IT General

Are you disappointed by the sound profile in what are arguably Apple’s best AirPods to date? While the active noise cancellation is seriously impressive and the earbuds no longer fall out of my ears, I’ll admit that the bass can feel a little overcooked.

Just getting off the Wednesday high and craving new stories and thrilling characters? Netflix has you covered with its lineup of shows and movies for October, giving your watch list a well-deserved fall refresh.

After a nearly week-long suspension, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is back on the air. But not for everyone.

While Jimmy Kimmel Live! network ABC and its parent company Disney decided to bring back the late night show, broadcast station owners Nexstar and Sinclair are preempting new episodes of the show with alternate broadcasts. Nexstar and Sinclair criticized Jimmy Kimmel's monologue remarks about far-right commentator Charlie Kirk's killer, for which Kimmel apologized in his first monologue following his suspension.

SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel returns to air, addresses Kirk comments in emotional monologue

According to Reuters, Nexstar and Sinclair own over 25 percent of the nation's ABC affiliates. Impacted markets include Washington, D.C; Nashville, Tennessee; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington.

Kimmel even joked about his continued preemption by Nexstar and Sinclair in his first monologue back. When discussing the overwhelming number of people who reached out to him during his suspension, he gave a special shout-out to "the guy who fired me from my first radio job in Seattle — where we are not airing tonight, by the way. Sorry, Seattle."

How can you watch Jimmy Kimmel Live?

If you are not in a media market with an ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, you'll be able to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! as it airs at 11:35 p.m. ET on weeknights. You can catch the show on broadcast TV, or on live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV, and Fubo TV.

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However, if you are in one of the media markets owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, you will be unable to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! as it airs on broadcast TV. The same goes for live TV streaming services, as they require your location in order to provide you with local channels, meaning you'll end up with Nexstar and Sinclair's preempted local broadcasts.

You can try to circumvent these local restrictions by using a streaming VPN in order to change your location. While using a VPN in this way isn't illegal, it does violate streaming platforms' terms of service, meaning you might incur account restrictions or simply get an error message when you try to watch something.

Instead, your best bet for watching Jimmy Kimmel Live! is to stream the episode following its broadcast. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is streaming on both Disney+ and Hulu, with new episodes available the day after they air. However, if you'd prefer to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! for free — especially since Disney+ and Hulu prices are increasing soon — the show's YouTube channel also regularly uploads segments from the show, including Kimmel's monologue and his interviews.

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Windows 11 is always getting new features and changes, and this time around, there are some important updates to system apps like Paint and Notepad. Here’s everything Microsoft rolled out in Windows this past week.

For the past few years, charging speeds on Samsung phones have ranged from 25W to 45W—brands stateside have not followed Chinese brands in adding insane charging speeds on their phones. As a matter of fact, your next Samsung phone upgrade might have a sizable speed boost.

SAVE UP TO $6.01: Apple's new cases for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air are 10% off on Amazon as of Sept. 24, with prices starting at $34.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air cases Save 10% on Amazon Get Deal

As per usual, Amazon has been quick to put several brand-new Apple devices on sale in the wake of the company's "Awe Dropping" product showcase on Sept. 9. Earlier this week, we saw the fresh Apple Watch Series 11 and the redesigned AirPods Pro 3 briefly get $10 cheaper. Some FineWoven MagSafe wallets for the new iPhone 17 series also received a small-but-welcome markdown.

Apple's new flagship smartphones haven't gone on sale on sale just yet, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that a slew of new cases for them are 10% off on Amazon for a limited time. The deal applies to Apple-branded clear, silicone, bumper, and "TechWoven" styles for the base iPhone 17, the upgraded iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and the ultrathin iPhone Air. (TechWoven is Apple's new Pro-tier case type made with multicolored yarn that's sealed with a scratch- and stain-resistant coating.)

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone 17 cases you can buy for your new phone, including some on sale already

Prices range from $34.99 (typically $39) for a clear iPhone Air bumper case to $52.99 (normally $59) for the Pro and Pro Max's TechWoven case with MagSafe capabilities. Each style comes in several color options.

