Another day, another bizarre Trump gaffe.

Following his attendance at the recent NATO summit, Donald Trump – while speaking about ongoing tensions with Iran – appeared to get his countries mixed up, saying missiles had been fired at a US air carrier by "the Islamic Republic of Japan."

In the Daily Show clip above, host Ronny Chieng shares his thoughts.

"Oh my God. We're losing the war with Iran so bad it converted Japan to Islam," jokes Chieng. "And I know it sounds stupid when Trump says it, but if someone told you the Islamic Republic of Japan was a new fusion restaurant in Bushwick, you f***ing hipsters would be lining up for it."

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If you're in a public place or at work or surrounded by people whose opinion you care about, maybe watch the Hope trailer where you can have a little freak-out?

The latest action-packed South Korean horror from The Medium and The Wailing director Na Hong-jin, Hope promises a blood-soaked nightmare in a small village plagued by a violent creature. The film's name comes from its setting, Hope Harbour, a chill town that didn't expect its quiet streets to be pulverised by a strange (and incredibly strong) beast. Police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung- min), officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon), hunter Sung- ki (Zo In-Sung) have quite the task on their hands, to wrangle this rampaging terror before it tears them to shreds.

From the looks of it this is no straightforward monster movie, with intergalactic elements sneaking in. But there's plenty of action afoot, with the town fighting for their damn lives in this Neon trailer.

Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender also star.

Hope hits cinemas Sept. 9.

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If you use Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot, and you're wondering if you're using it too much, assistance is coming from an unlikely source: Claude.

Anthropic says Claude's new "reflect" tool is designed to help users answer complex questions about their AI use.

That includes whether you're using Claude effectively, too often, or for too many tasks that are better suited for yourself instead of artificial intelligence, Anthropic said in a blog post Thursday.

What will Claude's reflect feature help with?

The insights dashboard shows key topics, usage patterns, and frequent tasks. Users can review their chat activity over periods of one, three, six, or 12 months. They can also set (and dismiss) quiet hours and break nudges.

The feature "invites you to step back and examine the role Claude plays in your life," the company said in its announcement.

"It will periodically surface questions like, 'What's one thing you want to keep doing yourself, even if Claude could do it faster?' and give you the chance to talk it through with Claude."

Reflection tool shows peak hour and number of conversations, among other insights. Credit: Courtesy of Anthropic

Given the growing concern about AI use, including cognitive offloading and atrophy, the feature could offer users genuinely useful information.

Users get in-depth details about how they "collaborate" with Claude, plus practical suggestions for prompting the chatbot without providing repetitive information.

The tool also incorporates Anthropic's proprietary framework for AI use, which helps decide how to delegate to a chatbot and how to accurately assess its outputs.

What about sensitive data and chats?

The insight reports do not incorporate incognito chats. It doesn't access files in connected tools, such as your email inbox or health data.

Reflection insights will cover sensitive conversations, such as discussions about mental health, but only at a high level. If Claude has previously shared mental health support resources during a chat, that information may appear in the dashboard as well.

Anthropic consulted independent experts to develop insights that would help people evaluate what works best about Claude for them.

Though Anthropic requires users to be 18 or older, Ryn Linthicum, Anthropic's head of well being policy, told Mashable that the company learned from youth developmental experts what tools could help young adults and parents of children better understand their AI use.

The reflection feature is in beta for free and paid subscribers with their chat memories turned on.

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup only has a handful of games left to play. We've reached the quarter-final stage, with four fascinating matchups on the schedule.

This stage starts with France vs. Morocco, arguably the best game of the round. France have been electric in this competition, with incredible displays of attacking talent from the likes of Mbappé and Olise. Morocco have come through fixtures against Brazil and the Netherlands to reach this stage. They're a passionate team stacked with elite players, and they're sure to give France a real test.

If you want to watch France vs. Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Morocco?

France vs. Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on July 9. This fixture takes place at the Boston Stadium.

How to watch France vs. Morocco for free

France vs. Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. Morocco for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch France vs. Morocco for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

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 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream France vs. Morocco (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream France vs. Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

TL;DR: Just in time for summer trips, MOFT has launched its new Trackable Field Wallet for $69.99. It's a MagSafe wallet with Apple Find My and Android Find Hub support to help keep your cards and essentials easy to find while traveling.

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Credit: MOFT

MOFT Trackable Field Wallet

$69.99 at MOFT

 

Shop Now

If you're the type to double-check your pockets before leaving the airport, MOFT's latest accessory might be worth a look. The Trackable Field Wallet is a new MagSafe wallet that works with built-in tracking, making it easier to locate your wallet if it goes missing. At $69.99, it also packs room for up to eight cards — far more than most MagSafe wallets — while staying slim enough to snap onto the back of your iPhone.

The biggest upgrade here is capacity. It also has separate compartments to keep frequently used cards apart from things like cash, coins, keys, or even a spare SIM card, while a pull-tab lets you grab your cards without digging around.

Credit: MOFT

Credit: MOFT

The wallet folds into a built-in phone stand for watching videos, taking video calls, or reading hands-free, then snaps back onto your iPhone with a strong MagSafe connection when you're done. Built-in Apple Find My and Android Find Hub support means you can locate the wallet through your phone if you accidentally leave it behind, and MOFT says the rechargeable tracker lasts up to six months between charges.

Finished in soft Movas vegan leather, it is designed to resist stains and everyday wear while keeping the wallet lightweight. The Trackable Field Wallet is available in Terracotta, Misty Cove, and Jet Black, giving you a few options beyond the usual black accessory lineup.

Shop the Trackable Field Wallet now and travel with one less thing to worry about.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 9, select colors of the Soundcore P30i by Anker noise cancelling earbuds are on sale for $27.99 at Amazon. That's $12 off their full price of $39.99.

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Credit: Soundcore

Soundcore P30i by Anker Noise Cancelling Earbuds

$27.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $12.00

 

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One of our favorite pairs of budget earbuds just got cheaper. As of July 9, select colors of the Soundcore P30i by Anker noise cancelling earbuds have dropped to $27.99 at Amazon. Compared to their full price of $39.99, that's $12 you save.

Both the black and green pair have hit this price at the retailer, but they're actually not the only colors on sale. The blue, pink, and white pairs are discounted for a couple dollars extra at $29.99. No matter which color you go with, you'll still enjoy some savings.

These earbuds have stood out to us as the best budget pair under $50, with our roundup saying, "The active noise cancellation on them is impressive for their price, able to block out the bustle of busy streets or the noisy gym." However, it does add that, "it isn't the best noise cancellation or sound we've ever experienced," as a "$50 pair of earbuds just can't compete with a $300 pair," but if you don't mind that, they're a great option to grab that won't break the bank.

Our roundup also highlights that, "Advanced audiophiles on a budget will enjoy the addition of custom EQs and multi-point connection." Plus, their battery life can definitely keep up with you, boasting up to 45 hours with the charging case, or 25 hours with ANC enabled.

Don't miss out on this great offer on the Soundcore P30i by Anker noise cancelling earbuds at Amazon.

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Credit: Brother

Brother INKvestment 5010 Wireless All-in-One Printer

$279.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now

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Credit: Brother

Brother INKvestment 5110 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer

$359.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now

Working from home often means making your workspace do more with less room. Between your laptop, monitor, chargers, and everything else fighting for desk space, a bulky office printer can feel like the last thing you need.

Brother’s new INKvestment all-in-one printer series is designed to solve that problem, bringing business-focused printing features to smaller home offices and small businesses without the oversized footprint. The new lineup includes two wireless color inkjet models — the MFC-J5010DW and MFC-J5110DW — with starting prices of $279.99 and $359.99, respectively.

Both models combine printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with features like automatic two-sided printing, mobile controls and higher-yield ink designed to keep interruptions to a minimum. They also support WiFi, WiFi Direct, Ethernet, and USB, along with cloud printing and scanning through apps like Google Drive and Dropbox.

Brother INKvestment 5010 Wireless All-in-One Printer

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Credit: Brother

Brother INKvestment 5010 Wireless All-in-One Printer

$279.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now

The Brother INKvestment MFC-J5010DW is a compact all-in-one printer built for home offices. It comes with high-yield ink included in the box — a 1,800-page black cartridge and 750-page cyan, yellow and magenta cartridges — helping you spend less time swapping cartridges. For everyday productivity, it packs a 250-sheet paper tray, 50-page single-pass duplex automatic document feeder, and automatic two-sided printing with support for paper sizes up to 8.5 x 14 inches.

Powered by Brother’s Maxidrive Technology, the MFC-J5010DW can print up to 28 pages per minute in black and 26 ppm in color. You can also manage settings from your phone using the Brother Mobile Connect app, while the 2.7-inch color touchscreen keeps on-device controls simple.

Brother INKvestment 5110 Wireless All-in-One Printer

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Credit: Brother

Brother INKvestment 5110 Wireless All-in-One Printer

$359.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now

The Brother INKvestment MFC-J5110DW is built for busier home offices and small businesses that need more than occasional printing. The MFC-J5110DW comes with a 500-sheet paper capacity split between two trays, so you can keep different paper types loaded without constantly swapping them out. It also includes a 100-sheet multipurpose tray for things like envelopes, labels, and specialty media.

For scanning and copying, it has a 50-page automatic document feeder (ADF) with single-pass duplex scanning, meaning it can handle both sides of a document in one go. It also supports automatic two-sided printing to help cut down on paper waste. The printer also uses Brother’s PerfectPrint Auto Detection System to help keep print quality consistent, whether you’re printing reports, presentations, or everyday documents.

TL;DR: All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer/ITVX. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The world is watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The best international sides from around the world are competing for arguably the biggest prize in sport. The knockout rounds are really heating up. We've already seen powerhouses like Germany and Brazil get dumped out of the competition, and it feels like there's so much more still to come from huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi as we hit the quarter-final stage.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The World Cup is an international football competition between senior men's national teams. The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Argentina. They won their third title at the 2022 World Cup after defeating France in an epic final.

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free

A number of streaming platforms are offering free coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Australia — SBS

• Austria — ORF and ServusTV

• Belgium — RTBF and VRT

• France — M6

• Germany — ARD and ZDF

• Ireland — RTÉ

• Italy — RAI

• Norway — NRK

• Netherlands — NOS

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer and ITVX (recommended)

These streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)

5. Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Chinese regulatory filings, unearthed earlier this week, revealed that Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a significantly larger battery than its predecessor, suggesting a longer battery life as well.

This, however, may come at the expense of added thickness and weight.

Reliable Chinese leaker Ice Universe revealed the details in a post on Weibo.

"The iPhone 18 Pro Max's 5500mAh battery comes at the cost of a 240-gram weight and a 9mm thick body," he wrote.

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.75mm thick and weighs 233 grams. If Ice Universe's numbers are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro Max would be 0.25mm thicker and 7 grams heavier; a small difference, but still noticeable, especially on a device that's already pretty large and heavy.

MacRumors pointed out that, for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple has reportedly adopted a new type of vapor chamber that uses stainless steel, which could also make the phone heavier.

Notably, Apple's largest phone has shed some weight over the years, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max still holding the title of being the heaviest iPhone ever. Its weight is exactly 240 grams, so the iPhone 18 Pro Max might come in at a tie.

There's no word on the dimensions and weight of the iPhone 18 Pro. Its battery will reportedly only be a little larger than before, so perhaps there won't be a significant change in thickness and weight, either.

It's also worth noting that Apple is rumored to be launching the iPhone Ultra, alongside the Pro models, in September. That one is almost certainly going to be the heaviest new iPhone, thanks to its foldable design.

SAVE $62.50: As of July 9, the Aeocky RHEA-001 Smart Dehumidifier is down to $237.49 on Amazon. That's a 21% discount on its $299.99 list price.

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Credit: Aeocky

Aeocky RHEA-001 Smart Dehumidifier

$237.49 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $62.50

 

Get Deal

Need to dry out your home without adding another noisy appliance? Aeocky’s new RHEA-001 Smart Compressor Dehumidifier just launched with a deal, dropping to $237.49 at Amazon (21% off). It’s also available through Aeocky’s official website for $299.99.

Built for spaces up to 4,500 sq. ft., it can remove up to 80 pints of moisture per day in hot, humid conditions, making it a fit for larger basements, bedrooms, garages, and other areas where damp air tends to linger.

Noise is usually one of the biggest complaints with dehumidifiers, but the RHEA-001 is designed to keep things quiet. Aeocky says it runs at just 44 dB on its lowest fan setting, which is around the level of a soft background hum. Everyday features like a 1.45-gallon water tank, included drain hose and garden hose adapter for continuous drainage, multiple modes, timer controls, and power-off memory also make it easier to set up and forget about.

The RHEA-001 has a built-in humidity sensor that monitors moisture levels and helps maintain your preferred range, adjustable between 40% and 80%. For spaces like basements or garages that can get colder, it includes defrost technology to help the unit keep working when temperatures drop.

Dry out your space without drying out your wallet. Grab the Aeocky RHEA-001 Smart Dehumidifier on Amazon today.

SAVE $50: As of July 9, the Ninja DualBrew Pro coffee machine is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's $50 off its full price of $249.99.

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Credit: Ninja

Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee Machine

$199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50

 

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If you're someone who enjoys both brewing coffee from grounds and the convenience of a coffee pod, the Ninja DualBrew Pro is a machine worth adding to your kitchen. This specialty coffee maker can handle both of those brewing options, plus some extras, and now is a great time to buy. Amazon has slashed $50 off its price tag, but not for long.

Normally the Ninja DualBrew Pro coffee machine is listed for $249.99, but as of July 9, its dropped to $199.99 at Amazon. However, it has a "limited time deal" tag right now, so the clock is ticking to jump on this offer before the price goes back up.

The main highlight of the Ninja DualBrew Pro is that it can brew coffee with grounds or with a coffee pod, but it has quite a few more options to offer as well. It features four brew styles — Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty — so you can customize your drink. With the latter, you can even brew up more concentrated coffee for creating lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. To add to that, there's even a built-in, fold-away frother you can use.

This coffee machine can fill up a wide variety of cup sizes as well. According to the store page, there are nine ground brew sizes, including small, XL, travel mug, XL travel mug, and various carafe sizes, alongside 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz brew sizes for pods.

Make your mornings better with the Ninja DualBrew Pro coffee machine, now $50 off at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: Pringles is bringing back its limited-edition Pop Dog Buns on July 15. Starting at 12 p.m. ET, fans who buy a $6.97 Pringles three-pack can claim a free set while supplies last.

National Hot Dog Day is almost here, and Pringles is making the hot dog bun the star of the show.

The brand is bringing back its limited-edition Pringles Pop Dog Buns for one final drop on July 15, giving fans another chance to get the potato-based buns inspired by three classic Pringles flavors: Sour Cream and Onion, BBQ, and Honey Mustard.

The buns are free with the purchase of a qualifying Pringles three-pack, but they're only available while supplies last. Whether you missed the first drop or you're finally ready to give them a try, here's how to score a set while they're still available.

What are Pringles Pop Dog Buns?

Credit: Pringles

Instead of topping your hot dog with Pringles, the brand decided to flavor the bun itself.

The limited-edition Pop Dog Buns are soft, potato-based buns, packaged inside the brand's iconic cans and measure 7.5 inches long, giving the classic hot dog bun a Pringles-inspired makeover.

How to get the Pringles Pop Dog Buns

The final drop goes live on Wednesday, July 15, at 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT) to celebrate National Hot Dog Day. To claim a set, you'll need to:

• Purchase the Pringles Three-Pack for $6.97, which includes Sour Cream and Onion, Honey Mustard, and BBQ crisps.

• Place your order through Pringles' online store or its Instagram and Facebook Shops.

The Pop Dog Buns are free with the qualifying purchase. This is the second and final drop of the limited-edition Pop Dog Buns.

If you want to try Pringles’ potato-based take on the classic hot dog bun, July 15 is your last chance to claim a set.

SAVE $80: As of July 9, the Jackery Solar Generator 300 with solar panel is on sale for $279 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery Solar Generator 300 (With Solar Panel)

$279 at Amazon
$359 Save $80

 

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Whether it’s an off-grid camping trip, an unexpected power outage, or just preparing for an upcoming storm, portable power stations are a great product to have stowed away.

Many can offer full home powering for a number of days, while others come in at more affordable prices and promise to keep your most essential devices up and running. And options like the Jackery Solar Generator 300 are a great entry point for anyone looking for reliable backup power without spending a fortune.

As of July 9, this handy unit is down to just $269. It includes the 292Wh unit as well as a 40W solar panel, and you’ll be getting these for $80 less than normal. It’s a lightweight and portable option designed to keep your essential devices charged while traveling, camping, or heading off-grid. And it weighs just 7.5 lbs, so it’s easy to carry on hikes and outdoor adventures without adding unnecessary bulk.

And despite its compact size, it has various charging options, including two AC outlets, a 100W USB-C PD port, two USB-A ports, and a 120W car port. With a 300W rated output and 600W peak surge, it can power everyday essentials like laptops, cameras, and drones, while also working as a reliable backup battery or solar generator when paired with compatible panels.

Get this portable power station deal at Amazon right now.

SAVE $70: As of July 9, the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series TV is on sale for $129.99 at Amazon. That's a 57% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Toshiba

Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series TV

$129.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $170

 

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If you want a new TV but don't want to fork out hundreds of dollars, check out this latest Amazon deal on the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series TV. As of July 9, it's down to just $129.99, its best-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Despite its low price, this is still an impressive TV with great quality. In fact, it's powered by the REGZA Engine ZR, which analyses every scene to optimize picture quality and bring content as close to 4K resolution as possible. This is only enhanced by the AI 4K Upscaling feature which improves Full HD content by improving detail, texture, and color. It also combines Dolby Vision HDR with Dolby Atmos audio and has features like Ultimate Motion that help reduce blur during fast motion, so you're really getting a cinematic experience at home.

For streaming and apps, it runs on Amazon's Fire TV. This means access to apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more is much easier. You'll find them all, plus a number of live TV options, all on one easy-to-navigate home screen.

Get this TV deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $269.99: As of July 9, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is on sale for $1,030 at Amazon. That's a 21% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1,030 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $269.99

 

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There's a new deal on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at Amazon. If you've been looking for a new phone, right now you can save $269.99 on one of the best.

As of July 9, the price has dropped to $1,030 from $1,299.99, but only for one color. To get this price, you'll need to order the black phone. Other colors are reduced in price too (including cobalt violet, white, and sky blue), but not as much as the black handset.

This is an incredibly impressive smartphone (just check out our full review to see how impressed we were). It has a whole range of advanced features, including Nightography which takes clearer photos and videos in low light, and a wider front camera makes it easier to fit everyone into group selfies. Galaxy AI-powered Photo Assist also lets you edit images simply by typing or tapping, so you can restore details, remove mess, or just apply different filters or creative styles in a few seconds.

It's powered by Samsung's fastest Galaxy processor yet, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, so it's built to handle demanding apps, multitasking, and AI features with no issues at all.

Upgrade for less now at Amazon.

SAVE $100.99: As of July 9, the Dyson Supersonic Nural is on sale for $349 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Dyson

Dyson Supersonic Nural

$349 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100.99

 

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For high-quality hair styling, you can't go wrong with a Dyson product. From the Airwrap to the Airstrait, its impressive technology is transforming how we style our hair. And as of July 9, the popular Dyson Supersonic Nural is on sale for its best-ever price, now just $349 at Amazon.

So, how does it work? This hair dryer uses a network of Nural sensors that automatically adapt settings as you dry your hair. It has special features like a Scalp Protect mode which monitors the distance between the dryer and your scalp, automatically adjusting the temperature to maintain a comfortable 130°F for close-up drying while helping to protect your scalp from excessive heat.

It also features Attachment Learning, which recognizes each styling attachment and remembers your preferred airflow and heat settings, so every time you switch attachments the dryer automatically adjusts to your saved preferences. It has three airflow speeds, four precise heat settings, and an 82°F cold shot. It even has a color changing light to indicate your current heat setting, helping you visualize just how much heat you're actually using.

Find this deal on the Supersonic Nural at Amazon now.

Social media changed the game for magicians, and Anna DeGuzman knows that better than most.

The professional close-up magician, illusionist, and card artist got her start as a teen, teaching herself through YouTube videos and magic books. Some 12 years later, she's become a Magic Castle member, a runner-up on America's Got Talent, and the host of her own interview show on Complex's YouTube channel. Then, of course, there's her successful TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube channel that earned her the title of Featured Creator at VidCon 2026.

Having come into her own while posting online, DeGuzman's seen how more magicians making content ups the ante for the art form.

"Magic is so much more accessible now, which also makes the art need to elevate, to keep up," DeGuzman told Mashable. "Because now you're like, OK, how do I make sure this is 360-proof, and if people play it back in slow motion, they still don't figure it out?"

Her social media savvy also influences her IRL live performances.

"I think in visuals. If someone were to watch your story of my show, and they only saw 15 seconds, is that a captivating visual that makes you go, oh, that's interesting, what's happening?" DeGuzman said.

I can personally attest to DeGuzman's skills, as she combined her mentalism techniques and card artistry during our interview to determine the birthday of my childhood crush (a member of a certain Disney Channel boy band). I can't lie — it felt just like magic.

SAVE OVER $70: As of July 9, select colors of the Coleman Pro 45qt hard cooler are on sale at their lowest-ever price of $125.99 at Amazon. That's $74 off the full price of $199.99.

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Credit: Coleman

Coleman Pro Heavy-Duty 45qt Ultra-Light Premium Hard Cooler

$125.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $74.00

 

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Summer is in full swing, and Amazon has been offering up some great outdoor deals for shoppers hoping to get out and enjoy the sunshine. In particular, Coleman outdoor products have popped up at the retailer with some very nice discounts. The Coleman Pro 45qt hard cooler is one that's crossed our radar, as select color variants are currently sitting at their lowest-ever price.

As of July 9, the 45qt Coleman Pro cooler — in the delightfully bright blue sky and neptune colors — has dropped from $199.99 to $125.99 at Amazon, making for just over $70 in savings. Both colors are only available at this price for a limited time, so don't wait too long to take advantage of this offer.

To give you a good idea of how spacious this Coleman Pro cooler is, its 45-quart build can hold up to 74 cans without ice in the mix. That gives you plenty of room for your favorite drinks, whether you're out camping or hosting a party. What's inside can stay cold for up to four days as well, thanks to a fully insulated lid and body.

It's also quite durable, with walls that are up to two inches thick. This makes for a sturdy design around the cooler, but it also helps with ice retention. It's actually lighter than you'd expect as well. According to the store page, its 30% lighter than rotomolded coolers of the same capacity, so you can easily move it between locations. And speaking of moving it, there's also handles on the side you can grab onto for carrying it around.

