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.
Reboot.
RESET
Humped animal.
CAMEL
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
Punishable.
PENAL
To sustain.
INCUR
Tall.
LOFTY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 14, 2026Connections: Sports Edition is a New York Times word game about finding common sports threads between words. How to solve the day's puzzle.
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch Kansas sports.
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.
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.
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 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.
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Injury
Green: New Jersey
Blue: All-Star
Purple: ACC
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Common Leg Injuries in Sports
Green: Teams That Play in New Jersey
Blue: 2026 MLB All-Stars
Purple: First Words of ACC Team Names
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 #659 is...
Common Leg Injuries in Sports: ACHILLES, ACL, HAMSTRING, MENISCUS
Teams That Play in New Jersey: DEVILS, GOTHAM, RED BULLS, SCARLET KNIGHTS
2026 MLB All-Stars: BURNS, MARSH, PAGES, RICE
First Words of ACC Team Names: DEMON, GOLDEN, TAR, YELLOW
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.
NYT Pips hints, answers for July 14, 2026The New York Times' latest game, Pips, brings domino fun to your desktop. How to play Pips as well as hints in case you get stuck.
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.
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.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2 placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.
Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2 placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.
Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.
Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 3-2 placed vertically.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.
Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.
Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.
Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, 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.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 14, 2026Connections is a New York Times word game that's all about finding the "common threads between words." How to solve the puzzle.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you always keep your word.
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.
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.
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Binding
Green: Found on a TV
Blue: Easy to carry
Purple: Which way to go
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Contract
Green: Edit menu options
Blue: Kinds of baskets
Purple: Symbolized with arrows
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 #1129 is...
Contract: AGREEMENT, BARGAIN, DEAL, UNDERSTANDING
Edit menu options: COPY, CUT, DELETE, PASTE
Kinds of baskets: EASTER, GROCERY, LAUNDRY, PICNIC
Symbolized with arrows: RECYCLING, SHUFFLE, THIS SIDE UP, U-TURN
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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for July 14, 2026The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a homebody.
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.
The words are related to relaxation.
These words describe places to rest.
Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Today's spangram is Have a Seat.
Recliner
Throne
Ottoman
Have a Seat
Chair
Rocker
Beanbag
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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 14, 2026Here's the answer for "Wordle" #1851 on July 14 as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a meat eater.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chunk of beef.
There are no recurring letters.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
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...
STEAK
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.
Every MacBook getting macOS 27: How to try the public betaThe macOS 27 Golden Gate pubic beta has been released. See which Mac devices will support updates to Liquid Glass, Apple Intelligence, and the new Siri AI.
If you're still rocking an Intel-powered MacBook, it's officially time to upgrade to an M-series model.
Apple announced the latest version of its operating system for Mac laptops and desktops — macOS 27 Golden Gate — during its WWDC keynote in June. And on Monday, July 13, the public beta for macOS 27 was officially released.
macOS 27 will add support for the next-generation Siri AI assistant, updated Apple Intelligence features, and new child safety tools. Additionally, its Liquid Glass design is getting more polished and more customizable.
A new macOS update always means that a batch of older Macs, iMacs, and MacBooks will lose support for the latest features. Last year at WWDC, Apple said that macOS 26 would be its final software release for Intel-based Macs, and it stayed true to its word. macOS 27 will only be compatible with the newer M-series models, according to the company's website.
However, not every Mac device that supports macOS 27 will also be compatible with the latest Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features. See if your current device will support the new software updates.
The list of Macs that work with macOS 27 includes any model with the M1 chip or later:
MacBook Neo, 2026
MacBook Air with Apple silicon, 2020 and later (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 models)
MacBook Pro with Apple silicon, 2020 and later (M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max, M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max models)
iMac with Apple silicon, 2021 and later (M1, M3, and M4 models)
mac Mini with Apple silicon, 2020 and later (M1, M2, M2 Pro, M4, and M4 Pro models)
Mac Studio with Apple silicon, 2022 and later (M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2 Max, M2 Ultra, M3 Ultra, and M4 Max models)
Mac Pro with Apple silicon, 2023 (M2 Ultra model)
In addition, Siri AI and Apple Intelligence will also be available for any Mac device with M1 or newer silicon.
There are a couple of Intel Macs that can currently run macOS 26 but won't work with macOS 27. If you have one of these machines, you should get about two more years of security updates, but you won't be able to use any of the new software features.
If you've signed up to try Apple beta software, the macOS 27 public beta was released on July 13. Its official launch will happen sometime later this fall.
A Dell laptop with 32GB of RAM and NVIDIA graphics is just $525Save 72% on a refurbished Dell Precision workstation with 32GB of RAM, dedicated NVIDIA graphics, and Windows 11 Pro.
TL;DR: Get a refurbished Dell Precision Laptop with 32GB of RAM and dedicated NVIDIA graphics for $524.99 (reg. $1,899.99).
This refurbished Dell Precision Laptop offers both, along with an eight-core Intel Core i7 processor, for $524.99 (reg. $1,899.99). It’s built for demanding work like video editing, design, so you can get every task done efficiently.
Its eight-core Intel Core i7 processor can reach speeds up to 4.6GHz, while 32GB of DDR4 memory gives you room to keep multiple programs and browser tabs running without constantly closing something to free up resources.
Dedicated NVIDIA T1200 graphics with 4GB of memory provide additional support for visual and creative applications. There’s also a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD for faster startup times and file access, plus Windows 11 Pro for work and business use.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display gives projects a 1920 × 1080 workspace, while a built-in webcam and microphone cover video calls. A backlit keyboard makes late-night work sessions a little easier on the eyes.
Its Thunderbolt 4 connectivity can handle compatible docks, displays, and accessories, while HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, and a microSD card reader give you plenty of ways to connect other gear. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Battery life can give you up to 13 hours on a single charge, providing more time and flexibility to work away from an outlet. Combined with its portable design, that makes the laptop easier to move between a home office, workplace, or wherever the day takes you.
This is a refurbished computer, so it won’t arrive factory-new, but its Grade A rating means it should be in near-mint condition with minimal to no visible scuffing on the case.
For professionals, creators, and other users who need more power than a basic everyday laptop can provide, this refurbished Dell Precision workstation is available for $524.99 (reg. $1,899.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
These 29 iPhones support iOS 27 and the public beta: Is yours on the list?One of the biggest surprises of WWDC 2026 involved which iPhones will support iOS 27. See the full list.
During the WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple surprised the iPhone world... just not in the way you might think.
In a show full of detailed demonstrations of new features coming to iOS 27, including the new AI-fueled Siri upgrade, one of the biggest surprises involved which iPhones will actually support the new OS update. Rumors ahead of the show indicated that the iPhone 11 lineup would be excluded from software updates this year, effectively forcing obsolescence on anyone who owns an iPhone from that generation.
Well, the rumor mill had this one dead wrong. And now that the iOS 27 public beta is available to download, users with compatible iPhones can try out the new operating system right away. We should note that if you want to try Siri AI, you'll need to follow some additional steps. After downloading the iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, iPadOS 27, or visionOS 27 beta, go to Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri, and join the waitlist.
Before we get to the full list, yes, your iPhone 11 model will be able to install iOS 27. Apple made it a point to emphasize this fact during the WWDC keynote. Whether those rumors were flat-out wrong or Apple managed to figure something out at the last-minute, we'll probably never know.
Anyway, here's the full list of phones that will be able to install the iOS 27 public beta (and the official version when it's available this fall):
iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 12 Mini
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Mini
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 17e
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
However, there is one big asterisk on all of this. If you want to use the new Siri AI and the other new Apple Intelligence features being introduced in iOS 27, everything older than an iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max will be excluded. Even in the iPhone 15 family, the base and Plus models will seemingly not support Siri AI, according to Apple's press release.
With the new version of iOS, Apple will have a two-tiered system where some people will have iOS 27 with AI, and others will have iOS 27 with a whole lot less AI. This is because many Apple Intelligence and Siri AI processes will happen on your device, and phones with older chips won't be able to support these features.
So, if you want to use the new Siri AI and the full suite of Apple Intelligence upgrades coming to iPhones in the fall, you'll need one of the following devices:
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 17e
iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone Air
Again, if you want to get access to the Siri AI beta, follow these steps:
Make sure Apple Intelligence is supported and activated on your device
Sign up for the Apple beta program
Back up your device
Download the iOS 27 public beta
Go to Settings and tap Apple Intelligence & Siri to join the waitlist
Apple just rolled out a bunch of public betas for the next big iOS, macOS, watchOS, and iPadOS software upgrades, and you can try them now.
As expected, after several weeks of developer beta access, Apple has released the public beta for iOS 27, as well as the corresponding updates for Apple Watches, iPads, and Mac computers. While the full, official release of these updates is expected in September, public beta access means anyone with an Apple account and a compatible device can download the update and try it early.
So, starting today, you can go ahead and install:
iOS 27
macOS 27 Golden Gate
iPadOS 27
watchOS 27
tvOS 27
visionOS 27
Here's how to do exactly that.
Thanks to Apple's unified product ecosystem, you can follow similar steps to install all beta operating system updates on any device. In other words, with the exception of your Apple Watch (which I'll address in a moment), the process is generally the same across devices.
First, you'll need to sign up for a beta account using your Apple ID on Apple's beta website. This is completely free and carries no risk in and of itself, so feel free to go to town on it. Make sure your account is verified for beta access and enroll any devices you want to experiment with.
Second, make sure you create a device backup. This can come in handy if there's something wrong with the beta and you want to go back to a previous software version.
With a beta account created and a backup in hand, here are the final steps:
Open the Settings app
Go to General
Go to Software Updates
Go to Beta Updates, then select the public beta you wish to install
With the public betas for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and iPadOS 27 out, you should see them in the Beta Updates section of the Software Updates menu.
There's one big catch here, though: If you want to experiment with the new Siri AI, you'll have to request access to this beta as well. In addition, you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro phone or newer (or an iPhone Air). Even a base iPhone 15 won't cut it. Mac devices need an M3 chip or newer, and iPads require an M1 chip or newer to run Siri Ai.
To request access to the Siri AI beta, follow these steps:
Update your device to iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, visionOS 27, etc.
Open the Settings app
Go to Apple Intelligence & Siri
Select Try New Siri and Join Waitlist
As for watchOS 27, the process is similar, but you can't actually do it on an Apple Watch device.
Follow these steps to set up and install watch OS 27 on your Apple smartwatch:
Install the iOS 27 public beta on the iPhone associated with your Apple Watch
On the iPhone, go to the Watch app
Tap My Watch, then General, then Software Update, then Beta updates, just like you did with the iPhone
Make sure your Apple Watch has at least a 50 percent charge and keep your iPhone nearby during the installation process
As always, be very careful when downloading beta software. It should be fine, but unexpected things can happen with unfinished software.
Newsom launches new electric vehicle rebate amid energy fight with TrumpCalifornia will offer state-wide instant rebates on electric vehicle purchases as part of its 2026-2027 budget.
California residents can get up to $3,500 off an electric vehicle if they're first-time buyers, as the state invests in its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed in the new law, SB 168, today (July 13), reviving a previous state rebate program ended in 2023. It's also the first announced by California under the second Trump administration, which has axed federal clean vehicle tax credits and slashed at Biden-era funding for electric vehicle infrastructure across the country.
"Donald Trump is doing everything in his power to pollute our air and surrender the clean car industry to China on a silver platter," Newsom wrote in a press release. "As California leads the world toward a clean future, our message is clear: no one can stop Californians from choosing vehicles that are better for their wallets and better for the air they breathe."
Domestic electric vehicle sales are only just recovering after a drop in 2025 following the end of the federal tax credit program. The rise is partially owed to surging gas prices after President Trump launched a war on Iran, prompting many Americans to pivot back to electric and hybrid vehicles. Tesla accounted for almost 50 percent of total vehicle sales in California last year, Reuters reported, but the U.S. still lags behind other countries in ZEV purchases.
Funding for the state-wide ZEV instant rebate — estimated at around $270 million — comes from a $600 million allocation in California's latest fiscal budget. Buyers can get a $3,500 credit for new vehicles up to $50,000, or up to $1,750 for used vehicles with a value up to $25,000. Several states across the country offer electric vehicle rebate programs or other tax incentives, including Colorado, New York, and Vermont.
Soft flying robots inspired by Disney, Studio Ghibli and PokemonResearchers have developed soft flying robots inspired by Disney, Studio Ghibli, and Pokémon, exploring how they could assist in real-world applications.
A team of researchers has demonstrated the role that floating robots inspired by Tinker Bell, Pokemon and Studio Ghibli might be able to play in our lives.
New leak reportedly reveals nearly full spec sheet for Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2New leak details Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 specs, including battery size, chipset, and pricing ahead of Unpacked.
A new leak has revealed most of the remaining details about Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, according to Android Authority.
Ahead of the South Korean company's Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for July 22, Android Authority reports that the 40mm Galaxy Watch 9 will feature a 438 x 438-pixel display, while the 44mm Watch 9 and the Watch Ultra 2 will use a larger 480 x 480-pixel display. RAM and storage will vary by model, with up to 2GB and 64GB, respectively.
Citing a report from Winfuture, battery capacity appears to be one of the more notable upgrades, as it has been with recent Apple Watch releases. Android Authority also notes that the 44mm Watch 9 is expected to carry a 445mAh battery, matching last year's Watch 8 Classic, while the smaller 40mm model is said to retain its predecessor's 325mAh cell. The bigger jump is expected on the Watch Ultra 2, which the outlet said could reach 800mAh, up significantly from the 590mAh battery in the current Watch Ultra.
Other leaked details include Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and dual-band WiFi across all models, along with the usual LTE variants. Android Authority also reported that the Watch Ultra 2 is expected to feature a titanium casing and 100-meter water resistance, while the standard Watch 9 will stick with aluminum and a 5 ATM rating. All models are said to ship with Wear OS 7 running on One UI 9 Watch.
Perhaps the most significant change under the hood is a shift away from Samsung's own Exynos W1000 chip in favor of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite SW6100, a chipset Samsung announced earlier this year, according to the outlet. And, as Mashable has reported previously, Samsung Leaker Ice Universe recently revealed that the Watch Ultra 2's display could reach a peak brightness of 5,000 nits.
On pricing, Android Authority cited a separate leak indicating the Galaxy Watch 9 will start at €409 (about $468) for the 40mm Bluetooth model, with 44mm variants ranging up to €489 (about $560) for the LTE version. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 LTE is expected to carry a €749 (about $857) price tag — figures the outlet said were partially corroborated by the Winfuture report.
To learn more about the upcoming Android smartwatches, check back for Mashable's live coverage of Galaxy Unpacked on July 22.
Cabo Verde’s soccer success send travelers searchingCabo Verde’s historic World Cup run sent vacation searches soaring and introduced more travelers to the West African islands.
Cabo Verde’s World Cup run ended in extra time, but its tourism bump may just be getting started.
