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SAVE $200: As of Sept. 30, the Toshiba 55-inch Class C350 Series is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 55-inch Class C350 Series $199.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $200 Get Deal

With the colder months setting in, it’s the perfect time for a TV upgrade. And the season of cozy movie nights and Gilmore Girls rewatches lining up with Prime Day feels almost too good to be true. We've still got a week until things kick off fully, but Amazon has already lined up some early Prime Day discounts, like this half-off deal on the Toshiba 55-inch Class C350 Series.

Normally priced at $399.99, as of Sept. 30, this impressive TV is now only $199.99, a $200 savings. This price is specific to the 55-inch option, but there are discounts across all sizes.

And with this deal, you're getting so much for so little. For display and sound, you'll enjoy the REGZA Engine ZR that makes everything you watch shine in 4K. It even has an AI 4K Upscaler to boost Full HD content so it looks near-4K without the blur. And with the added Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, you’ve nearly got movie theater-level picture and sound from the comfort of your couch.

It keeps up with fast games or action movies too, thanks to the Ultimate Motion. Sports Mode takes it up a notch for live matches, showing every detail clearly. Plus, with Super Contrast Booster, colors are incredibly vivid.

It also runs on the Fire TV OS, meaning you've got a great user interface with all your favorite apps and shows right there on one easy-to-use home screen.

Get this great TV deal from Amazon.

TL;DR: Live stream Galatasaray vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Liverpool have made a really strong start to the new season, including an opening round Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid. Next they face a tough trip to Galatasaray, a team that have looked extremely impressive in the Süper Lig but lost 5-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the first game in this competition.

If you want to watch Galatasaray vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Galatasaray vs. Liverpool?

Galatasaray vs. Liverpool in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 30. This fixture takes place at Rams Park.

How to watch Galatasaray vs. Liverpool for free

Galatasaray vs. Liverpool in the Champions League is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Galatasaray vs. Liverpool for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Live stream Galatasaray vs. Liverpool for free on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Galatasaray vs. Liverpool on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Stream Galatasaray vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $10: As of Sept. 30, the Roku Streaming Stick is on sale for $29 at Amazon. That's a 27% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streaming Stick Plus $29 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.99 Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day is just a week away, and it's always a great time to score discounts on tech. From TVs to earbuds, chances are you'll find something you need at a fantastic low price. And even with a week to go, Amazon has dusted off some deals early, like this latest on the Roku Streaming Stick Plus.

As of Sept. 22, this option is down from $39.99 and is now just $29. It's never been priced lower than this either.

Streaming sticks are a great way to make watching easier, and the Roku stick is no different. It's user-friendly and makes sure your apps and streaming services are right at your fingertips. The remote even comes with a built-in voice search function, so you can ask it to browse several platforms at once to find your favorite movie. Not to mention, it couldn't be easier to set up. The device comes with a stick to plug into your TV's HDMI port, and that's all you need to do,

If you're wondering how the Plus differs from the regular Roku stick, it's the same but better. The Plus supports 4K streaming, so you can enjoy all your favorite shows and movies in amazing quality..

Head to Amazon to score this early Prime Day deal.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025:

AcrossExclamation made with a shiver

• The answer is Brr.

Putt 'er there!

• The answer is Green.

"___ gotta be kidding me!"

• The answer is You've.

Negative attribute, so to speak

• The answer is Minus.

Got some shut-eye

• The answer is Slept.

DownOven button with a "high" or "low" setting

• The answer is Broil.

Get together again, like alumni

• The answer is Reune.

Make go "Vroom!"

• The answer is Revup.

Spots where you might spot some spotters

• The answer is Gyms.

Egg container

• The answer is Nest.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Calls to boycott Disney overtook social media this month after subsidiary ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel on Sept. 17. Now we may have some idea of how much damage Disney actually took.

SEE ALSO: 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' will be back on Sinclair and Nexstar ABC stations starting Friday

Over 1.7 million Disney streaming subscriptions were reportedly cancelled in seven days between the announcement of Kimmel's suspension and his return, according to sources speaking to independent journalist Marisa Kabas for her website The Handbasket. This includes accounts across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN.

