IT General

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) is a feature of HDMI that allows devices to talk to and control one another. So, for example, your Blu-ray player can switch your TV to the correct input as soon as you turn it on, or you can adjust the volume of an HDMI-connected soundbar with your TV remote.

Those crafty marketers are always thinking of ways to make existing technology appeal to people in new ways. Which is why you may have seen advertising for "laser TVs", which admittedly sound very sci-fi and futuristic.

Parents everywhere are likely frightened to count to 10 in their own homes, lest they tempt their children by getting to the numbers six and seven.

If that means nothing to you, then you've successfully avoided the 6-7 meme. Congrats to you and your blissfully offline life. That sounds healthy.

SEE ALSO: Aura farming? Fanum tax? 2025's most viral internet slang, explained

But for the logged-on masses, kids saying six-seven to everything has simply become a fact of life. And yes, that is pretty much it: People are just saying six-seven in a particular cadence...and that is the meme. It's everywhere right now — and it has a somewhat peculiar origin story.

How the 6-7 meme started

In short, the meme comes from a rap track called "Doot Doot" by Skrilla, during which he sings "6-7" in the familiar cadence. Know Your Meme notes this is likely a reference to a street in Philadelphia.

But the meme isn't really in reference to the song. Not really, anyway. TikTok virality relies heavily on sounds, and people used the song to make edits of basketball players — most notably, 6-foot-7 tall LaMelo Ball — which took off.

From there, as memes typically do, the whole meaning and use of 6-7 evolved. The most important iteration involved a kid at a basketball game effectively using the lyric, paired with an up-and-down hand motion, as an emote, which is when an avatar in a video game does a movement typically just for fun or celebration.

That up-and-down movement became the default way kids meme six-seven in real life.

So...what is the 6-7 meme?

In short, it's nonsense. It's silly. It's filler and fun to say. The meme isn't really about the song, or about basketball, or height, or even really the numbers six and seven. It's taking any excuse to be silly. So if someone says six, seven, six-seven, or 67, then you have the opportunity to do the meme. Or you can just do the meme because it's funny to say.

We've written at Mashable in the past that TikTok has a unique ability to shape language. Among kids, that's especially true. Young people have always relied on creating their own shared language, but the TikTok generation is able to do it overnight. You can go from a rap song to a basketball player to a kid at a game to an entirely new, extremely viral phrase in no time at all.

So if you hear a kid saying six-seven all the time, it's likely something they're saying because, well, everyone is saying it. At this point, it is totally divorced from its origins and just a thing to do.

And if it's proven annoying to the parents out there, don't worry. These trends don't last. I see it going on for six, seven more months at most.

Anthropic has formally announced Claude Sonnet 4.5, a new AI model specifically made for coding. During its announcement, Anthropic didn’t mince words, calling Claude Sonnet 4.5 the “best coding model in the world.” Starting today, it’ll power Claude Code, a popular choice for vibe coders and professionals alike. 

The new model is a step up from the old model and seems to be able to do quite a lot. According to Cognition co-founder and CEO Scott Wu, the new model features “the biggest jump we’ve seen since the release of Claude Sonnet 3.6” and can “run longer, handle harder tasks, and deliver production-ready code.”

Anthropic shows this through a variety of charts demonstrating how effective the model can be. For example, Claude Sonnet 4.5 has fewer instances of misaligned behaviors than its direct competitors, including older models from Anthropic. Anthropic AI researcher David Hershey told TechCrunch that he’s seen the model code for 30 hours without interruption in early trials, so overall performance may be difficult to show in benchmarks. 

In addition to better smarts, Anthropic also announced several new features for Claude Code to coincide with the release. That includes checkpoints, a feature that Anthropic says has been requested quite a lot. Checkpoints will save snapshots of the code the user is working on, and then grant the ability to roll back to a prior checkpoint if things go off the rails. There is also a new context editing feature and memory tool that allows AI agents to run longer and handle more complex instructions. 

Anthropic has been on a roll in 2025, as have most AI companies. New models seem to drop every couple of months like clockwork these days. Anthropic’s prior big model release, Claude Opus 4, launched in May 2025, which was also designed for advanced coding. OpenAI launched its latest GPT-5 in early August, and Google joined the fray with Gemini 2.5 over the summer. Thus, AI fans have a lot of new stuff to check out if they haven’t done so in a while. 

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Apple's first iOS 26 bug fix update is out now.

