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Modern smartphones possess considerable capabilities. Nevertheless, with the appropriate accessory, you can further elevate your smartphone experience or features. Flipstik is one such accessory that gained popularity following its “Shark Tank” appearance during episode 4 of season 12. It’s an innovative gadget for your phone that attaches to the back and introduces two primary functions: a kickstand and an adhesive mount. With Flipstik, there was no need to purchase a separate mount if you wished to watch something on your phone while cooking or washing dishes, for instance, as you could adhere the phone to a wall tile, kitchen cabinet door, or refrigerator, keeping it secure. Likewise, the kickstand function significantly eased the process of propping your phone up on various surfaces.

Flipstik’s “Shark Tank” appearance and the engaging pitch from the company’s CEO and founder, Akeem Shannon, which featured rap, enabled him to secure an offer of $100,000 in exchange for 25% equity from investor Lori Greiner. However, obtaining a deal from a shark does not guarantee success, and numerous “Shark Tank” startups fail. So, what transpired with Flipstik after its show appearance, and is the company still active and thriving in 2026, similar to the season 12 Hopscotch app?

Flipstik, which commenced its journey with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter and sales in local malls, experienced success after the televised announcement of a deal with Greiner, where the company was valued at $400,000. According to Primetimer, Flipstik’s sales doubled its total lifetime revenue, approximately $115,000, in the days following the “Shark Tank” episode’s air date. Although Greiner’s deal eventually fell through, Shannon acquired a $50,000 Arch Grants and was accepted into the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ Anchor Accelerator, providing him with an additional $50,000 in funding. These funds assisted Flipstik in expanding its distribution as sales surged.

Per an episode of the radio show St. Louis on Air, the company’s valuation soared from $400,000 to $5 million by 2022. In that same year, the company succeeded in enhancing its distribution, and Flipstik began selling through 338 Target stores across the nation and on its website. However, as of 2026, Flipstik does not appear to be listed on Target’s website, and the availability at Target stores is unclear. It was also available via QVC for a time in 2023.

Throughout the years, Flipstik expanded its product range to include variants such as Flipstik Pro, FlipStik Grip, MagStik, and updated models of the original Flipstik.

As of February 2026, while Flipstik can still be purchased from some online retailers, like Amazon and Walmart, the company’s status appears somewhat doubtful, as its products are out of stock on AT&T, Best Buy, and Newegg websites, and the company’s website has reportedly had products unavailable for over a month.

Even on Amazon, all of Flipstik’s items show low inventory, primarily being sold by third-party sellers, accompanied by less-than-stellar reviews. Shannon seems to be concentrating more on motivational speaking, as his X and Instagram bios do not reference Flipstik at all, and his posts focus on his speeches and how to hire him for speaking occasions. That said, he hasn’t posted on X lately, though his LinkedIn profile still lists him as the CEO of Flipstik. However, on Instagram, where he remains fairly active, he hasn’t directly promoted Flipstik since 2023.

In summary, it appears Flipstik, which had a satisfactory journey for a period around 2022 and 2023, may not be in a favorable condition, unlike another small gadget from “Shark Tank” season 13 known as MuteMe.

popular Nex Playground and the PlayStation Move controllers that were part of the initial generation of PlayStation VR.

Yet, time continues to progress and the era of the Nintendo Wii is far behind us. You may occasionally retrieve the console and reflect on less complicated times while enjoying some Wii Bowling, or perhaps you’ve even heeded our suggestions on innovative ways to still utilize your Nintendo Wii. Nonetheless, the console’s prime has long passed.

But what about those groundbreaking controllers that accompanied the console? Do those quirky, unusual bars retain relevance in today’s world, and can you leverage their features in 2026? Well, we’ve searched the web and compiled a collection of some quite clever methods users have discovered to tap into the potential of those Wii Remotes that you might still have stashed away.

Reddit user Healthy_Block3036, later reported by MacRumors, indicates that Toyota is finally entering the ranks of other automakers that back this feature, which already includes Audi, BMW, Hyundai, KIA, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and, more recently, Rivian. Although Toyota hasn’t specified which models will support the Car Key feature, it appears that the automaker is likely to focus on its newest models first.

However, there’s a stipulation regarding how Toyota customers can utilize the new feature — the brand is placing the Car Key feature behind a subscription. To use the feature, customers must subscribe to Toyota’s Remote Connect service, which is priced at $15 per month. While a one-year Remote Connect trial is included with the purchase of a new vehicle, customers will ultimately need to pay to access the service. The subscription includes the ability to remotely start/stop the engine, lock/unlock doors, activate the A/C and headlights, check status alerts, and even locate the vehicle’s last parked position.

the emergence of AI is blamed for widespread collapse, yet some people find it advantageous for various tasks. Although businesses persist in integrating artificial intelligence into products, a recent survey reveals that a significant number of users are not in favor of it.

