Mashable

Search news articles about being "chronically online" and you’ll mostly dig up fluff pieces on celebs who spend too much time on X or TikTok (Joe Jonas just can't be without his phone!). Yet "chronically online" is also used by media outlets to describe people like Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. 

"Investigators say Robinson is what some would call chronically online — a person who spends an inordinate amount of time on messaging platforms, on social media, and playing video games,” according to NPR.

Is being chronically online simply a goofy trait or, rather, a gateway to loneliness, delusion, or even violence? The word "chronic" makes the description seem clinical, like a diagnosed disease, but chronically online is an unscientific term — and a descriptor open to much interpretation.

"I don’t think there is an agreement on how much online time is 'too much,' because it also depends on what one does on the internet," Carlos Gershenson-Garcia, an empire innovation professor at the State University of New York at Binghamton, tells Mashable. "I mean, many people work only using the internet, so they use it 40+ hours a week, plus for personal time. But then, if one [spends] the same amount of time on social media, that is a different story. Or playing online games. Or doomscrolling."

SEE ALSO: New California law hopes to stop AI-assisted suicide among teens

The phrase "chronically online" became somewhat ubiquitous during COVID when there was little to do besides walking, baking bread, and staring at the internet. As CNET (a sister site to Mashable) pointed out in 2021, certain millennials and members of Gen Z loved pointing out chronically online behavior among their peers, like regularly using verbiage exclusive to the internet (e.g., IRL, OOMF) or getting involved in debates with strangers. While those examples seem relatively innocuous, chronically online people can also gravitate from offline connections toward parasocial relationships, and get overly vested in disputes involving celebrities (Nicki Minaj v. Cardi B. seems to be a prime example).

Still, needlessly getting vested in a movie star's divorce may not be the best use of someone’s time, but it’s a far cry from being radicalized on Reddit to commit violence. 

"I think the key here is ‘chronically,' which, to me, denotes a medical condition," says John Fitzgerald, PhD, an associate professor of English at Salem State University who has written about technology for publications like the New York Times. "I think it has less to do with how much time a person spends online or even what they’re looking at and more to do with their immersion in online spaces."

Utah governor Spencer Cox described Robinson’s online behavior as traversing "that deep dark internet, the Reddit culture and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep."

SEE ALSO: Explaining the phenomenon known as 'AI psychosis'

Not mentioned by Cox was whether or not Robinson utilized AI chatbots, which have come under scrutiny for allegedly encouraging suicidal ideation among young people. The term AI psychosis has emerged as a way to describe someone who's lost connection to reality due to their relationship with an AI chatbot — but "AI psychosis," like "chronically online," is not a clinical term. Would clarification from medical experts on when online behavior crosses from simply unhealthy to downright dangerous help people before it’s too late? Maybe, but currently there is scant information on unhealthy internet behavior on HHS.com, the website of the government's Health and Human Services department. (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration department, a division of HHS, does provide suggestions for kids and youth navigating the internet.)

Dangerous online behavior can emerge when a mix of unhealthy factors is at play, says Saed D. Hill, PhD, a psychologist and masculinity coach.

"Some signs [of dangerous online behavior] include when one's online engagement starts to really fuel social isolation, rigid belief systems, it's always us versus them, or aggression against certain groups...then it is probably shifting from basic coping and escapism to full-on radicalization or potential for violence," Hill says. "Social isolation, mixed with aggression, and having trouble with relationships is a big sign, though. This is exacerbated by things like drugs, alcohol, and access to weapons."

Hill encourages those concerned about a loved one's online behavior to join them in offline activities and simply engage with them more. Counseling and therapy are also beneficial for those struggling with online attachment; connecting with other humans to explore unmet needs is always a better solution than "turning to the digital echo chambers that tech companies profit and thrive off," says Hill. 

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 at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Artists and creators love Pinterest for its ability to fuel creativity. It's the homepage for anyone who needs to brainstorm a theme for a party, wants to create a mood board for their upcoming year, or want to curate characteristics for a new cast in a novel they're writing. Over the past few years, though, Pinterest has become inundated with AI slop.

But this week, Pinterest gave its users the ability to filter out AI content, and fans are elated.

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It's fairly simple to do. Not everyone has access to the setting in their mobile app, so head to the desktop Pinterest app and follow the next few steps to remove as much AI from your Pinterest account as you can.

Total Time

• 1 min

What You Need

• Pinterest account on desktop

Step 1: Click the settings gear

On your Pinterest homepage, click the settings gear in the bottom left.

