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How to speed up an Instagram Reel

It comes as no surprise that Instagram Reels is copying TikTok in just about every way it can. The videos loop. The like, comment, and share buttons are on the right side of the screen. Even the buttons on the bottom match. But one of the most useful parts of TikTok — being able to speed up videos while you watch them — was long not a feature available to Reels users. Until now.

To speed up a video to twice its normal speed on Instagram Reels, you’ll have to employ a tactic all too familiar to TikTok users. All you have to do is press and hold on the side of the video, and it’ll speed right up. Unlike TikTok, which speeds up videos while users press down on the right side of their screen, you can press on the right or the left side of the Reel to achieve this. Like TikTok, it will only speed up while you’re pressing and holding down. This feature isn’t yet available to everyone.

“We’re working on new ways to improve the Instagram Reels experience and are currently testing the ability to playback a reel in 2x speed. This is testing with a small group of people to start,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to Mashable.

Mashable Light Speed

People love to watch videos on 2x speed. Some people do it while watching movies (which, to me, is unhinged, but is your right), YouTube videos, TikToks, and, now Reels too. While this might seem like a problem — how long until we start trying to speed our loved ones up? — it’s probably not that big of a deal. As Mashable deputy UK editor Sam Haysom reported in 2022, research shows that students who watched videos at faster speeds “performed just as well in the tests as those watching at normal speeds.”

“I was surprised at how effective students are at learning at 2X and even 2.5X speed,” Murphy told Mashable at the time. “Our results demonstrated that students are good learners and can remember information even in circumstances that conventional wisdom suggests should be bad for learning. Given students’ resiliency to faster playback speeds, I was encouraged that students could potentially use this strategy to enhance their comprehension.”

Whether this has a significant impact on our offline communication remains to be seen. But I, for one, am ecstatic that I might be able to watch old movie trailers and videos I already saw on TikTok much faster on Reels now.


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The best laptops of 2026: We tested 80+ models to find our favorites

the m5 apple macbook air

Mashable has been testing laptops for over 10 years. Over the past two years alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tried more than 80 of the most promising configurations available. We use a meticulous testing procedure involving real-world stress tests and artificial benchmarks to evaluate our contenders on the basis of performance, battery life, design/build quality, and value.

This regularly updated guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best-in-class models we’ve tried across different subcategories. For even more recommendations, check out my dedicated guides to the best MacBooks, the best Windows laptops, the best cheap laptops, and the best Chromebooks.

A note about laptop prices

A recent boom in AI data center construction has caused a global shortage of RAM and SSD storage chips (often referred to as “RAMageddon“). As a result, many consumer tech devices that use these components, including the best laptops, have seen steep price hikes this year. The shortage is expected to worsen and could last into 2028, driving up prices even further and making good values in the budget and mid-range tiers even scarcer. Apple was the most recent brand to raise laptop prices, with MacBooks getting $100 to $300 increases.

This is something the Mashable team is taking into consideration as we assess laptops and select ones to recommend to our readers. Moreover, we’ve gone back and re-evaluated several models that have gotten more expensive since we first tested them. At the time of writing, only one previous top pick has gotten so unreasonably pricey that we think it’s no longer worth buying. That would be the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which jumped from an already-high $750 to $1,000 as tested. We’ve since replaced it with a much more cost-effective option that’s less snazzy, but still apt for most Chromebook users. You can read more about it and our other current picks below.

One thing to know before you buy a Windows laptop

Many great Windows laptops we’ve tried run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X and X2 series chips, which use ARM-based architecture instead of standard x86 architecture like Intel and AMD chips. The Zenbook A14 and A16 are two great example of outstanding ARM laptops.

These Qualcomm chips are great because they offer amazing performance and battery life, but they’re not compatible with some specialty software and PC games. Having said that, ARM support is getting better and should dramatically improve in the near future. Right now, I would only avoid ARM laptops if you’re a college student, or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my best Windows laptops guide.

Recent updates to this guide

I added two new picks to this guide in late July 2026:

  • The Asus ExpertBook Ultra is our new favorite business laptop for its dazzling ultra-thin-and-light design and impressive brawn.

  • The Asus Zenbook A16 joins the ranks as the best 16-inch laptop for most people: It’s also quite portable, its everyday performance is virtually unrivaled, and it’s a stellar value to boot.

  • I removed the Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop because the configuration we tested was out of stock at the time of writing. We’re currently testing potential replacements.

I’ve also adjusted the prices of the three MacBooks featured in this guide. Apple made them $100 to $300 more expensive in mid-June because of the ongoing memory shortage.

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DJIs Mini 5 Pro drone just hit its lowest-ever price at Amazon — buy for under $700 this weekend

SAVE $76: As of July 25, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is down to $683 at Amazon — a 10% discount and its lowest-ever price.