Ten percent off isn't a huge discount, admittedly, but if you purchased a new iPhone right at launch and don't want to risk dinging it out of the box, a deal's a deal. A case is an especially important purchase if you bought or plan on buying the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, which are reportedly very easy to scuff up. (People on social media have dubbed this issue "scratchgate" — you know a problem's bad when it gets "-gated.")

For reference, all of Apple's iPhone 17 series cases are still full price in the Apple Store, and only three silicone styles were price-matched at Best Buy.

Android is a mobile operating system...right?

That's been true for more than a decade, but it may not be entirely true going forward. In an on-stage conversation between Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon and Google's head of platforms and devices Rick Osterloh at a Qualcomm event (via The Verge), the two executives did more than just hint that Android for PC is coming. They practically shouted it at us. You can hear it in the video starting at around 53 minutes.

SEE ALSO: Google expands 'Help me' photo editing tech to more Android phones

“In the past, we’ve always had very different systems between what we’re building on PCs and what we’re building on smartphones, and we’ve embarked on a project to combine that,” Osterloh said. "We are building together a common technical foundation for our products on PCs and desktop computing systems.”

Osterloh expanded on that by saying Google wants to bring all of its Android AI features and apps to the PC ecosystem. Amon replied by saying he's already seen Android for PC and called the new experimental Android OS "incredible." They didn't go into any other details about when and how this will be distributed, but it seems like Android laptops will soon be a reality. For fans of Android mobile devices, that's very good news. Currently, the seamless connectivity between iPhones and MacBooks is a huge benefit of the Apple ecosystem.

To be clear, this isn't entirely surprising. Android Authority reported in 2024 that Google was planning on doing this, while Google itself confirmed plans to merge ChromeOS (the operating system that powers Chromebook laptops) and Android into one thing earlier this year. We have no idea when this is actually going to happen, but if they keep talking about it, it's a smart bet that we'll see it relatively soon.

SAVE $148.01: As of Sept 24, get the Hisense U7 85-inch 4K TV for $1,149.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,298. That's a discount of 11%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hisense U7 85-inch 4K TV $1,149.99 at Amazon
$1,298 Save $148.01 Get Deal

If a new TV is in the cards for you, you're likely shopping around to find the best bang for your buck. Should you desire a large TV that also respects your budget, this Hisense pick from Amazon gets high accolades for everything it brings to the table.

As of Sept 24, get the Hisense U7 85-inch 4K TV for $1,149.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,298. That's $148.01 off and a discount of 11%.

SEE ALSO: Best TVs under $500: Low-budget, high-quality TVs in every size

This 4K TV boasts mini-LED backlighting as well as QLED Quantum Dot technology to give you a bright picture as well as over a billion shades of color. With full-array local dimming and Dolby Vision support, that all translates to excellent-looking shows, movies, games, and whatever you desire. It all combines for a TV that punches above its weight class.

It has 1500 nits of peak brightness with HDR support and is IMAX Enhanced. Plus, options like Filmmaker Mode let you watch movies exactly as they were intended. Its 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support make it a great contender for gamers as well. Thanks to its built-in Game Bar, you can change settings to your liking straight from the TV, so it'll be ready for whatever fall title you want to play.

There's a lot to love about this TV, but most of all, its price is the most impressive thing about it. It'll likely sell out quickly, so make sure to grab yours while you still can.

SAVE 38%: As of Sept. 24, the Nothing Ear (Open) headphones are on sale for $99 at Amazon, down from $159. That's a discount of 38%, or a savings of $60.

Nothing Ear (Open) headphones $99 at Amazon
$159 Save $60 Get Deal

I have a confession to make: I hate most earbuds. I just can't stand that plugged-up feeling, and I like being able to hear if a bike is about to run me over on the street. The problem is that most open-ear headphones look like they were designed exclusively for people who are about to run a marathon (no offense to marathon runners). But Nothing’s new Nothing Ear (Open) headphones are different, and they’re on sale.

As of Sept. 24, you can get the Nothing Ear (Open) headphones for $99 at Amazon, down from $159. That's a discount of 38%, or a savings of $60. It's also the lowest price we've seen on these headphones since their release.