A new OS launch always comes with its share of user complaints, and some bugs and battery problems are fairly typical following a big update. As expected, Apple has launched iOS 26.0.1, which includes some minor updates for the new OS. iOS 26 finally brings the new Liquid Glass aesthetic to your iPhone, among other changes.

If you have an iPhone whose software is up to date, you can download it now. Here's now.

Hit that button! Credit: Screenshot: Apple/Alex Perry

1. Go to the Settings app

2. Tap "General"

3. Tap "Software Update"

4. Hit the big blue button

If you were hoping for one update that would fix all of your problems with iOS 26, that's not likely to happen with 26.0.1.

Per Apple's release notes, this is mostly a series of bug fixes rather than fundamental changes to how iOS 26 works. Issues that received fixes include WiFi and Bluetooth disconnection errors for iPhone 17 models, blank app icons, and unwanted artifacts in photos. That latter fix is likely related to a "rare glitch" some early testers identified while taking photos at concerts. Bright LED lights had been causing square blank spots to appear in some photos, and Apple said the bug would be fixed in an iOS 26 update.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26: How to turn off Liquid Glass

If you don't like Liquid Glass, you can't fully turn it off. Still, bug fixes are bug fixes, so if you're already bought in on iOS 26, you might as well download the new update.

If you are a YouTube Premium subscriber, we have some good news. Your subscription just got even better, for free, as the company announced several exciting new features and benefits in more places. Get ready for HQ audio, faster playback speeds, and more of what you love on YouTube Music inside the regular YouTube app.

The best early October Prime Day unlocked phone deals at a glance: Best Samsung Galaxy deal Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (256GB) $949.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best Motorola deal Motorola Razr Ultra (512GB) $1,099.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best Google Pixel deal Google Pixel 9 (128GB) $699 (save $100) Get Deal

If you're looking to upgrade your phone, but don't want to spend a fortune, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days could be your opportunity to score one for less. Instead of coordinating a trade-in and data plan at a specific carrier, you can often find better deals on unlocked devices at Amazon — particularly during sales events. Unlocked phones aren't tied to a specific carrier, so you'll have the flexibility to switch plans and shop new phones as often as you want. Not to mention, you'll be able to use local SIM cards when traveling internationally without having to jump through hoops.

Amazon's October Prime Day event doesn't kick off until Oct. 7, but we're already seeing some unlocked phone deals worth grabbing. A few Motorola and Samsung Galaxy phones have already dropped to record-low prices (marked with a 🔥). Google Pixel, on the other hand, is starting slow with just a single solid deal. If you're looking for iPhone deals, you're better off locking in a contract with a carrier, as it's rare to find a discount on an unlocked iPhone (though we'll never say never).

We'll be keeping an eye on things and updating the list below with any new deals that pop up as we inch closer to the now-annual shopping event. For now, here are the best unlocked phone deals we could find.

Psst: If you're not sure what to do with your old phone, you can recycle it at most Best Buy stores for free.

The best early October Prime Day unlocked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (256GB, Unlocked) 🔥 $949.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $150 Get Deal

The Z Flip7, the smaller of Samsung's latest flagship foldables, features a completely redesigned exterior. The new cover display goes edge-to-edge at 4.1 inches, making it the largest external display on a flip-style phone to date. It also packs a new 120Hz refresh rate, the ability to interact with AI features without opening the phone, and the option to use the camera to show things to the onboard AI. Mashable's reviewer writes, "If you appreciate the foldable form factor, then you'll definitely appreciate the Galaxy Z Flip 7. You can do so much cool stuff with this "AI Flip Phone." Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can slash $150 off the 256GB version in blue shadow, coral red, or jet black — not bad for a phone that's only a couple of months old.

More unlocked phone deals

• Motorola Moto G (128GB) — $174.99 $199.99 (save $25)

• TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER (128GB) — $222.49 $249.99 (save $27.50)

• Motorola Moto G Stylus (256GB) — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• Motorola Razr 2024 (256GB) — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200)

• OnePlus 13R (256GB) — $549.99 $599.99 (save $50)

• Motorola Razr 2025 (256GB) — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) — $679.99 $799.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Google Pixel 9 (128GB) — $699 $799 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy S25+ (512GB) — $999.99 $1,119.99 (save $120)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) — $1,044.99 $1,299.99 (save $255) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (512GB) — $1,069.99 $1,219.99 (save $150)

• Motorola Razr Ultra (512GB) — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) — $1,299 $1,419.99 (save $120.99)

What started as a niche hobbyist experiment in the early 2000s turned into a wave of mainstream adoption, fueled by the rise of affordable all-in-one (AIO) units and the growing cultural obsession with flashy gaming PCs.