A sturdy cooler is great to have on-hand during the summer months, so don't miss out on this great deal on the Coleman Pro 45qt hard cooler at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

A U.S. federal judge has approved a settlement that will see Elon Musk pay $1.5 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failing to disclose his 2022 Twitter stock purchases within the legally required period. Even so, she was not happy about it. The penalty is a mere fraction of the amount Musk gained from the alleged violation, which he is apparently free to keep.

In her order filed in a Columbia District Court on Wednesday, Judge Sparkle Sooknanan expressed "significant misgivings" about the deal between Musk and the SEC. Under the agreement, Musk will pay $1.5 million to the SEC — literally one percent of the $150 million he allegedly saved due to his late disclosure. 

Further, the penalty will technically be paid by a trust in Musk's name rather than directly by the billionaire himself, a manoeuvre that the court noted appeared "for the sole purpose of Mr. Musk being able to say that no relief was entered against him in his personal capacity."

However, as the court's role is only to assess whether the agreement meets "minimum standards of fairness and reasonableness," Sooknanan stated that it is therefore obligated to accept the deal.

"[T]he Court may not step in the shoes of the SEC, notwithstanding that the SEC's decision-making in this case raises red flags," Sooknanan wrote in her order on Wednesday. "So mindful of that principle and, as always, its proper role, the Court is constrained to accept the Parties’ agreement despite its significant misgivings."

Sooknanan also questioned whether Musk was receiving special treatment.

"The Court is left to wonder whether the SEC will afford other alleged securities-law violators such solicitude," she wrote. "Or is this a one-time deal designed for Mr. Musk negotiated without the involvement of the SEC lawyers litigating this case?"

The SEC filed the case in January last year, suing Musk for late disclosure of his Twitter stock purchases in 2022. Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Musk was legally required to notify the SEC within 10 days of acquiring enough shares to own more than five percent of the company. 

Instead, Musk allegedly waited 21 days, finally notifying the SEC of his purchase 11 days past the deadline. Musk also reportedly bought even more Twitter stock within those 21 days, spending an additional $500 million to increase his stake to 9.2 percent. 

According to the SEC's lawsuit, this delay had a significant financial impact not only on Musk, but on other shareholders as well. Twitter's stock price shot up after Musk finally reported his purchase, the value of his shares jumping to $2.89 billion as news of his investment became public. The billionaire allegedly saved at least $150 million on his additional share purchases as well, as he was able to buy them at a lower price than if he fulfilled his reporting obligations.

In addition to this, the SEC alleged that Musk's failure to report his Twitter stock purchase within the legally mandated period caused other investors "substantial economic harm," as those that sold their shares during his delay were denied the benefit of the increased price.

The SEC initially sought to fine Musk, as well as have him give up the profit he gained from his alleged violation. Now it's singing a much different tune, agreeing to the comparatively small $1.5 million penalty and apparently allowing Musk to keep the millions he gained through his alleged violation. Further, none of the money will go to investors who allegedly lost out due to Musk's delay.

"The SEC has decided not to press for relief that could compensate Mr. Musk’s alleged victims, instead settling on a form of relief that would go into the government’s pocket," said Sooknanan.

"Whether the Executive Branch (through the SEC) has done enough to hold Mr. Musk to account for his alleged violation is, like many other issues, for our citizenry to decide at the ballot box."

Though the SEC filed the case during the Biden administration, it looks as though it doesn't want to come down on Musk quite as hard under Trump. Musk has had a tumultuous relationship with the president, appearing to swing wildly between a close ally or a bitter enemy. Considering this slap on the wrist, it seems reasonable to wonder whether their on-and-off again flirtation may have helped swing the situation in the billionaire's favour.

Tiffany Haddish is guest hosting for Jimmy Kimmel this week, and she's cheerfully taken on the role of Donald Trump mocker-in-chief.

She's also apparently caught the attention of the White House. When asked about a joke Haddish made about Trump, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded to USA Today by asking: "Who the hell is Tiffany Haddish?"

"Who am I? Huh, huh? I'm the bitch you walk past to get to your coach seat, motherf***er," responds Haddish in the clip above. "Who am I? I'm a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, that's who I am. Who am I? Who the f*** is Davis Ingle, huh? Is that a new character in Little House on the Prairie, but yo ass in the White House? You in the wrong house!"

"But this is exciting, the White House is mad at me y'all," she continues. "This is the day that I finally become Jimmy Kimmel! I do got one question, though, if the president pulls me off the air, do I still get paid for the whole week?"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

TL;DR: The new Motorola Razr is available for free with T-Mobile. Activate a new line on an Experience More plan to qualify for this limited-time offer.

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Motorola Razr

Free when you activate a new line on an Experience More plan.

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Want to know a truly 10/10 life experience? No, we're not talking about marrying the love of your life or witnessing the birth of your child. We're talking about slamming shut a foldable phone.

The good news for anyone interesting in making this ultimate power move is that flip phones are back. And mobile carriers like T-Mobile are giving away some of the best flip phones for free. For a limited time, T-Mobile is giving away the new Motorola Razr for free. You don't need to trade anything in to qualify. You just need to activate a new line on T-Mobile's Experience More plan.

Each month, your statement will display a standard finance charge for the phone, immediately followed by an equal promotional credit that balances that charge down to nothing. Essentially, you are entering a two-year commitment with the network. If you decide to cancel your service, move to a competing carrier, or try to upgrade to next year's model before those 24 months are completed, the remaining unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately.

You will also need to pay tax on the full retail value of the device upfront, plus a $35 connection charge. That's a small price to pay for a premium foldable phone that goes for over $700.

The Motorola Razr offers a massive 3.6-inch Extreme AMOLED cover screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,700 nits. Motorola also upgraded the camera suite, packing a massive 50-megapixel main sensor alongside a highly capable 50-megapixel ultrawide lens. It's all powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7450X processor, with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of built-in storage, and a robust 4,800mAh battery that delivers 36 hours of regular use.

Score the new Motorola Razr for free with T-Mobile.

Michael Tchao's content creation journey started with one essential thing: a business plan.

Before he ever hit publish, the food creator mapped out exactly what he wanted his career to look like — from making a full-time living through content creation to working with his dream brands. That sense of intention still shapes the way he approaches every opportunity today. As he puts it, creators can either "sit under the tree and wait for an apple to fall," or "find a way to climb the tree and pick that apple."

At VidCon 2026, Tchao sat down with Mashable Culture Editor Crystal Bell to discuss the strategy that's guided his career from the beginning: why he started pitching brands before he even had 2,000 followers, why he believes creators shouldn't wait for opportunities to find them, and why he's skeptical of one of the creator economy's most common pieces of advice: be more niche.

Conventional creator wisdom says to pick a lane and stay there. As social platforms become more crowded, marketers have increasingly gravitated toward niche creators with highly engaged audiences, and industry analysts predict demand for niche creators will continue to rise.

Tchao doesn't necessarily disagree with the premise, but he does question the long-term strategy.

"If you want to have short-term growth, I think niching is super smart," he says. "But a lot of times what I see with creators is they niche, niche, niche... and they get pigeonholed. They can't get out. And if you have other interests, like we all do, I think that's a recipe for burnout."

Instead, Tchao encourages creators to think less about locking themselves into a single content category and more about identifying the underlying value they provide. For him, that isn't simply "food" — it's making complicated cooking concepts easy to understand. That broader mission gives him the flexibility to experiment while staying recognizable to his audience.

He also reflects on the importance of finding community in a profession that can often feel isolating, why even a single conversation at an event like VidCon can change the trajectory of a creator's career, and the philosophy that guides every video he makes: "No one really cares about me," he says. "They care about how the content can help themselves as a viewer."

Watch the full interview above.

The 2026 World Cup has entered the quater-final stage. France and Morocco kick off the festivities.

France are tipped to win the tournament but Morocco will prove their toughest opposition so far. Is this the moment that France come unstuck? Or will Mbappé lead them to another thrilling win?

It all kicks off at 4 p.m. ET today. Here's all the information you need to watch today's soccer action.

FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 9

• France vs. Morocco (Boston Stadium) — kickoff at 4 p.m. ET

How to watch FIFA World Cup games today

Watch France vs. Morocco

France had to fight and claw their way through the Round of 16, with opponents Paraguay relying on underhanded tactics to rattle the French. But Mbappé and the rest of the team kept their heads and eked out a 1-0 win. It was a testament to their skill and teamwork, but it wasn't the dominant performance fans expected for the World Cup contenders — proof that France aren't totally dominant. Morocco, meanwhile, have been on fine form, eliminating the Netherlands on penalties and easily dispatching co-hosts Canada.

Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

More live streaming options

Live TV cable replacement

Not interested in signing up for a standalone streaming service like Fox One or Peacock? You can sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.

These services carry over 100 live channels, but run off a WiFi connection. You'll get live access to Fox and FS1, plus a whole lot more. Here are some options to consider:

• YouTube TV — 10-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months

• Fubo Sports — 1-day trial, then $45.99/month for 1 month

• Hulu + Live TV — 3-day trial, then $89.99/month

Watch the World Cup for free with a VPN

It's possible to watch the World Cup for free on international services like ITVX, BBC iPlayer, NOS, or RTÉ. Our global World Cup watch guide can walk you through the process.

You will need a VPN to live stream the World Cup on these free streaming services. We recommend ExpressVPN — a Mashable-tested service and an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe — as our VPN of choice for sport. It offers servers in 105 countries, a user-friendly app available on all major devices, a speedy connection, and up to 10 simultaneous connections.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup isn't just happening on official grass anymore.

On Sunday, July 12, FIFA and YouTube will host the inaugural YouTube FIFA Creator Cup, a creator-led exhibition match that brings some of the platform's biggest personalities together with soccer legends for a livestream from New York City's Central Park.

Leading the event is YouTube megastar iShowSpeed, whose World Cup livestreams have made him one of the tournament's defining internet personalities. And with over 57 million YouTube subscribers, he's also one of the platform's most recognizable faces. He'll be joined by creators including Celine Dept, TBJZL of the Sidemen, Jasontheween, Zhong, Zias, Coringa, AboFlah, Brittany Wilson, Mercedes Roa, and more, alongside FIFA legends and coached by Cafu and Marco Materazzi.

"The World Cup is the biggest stage in the world and we're bringing that same energy to Central Park," Speed said in a statement. "Football brings everybody together, and that's what I love about it. To do this with YouTube and FIFA, live in New York City, with fans watching from all over the world, it's going to be special."

The match will take place at Wollman Rink and stream live globally on FIFA's official YouTube channel, with a simulcast on Speed's own YouTube channel beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

The Creator Cup marks the latest sign that FIFA is treating YouTube creators as more than influencers covering the tournament. Increasingly, they've become part of the programming itself. Throughout the World Cup, creators have livestreamed matches from the stands, interviewed players, and generated massive attention around the competition. According to YouTube, videos from its FIFA creator roster have already surpassed 1 billion views during the tournament.

For FIFA, the exhibition is another way to reach younger audiences who are more likely to experience major sporting events through creators rather than traditional broadcasters. And for Speed, whose streams have drawn massive crowds at stadiums throughout the tournament, it further cements his status as one of the World Cup's biggest personalities, even if he isn't playing for a national team.

That role has extended beyond livestreaming. Speed's song "Champions" was included on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack after initially being released as an unofficial anthem, making the Creator Cup the latest step in his transformation from superfan to World Cup fixture.

Legendary referee Pierluigi Collina will oversee the match, while Sam Mewis and Kristie Mewis of The Women's Game and Zach Misischia and Brian Conforth of The Makeshift Project will report from the sidelines. Veteran broadcaster Max Bretos will handle play-by-play commentary.

This year's World Cup has made one thing clear: creators are no longer on the sidelines. They're lacing up, kitting out, and hitting the pitch.

After 321 days of sleep, a NASA spacecraft woke up in the cold outer fringes of the solar system. 

New Horizons, the spacecraft that flew past Pluto in 2015, entered hibernation on purpose to save energy as it drifted deeper into the Kuiper Belt, a disk beyond Neptune of comets and tiny icy worlds. 

At some 6 billion miles from Earth, a wakeup call from mission control would have taken nine hours to travel through space. Instead, the spacecraft woke itself up on June 23 from a previously scheduled command. 

New Horizons needs its strength. The intrepid explorer is expected to continue operating into the 2050s over a distance perhaps 100 times farther from the sun than Earth. During its travels, it will visit one more Kuiper Belt rock, following its flyby of Arrokoth seven years ago. The team is now using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory to figure out its next destination, said Alan Stern, the mission's principal investigator, in a comment on X.

Scientists have used New Horizons to measure how solar wind — the stream of charged particles flowing away from the sun — changes as it moves toward the edge of the solar system.

They found that the solar wind gradually slows as it travels outward because it collides with atoms drifting in from interstellar space. New measurements show the solar wind is 13 to 15 percent slower out there than it is near Earth. The spacecraft's data was published in The Astrophysical Journal. 

New Horizons delivered this composite image of Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth when it flew by in January 2019. Credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Southwest Research Institute / Roman Tkachenko

Scientists predict the solar wind will slow much more dramatically when New Horizons reaches the so-called "termination shock," where the sun's particles suddenly lose speed. Voyager 2, which is now 13.3 billion miles away from Earth in interstellar space, previously measured a 46-percent drop in solar wind speed when it had reached that point. It was then about 84 times farther from the sun than Earth. 

Learning how the solar wind changes helps scientists map the edge of the sun's influence, said Heather Elliott, a researcher at the Texas-based Southwest Research Institute. And despite the Voyager twins having already left the solar system, the "edge" of the heliosphere — this region in space affected by the sun — is still mysterious. 

"Not only do we learn more about how the sun's influence ends," said Elliott, first author of the paper, in a statement, "but we also gain a deeper understanding of the boundary between our solar system and interstellar space — a critical step toward planning future interstellar travel."

New Horizons launched 20 years ago and flew past Jupiter in 2007 for a gravity boost and scientific observations. It became the first spacecraft to explore Pluto and its moons. New Horizons also detected a previously unknown population of distant objects beyond the known Kuiper Belt with its long-range camera. The discovery could mean the belt extends much farther than expected or that a second, more-distant belt of icy bodies exists beyond it. 

Apple is likely to join the foldable market this year — but Samsung is gearing up to have a competitor in place before the iPhone Ultra even launches.

Samsung is set to show off its latest wares at a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, and it's widely expected that the company will announce a third foldable to add onto the Fold and Flip form factors it has already been selling for years now.

This new foldable will reportedly be a shorter, wider device, similar in shape to the still-unannounced iPhone Ultra.

Here's everything you need to know about the wide Samsung foldable before its likely launch later this month.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: When is it coming?

As previously mentioned, Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event is on July 22. The phone will likely not hit shelves that day, but it should be available within a few weeks, if precedent holds.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: What is it called?

This is where things get confusing. While we expect that the new wide foldable will be called Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, it is not a true successor to the Z Fold 7 (launched in 2025), at least not in terms of design.

There will be a successor to the Z Fold 7 launched alongside the new wide foldable, but it's reportedly called the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Hopefully Samsung will clear up the confusion on why that should be.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Design and specs

Samsung hasn't officially announced the Z Fold 8, but we have a decent idea of what to expect based on various leaks over the past several months.

For example, prominent leaker Sonny Dickson posted images on X back in April purporting to show dummy cases for the new batch of foldables.

Two of them look familiar to fans of Samsung phones, but one of them is clearly more squat and more wide than anything the company has made yet. We are pretty sure that's the Z Fold 8.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

There are now official details yet, but leaker Tarun Vats recently posted specs on X. They include:

• 5.5-inch cover display with 120Hz refresh rate

• 7.6-inch inner display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage

• 4,800mAh battery

Based on the dummy units seen above, those display dimensions sound about right. The idea, evidently, is to have a roughly 4:3 aspect ratio in the inner display, which is what Apple is reportedly going to do with its foldable.

This was recently corroborated even more by Android Authority, which found alleged images of the phone in One UI 9 files.

Yeah, that's not a regular Samsung foldable. Credit: Android Authority

As for the other specs offered by Tarun Vats, there are no real surprises here. The RAM and storage counts are pretty normal for what will likely be an expensive phone, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset has been used in other recent Samsung devices.

All that should keep the phone performing smoothly. A 4,800mAh battery is also roughly what we would expect from a device like this. Hopefully, it'll be able to keep a charge for at least 24 hours.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Cameras

This is one area where it seems like Samsung is making compromises. In the render above from Android Authority, there are only two rear cameras on the Z Fold 8. That's not ideal: the Z Fold 7 had three, and we expect the same of the Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Tarun Vats' specs list suggests they won't be the most powerful lenses in the world, either. A 50MP wide and 50MP ultrawide lens, with two 10MP selfie cameras, may sound impressive — but it's a far cry from the 200MP main lens we got on the Z Fold 7.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Price

It's impossible to say what this phone will cost prior to its announcement. RAMageddon is very real, and foldables were already in the neighborhood of $2,000 before memory became impossible to come by.

Do not be shocked if this phone, even with its weaker cameras, is out of your price range.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The online world is full of content restrictions and blockades. It might not always seem like that, but look around. More and more restrictions on your movement are coming into force.

Porn naturally comes with a lot of restrictions, but there's really nothing wrong with adults visiting their favorite sites at entirely appropriate moments. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like XNXX from any network and location. And fortunately, you can do exactly that with a quick and easy hack.

If you want to unblock porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to unblock XNXX for free

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock porn sites like XNXX by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (we recommend 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 a location that supports access to XNXX

4. Visit XNXX

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The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like XNXX without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like XNXX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock XNXX for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub for free with a VPN. The best services for unblocking porn sites from Australia is ExpressVPN.

The world of porn continues to be impacted by age-verification laws. Back in early 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub hit back by blocking users from those locations. A similar situation took place France and the UK, and now Australians are facing the same set of challenges.

The porn blocks arrived just days before new online safety codes came into effect, requiring organisations to verify the ages of users. It's the same story we've seen before, with the same straightforward workaround.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Australia, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (we recommend 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

Shop Now

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment. The situation may have changed before the free-trial period comes to an end.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choices for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

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• Multiple simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantees

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Djokovic in Wimbledon 2026 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Wimbledon is hurtling towards the finals taking place this weekend, but in many senses, the biggest game of the tournament is scheduled for the semi-final stage. Top seed Sinner faces off against Djokovic for a place in the final. It's going to be electric in centre court.

Djokovic came through an epic five-set match with Auger-Aliassime to make this stage of the tournament. Sinner had a much more straightforward victory over Struff. The Italian hasn't really been tested since his tough first-round match with Kecmanović, but you'd imagine Djokovic will stretch him.

If you want to watch Sinner vs. Djokovic in Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch Sinner vs. Djokovic for free

Sinner vs. Djokovic in Wimbledon 2026 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world

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ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees and free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to live stream Wimbledon 2026 before recovering your investment. It's a sneaky trick, but it works.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for Wimbledon, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for Wimbledon?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like BBC iPlayer, 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 always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of Wimbledon.

TL;DR: Live stream Muchová vs. Gauff in Wimbledon 2026 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Wimbledon finals are fast approaching. We're down to the final four players in both singles draws, with some fascinating matchups on the schedule.

Muchová vs. Gauff is a particularly interesting contest. Both players have looked really slick making it to this stage. Muchová battled to beat Osaka in the last round. Gauff needed three sets to beat Pegula. Now they face off for a spot in the final.

If you want to watch Muchová vs. Gauff in Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch Muchová vs. Gauff for free

Muchová vs. Gauff in Wimbledon 2026 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees and free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to live stream Wimbledon 2026 before recovering your investment. It's a sneaky trick, but it works.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for Wimbledon, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for Wimbledon?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like BBC iPlayer, 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 always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of Wimbledon.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

11. Reminders of Him

Another day, another Colleen Hoover novel adaptation, with Reminders of Him set for home release this week. Directed by Vanessa Caswill (Love at First Sight) and co-written by Hoover and Lauren Levine, this drama is all about processing guilt and finding a path forward in unthinkable circumstances. Longlegs star Maika Monroe plays Kenna, a woman who serves time for the vehicular manslaughter of her boyfriend, Scotty (Outer Banks' Rudy Pankow).

Having given birth to a daughter named Diem (Zoe Kosovic) in prison, Kenna's freedom comes with getting to know this now-six-year-old stranger, the apprehension and complexity of reconnecting with Scotty's parents and best friend Ledger (I Know What You Did Last Summer's Tyriq Withers), and the all-too-present consequences of her past. Tear-jerker for sure.* — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Graham, and Bradley Whitford

How to watch: Reminders of Him is begins streaming on Peacock on July 10.

10. The Long Walk

One of several high-profile Stephen King adaptations to be hitting screens this year — hi, The Running Man and IT: Welcome to Derry! — The Long Walk conjures up a nightmarish dystopian future in which the U.S. hosts a yearly death march for young men. The last walker standing wins any wish that their heart desires, but at what cost?

Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed four of the five Hunger Games films, pulls no punches in The Long Walk. The result is a relentlessly bleak saga buoyed by a talented young cast that includes Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Ben Wang. Serious emphasis on bleak, as this movie is not for the faint of heart (or anyone looking for a happy watch). As I wrote in my review, "After almost two hours of being immersed in this string of deaths, you may find yourself begging, 'Enough already!' The Long Walk, however, does not let up, trapping you in a never-ending nightmare of bloodied feet and fraying minds." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Joshua Odjick, Roman Griffin Davis, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill

How to watch: The Long Walk debuts on HBO Max on July 10.

9. Faces of Death

The absolute nightmare that is content moderation lies at the heart of Faces of Death, the Barbie Ferreira–starring horror that feels way too real. It's inspired by the 1978 VHS exploitation film or "video nasty" of the same name, which had people unsure whether the extreme violence on screen was real or not. It was banned in several countries — you should really watch British horror film Censor to understand this era of film vetting — but it turns up on the shelf of a character in Daniel Goldhaber's new film.

But now, we're in 2026, the age of the internet. The Euphoria star plays Margot, who works not at a movie censorship body but a social media company like TikTok or YouTube. Alongside co-workers (like one played by constant movie star Charli XCX), Margot is part of the department where content is screened against community guidelines and either blocked or left up to feed the attention economy. However, some of those violent videos look super-real, and influencers are going missing...* — S.C.

Starring: Barbie Ferreira, Charli XCX, Jermaine Fowler, Aaron Holliday, Dacre Montgomery, Josie Totah

How to watch: Faces of Death debuts on Shudder on July 10.

8. Summer Sparks

Hungering for a light-hearted romantic comedy? Roku has got you a seasonal treat with Summer Sparks.

Jesse Metcalfe stars as Adam, a single dad looking to reconnect with his teen son during their time at Camp Evergreen. Perhaps the annual cook-off will prove the perfect place to bond? However, Adam's craving for competition catches the eye of Monica (Kathryn Davis), a single mom who's looking to share the camp she loved in her childhood with her own kids. Over cooking and talking childcare, the two develop a spark all their own. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Jesse Metcalfe, Kathryn Davis, and Max Baribeau

How to watch: Summer Sparks is now streaming on Roku.