Since the African island nation (commonly called Cape Verde in English) made its World Cup debut, its national team, nicknamed the Blue Sharks after the Atlantic waters surrounding the country, became the smallest nation by population to reach the knockout stage — and picked up a global following along the way.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The team advanced without winning a match, holding Spain scoreless and twice coming from behind against Uruguay. In the round of 32, Cabo Verde pushed defending champion Argentina into extra time before narrowly losing 3-2.
As the run unfolded, U.S. Google searches for “Cabo Verde vacation” jumped by more than 5,000 percent compared with the previous year. Expedia recorded a similar surge, with searches from American users increasing by more than 800 percent. The interest extended beyond the United States: European travel operator TUI reported that searches for the destination had doubled since June 2025, while searches from Japan rose by 110 percent.
For a country of roughly 525,000 people, the match placed Cabo Verde in front of an audience far larger than its population and prompted many viewers to ask two basic questions: Where exactly is it, and should I go there on vacation?
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Cabo Verde is an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. Nine of the islands are inhabited, and each offers its own distinct character — from the beach resorts of Sal and Boa Vista to the mountains of Santo Antão and the dramatic volcanic landscape of Fogo.
Initially uninhabited, Cabo Verde was first settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century (Portuguese is still commonly spoken there). In the intervening centuries, Portugal used the islands as a base for its shipping routes and the international slave trade, according to the Cape Verdean Museum. The nation gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
The country was already a major vacation destination before soccer fans began Googling it. In 2025 alone, its hotels welcomed nearly 1.25 million guests. During the first quarter of 2026, the country was up 16.8 percent in guest arrivals from the same period in 2025. Tourism accounts for roughly a quarter of the country’s economy, which had a GDP of about $3.1 billion in 2025.
American travelers remain a much smaller part of the industry. The United States accounted for only 1.1 percent of the country's foreign hotel guests in 2025, which makes the current search spike notable even if only a fraction of those searches turn into booked trips.
This kind of tourism boost is exactly what countries hope for when they spend lots of money to host or participate in global sporting events. Qatar invested an estimated $220 billion in stadiums, transportation, hotels, and other infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup, aiming to establish itself as an international destination. The strategy worked, at least partially — the country welcomed 4 million visitors in 2023 and is targeting more than 6 million annually by 2030.
Cabo Verde, by contrast, generated the same buzz with just four standout games and a handful of breakout stars, like goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, better known as Vozinha, who gained roughly 20 million followers during the tournament.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Cabo Verde wasn’t the only country to get a visibility boost from the World Cup. Norway’s run turned Erling Haaland into one of the tournament’s fan favorites, with Google searches for his name spiking 900 percent worldwide and over 5,000 percent in Canada.
That attention brought new fans to Norway’s team, its viral “Viking Row” celebration, and the country behind one of soccer’s biggest stars.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Host cities benefited, too: during the tournament’s first two weeks, Boston-area hotel rooms and related tourism spending jumped 20 percent from the year before, while occupancy held steady at 87 percent.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
For Cabo Verde, the question is whether that surge of attention can extend beyond online searches and into its economy. For now, though, millions more people know the nation's name and have seen enough of its beaches, mountains, and soccer highlights to consider opening another browser tab.
The truth about iOS 27 Beta: Dont make this mistake!Thinking about installing the iOS 27 beta? Here's what you need to know about the risks, backup steps, and why downgrading isn't as simple as you might expect.
Apple's iOS 27 beta brings massive changes like a smarter Siri, but there's a huge catch: You can't just uninstall it. Here is everything you need to know to safely install the beta without ruining your iPhone.
Hate cleaning your pool? Beatbot robotic vacuums are up to 38% off and do the work for youHate cleaning your pool? Beatbot robotic vacuums are up to 38% off and do the work for you. Because summer is about using your pool, not constantly cleaning it.
Having a pool in the summer is amazing, especially if you like to host World Cup watch parties and backyard hangs. The only downside? Keeping it clean is a chore.
A Beatbot robotic pool cleaner is a serious summer upgrade. From AI-powered navigation and multi-surface cleaning capabilities to a handy app and a clarification system that keeps your water sparkling, Beatbot will keep your pool party-ready all summer, minus the manual labor.
Now through July 19, you can even score up to 44% off a hard-working robot from the Beatbot lineup. Here are just a few standout devices, and find plenty more here.
Forget about having to net out leaves 15 minutes before the World Cup halftime. The Beatbot iSkim (normally $499, now $319) floats on your pool’s surface, eating up everything from pollen particles to large debris. Edge-to-corner cleaning covers most pool shapes. The huge nine-liter basket means you can focus on browning the burgers instead of emptying the filter again and again.
Thanks to a powerful battery backed by a 24-watt solar panel, this compact guy can skim for up to 28 hours on one charge.
Featuring four-zone cleaning, the Sora 70 (normally $1,499, now $1,149) scrubs your pool’s floor, walls, water surface, and waterline with almost zero work required from you. It doesn’t miss anything, thanks to its AI-assisted sensors and intelligent path planning.
As an added flex, the Sora 70 can clean those unsightly tanning ledges in your pool’s shallow end, making it a solid pick for complex pools. It’s also a snap to retrieve, thanks to Smart Surface Parking. Drop it in and it goes up to seven hours per charge.
If you’re looking for Beatbot’s most advanced system, the five-zone AquaSense 2 Ultra (normally $3,150, now $2,199) is it. It slays at floor cleaning, wall scrubbing, surface skimming, and waterline scrubbing. HybridSense Pool Mapping utilizes 28 sensors—including an AI camera and ultrasonic and infrared sensors—to map your pool’s unique layout, scan for debris, and clean mercilessly.
It also features an exclusive ClearWater Clarification System that dispenses skin-friendly water. You’ll get up to 10 hours of runtime on one charge.
Stop vacuuming your deep end and get the summer parties started. Score up to 38% off a Beatbox pool cleaner robot until July 19.
Samsung’s big bet on smart glasses is coming sooner than you thinkSamsung is expected to unveil its first Android XR glasses, featuring Gemini integration and a design partnership with Gentle Monster.
At Samsung's expected July event, the company is set to show off its first Android XR glasses. It could be built around Gemini, with Gentle Monster behind the design. Will they make a splash?
Samsung overtakes Apple to become the number one smartphone brand in the worldSamsung has displaced Apple as the global leader among smartphone manufacturers.
Apple's time as the top smartphone maker in the world has come to an end for the time being.
According to a new report from tech market research firm Counterpoint, Samsung has reclaimed its title from Apple as the mobile industry's global leader in Q2 2026. And it seems Apple's loss is at least partially attributable to the ongoing global RAM shortage, which has led to fewer people buying phones.
"The outlook for the rest of 2026 remains challenging," Counterpoint says in its report. The research firm expects a roughly 14 percent decline in global smartphone shipments for the year, with price increases putting pressure on shoppers.
Samsung and Apple have been neck-and-neck for years in the race as the world's most popular smartphone manufacturer. At the start of the year, Apple overcame Samsung to become the industry leader on the strength of record-breaking iPhone sales.
However, the latest data shows that Samsung has had a strong start in 2026, propelling the company back to the top. Samsung now has a 24 percent global mobile market share, the strongest of any of the top five brands in the category. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 line was the driver behind shipment growth, according to the report. Counterpoint says that the Galaxy S26 Ultra model released in March emerged as the "standout performer."
Although Apple dropped to second, the company's market share actually grew overall in Q2 2026. The Counterpoint report found that the company grew 3 percent year-over-year during the quarter and even achieved a record 20 percent global market share. The iPhone 17 remained as Apple's biggest product line and was the "top-shipped global model."
However, Apple did face some adversity due to global RAM shortage spurred by the AI boom.
Counterpoint's report says legacy iPhone models "faced softer demand, as component allocation prioritized current-generation devices amid memory-related supply constraints." The company also faced declining shipments within the Chinese market as "China remained a relative soft spot" for the company, according to Counterpoint.
As for the RAM shortage, Samsung's smartphone lines likely benefited, as the company is also a memory manufacturer itself. Still, the company did slightly raise its prices in February, and rumor has it the company could potentially raise mobile prices further in the near future (the company is expected to launch its new foldables at a July 22 event in London).
Notably, Samsung avoided price increases on its Ultra model, which did particularly well this quarter. Apple has so far managed to avoid price increases on its iPhone 17 line, despite hiking prices on its MacBooks and iPads in June.
It should also be noted that Samsung unveiled its latest Galaxy smartphone models in February of this year. The Galaxy S26 line, according to the report, was a major factor in Samsung regaining its top spot. Apple's new iPhone line, iPhone 18, isn't expected until September, and it will likely play a major role in Apple's future market share.
Why is everyone eating Cream of Wheat on TikTok?Cream of Wheat is viral on TikTok as grocery prices stay high and shoppers turn to affordable, nostalgic comfort foods.
One of the internet's biggest food trends right now comes from a box that's been around for generations and costs less than a cup of coffee in New York City.
Cream of Wheat is suddenly all over TikTok, where users are posting recipes, taste tests, mukbangs (eating a large amount of food on camera), and carefully customized bowls of the hot cereal. Among the trend’s most visible creators is Rachel, who posts under @vintagegingerrr and has built a following of more than 112,000 with comfort-focused food content that frequently features Cream of Wheat.
She is far from the only creator giving the old-school breakfast new attention. User Queen of Wheat has been posting viral Cream of Wheat mukbangs since 2025, while other users have joined in with their own versions, debates over the best consistency, and first-time reactions to a cereal many had previously overlooked.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
For the uninitiated, Cream of Wheat is a brand of farina, a finely ground wheat cereal that is cooked with water or milk into a smooth porridge. The original version cooks on the stove in about 2.5 minutes and can be topped with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, fruit, nuts, or whatever else is already in the kitchen.
It's also cheap. As of July 13, Walmart listed a 28-ounce box for $4.82. The brand says a box that size contains about 24 servings, putting the dry cereal at roughly 20 cents per bowl before adding milk or toppings.
That price is particularly relevant as Americans continue to feel squeezed at the grocery store. Food prices increased 2.3 percent in 2024 and 2.9 percent in 2025, and are expected to rise 3.2 percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Consumer surveys reflect this pressure. In a May 2026 poll by Global Strategy Group, 63 percent of people named groceries and food as one of their biggest sources of financial strain, and 67 percent said they were paying unfair prices for groceries.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The trend is part of a wider return to inexpensive pantry foods that can be stored for long periods and stretched across multiple meals.
Spam, which sells for just over $4 per can at most major retailers, has posted its highest sales in nine of the past ten years. Meanwhile, TikTok creators have shared recipes for Spam sandwiches, fried rice, eggs, and other meals that go far beyond simply opening the can.
Hamburger Helper has seen a similar comeback. Eagle Foods, the company behind the boxed meal, reported that year-over-year sales jumped 14.5 percent in Aug. 2025 as shoppers searched for affordable ways to stretch their ground beef. Beans, canned pasta, and other shelf-stable staples have also gained renewed attention as consumers look for groceries that won't break the bank or spoil quickly.
Cream of Wheat isn't the first overlooked grocery item that TikTok has transformed into a must-buy ingredient. Cottage cheese, once relegated to old-fashioned diet plates, has become the base for viral high-protein pasta sauces, smoothies, and ice cream. U.S. cottage cheese sales jumped 82 percent between 2022 and 2025, prompting producers to announce expansions to meet surging demand. Sardines have gotten a similar makeover through carefully arranged snack plates and claims that their omega-3 fatty acids can give you healthier-looking skin.
Most social media reactions to Cream of Wheat center on comfort, ease, and familiarity. One viewer said Rachel’s videos brought back childhood memories, while others described the cereal as nostalgic or mentioned they’d forgotten about it until it popped up on their feeds.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
At a time when even many forms of self-care come with their own price tags, a warm bowl made at home is one of the cheaper options available. I guess I know what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow.
Hands-on with Tiny Vinyls new tiny record playerTiny Vinyl has released a tiny record player, crate, and display frame for its miniature singles. They're available at Target.
UPDATE: Jul. 13, 2026, 1:45 p.m. EDT The launch of Tiny Vinyl's new record player and accessories appears to have been delayed. At the time of publication, none of their listings were live yet. Mashable has reached out to a company representative for more information. Our original story follows.
The miniature record maker Tiny Vinyl has announced some tiny accessories for its pocket-sized singles, including a new Tiny Vinyl Player ($49.99), crate ($19.99), and display frame ($14.99). The lineup is available exclusively at Target starting today, July 12.
Tiny Vinyl debuted last August as a new way for music lovers to enjoy some of their favorite artists' singles in physical format. (For my fellow Millennials out there, they're basically a new take on HitClips.) Each four-inch, fully functional Tiny Vinyl record has one song per side and is numbered, making them highly collectible. The current Tiny Vinyl catalog features releases from several dozen artists, including BTS, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Kid Cudi, Noah Kahan, and Zara Larsson.
In a press release, Tiny Vinyl co-founder Neil Kohler said the company's new accessories are a direct response to fan requests. Co-founder Jesse Mann added: "These new products give music fans and collectors everything they need to build out their own little Tiny Vinyl universe, a setup as fun and personal as the music they love."
Tiny Vinyl records are playable on many standard turntables at 33 1/3 RPM, making the Tiny Vinyl Player an inessential novelty purchase for most adults who are already into the vinyl-collecting hobby. I think it has much more appeal as a "baby's first record player" that parents buy for their kids. My younger self would've had her American Girl Dolls DJing with it. (American Girl actually sells a toy turntable for the same price already, but it's not functional.)
The player is a manual belt-drive turntable in a box with a faux leather exterior. It's about the size of a loaf of bread. Inside, there's a small storage pocket, a simple control panel, and built-in speakers. It has Bluetooth support if you'd prefer to pair it with a nicer wireless speaker or headphones instead. You can also plug in a wired speaker on the back.
The storage pocket can comfortably fit about six Tiny Vinyl records — preferably, ones you're not precious about. When the player's lid is shut, it hits the corners of their gatefolds unless they're pushed to the back of the pocket.
The player's control panel features a power button, an audio output selector with an LED indicator light, and a volume slider. When it's on, its silicon platter doesn't start spinning until you unlock its plastic tonearm, raise it with its cue lever, and move it over the platter. The tonearm and its lock are a little delicate; those are the only parts I'd be worried about a child accidentally breaking.
Tiny Vinyl sent me three different mini-records to test on the player. It offers the kind of audio quality you'd expect for $50: pretty tinny, muffled, and a little distorted. (I also played the records on my regular turntable for comparison's sake, and they sounded 10 times better.) On the upside, I couldn't hear the player's interior mechanisms at all when it was on — it runs really quietly.
The Tiny Vinyl Player comes with a USB cord and power adapter. A company representative told me that it should only be plugged into an outlet, as hooking it up to a laptop or another device with a USB port won't give it enough juice to work.
The Tiny Vinyl Storage Crate can hold up to 30 Tiny Vinyl records. It has the same pebbled pleather finish as the player and is designed to sit beneath it. There are four indents on its surface where the player's feet are supposed to go.
Tiny Vinyl's new 2x2 Display Frame is meant to showcase your four favorite Tiny Vinyl covers. Its build quality is also on par for the price: It's made with MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and an acrylic pane. Right out of the box, my initial review unit was splitting in several spots and had dried adhesive on some of its corners. (Update: It was probably a pre-production fluke. Tiny Viny's rep sent over two replacements that were both in perfect condition.)