If accurate, this means Disney lost over 242,800 subscribers per day during that time period. Kabas reports that this amounts to a whopping 436 percent increase in cancellations compared to Disney's baseline weekly subscriber churn.

Disney's stock dropped by about three percent during the seven days Kimmel was suspended, wiping approximately $6.4 billion from its valuation. While Disney seems likely to recover, this dip still represents a clear message to the company.

SCOOP / UPDATE — Disney saw more than 1.7 million total paid streaming cancelations during the period 9/17-9/23, a Disney source confirms to me. The total includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN.

[image or embed]

— Marisa Kabas (@marisakabas.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:19 AM

Kimmel returned to air last Tuesday, joking that Disney had asked him to read out instructions on how viewers could reactivate their Disney+ and Hulu accounts. Even so, his reinstatement does not appear to have entirely placated Disney's critics, with free speech concerns continuing to linger. ABC pulled Kimmel off air after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr threatened the network's broadcasting license and called for it to "take action" on the late night host.

Public disapproval of Disney was further bolstered last week when the company revealed it is increasing Disney+ subscription prices. Announced shortly after confirming Kimmel's return, Disney's pricing changes are set to go into effect from Oct. 21. Kabas reports that Disney rushed to resolve Kimmel's suspension because it had already planned the price hike, knowing it would be further unwelcome news to subscribers.

Netflix has released a teaser trailer for Physical: Asia, the next instalment of its Physical 100 reality competition franchise. This time the series will bring together 48 athletes from eight different countries, all of whom will compete in a series of gruelling challenges to see who comes out on top.

With national pride at stake, Physical: Asia has an extra layer of competitiveness. The trailer opens with some Korean competitors stating that they absolutely must beat Japan, an understandable sentiment considering the history between the two countries. Fortunately for Team Korea it has experience on its side, as it includes Physical 100 Season 2 winner Amotti.

Other countries also taking part include Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Australia is also there even though it's technically not in Asia, though it is relatively close to the region. Participating in Physical: Asia at least makes more sense than Australia competing in Eurovision.

Physical: Asia will arrive Oct. 28 on Netflix.

It's the start of a new phase in the lunar cycle tonight, and for now, that means the moon will be getting brighter each night.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight phases of the moon. NASA explains that these phases occur as the Sun illuminates varying portions of the moon while it moves around our planet. The cycle in general lasts around 29.5 days.

Keep reading to see what you can see when you look up tonight, Sept. 30.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Sept. 30, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 56% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

If you enjoy a bit of moon gazing, there's a lot for you to see tonight. You won't need any visual aids to see the Mare Crisium, the Mare Vaporum, and the Mare Fecunditatis. With binoculars, you can add the Archimedes Crater, Endymion Crater, and the Mare Nectaris to your lineup.

If you have a telescope, you can also see the Linne Crater, Rima Hyginus, and the Rupes Altai.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 7. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the moon’s phases are part of its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. As the moon moves, the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth shift, creating the changing phases we see. From our perspective, the moon sometimes appears full, sometimes seems to vanish completely, but we always see the same side. What changes is how much sunlight is reflecting off its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Live stream Chelsea vs. Benfica in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is back with another batch of exciting matchups, including Chelsea vs. Benfica. Both sides lost their opening games in the group stage, so this fixture is pretty important. But there's another (much bigger) storyline to consider — the return of José Mourinho to Stamford Bridge. That's what most fans want to see.

If you want to watch Chelsea vs. Benfica in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Chelsea vs. Benfica?

Chelsea vs. Benfica in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 30. This fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge.

How to watch Chelsea vs. Benfica for free

Chelsea vs. Benfica is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chelsea vs. Benfica for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Chelsea vs. Benfica for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Chelsea vs. Benfica (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Chelsea vs. Benfica in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of really interesting matchups in the Champions League this week, including Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid. Any game involving Real Madrid is going to draw the eyes of the world, with everyone keeping tabs on how Xabi Alonso gets the best out of this team of stars. This could be a long night for Kairat Almaty.