LockBit is the notorious ransomware gang responsible for running one of the world's most dangerous Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platforms. Now, LockBit has reportedly returned with LockBit 5.0, a new variant of the group's ransomware that's already in active use.

In early 2024, a task force of law enforcement agencies conducted Operation Cronos, which took down several big pieces of infrastructure from the prolific ransomware group. As an RaaS provider, the group sold tools and software that affiliates could use for their own hacking operations. It was seen as a major victory at the time. Well over a year later, it seems LockBit is back and, according to a technical analysis by Trend Micro, that isn’t good news. 

In early September, LockBit announced a new version of its ransomware software, LockBit 5.0. Since then, Trend Micro researchers have been looking for examples of LockBit 5.0 being used in the wild, so to speak. Not only was the company able to find examples on Windows, Linux, and ESXi (virtual machines), but its analysis of LockBit Version 5.0 showed that it’s the most advanced ransomware the group has made yet. 

Per Trend Micro, version 5.0 shares some common elements with version 4.0, meaning it's an evolution rather than an entirely new piece of ransomware. The new version adds horrible features like a DLL reflection (the ability to load a DLL from memory), a few new anti-analysis techniques, and — for the Linux variant anyway — the ability to use the command line to target specific directories and file types. All versions also add a random 16-bit string to make getting your data back that much harder. 

Once the ransomware takes control of your computer, it seems to behave the same way that prior LockBit versions did, where you get a ransom note in a text file with instructions on where to go to pay your ransom. There is also the option to “chat with support” to negotiate the ransom. 

In addition to the technical details, it’s been reported that LockBit’s affiliate incentive model has been refreshed, giving bad actors even more incentive to use the software. Reportedly, the refresh was meant to recruit people back to LockBit after the service disruption caused by Operation Cronos last year. 

With LockBit back in action, it joins a new generation of AI-powered ransomware that hit the market in late summer 2025, also known as PromptLock. So, if you haven’t been keeping up to speed on the latest cybersecurity threats and scams, now is a great time to refresh yourself on how to be safe on the Internet.

Apple’s iOS 26 update is a big one — not just because it’s new, but because “Liquid Glass” marks the company’s biggest UI overhaul since the iPhone X.

But the so-called “biggest iOS update in years” hasn’t exactly wowed people. Performance hiccups and a jarring reshuffle of the interface have left many users underwhelmed. Even here at Mashable, reactions are split: some enjoy the new look, while others find it pretty “meh.”

If you’ve upgraded and hate how it looks, here’s the bad news: you can’t roll back to iOS 18. That makes sense, sure — but what if you like iOS 26 overall and just can’t stand Liquid Glass? Also bad news: you can’t turn it off.

What you can do, though, is dive into your iPhone’s accessibility settings to tone down the transparent, glossy effect and make it less in-your-face.

How to change Liquid Glass in iOS 26

To cut down the transparency, head to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Reduce Transparency. This makes elements like folders easier to see when you open them.

You can also tweak the look of your home screen. Just press and hold an empty space until the icons start to jiggle, then tap Edit in the top left corner. From there, select Customize and switch the screen to tinted. You’ll be able to adjust the colors of icons and folders to better match your style. Simple as that.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) are free if you use a Microsoft account, but there’s been a major catch added. Now, you have to keep signing in to it every 60 days, or the updates will expire, and you'll be out of luck if you're not able to re-enroll.

Google Messages has been on a roll this year, constantly getting updates packed with new features or design changes, and two more could be coming soon. It looks like Google's about to finally fix a frustrating bug with group chat icons, along with overhauling links and link previews in conversations.

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSDs are the fastest type of drive you can buy for a PC (or console) today, with the fastest drives hitting almost 15GB/s! Yet, for some reason, video games don't seem to load any differently on a drive a third of that speed, or even much slower SATA drives.

For me, every night is movie night. I love nothing more than settling down, dimming the lights, and relaxing with a good film. The only tough part is choosing what to watch.

Samsung's new foldables are really, really good, but in typical foldable fashion, they are also insanely expensive, to the point that it's out of many people's budget. That's not a problem in itself, but now, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is heavily discounted in one of its most popular storage options.

Apple likes to tout the life-saving potential of its consumer electronics, but AirTags might secretly be the MVP of its portfolio in that regard.

The Leicester Mercury reported that a UK theft victim was able to use the tracking device to find and recover a stolen motorcycle, with the help of local police. Apparently, the AirTag was hidden underneath the bike's seat, and the thief was keeping the bike in his bedroom. Police arrived, announced they were searching the premises, and found it there after it was stolen earlier this month.