$683
at Amazon

$759
Save $76

 

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is on sale for for $683 at Amazon, down from $759. That’s the best price we’ve ever seen.

It’s built for beginners but doesn’t skimp on features. You also get a 20-kilometer transmission range, so you can fly it well beyond what most starter drones allow.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro packs a lot into a small drone — it folds up palm-sized and slips into a pocket, and it comes with 42 GB of built-in storage. The camera has a 1-inch sensor (bigger than what most drones this size use), which means your 4K footage looks sharp and the colors come out looking real, not washed out.

For creative shots, the gimbal can flip to true vertical and rotate up to 225 degrees, so you can capture angles that many beginner drones can’t pull off. It’s also safer to fly as it uses LiDAR and vision sensors to detect obstacles from every direction, which matters if you’re flying at night or letting it auto-return home.

Battery life is solid too — you get up to 36 minutes per flight, and if you buy extra batteries, the charger can fully charge three of them in under two hours. It comes with everything you need to fly right out of the box: the drone itself, the remote controller, one battery, and spare propellers.

Grab the DJI Mini 5 Pro for $683 this weekend.

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The Hello Nancy Lem vibrator is the perfect summer treat

If you’re a Woman on the Internet, you’ve probably seen the Hello Nancy Lem come across your feed in one form or another — either as a “wellness” ad or in a full-on TikTok review by a sex educator/influencer.

It’s the toy of the season (IMO), and it’s everywhere. I honestly haven’t seen a vibrator get this much attention since the Rose (you know the one) came out. And, like the Rose, dupes are now flooding the internet, but we’re interested in testing the real product.

That said, not all toys are as good as a company’s marketing budget (that’s an understatement). If you’re wondering if the Hello Nancy Lem is as good as they say it is, I’ve done the research and hands-on testing to give you an honest review.

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Why should you listen to me? I’ve been testing, reviewing, and covering sex tech for years. My office is basically a makeshift sex shop, I have a certificate from Sextech School, and probably most importantly, I have endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and occasional vaginismus spasms — so I am adamant about finding the best toys for people with pelvic pain in addition to my usual service journalism.

What is the Hello Nancy Lem?

If your algorithm hasn’t served you the Lem on a carousel or 15-second hype video yet, let me introduce you.

The Lem is a clitoral massager that looks like a lemon (hence the name). It has 12 intensities and patterns, is made of medical-grade silicone (hallelujah), and has a noise level of Hello Nancy website, the Lem is slightly quieter than a refrigerator’s hum at its lowest setting (~35–40 dB) and just a hair louder than “light rainfall” at max speed (

A hand holding the Hello Nancy Lem clitoral massager.


Credit: Tabitha Britt | Mashable

It’s also IPX7-rated, which means it’s waterproof, and it comes with either a magnetic charger or a Type-C port, depending on when you ordered. I actually have both versions; the one with the “flap” has a C-port charger, and the one without the “flap” has the magnetic charger. (Both are 100 percent waterproof!)

What’s in the box?

You’ll obviously get the Hello Nancy Lem Clitoral Massager, a satiny pink storage pouch, a little packet of helpful cards (a starter guide with a QR code to help you set up your toy, a 10 percent discount code that you can give to a friend, tips for getting in the mood, and a quick care guide), and of course, the charger. Note: You will not get a charging block, which isn’t a dealbreaker but something to consider since the end of both the magnetic charger and the C-charger is a USB.

Your Lem may also come with a packet of lube and some toy cleaner (I believe my first Lem did; that was around the time it became popular).

How does the Hello Nancy Lem work?

The Lem is easy to use, and both versions only have one button. If you have the USB-C version of the toy, the button will actually look like a button; if your toy has a magnetic charger, the “button” will look like an “N.”

Just hold the “N” (or button) down until the toy vibrates once to activate it, then press it to access the first setting. The only downside to having one intuitive control is that it’s impossible to go back to a previous setting; you have to cycle through all of them to get back to the start.

The intensities range from a Level 1, which Hello Nancy describes as “gentle,” and a level 7-8, which is “intense.” Patterns 9-12 are rhythmic, so if you prefer some variety, those might be for you. I personally just like to keep it at a steady pace and slowly work my way towards climaxing.

A hand holding the Hello Nancy Lem clitoral massager.

It really is just a tiny, non-threatening lemon.
Credit: Tabitha Britt | Mashable

Before your solo sesh, go ahead and charge your Lem to 100. It’ll take about 90 minutes (or less, considering it comes with a little bit of juice right out of the box). Once it’s fully charged, experiment! There’s nothing worse than placing a literal sucker on your clitoris and just waiting to see what happens. Get familiar with the controls, cycle through the settings, and feel the suction on a non-sexual body part like your arm or stomach before touching your sweet bits.