If you want to watch Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid?

Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 30. This fixture takes place at the Almaty Central Stadium.

How to watch Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid for free

Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Fate or destination.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

KARMA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Gossip.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

RUMOR

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A medical attendant.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

NURSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A sheen, often found on a donut.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

GLAZE

Final Hurdle hint

A messenger.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

GOFER

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

SAVE $20.99: As of Sept. 29, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $79, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streambar SE $79 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal

If you’ve been looking for an all-in-one entertainment solution for your bedroom TV or a smaller living room, I’d like to introduce you to the Roku Streambar SE. This little soundbar doubles as a 4K/HDR streaming device, and it's on sale for a limited time at Amazon. So, if a new TV isn't quite in your budget but you still want to get access to streaming apps like Peacock and Apple TV+, this is a great 2-in-1 solution.

The Roku Streambar SE is the lower-priced successor to the Roku Streambar, which is currently out of stock. The original Streambar even got a shoutout in our guide to the best home soundbars, and the SE is an even more affordable streaming solution.

Ahead of Amazon's retailer's Prime Big Deal Days event on Oct. 7, tons of popular gadgets are on sale, including this popular streaming stick. Right now, the Roku Streambar SE is only $79, down from its usual $99.99 retail price. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 in total savings. This isn't the lowest we've seen it go for (it was $59 during an Amazon sale last year), but it's the lowest price we've seen since early June. And with tariffs causing price increases all over the tech world, we'd be surprised if it gets marked down to $59 again.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 favorite expert-tested soundbars to upgrade your TV setup

With the Roku Streambar SE, you’ll be able to enjoy 4K picture quality (if your TV offers 4K quality) and an easy-to-use Roku interface that lets you stream from pretty much every service you can think of, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can pair your headphones for a quiet night of TV watching or stream music from your phone. Plus, the remote controls your TV, sound, and streaming, so you don’t have to juggle multiple remotes.

The two full-range speakers are pretty decent for a budget soundbar, and if you want a more immersive home theater experience, you can pair it with a Roku Wireless Bass Subwoofer.

SAVE $24: As of Sept. 29, the Apple AirTag four-pack is on sale for $74.99 at Amazon. That's a 24% discount on the usual list price and just $18.75 per tracker.

Apple AirTag Offers Apple AirTag 4-pack $74.99 (save $24.01) Get Deal Apple AirTag $24.99 at Amazon (save $4.01) Get Deal Belkin Apple AirTag Secure Holder with Key Ring $12.99 Shop Now

Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day, is almost back. And with just over a week to go, Amazon is already offering early Prime Day deals on TVs, earbuds, e-readers, and tons of gadgets. It's also a great time to look for Apple deals. One of our favorite Apple products is already seeing great discounts ahead of the event — AirTags.

As of Sept. 29, you can find the four-pack of AirTags on sale at Amazon for $74.99, a $24 saving on list price that works out to just $18.75 per tracker. If you only need one AirTag, the one-pack is also on sale, but it's not as good of a deal (a single tracker is discounted to $24.99 at Amazon as of this writing). This deal is perfect if you have lots of items or devices you want to keep tabs on, like your phone, keys, tablet, or even your passport.

SEE ALSO: Police use Apple AirTag to track stolen motorcycle to thief's bedroom

AirTags work as a tracking device, and they're a popular alternative to Bluetooth trackers from Tile and Chipolo. Thanks to Apple's extensive Find My network, they offer a convenient way for iOS users to track their items. You attach them to whatever you don't want to lose and follow it in the Find My app. If you do lose it, you can use the map to track it down. And if that doesn't work, the AirTag has a small speaker built in and can play a noise to alert you to its location.

AirTags are also IP67 water and dust-resistant, so if your items end up somewhere they really shouldn't be, the AirTag can still remain trackable. It also has a year-long battery life, and when it does run out, just replace it with a CR2032 coin cell battery — nice and easy.