As per a Connected Intelligence study conducted by AI firm Circana, more than a third of American adults aged 18 and older express disinterest in having artificial intelligence on their devices. Among those who are not interested, reasons cited include a simple disinclination towards it, concerns about privacy, and satisfaction with their device functionalities without the incorporation of artificial intelligence. Notably, the environmental risks posed by AI were not mentioned as a concern. The findings also indicate that younger demographics are more open to utilizing this technology.

In spite of a substantial segment of consumers displaying indifference towards AI, there are no indications of its momentum diminishing in the near future. Investment in AI companies continues robustly, to the extent that numerous experts speculate about the potential for an AI bubble.

best printer choices.

One strategy to avoid these hidden expenses is to consider the long-term costs associated with a printer you’re evaluating. For instance, if you print infrequently, a basic monochrome laser printer is a wise option, as toner remains effective and inexpensive per page. On the other hand, if you frequently use your printer and require color prints, it’s advisable to bypass ultra-low-cost inkjets with pricey cartridges and instead seek models that accommodate third-party cartridges or have refillable tanks.

Choosing one of these options enables you to keep your investment affordable, not just in terms of the printer’s price but also in the long run. Selecting the appropriate printer allows you to manage your expenses for ink refills or cartridges effectively, without being restricted to a narrow selection. You can find the comprehensive methodology at the end of the article for further information on how we selected these printer options.

Google Android Beta release page, ensure you have a compatible device linked to your account, and then sign up accordingly. Most Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 through to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold qualify. There are no third-party devices compatible from manufacturers like Samsung or Motorola. Google’s new budget Android the Pixel 10a will likely support beta updates upon its launch as well.

In any case, this isn’t a major update, so there aren’t many significant features. However, Google will likely incorporate more into the Beta release over time before the official rollout. Google consistently introduces new features to the Android OS that enhance user experiences. With that said, here are some minor enhancements you can look forward to.

As a creative partnership, James Wan and Leigh Whannell truly harnessed something special when they crafted “Saw” and the initial two “Insidious” movies. They managed to discover an impactful formula for transforming essentially low-budget horror flicks into something that is brutally entertaining and enjoyable, despite their minimal costs. When the two branched out into solo careers, they both partially drew upon that original strategy and mindset, but it was Whannell who took more daring and possibly more ambitious risks to refine his horror craft with subtle adjustments.

After mainly working as an actor and screenwriter, he transitioned into directing. His first directorial effort was fairly conventional (a prequel within the “Insidious” series), but his second film, the 2018 techno-horror “Upgrade,” showcased compelling promise for him as an emerging filmmaker. He wrote and directed that feature with such assurance that it promptly impressed both critics and audiences, making its scant $3 million budget often seem like it was worth ten times that amount.

“Upgrade” centers on Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green), a husband and mechanic in a near-future world, who becomes paralyzed after a band of cyborgs shoots him and murders his wife in a brutal manner. As a quadriplegic, Grey is soon presented with a groundbreaking technology in the form of an AI chip implant — and as we’re aware, merging humans with AI comes with significant risks. He hesitantly chooses to undergo the procedure, and the AI, named Stem (voiced by Simon Maiden), aids him in regaining his complete motor functions. Eventually, he discovers that his newfound robotic abilities can assist him in tracking down, identifying, and exacting vengeance on the individuals who murdered his wife and left him immobilized.

“Upgrade” is an exhilarating, bloody, and darkly humorous B-horror experience.

Leigh Whannell’s intriguing concept grabs attention from the start, but it’s truly his innovative direction (paired with Stefan Duscio’s swift, deliberate, and polished cinematography) that transforms “Upgrade” into a tight and thrilling joyride. Whannell shows little interest in pondering the intricate connection between humans and machines — even if “Upgrade” almost instantly evokes Paul Verhoeven’s iconic “RoboCop” — and he focuses more on the revenge narrative and the standout action mixed with the kind of uncompromising gore that turned the “Saw” films into icons of torture porn. While the graphic violence can feel excessive and exaggerated at points, it’s also thrill-seeking and gratifying for B-movie aficionados in a way that very few other genre entries genuinely manage.

The AI’s frigid and somewhat sardonic demeanor may also remind audiences of Ruben Fleischer’s guilty pleasure “Venom” from the same year — a film that critics viewed as a disarray that squandered Tom Hardy’s abilities — where Hardy’s character squabbles with the symbiote residing within him similarly to how Grey interacts with Stem. Honestly, it’s unfortunate that “Upgrade” never quite had the opportunity to achieve the commercial impact of the Marvel film, remaining a relatively modest box office performer that garnered just over $16 million globally.

One thing is certain, though: Whannell’s second venture is a definite delight and an essential watch for fans of B-horror and revenge films. Not to mention that it serves as a masterclass in extracting the maximum potential from a low-budget movie that, frankly, should serve as a study case for every up-and-coming filmmaker. If you somehow missed it back then, you can easily correct that as “Upgrade” is now available for streaming on Netflix.

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