The display frame comes with four clear plastic sleeves bearing the Tiny Vinyl logo. The company rep confirmed that these are made from polypropylene, which won't damage your records with off-gassing over time like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sleeves.
The press release noted that Tiny Vinyl's inception was motivated by two recent trends: miniature collecting and vinyl collecting. The former gained popularity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, largely thanks to videos of miniature builds on social media. They tap into viewers' desire for control, fascination with craft, and penchant for the adorable, experts told NPR last spring.
The vinyl revival, meanwhile, has been brewing for nearly two decades now. According to a report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), U.S. vinyl sales have seen 19 years of consecutive growth. Last year, they hit $1 billion in revenue for the first time. (That's not even counting pre-owned vinyl.) Call it the Taylor Swift effect: The singer-songwriter's 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, sold over 1.6 million copies on vinyl last year, per a report from Luminate, an entertainment industry analytics company. That's 5.5 times as many units as the second-bestselling vinyl release of 2025, Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend, which sold 292,000 copies.
There are several factors behind the vinyl resurgence, two being mere nostalgia and consumers' growing interest in owning physical media. Another is because popular artists like Swift (and their labels) are embracing the format alongside their fans.
In recent years, this has increasingly involved a strategy of releasing multiple vinyl variants of the same album as a means of driving sales, according to another Luminate report. These special, often limited-edition pressings boost the collectible factor and fuel fan FOMO. (For her part, Swift released 11 different vinyl variants of TLOAS, including nine webstore exclusives that were only available for a short time.) Tiny Vinyl records, which are chart-eligible with the RIAA and Billboard, are yet more variants to hunt down.
LubeLife just dropped a pickle-flavored lube, and the scent is almost too realisticLubeLife just launched a savory pickle-flavored lubricant that smells exactly like real dill vinegar.
Not everyone is a flavored lube person (I have to be in the mood myself, like once a year maybe), but if you are, there's a brand-new flavor on the market that's giving major George Costanza vibes. (Seriously, go watch the "Pastrami" scene from Seinfeld and you'll see what I'm talking about).
Earlier this month, LubeLife released a limited-edition Pickle Flavored Lubricant for $12.99. It’s a water-based, sugar-free formula that swaps out the usual fake-strawberry sweetness for a tangy, savory dill profile. (Remember the Good Head Numbing Strawberry Throat Spray at Spencers? This is the exact opposite of that.)
They sent me a mailer (with a very on-theme pickle vibrator) before it launched, and if I'm being honest, when I opened it, I felt like I was sniffing some kind of sandwich dressing. The scent is straight, unfiltered vinegar. I give them props for authenticity, but I couldn't imagine going down on someone with this in my mouth. I'd probably choke, but to each their own. (I'm not here to ick someone's yum!)
If you have a strong stomach and want to add a savory twist to your bedroom routine, LubeLife's Pickle Flavored Lubricant is water-based, non-sticky, and condom-compatible.
With price increases in place at Apple, we're hyper-focused on finding the very best deals from the brand. Since we're in between sale events, still months away from the next Prime Day and Black Friday, we're looking for any opportunity to save.
This week, we patrolled for the best deals, and surprisingly, Best Buy had a real bounty compared to Amazon. While there are still a few gems at Amazon, the real showstoppers are at Best Buy where current and previous generation models are on sale, savings you hundreds of dollars.
So if you're looking for the best price in the sea of price increases, here are the best Apple deals as of July 13.
There are a ton of MacBooks on sale at Best Buy right now, particularly on MacBook Pro models. Unfortunately, we didn't find any savings on the affordable MacBook Neo and Air laptops, however, we did find a great deal on an M4 MacBook Pro.
Right now, grab a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip for $400 off. That brings it down to $2,999 from its $3,399 list price. This model has a ton of power, too, with 36GB RAM and 1TB SSD, making it a prime laptop for both gamers and creatives.
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)
Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro chip, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)
Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max chip, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $4,499 $4,999 (save $500)
An iPad is a travel essential when you need a source of entertainment on the go. Unfortunately, iPads also got a price hike along with most Apple products, so if you're look to get more for your money, turn to Best Buys deals.
Right now, you can get the previous iPad Air generation that comes with an M3 chip for a discounted price. The 11-inch iPad comes with 512GB of storage and even has cellular capabilities, but it comes unlocked so you can take it to the mobile carrier of your choice. Usually $1,049, it's now $300 off, bringing it down to just $749.
Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $427 $449 (save $22)
Apple iPad Air (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi+Cellular) —$499 $599 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) with Logitech keyboard — $648.99 $798.99 (save $150)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $709 $749 (save $40)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 256GB, WiFi) — $849 $899 (save $50)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 1TB, WiFi+Cellular) — $1,049 $1,449 (save $400)
With the AirPods Max 2 here, the previous generation is still available and even more heavily discounted. Right now, grab the Apple AirPods Max for just $429, saving you $120. Apple's over-the-ear headphones have easy connectivity to iOS devices with noise-cancellation to block out your surroundings and spend more time focusing on music. There are few differences between the AirPods Max and the second generation, so you're not missing much between generations, especially if you want to prioritize savings.
Apple AirPods 4 without ANC — $99 $129 (save $30) 23%
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $148.99 $179 (save $30.01) 17%
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50) 20%
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $497 $549 (save $52)
With all the price increases, it's refreshing to see a product maintaining its price. The Apple Watch Series 11 still has a list price of $399, but luckily, it's down to $299. That saves you $100 for 20% off. Admittedly, this isn't the smartwatches lowest price ever—that would be $279, which it dipped down to during Prime Day. However, $299 is still a great value, especially as we're in between big shopping events.
Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) — $219 $249 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)
Apple iPhone 16e (128GB, Unlocked) — $539.99 $599.99 (save $60)
Apple iPhone Air (256GB, Unlocked) — $949.99 $999.99 (save $50)
Apple MagSage Charger — $39.99 $49 (save $9.01)
Apple Pencil USB-C — $71 $79 (save $8)
Apple Pencil Pro — $99 $129 (save $30)
The wait is finally over: The winning couple of Love Island USA Season 8 has been revealed, and it's a pair that fans have been rooting for.
Season 8, Episode 35 marked the season finale of Love Island USA, with the four remaining couples (Melanie and Sincere, Kayda and Zach, Aniya and Carl, and Trinity and Bryce) each enjoying a romantic date before finding out which duo would be going home with the $100,000 grand prize. The couples had a chance to reflect upon their relationships throughout Season 8, including their first meetings, their ups and downs, and their futures outside of the villa.
Before the reveal, the Islanders also enjoyed special shoutouts from celebrities Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Alex Warren, Ciara, Jordin Sparks, Sombr, Kesha, Druski, and Kehlani, filled with plenty of french fry references to tie everything together.
Finally, host Ariana Madix joined the Islanders to reveal the winners of this season: none other than Trinity and Bryce, also known as "Brinity" in the Love Island fandom.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Despite having mixed opinions about the final four couples, fans seemed to be pleased that Brinity was the winning couple, with many X users saying that the pair deserved the win after their connection stood the test of challenges, dozens of bombshells, and a few days spent away from each other during Casa Amor.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
As one of the few pairs who were coupled up in Episode 1 and chose to stay loyal during a recoupling, the two had one of the longest journeys together in the villa. They said "I love you" to each other for the first time on their final date, a candlelit dinner followed by a Fijian fire dance performance, and fans were here for all of it.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
America voted for the villa's 'Princess and Prince' Aniya and Carl in second place, Melanie and Sincere in third, and Kayda and Zach in fourth place for favorite couple.
Melanie and Sincere enjoyed massages and made brick oven pizzas during their final date, while Kayda and Zach were taken on a boat ride to an outdoor luncheon (about which Reddit had thoughts). (Viewers also were reminded, during finale conversations and a memory reel, of 'Paradise Cove,' where Kayda took Zach and Bryce early in the season, leading to a spike in search interest in the term this week.)
Aniya and Carl's dinner date, in a secluded wood surrounded by flowers, candles and string lights, was a fan favorite. Production gave them a fairytale-inspired book commemorating their journey together in the villa, from their first meeting in Casa Amor to Aniya's heartbreak and Aniya and Carl's much-celebrated reunion.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Many viewers also celebrated this season finale's Black representation. For the first time in Love Island history, all four women in the final couples were Black.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
There was one aspect of the finale that did give viewers pause: Unlike other Love Island season finales, the winners were not given a choice between splitting the $100,000 prize evenly, or having one person keep the entire $100,000 to themselves; they were simply awarded the prize together, to be split evenly. Some viewers felt that it left out the final test of loyalty for the couple.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
We're excited to see what the future has in store for Trinity, Bryce, Aniya, Carl, Melanie, Sincere, Kayda, Zach, and all the other Islanders of Love Island USA Season 8. As for Brinity, the future is looking pretty bright, with Bryce saying that he's going to teach Trinity how to surf in Los Angeles (and possibly get her in a wetsuit).
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
While we won't be seeing the Season 8 Islanders of Love Island USA on our TV screens every day for now, we can expect to see them together one more time during the Season 8 reunion episode — which is scheduled to air 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT Monday, August 31 on Peacock. You can sign up here to watch.
Over 200 economists warn that more AI job losses are coming: "We must act now"A group of hundreds of economists is calling for tech leaders and policymakers to take urgent action to prevent AI job losses.
Job losses spurred by the AI boom are growing, and a group of economists is now sounding the alarm that it's going to get worse.
A new group called We Must Act Now released an open letter on Monday, warning about "AI's transformation of the economy." The open letter is signed by more than 200 economists, and signees currently include sixteen Nobel Laureates, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and the chief economists of both OpenAI and Anthropic.
The open letter urges tech leaders and policymakers to take urgent action and address the impacts AI will have on the economy now and in the future.
"AI may become radically more powerful over the next 10 years," reads the first bullet point of the open letter.
"This could drive an unprecedented transformation of our economy, larger than the Industrial Revolution, but unfolding over a vastly shorter time frame," the open letter continues. "It could bring risks, including large-scale job displacement, as well as opportunities such as major gains in living standards."
We Must Act Now's statement concludes with a call to action for leaders of both government bodies and the tech industry.
"Economists, policymakers and technology leaders must act now to understand the economics of transformative AI and to build the incentives, guardrails, and institutions needed to steer AI in a direction that complements humans and benefits society," reads the letter.
A report released at the end of last year found that there were 50,000 jobs lost due to AI in 2025, and this year, Amazon, Atlassian, Block, Fiverr, Meta, Pinterest, and Snap have all announced layoffs related to AI. As the technology develops, AI-related job cuts are likely to accelerate, too. A survey from May 2026 found that 99 percent of executives among the 12,000 respondents said that they expected AI "to lead to at least some headcount reduction in the next two years."
Some politicians are already working on the problem. California Governor Gavin Newsom took action shortly after Meta laid off 8,000 employees, citing its AI push. Last month, Newsom shared that the state will be tracking AI job losses and revealed California's AI-Unemployment Tracker.
However, the economists who signed on to the We Must Act Now letter would clearly like to see more.
“AI capabilities are advancing far faster than our understanding of the economic implications," said economist Erik Brynjolfsson, who organized the group alongside economists Ajay Agrawal, Tom Cunningham, and Anton Korinek. "In that gap lie the greatest opportunities of our era. We must act now to guide AI to complement humans rather than simply imitate them — and to generate prosperity for the many, not just the few."
House of the Dragon director calls Ormund Hightower evil"House of the Dragon" director Claire Kilner has described Ormund Hightower as "evil" and "abusive".
Still on the fence about whether Ormund Hightower (James Norton) is a good guy or a bad guy in House of the Dragon?
Season 3, episode 4 director Claire Kilner is here to convince you it's very much the latter. In HBO's "Inside the Episode" clip above, Kilner describes Hightower's relationship with Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as "abusive".
"Daeron and Ormund's relationship is really dysfunctional and horrible to watch, but brilliant and fun to direct," Kilner says. "Because it's a really abusive relationship. Daeron has only known the love that he's known from Ormund that isn't love at all. Daeron is in Ormund's thrall, but doesn't really understand it or know it, and Ormund is a great manipulator and knows when to give love and when to give punishment. He's an evil man."
That doesn't bode well for what the Hightower Lord has planned for the rest of Season 3.
Eufy’s new spinning roller mop is $300 off at AmazonAs of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings.
SAVE 38%: As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings.
If you're looking for a robo-vac-mop combo that gets the job done without costing you an arm and a leg, you need to check out the Eufy C28. Mashable's Senior Shopping Reporter, Leah Stodart, says it's the most affordable roller mop on the market, and right now it's even cheaper.
As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings. This isn't the lowest price we've seen for this hybrid robo vac, but it's damn near close. According to CamelCamelCamel, it was $449.99 on June 23.
This combo unit features an 11-inch HydroJet roller brush that spins nine times per second while 24 water ports constantly douse it with fresh water, and a built-in scraper squeegees the gross wastewater into a separate tank, so you're never cleaning with dirty water. For carpets, its 15,000 Pa suction power is strong enough to lift stubborn pet debris like catnip and crumbs (Leah really put it through its paces!), and it features an anti-tangle rubber brush roll that can handle strands up to 30 cm long.
"The Eufy C28 gets bonus points for its slow, deliberate vacuuming when spot cleaning the tricky area where a rug changes to hardwood — its crumb pickup around rug edges has actually been more reliable than premium Roborock and Dreame models," she writes.
The base is also super hands-off. It handles about 95 percent of the maintenance for you — it automatically dumps the dustbin, washes the roller, and dries it with hot air so a sour smell doesn't rot in the corner of your room.
Upgrade your home with the Bluetti FridgePower while its on sale for almost $200 offThe Bluetti FridgePower is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount.
SAVE $192.45: The Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount.
Not that a power outage is ever espeically convenient, but there are some times when it's much more worrying. Somehow, the storm patterns know when we've just done a giant grocery-store haul, and sends a giant storm right after that threatens to knock out power. Instead of worrying, consider this upgrade.
As of July 13, the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount that takes $192.45 off the price.
We have tons of options when it comes to portable power stations. Some are excellent for camping, like the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2, while others are designed for larger power backup. But if your number one concern is keeping the refrigerator cooling, the Bluetti FridgePower is your model.
The FridgePower comes with 2,016Wh of battery capacity. Depending on how much energy your fridge uses, it'll keep it online for at least 20 hours, according to Bluetti. It can handle a surge of up to 3,600W and it's especially thin, measuring under three inches thick.
Place the Bluetti FridgePower on top of your fridge or mount it to the wall next to your fridge, and you'll have plenty of backup power for the next outage. You'll plug your refrigerator into the FridgePower and the power station into the wall. If grid power cuts out, the Bluetti automatically takes over.
Before the Mashable exclusive code expires, snag the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station on sale at Bluetti for $806.55. Be sure to use code MASHABLE5OFF at checkout to get the best price.