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

Step 2: Refine your recommendations

In the settings dropdown menu, click "refine your recommendations."

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

Step 3: Click GenAI interests

In the small menu underneath "refine your recommendations," click "GenAI interests."

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

Step 4: Toggle off GenAI interests

As pinterest says, here you can "Choose GenAI interests you’d like to see in your recommended Pins." Toggle off all of the GenAI interests you don't want to see, and keep the interests you want to see on. When you toggle an option off, Pinterest will pop up with the notice: "Turned off! You’ll start seeing fewer GenAI ideas for [topic] soon."

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

It's important to note that even if you turn off all of the GenAI interests, you still might see some AI-generated images on your Pinterest. After all, the popup reads: "You’ll start seeing fewer GenAI ideas for [topic] soon." Key word: fewer.

Anthropic announced Claude Haiku 4.5 on Wednesday, the latest version of its compact AI model designed for speed, affordability, and safety. The company says Haiku 4.5 delivers near-frontier-level performance — matching the coding capabilities of Claude Sonnet 4 at one-third the cost and twice the speed.

It’s now available across Anthropic’s apps, Claude Code, and through Amazon Bedrock and Google Cloud Vertex AI. Pricing is set at $1 per million input tokens and $5 per million output tokens.

SEE ALSO: Say hello to Claude Sonnet 4.5, which Anthropic calls 'the best coding model in the world'

Haiku 4.5 is also Anthropic’s safest model yet, according to the company’s internal evaluations. It scored lower on misalignment behaviors than even the flagship Claude Sonnet 4.5 and carries an AI Safety Level 2 classification — a less restrictive rating than the ASL-3 label given to Anthropic’s more advanced models. The lightweight model is aimed at developers and companies building real-time AI applications like chat assistants, coding copilots, and customer service tools.

But the timing of the launch is notable. Just this week, Bloomberg reported that Anthropic has become a target for criticism from the Trump administration’s AI czar, David Sacks, who accused the company of "regulatory capture" and "fear-mongering" over its support for California’s new AI transparency law. Cofounder Jack Clark pushed back, saying the company is aligned with the White House on most issues but continues to advocate for responsible federal oversight.

Taken together, the release of Haiku 4.5 could be seen as a balancing act. One that's trying to prove that AI safety and progress don’t have to be at odds — even as the political climate around those principles grows more hostile.

Twitch might not be known for its offline prowess, but every year, streamers and their fans gather at a convention center to discuss everything from learning how to shape a stream's story to meeting their favorite creators.

Let's talk about this year's TwitchCon.

What is TwitchCon?

Launched in 2015, TwitchCon is the biggest convention for Twitch creators and streamers and their fans. It brings together creators, influencers, industry professionals, and audiences for panels, performances, meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes conversations.

A decade later, people are still showing up.

SEE ALSO: Top Twitch streamers by follower count: See the list. How much does TwitchCon 2025 cost?

To attend TwitchCon 2025, you'll have to log in and verify your Twitch account and choose which ticket makes the best sense for you.

A three-day ticket costs $249, but individual day tickets, each costing $169 or $159, depending on the day, are also available. You'll have to pay a bit more for the TwitchCon Block Party and the Family Bundle.

When is TwitchCon 2025?

This year's TwitchCon will take place Oct. 17-19 in San Diego, California. Mashable will be at the San Diego Convention Center, talking to your favorite streamers and covering all the most interesting panels.

Which creators will be at TwitchCon 2025?

Hundreds of streamers will be at TwitchCon 2025, including bbno$, Ludwig, emiru, fuslie, TheSushiDragon, Trixie Mattel, Pearl Teese, Jessu, KreekCraft, Maya, Sajam, Swagg, aldo_geo, bbnogames, Cinna, deusamir, ExtraEmily, fanfan, farrahrized, and so many more.

What kind of panels are at TwitchCon 2025?

Programs are broken down into 15 different sections: Glitch Stage, Twitch Rivals, Community MeetUp, Creator Camp, Community Session, Brand Session, Interactive Workshop, Music Session, Block Party, Expo Hall, GDQx, LAN, Meet & Greet, Tabletop, and Twitch Treats.

The panels cover everything from how to best moderate a chat to how to tell a story with your stream, securing partnerships and making money, playing games, networking, and meet-and-greets. Of course, if that's not really your vibe, there will also surely be plenty of things to do on the expo floor.

As TwitchCon said, "From showdowns and live streams to meetups, panels, and unforgettable moments — TwitchCon’s got it all."

Can I watch any of the TwitchCon panels if I'm not there?