SEE ALSO: Nothing Ear (a) reviews: Top 4 common critiques

True to the brand's reputation, the design is the first thing you'll notice. These have a unique, clean look that stands out from the typically bulky and sporty competition. The open-ear design hooks comfortably over your ear so you can listen to music but still hear the world around you.

They're not just aesthetic, either. Nothing included its Clear Voice Technology with two mics for call clarity and a fast-charging feature for when you inevitably forget to plug them in. It's the first pair of open-ear buds I've seen that I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear in public, and the fact that they're already on sale is just a bonus.

Google is officially launching its AI-powered Search Live feature in the U.S. on Wednesday, which enables mobile users to get real-time information with their voice and phone camera. Previously available as part of Google Search Labs, Search Live is available now in the Google app on iOS and Android.

Search Live is part of Google's AI Mode search tool, powered by Gemini, that lets users ask questions and receive conversational answers with help from AI. Search Live basically takes AI Mode and integrates a conversational voice feature, but it also goes a step further by letting Gemini see what you see. Using Search Live, users can show Google their camera feed and receive real-time information based on what's in frame.

The Search Live feature, which goes live today, was originally announced in June and required users to opt in via Google Labs to try it out. Now, all U.S. users will be able to access the Search Live feature by simply tapping the Live button under the search bar in the Google app. From there, users can ask questions with their voice or share their camera feed.

In addition, Search Live will also be accessible in Google Lens. Users will simply need to tap the Live icon in the app and start their conversation, as camera sharing in Google Lens is turned on by default.

Mashable got the chance to demo the new feature before its official rollout. In a live demo with Google, Gemini was able to quickly identify objects, products, games, and other items, while also engaging in a back-and-forth conversation with the user about those items.

In our experience with Search Live, even if there were five to 10 objects in the camera's view — and even if those items were upside down — Gemini was still able to correctly identify and answer questions about them.

Google also provided some examples of scenarios where Search Live could be helpful. For example, Search Live could teach you how to fix a broken appliance or learn the rules for a board game with a missing instruction manual. The camera feed can also be used for tech troubleshooting, as a user can show Search Live a new home theater setup and get instructions on what to do. Because queries can be performed with just your voice, Search Live also enables a hands-free experience.

Search Live's official rollout (and prominent placement within the Google app) shows just how much Google is centering AI Mode and AI-powered search over its classic search product. This is happening despite ongoing concerns about the accuracy of AI chatbots and hallucinations, particularly with AI Overviews.

Search Live is only available in English for now, but expect Google to add support for more languages and regions in the future.

Meet 101 creators, handpicked by a team of Mashable writers and editors, shaping digital culture right now. From viral innovators to community builders, these are the voices remixing the internet, rewriting the rules, and setting the trends we’ll all be talking about tomorrow.

https://mashable.com/mashable-101-top-creators-2025

SAVE $34: As of Sept. 24, the Monster S220 Bluetooth soundbar is on sale for just $49.98 at Amazon. That's a savings of 40%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Monster Monster S220 Bluetooth soundbar $49.98 at Amazon
$83.99 Save $34.01 Get Deal

If you're seeking a soundbar for your desktop setup, but don't want to spend a fortune, this budget option from Monster might be for you.

As of Sept. 24, the Monster S220 Bluetooth soundbar is on sale for only $49.98 at Amazon. That's a savings of 40% or $34 off the list price of $83.99.

Is it the best soundbar on the market? Well, no, for the price, you should keep your expectations low. But it's also not designed to be. Instead, the Monster S220 is built to pair with desktop setups to enhance gaming audio or boost your tunes while you work. It's pretty small at just 20 inches by 2.4 inches, so it can slip onto your desk seamlessly. You could pair it with your TV, but it won't get as loud as you'd expect from more premium soundbars.

The S220 features a 2.0-channel system with dual 52mm full-range speakers and two bass diaphragms. You can connect it via AUX, USB, TF Card, or Bluetooth, so if you want to transport it from your office to the patio for entertainment purposes, it's no problem.

Most of our favorite soundbars on the market average at about $500, so snagging a soundbar for under $50 is pretty wild. Just don't expect mind-blowing cinematic sound, and you'll be pleased with the Monster S220.