7. The Man Will Burn

First kicking off in 1986, Burning Man is a week-long event held in the sprawling Nevada desert that becomes a canvas of self-expression for a jubilant community of participants. But while the vibes are party, a lot of planning goes into its mounting each year.

From filmmakers Jehane Noujaim and Vikram Gandhi comes The Man Will Burn, a four-part documentary series that digs into all things Burning Man. As you can see from the trailer, the docuseries will feature interviews with the revelers and the organizers. So, you'll see the highs, lows, and obstacles that are part of "the burn." — K.P.

How to watch: The Man Will Burn is now streaming on HBO Max.

6. The Five-Star Weekend

The small-screen adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand's novel The Five-Star Weekend arrives on Peacock this week, bringing summery vibes and an all-star cast along with it. Jennifer Garner plays Hollis Shaw, a cook and food blogger trying to recover from a devastating loss. As part of her grieving process, she decides to host a weekend getaway at her Nantucket house. Her guests? Friends from different stages of her life (and one extra surprise invitee), played by D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, and Chloë Sevigny.* — B.E.

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, Gemma Chan, D'Arcy Carden, Harlow Jane, and Timothy Olyphant

How to watch: The Five-Star Weekend is now streaming on Peacock.

5. The Mountain

If Moana coming to theaters has you craving more stories out of Polynesia, don't miss The Mountain. Rachel House, who played Moana's grandmother in the 2016 film, directs this coming-of-age adventure, produced by her Hunt For the Wilderpeople director, Taika Waititi.

Written by House and Tom Furniss, The Mountain centers on Sam (Elizabeth Atkinson), a young Maori girl with cancer and a big plan to defeat it. Tapping into her roots, Sam is convinced that if she summits the Taranaki mountain, communing with nature will heal her. Along the way, she teams up with a couple of misfits, and together this trio of kids treks to a better future. Meanwhile, their parents understandably freak out about their children going AWOL. Funny and bittersweet, this Kiwi offering is a great pick for a family movie night. — K.P.

Starring: Elizabeth Atkinson, Reuben Francis, Terence Daniel, Byron Coll, Troy Kingi, Fern Sutherland, and Sukena Shah

How to watch: The Mountain is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

4. Obsession

Audiences went feral for writer/director Curry Barker's ultra-creepy Obsession. The film turns rom-com expectations on its head by presenting a lovelorn protagonist named Bear (Michael Johnston), who might seem like a nice guy but is actually the movie's villain.

Obsessed with his friend Nikki (a riveting Inde Navarrette), he makes a wish that she'll not only notice him, but will love him more than anyone else. In the way of the mythic monkey's paw, this wish goes horribly wrong, transforming Bear's dream girl into a nightmare. Obsession is thoroughly chilling, especially thanks to Navarrette's harrowing performance. But Barker's exploration of sexual politics ultimately feels juvenile because of a flubbed final act. As I explained more in-depth in my review, "This makes the finale of Obsession unnerving — not so much for what it shows, but for the empathy it ultimately lacks."* — K.P.

Starring: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter

How to watch: Obsession is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

3. Backrooms

The concept of the Backrooms began with a 4chan post, which then-teenager Kane Parsons masterfully expanded into a series of extremely viral short horror films. Backrooms is his full-length feature adaptation, and it's about a bitter furniture shop owner (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who discovers the doorway to another world in the basement of his store. So, does Parsons manage to land the jump to feature? For the most part, yes. Backrooms uses uncanny spaces and an ominous soundscape to chilling effect, dragging us into a world that's as unsettling as it is endless. The movie's only real issue is its third act, which loses some tension after we see the face of the thing that's been chasing the characters through this hellish labyrinth.

"Despite this, Backrooms is still well worth a watch. The ending isn't enough to spoil what came before," I wrote in my Mashable review. "If anything, Parsons has managed to prove himself as an incredibly talented emerging filmmaker while also establishing the first chapter in what will surely end up becoming a brand-new horror franchise."* — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell

How to watch: Backrooms is now available for pre-order on Prime Video.

2. Amores Perros

Alejandro González Iñárritu's debut feature is over 25 years old now, but it seems to have cemented its place as a cult classic. Running over two-and-a-half hours long, the sprawling drama follows three different sets of characters whose lives are brought together by a car crash in Mexico. To say too much more would probably be doing it a disservice, but the film's Rotten Tomatoes rating — 93 percent critic, 94 percent audience — pretty much speaks for itself. If it's been on your list for a while but you haven't got round to watching it, maybe now's the time. — S.H.

Starring: Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Goya Toledo, Álvaro Guerrero, Vanessa Bauche, Jorge Salinas, Adriana Barraza, and Humberto Busto

How to watch: Amores Perros begins streaming on MUBI on July 10.

Best of streaming this week: Little House on the Prairie

A childhood classic comes to Netflix this summer with Little House on the Prairie, based on the beloved series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Like the books, the TV series introduces the Ingalls family, who uproot their lives in the big woods of Wisconsin and begin a new life on the prairie. The show looks to introduce Wilder's work to a new generation, but let's be real: Plenty of adults will also be checking it out to make sure it stays true to the story they grew up loving.* — B.E.

Starring: Alice Halsey, Skywalker Hughes, Luke Bracey, and Crosby Fitzgerald

How to watch: Little House on the Prairie is now streaming on Netflix.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

TL;DR: Pay once and get enough cloud storage for life with this 100TB Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription, now $999.99 (reg. $9,900).

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Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB

$999.99
$9,900 Save $8,900.01

 

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Cloud storage seems affordable until you realize you’ll be paying for it every month for the rest of your life. If you want to give your wallet a break, you might want to check out a more permanent option.

Internxt Cloud Storage lets you own your storage space rather than rent it, and right now, 100 TB of storage is on sale for just $999.99.

It feels like everything comes with a subscription fee these days. Internxt Cloud Storage lets you knock one of these subscriptions off your monthly budget, allowing you to pay once and secure enough space for life.

This 100TB of space gives you enough room for your photos, videos, files, and then some. You can also rest easy knowing your data is secure, as Internxt provides end-to-end encryption. That means not even the company itself can access your files — which can’t be said for the competitors, who not only access but also profit from your data.

Internxt Cloud Storage offers post-quantum encryption — well beyond the AES-256 standard used by most providers —so you’re protected against future quantum computing threats, too. It’s also GDPR-compliant, independently audited by Securitum, and the full codebase is available on GitHub.

Transferring your data is simple thanks to Internxt’s cross-platform compatibility, which lets you store, share, and send from any device or operating system you own. There are also apps for Android, iOS, web browsers, and desktop for easy access.

Lock in this 100TB Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for only $999.99 (reg. $9,900) today.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Simplify your cell phone with this Kyocera DuraXE Epic E4830 Flip Phone, on sale now for just $111.99 (reg. $269.99) while supplies last.

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Credit: Kyocera

Kyocera DuraXE Epic E4830 Flip Phone AT&T + GSM Unlocked (Refurbished)

$111.99
$269.99 Save $158

 

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Sometimes it’s best to go back to basics. If you’ve been looking for an easier way to stay connected, with fewer distractions and more reliability, it may be time to return to a good old flip phone.

The Kyocera DuraXE Epic E4830 Flip Phone gives you a simple way to stay connected, and right now you can snag one for only $111.99 (reg. $269.99).

It’s time to step away from the apps. We need to stay connected to our loved ones, but that doesn’t have to come with a device that keeps you doomscrolling until midnight. The Kyocera DuraXE Epic E4830 Flip Phone makes it easier to talk and text, while remaining rugged enough to keep up with your busy life.

Our smartphones today aren’t exactly life-proof. From shattered screens to water incompatibility, it’s easy for one to be out of commission. But you don’t have to worry about this Kyocera DuraXE; it’s shock-resistant and ready to withstand drops, dust, and even water exposure.

The Kyocera DuraXE’s battery offers 10 hours of talk time and 16 days of standby time. When you need to power it back up, it charges via USB-C. The battery is also removable, so it can be swapped on the go for longer device life.

While this flip phone simplifies your communication, it’s not slacking in the power department. A 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor can keep up with your calls, messages, and other basic phone functions.

You can use this phone with AT&T, or if you’re with another carrier, it’s GSM-compatible. It has a 5MP camera to snap photos, and you can save them with 16GB of storage. The Kyocera DuraXE also offers expandable memory support up to 512GB via microSD if you need it.

You’re saving big on this Kyocera DuraXE thanks to its Grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition while you score the low price.

Snag a Kyocera DuraXE Epic E4830 Flip Phone for only $111.99 today.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.

Whether you're the parent of a Lego-obsessed child or an avid builder and collector yourself, there's no better time to shop for new sets than the Lego Insiders Days event.

Conceived of as a thank-you to Lego loyalists, the Insiders Days sale runs from July 9-12 and unlocks special privileges for Lego Insiders including exclusive sets, special discounts, and double or even quadruple the usual loyalty points on select offers. There are even special perks you can unlock with each order, from free shipping on orders over $35 to special gift sets unlocked with purchases over $100 (a Lego Airplane) or $180 (a Lego Sea Serpent ship).

Not a member yet? No problem: you can sign up here to unlock access to the sales event. Being a member is totally free (though you must be 18+ to register) and a no-brainer if you like Lego and want to be rewarded for every new purchase or gain access to member-exclusive sets. 

Here are some of our favorite Insiders Days picks for Lego builders of all ages and abilities:

Team Spidey Webquarters

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Team Spidey Webquarters

$49.99 at LEGO

 

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Suitable for ages: 2+

If you're shopping for a toddler, safety and simplicity are your top priorities, followed by something that appeals to their imagination. We love this Team Spidey Webquarters set, inspired by the popular kids show Spidey and His Amazing Friends. This 65-piece set features miniatures of Spidey, Miles Morales, and their arch-nemesis Rhino, plus two vehicles — Rhino's Wrecker and a motorbike, as well as a host of fun, thematic accessories, from a giant web to a full pizza. Your toddler can recreate scenes from the show or imagine new adventures for these budding superheros. 

Buy now for $49.99 at LEGO.com

Moon Mission Science Kit

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Moon Mission Science Kit

$49.99 at LEGO

 

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Suitable for ages: 8+

This relatively simple set, suitable for young children, nonetheless allows parents to teach some pretty complex concepts to their kids, and maybe even instill in them a love of science. It centers around two astronaut figurines and a space ship, with plenty of accessory pieces like a lunar greenhouse and a launchpad with a moving lever that are sure to stoke imaginations and encourage exploration and problem solving. 

Buy now for $49.99 at LEGO.com

Elphaba & Glinda Figures from Wicked

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Credit: LEGO

Elphaba & Glinda Figures

$54.99 at LEGO

 

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Suitable for ages: 10+

Part musical, part fantasy adventure, Wicked has been nothing short of a sensation, and fans of the movie will love this Elphaba and Glinda figurine set. Don't be fooled by the seemingly simple setup: each figurine comes with moving limbs and multiple accessories, including Glinda's tiara and handbag and Elphaba's broom and witch's hat. There's even a hidden QR code that, once scanned, lets users sing along to the movie's hallmark song, "Defying Gravity." 

Buy now for $54.99 at LEGO.com

Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

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Credit: LEGO

Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO

 

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Suitable for ages: 18+

Inspired by the Jurassic Park film franchise and featuring history's most famous apex predator, this Tyrannosaurus rex fossil set features more than 3,000 pieces plus two figurines based on characters from the first film. Once built, this 1:12 scale model stands more than 12.5 inches/33 centimeters tall and would complement any desk or bookshelf. Lego even included a plaque with important dino facts as well as some film references hidden in the display stand. 

Buy now for $249.99 at LEGO.com

Hogsmeade Village – Collectors' Edition

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Hogsmeade Village – Collectors' Edition

$399.99 at LEGO

 

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Suitable for ages: 18+ 

Every true Harry Potter fan has spent some time daydreaming about a stroll through the winter wonderland that is Hogsmeade Village, so being able to bring the set to life through Lego is incredible. And with more than 3,000 individual pieces, three buildings and 12 figurines, there's an endless variety of possible scenarios to play out in your mind, from a shopping trip to Zonko’s Joke Shop or a shared pint of Butterbeer at the Hog's Head pub. Iconic characters featured in this set include Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Dumbledore and Draco Malfoy, but one of the set's best features is its two-way design: from the front, you get the exterior of each building, but flip it around and you get a cutout view into the interior, where the real magic happens. 

Buy now for $399.99 at LEGO.com

OpenAI's ChatGPT revolutionized the artificial intelligence industry with an intelligent bot that can chat with you. However, chatting with ChatGPT (as with most competitor models) doesn't feel like a real conversation; it's more of a Q&A session with a really knowledgeable nerd.

On Wednesday, OpenAI launched GPT-Live, a new model that has a "full-duplex architecture," allowing it to listen and speak at the same time. This enables it to keep a far more realistic conversation, including giving you faster answers, and letting you know it's paying attention with an occasional "mhmm."

We haven't been able to test it out yet, though OpenAI posted a video showing the model's capabilities. The conversation does sound more natural, though the additional chatter probably takes some getting used to.

Google has a similar feature called Gemini Live, which can also keep up a longer conversation, though it doesn't seem to be as chatty as GPT-Live.

OpenAI says GPT-Live is the smartest voice model it has launched. Currently, it uses GPT-5.5 in the background, but the company says that will be "continuously updated" as new models are released. This is notable, as OpenAI is scheduled to launch its most powerful model yet, GPT-5.6, today.

Right now, GPT-Live is being rolled out to users globally, in two flavors: GPT-Live-1 and GPT-Live-1 mini (it's not yet available for us). OpenAI says it'll bring these models to its API "soon."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

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.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, July 9, 2026:

Across

Something to look for while circling the block

• The answer is Spot.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Grow weary

• The answer is Tire.

This clue number x 2

• The answer is Dozen.

Rice-shaped pasta

• The answer is Orzo.

December 25th, for short

• The answer is Xmas.

Down

Calm before the ___

• The answer is Storm.

Favorite food of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

• The answer is Pizza.

Black-and-white cookies

• The answer is Oreos.

(This clue number x 2) + 2

• The answer is Ten.

Release personal information about, informally

• The answer is Dox.

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

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

The Moon has now entered its final stretch of the lunar cycle before the New Moon. Over the next few nights, the illuminated portion visible from Earth will continue to decrease until it disappears completely from view.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, July 9, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in its Waning Crescent phase, with 34% of its surface visible.

Tonight when you look up without any visual aids you'll see just the Oceanus Procellarum and the Kepler Crater. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll see this plus the Grimaldi Basin, Mare Humorum, and the Gassendi Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on July 29.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to orbit Earth, passing through eight distinct phases during that time. While the same hemisphere of the Moon is always turned toward Earth, the portion lit by the Sun changes as it moves along its orbit. This shifting illumination makes the Moon look like it’s changing shape over the course of the month, cycling through crescents, quarter phases, and the bright Full Moon. This regular sequence is known as the lunar 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. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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.

A quick look at the best Prime Day 2026 deals we've spotted so far:

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Best robot vacuum deal

Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum

A$749 (was $2,799, 73% off)

Get Deal

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Best budget robot vacuum deal

Eureka E20 Plus

A$349 (was $862.95, 60% off)

Get Deal

---

Best headphones deal

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

A$378 (was $649, 42% off)

Get Deal

---

Best Laptop Deal

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 14IPH11 Aura Edition

1429 ((was $2,499, 43% off))

Get Deal

---

Best Wearables Deal

Apple Watch Ultra 3

999 ((was $1,399, 29% off))

Get Deal

---

Best TV Deal

Prism+ Q75 Ultra 75" 4K QLED Smart Google TV

A$1,299 (was $1,843, 33% off)

Get Deal

Amazon's famed Prime Day sale has kicked off Down Under for 2026, with deals running across Amazon Australia until July 13. That means a whole week of eyewatering discounts on just about everything, with a strong focus on tech. If you need a new robovac, TV, headphones, or just about anything else gadget-y, now is the time. Below, we've listed the best deals we've seen so far and will be updating this page all week. Happy hunting!

Best robot vacuum deals

• EUREKA E20 Plus Robot Vacuum – A$349 (was $862.95, 60% off)

• ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 Plus Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop – A$429 (was $949, 55% off)

• roborock Q7T+ Robot Vacuum & Mop – A$399 (was $999, 60% off)

Best smart home deals

• Ring Battery Video Doorbell – A$39.90 (was $149, 47% off)

• Ring Spotlight Camera Pro (2nd Gen) – A$279 (was $399, 30% off)

• Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless smart security camera – A$29 (was $89, 67% off)

• D-Link DCS-8302LH FHD Weather Resistant Wi-Fi Camera – A$89 (was $199.95, 55% off)

• WUUK 2K Battery Operated Outdoor Security Camera – A$237.49 (was $369.99, 36% off)

Best smartphone and tablet deals

• Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) – A$894 (was $999, 11% off)

• Nothing Phone (2a) 5G 128GB – A$480.92 (was $529, 9% off)

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 5G 256GB – A$427 (was $599, 29% off)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) – A$639 (was $949, 33% off)

• Lenovo Idea Tab 5G 11" 256GB + Lenovo Tab Pen – A$397 (was $949, 34% off)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite 256GB – A$569 (was $799, 29% off)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 256GB– A$477 (was $549, 13% off)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 512GB – A$1,099 (was $1,599, 34% off)

Best wearable tech deals

• Garmin vívoactive 5 – A$346 (was $499, 30% off)

• Garmin Venu 3, GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display – A$595 (was $749, 21% off)

• Garmin vívoactive 5 Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch – A$347 (was $499, 30% off)

• Garmin Lily 2 Classic, Silver – A$398 (was $469, 15% off)

• Google Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch – A$240.46 (was $356, 32% off)

• Polar Ignite 3 GPS Smartwatch – A$296.96 (was $499, 40% off)

Best headphone and speaker deals

• Bose QuietComfort SC Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones – A$239.99 (was $499, 52% off)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones – A$278 (was $549, 49% off)

• Soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones – A$62.69 (was $119, 48% off)

• Sony WH-CH720N Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones – A$177.00 (was $259, 32% off)

• Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker – A$141 (was $249.95, 43% off)

• Sony SRS-XB100 Wireless Bluetooth Travel Speaker – A$68 (was $99.95, 31% off)

Best TV and home cinema deals

• LG 85-inch QNED80B Evo AI Mini LED 4K Smart TV 2026 – A$2,370 (was $3,499, 32% off)

• LG 55" QNED86 Evo AI Mini LED 4K Smart TV 2025 – A$999 (was $1,199, 17% off)

• Kogan 43" QLED 4K 144Hz Smart AI Google TV – A$446.24 (was $799, 44% off)

• Sony 50" X77L BRAVIA LED 4K HDR Google TV – A$899 (was $1,199, 25% off)

• SKYWORTH Q6600H 65" - QLED+ 4K Smart Google TV – A$749 (was $999, 25% off)

• Denon AVR-X1800H 8K AV Receiver – A$995 (was $1,299, 23% off)

• Yamaha A-S701 2-Channel Integrated, 100 W Stereo Amplifier – A$1,069 (was $1,499, 29% off)

• Kimwood FHD Mini Projector with Upgraded HiFi Speaker – A$85.49 (was $139.99, 39% off)

• VOPLLS 600 ANSI 4K Smart Mini Projector – A$168.99 (was $269.99, 37% off)

• WiMiUS Portable HDR10 4K Projector – A$379.99 (was $659.99, 42% off)

Best laptop deals

• HP OmniBook Ultra Flip AI 14" Laptop – A$3,498 (was $4,299, 32% off)

• Lenovo Legion 5i, 15.1" – A$2,398 (was $4,299, 20% off)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6" FHD Laptop – A$664 (was $999, 34% off)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15.3" Laptop – A$999 (was $1,499, 33% off)

After a new PC? Check out the top computer deals on our sister site, PCMag Australia.

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With literally thousands of deals on Amazon.com.au, finding the good ones can be a laborious task. So we've done the hard work for you and tracked down the best deals on everything tech. If you enjoy window shopping yourself (AKA, scrolling), you can check out Amazon's Prime Day page.

You will need to be an Amazon Prime member to partake in the fun. If this isn't you, fear not! You can grab a no-obligation 30-day free Prime trial and still get in on the action.

What is Amazon Prime Day? Is it different in Australia?

In 2026, Prime Day Australia is taking place on a completely different week to in the US, who had theirs in the last week of June this year. Previously, the dates had overlapped.

Prime Day is an twice-a-year online sales event (think Black Friday or Click Frenzy), only it is exclusive to Amazon Prime customers. It started as a one-day event in the US in 2015, but has since expanded to a week long event that takes place across the globe, including Australia. The first Prime Day Down Under happened in 2018, and has grown every year since. Australian users get access to deals on both Amazon.com.au and the Amazon Global Store until the conclusion of the event in the US.

Additionally, the Shop Local Businesses store highlights a number of small Australian businesses that are also partaking in the Prime Day fun.

What will be on sale this Prime Day?

While it can be difficult to predict specific products that go on sale, Amazon has promised over 100,000 deals in Australia from big brands, small local brands, and everything in-between. The brands that Amazon has confirmed will be a part of Prime Day include Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, Bose, and more – a pretty hefty list!

Expect deals across all categories, including tech, such as TVs, Smart Home, Headphones, Gaming, as well as homeware, sports, fashion, beauty and more.

How to find the best deals during Prime Day in Australia

Amazon is quite often the cheapest place to find a given product at the best of times, but the really good deals only come up a few times a year. The above list features some of the very best tech deals available right now. However, you can also properly prepare for the event to make sure you truly get the most out of it.

Before Prime Day kicks off, you should put together a shopping list of items that you are after, then 'wishlist' those products on Amazon and set deal alerts on the Amazon app. This will ensure you don't miss top deals on products that you especially want.

Ensure you are subscribed to Amazon Prime, or else you won't be able to secure the products for the Prime Day deal price. A subscription costs A$6.99 per month, but there is a 30-day free trial available if you are just looking to take part in Prime Day and nothing else.

It is also worth spending a bit of time on Amazon and familiarising yourself with its interface and how it works. This can save you time and hassle when the deals start dropping (many of which are only available for a limited time).

How to shop on Amazon Prime Day

Of course, we'll be keeping track of all the best Prime Day deals we spot in the lists above. But if you are keen to trawl through some deals yourself, here's how to best shop during the event.

• Amazon app: If you'll be out and about on Prime Day, download Amazon's mobile app, log in, and you'll be ready to shop wherever you are.

• Amazon Wishlist: Add items to your wishlist in the product interface to get alerted if it goes on sale.

• Ask Alexa: Why move at all? The main idea behind Amazon's Echo devices is to sell you stuff, so Alexa is more than willing to help you add things to your cart.

• Amazon Global Store: Check out the best deals from the US and across the world on the Amazon Global Store.