The panels aren't livestreamed, but you can follow TwitchCon's social media accounts on Instagram and X to keep up to date on everything happening during the convention. Plus, Mashable will be there.

What has made TwitchCon controversial in the past?

TwitchCon has been under fire for safety issues time and time again. In 2024, TwitchCon was rife with harassment after Kick streamers crashed the event. In 2022, Twitch streamer Adriana Chechik broke her back after jumping into a foam pit.

According to Tubefilter, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy said: "I want to be very clear; we take security at our events, like TwitchCon, extremely seriously. Every year, we build on successful approaches to TwitchCon safety and security, particularly as we become aware of new or emerging security or safety challenges."

SAVE $200: The Acer Nitro V 16 AI is on sale for $699 at Walmart at the time of writing. That's 22% off its suggested retail price of $899.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V 16 AI (AMD Ryzen 5 240, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699 at Walmart
$899 Save $200   Get Deal

I saw newer gaming laptops with Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs get quite cheap during last week's October Prime Day sales (think $899.99 to $1,049.99 for RTX 5060 models). But as of mid-October, Walmart's managed to scrounge up an even cheaper option.

The Acer Nitro V 16 AI with a GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage is now on sale for just $699, or $200 off its usual sticker price — a 22% savings. I've never seen an RTX 50 series gaming laptop dip so low before; this pushes it into Chromebook price territory.

We tested a $999 Nitro V 15 gaming laptop with RTX 4050 graphics back in 2023 and thought it offered great performance for the price. This updated 16-inch model has a newer AMD Ryzen 5 240 processor, a better 1080p webcam, a higher-res 1920 x 1200 display with a 180Hz refresh rate, and a cleaner, more subdued look.

The Nitro V 16 AI also comes with an MUX Switch that shuts off its dedicated GPU and enables its integrated graphics, which is really nice to have if you want to use it like a normal Windows laptop for non-gaming tasks. I don't expect it to be a battery life champ, but you should get a little more juice out of it this way.

The Nitro V 16 doesn't sport any RGB lighting — just amber backlighting under its keyboard — but that's hardly surprising at this price point.

Yesterday, Kim Kardashian's clothing brand SKIMS announced its latest product on Instagram: faux hair panties. "The Ultimate Bush." Thongs that feature a patch on the front that resembles pubic hair — available in several colors!

"Your carpet can be whatever color you want," declared a model in SKIMS' Instagram video. "Match, don't match, or switch it up mid-day."

Similar to the SKIMS nipple bra that debuted two years ago, these tongue-in-cheek products seemingly highlight parts of women's bodies that are traditionally kept hidden. They also showcase the hypocrisy of Instagram's policies.

SEE ALSO: Instagram Teen Accounts are now rated PG-13 The great shadowbanning

For years, sex workers — as well as LGBTQ creators, sex educators, activists, and others — have said that their accounts have been disabled, banned, or shadowbanned (unable to be found via Search or Explore) on Instagram, despite posting content that fits within the platform's community guidelines. 

This is something a variety of creators have been battling on the platform since 2019, Dr. Carolina Are, platform governance researcher, content creator, and then innovation fellow at Northumbria University's Center for Digital Citizens, told Mashable back in 2023. 

Many of these creators have claimed that Instagram uses rules against nudity and sexual solicitation against them, even if their posts don't contain these things. 

The problem still persists. Adult performer and activist, Siri Dahl, told Mashable back in June, when discussing censorship on the internet, that she's on her eighth Instagram account and the platform is becoming more strict. It even extends to link services like Linktree (which has booted sex workers in the past) and GetAllMyLinks. Dahl claimed that links adult creators like herself have in their bio are starting to get "blacklisted" by the platform. (Instagram didn't respond to Mashable's request for comment at the time.)

Meta, Instagram's parent company, which also owns Facebook and WhatsApp, has rejected period care ads for being adult or political, Mashable reported in 2023. A Meta spokesperson told Mashable at the time that advertisers can run ads promoting sexual health, wellness, and reproductive products and services — but as a global company, it needs to account for the diverse range of people who see ads to avoid potential negative experiences. Meta's Adult Products or Services Ads Policy restricts these ads — like saying they must focus on health and medical efficacy. Ads can't promote products that focus on arousal.

Yet, SKIMS can post about its pubic hair underwear without penalty.

Ultimate Bush? Ultimate Hypocrisy 

On Tuesday, SKIMS shared three videos advertising The Ultimate Bush to its Instagram feed and stories. They were shot in vintage style, featuring 1970s game show aesthetics and hairstyles. (It's important to note that these are not sponsored posts or paid advertisements, as the ads above were. SKIMS was merely posting freely to Instagram to promote its product.)