Hurry — its your last chance to save 40% on a year of HBO MaxHBO Max annual subscriptions are still on sale for 40% off through July 15. Score a year of ad-free streaming for as low as $11/month.
SAVE UP TO $65: It's your last chance to get 40% off any annual HBO Max subscription. Through July 15, new and returning subscribers can knock the cost of the HBO Max Basic tier (with ads) down from $109.99 to $78.99, the Standard (no ads) tier down from $184.99 to $132.99, and the Premium tier (no ads + 4K) down from $229.99 to $164.99.
HBO Max really surprised me during Prime Day last month with the best streaming deal of the year (so far). If you haven't locked in your discount yet, you still have a couple more days to do so before it disappears.
New and returning subscribers can score all annual HBO Max subscriptions for 40% off through July 15. And yes, that includes ad-free tiers. Typically HBO Max annual subscriptions cost $109.99 for the Basic with ads tier, $184.99 for Standard (no ads), and $229.99 for Premium (no ads + 4K). With this limited time discount, however, those costs drop to just $78.99, $132.99, or $164.99, respectively.
That means the ad-free Standard tier (the mid-tier option) is only $11 per month if you break it down — the same price as the Basic tier with ads costs on a regular day.
You can sign up through HBO Max directly or through Prime Video if you're a Prime member. Opting for the Prime Video add-on means you'll be billed directly through your Amazon account and the HBO Max catalog will live within your Prime Video library. After you choose your tier on Prime Video, the landing page will let you select the annual plan instead for 40% off.
Despite the impending HBO Max and Paramount+ merger situation, Paramount CEO David Ellison says HBO Max will continue to operate with independence. But that doesn't mean pricing won't change. This deal ensures you lock in a full year of streaming at an ultra low cost, regardless of any price hikes that hit in the next 12 months.
Just remember to sign up ASAP, as the deal is fleeting.
The new Jackery FridgeGuard can keep your fridge cooling for up to 15 hours: Where to buy after launchThe Jackery FridgeGuard portable power station costs $549.99 and is sold exclusively at Costco.
A power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.
Jackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.
It's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.
Once you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.
It's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.
Capacity: 1,024Wh
Output: 800W, peak 1600W
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Warranty: 5 years
Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)
For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $549.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.
The new Jackery FridgeGuard can keep your fridge cooling for up to 15 hours: Where to buyThe Jackery FridgeGuard portable power station costs $549.99 and is sold exclusively at Costco.
A power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.
Jackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.
It's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.
Once you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.
It's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.
Capacity: 1,024Wh
Output: 800W, peak 1600W
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Warranty: 5 years
Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)
For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $549.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.
Tom Cruise is officially in his TikTok eraTom Cruise, new TikTok poster, stars in "Digger," directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.
Tom Cruise has taken a break from driving motorcycles off cliffs and piloting fighter jets to post on TikTok.
The actor's account, @tomcruise, first went live in March of 2021, after a series of Cruise deepfakes by Belgian VFX special Chris Ume went viral. Since then, he's racked up 1.8 million followers, but he has yet to actually post anything until now.
Since Sunday, Cruise has posted three TikToks. But if you're looking for a Cruise GRWM or a dance tutorial for his sick Tropic Thunder moves, you're out of luck. For now, Cruise's account is strictly promotional, with all three TikToks highlighting the trailer for Cruise's upcoming film Digger.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (The Revenant, Birdman), Digger is a satirical dark comedy about the world's most powerful man, Digger Rockwell (Cruise, unrecognizable under tons of prosthetics). He's on a mission to save humanity from the very disaster he's unleashed. Based on the trailer, that disaster involves climate catastrophe, with a side of nuclear war.
Film pundits are already heralding Digger as Cruise's best shot at an Oscar in decades. His last nomination came in 2000, for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, although he did receive an Academy Honorary Award in 2026. Iñárritu did prove to be the lucky charm for Leonardo DiCaprio, who won his first (and so far only) Academy Award for his role in The Revenant, so perhaps Cruise is hoping for a similar route to Oscar gold.
Apparently, that route also involves getting the word out about Digger on TikTok, so be prepared for a more social media-forward press blitz from Cruise in the months to come.
AT&T customers can make free international calls on World Cup match days. Here are all the details.AT&T customers can make free calls to select World Cup team's countries on match days between midnight and 11:59 p.m.
MAKE FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS: AT&T customers can make free international calls on remaining World Cup match games to the countries playing that day. Make calls on July 14, 15, 18, and 19 to playing countries between midnight and 11:59 p.m. at no cost.
The World Cup has been excellent this year. We've all falling in love with a Norwegian Viking, got teary as the British crowd sang "Hey Jude" to Bellingham, and we all now know where Cabo Verde is on a map. The 2026 World Cup has made the globe feel smaller, and if you're an AT&T customer, you have even more opportunity to connect.
On remaining World Cup match days, AT&T is offering customers the ability to make free internationals calls to the countries playing that day, anytime between midnight and 11:59 p.m. on match day. That looks like the following schedule:
July 14: Make free calls to Spain and France
July 15: Make free calls to England and Argentina
Jul8 18: Make free calls to countries playing in the third-place match
July 19: Make free calls to countries playing in the final match
You don't need to enter any kind of promo code to get the free calls. Simply make calls to the eligible countries and your bill won't reflect any additional charges. The only requirement is being an existing AT&T Mobility postpaid voice customer. Calls must originate in the U.S.
This deal is on top of A&T's support of those lucky enough to be attending a match this summer. Turbo Live by AT&T is available at select venues and gives fans a VIP connection to support live streaming, social posts, or getting important texts out immediately.
If you're an AT&T customer, be sure to take advantage of this free international calls deal on remaining World Cup match days.
Samsung Galaxy Trifold 2 foldable could take a backseat to a ‘slideable’ phoneSamsung's first slideable phone may launch before the Galaxy Z TriFold 2, a new leak suggests.
Samsung's sequel to the Galaxy Z Trifold could get preempted by a new mobile device with a rollable OLED panel. According to a new report from SamMobile, the company's rumored slideable phone could reach the market before the Galaxy Z TriFold 2, the company's highly anticipated follow-up to last year's tri-folding device.
The company has reportedly continued development on a second-generation TriFold, but a new claim from leaker Lanzuk suggests that phone could face delays. At the same time, Lanzuk claims development of Samsung's first slideable phone has picked up pace, potentially moving its release date earlier than expected.
The slideable device is expected to use a rollable OLED panel from Samsung Display, the company's display manufacturing arm, which has shown off several slideable and rollable screen concepts in recent years, according to SamMobile.
While foldable phones have a hinge that allows a flexible display to bend in the middle, rollable devices have an even more flexible display that can roll into the interior of the device like a scroll.
Earlier reporting had pointed to an early 2028 launch for the rollable, but the new report suggests the device could now arrive as soon as 2027, ahead of the TriFold 2. SamMobile cautioned that such timelines are subject to change, noting that Samsung's plans "could change and products can be delayed or even canceled for a variety of reasons."
Per SamMobile's report, sources within Samsung's supply chain indicate that the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 is being developed with an upgraded hinge designed to make the device thinner and lighter than its 309-gram predecessor by standardizing component thicknesses. However, the leaker says "recent issues such as costs" could be the reason behind pushing back the phone's launch beyond its original timeline.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold render reportedly leaks on TelegramWith a Made by Google event scheduled for Aug. 12, a new look at the Pixel 11 Pro Fold appeared in a leaked render.
One of Google's new phones just leaked, but only a little bit.
Leaker Mystic Leaks (per 9to5google) shared a render on Telegram that allegedly shows the back of the new Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The render looks a lot like last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but there are some key differences, including a new Pine colorway. Rumor has it that color will also be available for the new Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL.
Google has already said that it will hold a big announcement event on Aug. 12, where all of the new Pixel phones will presumably be announced. That announcement showed a partial look at a phone in a gold/copper colorway.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
One other noteworthy difference in the render is that the camera bar on the back appears to be substantially downsized from last year.
The camera flash module has also been repositioned to the upper left corner of the camera bar. Some are theorizing that it will be used for a new "Pixel Glow" system, which will use light and color to notify you of important happenings while your phone is lying face-down, and that this system will exist across multiple new Pixel devices.
Interestingly, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't seem to be fully adopting the all-black camera bar that the regular Pixel 11 phones are expected to have, based on renders shared by Android Headlines earlier this year. Mystic Leaks shared a list of alleged specs for all of the phones on Telegram back in May, and little of it is especially surprising. Expect a new Tensor G6 chip to power the devices, alongside the usual camera and battery upgrades we get every year.
We should get confirmation on all of these rumors on Aug. 12.
HPs 17-inch OmniBook 3 just dropped to its lowest-ever price — and its yours for under $450Save $280 on the HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop at Amazon. The Windows 11 PC is down to $449.99 from its typical $729.99 price.
SAVE $280: As of July 13, the HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop is down to $449.99 at Amazon, dropping from its typical $729.99 price for a 38% discount.
If you’ve been waiting for a budget-friendly big-screen laptop, this might be the drop to watch. The HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop is now at its lowest price since launching in early 2026, down to $449.99 at Amazon from its typical $729.99 price. That’s a $280 discount, or 38% off for a Windows 11 PC with a roomy 17.3-inch display.
The HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch laptop is aimed at anyone who wants a big screen without spending a fortune. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 processor with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, giving you enough power for browsing, streaming, working in multiple tabs, and handling lighter creative tasks. The Full HD IPS display keeps images sharp with wide viewing angles, so the screen stays clear even when you’re not looking at it straight on.
For entertainment and casual editing, the laptop uses AMD Radeon 610M graphics to handle streaming and visual tasks without feeling sluggish. HP rates it for up to 14 hours and 15 minutes of battery life, and Fast Charge can get it from 0% to 50% in around 45 minutes when you need a quick boost.
The OmniBook 3 also comes with an FHD webcam with HDR that helps balance lighting during calls, plus AI noise reduction that focuses on your voice while cutting down background distractions. You also get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Windows 11 Home, and a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to Microsoft’s AI assistant.
Grab the HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop on Amazon while this deal is still this easy on your wallet.
EU plans to restrict social media for kids under 13The President of the European Commission announced plans to restrict social media platforms for children under 13 today.
Today, the President of the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, announced plans for the EU to restrict social media platforms and other "digital services" for children under 13.
The statement comes in tandem with the publication of a report on online child safety, in which members of a special panel recommend this EU-wide ban. Additionally, the report recommends more age-assurance and safety measures for social media and other digital services such as AI companions, video-sharing platforms, and video games.
In her statement, von der Leyen made three points. The first is that social platforms "must prove that their services do no harm," as car manufacturers do.
The second point is that she believes the EU needs to age-restrict these platforms. "This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," she stated. One of the tools to get this done, she continued, is the age verification app the EU introduced in April.
The third point is that "The more we learn, and the more we see the impact on our children, the stronger the argument becomes for a social media start date," von der Leyen said, comparing the potential social media ban to getting a driver's license or buying alcohol.
"This will not be foolproof. And change takes time. It will take time to embed the cultural change that is already taking shape in our society," she continued.
The report also recommends no screens for children under 3, and that older children be exposed to social media only under supervision and time-limited.
The European Commission will present a proposal after the summer, von der Leyen said.
This announcement comes amid various countries like the UK, Canada, and Indonesia announced social media bans for children under 16. Australia's social media ban went into effect in Dec. 2025, but a recent study suggests it's ineffective at preventing minors under 16 from using these platforms.
Upgrade to a 240Hz ASUS ROG Strix OLED gaming monitor for $100 offThe ASUS 27-inch ROG Strix OLED gaming monitor is on sale for $100 off at Amazon. Grab it for just $799, its best price ever.
SAVE $100: As of July 13, the ASUS 27-inch ROG Strix OLED XG27UCDMG 4K gaming monitor is on sale for just $799 at Amazon. That's $100 or 11% off its current list price, which is its lowest price on record.
Making the move to an OLED gaming monitor can really take your gaming experience to new heights. OLED models are basically like eye candy, thanks to extremely high contrast, true blacks, and a wide color gamut. And while the market is wide and varied, you can upgrade to a high-end ASUS ROG model today for $100 cheaper than usual.
As of July 13, the ASUS 27-inch ROG Strix OLED XG27UCDMG 4K gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for just $799. That's a $100 or 11% price drop from its most recent list price and its lowest price on record.
The XG27UCDMG monitor makes the most of your desktop space with a frameless, ultra-slim 27-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) QD-OLED panel. The hollowed-out stand is also designed to save space, but can be wall-mounted if you prefer. Despite its compact build, this thing is loaded with bells and whistles. It packs a buttery smooth 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, 166ppi pixel density, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black compliance, and a 99% DCI-P3 gamut. Translation: it looks gorgeous and is designed for efficient gaming and beyond.
Worried about the burn-in that's common in OLED models? ASUS OLED Care Pro features a Neo Proximity Sensor that detects when you step away and switches your screen to black to reduce the risk.
If an OLED monitor has been on your wishlist, this is your perfect excuse to grab that big ticket purchase for less.
The Qrevo S Pro just dropped to $549.99 at AmazonAs of July 13, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S Pro for $549.99 at Amazon, down from $699.99. That's a 21% discount or $150 savings.
SAVE 21%: As of July 13, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S Pro for $549.99 at Amazon, down from $699.99. That's a 21% discount or $150 savings.
Every day, I stare at my floor wondering how my beagles even have any hair left to shed. I run my Dreame robo-vac twice a day and go behind it with a Shark stick to pick up what it couldn't reach, yet there's still dog hair everywhere. But it'd be worse if I didn't have automated help.
If you're also fighting a losing battle against pet fur, Roborock is a Mashable fave for a reason — and one of its newest models just dropped to a record-low price. Right now, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S Pro for $549.99 at Amazon, down from $699.99. That's a 21% discount or $150 in savings.
This model has 18,500Pa suction power to pull embedded fur out of carpets, and an anti-tangle rubber brush roll so you shouldn't have to cut hair off the axle. It also mops your hard floors using dual spinning pads, which lift up by 10mm when it senses a rug so your carpets stay dry. But the best part is the dock; it empties its own dustbin, washes the mop pads with 167°F hot water, and dries them with warm air so you don't get that awful sour-mop smell in your house.
Perk up the morning with these Amazon deals on Ninja coffee machines — save up to $50The Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale at Amazon for $99.95, down from the list price of $129.99. The Ninja DualBrew Pro is on sale for $199.99, down from the list price of $249.99.
TAKE UP TO $50 OFF: The Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale at Amazon for $99.95, down from the list price of $129.99 for a 23% discount. The larger Ninja DualBrew Pro is on sale for $199.99, down from the list price of $249.99 for a 20% discount.
We all deserve to start every morning off feeling refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. That's certainly not always the case, but one can hope! Something we can control that'll make the mornings better is a solid cup of coffee. If your current coffee maker is on the fritz or you're dishing out big money at the cafe, check out these deals at Amazon.
As of July 13, the Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale at Amazon for $99.95, marked down from the normal price of $129.99 for a 23% discount. The versatile Ninja DualBrew Pro is on sale for $199.99, down from the list price of $249.99 for a 20% discount.