• Support Local: Amazon's Shop Local Business initiative highlights deals curated from small Aussie businesses across Amazon.

Amazon Prime Day is back for another year! Running from July 7-13, you can grab a hefty discount on a variety of smart home products, including Dreame’s range of automated cleaning gadgets. From easy-to-use robot vacuums to powerful hair dryers, you’ll save up to 73% off and give your home the cleaning upgrade it needs.

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Credit: Dreame

Dreame L10s Ultra Gen2 Robot Vacuum and Mop

AU$529 at Amazon AU
AU$1,699 Save AU$1,170

Robot vacuum and mop with MopExtend RoboSwing technology, 10,000PA suction power, and Duo Scrub Mopping System.

Get Deal

When looking for a solid starter robot vacuum for your home, you can’t go wrong with the L10s Ultra Gen2 for only A$529. Equipped with Dreame’s “advanced MopExtend RoboSwing Technology” and Pet Zone Cleaning, this gadget will rid your space of spills, stains, and pet hair with ease. However, if you want an automated cleaner with extra power, their flagship X40 Ultra is down to an unbelievable price of A$749. With 12,000Pa suction power and SideReach Edge Cleaning, this robot cleaner can clean the parts of your home you’ve been struggling to reach.

The best Dreame robot vacuum Prime Day deals

• Dreame F20 Eco Robot Vacuum and Mop - A$199 (was $599, 67% off)

• Dreame L40 Ultra CE Robot Vacuum - A$499.99 (was $1,499, 67% off)

• Dreame D30 Ultra Robot Vacuum - A$599.99 (was $1,499, 60% off)

• Dreame L10s Ultra Gen3 Robot Vacuum - A$639.99 (was $1,999, 68% off)

• Dreame L50 Ultra CE Robot Vacuum and Mop - A$1,299.99 (was $2,499, 48% off)

However, Dreame’s Prime Day sale extends beyond their range of robot vacuums. If you’d prefer to replace your cordless vacuum, the A$189 G10 Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner can both suction and mop your floors in one go.

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Credit: Dreame

G10 Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner

AU$189.04 at Amazon AU
AU$549 Save AU$359.96

 

Get Deal

Meanwhile, Dreame has also slashed prices on their range of smart hair dryers, with the ultra-fast drying Dazzle now only A$229.99 – and you can get an extra 15% off using code W444QFST.

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Credit: Dreame

dreame Dazzle Hair Dryer

AU$229.99 at Amazon AU
AU$499 Save AU$269.01

 

Get Deal

This promotion will run strictly during Amazon’s annual Prime Day from July 7-13, so you’ve got until stocks last to take advantage. However, since these deals are locked to Amazon Prime members only, just make sure your subscription is up to date (or sign up for a 30-day free trial).

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A ringed treat.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

DONUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Hello!

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HOWDY

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Copy.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

CLONE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Sway.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SWING

Final Hurdle hint

A chump.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

PATSY

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Hit it with a net

• Green: Pro wideouts

• Blue: Lacrosse

• Purple: How to spell FIFA

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Racket/Paddle Sports

• Green: NFL Wide Receivers

• Blue: Lacrosse Terms

• Purple: FIFA

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #653 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Racket/Paddle Sports: BADMINTON, PADEL, SQUASH, TENNIS

• NFL Wide Receivers: HIGGINS, LAMB, OLAVE, WADDLE

• Lacrosse Terms: CLEAR, CRADLE, CREASE, RIDE

• FIFA: ASSOCIATION, FOOTBALL, FEDERATION, INTERNATIONALE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 9 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 51-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 9 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 9 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this red space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 22-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this red space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this purple space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a car collector.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Sober

• Green: Media outlets

• Blue: Floor coverings

• Purple: Car types

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Non-alcoholic designators

• Green: Music publications

• Blue: Kinds of rugs

• Purple: Pontiac models

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1124 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Non-alcoholic designators: NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN, ZERO-PROOF

• Music publications: BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN

• Kinds of rugs: PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG, THROW

• Pontiac models: FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love a full beat.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the lips

The words are related to beauty.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe mouth makeup.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Kiss and Makeup.

NYT Strands word list for July 9

• Stick

• Liner

• Stain

• Gloss

• Kiss and Makeup

• Balm

• Tint

• Plumper

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a historian.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To change.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

AMEND

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

YouTuber turned feature filmmaker Curry Barker's indie horror movie Obsession has been a surprise hit of the season. Not only has it surpassed box office expectations, raking in over $400 million globally, but it has also become the highest-grossing Focus Features film ever.

The best ways to watch 'Obsession' at a glance:

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$19.99 or $24.99

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Leading lady Inde Navarrette's performance as Nikki has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike (including Mashable's own Kristy Puchko). Even horror icon Stephen King said he can't stop thinking about the film's blend of horror and humor.

If you missed out on the twisted flick in theaters, it's officially available to watch at home this month. But you'll have to hold off a little longer for its streaming debut. Here are all the details you need to know to watch Obsession.

What is Obsession about?

Obsession is a classic case of "be careful what you wish for." It follows lonely young man Bear (Michael Johnston) who's crushing on obsesssing over his friend Nikki (Navarrette). He's not very skilled in talking to women, let alone dating, so when he gets his hands on a "One Wish Willow" that promises to make his dream come true, he wishes for Nikki to love him more than anyone else. As you can imagine, things don't go as planned.

Check out the official trailer below.

How to watch Obsession at home

Credit: Focus Features

As of June 30, Obsession is available to watch at home. You can buy it or rent it at digital-on-demand retailers for as low as $19.99, or you can wait a little while to stream it on Peacock. See all the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

A little over a month after its theatrical release, Obsession made its digital debut on June 30, 2026. That means you can buy or rent the movie from on-demand retailers. If you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep and watch forever.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:

• Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• YouTube — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Stream it on Peacock

While we don't have an exact streaming release date yet for Obsession, we do know that it will make its debut on Peacock. The NBC Universal streaming service is the first stop for Focus Features films out of the theater. Based on other recent Focus Features films (Song Sung Blue, Hamnet, Bugonia), we can make an educated guess that Obsession will be streaming in August 2026 on Peacock.

Note that Focus Features' licensing deal gives Netflix a 10-month streaming window after the film's initial Peacock debut, before sending it back to Peacock. If you have a Netflix subscription, you could wait a little longer and stream Obsession without having to sign up for another service.

While the cheapest Peacock subscription costs just $7.99 per month, it unfortunately won't grant you access to theatrical releases. Instead, you'll need at least Peacock Premium, which costs $10.99 per month. Before you sign up, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.

The best Peacock streaming deals

Best Peacock deal: Save up to $33 on an annual subscription

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Credit: Peacock

Peacock Premium annual subscription

$109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%)

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Paying for a year of Peacock Premium or Premium Plus up front can save you up to $33.89. Premium (with ads) costs $10.99 monthly, which adds up to $131.88. If you pay for the annual plan, however, it'll only cost you $109.99 — a savings of $21.89.

Likewise, the Premium Plus plan costs $16.99 per month, which adds up to $203.88. The annual plan, on the other hand, costs just $169.99 — a savings of $33.89. You'll essentially be getting two months of streaming for free by opting for an annual subscription.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: Free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts

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Credit: Peacock / Xfinity

Peacock Premium

Free for select Xfinity customers

Learn More

If you're an Xfinity customer, there's a good chance you can get Peacock for free. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible (head to Xfinity.com for more details):

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students and young adults: Save $5/month for one year

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Peacock Premium for Students

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Peacock Premium for young adults

$5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month)

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Both students and young adults (ages 18 to 24) can take $5 per month off a Peacock Premium subscription all year long. Verify your student status or age through SheerID, and you'll receive a unique promo code to knock the price down to just $5.99 instead of $10.99. Just note that once the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price unless you cancel.

Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers: Save $4/month

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Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals

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First responders, medical professionals, teachers, and military personnel can all unlock Peacock Premium subscriptions (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month by verifying professional status through SheerID. Those who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew their subscription at a discounted rate each year. Prices are subject to change year to year.

Best for Instacart users: Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ subscription

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Peacock Premium annual subscription

Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year)

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An Instacart+ membership ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. You'll even get a free two-week trial to kick things off. If you time your trial to match up with the release of Obsession on Peacock, you can easily watch it for free. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged the full amount. We recommend setting a calendar alert to remind you.

Best for Walmart shoppers: Free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ members

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Walmart+

$98 per year

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One of the best ways to score streaming services for free is by signing up for a Walmart+ membership. With a $98 Walmart+ subscription, you can choose either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential as a free perk — and you can switch every few months. Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value, the $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal than paying for Peacock on its own. Of course, you'll also get free shipping with no order minimums, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's major shopping events.

TL;DR: Send unlimited files of any size with lifetime access to Transfr Pro for $79.97 through July 19.

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Transfr Pro Fast & Secure File Transfer Subscriptions: Lifetime Subscription

$79.97
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If your work involves large files, you’ve probably run into upload limits, expired download links, or another monthly subscription just to send a project. Transfr Pro takes a simpler approach: unlimited file transfers, professional sharing tools, and a one-time payment instead of recurring fees.

Through July 19, you can get lifetime access to Transfr Pro Fast & Secure File Transfer for a one-time $79.97 (reg. $499).

Designed for freelancers, photographers, videographers, agencies, designers, and anyone who regularly shares large files, Transfr Pro lets you send files of any size without the restrictions that often come with traditional file-sharing services. Instead of juggling multiple upload services, everything happens in one browser-based platform.

It also goes beyond basic file delivery. Built-in Send & Track analytics show when recipients view or download your files, along with transfer activity and visitor locations. If you’re waiting on client feedback or confirming a delivery, those extra insights can save a few follow-up emails.

Files are protected with end-to-end encryption, and the platform runs on GDPR-compliant European infrastructure developed by the team behind Drime. You can also customize transfer pages with your own branding, preview supported files before download, and store shared files for up to 60 days.

One thing worth noting: this isn’t a cloud storage replacement for long-term archiving. It’s designed primarily for fast, professional file delivery and collaboration.

If you regularly send creative projects, presentations, videos, or other oversized files, Transfr Pro offers a practical alternative to subscription-based transfer services.

Get lifetime access to Transfr Pro for a one-time payment of $79.97 (reg. $499) through July 19.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

FIFA officially has Bieber fever.

The World Cup governing body and the action platform Global Citizen announced July 8 that Justin Bieber will co-headline the World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. He'll share the stage with Madonna, Shakira, and BTS in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

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The 11-minute show will also feature Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus, the Staten Island elementary school choir, performing alongside Coldplay. The show is also set to feature Sesame Street characters, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, and other Muppets, as part of the broadcast's education-focused message. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the performance.

"The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can," Bieber said in a statement. "I'm grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it's already helping expand access to education for children around the world."

The halftime show is the first of its kind in FIFA World Cup history. While major soccer events often include opening ceremonies or pre-match performances, FIFA is introducing a halftime performance for this year's final.

The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to expand access to education and soccer for children worldwide. According to Global Citizen, the fund has already raised more than $50 million. Throughout the tournament, $1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches is being donated to the fund.

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Bieber's addition expands a lineup that already included several major global artists. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS were previously announced as headliners for the show back in May, while Burna Boy brings another connection to the tournament through "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 World Cup, which he performs with Shakira.

"The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together," Burna Boy said in a statement. "To represent Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show is a privilege and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly."

The announcement has not been universally embraced, especially among soccer fans who already feel this World Cup has been "Americanized," especially with the addition of brand-sponsored hydration breaks that interrupt the usual rhythm of matches. Adding a Super Bowl-style performance in the middle of the New Jersey final feels, to some, like another step in that direction.

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That experiment will get its first test next week, and FIFA is hoping they don't have to say "Sorry."

Between match attendance and the sheer number of viewers watching at home or at fan events, there's no doubt that this year's World Cup is going to break many records.

However, this latest record-breaking achievement from the 2026 World Cup is truly astonishing.

According to Google, Google Search saw its highest usage ever on Tuesday immediately after Argentina scored the winning goal in its comeback victory against Egypt in the World Cup Round of 16 match. This moment surpassed all prior Google Search usage periods in the company's near-28 year history.

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"Google Search broke all prior usage records and saw its highest usage in history right after Argentina scored their winning goal in yesterday’s match!" said Google SVP of Knowledge & Information Nick Fox alongside the exploding head emoji in a post on X. 

Google confirmed to Mashable that the measure is based on the number of search queries per second that occurred on its search engine during the game, immediately following Argentina's third goal.

Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, were on the brink of elimination as Messi and the rest of the team were losing 2-0 up until the 79th minute of the game. Argentina pulled off a miraculous comeback, scoring three goals within 14 minutes, with the winning goal scored in the third minute of extra time after the 90th minute.

Google tells Mashable that the top search query after Argentina’s winning goal was “argentina vs egypt,” with users ostensibly searching for results of the match.

Google also shared global Google Trends data with Mashable that shows other search queries that contributed to the record-breaking Google Search usage after Argentina's third goal.

In addition to “argentina vs egypt,” these queries include:

• argentina x colombia 

• how many world cup goals does messi have

• who else is playing in the world cup today

• how many world cups have argentina won

• what is it called when a player hits another player in game

• is it messi's last world cup

• where is the final world cup game being played

• how many assists does messi have in world cup 2026

• who is the best football player in the world

• who will argentina play in the world cup

As you can see, there was clearly lots of interest in Messi specifically, who scored the second goal and was credited with the assist for the first goal. Messi's goal was his eighth overall in this World Cup tournament so far. Also, based on the search data, it appears many users thought Argentina would go on to face Colombia next. However, later that day, Switzerland eliminated Colombia in penalties.

There is still plenty of World Cup left — and plenty more records to potentially break — with four quarterfinal matches, two semifinals, and then the final game left to go.

Argentina will now face Switzerland next on Saturday, July 11.

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has finally completed its first voyage in front of critics, and the early reaction is basically: find the biggest screen near you.

The first social reactions to Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic arrived after the film's London world premiere and early press screenings. The movie, shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, opens in theaters July 17.

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That last part is not just marketing copy. The Odyssey is the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras, and Nolan's commitment to scale appears to be a major part of the early conversation. The nearly three-hour film was shot across six countries, including Morocco, Greece, and Iceland, with real ships, practical effects, and large-scale crowd scenes. Matt Damon, who stars as Odysseus, called the experience "much harder than anything I've ever done."

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The movie follows Odysseus after the Trojan War as he tries to return home to Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and their son, Telemachus (Tom Holland). Along the way, because this is The Odyssey, there are gods, monsters, witches, temptation, punishment, and the kind of journey that has been tormenting high school English students for generations.

Zendaya plays Athena, while the stacked ensemble also includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Samantha Morton, Himesh Patel, Elliot Page, and Benny Safdie.

Early reactions suggest Nolan has leaned fully into both the myth and the machinery needed to make it feel enormous, with the cast matching the scale around them. Holland, Damon, Hathaway, Leguizamo, Pattinson, and Nyong’o have all received praise for their performances.

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For movie lovers online, the first reactions are exactly what they were hoping to hear.

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Not every reaction around The Odyssey has been glowing. Before the first critical reactions arrived, Nolan's film had already become the latest blockbuster pulled into an online fight over casting, historical accuracy, and what counts as loyalty to a centuries-old text.

Some of the backlash has focused on the film's ensemble, including Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy, Elliot Page as Sinon, Himesh Patel as Eurylochus, and Travis Scott as a bard. Right-wing commentators have accused Nolan of modernizing the story too aggressively, with Elon Musk repeatedly criticizing the film's casting and claiming Nolan had "desecrated" Homer's epic to appeal to awards voters, prompting a response from Tom Holland (the historian, not the actor).

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Other complaints have been about the film's look and language, including costumes some viewers called anachronistic, American accents, and Holland's Telemachus referring to Odysseus as his "dad." Nyong'o, for her part, has defended Nolan's approach, stating she supports "the version of this story that he is telling" and that the cast is "representative of the world" in a recent interview. Notably, Nolan has cited Emily Wilson's more modern 2017 translation of the Greek epic as one of his many inspirations.

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All of this buzz, both good and bad, arrives with unusually high expectations. The Odyssey is Nolan's follow-up to Oppenheimer, the 2023 blockbuster that won Best Picture and turned a talky, three-hour biographical drama about J. Robert Oppenheimer into a genuine pop-cultural event (with a little help from Barbie). The Odyssey cost $250 million to make, and box office forecasters expect it to open between $80 million and $130 million in the U.S. and Canada.

The hype has been building for a while. Select IMAX tickets went on sale a year in advance and were snapped up quickly. Now that the first reactions are out, the message from critics and film journalists is fairly consistent: This is not the movie to casually half-watch later on a laptop while answering emails.

Odysseus may be trying to get home, but we'll be trekking toward the nearest IMAX.

Erling Haaland has become one of the 2026 World Cup’s biggest characters in China, and not just because he keeps scoring.

The Norwegian striker has spent the past few weeks dominating the field, terrifying defenders, and helping push Norway deep into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But online, especially on Chinese social media, he has become many other things: a “Nordic Cyborg,” Majin Buu, a goofy giant, a Viking warrior, and, somehow, the romantic lead on Love and Deepspace.

The fixation has been building for weeks. In early June, Haaland became a global brand ambassador for Walovi, the international arm of Wang Lao Ji, a popular Chinese herbal drink brand. The campaign featured Haaland speaking Mandarin in scenes built around football, summer heat, and a jingle that plays on the sound of his name.

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Chinese fans quickly ran with it.

Since joining Weibo, China’s major microblogging platform, and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, a month ago, Haaland has amassed over 1 million followers on Weibo and more than 5 million on Douyin. Hashtags related to the striker have also generated hundreds of millions of views on Weibo, where fans have been clipping his ads, remixing his image, and turning him into a running joke.

A lot of the appeal comes from how different Haaland is on the field versus online. On the field, he’s a 6-foot-5 Manchester City forward with a mechanical scoring record. Online, Chinese fans have nicknamed these two personalities: “Nordic Cyborg” on the pitch, and “Habao” or “Baby Ha” off of it.

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One of the most unexpected versions of Halaand has been...a digital love interest? The popular Chinese sci-fi romance mobile game Love and Deepspace lets players form relationships with fictional male characters, and fan-made Haaland posts have styled him like a collectible love interest and comparing him to the characters players already know.

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The romance-game jokes are only one corner of the larger Haaland meme boom in China. Fans have also turned him into a Viking, an anime hero, and the subject of song edits built around his name. One popular fan song, “Haaland (Ha Ha Ha),” is set to the tune of “Moskau,” the 1979 track by German Eurodisco group Dschinghis Khan.

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These aren't the only versions of Haaland circulating online.

Last week, a video circulated on X appearing to show Haaland sitting in a restaurant, eating, then flinching at his own reflection. One post sharing the clip racked up more than 31 million views in a matter of days. The video was debunked — fact checkers traced the original footage to a slapstick skit by Chinese comedian Jin Long, posted to TikTok in mid-June, with Haaland’s face later swapped in using AI.

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But, Haaland himself makes these digital depictions easier to believe. His own social media presence is famously unpolished, especially on Snapchat, where he posts casual selfies, filters, jokes, Q&As, and strange little updates that give fans more material to work with.

He also engages in many of the memes, leaving comments on edits and AI footage.

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He is not the only footballer getting AI treatment. Videos have reimagined Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and David Beckham as K-pop idols, complete with idol styling and choreography.

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There is plenty more content that has kept the internet entertained during the past few weeks of back-to-back World Cup programming, some with full scripts.

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At this point, the World Cup has a knockout bracket and a fan-edit bracket. Haaland seems to be doing pretty well in both.

Meta smart glasses automatically disable recording if users attempt to disable the devices' recording indicator light, the company has revealed in the wake of mounting privacy concerns.

Announced in a blog post on July 7, the safety feature detects when a user has tampered with or covered the wearable's capture LED, a blinking white light on the edge of the frame that alerts others the wearer is using the glasses' camera.

If the light is no longer visible, Meta says, the glasses will disable use of the camera until the device detects the light is visible again.

The safety feature is available immediately on second generation devices. It will roll out across the line of wearables — including the new Meta Glasses by Kylie line — and is mandatory for all device users.

Mark Zuckerberg's company is also going after third-party sellers who advertise devices with disabled LEDs, including banning accounts on Meta platforms.

Meta's line of sleek smart glasses have sparked online debate about the ethics of filming others in public without their express consent. On the one hand, the glasses' hands-free video has revolutionized content creation, making it easier than ever to film yourself on the go. But on the other, they have led to a sub-genre of content featuring rampant harassment of people, mainly women, in public spaces.

Critics note the easy-to-miss LED is a key problem, and have urged Meta to update its devices with more explicit indicators.

But in the blog post, Meta explained its rationale for the small white light — which offers the "best combination of visibility and [user] experience" during both day and night filming.

As for why the device couldn't make a recording sound audible to anyone in the vicinity of a recording? "It’s simply not practical to make that sound be heard at a distance," claims the company.

Meta is facing a fresh wave of criticism over a new AI image generator — which encourages users to generate AI images using other people's public photos.

On Tuesday, Facebook and Instagram's parent company, Meta, introduced an AI tool called Muse Image, created by its AI division, Superintelligence Labs.

Muse Image is available via Meta's AI app, as well as WhatsApp and Instagram Stories. According to Meta, Muse Image "uses advanced reasoning to understand complex prompts, seamlessly blending multiple photos into high-quality creations you can download and share anywhere."

So far, so normal — but the AI image generator also lets users @ mention a specific Instagram account within the Meta AI app in order to add that Instagram account to the Muse Image creator.

In other words, Muse Image can add an Instagram user to their AI creations without the Instagram user's awareness. 

"Tagging a username lets Meta AI use public photos to build a visual that’s ready to post," Meta says. Any public Instagram profile can be used by Muse Image, unless that user explicitly opts-out.

Not surprisingly, privacy experts and watchdog groups are criticizing Meta over the feature. The nonprofit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen called the feature "an egregious invasion of user privacy."

"Meta has once again chosen the creepiest possible path," said J.B. Branch, the Public Citizen's director of federal AI governance and technology policy, in a statement. "People should not wake up to discover their face has become raw material for someone else's AI experiment.

"This is another invasion of consumers' privacy. Instead of asking for meaningful consent, Meta quietly defaults users into the system and buries the opt-out in account settings. It’s a playbook we've come to expect from a company with a long history of putting its business interests ahead of the public."

How to opt-out of Meta's Muse Image

Speaking of opting-out, there are two ways to make sure your public Instagram images and likeness aren't used by the @ mention Muse Image feature.

If your Instagram profile is set to private, Instagram respects that privacy setting as Muse Image requires access to Instagram account's public photos in order for the tool to generate AI images. Muse Image will inform a user that they cannot use your Instagram account likeness if they try to @ mention your account to generate an image.

If you have a public Instagram profile, however, you do now need to opt-out in your account settings.