Instagram didn't ban, restrict, or shadowban SKIMS for this, nor did it for their nipple bra posts. Instagram also hasn't done so to the Kardashians, despite what they wear in their Instagram posts.

But if a small creator — say, an OnlyFans model — posted themselves in The Ultimate Bush, there's a high chance their post would be restricted. Instagram could claim that the post counted as sexual solicitation or nudity.

Double standards in social media moderation have been studied. Back in 2023, researcher and founder of content moderation service Reliabl, Annie Brown, told Mashable that while Instagram supposedly allows for artistic representations of nudity, many users observe that larger accounts — such as those of the Kardashians — can get away with it, while non-celebrities are at risk of having their accounts hidden from non-followers.

As of this writing, every $32 pair of SKIMS' Faux Hair Micro String Thong is on backorder, suggesting that the videos were widely seen. This simply wouldn't be the case with smaller creators.

Mashable has reached out to SKIMS and Instagram for comment. 

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 15, the JBL Tune Flex 2 noise-cancelling earbuds are on sale for just $59.95 at Amazon. That's a 45% discount and their best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune Flex 2 $59.95 at Amazon
$109.95 Save $50   Get Deal

The earbuds deals during Prime Big Deal Days earlier this month definitely impressed us, but if you missed out on grabbing a pair, you can still get a really good deal.

As of Oct. 15, the JBL Tune Flex 2 noise-cancelling earbuds are on sale for an all-time low price of $59.95 at Amazon. That's a 45% discount from their usual cost of $109.95.

While we haven't tested the JBL Tune Flex 2, we have tested many JBL products and have never been disappointed in the sound quality. I actually own the JBL Endurance Peak earbuds myself and love them. The Tune Flex 2 deliver up to 48 hours of "Pure Bass Sound" and "Spatial Sound," thanks to 12mm dynamic drivers. The adaptive noise cancelling feature lets you block out as much of the outside world as you prefer. Download the JBL app, and you can adjust the noise cancellation, tweak ambient sound control settings, create playlists, check your fit, and even locate your earbuds.

The JBL buds also feature multipoint connectivity, dust and water resistance, and six mics for crystal clear calls. They're not the most advanced earbuds on the market, but if you want noise cancellation without spending an arm and a leg, they won't let you down. They even come in three color options to suit your style.

SAVE $18.05: The Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar is on sale at Amazon for a record-low price of $26.94, down from the normal price of $44.99. That's a 40% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar $26.94
$44.99 Save $18.05   Get Deal

You might still be prepping a Halloween costume and finding the best recipe for popcorn balls, but December holidays are rapidly approaching. If you like to celebrate the season with an Advent calendar and you or someone in your life is a Minecraft fan, check out this deal.

As of Oct. 15, the Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar is on sale for $26.94 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $44.99. That's a 40% discount that shaves $18.05 off. It's also a new record-low, beating its sale price during October Prime Day.

The best Advent calendars tend to sell out, and it seems the Lego Minecraft Advent calendar for 2025 is no different. This set is already sold out at Lego, which makes today's sale price at Amazon just that much more exciting.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away free Witch models for Halloween — here’s how to get yours on Oct. 26

Minecraft is going all out for the holidays, and even the sheep have opted for red and green dyes this year. There's also an adorable mini Christmas tree, and a lucky villager has donned a Santa suit and hat. All of the 24 mini-Lego builds go great on the included snowy Minecraft diorama. Lego suggests this Advent calendar for those aged seven and up.

Before it sells out, secure your Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar for 2025 while it's on a major 40% discount at Amazon.

SAVE $250: As of Oct. 15, get the GEEKOM Mini PC AX8 Max for $499, down from its usual price of $749. That's a discount of 33% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon GEEKOM Mini PC AX8 Max $499 at Amazon
$749 Save $250   Get Deal

If you need a new computer, you might want to consider downsizing. Not in terms of ability, but physical size in general, with a mini PC. They're every bit as capable as their larger counterpart, but they take up much less real estate. If you're interested in taking the plunge, you can score a great mini PC for its lowest price yet at Amazon.

As of Oct. 15, get the GEEKOM Mini PC AX8 Max for $499, down from its usual price of $749. That's a discount of 33% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Acer Revo Build is a modular mini PC with stackable component blocks

This mini PC boasts an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Radeon 780M GPU with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, and multiple ports to make connectivity a breeze. It houses all of this in a tiny square that's just about the size of a Mac mini, so you can move it around wherever you need without having to rearrange or find a place for a huge PC tower.