Get this AirTag deal from Amazon now and pay just $18.75 per tracker when you buy a four-pack.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4-Pack $74.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $24.01 Get Deal

Four and a half years after YouTube banned Donald Trump's channel in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Alphabet-owned company agreed today to pay the president $24.5 million — money that will go to build a new ballroom at the White House.

Trump sued after his channel was shut down shortly after his followers stormed the Capitol in the wake of his election defeat by Joe Biden. At the time, YouTube stated it believed content posted to Trump's channel could encourage more violence. Though YouTube reinstated Trump's account in 2023, he still pursued the litigation.

Much of the settlement — $22 million — will partially fund the creation of a new White House ballroom, which is being built at Trump's behest. The remaining $2.5 million will go to the Plaintiffs American Conservative Union, a group of individuals who also sued YouTube following the banning of Trump's channel.

Trump has had much success suing tech companies that booted him after he encouraged his supporters to "fight like hell" before they ransacked the Capitol. Following his account suspensions, Meta forked over $25 million, and X paid him around $10 million.

Similarly, Disney paid Trump $15 million for his future presidential library after he sued for defamation over an interview George Stephanopoulos conducted for ABC News. Paramount Global settled a Trump lawsuit for $16 million for a story that didn't even directly involve him — he had taken umbrage with an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

SEE ALSO: How to watch 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!,' even if your ABC station isn't showing it

Trump is currently suing the Wall Street Journal over stories related to his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The president also sued the New York Times for stories during the 2024 election, but a judge recently tossed that lawsuit, calling it "improper."

TL;DR: As of Sept. 29, the popular DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon in this Prime exclusive deal. That's $50 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Prime member exclusive Shop Now

DJI drones have been causing a lot of fuss recently, and it comes down to uncertainty over their availability. These drones are favorites with TikTokers, YouTubers, filmmakers, and even farmers, and there's no real alternative. So, any stock issues could upset a lot of creators and business owners. Yet, after losing a lawsuit against the Department of Defense, DJI drones are still on track to be banned by the end of 2025.

If you're looking to beat a potential ban and pick up a DJI drone online, we have some good news: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $50 off right now at Amazon. These popular mini camera drones are now only $249, but only for Prime members. These drones were a hit during the July Prime Day sale, and we've seen them go out of stock repeatedly in the months since.

We should flag that this drone is being sold by AeroTech Hubs, as DJI itself is facing major problems importing its drones in the United States. (Virtually the company's entire lineup of drones is listed as "unavailable" at the DJI online store.) We don't usually recommend purchasing from third-party sellers on Amazon, but AeroTech Hubs actually has a pretty great track record with Amazon shoppers. So with stock running low, we feel comfortable making this recommendation to buy. With your Prime account, returns are free, after all.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. And because of its connections to the Chinese government, DJI drones may soon be banned altogether here in the United States. That's not official just yet, but the prospect is looking more and more likely, which is one more reason these drones are often out of stock. And that has been driving a massive uptick in sales.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

Again, get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $250 at Amazon while you still can. You're running out of time to get a DJI drone for yourself.

OpenAI is pushing the limits of agentic AI with the launch of Instant Checkout in ChatGPT, a new commerce tool that lets users buy directly from vendors. Starting today, ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and free users in the U.S. can start using the tool for single-item purchases, though only one merchant is available at launch.

In a blog post published today, the company explained that Instant Checkout was co-developed with payment processor Stripe and already works in chat with Etsy. Support for “over a million Shopify merchants, like Glossier, SKIMS, Spanx, and Vuori,” is coming soon, the blog post said. OpenAI also revealed that the underlying technology will be open source to help bring agentic commerce to more merchants and developers.

Here’s how it works: when ChatGPT users ask for shopping recommendations, the chatbot surfaces suggestions. If a merchant supports Instant Checkout, users can simply tap “Buy,” confirm order details, shipping, and payment, and complete the purchase without leaving the chat. For subscribers, the system uses the payment method already on file.