Open the Instagram app on your phone. Head to your Profile. From there, tap the menu button in the top-right hand corner and then tap on Sharing and Reuse. On that page, scroll down to the "Allow people to reuse your content on Instagram and with AI features at Meta" section.

There are two settings, Posts and Reels, each with their own toggle. Turn both of them off if you don't want Meta's AI tools to use either your Posts, which include images, or your Reels, in order to generate content for Muse Image.

When it comes to Emmy snubs, the Mashable team is most dismayed by Dropout walking away with nothing in this morning's nominations.

Game Changer isn't just a program on Dropout; it's also a fitting description of the platform itself. CEO and game show host Sam Reich has been rewriting the rules of Hollywood with labor practices that include paying for auditions and profit-sharing. Plus, with his comedy collaborators, he's launched inventive TV shows like Game Changer, Dimension 20, and Very Important People.

And yet the Television Academy has recognized none of the above.

Earlier this year, for Mashable 101, I interviewed Dropout stars, including Reich, Brennan Lee Mulligan, and Vic Michaelis. As Michaelis said of the indie streamer's Emmy nomination potential, "It does really feel like we are at a tipping point right now."

Michaelis, who performs across several Dropout shows and hosts the comedy show Very Important People, noted, "The Oscars are moving to YouTube," and "There's a podcast category now for the Golden Globes. Things are starting to change." 

So, what happened?

Why did Dropout get snubbed at the Emmys?

Last April, Variety reported that Dropout had submitted for 11 categories for the Emmy Awards. Very Important People was submitted for Outstanding Variety Series, and Michaelis for Lead Comedy Actress. Meanwhile, Game Changer pitched for Outstanding Game Show and Outstanding Host for a Game Show, for Reich. Other submissions were in the creative Emmys categories, including direction, costumes, make-up, and picture editing.

For Dropout fans, this seemed like a strong strategy. On Very Important People, Michaelis plays a version of themself who is a desperate journalist, seeking to impress at all costs. Each week, as they welcome a new surprise guest — a prosthetics-covered comedian who improvises a character "on the spot" — Michaels is challenged to create an arc with her collaborator, while keeping in character and going off the rails for comedy greatness wherever possible.

Who did get nominated for the Emmys Dropout was aiming for?

The make-up accomplishments alone should have made Very Important People a lock. But instead, the nominations for Outstanding Makeup For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program went to Dancing with the Stars, the Oscars, and Saturday Night Live. This hints at an issue critics of the Emmys have pointed to over and over: The Emmys favor legacy over innovation.

This year, the Emmy nominations for Outstanding Variety Series went to The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week with John Oliver, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Saturday Night Live. Each is an institution for comedy, leaving no room for the new voices that are cracking up audiences.

Outstanding Game Show nominees include Celebrity Family Feud, Jeopardy!, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Once more, all legacy shows.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nominees are Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary, Ayo Edebiri for The Bear, Elle Fanning for Margo's Got Money Troubles, Lisa Kudrow for The Comeback, and Jean Smart for Hacks. None are underserving of this honor. But all are in more traditional comedy shows than what Michaelis creates with the VIP team.

Outstanding Host for a Game Show nominees include Steve Harvey for Celebrity Family Feud, Ken Jennings for Jeopardy!, Colin Jost for Pop Culture Jeopardy!, Jimmy Kimmel for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Martin Short for Match Game. No real surprises, but also in this bunch, no one who hosted a different game every week and then unexpectedly became a contestant when his collaborators turned the tables. (See the epic "Samalamadingdong," and tell me Jost could pull that off.)

Dropout defies easy categorization.

In an interview with Mashable, Reich spoke about the challenge of picking episodes for submission that would get across what makes Game Changer special.

At the time, he said, "'Rulette' is a pretty good bet. It's very funny, [a] very well-celebrated episode. It's very in the spirit of our show, despite even feeling a little bit basic for the show. It's like a great introduction to our show, and it's almost traditional enough that your average Emmy voter could look at it and go like, 'Oh, I understand how this is a game show like the game shows I'm used to, and how it's different.'"

A similar debate went into where to submit Very Important People, a parody talk show. As Michaelis put it, "Do [our shows] fit perfectly into those boxes? No."

But as Dropout grows, it seems the Emmys are an almost inevitable next step. And some progress has been made for creator representation, as fellow Mash 101 honoree Kareem Rahma’s "Subway Takes" earned an nomination in "Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama Or Variety Series."

It took years for the Emmys to acknowledge the excellent shows coming out of streaming studios like Netflix over traditional broadcast programs. Now, indie streamers like Dropout are facing that same uphill climb. How will it take for the Television Academy to recognize the incredible craftsmanship, creativity, and comedy that's coming out of Dropout? At least one more year.

Craving desert power with a side of devastation? Then you're in luck, because Warner Bros. has released a new trailer for Dune: Part Three.

The film concludes director Denis Villeneuve's acclaimed sci-fi trilogy, which took Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) from young duke to Emperor of the universe. His ascent was paved with bloodshed, and by the looks of the trailer, his reign is no less bloody. (Dune Messiah readers know that Paul and his followers' jihad claims a whopping 61 billion lives.)

Dune: Part Three takes place 17 years after the end of Dune: Part Two, which saw Paul become Emperor, meet his future wife Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), and lose his lover Chani (Zendaya). In a huge deviation from Frank Herbert's novels, Chani fled into the desert after witnessing Paul's brutality, setting up a major rift between the two.

In addition to focusing on Paul and Chani's evolving relationship, Dune: Part Three brings several key new characters into the fold.

Irulan will take on a much more prominent role, as will Paul's sister Alia (Anya Taylor-Joy). Now an adult, Alia must reckon with the extraordinary powers she gained when her mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) drank the water of life while pregnant. Also joining the cast of characters is Face Dancer Scytale, who can shape-shift thanks to genetic alterations from the Bene Tleilax order, and who's apparently got a plan to kill Paul and usher in a regime change.

Finally, Jason Momoa returns, but not as the late Duncan Idaho. Instead, he's Hayt, an artificial human, or ghola, also created by the Bene Tleilax.

To witness these characters in action and witness what's next for Paul and Chani, check out the full trailer above.

Dune: Part Three hits theaters Dec. 18.

Connor Storrie just earned his first Emmy nomination — but not for the role that turned him into one of the internet's newest heartthrobs.

The 26-year-old actor received the nod Wednesday for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. That was for hosting Saturday Night Live earlier this year.

While many fans had hoped to see Storrie recognized for his breakout performance as Ilya Rozanov in Heated Rivalry, the queer hockey drama wasn't actually eligible for the Primetime Emmys — because it was entirely financed in Canada.

Still, the nomination felt like a victory to fans, many of whom celebrated it as overdue recognition for an actor whose career has skyrocketed since Heated Rivalry premiered. Over the past year, Storrie has gone from breakout star to awards-season regular, appearing at the Golden Globes, making his Met Gala debut alongside co-star Hudson Williams, landing luxury campaigns with Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co., and preparing for the show's anticipated second season.

While Heated Rivalry couldn't compete at the Emmys, it dominated Canada's awards season, taking home 16 Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Drama Series. Because Storrie is American, he wasn't eligible for an individual acting prize there either, making Wednesday's nomination his first major acting nomination tied to the Heated Rivalry era, even if it came through an unexpected role.

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Fans were quick to celebrate the news, with many joking that the universe had found a loophole to honor the actor after Heated Rivalry was shut out of eligibility. They also declared they couldn't wait to watch "Emmy-nominated Connor Storrie" return for Heated Rivalry Season 2.

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The excitement also reignited calls for broader recognition of Heated Rivalry, with fans lamenting that one of the year's most talked-about new dramas couldn't compete at the Emmys because of eligibility rules rather than a lack of acclaim.

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The moment also seemed like a full circle for the actor, who spent his adolescent years uploading videos to YouTube under the name "Actorboy222," chronicling his ambitions of making it in Hollywood. On Wednesday, many pointed out that the younger version of Storrie had finally gotten the recognition he'd always dreamed about.

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Whether or not Storrie takes home the trophy, the nomination marks another milestone in what's been a meteoric rise. With Heated Rivalry already renewed for a second season and production expected to begin soon — not to mention an A24 project in the works — fans won't have to wait long to see him back on screen, Emmy nominee status included.

SAVE $200.99: As of July 8, get the GoPro MAX2 Action Camera for $299 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499.99. That's a discount of 40%.

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Credit: Amazon

GoPro MAX2 Action Camera

$299 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $200.99

 

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If you've been trying to figure out the best way to capture all your action-oriented footage this summer, your phone is a great option, but a GoPro is an even better one. There are several models out there, but we've found one that's on sale that you won't want to pass up.

As of July 8, get the GoPro MAX2 Action Camera for $299 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499.99. That's $200.99 off and a discount of 40%.

No matter what you're getting up to throughout the rest of the summer, the GoPro MAX2 can be your constant companion. Not only can it film a 360-degree view in 8K resolution, but it's small enough to travel anywhere you do. Whether you're surfing, swimming, jogging, or climbing throughout the rest of the year, you can take it with you to capture every single feat you pull off.

Use the accompanying app to get the best possible footage, edit within the app, and put together a highlight reel of your perfect, active summer. And if you're planning on being by the water all season long, don't worry about getting it wet. It's durable and waterproof up to 5 meters, so you're covered.

This is a great way to share everything you're doing throughout the season, with a durable and perfectly portable camera that's built for an active lifestyle. You can use it long after summer has come and gone, so splurge on one now and see how you can capture some positively sweet footage all year round with it.

If you're not eating free fries this week, you're doing life wrong. Just kidding (kind of).

Friday, July 10, is National French Fry Day, which means a bunch of your favorite fast food chains are giving away free fries. While some require a minimum purchase of some kind or a (free) rewards membership, others require nothing but your will to face the crowds at a local establishment. Regardless, this is a made up holiday I, for one, can get behind.

If you're curious which fast food chains are participating in the free fry celebration, we have a running list below. Just be sure to check the details before rushing out to the restaurant of your choice.

Arby's

Arby's Rewards members can get a free fry of any size on July 10 with the purchase of a Cheesesteak online or in app.

Checkers & Rally’s

Celebrate National French Fry Day at Checkers & Rally’s from July 10 through 12 with BOGO free Famous Seasoned Fries of any size and $1 sauce trios.

Chick-Fil-A

From July 7 through 13, Chick-Fil-A is giving out free medium-size Waffle Fries as a reward in the restaurant's app. Just play the in-app "Spot the Cow" game to get the deal. It's limited to one fry reward per person.

Del Taco

July 10 through 13, you can score a free regular fry at Del Taco with with a $3 minimum purchase.

Five Guys

From July 8 through 10, customers who buy a burger, hot dog, or sandwich through the Five Guys app or Five Guys.com will get one free Little Fry. Sign in or create a Five Guys account and enter promo code FRYDAY26 at checkout to get the freebie.

Jack in the Box

Sign up to be a Jack Pack Rewards member if you're not already and you'll be able to grab a free fry of any size on July 10 with a minimum purchase of $1.

McDonald's

On July 10th, National French Fry Day proper, McDonald's is giving out free medium-sized French Fries to Rewards members. Just make a purchase of at least $1 through the McDonald's app to get the deal.

Sheetz

From July 10 through 16, Sheetz is giving away one free bag of fries with any purchase of $10 or more through the Sheetz app (under the OFFERZ tab). The freebie is limited to one per My Sheetz Rewardz member.

Wendy's

Are you a Wendy's Rewards member? Head to the app and make a purchase of at least $5 and you'll get a free fry in any size on National French Fry Day, July 10.

Whataburger

Whataburger rewards members can score a free medium fry with no purchase required on July 10. The offer is valid online or in the app.

White Castle

Head to White Castle on July 10 and pick up free Cheese Fries by using the promo code CHEESY when you place an online or in-app order.

SAVE 52%: As of July 8, you can get the Skullcandy Crusher Evo wireless Bluetooth headphones at Amazon for $99.99, down from $209.99.

Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless Over-Ear Headphone

$99.99 at Amazon
$209.99 Save $110.00

 

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If you're looking for a pair of budget headphones that don't sound like budget headphones, you should check out Skullcandy. While I don't think everyone wants to physically feel their music vibrating against their head (especially if you're easily overstimulated), there's definitely a market for it.

Right now, you can get the Skullcandy Crusher Evo wireless Bluetooth headphones at Amazon for $99.99, down from $209.99. That's a 52% discount or $110 savings. It's also just a few bucks above their all-time low of $94.99.

These over-ear headphones feature patented "Multi-Sensory Crusher Bass Technology," which is just a fancy way of saying that they have extra dual bass drivers that let you physically feel your music and movies. If the idea of skull-rattling bass sounds a bit too intense, you can use the Skullcandy app to run a quick hearing analysis to auto-adjust the sound profile specifically for your ears.

The Crusher Evo are also built for travel; just fold them in half and throw them in your bag. You'll get up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge, plus an additional four hours of listening time from a quick 10-minute charge. They also feature a built-in microphone and on-device buttons, so you can answer calls, adjust the volume, or skip tracks without pulling out your phone.

SAVE $510: The Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $789, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 39% discount and the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

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Credit: Segway

Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower

$789 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $510

 

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Life is short. Unless you get joy from mowing the lawn, it's a tedious task that genuinely never ends. In the same way that we've employed robot vacuums to keep the floors clean inside, a robot lawn mower can take care of keeping the grass well maintained outside. Check out this Amazon deal on a robot lawn mower.

As of July 8, the Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $789, marked down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 39% discount that takes $510 off the normal price. It's the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Without requiring a perimeter wire fence, the Segway Navimow will tackle mowing lawns of up to a quarter of an acre. It uses RTK+ vision to navigate its way around your yard, mowing to your desired height between 2 and 3.6 inches. Its cutting width measures 7.1 inches, and it'll mow for up to 120 minutes per charge.

From the app, you'll be able to set a mowing schedule, as well as monitor recharging status, and set up zones within your yard. Tell the Navimow to mow the backyard once a week and the side lawn once every 10 days. Plus, Segway mentions the maximum sound from the robot mower is just 58 decibels. For comparison, Segway says some push-style mowers reach 90 decibels.

Spend the rest of summer enjoying a well manicured lawn instead of working away on keeping it mowed. Since the Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for the lowest price we've ever seen, now is a great time to make the upgrade.

From Nia DaCosta's 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, to Curry Barker's Obsession, to Sam Raimi's Send Help, and Lee Cronin's The Mummy, 2026 has had no shortage of gloppy, gory carnage for horror fans. But graphic violence and buckets of blood alone aren't enough to make for a satisfying or even scary film. Sadly, the team behind Evil Dead Burn missed the memo, which is wild because Raimi and Cronin are both producers on this one.

Evil Dead Burn director Sébastien Vaniček broke through in 2023 with Infested, a goosebump-inducing creature feature about a wickedly aggressive nest of spiders taking over an apartment building. For his crack at the Evil Dead franchise, Vaniček reteamed with his Infested co-writer Florent Bernard, crafting a story similarly vicious, violent, and thin on character development.

However, since the 2013 Fede Álvarez reboot of Evil Dead, the ties to the original trilogy have gotten thinner and thinner as this franchise limps along. Yes, the evil dead rise, beckoned by an ancient artifact. They cause chaos and lots of grisly assaults on everyday friends and family. And they may be beaten down, but they're never truly out — not as long as audiences will still come to theaters to see the barrage of blood, guts, and bile.

What is lost in these subsequent sequels are the humor and heart that Raimi and his leading man Bruce Campbell (also a producer on this sequel) brought to the original trilogy, to thrilling effect. Those movies were wild, not only for their outrageous violence but also for the sheer glee of their audacity.

Decades later, I can still remember the shock of seeing those trees chasing after Cheryl, the thrill of seeing Ash battle with himself in the mirror, and the excitement when his chainsaw arm revs into action. Yet all the sequels that followed lack this macabre silliness. This twisted glee keeps Raimi's filmmaking fresh even in 2026. (Again, see Send Help.) Without it, no matter what edgy horror filmmaker they plug and play into the franchise, the result is a sequel that feels tedious, gray, and soulless.

What's Evil Dead Burn about?

A Deadite stands on a boat in "Evil Dead Burn." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Vaniček and Bernard thrust audiences into a nondescript rural vacation home, where an American family is grieving the loss of their eldest son, Will (George Pullar). With some help from a Deadite, Will dies in a car accident after fleeing a public argument with his French wife Alice (Souheila Yacoub) at their — uh — restaurant.

Okay, to be clear, his mom Susan (Tandi Wright) insists it's a restaurant. But the only scene set there begins with an extreme close-up on a Black woman's behind as she shakes it for the camera, which then tilts up to reveal a packed dance floor, flooded with writhing bodies, red mood lighting, and loud music. So, does Susan not know her son as well as she thinks she does? Or is Will's restaurant less about the French cuisine he reportedly adored and more about overpriced cocktails and nightclub vibes? It doesn't really matter because nothing in Evil Dead Burn does.

These movies are about the hapless folks who are plagued by Deadites, usually through an idle mistake or no fault of their own. Raimi has made magic with this premise even beyond the franchise. (Drag Me to Hell is still a wild ride.) In the case of Evil Dead Burn, Will's younger brother Joseph (Hunter Doohan) accidentally unearths a hidden artifact that awakens the evil dead. How? Well, he was doing research for his novel, of course!

Maude Davey in "Evil Dead Burn." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Yes, it's a cliché that the sensitive guy is an aspiring author. Evil Dead Burn is full of such clichés, with little else to build character. So, we meet restaurateur/nightclub owner Will, who is belligerent to his French wife Alice, who we know is deep because she likes taking black-and-white photographs. And Joseph has a girlfriend Thya (Luciane Buchanan), who presumably has interests beyond him. But before we'll learn any of these, she's turned Deadite. C'est la mort.

Also in the mix are Joseph and Will's sneering mom Susan and glaring dad Edgar (Erroll Shand), and their one-legged grandmother Polly (Maude Davey), who has dementia. Polly might be intended for comic relief, but the closest she comes to a joke are bits about her memory loss and racism.

Souheila Yacoub is engaging, but can't elevate this mess of a movie.

Souheila Yacoub plays Alice in "Evil Dead Burn." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Were the first three Evil Dead movies a mess? Absolutely. But Bruce Campbell, with a lantern-shaped jaw as outsized as his charisma, made that mess undeniably entertaining. He was electrifyingly alive in moments serious, scary, and deeply stupid. The vibe of Evil Dead Burn never allows Yacoub to showcase such range.

Instead, she is a woman gripped by grief and trauma, forced to play nice to in-laws who openly resent her — and then try to murder her with an array of homewares and power tools. Why does she stick around, even before the Deadite business begins? Evil Dead Burn will not even attempt to get that deep into a motivation. So, her in-laws spew not only spittle, blood, mashed potatoes, and more blood, but also vile sentiments about her and her not-so-loving relationship with Will.

There might have been a version of this where the barbs were witty in their cruelty, like in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? or Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? There might have been an execution where the characters felt distinct instead of people-shaped wallpaper, set up only to be torn to shreds. But Vaniček shows no interest in complexity, depth, or genre-bending.

The most lively moments of the film have nothing to do with the central characters. The film opens on a fishing trip, where two friends (Keanu Karim and Victory Ndukwe) razz each other before their hobby turns to homicide. Later, a carefree crematorium employee (Shyamal Singh) dances to a rap song while going about his duties, moments before being brutally slain offscreen. These are lively, enjoying laughs and something specific before being ripped into ribbons, which is more than can be said for the family at the film's core. However, it is troubling that all these tertiary characters set up for early slaughter are people of color, as is the first victim in the house, whose face is battered until all that's left is a row of teeth and mush of blood and brain.

Into all this, Yacoub brings a Final Girl resilience. To Vaniček's credit, he doesn't slide her into a skin-tight white tank top or otherwise offer an outfit that urges audiences to leer at her body, even as it's being abused. Dressed in a simple sweatsuit, she wears her weariness plain from the start, even at her husband's sparsely attended funeral. But as the family around her crumbles into pain or possession, she grits her teeth and drags us all through Evil Dead Burn's grueling final act. She's compelling. But a film so resolute in dealing in cliché and cruelty only gives her so much room to play, explore, or shine.

Raimi unknowingly built a sandbox in the 1981 Evil Dead, one he'd return to twice more, twisting horror into comedy, outrageousness, and epic action. He found his voice in those films. But given the same chance, a new generation of horror filmmakers (Fede Álvarez with 2013's Evil Dead, Lee Cronin with Evil Dead Rise, and now Sébastien Vaniček with Evil Dead Burn) have delivered movies that are mean, ugly, and lifeless. They are more interested in shocking than they are provoking us to revel in the weird space where humor and horror collide. Instead, they are just a pastiche that lacks the color, creativity, and verve of the original trilogy. So, yeah, I'm bored.

Evil Dead Burn opens in theaters on July 10.

SAVE $17: As of July 8, get the Lexar ES3 1TB External SSD for $152.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $169.99. That's a discount of 10%.

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Lexar ES3 1TB External SSD

$152.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $17

 

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When it comes to computer components like RAM and hard drives, everything's getting a little more expensive here and there. So if you're looking for storage that you can use to keep all your important files, photos, or games on, it's good to hop on it while it's still affordable. Luckily, if you're in the need of a hard drive for some expandable space but don't want to have to install it internally, you can snap up a deal from Lexar through Amazon right now that should buy you a bit more time before you're out of space completely.

As of July 8, get the Lexar ES3 1TB External SSD for $152.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $169.99. That's $17 off and a discount of 10%.

This 1TB hard drive is external, so it doesn't need to be installed. You can also tote it around or store it wherever is convenient when you're not using it. It features high-speed data transfer speeds with 1050MB/s read speeds and 1000MB/s write speeds, so transferring files is quick and easy work.

If you don't plan on using it as a more permanent external fixture with your computer at home, this is a great portable opton as well. It's thin, lightweight, and attractive at just 42k and 10.5mm tickness. It's smaller than a card and can fit in your pocket for easy transportation -- just throw it in a bag and go. And if you're concerned about needing encryption for your files, it uses Lexar DataShield 256-bit AES encryption so all your documents are safe within.

Whether you just need a bit more leeway with how you store things or you're hitting critical mass with your computer, more storage is never a bad idea. Be sure to grab one before this Lightning Deal comes to an end.

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder examined how people emotionally engage with "generative ghosts" — AI chatbots trained to simulate deceased loved ones.

The study found that users generally preferred bots that spoke as the deceased in the first person ("reincarnation") over those that merely described them ("representation"), despite acknowledging the risk of becoming too attached.

First author and information science doctoral candidate Jack Manuel Manning presented the research at the Association for Computing Machinery's Designing Interactive Systems Conference in June.

Researchers conducted a qualitative study with 16 participants aged 22 to 50. Each of them interacted with two chatbot versions of a deceased loved one: one that spoke in the first person, mimicking the deceased directly, and one that described the person in the third person, more like a narrator.