It's no secret Ninja is making some of the best kitchen appliances. Between the Ninja Slushi Twist and the Creami Scoop & Swirl, we have summer treats covered. But when it comes to morning beverages, Ninja has the coffee covered, and Amazon has several models on sale.
If you're looking for affordable and compact, you can't go wrong with the Ninja Single-Serve Coffee Maker. It can accept both K-Cup Pods and ground coffee for making your morning easy and effortless. You get control over the brew style including classic, rich, and over ice. There are also size customizations.
If you want even more versatility, the Ninja DualBrew Pro is perfect. You can go with individual cups or brew a 13-cup pot for the whole house. Use either ground coffee of K-Cup Pods to fit whatever matches your morning.
Whichever model you choose, Ninja will make your mornings easy and convenient. Snag either of these models while they're on sale at Amazon for a limited time.
Why Love Island feels like the most accurate show about dating todayFrom situationships to red-pill content, Love Island USA Season 8 reflects the forces shaping Gen Z dating and internet culture.
On Love Island USA, Kayda Reese Bosse and Zacharias Georgiou made a decision that should have simplified their relationship: They became exclusive.
The pair agreed to stop seeing other people but hesitated to use the labels "boyfriend" and "girlfriend." When Kayda told fan-favorite "islander" Trinity Tatum about the arrangement, Trinity called it what it was: a "situationship." The women spent most of the episode debating whether exclusivity actually meant something or was just a relationship without commitment.
Naturally, the internet weighed in.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Conversations like this have made Love Island USA feel less like a reality TV series and more like a concentrated look at how young people date, communicate, and understand one another in 2026.
Of course, a Fijian villa full of hot 21 to 30-year-olds does not represent an entire generation, and nothing that happens on television is entirely natural. Relationships form under surveillance, new options arrive without warning, and contestants must remain in a viable couple to stay on the show.
But all of that is exactly why the show can tell us something about how young people date and communicate now. Here are four ways this season of Love Island USA has become a snapshot of youth culture today.
Kayda and Trinity's disagreement came down to what the term "exclusivity" actually means. The term usually describes a romantic or sexual connection that looks and feels like a relationship in many ways, but still lacks clear expectations or an official commitment.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
That confusion reflects how complicated modern dating has become. The language has become more specific, but the boundaries between the stages remain fuzzy. "Exclusive" usually means two people have agreed not to date or hook up with anyone else, while a "situationship" describes a connection that may feel like a relationship but still lacks a clear title, expectations, or long-term commitment. Two people can therefore be monogamous, spend nearly all their time together, and still avoid calling themselves a couple.
"Situationships often happen because people want the closeness of a relationship without fully defining it or committing to it," Dr. Gabrielle Schreyer-Hoffman, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, tells Mashable. "When no one is clear about where the relationship is going, that uncertainty can quickly turn into insecurity."
The stretch between single and partnered now has a long list of other possible stops: talking, seeing each other, casually dating, closing things off, going official, and becoming partners. There are also terms for nearly every way those connections can become confusing or fall apart, from benching and breadcrumbing to orbiting, micro-cheating, ghosting, and zombieing.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The endless vocabulary can be useful because it gives people an easy way to describe experiences that once felt harder to explain, but it also shows just how many gray areas modern dating now contains.
Dating apps and social media make it easier for those gray areas to last. Someone can keep several options open, text every day without committing, disappear without explanation, or continue liking an ex’s posts long after the relationship ends. In that landscape, two people can be emotionally close, sexually exclusive, and deeply involved in each other's lives while still giving completely different answers when someone asks what they are.
Some of the season's more revealing moments have centered on how the men handle uncertainty and rejection.
Kuman "KC" Chandler repeatedly expressed frustration over the limited physical intimacy in his relationship with Aniya Harvey, telling Corbin Mims that they had not "done" anything and calling her a "grandma." He believed that because he showed affection towards Aniya, he should get something in return (sex). Corbin showed a similar need for visible confirmation, often treating kisses as proof that a connection was moving forward.
Those dynamics fit into a broader misogynistic online culture, known as the "manosphere," that provides young men with a steady stream of advice on confidence, status, masculinity, and dating. Much of that "red pill" content begins as ordinary self-improvement, and many boys encounter it while looking for fitness, grooming, or relationship advice rather than anything openly hostile toward women.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Shows like Fresh & Fit and the Whatever podcast, along with influencers like Andrew Tate and Sneako, have perpetuated sexist and gender essentialist ideas about men and women. For instance, if a woman has a "high body count," or has slept with however many people is deemed "too much" (which could be any number above zero), she is seen as less valuable in the manosphere's eyes.
Young men do not always have to search for that material. A 2025 survey of more than 1,000 American boys ages 11 to 17 found that nearly three-quarters regularly encountered masculinity-related posts, and two-thirds of those boys said the content appeared in their feeds without them seeking it out. Higher exposure was associated with greater loneliness and less openness about their feelings.
The red pill conversation has also followed the current British edition of Love Island, which airs on ITV2 and ITVX in the UK, streams on Hulu in the U.S., and is set to conclude July 27.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
During an "It's Not That Deep" challenge, disagreements over sexual histories, wandering eyes, and relationship red flags grew into a larger argument between the men and women. The male "Islanders" began speaking collectively about how "the lads" felt, while the women pushed back against what they saw as a double standard. A series of individual disagreements quickly became a broader debate over which gender was being treated unfairly.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The fallout involved nearly the entire villa. By the end of the night, several personal disagreements had turned into a wider argument about which gender was being judged more harshly.
"A lot of women today are more financially independent and successful in their careers, so they do not necessarily need a relationship in the same way as women in previous generations," Dr. Schreyer-Hoffman says.
"Some men, though, grew up watching their fathers have a certain role or level of authority in the household, and they may expect that same dynamic. That gap can create resentment... Men may start to feel like there is no one out there who wants them, while women can feel like there is no one out there for them."
Many of the men repeating these ideas may not think of themselves as "red-pilled" at all. They are often being served the same messages about confidence, rejection, and gender through podcasts, clips, and self-improvement content until those messages begin to feel like ordinary dating advice. But Love Island shows what happens when that advice leaves the feed...and enters a relationship.
Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea have spent much of Love Island USA Season 8 caught in the same loop. Sincere pursues another connection, returns to Melanie, and asks her to trust that his feelings for her remain genuine. He explored with Sol Dean early in the season and Amora Robinson during Casa Amor, while continuing to tell Melanie that their connection mattered.
Then, during Movie Night, a recurring event in which contestants are shown clips of one another's behavior from earlier in the season, Melanie saw more of what Sincere had said and done when she was not around, adding another layer of doubt to a relationship that already had very little trust.
The show has a convenient word for all of this: "exploring." Testing connections is built into Love Island, so contestants are expected to remain open whenever someone new arrives. Still, "exploring" can cover a lot of ground. It allows someone to ask for reassurance, loyalty, and intimacy (both emotional and sexual) while keeping enough distance to change direction when a better option appears.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
That mismatch is familiar outside the villa. A Pew Research Center survey found that 36 percent of women on the dating market were exclusively looking for a committed relationship, compared with only 22 percent of men. There's also a difference around monogamy: 20 percent of men said they would consider an open or polyamorous relationship, compared with 9 percent of women. Those numbers do not explain every heterosexual relationship, but they show how two people can enter the same connection with very different ideas about where it is going.
Dating apps can prolong that uncertainty by fostering the sense that another option is always available. In one experiment, researchers showed participants either 11, 31, or 91 dating profiles. People presented with more potential partners reported greater "choice overload," a stronger fear of being single, and lower self-esteem. More choice may sound helpful, but it can also make the person in front of you feel temporary when the next swipe could always be better.
Dr. Schreyer-Hoffman tells us, "Dating apps can create a grass-is-greener mentality, where people start to believe someone better is always one swipe away. When you are seeing so many potential matches at once, it can become easier to label a flaw as a 'red flag' and move on before giving the connection time to develop."
Love Island turns that feeling into the show's entire structure. Every bombshell is essentially a new profile entering the feed, and Casa Amor introduces a fresh group of options just as existing couples begin to settle. Contestants are encouraged to keep checking whether something better is available, which can make commitment feel less like progress and more like closing the app too soon.
That is what makes Sincere and Melanie's relationship so recognizable to many in the dating trenches today. Sincere continued deciding what he wanted while Melanie was expected to stay emotionally invested, and each reunion asked her to treat the latest detour as part of the process.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The villa exaggerates the number of options, but the underlying fear is familiar: choosing one person can feel like missing out on whoever might walk through the door next. That's what makes Love Island such a useful microcosm. Every summer, the show compresses Gen-Z's habits into a few weeks, making the contradictions of modern romance impossible to ignore.
Marshall’s new Billie Joe Armstrong amp is built for Green Day nostalgia: Price, release date, and moreMarshall has unveiled the $3,999.99 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature amp, a handwired 100W amplifier inspired by Green Day’s Dookie-era tone and Billie’s iconic blue guitar.
COMING JULY 21: Marshall’s $3,999.99 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature amp arrives with a handwired 100W build, Dookie-inspired tone tweaks, and a baby-blue finish paying tribute to Billie’s first guitar, Blue.
The baby-blue Marshall amp spotted behind Billie Joe Armstrong during Green Day’s 2026 Super Bowl performance finally has a name. Marshall has officially unveiled the 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature amp, a handwired 100W amplifier created with the Green Day frontman to recreate the distinctive tone behind the band’s breakthrough era.
The launch marks Marshall’s first artist signature amplifier in 14 years, and it’s been a long time coming. When Billie Joe Armstrong took the stage with Green Day at the 2026 Super Bowl, eagle-eyed fans spotted a striking baby-blue Marshall head sitting behind him, sparking plenty of speculation about what the band was using. Turns out that mystery amp was a preview of Marshall’s latest collaboration.
Available from July 21, the 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature amp will cost $3,999.99 in the US and will be sold through authorized Marshall retailers and on its official website.
The 1959BJA features a custom “Dookie Mod” inspired by the modified sound Billie Joe Armstrong developed with producer Rob Cavallo during Green Day’s breakthrough years. The amp is tuned to deliver the heavier distortion, fuller sound, and aggressive guitar tone associated with Billie Joe Armstrong’s classic Green Day sound.
The baby-blue finish takes inspiration from Billie Joe’s first guitar, Blue, while brass and silver panel details, custom branding, and Billie’s signature on the front and back panels give it a collector-worthy look. Unlike a traditional combo amp, the 1959BJA is a head-only unit, meaning guitarists can pair it with the cabinet of their choice.
The 1959BJA is built for guitarists who want more control over their sound, with settings for gain, volume, presence, and EQ. It also supports different speaker cabinet setups, making it flexible enough for both stage and studio use.
For Billie Joe Armstrong, the collaboration represents a full-circle moment with a brand that has been part of his musical journey for years. “I’m so overjoyed to have my own signature Marshall amp,” Armstrong said. “These amps have been a part of my musical life, from my heroes down to little old me.”
Learn more about the 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature amp release at Marshall.
Starbucks has dropped a new Pink Drink Bearista Cup — how to get yours todayStarbucks is bringing back the viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup with a new Pink Drink-inspired look. Find out how and when to get yours before they sell out.
If you survived the great Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup shortage of 2025, grab your emotional support water bottles, because we're about to do it all over again.
Starbucks just announced that it's bringing back the notoriously viral, instantly sold-out bear glass, but this time, it's getting a bright summer makeover. Enter: the Pink Bearista Glass Cold Cup.
Inspired by the Pink Drink, this limited-edition cup is pretty much destined to break the internet (though all the Gilmore Girlies were probs to blame for the beanie version selling out so quickly). The new glass features the bear wearing a little pink hat and comes with a strawberry straw topper. I fear the Stanley Stans will be to blame for this sell-out.
If you don't want to pay ridiculous reseller markups on eBay this time around, here's a quick rundown on how and when to get one:
Brick-and-mortar: You should be able to purchase one in-store at select Starbucks coffeehouses on July 13. (Starbucks is enforcing a strict two-item purchase limit per customer.) The cups will be available in the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Starbucks Shop: Starbucks Reserve members will get early access via the Starbucks Shop on July 9. Note: This is not the same thing as being a standard "Rewards member." Reserve members are the highest tier of the Rewards program. (I'm a Gold status member myself.) Reserve status members earn 2,500 stars in a single year.
May the odds be ever in your favor next month. Since I haven't hit that coveted Reserve status yet, I'll most likely be hitting up my local Starbucks until I can find one in stock.
Survive RAMageddon with the best microSD, SSD, and hard drive deals this weekHere are the best microSD cards, portable SSDs, and hard drive deals to expand your storage without emptying your wallet.
If you’ve tried buying storage lately, you’ve probably noticed your wallet feeling a little lighter. The ongoing memory crunch, RAMageddon has made everything from SSDs to memory cards more expensive. And unfortunately, the forecast isn’t exactly looking sunny.
Prime Day brought a wave of tempting microSD, portable SSD, and hard drive discounts, but now that the shopping frenzy is over, finding a real deal takes a little more digging. Not every markdown is a real bargain. Some “sales” are just inflated prices wearing a discount label.
That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up the best storage deals you can still grab this week, so you can expand your device's storage without paying peak RAMageddon prices.
MicroSD card deals aren’t exactly everywhere right now, so even a small discount on reliable storage is worth a look. The Gigastone 128GB MicroSD Card is a practical pick if you need extra room for your phone, tablet, camera, or gaming handheld without spending much.
It supports read speeds up to 100MB/s and write speeds up to 50MB/s, plus its V30 rating means it’s built to handle 4K video recording without slowing down. The A2 rating is also a nice bonus for smartphone users, as it’s designed to help apps load faster when running directly from the card.
KOOTION 64GB Micro SD Card 2 Pack — $26.99 $29.99 (save $3)
DIGIERA 128GB CT100 microSDXC — $27.98 $31.99 (save $4)
Lexar 256GB 2 Pack Blue Micro SD Card — $103.49 $114.99 (save $11.5)
The Samsung T9 Portable SSD delivers blazing-fast read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, which means creators can quickly transfer large video files, edit projects directly from the drive, and keep workflows moving without the usual bottlenecks. It’s handy for anyone working with high-resolution footage, shooting ProRes 4K video at 60fps.
Samsung’s thermal management system helps keep the drive running at a stable temperature during long transfers, while its compact design makes it easy to toss in a bag and use with everything from laptops and cameras to gaming consoles. Add in Samsung’s Magician software for firmware updates, drive monitoring, and extra security features, and you get a portable SSD that’s fast and reliable.
WD My Passport Portable External Hard Drive (5TB) — $214.95 $284.99 (save $70.05)
Samsung T7 Portable SSD (1TB) — $219.99 $274.99 (save $55)
Slow load times are the enemy, and the Samsung 990 PRO SSD is built to cut down the waiting. This PCIe 4.0 drive delivers read speeds of up to 7,450MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,900MB/s, making it a great fit for demanding tasks like gaming, 4K video editing, large file transfers, and heavy multitasking.