According to OpenAI, orders, payments, and fulfillment are still handled by the merchant’s existing system — ChatGPT just acts as a digital personal shopper, passing the information back and forth.

So far, the inability of AI agents to actually complete purchases for users has been a big limitation of the technology. By launching Instant Checkout and making the backend technology open source, OpenAI could change that status quo.

The new feature is likely to ruffle feathers at some of OpenAI's tech rivals. Google is developing its own agentic commerce agent and has already released an open-source tool for AI-powered purchases, putting it in direct competition with OpenAI. Meanwhile, rumor has it that Amazon isn’t thrilled about AI agents skimming its storefront instead of drawing in human customers — and potentially threatening its lucrative advertising business.

As TechCrunch points out, both companies have a history of leveraging their dominance in ecommerce and search to charge higher fees or push out competitors — practices that have landed them in court more than once. But if chatbots become the starting point for retail purchases, the power dynamic flips. This time, it’s the firms behind the bots that hold the leverage. Plus, by working directly with Shopify merchants, OpenAI can avoid dealing with retailers like Amazon altogether, at least, for now.

They’re not alone in the race. Perplexity has rolled out a similar in-chat shopping and payments feature, while Microsoft offers merchants the ability to build in-chat storefronts through its Copilot Merchant Program.

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.

Tech deals scavengers are going nuts over the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, which can be found for $198 to $228 at Amazon on any given day.

Sony’s fourth-gen flagship cans were a class leader when they launched, but how do they hold up in today’s wireless audio landscape? For starters, as we've noted before, new flagship headphones now cost a minimum of $450. The new flagship Bowers & Wilkins Px8 just dropped for $799. This economy — and those nosebleed-inducing prices — can make previous-gen tech like this awfully attractive.

If you’re reading this, then you’re debating whether to drop two Benjamins on these beloved headphones or spend the difference on their advanced siblings. The upgraded specs on the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 might make the Mark Four model look outdated. Don’t buy into that malarkey. All Sony wireless headphones share many of the company’s proprietary features and technologies, including the classic WH-1000XM4.

So, I dug into my closet and pulled out the noise-cancelling headphones to see if they’re still worth buying five years later. Spoiler alert: They hold up better than I expected.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $228 at Amazon
$348 Save $120 Get Deal SEE ALSO: The best expert-tested Sony headphones for every price point Why should you consider buying the WH-1000XM4 headphones?

About 85 percent of what’s available on the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 can be experienced on the WH-1000XM4. There's a reason each of these products has dominated Mashable's guide to the best wireless headphones year after year.

The WH-1000XM4 still sound better than most luxury rivals. Frequency range leans heavily towards the low end, resulting in deep bass that blends nicely with crisp mids and highs. Instruments, vocals, and subtle nuances are transparent on boom-heavy tracks.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Most of Sony’s mobile feature suite is accessible via the Sound Connect app to personalize the headphones. There’s the customizable EQ with well-engineered presets, LDAC audio codec for hi-res streaming with minimal latency, and voice activation. The WF-1000XM4 also have 360 Reality Audio, which creates convincing 360-degree sound, as well as my favorite feature to upscale sound on Sony headphones: DSEE. Everything works well.

Noise cancellation on the WH-1000XM4 eliminates a vast amount of ambient noise. I’ve worn them around the house for two weeks to silence common disruptions (e.g., kitchen appliances, laundry room fracas, a wildly cheerful toddler) during work hours. Most noises were muted, except for certain high-frequency sounds, and even those weren’t too distracting. Sony’s 20-level Ambient Mode was dependable for eavesdropping on conversations and raising situational awareness. The mics demonstrated superb noise and vocal capture.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Battery life with ANC on is no different than the current releases (30 hours). Connectivity perks like Google Fast Pair and multipoint technology to pair to two devices simultaneously come part of the package. This is the last pair of Mark Series headphones to come with NFC. Lastly, the touch and voice controls are responsive and operate smoothly. 

Why should you consider not buying the WH-1000xM4 headphones?