SEE ALSO: Every Apple product announcement we still expect in 2025 and beyond — AirTags, Macs, and HomePod

That's stunningly bad OPSEC by the person in question, who pleaded guilty to the theft last week. Funnily enough, that's not even the only time someone recovered a stolen motorcycle using AirTags in the month of September. Two suspects were arrested in Missouri earlier this month after they also allegedly stole a motorcycle, though they at least found and discarded the AirTag shortly after the theft, according to investigators. There was also a case a few weeks ago where someone tracked down their stolen luggage and found an alleged thief wearing their clothes, again just from using AirTags.

At any rate, this is all perfect and totally accidental marketing for Apple.

The Toyota RAV4 has been unstoppable in the U.S. car market. In 2024, it even ended the Ford F-150’s 40-year reign as the nation’s top seller, and the hybrid version played a huge role in that win.

65% OFF: As of Sept. 29, Mashable readers can get 65% off the Fortect Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite, dropping its price from $169.94 to $58.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fortect Get 65% off Fortect Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization Suite $58.95 at Fortect
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If you're frequently on your PC, whether for work or personal use, it's important to make sure it's protected. An all-in-one software solution can help cover all of your bases to make sure you're browsing safely and securely without anything slowing you down. Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite can set you up for success, and Mashable readers can enjoy a sweet discount on it right now as part of a special promotion for a limited time.

While Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite is usually available for $169.94 annually, Mashable readers can enjoy a 65% discount on it through the link above that drops it to $58.95 annually. This suite is stacked with software to help keep your favorite devices safe, too.

SEE ALSO: Best VPN 2025: Tested for performance, trustworthiness, value, and more

Fortect's Ultimate plan covers up to five devices and features Antivirus software, a cross-platform VPN, driver updater, and full PC optimization all in its app.

What's included

Here's the full breakdown, per Fortect's website, of what you'll be getting with the Ultimate plan:

• 5 Devices for Antivirus, VPN, Driver updater, Windows optimizer and browser extension

• Cross-Platform Premium Security and Privacy Suite

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Antivirus:

• Real-Time Threat Protection

• Extensive Malware Protection (Ransomware, Spyware, Trojans, Virus Protection, and more)

• Automatic Malware Quarantine

• Protection for Windows, Mac, Mobile and Browser extension

VPN:

• Online & Device Security

• Safe Browsing

• Connect to 2,400+ servers worldwide.

• Access servers in 135+ countries.

• Smart server pick for speed and stability.

Cross-Platform Protection

• Stay safe on the go with Fortect Mobile Security

• Full antivirus for macOS with the Fortect Mac Suite

• Safer browsing with Fortect Browsing Protection

• One account, protection across all your devices

Driver Updater (Windows):

• Automatic scan for outdated, missing, and corrupted drivers

• One-click updates to the latest official drivers

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• Advanced repair technology

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Every subscription also comes with a free system scan that identifies any issues alongside a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you don't have to feel committed right away if you find this suite is not the right fit for you.

This special promotion won't last for long, so if you've been looking for an all-in-one solution to better optimize your PC and keep it running safely, don't miss out on 65% off Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite.

Video game developer Electronic Arts (EA) has been bought out by a group of investors in what is now the largest-ever buyout from private equity firms.

The consortium of investors, which includes Silver Lake, PIF, and Affinity Partners, will be acquiring EA for $55 billion and will be taking the company private.

Silver Lake is a well-known name in the tech sector and was most recently in the news for being one of the Trump administration-approved U.S. companies to take over TikTok. PIF is Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and has largely funded Affinity Partners, which was founded by President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

EA is one of the biggest video game developers in the world, with titles ranging from FIFA to Battlefield to The Sims franchise.

“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business" said EA Chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson in a statement. “Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come."

As previously reported by Mashable, Saudi Arabia has made a number of investments in the video game industry in recent years. PIF holds stake in Nintendo, Call of Duty and World of Warcraft developer Activision Blizzard, and the developer of the Grand Theft Auto franchise Take-Two Interactive. In fact, PIF already held a nearly 10 percent stake in EA at the time of the acquisition.

The PIF launched the Savvy Games Group in 2021 specifically dedicated to video game and esports-related investments. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman serves as the chairman for the Savvy Games Group.

I'll be honest with you, I've never really bothered with "real" cable management when building any of my PCs over the years. I started to care a little more when computer cases got side windows, but even then my "management" is nothing compared to the obsessive lengths some people go to.