It's small but mighty, with a special cooling system that keeps it able to function in such a tiny package and noise levels that are cut by up to 50% even when you're working on heavy tasks or multitasking. It also comes with Windows 11 Pro installed, so everything is already set up for you when you unbox it.

A mini PC is a great way to save money and put together a setup that's easily portable or modular if you want to move things around. If you're interested in giving it a go, now's the best time to do it, thanks to this killer deal.

A new Fortnite update can mean a few things: A brand new season, an annual event like Fortnightmares or Winterfest, or even new additions to the game's map.

Unfortunately, it could also mean new bugs or glitches.

After the latest update, I found myself experiencing a brand-new bug that made the game lag to the point where it was unplayable. It would seemingly hit at the most random times during a Battle Royale. It wasn't an internet issue as my connection was fine. It wasn't a bluetooth issue as I've been there with wireless controller bugs so I went ahead and bought a wired controller long ago and have mostly been glitch free since then.

However, this new bug which results in FPS (frames per second) dropping to ridiculously low levels at crucial points during a game, does appear to be controller-related even if you have a wired setup. It also seems that this issue may not be one of Fortnite's doing. The culprit appears to be Microsoft!

Either way, judging by some of the reactions online, this is a bug that's plaguing quite a few Fortnite players. Here's the fix.

Fix Fortnite dropped FPS issue

I discovered that quickly unplugging the controller and then plugging the USB-C cable back in would temporarily fix the issue. However, minutes later the FPS would drop again. Plus, unplugging your controller multiple times during a game isn't an ideal solution when a rival squad suddenly shows up and you're waiting for the controller to turn back on.

But, then I came across a Reddit thread from a few weeks ago with a comment from user u/0slambam0 that completely solved the problem for myself and everyone else in the thread. Choosing to delete programs sometimes carries usability risks, so people should make their own decision before trying a workaround solve. However, if you want to try it, here's how it's done.

1. First, go to your Windows Search Bar, type in "Add or remove programs," and choose that option.

2. A new window will open up with a list of programs installed on your PC under "Apps & Features." In the search bar, type in "Microsoft GameInput."

3. Some users will see one Microsoft GameInput listed. Others will see it listed two separate times. Regardless of how many you see, click them, and then click Uninstall.

4. After uninstalling Microsoft GameInput, unplug your controller and plug it back in.

5. That's it. The issue should be fixed. No more controller-related lagging issues! No more dropped frames!

It appears this may be strictly a Windows 10 issue. The latest Microsoft GameInput update that you need to uninstall to fix the issue appears to have been installed in September, so it could be a glitch related to Microsoft's push to get users to upgrade to Windows 11. 

However, with roughly half of all PC users still using Windows 10, there's likely a lot of Fortnite games dealing with this, so here's the solution until you finally give in and update your PC to the latest operating system.

SAVE 20%: As of Oct. 15, the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro has dropped to $79, its lowest price ever. That’s a 20% discount and $20 in savings.

CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’ve been eying the Apple Watch Series 11, but just can’t stomach the price, we found a budget deal on a feature-rich alternative that’ll give you everything you need to monitor your health, track your fitness goals, and stay connected.

SEE ALSO: Get a free year of MyFitnessPal Premium when you subscribe to Calm

As of Oct. 15, the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro has dropped to $79, its lowest price ever, according to CamelCamelCamel. That’s a 20% discount and $20 in savings.

The CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro definitely looks more expensive than it is, with a big 1.43-inch AMOLED screen and a sleek metal frame. It covers all your key health stats, including advanced tracking for heart rate, sleep, stress, and SpO2 levels. For outdoor workouts, the dual-band GPS gives you super-accurate route tracking, whether you're running or biking. Plus, with a battery that lasts up to 13 days on a single charge, you won't need to worry about it losing juice on your next run or weekend adventure.

While OpenAI's Sora 2 has been getting all the attention recently, we found in our comparison that Google Veo 3 is a more capable video generation model altogether. Now, however, it looks like Google might be widening the gap with the Wednesday launch of Google Veo 3.1.

On top of the basic Veo 3.1 model, there's also a new Veo 3.1 Fast model, which is basically a lighter weight version of Veo 3.1. They're both now available in Gemini, the Vertex AI platform, and Google Flow, the AI video editing tool that's designed around AI-generated videos and editing them together.