The Samsung 990 PRO delivers a noticeable performance boost over the older version, with more than a 55% improvement in random performance. Available in capacities from 1TB to 4TB, it gives gamers and creators plenty of room for game libraries, projects, and everything else that tends to eat up storage.
Western Digital 8TB Internal Hard Drive — $319 $354.99 (save $35.99)
WD Western Digital 10TB Internal Hard Drive — $434.99 $454.99 (save $25)
Samsung's next clamshell foldable is close enough to touch.
Samsung has released a new Galaxy Z Flip phone every year since debuting the line in 2020, and the pattern looks set to continue. The company has scheduled an Unpacked event for July 22, 2026, where the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
With the announcement just weeks away, leaks covering the phone's design, colors, and internals have been piling up. Here's a roundup of the most notable ones.
Samsung has already confirmed the timing: its Unpacked event lands on July 22, 2026. That's where the Z Flip 8 is expected to debut alongside the rest of the summer foldable lineup.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Multiple leaks, including CAD-style renders and official-looking product images obtained by Android Headlines and republished by PhoneArena and Engadget, point to a Z Flip 8 that looks very close to its predecessor. The main internal display, the hole-punch selfie camera, the side-mounted power and volume buttons, and the horizontally arranged rear cameras wrapped by the external cover screen all appear to carry over largely unchanged.
Engadget noted that the biggest recent design leap for the line came last year, when the cover screen grew to wrap edge-to-edge around the main cameras. Sourcing rumors about a redesigned hinge and a lighter chassis, Engadget cautioned that a major hardware overhaul is unlikely this generation, tying that partly to industry-wide memory chip shortages.
PhoneArena's Mariyan Slavov, reviewing the leaked renders, described the design similarities to the Z Flip 7 as unsurprising given earlier CAD leaks, and characterized recent updates to the line as incremental — new chipsets, new AI features, and new colors rather than structural changes.
Leaked renders obtained by Android Headlines show the Galaxy Z Flip 8 in three main colorways. The leak identified them as Cream, Graphite, and Pink, noting that the pink shade is lighter and more pastel than last year's Coral Red option. Engadget's description of the same leaked images referred to the trio as white, gray, and pink.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
PhoneArena also reported that a fourth color, Mint, is expected to return as a Samsung.com-exclusive shade, following the same pattern as the previous generation.
Leaks about the Z Flip 8's internals have been fairly consistent across outlets. Citing rumors, PhoneArena, SamMobile, and Engadget all point to two chipset variants: Samsung's own Exynos 2600 for global markets and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for the U.S. version — mirroring last year's regional split.
PhoneArena laid out a fuller rumored spec sheet:
Chipset: Exynos 2600 (2nm) or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
RAM: 12GB
Display: 6.9-inch foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X main panel at 120Hz; 4.1-inch external cover screen, also 120Hz
Battery: 4,300mAh with 25W wired charging and wireless support
Storage: 256GB or 512GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie
PhoneArena noted the rear camera setup is expected to be carried over from the previous generation rather than upgraded.
Perhaps the most striking rumor doesn't concern hardware at all. SamMobile reported that a second leak, from X account @fireuniverse8, claims the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be the final phone in the Z Flip line, with Samsung allegedly planning to discontinue the clamshell series to focus on the Galaxy Z Fold family instead.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
SamMobile noted this echoes an earlier, similarly unconfirmed report, and that if accurate, the Z Flip would become the second major Samsung smartphone lineup to be discontinued, after the Galaxy Note series.
It's worth stressing that this claim comes from an unverified social media source, and Samsung has not commented on its product roadmap beyond the July 22 event. PhoneArena's coverage, by contrast, treated the Z Flip 8 as a continuation of an ongoing yearly cadence rather than a farewell entry, while pointing out that market data shows consumers currently favor book-style foldables like the Z Fold over flip phones — a dynamic Engadget's reporting also touched on indirectly when discussing Samsung's marketing push around the Z Fold 8.
The internet mourns Sam Neill, beloved Jurassic Park actorSam Neill, legendary actor, has died aged 78, with tributes pouring in online.
Sam Neill, legendary actor, has died aged 78, with tributes pouring in online.
Born in Northern Ireland, raised in New Zealand, Neill's illustrious film and TV career saw him garner generations of fans across five decades of performances including Jurassic Park, The Piano, Peaky Blinders, My Brilliant Career, Event Horizon, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Merlin, Thor: Ragnarok, Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, and more.
A statement posted on Neill's Instagram page said the actor died in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, "surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."
In 2023, Neil underwent chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In April 2026, he revealed he was cancer free.
"The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free," the post on Neill's Instagram reads. "The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care. More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."
Sir Neill accepted a knighthood from New Zealand in 2022, having rejected the title in 2009 as "just too grand at this time of my life" (he was made an Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 for services to acting, making him eligible). Aside from his screen career, Neill was also known for his environmental activism, working with Greenpeace against plastic pollution and recently making headlines for opposing an industrial goldmine in New Zealand's Central Otago region.
Tributes have begun appearing online from both Neill's famous friends and his fans.
Richard E. Grant, who knew Neill for 30 years and worked with him on 2019's Palm Beach, posted a collection of personal photos on Instagram, writing, "An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life...Sail on, kind Sir."
Toni Collette, who starred alongside Neill in 2005's Dirty Deeds and 2014's A Long Way Down, posted on Instagram with a candid photo, "I love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are 🤍"
"It’s not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend."
Colin Trevorrow, who directed Neill in Jurassic World Dominion, described the actor in a tribute post as "a deeply soulful and beautiful man...It’s not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend."
Australian actor and comedian Magda Szubanski, after whom Neill named one of his famous pet ducks, posted a video on Instagram and described her friend as "an exceptional man- talented, kind, classy, wryly hilarious and loving. Proud cancer survivor. My heart goes out to all Sam’s family and friends. A great loss to the global acting community, Australia and New Zealand, and to ornery ducks."
Another of Neill's friends, who also became one of his duck's namesakes, was pop superstar Kylie Minogue, who wrote on Instagram, "Vale Sam 💔"
Fellow Kiwi actor Karl Urban also posted on Instagram, "Heartfelt condolences to your whānau. Sam was truly brilliant. An inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps. A beautiful man. A national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and to the world."
Scottish actor Alan Cumming also wrote on Instagram, "Ahhh Sam, what a glorious beautiful man. You are missed. Sorry to the family for your immense loss."
The official Peaky Blinders Instagram page posted a tribute to Neill, who played Inspector Chester Campbell in Seasons 1 and 2 of the series. "Sam's portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages," it reads. "A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny, and supremely entertaining to watch. Sam was one of the key forces that got Peaky Blinders off to a running start, for which we will be forever grateful."
New Zealand's former prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, posted on Instagram, "It was just a few weeks ago that I had the profound joy of sitting with Sam Neill, talking about life, politics, and home. He was such a thoughtful, curious, and decent person. Someone who was principled, unafraid of speaking his mind, and willing to take up a fight when he saw injustice."
New Zealand's current prime minister Christopher Luxon, meanwhile, called Neill "one of the greats" in his X post.
Fans have shared their own posts in tribute to Neill.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Many have also been resharing Neill's own viral post from 2019, which shows the actor giving sage life advice.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The 27-inch LG UltraGear QHD gaming monitor is now over $200 off on Amazon — buy for $279.99Amazon has LG’s 27-inch UltraGear QHD gaming monitor for $279.99, saving you $220 on its usual $499.99 price.
TL;DR: The 27GR83Q-B version of LG’s 27-inch UltraGear QHD gaming monitor is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's down from its $499.99 list price.
Fast gaming monitors can get expensive quickly once you start adding a higher resolution and other luxuries into the mix, but Amazon’s latest LG UltraGear discount brings them all together without pushing the price anywhere near $500.
As of July 13, the LG 27-inch UltraGear gaming monitor (27GR83Q-B SKU) is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. With this $220 cut from its $499.99 list price, that takes 44% off the QHD display altogether. It's also shipped by Amazon directly, and you’ll get free delivery currently set for July 19, or July 14 for Prime members at the time of writing.
Among the specs you get in return, the 27-inch IPS panel runs at a 2560x1440 resolution, giving you a sharper image than full HD while remaining less demanding than 4K. As with other types of monitors we’ve seen in the past, being able to push 1440p is a nice middle ground for gaming PC rigs to achieve higher frame rates while still maintaining high resolution.
On the speed side of things, both its HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 support refresh rates of up to 240Hz, while the 1ms gray-to-gray response time should help keep movement crisp during faster games like Apex Legends and Overwatch.
Even when you’re playing immersive single-player games along the lines of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, you can revel in smoother action while exploring the open world — also enjoying the higher resolution all in one. Plus, the usual NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium we love to see also help reduce screen tearing and stuttering, so you are covered whether your system uses a GeForce or Radeon graphics card.
For color and contrast, LG lists up to 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut alongside VESA DisplayHDR 400. It is not an OLED model, but the IPS panel should still provide vibrant color and wider viewing angles for other single-player games, streaming on Twitch, and everyday work.
On the off-chance you’re willing to spend a bit more, the OLED version of the UltraGear is on sale at $270 off. Among other brands, the Samsung Odyssey G6 gaming monitor is $200 off at Amazon.
Waze gets motorbike mode, personalised nav, and less chatty modeWaze is getting a slew of AI-powered features, including personalised navigation, motorbike mode, and minimised alerts over audio.
Waze is getting a slew of AI-powered features, including personalised navigation, motorcycle mode, and the option to minimise those jump-scare alerts over your podcasts.
Announced by the Google-owned platform on Monday in a blog post, Waze's new features are rolling out on iOS and Android, and lean heavily on Google's own Gemini.
Waze's personalised route navigation is now rolling out globally, a settings option that analyses your previous driving trips and traffic data using AI, and suggests directions specific to you. This level of Big Tech tracking might not be everyone's cup of tea, so you can turn personalisation off or on in Settings.
Relatedly, Waze is also beta-testing a very Google Maps-style conversational tool that lets you ask questions like "Find me a restaurant that’s open now," or "Find me parking near the cinema," aloud, to receive a list of options.
Another global update for Waze is a new "less chatty" mode for directions while you're also listening to music or podcasts. If you've ever listened to an intense true crime podcast, reached the big reveal, only to be screamed at to KEEP RIGHT AT THE FORK, this one might be for you. According to Waze, the mode reduces the amount of voice prompts in navigation, maintaining only crucial alerts like turns and hazards.
Finally, motorcycle mode will unlock specific navigation options for riders, including directions to narrow streets, alerts for hazards like raised crosswalks and potholes, and consideration of road surfaces. The tool, which is rolling out in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Peru, and the Philippines, is AI-powered, but supported by real-time traffic information and a team of human map editors specifically tasked with motorcycle mode.
Google's own Maps is already brimming with Gemini features with a major update rolled out in March including a 3D immersive navigation mode.
Want more tech news straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.
The DJI Mini 3 is back on sale at Amazon — act fast to save $180 on this beginner-friendly bundleFind the best DJI drone deal. Save 25% on the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo at Amazon.
SAVE $180: As of July 13, the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale for $539 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.
The DJI Mini 3 is back on sale at Amazon, and this time you can save almost $200 on the list price.
As of July 13, the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is down from $719 to $539. With the bundle, you'll get extra Intelligent Flight Batteries, a Two-Way Charging Hub, a shoulder bag, and the DJI RC controller with a built-in 5.5-inch HD display. So as soon as it arrives, you're ready to get out and shoot great content.
The DJI Mini 3 is a lightweight, beginner-friendly drone. It weighs under 249g, and it's designed to be portable so that it's easy to take on adventures. Also, recreational flyers may not need FAA registration or Remote ID requirements (however this is dependent on local regulations).
Content-wise, it features a 4K HDR camera with Dual Native ISO Fusion, helping capture images and video in both bright and dark conditions, day or night. It also has features like True Vertical Shooting which helps make it easier to film tall subjects like high-rise buildings and waterfalls. Plus, the 3-axis mechanical gimbal and Level 5 wind resistance help with stable filming, even when in less than ideal conditions.
You can find this DJI deal at Amazon right now.
The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night Box hits record-low price on Amazon — save over $20Save $21 on the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night box at Amazon, now at its lowest price yet.
TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night box is on sale for $98.99 at Amazon, down from its $119.99 list price.
Magic: The Gathering’s Marvel Super Heroes set has plenty of options if you want to open packs, but Draft Night is made for turning them into a game with friends.
As of July 13, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night box is on sale at $98.99 at Amazon. That’s $21 off its $119.99 list price, taking 18% off the self-contained drafting kit altogether.
This is the lowest price we’ve seen for the box on Amazon so far (as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel). The listing is shipped and sold by Amazon directly, with free delivery listed for July 19, or July 15 for Prime members. Just take note that Amazon is marking this product as final sale with no returns, so make sure you’re happy with the box before ordering.
Amazon isn’t the cheapest option overall, though. Unopened TCGplayer listings start at $91.18 with shipping included. That's only a few dollars higher than the trading card platform’s market price of $88.30.
For those unfamiliar with this format of Magic, Draft Night is built around a Pick-Two Draft for four players. Everyone starts with three Marvel Super Heroes Play Boosters, opens the first, selects two cards, and passes the rest around. Once all three packs have been drafted, each player builds a 40-card deck using their picks and the Basic Lands included in the box.
The four players then pair off for two matches, with the winners meeting in a final. Whoever comes out on top gets the included Marvel Super Heroes Collector Booster as the prize — unless your group decides to divide the cards instead.
Inside the box, you’re getting 12 Play Boosters with 14 cards apiece, one 15-card Collector Booster, 90 Basic Land cards, and 10 double-sided token cards. Each Play Booster contains at least one rare or mythic rare and a traditional foil, while the Collector Booster includes multiple foils and premium treatments.
Split four ways, Amazon’s price comes to roughly $24.75 per person for a complete Marvel-themed draft night.
For even more packs at a great price, Amazon is also selling Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box at $80 off. Meanwhile, you can also pre-order the Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Play Booster Box at nearly $10 off on Amazon.
The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box has dropped to a new record-low price on Amazon — save over $40Save $40.99 on the Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box at Amazon, now at its lowest price ever.
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $78 at Amazon, down from its $118.99 list price.
Chaos Rising prices have been continuing to slide ever so slightly each week. And now we've got a new all-time low price.
As of July 13, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is on sale $78 at Amazon. That’s a 34% drop from its base $118.99 list price, with $40.99 sliced off the nine-pack box. This not only beats the low price we found earlier this month, but is also its lowest-ever price on Amazon — as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.
Better still, this listing is sold and shipped by Amazon directly rather than a third-party marketplace seller. Free delivery is currently listed for July 19, while Prime members may be able to get it delivered as soon as the same day, depending on location. Just keep in mind that Amazon marks the box as a final sale with no returns.
TCGplayer is still a little cheaper once shipping is included. One unopened English Chaos Rising ETB listing is available for $70 plus $4 delivery, bringing the total to $74. That sits above the product’s current $68.87 market price, but still comes in $4 below Amazon.