You don’t have to use lube, but lube does make everything better (despite the bad rep it gets on the streets; needing/wanting lube isn’t a failure!). If you do decide to use lube, use a water-based one. Oil, silicone, and alcohol-based products will degrade your toy.

Start slow and gradually increase the intensity to see what works best for you. Again, the toy is waterproof, so if you have roommates or just like playing in the bath/shower (I definitely did this during college!), you can take it in there without worrying about breaking it.

Here’s what I think about the Hello Nancy Lem Clitoral Massager

The Hello Nancy Lem is ideal for a few different scenarios: anyone who prefers clitoral stimulation over penetration, anyone who wants a powerful clit sucker that’ll give them a run for their money while using a penetrative toy (dual-stimulation for the win), or anyone who experiences pelvic pain and just can’t handle penetration.

The Lem will give you sweet, sweet butterfly kisses on your vulva until you turn it up, and then it’s like ohhh. You could honestly play with it for hours if you can control yourself, or if you want to have multiple orgasms. It’s also great for foreplay if you have trouble getting wet before sex (I do, thanks to my many pelvic conditions and issues). Plus, if you’ve always wanted to squirt, I think this is a great toy to have in your kit.

In terms of ergonomics, I love how it fits in my hand; it’s not too big or too small. It also fits over the clitoris in a way that isn’t awkward or weird. (Sometimes clitoral suction toys just don’t fit, no matter how you position them.) Because of the easy-to-hold shape, I think it’d also be a good pick for someone with arthritis or carpal tunnel (which I also have, LOL).

Personally, I’ve never not come after using the Lem. It can get me there in just a few minutes sans pelvic pain. That said, I think it’s important to note that not having an orgasm doesn’t mean the experience was a failure. As long as it feels good to you and you’re satisfied, playtime doesn’t always have to end in a climax.

Design-wise, it’s completely unassuming and non-threatening. It’s perfect for beginners, college students, or anyone with roommates who doesn’t want a vibrator sitting out. This one is cute enough that you could totally forget it on a nightstand and leave people none the wiser. It’s also TSA-friendly, has a convenient travel lock (just double-press the power button to unlock it), and the drawstring pouch makes it easy to just throw it into a carry-on and go.

What do the reviews say?

I’m obviously not the be-all and end-all, so here are a few “outside” reviews gathered from the Hello Nancy site itself (there are 15K+ reviews) and Reddit:

“GIRLS!!! 🍋🍋🍋🍋 This is THE best clit stim vibe hands down! I’m obsessed. I think about this little Lem way more than I should, and I am using it at least twice a day! The O’s this little baby gives are incredible! The suck is just insane. This Lem turns me into a puddle 🫠 💦”

“Omfg! I bought this thinking ‘it’s just going to be another generic vibrator and nothing much to write about.’ BOY! How wrong was I!? This little piece of ingenuity is the absolute best purchase I’ve ever made. I have never squirted without penetration before, until this! 🫠 Ladies, make sure you put a towel down first! Protect that mattress 🤭”

“Wow… it was absolutely awesome!! I have not dated for a while and have had some health issues. Furthermore, taking muscle relaxants, it was difficult to attain some pleasure, I mean the big O. I did not have great expectations, but….The Lemon was very successful. I highly recommend, and I’m over 70ish!”

“I bought the Lem about two months ago, and I use it daily, sometimes twice a day. I’ve never been able to give myself a clitoral orgasm. Before the Lem, I had a wand, and it never got me there. Being able to actually give myself an orgasm has been life-changing to say the least! My husband jokingly said great..now you don’t need me anymore.”

So, is the Hello Nancy Lem worth it?

If you’re new to sex toys, struggle with pelvic pain, are perimenopausal or menopausal, have had issues orgasming in the past, or cannot tolerate penetration, the Hello Nancy Lem is definitely worth trying. It’s also really good for foreplay and getting warmed up.

But, if you’re someone who’s used to intense clitoral suction (e.g., you’re an experienced user), you might want to try Satisfyer or Womanizer first. At $89 (that’s with the on-page discount), the Lem’s price point is also higher than the Satisfyer (currently retailing for around $55 on its website) and several versions of the Womanizer, including the new $59 “Peach Toy,” though that’s currently sold out. So keep that in mind when purchasing, too.

The Hello Nancy Lem, although I think it’s intense, might not be strong enough for some power users, according to a few Redditors. But for me? A cute, whisper-quiet little lemon that guarantees an orgasm without triggering my endo is worth every single penny of that $89.

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