So what's actually new with Google Veo 3.1? As you might expect, given the name, it's not necessarily a massive upgrade over Veo 3, which has only been out for a few months now. According to Google, Veo 3.1 offers richer audio as well as better narrative comprehension, which should help ensure that videos make more sense when put in the wider scope of the video. Last but not least, Google says Veo 3.1 offers enhanced realism when it comes to true-to-life textures.

SEE ALSO: I tested OpenAI Sora 2 vs Google Veo 3 for AI video, and there’s a very clear winner

Some of the features available with Veo have been improved too, notably by adding audio capabilities. For example, Ingredients to Video is a feature that lets users upload reference images for Veo to use when creating a video. Users could upload a picture of a character and a location, and have Veo generate a video of the character in that location. This feature is available with audio in Gemini, the Vertex AI platform, and Google Flow, the video editing software that's designed around using Veoo to generate clips to use in a project.

Another feature that's been upgraded with audio is Scene Extension, which essentially allows users to extend a video clip. It's available with audio in the Gemini API, but not the Gemini app. It's also available in Flow.

SEE ALSO: 6 Google Gemini AI photo prompts to try

Another feature is First and Last Frame, which allows users to upload a static image of the first and final frame in a video and have Veo generate a transition between those two frames. It can be used in the Gemini API, Vertex AI, and Flow.

Additionally, Google is adding some precision features to Flow that could help users refine existing video clips. These include the ability to insert or remove objects in a way that looks realistic and natural, though we have yet to test it.

Veo 3.1 is now available in Google Flow, Gemini, and Vertex AI. The other features vary in how widely available they are. You'll need a Google AI Pro subscription to use the new models.

SAVE $105: As of Oct. 15, you can grab a like-new Kindle Scribe with 64GB at Amazon for only $244.99. As a refurbished model, it's typically priced at $349.99 — so that's 30% cheaper than usual. A new Scribe costs $419.99, so you'll save $175 total by going with a refurbished model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Like-New Amazon Kindle Scribe (64GB) $244.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $105   Get Deal

The Kindle deals during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event were pretty dang good. But if you missed out, it's no sweat. You can grab a like-new Kindle Scribe for an even better price on this random Wednesday in October.

As of Oct. 15, the 2022 Kindle Scribe with 64GB is only $244.99 at Amazon. The only catch? It's a refurbished model in like-new condition. Amazon has tested, updated, cleaned, and inspected this device to ensure it's as good as if you bought it brand new. For comparison purposes, buying a brand-new Kindle Scribe with the same amount of storage would cost you $419.99. So you're saving $175 by opting for a refurbished model.

The Scribe is the only Kindle device that gives you the ability to take notes. It includes a premium pen for jotting down your thoughts and annotating in the margins of books as if you were writing in an actual notebook. It's also a bit bigger than a typical Kindle at 10.2 inches, making it a solid choice for someone with vision issues. "Overall, as an e-reader, the Kindle Scribe is quite good," Mashable's Alex Perry writes in his review. However, it has some lag issues that make the typical $419.99 price tag hard to justify. At only $244.99, on the other hand, we're much more inclined to recommend it. Amazon guarantees that it's certified to look and work like it's new, and it even comes with the same warranty as a new device.

If you're looking to buy a Kindle and want the ability to mark up readings, now's the time to add the Scribe to your cart.

Google's latest smartphone might not respond well to stress testing.

In a new video on the popular JerryRigEverything tech YouTube channel, host Zack Nelson put the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold through its paces. In the video, he spends a bunch of time bending the phone to extreme degrees to test out its durability, doing things to it that no normal person would ever do on purpose. That's an important bit of context, because near the end of the video, he bends the phone a little too much and the battery quite literally goes up in smoke, leaving the phone as a smoldering paperweight on the testing table.

SEE ALSO: Google is bringing its popular Nano Banana tool to more products

Nelson said that this is actually the first time a phone has straight up exploded on him during testing — after a decade of testing devices. He does the same things to every phone he tests, so it's not like he treated the Pixel 10 Pro Fold worse than other devices. In fairness to Google, Elizabeth Chamberlain of iFixIt told The Verge that this isn't necessarily a sign that something is wrong with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It's possible that Nelson didn't discharge enough battery out of the box before putting the phone through its paces, per Chamberlain.

Regardless, if you're Google, you probably don't want a newly released phone exploding live on camera.

No, you're not imagining it — YouTube looks different.

The Google-owned tech giant debuted a redesigned video player this week, which means that the way your videos look has changed. The company described it as a shift to create a more "expressive and intuitive experience." In practice, this means many of the buttons are more transparent (sound familiar?). The changes aim to make "the viewing experience more visually satisfying while obscuring less content."