SAVE $200: The Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $599.99, down from the list price of $799.99. That's a 25% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner $599.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $200 Get Deal

Some people have the ideal home and routine for a robot vacuum. Others prefer a stick vacuum, and others still could use a combo vacuum that can suction up hair and debris while also cleaning up sticky messes like a standard mop would. If that last option sounds like your ideal floor cleaning solution, check out this deal.

As of Sept. 24, the Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $599.99 with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $799.99. That's a 25% discount that takes $200 off. This is the first discount we've seen on one of Roborock's latest models.

Ready to tackle all of life's messes, the Roborock F25 is a wet and dry vacuum, sucking up hair and debris with 22,000 Pa suction power. But it's also available to clean up sticky spills in the kitchen with an impressive 302-degree Fahrenheit steam mop.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon — save over $100

Roborock packed this cordless floor cleaner with tons of features like hot water cleaning, blue-light illumination, and what it calls AI assistant wheels, so you can make sure you get way under the couch and in the kitchen corners. Roborock also mentions that the 187-degree Fahrenheit hot water cleaning is excellent at removing stubborn grease from floors.

The F25 is also great for getting under furniture and tables, thanks to its 180-degree lay flat ability. Plus, this model has self-drying with hot air that reaches 203 degrees Fahrenheit. The LED display and app support are also great for user-friendly features.

While there's a $200 off coupon, snag the new Roborock F25 Ultra and take care of vacuuming and mopping with one versatile and powerful cleaner.

Two U.S. senators have sent a letter to Match Group to compel its CEO to act against romance scams.

Romance scams occur when a scammer gains someone's trust — sometimes on a dating app — and then starts requesting money. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2022. They're a global problem: In the UK, people lost £36.5 million to such schemes in 2023.

SEE ALSO: As Tinder struggles to attract paid users, one dating app is gaining popularity

Reuters reported that Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee and Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire sent the letter to Match Group and Tinder CEO Spencer Rascoff on Wednesday. In addition to Tinder, Match Group owns dating apps like Hinge and OkCupid.

In the five-page letter, the senators claim that, "Over the years, many events have raised questions about whether Match Group — in its business practices and algorithmic design — has contributed to the proliferation of romance scams online." They cite the 2019 complaint the FTC filed against Match about false advertisements (which Match just settled this year), as well as other reporting about Match not making scammers or bad actors a priority to root out.

"Match Group's business model is to keep users engaged, but this engagement is dangerous when it involves scammers," the letter states.

Blackburn and Hassan are requesting evidence of Match Group's efforts to prevent romance scams by October 15.

In 2023, Match Group launched a campaign to help stop romance scams, which involved in-app messages warning users of scammer red flags. Tinder also now requires facial recognition scans for new California users.

In a statement sent to Mashable, Match Group's head of trust and safety, Yoel Roth, said:

Protecting users from scams is essential to our business and to earning the trust people place in our platforms. In recent years, we have made significant investments in advanced fraud detection, cutting-edge safety features, and expanded partnerships with law enforcement, industry, and civil society groups to better safeguard our communities. As a founding member of the Tech Against Scams Coalition, we are working across the industry to tackle these challenges. We look forward to constructive conversations with Senators Hassan and Blackburn on these important issues.

UPDATE: Sep. 24, 2025, 2:15 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with a statement from Match Group.

You can grab the Ugreen Magnetic Phone Stand for MagSafe for a surprisingly low price. This handy phone stand is currently 29% off, dropping the price to just $10 on Amazon from its usual $14. This is compatible with plenty of phones, making it both convenient and useful.

It’s time for another PlayStation showcase, with Sony set to spend about 35 minutes sharing the latest updates on games in development and new announcements. You can catch the action live on Sony’s YouTube and Twitch channels.

The livestream will begin today, September 24, at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET and last approximately 35 minutes.

What to expect

It’s always tough to predict what might show up at these events, but with Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yotei right around the corner ahead of its Oct. 2 release, it’s safe to expect something new on that front. What has been confirmed is that Saros, the upcoming arcade shooter from Returnal developer Housemarque, will get an extended spotlight during the show.