The new Adaptive NC Optimizer on the WH-1000xM6 is better at noise reduction and auto-adjusts performance for optimal sound delivery. Call quality on the WH-1000xM4 is a failure that has been greatly improved on the latest models. Audiophiles will also gravitate towards the WH-1000xM5’s and WH-1000xM6’s more tonally balanced sound.

Another factor that deserves serious attention is the product’s shelf life. The AirPods are fantastic because Apple designed them to function for years to come, thanks to its frequently updated and intelligible ecosystem. Sony has done a tremendous job of distributing its high-end mobile features across all wireless headphones and earbuds. At some point, older models have their plug pulled and stop receiving firmware updates. The WH-1000xM4 are still getting them. It is unknown how much longer that will continue. 

So, are the Sony XM4 headphones still worth it in 2025?

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable The verdict: For deal hunters, the Sony XM4 headphones are still worth it

It’s easy to be coerced into buying the newer Mark Series releases based on their stronger ANC and audio. That doesn’t mean you should overlook the WH-1000xM4. They have effective noise cancellation, longer playtimes than any Apple or Bose headphones, and vibrant sound. Not to mention they support Sony’s big three audio hallmarks: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, and LDAC.

Pricing is the biggest factor when comparing the last three Mark Series models. You’ll be lucky to find the WH-1000xM5 on sale for no less than $285, and even luckier to stumble upon the WH-1000xM6 at under $400. 

That being said, there is no better audio deal right now than the WH-1000xM4, and it’s well worth the pickup for anyone seeking terrific noise-canceling headphones at a reasonable price.

Top offers on Sony headphones Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $228 (save $120) Get Deal Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $498 Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $398 Shop Now

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Threads is nearing X in mobile user numbers, according to data from Similarweb, a leading web analytics firm. The Twitter alternative from Meta is reportedly growing steadily and appears to be drawing users away from Elon Musk’s platform.

A chart shared by Similarweb shows Threads steadily increasing its daily active users on both iOS and Android. The data suggests Threads has reached parity with X — around 130 million daily active users — and is on track to surpass it globally within days.

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It's worth noting, however, that X still far surpassed Threads in web traffic, according to Similarweb.

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All that data tracks, especially considering a significant portion of Threads traffic likely comes from users clicking through via the Instagram app. Being embedded within Meta's broader ecosystem has clearly been a powerful — if unsurprising — growth driver. In August, Threads announced that it reached 400 million monthly active users.

X, on the other hand, has long been part of users' daily web habits, albeit under its former name. It's no surprise, then, that more of its traffic comes from desktop use.

Still, the fact that Threads has reportedly pulled even with X marks a major milestone. This shift had been anticipated since earlier this summer — and now, according to Similarweb, it appears to have arrived.

Amazon agreed to a whopping $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last week over allegedly "deceptive" practices in signing up users to its paid Amazon Prime subscription service.

Out of that settlement, Amazon will pay a $1 billion civil penalty to the U.S. government. The other $1.5 billion? That's the Consumer Fund, and it's going to be used to refund Amazon Prime customers who were affected by these practices.

According to the settlement terms, an estimated 35 million customers are entitled to that $1.5 billion pool, which would amount to a refund of $42.86 per person if distributed evenly. That's not an earth-shattering chunk of change, but free money is free money.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's October Prime Day is coming on October 7 — here are 30+ early deals to shop now Who gets a refund from the Amazon-FTC settlement?

The FTC's lawsuit against Amazon, which resulted in the settlement, focused on Amazon's Prime subscription service. The FTC alleged that Amazon intentionally used deceptive designs, also known as dark patterns, to get users to sign up for the paid service and then made it difficult for customers to cancel their subscription.

But that doesn't mean everyone who signed up for Amazon Prime is eligible. 

First, an Amazon user needs to have signed up for Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025. In addition, the Prime subscription must have been made via one of the "challenged enrollment flows." 

Basically, a user needed to sign up for Prime through one of those offending designs. Per the FTC, these allegedly deceptive Amazon Prime sign-up designs include the Universal Prime Decision Page, the Shipping Option Select Page, the Prime Video enrollment flow, or the Single Page Checkout. For example, on the Shipping Option Select Page, a user could've chosen the free shipping option without realizing that this would automatically sign them up for an Amazon Prime membership.