According to the study, participants found the first-person "reincarnation" mode more emotionally vivid and comforting, though some worried about the psychological risks of relying on it too heavily. One participant, referred to as P4, described the experience as offering unexpected closure. "In the [reincarnation], it just feels like I'm getting the closure I needed so bad," she told researchers.

Another participant, P11, expressed more caution, saying, "I am worried that over time I will come to be reliant on the voice... it's going to end up very similar to how people are falling in love with AI characters."

The researchers also found that participants cared more about whether a chatbot's tone and phrasing "felt right" emotionally than whether it was factually accurate.

In several cases, participants continued treating the third-person "representation" chatbot as though it were speaking directly as their loved one, effectively ignoring the distinction the researchers had built into the study design. One participant, P12, explained, "I don't see this chatbot as a person, but I still say 'you.' I think it's just thinking about what you would ask the person and conflating that with what you were asking the chatbot."

The study's authors were upfront about its limitations, chief among them its small sample size. With only 16 participants, the researchers acknowledged that their findings don't capture "the full range of cultural, religious, and individual perspectives on grief and technology" and noted that mourning practices vary widely across communities, in ways that could shape how people respond to these tools.

The study also focused on single, short-term sessions rather than repeated or long-term use, leaving open questions about how attachment might build or fade over time.

The paper argues that future development of these systems needs to weigh emotional benefits against the risk of unhealthy dependency, and calls for careful consideration of consent and family governance before such tools are deployed for bereaved users.

If you haven't circled July 13 on your calendar to line up outside your nearest Starbucks to fight for the Pink Drink Bearista Cold Cup (literally, what are you doing?), maybe you just prefer a different kind of emotional-support water bottle.

For reasons I cannot fully explain, Arby's is currently selling a 20-ounce Bedazzled Tumbler. It's encrusted with rhinestones and features the restaurant's logo down at the bottom. I'm not a huge fan of Arby's (when the Jalapeño Bites were pulled from my local menu, I lost interest), but this is so flashy and unnecessary that I honestly kind of respect the commitment to the bit.

At $45, it's definitely on the pricey side for fast-food merch. But, hilariously enough, if you don't want to drop all that cash at once, Arby's will let you finance your rhinestone cup in two interest-free installments of $22.50 using Shop Pay.

Just keep in mind you have to hand-wash this thing to protect the rhinestones. You can grab one right now at the official Arby's Shop.

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Credit: Arby's

Arby's Bedazzled Tumbler

$45 at Arby's

 

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SAVE $300: The 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $699.99, down from the list price of $999.99. That works out to a 30% discount.

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Credit: LG

27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor (27GX790B-B)

$699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300

 

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We pay special attention to display quality on almost all of our tech. From our TVs to phones and e-readers, the image we see is highly important to the overall experience. Instead of settling for an acceptable display on a gaming monitor, go with the clarity and crispness of OLED. There's a great model on sale today.

As of July 8, the 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $699.99, down from the list price of $999.99. That works out to a 30% discount that shaves $300 off the price.

Instead of messing around with models that don't offer an excellent experience, go with the trustworthiness of an LG model. This 27-inch Ultragear has top-tier stats like a GtG of 0.02 milliseconds and a dual mode that can support 540 Hz or 720Hz.

In terms of the display, LG equipped the monitor with OLED clarity, and it gets bragging rights as the brand's brightest OLED gaming monitor yet, reaching 335 nits of typical brightness. Of course, there's also NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

The 27-inch display has a slim profile, and the included stand can adjust in height. Further customizations include tilt, swivel, and pivot, so you can get the display just the way you prefer. Plus, it'll take up less space on your desk compared to a curved monitor.

While it's sitting at a 30% discount, upgrade your gaming setup with the 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor. Since it'll be something you use everyday, it's well worth the investment of a OLED display.

SAVE $151.99: As of July 8, the Sony ULT Field 7 Bluetooth party speaker is on sale at Amazon for just $348 instead of $499.99. That's a savings of 30% and its best price all year.

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Credit: Sony

Sony ULT Field 7

$348
$499.99 Save $151.99

 

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Mashable's shopping team loves the Sony ULT Field speaker lineup, so we were thrilled to see many of the top models on sale for Prime Day. One of our favorites, however, was missing from the deals list: the ULT Field 7. Fortunately, after the sale wrapped up, the party speaker got a steep discount and you can save 30% if you act fast.

As of July 8, the Sony ULT Field 7 Bluetooth party speaker is on sale at Amazon for just $348. That's $151.99 or 30% off its list price of $499.99 and its best price all year. But stock is running low, so you'll have to add it to your cart ASAP if you want to secure the deal.

As our reviewer puts it, the ULT Field 7 features a boombox aesthetic that "exudes old-school swagger." But its looks are just a small party of why it earned a spot on our best Bluetooth speakers list. At around 13.9 pounds, you can still carry around the ULT Field 7, but it's more powerful than your average portable speaker. It's ideal for both indoor and outdoor listening, has a battery life up to 30 hours, is loaded with controls, inputs, and settings, and even features multipoint technology to pair it with multiple audio sources at once.

Beyond serving as a Bluetooth speaker, it can also connect to microphones and guitars for live performances. With the Fiesta app, the ULT Field 7 can even serve as a karaoke machine and pump out sound and lighting effects. It's essentially a party in a speaker-shaped package. As for the sound itself, our reviewer says it "fills any room with loud, engaging sound."

It's not the cheapest speaker in Sony's lineup, but at 30% off, it's much more palatable.

Netflix does not just want your movie night anymore. It wants your 13-minute lunch break, too.

Starting Aug. 3, Netflix will begin adding short and mid-length videos from major digital publishers directly to its homepage, giving subscribers a new way to watch internet-native series without leaving the app.

The first wave of partners includes BuzzFeed, Condé Nast, Hearst Magazines, People Inc., Tastemade, and PMX, a Penske Media subdivision that includes The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Eater, Indiewire, Rolling Stone, and Variety. The rollout will be available to Netflix members at all subscription levels in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

The videos will range from quick three-minute clips to roughly 20-minute episodes and cover food, travel, fashion, entertainment, wellness, design, celebrity interviews, home tours, and other lifestyle topics.

In other words, the kind of stuff people already fall into on YouTube when they mean to watch one Vanity Fair lie detector test and somehow end up 45 minutes deep into celebrity home tours.

Netflix says the lineup will include both licensed past videos and new ongoing series. Among the titles coming to the platform are Architectural Digest's "Open Door," BuzzFeed’s "I Draw, You Cook," Elle's "Where Is the Lie," People's "My Life in Pictures," and Tastemade's "Struggle Meals." Other announced franchises include BuzzFeed Celeb's "30 Questions," Vanity Fair’s "Lie Detector," Harper's Bazaar's "Burning Questions," Billboard's "24 Hrs With," Variety's "How Well Do They Know?," and Travel + Leisure's "Travel Unfiltered."

For Netflix, the move makes sense. The streamer built its reputation on full seasons, bingeable dramas, prestige documentaries, stand-up specials, and original films. But the way people watch videos online has changed. Sometimes viewers want a two-hour movie. Sometimes they want a 13-minute celebrity interview, Get Ready With Me, or a fashion explainer while they eat lunch. Netflix is now trying to ensure those shorter viewing moments can happen on its platform, too.

"Members don't just want to watch a show or film and move on; they want to keep exploring the stories and personalities they love long after the final credits roll," John Derderian, Netflix's vice president of animation series and kids and family TV, said in the announcement on TUDUM, the platform's official editorial hub. "These partnerships help us deepen fandom and create more ways for members to carry those stories with them throughout their day."

The new publisher videos also arrive as Netflix has been expanding beyond its traditional TV-and-movie identity. The company has added games, live events, sports programming, comedy specials, and video podcasts, all while testing new ways to make the app feel less like a library and more like a place to spend time.

Many of the announced series are the exact kind of polished, publisher-made videos that became major digital franchises on YouTube, the reigning media distributor in the U.S.: celebrity Q&As, lie detector interviews, cooking videos, fashion segments, home tours, travel shows, and bite-sized lifestyle series. Of course, Netflix is not replacing YouTube, but it is clearly interested in some of the viewing behavior that YouTube watchers expect — and social media users have noticed the connection.

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There are still some open questions. Netflix has not said exactly how these videos will be surfaced, how the platform will recommend them, or how much they will be tied to related shows, movies, and talent. It has also not announced the full slate of future publisher partners.

But the direction is clear, and pretty soon, internet videos will live where your prestige dramas or true-crime documentaries already do.

GET UP TO 47% OFF: As of July 8, you can get up to 47% off select Craftsman tools at Amazon. Save on cordless drills, toolsets, and more.

Best Craftsman tool deals as of July 8:

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Best drill deal

Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

$59 (save $40)

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---

Best tool set deal

Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set

$149 (save $100)

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---

Best cordless tool deal

Craftsman V20 Brad Nailer

$99 (save $60)

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Growing up with a dad who's a mechanic (and a race car driver) meant I spent my childhood rummaging through drawers to bring him whatever tool he needed next. He always had the fanciest toolboxes (it's honestly crazy how much men will pay for those things) and a Snap-On truck came by weekly. Naturally, I inherited none of his knowledge — I have a tape measure, one screwdriver, and whatever leftover hex keys came free with my IKEA furniture.

If your own setup is looking similarly tragic, Amazon has a ton of Craftsman tools on sale for up to 47% off. It’s a justifiable excuse to stop borrowing your neighbor's stuff and build out a decent collection.

Best drill deal

CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (CMCD700C1)

$59 at Amazon
$99 Save $40

 

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Why we like it

A reliable cordless drill is a non-negotiable adult purchase. After moving year after year and losing my tool bag, I had to learn this the hard way.

If you're looking to buy a drill on the cheap, you can get the Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (CMCD700C1) for $59 at Amazon. This is the best price I've seen it across retailers (though Lowe's is matching it). It also comes with a 20V max Lithium battery and charger, as well as a three-year limited warranty.

Best tool set deal

Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set with 3-Drawer VERSASTACK Tool Box (SAE/Metric Set, CMMT45309)

$149 at Amazon
$249 Save $100

 

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Why we like it

While it might not have a hammer or a tape measure, this 262-piece kit is the ultimate upgrade for anyone who wants to start doing their own auto maintenance or heavy-duty garage projects.

Right now, you can grab the Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanics Tool Set for $149 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $100 price cut. It includes 118 sockets, 24 wrenches, 44 hex keys, dozens of specialty bits, and a three-drawer, Versastack-compatible box with a one-handed locking dial.

Best cordless tool deal

CRAFTSMAN V20 Brad Nailer, 18GA, Cordless, Bare Tool Only (CMCN618B)

$99 at Amazon
$159 Save $60

 

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Why we like it

Whether you're working on baseboards or doing trim work, you'll need a cordless nailer. Right now, you can get the Craftsman V20 Cordless Brad Nailer (CMCN618B) for $99, down from $159, at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or $60 savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked on this tool since 2023.

Note: This listing is for the tool only (the battery and charger aren't included). But if you already own the cordless drill we mentioned above (or any other tool in Craftsman's V20 lineup), you can just pop that same battery right into this nailer and get straight to work.

More Craftsman deals

• Craftsman Torque Wrench (CMMT99433) — $59.98 $75.49 (save $15.51)

• Craftsman Deep Impact Socket Set — $89 $109 (save $20)

• Craftsman V20 MAX Cordless Drill Driver and Impact Driver Set (CMCK200C2) — $99 $169 (save $70)

• Craftsman V20 Cordless Stick Vacuum Kit (CMCVS001D1) — $149 $199 (save $50)

The Television Academy announced the nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards today, and this year's list sets up a showdown between HBO and Apple TV.

The two most-nominated shows of the year are HBO Max originals: The Pitt dominated the drama category with 25 nominations, while Hacks took over the comedy category with 24 nominations. Coming in right behind them are two Apple TV series: Widow's Bay, which nabbed 19 nominations on the comedy side of things, and Pluribus, which picked up 18 nominations on the drama side.

In the limited series category, Netflix's Beef and HBO Max's DTF St. Louis are the clear frontrunners, with 16 and 13 nominations, respectively.

To see what other shows made a splash in the major Emmys categories, read on.

And the nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are:

Outstanding Drama Series

The Diplomat 

The Gilded Age

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms 

Paradise 

The Pitt 

Pluribus 

Slow Horses

Your Friends and Neighbors

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age

Chase Infiniti, The Testaments

Keri Russell, The Diplomat 

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus  

Zendaya, Euphoria 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses 

Mark Ruffalo, Task

Rufus Sewell, The Diplomat

Noah Wyle, The Pitt

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Taylor Dearden, The Pitt 

Fiona Dourif, The Pitt 

Allison Janney, The Diplomat 

Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt 

Sepideh Moafi, The Pitt  

Julianne Nicholson, Paradise 

Karolina Wydra, Pluribus 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Patrick Ball, The Pitt 

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show 

Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt 

Gerran Howell, The Pitt 

Jack Lowden, Slow Horses 

Tom Pelphrey, Task  

Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Pluribus 

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary 

The Bear 

Hacks 

Margo’s Got Money Troubles 

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building 

Shrinking 

Widow’s Bay

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary 

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Elle Fanning, Margo’s Got Money Troubles 

Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback  

Jean Smart, Hacks 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Wonder Man

Steve Carell, Rooster 

Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay 

Jason Segel, Shrinking 

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building  

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Dale Dickey, Widow's Bay

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary

Kate O'Flynn, Widow's Bay

Michelle Pfeiffer, Margo's Got Money Troubles

Megan Stalter, Hacks

Jessica Williams, Shrinking

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Colman Domingo, The Four Seasons

Paul W. Downs, Hacks

Harrison Ford, Shrinking

Nick Offerman, Margo's Got Money Troubles

Stephen Root, Widow's Bay

Michael Urie, Shrinking

Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

All Her Fault

The Beast in Me 

Beef  

DTF St. Louis 

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Claire Danes, The Beast in Me 

Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures

Carey Mulligan, Beef  

Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette 

Sarah Snook, All Her Fault 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Riz Ahmed, Bait

Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit

Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story 

Oscar Isaac, Beef  

Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis 

Dakota Fanning, All Her Fault

Laurie Metcalf, Monster: The Ed Gein Story 

Joy Sunday, DTF St. Louis

Youn Yuh-jung, Beef

Constance Zimmer, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Jason Bateman, DTF St. Louis 

Richard Gadd, Half Man 

David Harbour, DTF St. Louis  

Richard Jenkins, DTF St. Louis

Charles Melton, Beef 

Nick Offerman, Death By Lightning

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

Dancing with the Stars

RuPaul's Drag Race

Survivor

Top Chef

The Traitors

Outstanding Variety Series

The Daily Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Saturday Night Live

The 78th Primetime Emmys air Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

FIFA has opened an investigation after alleged racist abuse directed at iShowSpeed was captured during one of the streamer's World Cup livestreams on YouTube, reports the New York Times.

Over the past month, Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., has become an unofficial face of the World Cup online, livestreaming matches from stadiums across the United States and giving millions of viewers a front-row seat to the tournament via his official partnership with FIFA, FOX Sports, and YouTube. His streams have featured appearances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

FIFA confirmed Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into an incident that took place during Argentina's July 3 Round of 32 victory over Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. In footage from Speed's livestream, the 21-year-old creator, who was wearing a Cape Verde jersey, is seen confronting an Argentina supporter in the stands after viewers alleged the fan directed a racist remark toward him.

"The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect," the organization said in a statement provided to the Associated Press. "It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game."

The investigation comes as Argentina has found itself at the center of several of the tournament's biggest flashpoints. Just days after the Cape Verde match, the defending champions survived a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16 — a result overshadowed by disputed VAR decisions, a disallowed Egyptian goal, and a formal complaint from the Egyptian Football Association over the officiating. The controversy has fueled intense online debate around Argentina's path through the tournament.

Speed, a longtime Cristiano Ronaldo supporter who frequently trolls Lionel Messi online, was also seen taunting the Argentine star before his missed penalty against Egypt. Later in the same stream, the creator was confronted by Argentina fans in the stands, with one appearing to mock his movements while yelling at him. "What's wrong with that guy?" Speed says in the broadcast.

For Speed, who has over 57 million subscribers on YouTube and nearly 150 million followers across platforms, the incident underscores how his streams have become more than creator content.

With tens of millions of followers tuning in, he's emerged as the World Cup's premier Gen Z correspondent, bringing viewers into the stands to capture the tournament's real atmosphere, not just the polished TV moments.

SAVE $802: As of July 8, the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV is on sale for just $697.99 at Amazon. That's more than 50% off its original list price of $1,499.99 and its best price on record.

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Credit: Toshiba

Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV

$697.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $802

 

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Known for its budget-friendly pricing, you may not equate the Toshiba brand with premium TVs. But earlier this year, the brand released the Z670R Mini LED model, seeking to change your perspective. With an attractive balance of performance, features, and value, the Toshiba Z670R is a competitive pick for 2026 — especially now that it has its biggest price drop to date.

As of July 8, the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for only $697.99. That's a major price drop of over 50% from its full list price of $1,499.99 (though Amazon has undercut its list price significantly). That's also its best price ever.

The Z670R combines Mini LED technology with full-array local dimming, which results in remarkable color and contrast compared to a traditional LED TV. Clusters of tiny LEDs give the panel more precise control over brightness zones, which adds depth to dark scenes in any lighting condition. The REGZA Engine ZRi Gen3 AI processor intelligently adjusts and balances your picture and audio to match room conditions and treat your senses to the best possible viewing experience. It also includes support for Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG, and packs a native 144Hz refresh rate combined with HDMI 2.1 with eARC and AMD FreeSync Premium with VRR and ALLM to round out its features.

This model will particularly appeal to casual gamers and home theater enthusiasts seeking a TV that falls in the performance-to-value sweet spot. At full price, the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV is a bit of a hard sell compared to budget-friendly picks from Hisense or TCL. But at less than half its usual cost, it's quite the competitor.

TL;DR: Beats has launched a new Power Pink colorway for its woven cable lineup, bringing a brighter look to your everyday tech accessories. The cables are available in USB-C-to-USB-C and USB-A-to-USB-C options, with prices starting at $18.99.

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Credit: Beats

Beats USB‑C to USB‑C (1.5 m / 5 ft.) – Power Pink

$18.99 at Apple

 

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The brand that made colorful headphones a style statement is now bringing that same energy to charging cables with its new Power Pink woven cable lineup. Designed to add a little personality to your everyday setup, the new cables combine Beats’ signature braided design with practical features for charging, syncing, audio, and data transfer.

Beyond the new pink finish, the cables feature a tangle-free woven design designed for everyday durability. Beats says each cable undergoes thousands of hours of testing and features reinforced construction to help reduce fraying over time.

The Power Pink cable lineup comes in three versions, depending on the devices you use and how much reach you need:

• USB-C to USB-C cable (1.5m)
  A compact everyday option that supports up to 60W charging and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. It works with USB-C Apple and Android devices for charging, syncing, audio, CarPlay, and data transfer.

• USB-C to USB-C cable (3m)
  The longer option for desks, bedrooms, or setups where extra reach matters, with support for up to 240W charging and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds.

• USB-A to USB-C cable (1.5m)
  A handy option for older charging setups, this reinforced braided cable is designed to stay tangle-free while helping prevent fraying over time. It supports up to 15W charging on select iPhone and iPad models, plus USB 2.0 data transfer speeds.

The cables work with both Apple and Android devices and can be used for charging, syncing, audio, CarPlay, and data transfer. The USB-C to USB-C versions can also charge compatible Beats headphones and speakers while you listen to audio and support lossless playback with compatible devices.

If your tech setup could use a little more personality, the Power Pink woven cable is an easy way to make the everyday cable feel a little less ordinary.

When Moana was released in 2016, it was a gorgeous cinematic wonder, drawing inspiration from Polynesian mythology, offering moving and catchy songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa'i, and reveling in the creative freedom animation offers. At its core, it was a story of a young girl rejecting the norms of her society to fight for creation and exploration over annihilation and ignorance.

2026's live-action remake of Moana has the same plot. But because of its execution — and arguably its very existence — it flies in the face of the message of the original. By definition, this remake is retreading the path that directors John Musker and Ron Clements laid down before. Beyond that, however, there's a bizarre, uncanny valley feel to this live-action version. It evoked in me a similar reaction to AI slop, where I cringe at the unnerving blend of the familiar and the not-quite-right.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting Disney — which has been accused of using generative AI in the past — or that Moana (2026) director Thomas Kail employed generative AI in making Moana's home of Motunui or its surrounding lands, sea, and creatures. What I am saying is that, hemmed in between the original film's distinctive features and Disney's determination to treat every animated hit as a proof of concept for a wobbly live-action re-creation, there's something uncanny and grotesque lurking here.

Moana (2026) feels less epic, more Disney Channel.

Emma Puahi-Shapazian as young Moana in Disney's live-action "Moana." Credit: Disney

Jared Bush's screenplay from the 2016 animated adventure is closely followed, though he and his Moana 2 co-writer, Dana Ledoux Miller, share scripting credit for this remake. Once more, Moana's grandmother (played this time by Rena Owen) unfurls the folklore of Te Fiti, a goddess of life and nature; the trickster demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson, reprising his role here); and the volcanic beast Te Kā. While the other children are scared of these stories, a young Moana looks elated.

Kail, who helmed the Broadway productions of Miranda's In the Heights and Hamilton, doggedly follows the film's first act shot for shot, inviting the question of why remake a movie if it's just live-action now? (Because audiences will turn up. I know. I know.)

Kail stays as close as he can to the look of the original film. There's no Little Mermaid-like choice to make Moana's animal pals Heihei and Pua look cringingly photo-real. Instead, they look like their animated versions fleshed out in CG. Which, for Pua, is pretty cute. For Heihei, a gangly chicken with bug-eyes and red bumps all over his face, it's less charming, as reaction shot after reaction shot reminds us that cute but creepy is a fine line to walk.

But hey, this is what Disney fans want, right? A loyal recreation of a thing they loved just 10 years ago (that has a sequel and is readily available to rewatch on streaming). Sure. But aside from my general grievance about the lack of innovation in Disney's menagerie of live-action remakes, Moana has a strangely false quality to it. The cast — led by 19-year-old Catherine Laga'aia — gives performances that feel straight out of a Disney Channel show. They're bouncy and broad in a way that made me expect the cheer of a pre-recorded studio audience to break in.

The artifice of Moana ruins the fun.

Dwayne Johnson is Maui in Disney's live-action "Moana." Credit: Disney

This studio sitcom tone is jarring against the backdrop of Motunui's lush natural wonder. Here, in the village, when the tribe gathers, is where I could see the potential of a live-action Moana. Seeing a lot of AAPI performers gathering together in traditional costume to sing, dance, and showcase their culture was beautiful. The sequences for "Where You Are" and "We Know the Way" are among this movie's best; it's exhilarating to see these elements, in which community comes together to accomplish something incredible, rendered in live action. It reminds us of the incredible feats humans are capable of, through craft and collaboration. Here is where Kail shines, understanding how to orchestrate a plethora of dancers and performers to create a dynamic staging. However, when the movie is focused on Moana, this reality gets lost.