Credit: YouTube

These aren't technical terms, but the new player embraces a bubbly, rounded design in lieu of its more pared-down, simplistic past. The buttons also seem much larger, which can feel more obtrusive, even if the transparency makes them less so in reality.

There are other, smaller changes, too, across the many ways you can watch YouTube — iOS, Android, web, and TV. On a television, for instance, video details moved to the upper-left corner. The double-tap to seek feature has been made "more modern and less intrusive," according to the company. YouTube also introduced a new visual for comment threading, which should make replies easier to follow.

Overall, it's not a massive change to how YouTube works. But the changes are certainly enough to make you pause when firing up a new video on the platform.

Apple just dropped its latest silicon bombshell — the M5 chip — and it appears the company wants to dominate the AI hardware race from every angle. Unveiled today across a new 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro, the M5 marks what Apple calls “the next big leap in AI performance,” promising faster on-device machine learning, better efficiency, and stronger support for Apple Intelligence — the company’s new suite of generative AI tools.

SEE ALSO: In Europe, Apple's new MacBook Pro comes without a charger

The M5 chip, built on Apple’s third-generation 3-nanometer process, features a 10-core CPU and GPU with a Neural Accelerator in every GPU core. Apple claims the M5 delivers up to 3.5x faster AI performance than last year’s M4 and up to 6x faster than the M1 generation.

Whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or mixed reality headset, the message is clear: the M5 is Apple’s foundation for its AI-first future — and it’s already in everything you can buy this fall. Here's everything announced:

14-inch MacBook Pro Credit: Apple

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro is the first Mac to get the M5 treatment. According to Apple, it’s not just faster — it’s smarter. The machine can now run large language models (LLMs) locally, accelerating workflows for developers, researchers, and creatives. Apple says the M5 MacBook Pro can deliver up to 24 hours of battery life, 1.6x faster graphics, and 2x faster SSD speeds compared to the M4 model.

It ships with macOS Tahoe, Apple’s latest desktop OS, and features expanded Apple Intelligence integration, a brighter Liquid Retina XDR display, and a space black finish. The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro starts at $1,599, with preorders open today and availability beginning Oct. 22. Be aware that if you're a European buyer, though, the laptop will not ship with a charger.

iPad Pro Credit: Apple

The iPad Pro joins the lineup as the lightest and thinnest yet, also powered by the new M5 chip. Apple says it delivers desktop-class AI capabilities for apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, and now includes an enhanced display and longer battery life. With the M5, iPad users can take advantage of the same on-device Apple Intelligence features available on Mac, including generative image tools and smarter writing suggestions.

The M5 iPad Pro starts at $999 and is available for preorder today, shipping on Oct. 22.

Apple Vision Pro

Apple also announced an upgraded Vision Pro, featuring the M5 chip and a new Dual Knit Band for comfort. The company says that the M5 dramatically improves rendering, battery life (now up to 2.5 hours of use), and AI-driven features in visionOS 26, such as new Personas, real-time translation, and spatial scene generation. The device also supports 120Hz refresh rates and sharper visuals thanks to improved micro-OLED displays.

Credit: Apple

The M5-powered Vision Pro will launch on October 22 and be available for demos in Apple Stores beginning this week. It will cost $3,499.

PREORDER FOR $3,499: Following the announcement of the new Apple Vision Pro, preorders are live with a launch date set for Oct. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Vision Pro (256GB) $3,499 at Apple
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With an updated M5 chip, the fresh new Apple Vision Pro comes with some minor but likely much-improved upgrades. With the M5 chip, Apple says the latest version will deliver "a leap forward in performance, improved display rendering, faster AI-powered workflows, and extended battery life," according to the brand's press release.

You can now preorder the Apple Vision Pro at apple.com. Prices start at $3,499 for the 256GB version. That bumps up to $3,699 for the 512GB model and tops out at $3,899 for 1TB. There's also the option to add in Zeiss readers for $99 or a prescription for $149. All orders come with free shipping or the option to pick it up in-store. The expected launch date is Oct. 22.

The updated Apple Vision Pro also comes with a Dual Knit Band, designed to make for a more comfortable wearing experience. And instead of the one strap around the back of the head, the knit band has two straps with an additional band that sits on top of the head for a more snug and secure fit. If you love the look and fit of this new Dual Knit Band, but you don't plan on upgrading to the M5 Apple Vision Pro, you can buy the band separately to use on the original for $99.