Furthermore, the consumer needs to have used their Prime benefits, which include free Prime shipping, no more than three times within 12 months of signing up for Prime.

How to get a refund from the Amazon-FTC settlement

There are two ways consumers will be compensated. First, consumers who meet the previous requirements will receive a payout automatically within 90 days, capped at $51. There is no sign-up or opt-in required. Amazon will just refund anyone who's eligible.

After those refunds go out, Amazon will then open a new round of payouts. The e-commerce giant will send out a claims form within 30 days to other customers who are eligible for a refund. The consumers eligible in this round include those who signed up via one of the challenged enrollment flows and also used up to 10 Prime benefits in a 12-month period. Consumers will have 180 days to fill out the claim form and submit it. Amazon will then issue those refunds within 30 days after a review of the claim.

If Amazon has paid out less than $1 billion after this second payout process with the claim forms, then the company must continue to make another tier of customers eligible for a refund. For example, the next group would be anyone who did not submit a claim form, signed up for Prime through a challenged enrollment flow, but used up to four of their Prime benefits. The next eligible group would be those who used up to five of their Prime benefits. 

This would continue until at least $1 billion is paid out of the Consumer Fund.

Meta is training its AI chatbots to more effectively address child sexual exploitation after a series of high-profile blunders around the sensitive topic, according to guidelines obtained by Business Insider.

The guidelines that contractors are reportedly using to train its AI chatbots have recently been updated, Business Insider reported. These guidelines state that content that "enables, encourages, or endorses" child sexual abuse is explicitly barred, as is romantic roleplay if the user is a minor or if the user asks the AI to roleplay as a minor, advice about intimacy if the user is a minor, and more, according to an Engadget report based on the Business Insider scoop.

While these may seem like obvious safety guardrails for underage users, they are necessary as more people — including underage users — experiment with AI companions and roleplaying. An August report by Reuters revealed that Meta’s AI rules permitted suggestive behavior with kids. As Reuters reported, Meta's previous chatbot policies specifically allowed it to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual."

Just weeks after that report, Meta spokesperson Stephanie Otway told TechCrunch that their AI chatbots are being trained to no longer "engage with teenage users on self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, or potentially inappropriate romantic conversations." Before this change, Meta's chatbots could engage with those topics when it was deemed "appropriate."

So, what's included in the new guidelines?

Content that "describes or discusses" a minor in a sexualized manner is also unacceptable, according to the Business Insider report. Minors cannot engage in "romantic roleplay, flirtation or expression of romantic or intimate expression" with the chatbot, nor can they ask for advice that "potentially-romantic or potentially-intimate physical content with another person, such as holding hands, hugging, or putting an arm around someone," Business Insider reported.

However, acceptable use cases for training the chatbot include discussing the "formation of relationships between children and adults," the "sexual abuse of a child," "the topic of child sexualisation," "the solicitation, creation, or acquisition of sexual materials involving children," and "the involvement of children in the use or production of obscene materials or the employment of children in sexual services in academic, educational, or clinical purposes." Minors can still use the AI for romance-related roleplay as long as it is "non-sexual and non-sensual" and "is presented as literature or fictional narrative (e.g. a story in the style of Romeo and Juliet) where the AI and the user are not characters in the narrative."

As Business Insider reported, the guidelines defined "discuss" as "providing information without visualization." So, Meta's chatbots can discuss topics like abuse but cannot describe, enable, or encourage it, per the new guidelines.

Meta isn't the only AI struggling with child safety.

Parents of a teen who died by suicide after confiding in ChatGPT recently sued the AI platform for wrongful death; in response, OpenAI announced additional safety measures and behavioral prompts for its updated GPT-5. Anthropic updated its chatbot to allow it to end chats that are harmful or abusive, and Chatacter.AI introduced parental supervision features earlier this year.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.

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.