Many fans are hoping that Marvel’s Wolverine will finally make an appearance. The game, from Marvel’s Spider-Man developer Insomniac Games, was officially announced at the September 2021 State of Play, and we haven’t heard a word since — outside of the massive 2023 data leak.

What we do know for sure is that Bungie’s Marathon won’t be at State of Play. The extraction shooter was delayed indefinitely after lukewarm feedback from its closed alpha, followed by a confirmed case of plagiarism that derailed its release schedule. Originally planned for this month, Bungie said during the delay announcement in June that a new release date would come sometime in the fall, but it obviously won't be tonight.

Our mobile wallets have supported a variety of digital IDs and driver's licenses from many different states, but the one nationwide ID method we have—our passports—has somehow not been supported on iPhones yet. Now, this is about to change.

SAVE $100: As of Sept. 24, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 is on sale for $369.99 instead of its usual $469.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 21% and its lowest price on record.

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$469.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Tablets are hard on your eyes — unless, of course, you own the TCL NXTPAPER 14. Launched in 2024, this paper-like tablet is unlike anything else on the market. And for a limited time, it's on sale for $100 off.

As of Sept. 24, you can get the NXTPAPER 14 tablet (256GB, WiFi), as well as the T-PEN stylus and a protective and convenient flip case, for only $369.99 at Amazon. That's 21% off its usual cost and cheaper than the tablet retails on its own (reg. $399.99).

The TCL NXTPAPER 14 uses the company's NXTPAPER 3.0 technology, which mimics actual paper to keep your eyes working without strain. It's like a Kindle, only double the size at 14.3 inches and with the ability to do tablet-like things. It features a 2.4K anti-glare screen that automatically filters blue light and adjusts brightness, while delivering rich, lifelike colors. You can choose between three viewing modes: regular, color paper, and ink paper.

"From the get-go, their displays really do look like photos printed on actual paper," Mashable's Stan Schroeder said after some hands-on time with the NXTPAPER. "They appear perfectly still and perfectly flat, for lack of better words."

Paired with the T-Pen stylus, the tablet makes an ideal drawing pad, with over 4,000 pressure levels designed to mimic the feel of an actual pen gliding across paper. When you're not using it, the pen snaps onto the magnetic case so you won't lose it.

The NXTPAPER 14 does all the things a regular tablet can do, but you'll find it works best for drawing, note-taking, reading, and multimedia entertainment. And as for the paper-like screen, Schroeder says, "It’s something I didn’t know I needed, but now I wish other manufacturers followed suit." For $369.99, it's certainly worth a shot if you're in the market for a tablet.

SAVE $44: As of Sept. 24, get the Asus Dual Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 OC Edition for $395.99, down from its usual price of $439.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 10%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Asus Dual Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 OC Edition $395.99 at Amazon
$439.99 Save $44 Get Deal

If you're looking to play the new Silent Hill f game, the recently-released Borderlands 4, or one of the many other great titles out now on PC, you'll want to make sure your gaming PC is up to the task. If your setup needs a bit of a lift in the GPU department, Amazon has a lightning deal going on right now that can ensure you're ready to tackle them.

As of Sept. 24, get the Asus Dual Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 OC Edition for $395.99, down from its usual price of $439.99, at Amazon. That's $44 off and a discount of 10%.

SEE ALSO: Tons of Nvidia gaming tech is on sale during Walmart's GeForce Week

This GPU comes at a base clock of 1830 MHz and can be overclocked to 2505 MHz, with 8 GB of DDR6 RAM. It's an excellent choice to enjoy 1080p gaming if you're on a budget, with support for DLSS 3, fantastic ray-tracing performance for a card in its class, and "Ada Lovelace" architecture that helps it support some of the more demanding games that have come out in recent months.

It isn't the powerhouse you'd get from paying much more to bring home one of the latest and greatest GPUs on the market, but with these specs, it's more than capable of allowing your gaming PC to play more recent releases at respectable graphics settings.

For under $400, it's a budget graphics card that won't steer you wrong, though it will likely go quickly as a lightning deal, so best to get one while you still can.

Do you love mini PCs as much as me? I don’t know why I love them so much, but I think mini PCs are fantastic. They’re small, power-efficient, and powerful all at the same time.