Preorders for the Apple Vision Pro come with all the essentials to get you started, as well as some nice accessories. Your delivery will arrive with the Apple Vision Pro and the Dual Knit Band, plus a light seal, two light seal cushions, a cover for the front, and the battery. There are also extras like a cloth for polishing, a USB-C cable for charging, and the power adapter.

If you'd like to see the Apple Vision Pro IRL before you preorder, schedule an in-store demo, which Apple says is available at all locations that sell the Vision Pro.

Champagne Problems delves deep into romantic comedy territory with its central lovers. Minka Kelly stars as Sydney Price, an ambitious American executive who's traveling to Paris for business. Then, like many a rom-com heroine before her, she meets a dashing stranger (Tom Wozniczka), and naturally they share a big, swoon-worthy kiss — only to find out they are enemies! (We love an enemies-to-friends arc.)

See, Sydney is on a mission to acquire Chateau Cassell, a family-owned business in France's Champagne region. Her handsome kisser? It just so happens he's Henri Cassell, son of the Chateau Cassell's founder, and he doesn't want his dad to sell to some boorish American. More stressful still, while Sydney's heart, head, and loins are doing battle over her feelings for Henri and her professional ambitions, she must fight for her chance to buy the business by playing the games that Henri's father, Hugo Cassell (Thibault de Montalembert), has arranged.

So, you've got a serious American businesswoman who might need a little more fun in her life. You've got a snobby French heir to a Champagne house, who's giving some serious Darcy vibes with his snootiness. And the whole thing takes place in the dazzling lights of Paris and the scenic French countryside, complete with castles, bubbly, and a brawny dreamboat. Also, it's Christmas, because sure, why not? What more could you wish for?

Champagne Problems premieres on Netflix on Nov. 19.

GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION: For a limited time, when you buy a one-year subscription to Calm Premium, you'll also get a free one-year trial of MyFitnessPal Premium.

Opens in a new window Credit: Calm / MyFitnessPal Calm Premium $62.99 at Calm
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It’s never a bad time to invest in your health, and right now, two of the biggest names in the industry are making it a little easier (and cheaper) through a limited-time BOGO offer.

As of Oct. 15, any new U.S. Calm subscriber will receive a free year of MyFitnessPal Premium with their purchase. This deal runs through Nov. 30, 2025, and according to the press release, it’s limited to the first 10,000 people who sign up. When your year is up, the Calm subscription will auto-renew at the regular price of $79.99 (unless you cancel).

SEE ALSO: This new Whoop dupe solves one of the biggest problems with fitness trackers

Calm Premium gives you access to the app’s entire library of content, which includes hundreds of guided meditations, exclusive music tracks for focus and relaxation, and thousands of Slee Stories to help you wind down. It’s definitely an upgrade from the free version, and according to a Calm survey, 92 percent of subscribers who use the app regularly (five or more times per week) reported higher quality sleep.

Plus, with one free year of MyFitnessPal Premium (Note: this is not a free year of Premium+), you’ll be able to track your meals, monitor your caloric intake, and access tailored nutritional insights ad-free. You’ll also be able to use the barcode scanner and the new Voice Log feature, which lets you record entire meals just by talking.

Every platform is a messaging platform, so it's kind of shocking that Threads, Meta's 2023 answer to X's turmoil, reached a whopping 400 million monthly active users in August without an option to send a group chat. Today, that changed.

Threads announced on Wednesday that users can start a group chat with up to 50 people, customize the chat with a name, and invite friends with a link so you don't have to do it all individually. The feature is only available to users over 18 years old, and you can only add people who follow you on Threads. It's not yet available on desktop, so, for now at least, you'll need to use the app.

Total Time

• 1 min

What You Need

• Threads app

Step 1: Navigate to your messages

Click the button on the bottom menu of the Threads app that looks like an envelope

Credit: Threads screenshot

Step 2: Create a new message

Click the create button at the top right corner of the messages page

Credit: Threads screenshot

Step 3: Add up to 50 users

Add up to 50 Threads users to your group chat. They must all be following you.

Credit: Threads screenshot

Step 4: Customize your group chat name

Change the name of your groupchat.

Credit: Threads screenshot

Threads also announced it's rolling out messaging in the EU, and reiterated that they've added support for photos, videos, GIFs, and stickers in messaging. As with other Meta platforms, there are some safety standards implemented to messaging — a messaging requests folder, privacy settings, and a hidden folder.

"As more people join communities they only follow on Threads, messaging makes it easier to build and strengthen connections without the need to switch apps," a Threads blog post published Wednesday reads. "We’ll continue refining the experience based on community feedback, with more updates — including improved inbox management tools — on the way."