Part of the issue is the aforementioned Disney Channel performance style, which actually makes this Moana feel flatter than Auliʻi Cravalho's voice acting in the first film. The other issue is the sound quality itself. From early scenes with Moana's chief father (John Tui) through most of her scenes with Maui, the sound recording has that isolated crispness of ADR. Typically, additional dialogue is recorded in post-production to smooth over rough spots in the on-set audio (or to make changes to the script). Here, this sound quality is so abundant that it draws attention back to the artifice around Moana.

From there, how am I to ignore how sequence after sequence seems shot against greenscreen? Though the seascape is convincingly rendered by a sprawling army of VFX artists, the lack of breeze in the air and the crisp lines around the actors all draw attention to the seams. Even Johnson's Maui look feels odd. His wig — which was much mocked online — is perfectly coiffed, as if for a shampoo commercial, framing a face that is chiseled but flawless in texture. Then his body is wrapped in Maui's signature tattoos. But it feels like the exquisite corpse game, as if these three pieces of costuming and make-up were made independently and then jammed together. They lack cohesion visually, like too much of this Moana. So, instead of being caught up in the familiar waves of a wonderful story, I was snagging on the rocks of "WTF am I looking at?"

Rooster Heihei in Disney's live-action "Moana." Credit: Disney

I'm sure a great deal of work went into chiseling this remake into something that will please fans. But Moana then falls into the familiar trap that Disney has built with these movies. Fans want something familiar but new enough to justify the cost of a ticket. It's understandable that this action-adventure Disney princess might have seemed like a great opportunity for a live-action adaptation. But Kail is not an action director, and Moana doesn't offer the kind of song numbers that rely on dance the way In the Heights and Hamilton do. Kail seems lost amid the movie's overwhelming CG, which, while solidly rendered, lacks any sense of artistic direction beyond "like the first Moana."

So, the result is a film that misses the point of its protagonist's journey. Rather than going somewhere new, Kail and company avoid discovery, opting instead to approximate popular IP. And in that way, it feels like AI. It does not feel like an earnest, human expression, but rather a shallow approximation that might have the general look but misses the soul of the original work.

Moana opens in theaters on July 10.

UPDATE: Jul. 9, 2026, 9:41 a.m. A previous version of this review claimed Johnson is the only actor returning from the original film. Jemaine Clement also returns, once more lending his voice to Tamatoa.

AI is everywhere these days, and on Discord, that caused several thousand people to lose access to the app for no good reason.

In a thread on X, the gamer-centric chat app confirmed that about 8,000 accounts over the past two months had been banned after posting totally harmless images such as video game textures. This happened because Discord employs an AI moderation system that mistook the images for "harmful material." While Discord's thread said that "a member of our Trust & Safety team always reviews flagged content before any action is taken," thousands of people nonetheless lost access to their accounts since May because of this issue.

Thankfully, Discord also said it is in the process of restoring the lost accounts.

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On one hand, it's easy to see what happened here. As TechCrunch pointed out, some of the images users posted that led to bans, such as checkerboard patterns, bear a resemblance to tactics used by bad actors to conceal child exploitation content. It's easy to rationalize how an AI moderation tool would see that and do something about it. On the other hand, this is a clear-as-day example of why humans still need to be involved in these processes, as a human eye could have instantly discerned that the images in question were harmless.

But with AI becoming an ever bigger part of our everyday lives, expect stuff like this to keep happening.

SAVE $130: As of July 8, get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's a discount of 10%.

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Credit: Amazon

Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop

$1,169.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $130

 

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If you spend an inordinate amount of time trying to keep your floors clean, it's time to admit you might need some help. A robot vacuum is one of the best and easiest ways to make sure you have spotless carpets and dazzling hard floors.

As of July 8, get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's $130 off and a discount of 10%.

This robot vacuum and mop combo is capable of serious suction and thorough mopping. It uses special AI-enhanced vision to detect over 280 types of objects potentially in its way at home, with an ultra-thin design that helps it navigate the entirety of your home's floor plan. It has its own all-in-one dock as well that can help it prep to mop up your hard flooring, with a 100-degree waetr mop for washing, a self-cleaning washboard, and 100-day auto-emptying so you don't have to handle it yourself.

It uses a special side brush and outward-swinging mop that work together to give you complete coverage in each room, with corner coverage as well as tight, edge-hugging power that means you don't have to be the one to scrub everything. Plus, it can clean around your pets and get all of the important areas that need extra attention without you having to program it to do so.

Now's the perfect time to splurge on this automated robot vacuum and mop combo, so if you're tired of manually handling it all, grab one before they're all bought up -- or the price goes back up.

SAVE $50: The 160W GaN Anker Prime Charger is on sale at Amazon for $99.99, down from the normal price of $149.99. That's a 33% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

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Credit: Anker

160W GaN Anker Prime Charger

$99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00

 

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We're deep in the season of summer travel, and if you're trying to minimize the bulk while packing, you've probably noticed the charger/cord situation is a bit much. It's great we have so many fun tech gadgets to pack along, but all of it needs to recharge. and packing the specific chargers gets bulky. Instead of tossing that beast of a power brick into your bag, consider this upgrade.

As of July 8, the 160W GaN Anker Prime Charger is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $149.99. That works out to a $50 savings from a 33% discount. Today's price matches the best offer we've ever seen at Amazon.

With three USB-C ports, the Anker Prime Charger aims to replace the need for multiple chargers. With three devices plugged into the charger, you'll be able to get one 100W charge and dual 30W. If using just one port, it's capable of 140W. This is ideal for topping up your MacBook or high-powered gaming laptop while also still having enough juice to recharge your phone and earbuds. And maybe best of all, this is all done via one charger.

Anker mentions this model is also compact, coming with measurements that are similar to the AirPods Pro 3 case. The weight clocks in at 220 grams, which is about half a pound. The smart display on the charger itself is also a nice addition.

Before you take off on your next summer adventure, upgrade to the 160W GaN Anker Prime Charger. You'll be able to keep all your devices charged up without packing excess chargers. Since it's on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, there's no reason to delay.

TL;DR: This World Cup promotion gives fans a chance to win a Lovesac couch with their Buffalo Wild Wings order. Starting July 10, order $35 or more through Grubhub, add the "Side of Couch," and you could be one of 26 winners receiving a new Lovesac Sactional before the Final.

For the first time, Lovesac, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Grubhub are teaming up to let fans add a "Side of Couch" to their Grubhub order. While the couch itself won't arrive with your wings, adding "Side of Couch" gives you a chance to win a brand-new Lovesac couch before the World Cup Final.

The idea is simple: spend $35 or more on Buffalo Wild Wings through Grubhub, add the "Side of Couch," and you could be watching the Final from a brand-new couch.

How to enter the Lovesac World Cup couch giveaway

Entering is simple, but you'll need to order during the limited-time promotion window. The promotion begins on July 10 at 2 p.m. ET or 11 a.m. PT — one hour before kickoff in the Spain vs. Belgium quarter-final match — and runs until 11:59 p.m. ET or 8:59 p.m. PT.

To qualify:

1. Open Grubhub during the promotion period.

2. Order $35 or more of Buffalo Wild Wings through Grubhub.

3. Add the "Side of Couch" option to your order.

4. Complete your order to be entered into the sweepstakes.

What can you win?

A total of 26 winners will receive a brand-new Lovesac Sactional delivered in time for the World Cup Final. Lovesac Sactionals are modular couches made up of individual pieces that can be rearranged into different layouts, making them designed for flexible living spaces and group gatherings.

If you're already planning to order Buffalo Wild Wings for the match, adding the "Side of Couch" is a no-brainer.

Talk about jumping on the bandwagon at the very last minute.

On Wednesday, SpaceXAI CEO Elon Musk announced that the new version of the company's AI chatbot, Grok 4.5, will be released to the public on Thursday, July 9.

"Based on strong positive feedback from customers in our beta test program, @SpaceXAI will make Grok 4.5 available to the public tomorrow. It is an Opus-class model, but faster, more token-efficient and lower cost," wrote Musk in a post on X.

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The recently renamed AI/social networking/data-centers-in-space company is currently testing Grok 4.5 as private beta, while the stable version of the LLM is currently Grok 4.3.

Musk calls the new Grok "Opus-class" in reference to the company's competitor Anthropic, whose general-purpose model, Claude Opus, is currently at version 4.6. Anthropic's most powerful model, Fable 5, has only recently been reinstated for users after being pulled following an intervention from the U.S. government.

Meanwhile, OpenAI's powerful GPT-5.6 model is also launching on Thursday, following a short-lived launch ban from the White House.

L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Collection:

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Music Festival Tots with Collectible Vinyl Albums

$11.99 at MGA Shop

Shop Now

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Music Festival Headliners Tots Global Music Artist Dolls

$14.99 at MGA Shop

Shop Now

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Music Festival Furniture Packs

$16.99 at MGA Shop

Shop Now

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Music Festival Featuring Rosalía Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster

$26.99 at MGA Shop

Shop Now

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Music Festival Featuring Jennie Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster

$26.99 at MGA Shop

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After a decade of surprise-filled unboxings, L.O.L. Surprise! is stepping onto the main stage. The collectible toy brand is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival, a yearlong campaign packed with new dolls, festival-inspired collectibles, and headline-worthy collaborations.

The biggest draw? Music icons Jennie from BLACKPINK and Rosalía are making their L.O.L. Surprise! doll debuts with collectible looks inspired by their signature styles. Beyond the artist collaborations, the lineup brings new doll looks, refreshed packaging, and a range of festival-themed collectibles for fans to discover.

Here’s everything launching in the L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival collection and where to buy it.

Music Festival Tots with Collectible Vinyl Albums

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Credit: L.O.L. Surprise!

Music Festival Tots with Collectible Vinyl Albums

$11.99 at MGA Shop

 

Shop Now

Why we like it

The L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Tots brings the music theme to life with eight dolls inspired by different genres, including K-pop, Latin, pop, hip-hop, country, indie, pop-punk, and scene.

Each Tot comes inside a pink disco ball that doubles as a collectible display piece and a mini reveal experience — spin the included vinyl record to open compartments filled with fashion and accessories. With fresh doll designs, seven surprises to unbox, and a chance to find a rare shiny disco ball, these are made for collectors who enjoy the thrill of the reveal.

Music Festival Headliners Tots Global Music Artist Dolls

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Credit: L.O.L. Surprise!

Music Festival Headliners Tots Global Music Artist Dolls

$14.99 at MGA Shop

 

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Why we like it

If your kid (or your inner collector) has a favorite music icon, these L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Headliners Tots bring that fan energy into a tiny collectible package. Each Tot is inspired by the style of Jennie or Rosalía, featuring cool outfits based on their real-world looks, plus a mini poster and a collectible trading card to enhance the experience.

The heart-shaped L.O.L. ball doubles as a keychain, so fans can take their favorite artist-inspired Tot anywhere. With seven surprises to unbox, including outfits, shoes, and accessories, there’s plenty of reveal excitement before the tiny headliner hits the stage. Collect all four Tots to build out the full Music Festival lineup.

Music Festival Furniture Packs

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Credit: L.O.L. Surprise!

Music Festival Furniture Packs

$16.99 at MGA Shop

 

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Why we like it

The L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Furniture Packs are a fun way to turn the collection into a full-on festival setup. Instead of just collecting dolls, kids can build out their own mini concert world with spaces like the Main Stage, DJ Booth, Neon Arcade, and Roller Disco. Each pack also comes with an exclusive Tot, giving collectors another character to add to the lineup.

Rosalía Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster

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Credit: L.O.L. Surprise!

Rosalía Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster

$26.99 at MGA Shop

 

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Why we like it

Rosalía fans will instantly recognize the bold, trendy vibe behind this L.O.L. Surprise! Rosalía Fashion Doll. The look is inspired by one of Rosalía’s iconic outfits, with a bold style that feels very much like the singer’s stage persona. It also comes with an exclusive Rosalía poster, making it a fun pick for both collectors and fans who want a little piece of her stage style on display.

Jennie Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster

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Credit: L.O.L. Surprise!

Jennie Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster

$26.99 at MGA Shop

 

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Why we like it

L.O.L. Surprise! is bringing a little star power to the toy aisle with this Jennie-inspired fashion doll. It captures her signature style with a more detailed look, a stage-ready outfit inspired by one of her real outfits, and a collectible poster tucked inside for fans to display. Fans snapped this one up quickly, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait for the next restock.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 8, the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon, its lowest-ever price. That's $15 off its full price of $74.99.

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Credit: Lego

Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car (42223)

$59.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $15.00

 

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If you're a fan of the Lego Technic cars, Amazon has an excellent deal for you to check out. As of July 8, the retailer has the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car discounted to its lowest-ever price of $59.99. Perfect time to grab it.

Usually, this Lego set's price tag lands at $74.99, so overall you're saving $15. That's a solid discount, but considering it's never been lower than this deal price, now is a great time to make a move on it.

With 793 pieces in total, this Lego set sees you putting together a brick-built model of the 1966 Ford GT40 MKII race car. It has some very cool features as well that you can interact with, like the ability to steer using a knob on the top, opening doors and hood, and you can even lift the engine cover to check out the V8 engine.

If you know someone with a love of cars, or maybe that someone is you, this set looks like an awesome addition to a collection. It's also worth noting that it's a build recommended for adults, considering it's a bit more complex to assemble and meant for displaying.

If this deal has caught your eye, act fast to save on the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car at Amazon.

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OpenAI will launch its "strongest model yet" this week, with GPT-5.6 Sol set for public release after White House-imposed delays.

Announced by the company on X on Wednesday, the next generation flagship model will roll out gradually from July 9, alongside two lighter models: the "everyday" Terra and lower cost Luna.

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In a blog post, OpenAI says it spent weeks putting GPT‑5.6 Sol through its paces for weaknesses, during which time it "strengthened protections for higher-risk activity, sensitive cyber requests, and repeated misuse." The company called it "our most capable model yet for cybersecurity" and claimed GPT‑5.6 Sol stands up to competitor Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5 using a third of output tokens (the blocks of text an AI model processes to generate responses).

The news comes after reports that the White House told OpenAI to limit the initial release of GPT-5.6 to a select testing group. In its blog post, the company described this as a "small group of trusted partners whose participation has been shared with the government." Now, OpenAI has the green light for GPT-5.6's public release. The announcement arrives a week after OpenAI reportedly proposed giving the U.S. government a five percent stake in the company, with CEO Sam Altman in early talks with President Donald Trump, according to the Financial Times.

Competitor Anthropic also experienced restraints from the U.S. government, with the White House ordering the company "to suspend all access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 by any foreign national, whether inside or outside the United States." Anthropic is now allowed to share Mythos 5 with "a set of U.S. organizations that operate and defend critical infrastructure," and Fable 5, a version of Mythos, is out globally.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Team USA's World Cup journey came to a strange end this week after losing 4-1 to Belgium, shortly after Donald Trump admitted intervening to help reverse striker Falorin Balogun's red card suspension.

Jimmy Kimmel guest host Tiffany Haddish had the perfect joke about the situation on Monday, and on Tuesday — following the USA's defeat — Daily Show host Ronny Chieng joined in with the criticism.

"Trump only has himself to blame, because thanks to him we went from being heroes of our own Disney sports movie to being the villain in some weird European film," says Chieng in the clip above. "Up until last week America was the scrappy underdog again, but then Trump's intervention galvanised Belgium and the world to defeat Team USA for the integrity of the game. And just like everything else he tried to fix, he made it worse and ruined our reputation in the process."

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SAVE OVER $50: As of July 8, the NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker is on sale for $149.62 at Amazon. That's $50.37 off the full price of $199.99.

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Credit: NutriBullet

NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker

$149.62 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.37

 

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Looking for a way to beat the heat this summer? The NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker can help you out by creating some tasty frozen treats to enjoy in your own kitchen. Now is a great time to buy it, as Amazon's slashed just over $50 off select colors for a limited time.

As of July 8, the black and mint chip green NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Makers have been discounted from $199.99 to $149.62 at Amazon. The white model is on sale for just a few cents higher at $149.99, so you can pick out a color that best suits your personal tastes.

There's a nice variety of frozen treats that the NutriBullet Chill is able to whip up, with five presets to choose from: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Smoothie Bowl, and Frozen Yogurt. These are churned together with the help of a double-sided blade and dual-direction rotation which, according to the store page, ensure creamier results.

It also features a sleek design, with an LED display that shows a progress ring that helps you track the churning process. Plus, it looks quite compact, so it won't take up too much space on your countertop.

Now is a great time to pick up the NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker at Amazon.

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For a long time, I've held firm that arguments about the necessity of video game remakes are largely boring and pointless. After all, what makes any video game necessary? Who gets to decide that?

I still don't know the answers to those questions, but I do know that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is the first time in a long time where I can't really think of a good reason why a remake should exist. That's not to say the work that Ubisoft has done to rebuild one of the best games in the series was shoddy; in fact, I've really enjoyed the handful of hours I've spent roaming the recreated world of 2013's Black Flag.

But I think I'm largely enjoying it because it's built on such a solid foundation that it would be hard to screw up. Black Flag Resynced seems like a high-quality take on a game that isn't old or flawed enough to have needed it.

Black Flag Resynced is an enjoyable throwback to Assassin's Creed's past

I haven't spent enough time with this new take on Black Flag to render a definitive verdict on it, but after having played enough to freely sail around the Caribbean in the boots of roguish pirate privateer, the best case I can make for the existence of Resynced is that it's a warm reminder of what Assassin's Creed used to be before the series took an RPG turn around a decade ago.

There's no such thing, as far as I can tell, as an enemy who can resist being assassinated in Black Flag Resynced. If you sneak up behind a guy, he is dead. You're not spending a lot of time sifting through gear or agonizing over a skill tree in this game, and even as someone who generally really likes the four big RPG Assassin's Creed games, I cannot emphasize enough how nice it is to play one of these that doesn't revolve around that stuff. It's nice to be reassured that the old ways work just as well now as they did 13 years ago.

It's fair to wonder, then, what exactly is different about Black Flag Resynced if Ubisoft didn't morph the game to conform to the franchise's modern design standards. You can read a substantive account of all the changes on Ubisoft's website, but in summary, the parkour system was subtly refined, traversal routes through the game's many tropical and urban environments were massaged to account for that, and mission design was reconsidered in order to give players a bit more latitude to succeed even if they "fail" to do something like tail an NPC for a story objective.

The boat combat is still great. Credit: Ubisoft / Steam

That last point is crucial. You can now fail a tailing mission (long the bane of every Assassin's Creed fan) and rather than a hard game over screen, the game will pivot the mission objective, giving you an alternate path to success. In more open-ended stealth sequences, I've also noticed a lot more instances of being able to eavesdrop on guards to find different methods of finishing the mission. The basics of stealth here are largely unchanged, to my memory, but it feels a lot less rigidly mechanical, and I think that works to the benefit of Black Flag Resynced.

On top of that, there are new crew members to collect, new side missions, and optional Animus Rifts to fill out the story. One change I absolutely cannot approve of, though, is the exclusion of the modern-day story elements from the original Black Flag. Those first-person sequences set in a fictional game development studio (which was obviously a riff on Ubisoft) were some of the best frame story moments in the entire Assassin's Creed series.

I understand there's a segment of the population that just doesn't care about the present-day sci-fi nonsense in these games, but they always gave the series a distinct character. That has never been more clear than it has been in the last couple of games, which have been almost entirely uninterested in engaging with that character. It just bums me out that you can't play an Assassin's Creed expecting to see a plot point about a Roman goddess taking control of the internet anymore.

I'm just not sure this is the specific Assassin's Creed game that needed it

Modern-day quibbles aside, Black Flag Resynced is an exceptionally respectable take on a great game. The changes to mission design alone will probably make it a little more palatable to a modern audience, to say nothing of the gorgeous new visuals. That said, was this really the Assassin's Creed game that needed this treatment?

If Ubisoft wants to dedicate resources to remaking these games, I just feel like there are a couple of better candidates. The very first game in the series immediately comes to mind, especially given that it barely resembles any of the releases that came after and, frankly, was not a very good game when it came out in 2007. Honestly, the idea of a less punishing mission structure would actually benefit the original Assassin's Creed far more than Black Flag, as would a simplified approach to parkour traversal.

I could also make a case for 2012's Assassin's Creed III, which is similarly one of the worst in the series despite an incredibly compelling American Revolution setting. That would admittedly be a taller task for the developers, as III suffers from a heavy dose of racist Native American stereotypes and other narrative foibles on top of its gameplay shortcomings. But the point remains that if remaking a game can be a redemptive act, I would have rather seen the effort that went into Black Flag Resynced go into a recreation of one of these other, lesser games instead.

But hey, if nothing else, I'm happy to sail around while listening to sea shanties again. Gotta take every win you can get these days.

SAVE OVER $100: As of July 8, the Bluetti AC70 portable power station is on sale for $328.99 at Amazon. That's $100.01 off its full price of $429.

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Credit: Bluetti

Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station

$328.99 at Amazon
$429 Save $100.01

 

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Portable power stations are great to have on hand in the summertime. From camping trips and outdoor adventures to assisting during outages, they can give you an extra boost of power when you need it most. If you've been thinking about buying a model, the good news is Amazon has quite a few on sale right now. The Bluetti AC70 portable power station is among them, with its price marked down to $328.99.

Compared to its full list price of $429, you're saving just over $100 on this model. As of July 8, this portable power station has a "limited time deal" tag, so you'll want to make your move quick before the price goes back up.

The Bluetti AC70 is packed with power, with a 768Wh capacity, 1,000W inverter, and up to 2,000W in power lifting mode. Plus, its compact size makes it a breeze to take on-the-go. It weighs 22.5 pounds and features a helpful handle on the top.

With the help of the Bluetti app, you can also monitor the status of the power station, set a charge/discharge mode, and update the battery. It's an easy way to keep an eye on it while it's being used. Plus, it comes with a LiFePO4 battery that can last over 3,000 charging cycles.

If you've been searching for a solid portable power station, don't miss out on this great deal on the Bluetti AC70 portable power station at Amazon.

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SAVE $200: As of July 8, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $3,099.95 at Amazon. That's a 6% discount on the list price.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo

$3,099.95 at Amazon
$3,299.95 Save $200

 

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The DJI Mavic 4 Pro Drone Fly More Combo is on sale for a limited time at Amazon. If you’re looking for a premium drone bundle that gives you everything you need to capture professional-quality footage straight out of the box, this deal is tough to beat. Not to mention, it's currently at its best-ever price according to camelcamelcamel.

As of July 8, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $3,099.95 at Amazon. That's over $200 off right now.