Walmart has the same Elite Trainer Box listed for $78 through a marketplace seller, which makes for a good backup if the Amazons deal sells out and you’re not keen on dedicated trading card marketplaces like TCGplayer.
Inside the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box, you’ll get nine Mega Evolution Chaos Rising booster packs, one full-art foil Fennekin promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, one competition-legal coin-flip die, one plastic coin, a collector’s box with six dividers, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.
High-value pulls you can get from any of the packs involved (or buy individually on TCGplayer) include SIR Mega Greninja ex, SIR Mega Floette ex, Cinccino ex, Mega Dragalge ex, and AZ’s Tranquility.
Among other Pokémon TCG deals going right now, you can also pre-order the Pitch Black Booster Bundle from Amazon for under $70. Meanwhile, you can still grab the Chaos Rising Booster Bundle for under $50 on Amazon.
Our favorite Shark robot vacuum and mop combo is 50% off, but not for longThe Shark Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro is 50% off at Amazon. Get this self-emptying and self-refilling robot vacuum and mop for $499.99, down from $999.99.
SAVE $500: As of July 13, the Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro is down to $499.99 at Amazon. That's half off its $999.99 list price.
Amazon has a limited-time deal on the Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro, dropping it to $499.99 from its $999.99 list price. That’s a massive $500 saving or 50% off on a hands-free cleaner that’s built to handle the chores you’d normally have to do yourself.
The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro can go up to a month without hands-on maintenance, automatically emptying debris, refilling its water tank for up to 30 days, and using smart sensors to detect dirt, stains, and areas that need extra attention.
The Shark PowerDetect robot vacuum and mop combo earned its spot as the best Shark robot vacuum under $500 in our roundup of the best Shark robot vacuums because it delivers one feature that makes a big difference in everyday use: a dock that washes and dries the mop pad for you. In her testing, Leah says that alone was enough to recommend it since manually cleaning a dirty mop pad after every run can get annoying fast.
She also liked that the PowerDetect’s larger wheels help it handle rugs and that the mop pads lift high enough to avoid dragging wet pads across carpets. Its five PowerDetect cleaning technologies help the robot adjust to different messes, whether it’s picking up hidden dirt, tackling stuck-on stains, or getting closer to edges.
Grab the Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro on Amazon while it’s 50% off.
Cybercabs will soon start ferrying Tesla employees at Giga TexasTesla Cybercabs will "soon" start offering Tesla employees rides at the Giga Texas factory.
Tesla Cybercabs will start ferrying passengers soon, but it's unclear how far, exactly, those rides will go.
The company's Robotaxi account on X posted a video showing a Cybercab driving people around the Giga Texas factory (have you noticed the giant fork stabbed into the ground?). The Cybercab shown in the video appears to be the real deal: butterfly doors, no steering wheel, no safety driver.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The video's caption is only "Cool news from Giga Texas," but Tesla's official account retweeted the video with the caption "Cybercab employee rides at Giga Texas starting soon."
While still far from commercial operation, this is a neat beta test for Tesla, and a sign that the Cybercab project is progressing well. Still, as Electrek pointed out, it's unclear whether these cars will actually traverse the entire Giga Texas campus, or whether they'll just run a loop around a parking lot.
Right now, the Tesla robotaxis you'll encounter in Austin are Tesla Model Ys, which is a sort of transition towards the Cybercab era. But Cybercabs haven't gotten the green light from regulators; indeed, no commercial robotaxi service in the U.S. currently runs with cars completely devoid of steering wheels.
This may change soon. Just last week, Jonathan Morrison, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, told CNBC that the agency will "absolutely" consider ending its requirement that driverless cars include steering wheels. "If you're developing a vehicle that is designed never to be driven by a human operator, it doesn’t make any sense to require manual controls," he said.
The Shark AV2501AE robot vacuum is down to its best price of 2026 — buy for under $270The Shark AI Robot Vacuum AV2501AE is on sale at Amazon for $269.99, down from its typical $289.99 price.
SAVE $20: As of July 13, the Shark AI Robot Vacuum AV2501AE is down to $269.99 at Amazon. That's down from its typical $289.99 price.
Amazon has the Shark AI Robot Vacuum AV2501AE with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base down to $269.99 right now, marking the lowest price we’ve seen for this popular robot vacuum this year.
The Shark AI Robot Vacuum AV2501AE is built to handle the everyday messes that pile up, from crumbs and dust to pet hair across carpets and hard floors. Its strong suction helps pick up dirt and debris from different surfaces, while its Matrix Clean Navigation makes multiple passes over areas in a grid pattern to give your floors a more thorough clean instead of just randomly bouncing around.
One of the biggest perks is that you don’t have to constantly monitor it. The XL HEPA Self-Empty Base can hold up to 60 days of dirt and debris, so you can go weeks without emptying the bin yourself. The built-in HEPA filtration also traps 99.97% of dust and allergens down to 0.3 microns, making it a helpful option for homes dealing with pet hair, dander, or everyday dust.
The vacuum uses 360-degree LiDAR mapping to scan your home and create an accurate cleaning path, helping it navigate around furniture and obstacles, whether it’s cleaning during the day or at night. It can also run for up to 120 minutes on a single charge, then automatically return to the base to recharge and resume where it left off. You can also schedule cleanings or start a vacuum session hands-free using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Grab the Shark AI Robot Vacuum AV2501AE on Amazon and let this little cleaning sidekick handle the crumbs.
Why FIFA and YouTube are betting on creators this World CupInside FIFA and YouTube's Creator Cup, where IShowSpeed and top creators are reshaping how fans experience the World Cup and sports fandom.
On Sunday afternoon, the biggest star at a FIFA soccer event wasn't a professional footballer.
Hours before kickoff at Wollman Rink in New York City's Central Park, kids gathered outside the gates hoping for a glimpse of IShowSpeed. Some carried soccer balls and Sharpies in case they got lucky. Others settled for watching through the fence as YouTube and FIFA's inaugural Creator Cup got underway on a temporary pitch built atop the rink, while thousands more watched the action unfold live on YouTube.
Over the next 90 minutes, the crowd watched some of the internet's biggest personalities swap livestreams for soccer cleats under the blazing afternoon sun. Speed captained one side to victory in his No. 7 jersey — a nod to his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo — while soccer creator Céline Dept led the other in her custom "Celnado" kit.
Brazil's Allan Stag dazzled with quick footwork, while B Lou and Zias stayed alert between the goalposts. Marlon, JasonTheWeen, Zhong, Coringa, and other creators rounded out an international roster that looked more like the YouTube homepage than a traditional football lineup. But this was still a FIFA event: Pierluigi Collina, the organization's chief refereeing officer, officiated the match.
As FIFA works to reach a new generation of fans, creators are increasingly becoming a gateway to the sport. Initiatives like the Creator Cup recognize that some of football's biggest ambassadors now build their audiences on YouTube. Collectively, the creators invited to play in the tournament reach more than 350 million subscribers on the platform.
That strategy has been years in the making. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, YouTube worked with creators on the ground and saw how they could bring fans closer to the tournament outside of the matches themselves. Four years later, that collaboration has expanded well beyond creator coverage. This World Cup, YouTube partnered with FIFA to expand how fans experience the tournament, from livestreams and creator activations to taking over the southeast corner of Central Park for an all-star creator match-up.
The audience has followed. According to YouTube, World Cup videos from the creators it partnered with generated more than 1 billion views in the 2026 tournament's first two weeks, with personalities like IShowSpeed drawing tens of millions of viewers to their own livestreamed coverage.
Rather than replacing traditional broadcasts, Angela Courtin, YouTube's global head of brand marketing, said that creators offer fans a different way into the sport — one built around personality, community, and the online conversations that happen long before and after kickoff.
"The broadcasters play an amazing role in bringing the game [to the people]," Courtin told Mashable. "Creators just bring a different flavor. They're chatting with their fans every day. This game around the game that we've had on YouTube for the last 10 years, from clips and highlights to creators and fans, is really what we've been leaning into. We want to bring fans pitchside."
Among the creators who took to the turf was fashion creator Wisdom Kaye, who played forward for Céline Dept's team. He said brands and organizations are now realizing that creators understand how to capture attention in ways traditional marketing often can't.
"Creators understand a certain recipe that garners engagement, that garners attention, that garners an audience," Kaye told Mashable. "Companies spend millions of dollars every year trying to figure that out, but you have people with their phones who did it in a few months. There are certain things you can't replicate if you're a big business."
That attention has real monetary value. According to an analysis cited by Business Insider, influencer-led World Cup campaigns generated an estimated $4 billion in earned social media value.
It's the kind of reach organizations like FIFA are trying to harness. Romy Gai, FIFA's chief business officer, described the partnership with YouTube as a new approach to World Cup coverage, designed to work alongside traditional broadcasters while reaching fans wherever they already consume the sport. As part of that effort, participating broadcasters could stream the first 10 minutes of each match on YouTube.
Creators understand a certain recipe that garners engagement, that garners attention, that garners an audience.
"This is a novel approach that we've built together with our existing broadcasters," Gai told Mashable, describing it as a three-way collaboration between FIFA, broadcasters, and YouTube. "Understanding the need to onboard the younger generation, we found the best way to deliver the right content to the right audience at the right moment."
The way Kaye sees it, that's only possible when organizations trust creators to speak to audiences in their own voice: "You need to work with people who are human and who really understand these things."
For a creator like IShowSpeed, who has over 57 million YouTube subscribers, the event demonstrated how far the industry has come.
"This is crazy," he told Mashable before the match. "It just shows that the creator industry is evolving and bigger brands are starting to realize that. That's why we're here now. We've got a FIFA YouTube Creator Cup match, and I'm glad to be a part of that."
Zhong, a YouTuber who writes sketches for his 76 million subscribers, echoed that sentiment, saying opportunities like the Creator Cup would have been hard to imagine just a few years ago. "I'm really excited about where the creator space is heading," he said.
Streamer Marlon pointed to changing media habits among younger audiences, arguing that platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have become where many fans spend their time, making creator partnerships feel like a natural evolution. "I definitely think that's the place to put stuff now instead of [traditional] TV," he said.
For creators from outside the U.S., the event also carried a different significance. Brazilian creator Allan Stag called representing his country's creator community in New York's Central Park "next level."
"Getting to represent the Brazilian creator industry, especially in Central Park — it's crazy that they closed it out," he said.
His friend and rival on the pitch, Victor Augusto, who goes by Coringa, shared a similar thought. "Not only for the creator economy, but also for us as Brazilians, it's crazy to be here in New York representing Brazilian creators," he said.
JasonTheWeen, known for his IRL streams, pointed to the World Cup itself as another reason the event resonated. "Soccer is growing in the States, especially with the World Cup going on," he said. "To be able to participate in something like this is just epic."
For Gai, creators like Speed are more than influencers promoting the sport — they're helping shape how a new generation experiences it.
"His passion is genuine. His vision is so unique that he's adding a little bit of magic on top of our normal magic," Gai said. "It's a win-win combination."
As the match wound down, the crowd outside Wollman Rink hadn't thinned. If anything, it had grown. Teens packed the pathways while kids, and plenty of curious parents, climbed the hill overlooking the rink.
Gai believes that's ultimately what makes football unique. "Everybody should feel that football belongs to you." For a growing number of fans, creators are making that invitation feel personal.
Replace doomscrolling with documentaries for $128Get a Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription for $127.50 with code STREAM15 and stream thousands of documentaries covering science, history, technology, nature, engineering, and more.
TL;DR: Get a lifetime Curiosity Stream subscription for $127.50 with code STREAM15 and stream thousands of documentaries on science, history, technology, nature, and more.
Ever spend 20 minutes scrolling through a streaming service only to give up and rewatch your comfort show? Curiosity Stream solves a different problem. Instead of endless reality shows and algorithm bait, it offers thousands of documentaries covering science, history, technology, nature, engineering, and more. Right now, a lifetime subscription is $127.50 (reg. $399.99) with code STREAM15.
Created by Discovery Communications founder John Hendricks, Curiosity Stream has become one of the best-known destinations for documentary lovers. Whether you’re brushing up on the history behind your next travel destination, learning how the latest engineering breakthroughs work, or falling down a rabbit hole about ancient civilizations or space exploration, there’s always something new to explore. The catalog includes series such as Engineering the Future, Deep Time History, Planet of Treasures, and Out of the Cradle, with new documentaries added regularly.
The service streams in HD across phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs, and downloaded content makes it easy to watch during flights, commutes, or anywhere without reliable Wi-Fi. It also supports watchlists, so you can bookmark titles for later and seamlessly pick up where you left off across devices.
Beyond entertainment, Curiosity Stream can double as a learning resource. Parents can use it to supplement homeschooling or homework, creatives can mine it for research and inspiration, and language learners can turn on subtitles while exploring subjects they genuinely enjoy. Better yet, with a lifetime subscription, it won’t become another recurring charge on your monthly credit card bill.
Formerly $399.99, you can score a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream for just $127.50 with code STREAM15.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Your future self will thank you for grabbing this $60 lifetime data recovery dealRest easy knowing your files are safe with this lifetime subscription to BigMind Data Recovery Pro Plan.
TL;DR: Rest easy knowing your files are safe with this lifetime subscription to BigMind Data Recovery Pro Plan, now only $59.99 (reg. $357).
It sometimes feels like our whole lives sit on our devices — so losing data can be devastating. BigMind Data Recovery lets you rest easier by offering a way to avoid that kind of disaster with full system image backups, bare-metal recovery, and protection that stops ransomware in its tracks.
Right now, you can even lock in a lifetime subscription to a BigMind Data Recovery Pro Plan for just $59.99 (reg. $357).
Have you ever wondered how much important data lives on your device? From family photos to priceless moments captured on video and important files we need to keep, some things in our digital footprints are irreplaceable. BigMind Data Recovery gives you a reliable way to secure your system, apps, settings, and files.
BigMind DR provides more than your basic file backup — it lets you back up a full system image. You can also restore single files or rebuild your entire machine after a crash.
While this method of recovering data may seem intimidating, there is no expensive hardware involved and no complicated setup. Your backups stay on your own drive, a USB drive, or a NAS.
If you ever experience data loss, your options for recovering your data are flexible. You can browse backup files directly from your dashboard, restore individual files if that’s all you need, or mount a backup image as a VHDX virtual disk.
Aside from offering recovery tools, BigMind DR also has built-in ransomware detection that flags suspicious encryption activity and notifies you via email and Slack.
This lifetime subscription lets you protect up to 15 users, each with three devices, plus three servers. You’ll also have hourly backups with a full year of history, including 57 recovery points over 365 days.
Lock in a lifetime subscription to BigMind Data Recovery Pro Plan for just $59.99 now.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Time to upgrade? Save $300 on the Google Pixel Pro 10 at Amazon right now.Get the best Google Pixel deal. Save 30% on the Google Pixel 10 Pro at Amazon.
SAVE $300: As of July 13, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is on sale for $699 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.
A new deal on the Google Pixel 10 Pro just dropped at Amazon. If you're looking for a new smartphone to buy outright, this is a truly great deal.
