Pal Sphere at the Pal, trapping them inside it.
As anyone familiar with Pokémon games will know, this mechanic operates very similarly to Pokéballs.
The theory that the lawsuit concerns Pal Spheres is further supported by several divisional patent applications Nintendo and The Pokémon Company jointly submitted after Palworld's launch. Some of the patents seem to concern mechanics such as aiming and throwing an item to capture a creature, as well as throwing an item to release a captured creature and start a battle.
Divisional patents essentially split a pre-existing patent into multiple separate ones, separating distinct inventions that were previously bundled together. Such split patents are still considered to have been in effect from the date of their parent patent, meaning they could feasibly form the basis of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair.
As noted by Japanese patent attorney Kiyoshi Kurihara in Yahoo Japan (via Automaton West), Nintendo and The Pokémon Company requested that processing for these divisional patent applications be fast-tracked.
Of course, all of this is mere speculation at present, with the exact details of the lawsuit yet to be confirmed. When previously reached for comment, The Pokémon Company told Mashable that it "refrain[s] from commenting on the matters related to the content of the lawsuit."
Mashable has also reached out to Nintendo and Pocketpair for comment.
"It is truly unfortunate that we will be forced to allocate significant time to matters unrelated to game development due to this lawsuit," Pocketpair said in its public statement. "However, we will do our utmost for our fans, and to ensure that indie game developers are not hindered or discouraged from pursuing their creative ideas."
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