This bundle is built for creators who want professional-quality drone footage. It combines advanced camera technology with intelligent flight features for smooth and cinematic results. The camera system captures video in incredible quality, with rich colors and strong low-light performance, so it’s ideal for all kinds of high quality content.

This Fly More bundle also includes everything you need to keep filming for longer, including extra intelligent flight batteries, a multi-battery charging hub, a 64GB memory card, backpack, landing pad, cleaning kit, card wallet, and card reader. 

Even the navigational tools are impressive thanks to the omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This helps detect and avoid hazards while navigating more challenging environments. It also benefits from intelligent flight modes like subject tracking, automated orbits, and waypoint navigation.

You can find this DJI deal online at Amazon right now.

SAVE $80: As of July 8, the Dyson Cyclone V10 Origin is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 17% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Dyson

Dyson Cyclone V10 Origin

$399.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $80

 

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If you've been holding off on buying a Dyson until the price comes down, now is the time.

Dyson vacuums rarely come cheap, but this week Amazon has been dropping a number of discounts on popular models, like this latest deal on the Dyson Cyclone V10 Origin. As of July 8, it's on sale for $80 off the list price, bringing it down to $399.99.

It’s a powerful cordless vacuum, giving you up to 60 minutes of runtime. Its power trigger helps maximize battery efficiency by only using power when you need it, and it has three cleaning modes that let you adjust the suction to suit your cleaning needs.

The Motorbar cleaner head is designed to deep clean both carpets and hard floors, automatically detangling long hair and pet hair as you vacuum. It also converts into a handheld vacuum for cleaning cars, stairs, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach areas, and comes with a crevice tool plus two additional accessories.

And like you’d expect from a Dyson, the filtration is top notch. In fact, it captures 99.99% of particles, even ones as small as 0.3 microns, helping to release cleaner air back into your home.

Get this Dyson deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $60: As of July 8, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is on sale for $289.99 on Amazon. That's a 17% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

$289.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $60

 

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A new Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to be announced later this month at the Galaxy Unpacked event. However, for now, the Galaxy Watch 8 still reigns supreme as Samsung's top smartwatch. And right now (as of July 8), it's on sale at Amazon for $60 less than usual. This deal brings the price down from $349.99 to $289.99, so don't miss out.

With this smartwatch, health and fitness features are a major focus, with advanced sleep tracking and Sleep Coaching to help improve your rest, plus Bedtime Guidance to suggest your ideal bedtime. Runners can also benefit from the built-in Running Coach, which analyses performance and offers personalized training plans for everything from 5Ks to marathons.

But it's not just a fitness tracker. Galaxy AI adds extra features that essentially turn it into a personal assistant on your wrist, with notifications, weather, and more all available from the watch. It also tracks key health metrics, including heart rate, Energy Score, and blood pressure (when calibrated with a compatible blood pressure cuff).

You can find this deal at Amazon right now.

Nothing has officially unveiled the Phone (4b), the first smartphone in its new (b) series and the latest entry point into the company's growing product lineup. Building on the Phone (4a) series, the Phone (4b) pairs Nothing's signature transparent design with upgraded everyday features.

Preorders are now live, with the Phone (4b) available in black, white, and blue. Here's everything you need to know before placing your order.

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Credit: Nothing

Nothing Phone (4b)

 

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What's new with the Nothing Phone (4b)?

The Nothing Phone (4b) marks the debut of the company's new (b) series, offering a more affordable way into the Nothing ecosystem. It combines the transparent aesthetic Nothing is known for with a refined Glyph Bar, a new unibody-inspired design, and the same clean Nothing OS experience found on the company's higher-end phones.

Another big upgrade is the largest battery ever fitted to a Nothing smartphone, plus Nothing OS 4.1 running Android 16. The software also brings the company's full suite of Essential AI tools to the Phone (4b), including features designed to help users search, organize, and capture information more easily.

What you’re getting with the Nothing Phone (4b)

The Nothing Phone (4b) brings a mix of performance upgrades, a bigger battery, smarter software, and camera improvements aimed at making everyday use feel smoother.

Credit: Nothing

More power and the biggest battery yet

The Nothing Phone (4b) is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, which is designed to deliver smoother performance, better efficiency, and faster AI features. Paired with Qualcomm's 6th-generation AI Engine, the phone can handle tasks like photography enhancements, voice recognition, and Nothing's Essential AI tools more responsively.

For gamers, the Phone (4b) includes a custom 4,400mm² vapor chamber designed to help manage heat during demanding tasks. The Phone (4b) also packs a 5,200mAh battery, and Nothing rates it for up to 18 hours of mixed usage, including up to 22 hours of YouTube playback, and 26 hours of Instagram browsing. It supports 33W wired fast charging, reaching 50% battery in under 30 minutes.

A smoother, brighter screen for everyday use

The Phone (4b) has a 6.77-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. It supports HDR10+ and reaches up to 2,000 nits peak brightness for a clearer view in bright conditions.

A 1,000Hz touch sampling rate is designed to keep controls feeling more responsive, while Super AMOLED technology helps deliver deeper blacks and more vibrant colors.

More creative tools and steadier shots

The Phone (4b) comes with a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) to help capture sharper photos and steadier videos. It also has a 119-degree ultrawide camera and smart sensors to keep colors and lighting looking natural in different conditions.

Nothing is also improving its image processing with TrueLens Engine 4. Its Ultra XDR feature combines 13 RAW frames to help capture more detail, especially in tricky lighting situations with bright highlights and dark shadows.

For video creators, the Phone (4b) can record 4K video at 30fps and introduces Dual Capture, allowing users to record from the front and rear cameras at the same time. It also includes creative tools like Disco and DV filters, Signature Presets, and Playground for experimenting with different looks.

Credit: Nothing

Nothing OS 4.1 brings AI into the mix

The Phone (4b) runs Nothing OS 4.1 based on Android 16, bringing the company's signature clean interface along with new customization and AI features.

The phone includes Nothing's full Essential AI experience, including native ChatGPT integration across the interface, clipboard, and widgets, alongside Google Gemini, Circle to Search, and Hey Google. The Essential Key, a dedicated shortcut for Nothing’s AI tool, gives you quick access to Essential Space, Search, Voice, Apps, and Playground.

Audio and durability

It features dual stereo speakers that Nothing says deliver a 20% improvement in stereo effect compared to the Phone (4a), along with Nothing's 160-level volume control for more precise adjustments.

The phone is designed for everyday durability, with an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, a fingerprint-resistant coating, and recycled materials used throughout its construction.

Credit: Nothing

Where to buy

The Nothing Phone (4b) is available to pre-order for £299 ($399). Drops are taking place in the company's stores from July 11. Listings go live online from July 17. Nothing is limiting its launch to the UK, Europe, and India.

Kids aren't the only ones who get excited about birthday gifts. You can be a full-grown adult and still lose your shit when you open up the gift that topped your wish list. But as you get older, it does become a little more difficult to come up with a list of birthday gift ideas. You can't just ask for all the coolest new toys anymore. Well, you can if you want — we're not going to stop you.

If your birthday is coming up and you're struggling to think of what you want, don't sweat it. We compiled the ultimate birthday wish list, with gifts ranging from tech to outdoor essentials to home goods. To make your search easier, we've separated our gift ideas into categories: Our current favorite birthday gifts, gifts under $25, gifts under $50, gifts $50 to $150, and gifts $150+.

Read on for some birthday inspo and start casually dropping hints to your friends and family. And hey, happy birthday!

Our top picks

Color-changing smart light bulbs

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Credit: Philips

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

$99.99 at Best Buy

 

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I have put a Hue light bulb in every lamp in my apartment, and it's so rare that I use the Big Light now. These color-changing bulbs let me dim the lights when I want to relax or emit fun colors while I'm watching a movie. And the best part is, I don't have to get out of bed to turn the lights off at night.

A digital camera that captures film-style photos

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Credit: Camp Snap

Camp Snap camera

$69.95 at Camp Snap

 

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I love taking and having film photos, but 1) film is expensive, and 2) all of the film cameras I have are chunky. The Camp Snap camera is an amazing alternative. It's digital and incredibly lightweight — and the pictures truly do look like they were taken on film. They're clear yet stylized enough to give that vintage feel. And you can take multiple versions of the same shot without feeling like you're wasting film.

Coffee from around the world

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Credit: Atlas Coffee Club

Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription

Starting at $55

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I personally don't drink coffee, but my dad is a big coffee guy. I got him and his wife a three-month subscription to Atlas Coffee Club for Christmas and they freakin' loved it. They sent me a text every month to let me know where their coffee came from, and they love trying new roasts from around the world. Each month, you get coffee beans and a postcard from different countries, so you get to try beans you can't get from your grocery store. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.

A new Kindle

Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon

 

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Listen, I used to be such a physical books-only kind of person. Then I bought a Kindle Paperwhite, and it changed my reading game for good. I'm able to easily take the e-reader on the plane, to the beach, or even in the bathtub (shoutout to the Paperwhite being waterproof). Plus, I can read library books for free from the Libby app. If you're a reader, trust me when I say a Kindle should be at the top of your birthday list this year.

A gorgeous TV that doubles as art

Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch, QLED)

$699.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $300

 

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Samsung's The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing, and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that's worth it.

Birthday gifts under $25

Elevate your cooking game

Oil dispenser and sprayer

$9.99 at Amazon

 

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We love a multi-functional product, and this 2-in-1 oil dispenser would be a great addition to your kitchen. It pours and sprays, so you can drizzle olive oil or coat a pan for cooking without reaching for two separate bottles.

Whatever you want from Amazon

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Credit: Amazon / Mashable composite

Amazon e-gift card

 

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If your Amazon wish list is calling your name, ask for an Amazon gift card for your birthday. Get the present you've been dreaming of on someone else's dime.

Learn something new

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Credit: Coursehorse

Coursehorse Gift Card

Starting at $5 at Coursehorse

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You’ve successfully completed one more trip around the sun, so to celebrate, develop a new skill or indulge a passion by taking an IRL class on the subject of your choice. Coursehorse partners with real-world instructors and schools in major cities to offer nearly 70,000 classes in subjects such as art, language, music, cooking, self-defense, gardening, and anything else you could possibly want.

Simple Lego flowers

Lego Roses building kit

$9.39 at Walmart
$45 Save $35.61

 

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Lego sets can be pretty freakin' expensive, but if you're looking for some more budget-friendly building kits for your birthday list, we've found a fun one. It includes two buildable roses that you can display after you've put them together. Wilting not included!

A delicious-smelling candle

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Credit: Paddywax

Paddywax Candles

Starting at $17

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Paddywax candles are unbeatable. They smell amazing, have cute designs, and won't break the bank. Scents range from fruity to savory to musky to floral. I personally love the wisteria & willow and fresh air & sea salt scents.

A puzzle with a few tricks up its sleeve

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Credit: Magic Puzzle Company

Magic Puzzle Company (Big Rock City puzzle)

$22.99 at Amazon

 

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Magic Puzzle Company makes incredibly fun 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles that have a secret envelope for you to open when you're done. This surprise envelope unlocks a "magical twist ending," so placing that final piece will be even more exciting. The intricate designs feature tons of little Easter eggs, like puzzle pieces in the shape of items in the scene. The Big Rock City puzzle has a hot dog-shaped piece and music note-shaped piece to name a couple.

Somewhere to put your headphones

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Credit: Coreminded

Universal headphone stand

$23.99 at Amazon

 

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Rather than laying your headphones throughout your home or having them clutter up your desk, ask for a universal headphone stand for your birthday. This one is compatible with almost any pair of over-ear headphones or gaming headsets — and it has a pretty sleek look, too.

A stylish candle warmer lamp

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Credit: Geezo

Candle warmer lamp

$24.99

 

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Big candle fan? Then a candle warmer should be on your birthday list. It helps your candle last longer and you don't need an open flame burning in your home. And if you're going to ask for a candle warmer, make it a cute one. With a glass lamp shade, this warmer blends seamlessly into your home decor.

Backup battery for your phone

Anker portable charger

$25.99 at Amazon

 

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This portable charger from Anker is great for travel or being out on the town all day. It has enough juice to recharge your phone a couple of times, and it comes in four colors.

Cold hard cash

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Credit: Visa

Gift card

Starting at $10 at Giftcards.com

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You really can't beat the gift of cold, hard cash — or a gift card. A Visa card is a perfect birthday gift because you can spend it on literally whatever you want; buy yourself something fun or get some help with groceries. Best of all, you don't need to decide exactly what you want before your birthday. The gift card starts at $10.

New reading materials

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Credit: Bookshop.org

Bookshop.org Gift Cards

Starting at $10 at Bookshop

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Support independent bookstores from around the country with a gift card to Bookshop. Starting at $10, the gift cards can either be used to buy books from a specific shop you love, or the purchase can feed the site’s profit-sharing pool to benefit all of Bookshop's partner stores. 

Gifts $25 to $50

A way to keep track of your keys

Apple AirTag

$38.86 at Amazon

 

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In our opinion, the first thing you add to your keyring should be an AirTag. You can monitor where they are in Apple's Find My app, and you'll get an alert on your phone if you ever leave them behind somewhere.

The viral Owala FreeSip reusable water bottle

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Credit: Owala

Owala FreeSip insulated water bottle

$29.99 at Amazon

 

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The Owala FreeSip is a fan-favorite and Mashable staff-favorite reusable water bottle. The innovative spout lets you sip like a straw or chug like a cup. Plus, the bottles come in super cute color combinations.

A personalized Yeti mug

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Credit: Yeti

Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug

$35 at Yeti

 

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This Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug is a great size for both true coffee lovers and beer drinkers. It can also hold two Moscow mules, according to Yeti, if that's more your speed. The Rambler is available in an array of fun and neutral colors. Plus, you can customize it with an etched design or monogram. For just $6 to $10, you can choose designs from Yeti's library or upload your own file.

Our favorite incense

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Credit: Houseplant

Houseplant x ripple incense droplets

$35 at ripple

 

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I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of the incense smell you'd experience in your local Earth Magic shop. However, I've become obsessed with Seth Rogen's incense droplets from the Houseplant x ripple collab. The scents are room-filling without being overpowering, and they smell amazing. My apartment feels so cozy every time I light one of these little incense cones. I'll definitely be buying more once I run out, and giving these as gifts to everyone I know.

Mini zodiac cupcakes

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Credit: Baked by Melissa

Baked by Melissa zodiac cupcakes

$37

 

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Birthday cake is the standard, but might we suggest this fun alternative: mini cupcakes selected by an astrologer specifically for your zodiac sign. This Baked by Melissa offering comes with 25 cupcakes, and the flavors vary depending on your sign — though there are some fan-favorites that show up in each zodiac variation. These also make for a great last-minute ask if you're in Manhattan or Boston, as there's same-day delivery for select locations.

A cast iron skillet

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Credit: Lodge

Lodge cast iron skillet

$40.75 at Amazon

 

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A cast iron skillet is the true sign that you're graduating from cheap nonstick cookware and all mismatched plates. It's something you probably want, but don't particularly want to spend the money on. Lodge has different sizes depending on what you want to cook.

A Lego set that doubles as decor

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Credit: LEGO

Lego Orchid

$49.99 at Amazon

 

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One of our favorite gifts under $50 is this Lego Orchid that's fun to build and adds a nice touch of greenery to your space that feels more unique than a plastic plant. This set is part of the Lego Icons line, which also features succulents, a bonsai tree, and a bouquet, in case orchids aren't your thing.

A smart speaker

Echo Dot smart speaker

$49.99 at Amazon

 

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Find yourself wondering out loud what the weather will be like today, or how to convert cups to liters? Add an Echo device into your home and get answers to all of your formerly rhetorical musings. The Echo Dot is also a decent low-key speaker.

A media streaming stick

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

$49.99 at Amazon

 

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The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the best streaming devices we've tested, and it's also one of our favorite birthday gift ideas. It can turn your old TV into a smart TV, or take it on vacation to access your streaming services without logging in on the Airbnb TV.

The delicious scent without the fire hazard

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Credit: Pura

Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser

$49.99 at Amazon

 

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If candles are a no-go, opt for a Bluetooth-enabled diffuser to make any room in your home smell divine. The Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser holds two fragrances and is controlled entirely through the app. Schedule one scent to wake up to and one to fall asleep to with the in-app calendar feature. Pura collaborates with brands like NEST, Anthropologie, Disney, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to source their scents, so whatever the occasion calls for, they’ve got your back.

Gifts $50 to $150

A custom neon sign

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Credit: GITM Store

Custom Neon Sign

$53.96 at Amazon

 

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Pick out a funny phrase, inside joke, or family name and get a custom sign in as little as one week. It might sound too good to be true, but Mashable editors have ordered from this Amazon storefront before and had a great experience. In fact, this is one of our favorite undiscovered gems on Amazon.

Coffee from around the world

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Credit: Atlas Coffee Club

Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription

Starting at $55

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Atlas Coffee Club is a coffee subscription that sends you coffee beans and postcards from a different country each month. So, you get to try roasts you probably can't get from your grocery store, and you get to learn about a new place — and maybe get some travel inspo. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.

A personal blender for morning and night

Ninja Blast Max portable blender

$69.95 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.04

 

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Make protein shakes, smoothies, or margaritas with ease with the Ninja Blast Max portable blender. It holds up to 22 ounces, and the blending cup detaches so you can drink right out of it. The Blast Max comes in fun shades like blue raspberry, pink lemon, moss green, and lavender.

An endless supply of veggies and herbs

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Credit: AeroGarden

AeroGarden Sprout

$52.80 at Amazon

 

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Whether you're an enthusiastic home chef, like a bit of greenery, or simply can't stand running to the grocery store every time a recipe calls for some cilantro, a hydroponic garden is a great way to keep veggies and herbs on hand, even if you don't have a green thumb.

Film vibes from a digital camera

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Credit: Camp Snap

Camp Snap camera

$65 at Camp Snap

 

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Film photos are back in a big way, but not all of us have the patience to fill up an entire roll and then wait for it to get developed. Camp Snap is a really neat camera that takes film-esque photos and stores them on an SD card so you can pull them to your computer or phone and post them immediately. It's super lightweight and has a pretty low profile compared to film cameras, making it easy to slip into your purse or pocket on a night out.

A tea and coffee lover's best friend

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Credit: Cosori

Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle

$69.99 at Amazon

 

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There's a certain electric gooseneck kettle that's beloved by design nerds, but that's also a tad overpriced (more than a tad, really). Instead, make the smart choice and opt for the infinitely more practical Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle. It still has plenty of charm — not to mention pre-set buttons for tea, coffee, and boiling water.

A pack of disposable cameras

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Credit: Fujifilm

Fujifilm disposable cameras

$53.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $26.00

 

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We have a couple of camera options on this list, but sometimes you really just want that classic disposable camera experience. You'll capture some fun, in-the-moment memories with no do-overs. A three-pack of disposable cameras costs $79.99 (these have become kind of expensive since the invention of digital/phone cameras).

Fancy olive oils

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Credit: Brightland

Brightland olive oil Mini Artist Series

$85 at Brightland

 

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This is one of our favorite gifts to give someone who's difficult to shop for, so it also makes a great gift to ask for when you aren't sure what you want. Brightland makes infused olive oils that come in super cute bottles. This set includes four mini bottles of chili, garlic, lemon, and basil-flavored olive oils. Your kitchen will feel elevated with these on display and in your cooking rotation.

Our favorite creator mic

DJI Mic Mini

$45 at Amazon
$59 Save $14

 

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The DJI Mic Mini is wildly popular amongst creators on TikTok, and for good reason. It's easy to use and actually sounds great. It's maybe not ideal for large productions, but for social video, it's awesome.

Color-changing smart light bulbs

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Credit: Philips

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

$99.99 at Best Buy

 

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Turn your bedroom into a party with these color-changing smart light bulbs. You can control the lights from your phone and set whatever mood you're feeling. This kit includes two smart Bluetooth bulbs.

Something to make your life a little more eco-friendly

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Credit: Stasher

Stasher Bags starter kit

$99.99 at Stasher

 

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Whether you're packing your lunch or storing leftovers, using plastic bags should be your last resort. Heck, you should be trying to stay away from all single-use plastics if you're able to. But, if you want to start small, these Stasher bags are a great option to make your daily life more eco-friendly. These silicone bags are secure and completely reusable — either wash them by hand or stuff them in the dishwasher. Grab a starter pack for $99.99.

A beginner-friendly sewing machine

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Credit: Singer

Singer M1150 sewing machine

$119.98 at Amazon

 

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Sewing has become a popular hobby amongst TikTokkers, and whether you've never touched a sewing machine in your life or you're just in need of a new one, the Singer M1150 is a solid machine for sewists of all levels. It hits all your basics at a reasonable price point.

A year of ad-free music

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Credit: Spotify

Spotify Premium 12-month subscription e-gift card

$120

 

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Maybe a Spotify Premium membership isn't in your budget this year, or maybe it's a monthly bill you'd just rather have someone else foot for you. Whatever the case, add a 12-month Spotify subscription gift card to your b-day list. It's especially great if you've got someone shopping for you who notoriously waits until the last minute to buy gifts, since it can be delivered via email or text.

Luxurious towels

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Credit: Brooklinen

Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Sheets

$129 at Brooklinen

 

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Multiple Mashable staff members revere Brooklinen towels as the softest towels ever. The brand's bath sheets are bigger than a standard bath towel, meaning you feel more coziness and less cold air as you step out of the shower.

The smart temperature-controlled mug

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Credit: Ember

Ember Mug 2

$129.95 at Amazon

 

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There's a lot of debate about what makes a good gift, but getting something that is a) practical and b) something just extravagant enough that you'd never get it for yourself may be the infallibly perfect combo. We think for coffee and tea drinkers, that combo is found in the Ember Mug 2. This temperature-controlled mug may be unnecessary, but boy, does it feel good to take a hot sip of coffee after forgetting you poured it an hour ago.

A cute travel bag

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Credit: Baboon to the Moon

Baboon to the Moon

$145 at Amazon

 

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You've probably seen Baboon to the Moon bags if you've been online in the last half-decade. They're bright and colorful (or muted and neutral if you'd rather), and come in three sizes to fit your travel needs.

The gift of clean air

Levoit Core 300S smart air purifier

$119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00

 

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We know, we know, an air purifier is not the sexiest gift, but it is a practical one. The Levoit Core 300S is a smart air purifier with a companion app that lets you control the device and see real-time stats about your home's air quality. It's suitable for spaces up to 1,095 square feet.

A portable, waterproof speaker

Bose SoundLink Flex

$154.99 at Amazon

 

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Beach days and outdoor adventures are made complete with your favorite playlist. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable speaker that can handle the elements while still providing stellar sound quality. It's waterproof, rust- and drop-resistant, and even floats. Plus, it comes in five fun colors. For even bigger sound, try the Bose SoundLink Max.

A 3-in-1 portable fan

Shark ChillPill

$149.99 at Shark

 

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