As of July 13, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is $300 off, bringing the price down to $699 for the 128GB, obsidian colored device. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is a "good deal", and only $15 off its best-ever price.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is a really advanced smartphone, built with lots of AI features. It has a 6.3-inch Super Actua display with clear visuals with up to 3,300 nits peak brightness, making it easy to view even in direct sunlight. It has a durable design, and is powered by the Google Tensor G5 chip, so it's robust both on the inside and out. It's unlocked too, so you can use it with any provider.
If a good phone camera is important to you, you'll love this phone. The camera system is designed to capture incredible detail in any lighting. Plus, features like 100x Pro Res Zoom, 50MP images, and super steady 8K video make it easier to capture everything in great quality.
Get this smartphone deal at Amazon for a limited-time only.
The Aiper Scuba V3 robot pool cleaner is down to its lowest-ever price — save $600 at AmazonFind the best robot pool cleaner deal. Save 43% on the Aiper Scuba V3 at Amazon.
SAVE $600: As of July 13, the Aiper Scuba V3 is on sale for $799.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.
Summer means finally being able to enjoy your outdoor space, and if you have a pool, warmer weather is the perfect time to dive in and cool off. But of course, pools come with lots of work and maintenance, and it's important to stay on top of it.
If you’d rather spend your summer swimming than scrubbing, a robot pool cleaner is a great way to make maintenance easier. And as of July 13, there's a great deal on the Aiper Scuba V3 at Amazon. It's currently $600 off, bringing it down to its best-ever price.
This robotic pool cleaner uses AI to make pool maintenance easy. It has features like a front-facing camera that detects more than 20 types of debris and helps it to navigate directly towards dirt. It's also designed to clean up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, so you've got more time to spend in the water.
After it has completed cleaning, the robot returns to the pool’s waterline and stays there, so it's easy for you to retrieve. The app will also send you a notification to let you know when it’s ready. After use, it can be stored in the wireless charging dock, which doesn't require any installation. It uses plug-free charging, and keeps the cleaner neatly stored when not in use.
Get this robot pool cleaner deal at Amazon now.
Move over, Lego: Play-Doh just dropped its own stunning botanical line for adultsBlooms by Play-Doh is Hasbro’s first adult-focused Play-Doh collection, with floral kits starting at $24.99.
If your last memory of Play-Doh involves making lopsided snakes in kindergarten, this is the version your adult self has been waiting for. The iconic toy is getting a surprisingly sophisticated makeover with Blooms by Play-Doh, a new line of adult craft kits designed to turn colorful dough into display-worthy floral arrangements.
The collection starts at $24.99 and is available now at Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
The Blooms by Play-Doh Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit keeps things simple without feeling too basic. The kit comes with everything you need to build a small bouquet, including Play-Doh compound, shaping tools, a clear display vase, finishing spray, and a step-by-step guide with photos, making it easy to jump in even if you've never tried crafting flowers before.
You'll create eight blooms using a rolling technique that forms two different flower styles, then seal everything with the included finishing spray to help the finished bouquet hold its shape over time. The floral-scented Play-Doh adds a nice touch, while the finished arrangement is designed to sit on a desk, shelf, or table as a handmade decoration instead of ending up back in the craft drawer.
The Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit is also a great starting point if you're curious about the new collection but don't want to jump straight into a larger bouquet. The kit comes with everything you need to create 12 colorful wildflowers, including floral-scented Play-Doh, shaping tools, a clear display vase, and a detailed step-by-step guide that makes the process simple.
Once your bouquet is finished, a light coat of the finishing spray helps preserve the flowers so they're ready to display. There's also plenty of room to get creative along the way, making each arrangement feel a little different from the last.
The Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit is designed to make crafting feel relaxing instead of intimidating. Everything you need comes in the box — from flower molds and shaping tools to stems, a vase, and finishing spray — so you can jump right in without buying extra supplies.
One of the coolest parts is watching the flowers take shape. You simply load the colorful Play-Doh into the blooming tools, press down, and watch detailed petals emerge to create your own bouquet. Once your bouquet is finished, let the flowers dry, give them a light coat of the finishing spray to help preserve them, then arrange everything in the clear vase for a display piece that can stick around long after craft night is over.
If you're looking for the most display-worthy kit in the lineup, the Blooms by Play-Doh Garden Bouquet Kit is a great choice. It lets you build a full bouquet of 20 flowers in different shapes and sizes, with soft pinks, whites, and yellows giving the finished arrangement a fresh, spring-inspired look.
What makes this kit fun is that it feels more like arranging flowers than playing with modeling dough. The included tools help shape realistic petals, while the smaller blooms and greenery let you personalize the bouquet rather than just follow a template. Once your flowers have dried, a quick spray helps them hold their shape so they can stay on display as a colorful handmade centerpiece.
The Fire TV Stick HD is on sale right now at Amazon — save $15Get the best streaming stick deal at Amazon. Save 43% on the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD.
SAVE $15: As of July 13, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.
The newest Fire TV Stick HD is back on sale at Amazon, and right now you can save $15.
This edition recently got some upgrades, with new features like improved support from Alexa+ and faster app launches. As of July 13, you can take it home for just $19.99.
With this streaming device you'll have access to thousands of apps, including streaming favorites like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and lots more. It doesn't take up loads of space, coming in a slim, lightweight design that plugs directly into your TV's HDMI port. With this new model, it's now powered directly from the TV thanks to the included USB-C cable.
The included Alexa Voice Remote also lets you search for shows, launch apps, adjust the volume, and control other compatible TV accessories. You can even use Alexa to manage smart home devices (robot vacuums, camera doorbells, etc.) or have it do simple tasks like look up the weather forecast.
This deal is available at Amazon right now.
How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for freeHow to watch World Cup for free. Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
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 final is now fast approaching. 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, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi as we hit the semi-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.
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.
The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.
A number of streaming platforms are offering free coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Australia — SBS
France — M6
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:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)
Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
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.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
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
30-day money-back guarantee
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).
Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to claimHow to get the Apple iPhone for free. Score the Apple iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro for free with T-Mobile.
TL;DR: T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro for free right now. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.
Did you know that Apple just bumped up the price of iPads and Macs? Have you read all about RAMageddon? Are you aware that smartphones are next to get price hikes? We're sorry to break this to you, but prices are on the rise across the board.
But you know what's bucking the trend? T-Mobile's selection of iPhone offers that include free deals. In fact, T-Mobile has dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals in July 2026:
Apple iPhone 17 — free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).
It's important to note that T-Mobile isn't handing you a new iPhone without some strings attached. The retail cost of your new phone is offset by 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Your monthly statement will show a standard charge for financing the phone, which is immediately balanced out by an equal credit. Translation: You are signing up for a 24-month commitment with the network.
If you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to the iPhone 18 before the 24-month contract comes to an end, the remaining unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately. You will also need to cover the standard upfront taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee.
That's a small price to pay for an iPhone that "has never been better," according to our review.
Get the Apple iPhones 17 for free with T-Mobile.
T-Mobile has dropped the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to claimHow to get the Apple iPhone for free. Score the Apple iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro for free with T-Mobile.
TL;DR: T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro for free right now. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.
Did you know that Apple just bumped up the price of iPads and Macs? Have you read all about RAMageddon? Are you aware that smartphones are next to get price hikes? We're sorry to break this to you, but prices are on the rise across the board.
But you know what's bucking the trend? T-Mobile's selection of iPhone offers that include free deals. In fact, T-Mobile has dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals in July 2026:
Apple iPhone 17 — free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).
It's important to note that T-Mobile isn't handing you a new iPhone without some strings attached. The retail cost of your new phone is offset by 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Your monthly statement will show a standard charge for financing the phone, which is immediately balanced out by an equal credit. Translation: You are signing up for a 24-month commitment with the network.
If you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to the iPhone 18 before the 24-month contract comes to an end, the remaining unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately. You will also need to cover the standard upfront taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee.
That's a small price to pay for an iPhone that "has never been better," according to our review.
Get the Apple iPhones 17 for free with T-Mobile.
House of the Dragons trailer for Season 3s second half teases big, fiery battles"House of the Dragon" has dropped its trailer for the second half of Season 3.
We're halfway through House of the Dragon Season 3, but there's still a whole lot more to come.
That certainly the impression given by the "weeks ahead" trailer above that dropped after episode 4, and which teases tents burning, dragons circling, and some battle sequences that look like they may be up there in scale with episode 1's Battle of the Gullet.
Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) may have claimed the Iron Throne, but it seems Team Black is far from victory.
The Vampire Lestat episode 7: What will happen next?Time to speculate on what's next for Louis, Lestat, Armand, and Akasha.
By the end of The Vampire Lestat episode 6, titled "Montreal," the eponymous anti-hero (Sam Reid) and his on-again-off-again lover Louis (Jacob Anderson) have been decapitated, after having been ambushed by the now-in-cahoots Daniel (Eric Bogosian) and Armand (Assad Zaman).
Are they dead? Certainly not, right?
So, what could Interview with the Vampire creator Rolin Jones have up his sleep for the finale of Vampire Lestat's first season? Critics were only given episodes 1 through 6 for review. So, we're speculating from here.
Here's Mashable's predictions of what will happen in episode 7 of The Vampire Lestat.
Armand has been in the shadows this season, lurking around Lestat as he goes on tour. Sure, he's surfaced with some AA atonement chatter to some that he wronged. But Lestat is right to suspect there's more to his reappearance. Little does he realize Armand has become the sponsor of bitter bandmate Alex (Seamus Patterson), who had described the ancient vampire as a "god" to his late brother, Larry (Noah Reid).
Armand pulls some theatrics to get his fledgling Daniel back on his side. And together, all three ambush Louis and Lestat. But why? A retrial is my guess.
Lestat is gearing up for a concert, where vampires around the world will convene to hear the album he made for their ears. I speculate that Armand will use this same stage to get his revenge on Lestat. As he sees it, Lestat stole control of the Théâtre des Vampires trial to save Louis. So, this could be his chance to turn the tables, making Lestat's audience his new congregation.
"Armand told the truth" has been a motto that's appeared throughout the season, driving Lestat batty. So, I predict episode 7 will be him outing the truth by forcing a wounded Lestat to finally answer Daniel's burning questions. What else might we learn?
When Lestat first reads Daniel's Interview with the Vampire, he's outraged at the suggestion that he'd threatened to rape Claudia (Delainey Hayles) when she attempted to run away again. Even fans bristled at this reading of the scene from Interview with the Vampire Season 1. In comments sections, they argue that Lestat was saying terrible things like rape could happen in the world if she sets out alone again — not that he'd do that to her.
Here's what Lestat actually said in Season 1: "What [Bruce] did to you was in very poor taste. Could you imagine if something like that happened to you again?"
In an interview with Mashable, Sam Reid, who plays Lestat, said of this scene being presented as the Brat Prince threatening his daughter with sexual assault as punishment, "He's blindsided by that. I think it's a very painful thing."
Reid then added, "We'll see Lestat's version of the train scene before the end of the season."
In episode 6, Claudia's spirit scoffs over this train scene. She admits she cried to Louis that Lestat threatened to rape her to manipulate him against their shared maker. "Worked good, didn't it?" She laughs.
Episode 7 will be Lestat's chance to share his point of view of that scene at long last.
When Lestat sits down for Daniel's documentary in "Toronto," he shares a story about how Nicky's mental health only deteriorated after getting the dark gift. In flashbacks, Nicky chops off his own hand, asking Lestat to cut off the other. Meanwhile, Gabriella laughs and Armand watches in silence.
Lestat then tells Daniel:
"Gabriella went to coffin, leaving us and Armand. I told Nicky that I loved him, from the first seconds I saw him in Paris. That I was drunk with his love. I was engulfed by it. Your maker will tell you I was being kind, but in the moment, the words were true. I think.
I remember the light. Fireplace reflecting gold onto his face, onto his bare arms. But I would not look at the wound. I could not. I, um, I couldn't do it. But I watched as Armand pushed him into the fire and made sure he stayed there with a poker in his chest. Nicky had a bemused look on his face as he burned. And his mouth formed into a circle. And he made only one sound."
Then Lestat lets out a low, prolonged moan.
Notably, the flashback cuts off before showing any of these events. So, I suspect at the trial, Armand and Daniel will gleefully, self-righteously rake Lestat over the coals for the details about this part of his story. And the truth of Nicky's death will come out.
Readers of the Anne Rice books have an inside track here. But Jones may make his own spin on that narrative. So, rather than pulling from Queen of the Damned, the third of Rice's Vampire Chronicles, we'll look back to what was said at the auction, which opened Season 3 and seems to bookend The Vampire Lestat.
When describing the Lestat-centric lots on the auction block, the auctioneer calmly refers to "consequential global catastrophes" that Lestat kicked off. Then, in his early narration of The Failures, Lestat himself says, "I'm not saying the attempted extinction of the Y chromosome across the continents was all my fault. No, that would suggest a level of self-importance even I am not confident with. But upon reflection — yeah, I made a contribution."
Within this season, we've seen in flashback that his speaking to Akasha (Sheila Atim) roused her from her stone-like slumber once before. Surely, his concert would have done the same — so why not his trial?
Sounds like she'll rise again, taking down a slew of men in particular, but also possibly the vengeance-seeking Baby Jenks (Ella Ballentine)? Perhaps she'll slay Daniel, who Baby Jenks foretold would "die bad" back in episode 1. Maybe Akasha, Queen of the Damned, is to blame for Armand's eyepatch and Louis' limp in that aforementioned auction? But will she come for Lestat or kill him?
Unlikely! For one thing, we haven't come to the catastrophe yet. And since Lestat refers to it on The Failures, he'll have to have survived them to record his recollection of them. So while he's not in the auction at the opening, he will survive the end of this season into the "future seasons" that Reid teased in his Mashable interview.
The Vampire Lestat is now streaming on AMC and AMC+, with new episodes each Sunday.
Wait!? Did The Vampire Lestat really just kill off Louis and Lestat?Wonder what's next for the Interview with the Vampire series? We've got you.
Deep breaths! Chances are if you're reading this, you just finished watching The Vampire Lestat episode 6, "Montreal." Which means you've just seen on-again-off-again vampire lovers Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) and Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) share a cozy moment on a park bench — before being unceremoniously decapitated.
It's a wild episode.
Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) outs Sofia's true identity as Gabriella (Jennifer Ehle), mother and fledgling and lover of her son Lestat, through a sex tape. The witch Merrick (Sarah Afful) conducts a seance that reunites Louis and Lestat with Claudia (Delainey Hayles), and that does not go great! Then — despite all of this — Lestat and Louis take a break from screaming matches, sit down, and seem on the verge of a new chapter, when Daniel and Armand (Assad Zaman) and the vampire Alex (Seamus Patterson) descend to cut off their heads.
Even if you read the books, you might not have seen this one coming. But does this mean the end for Louis and Lestat? No. Can't be.
Let's dig into the reasons why.
Sure, Interview With the Vampire series creator Rolin Jones has been taking some dramatic liberties with Anne Rice's core novels. He's changed settings, race-bent characters, and plucked bits from later books to put in the first two seasons. But he's not likely to kill off its most popular characters as a cliffhanger for the penultimate episode of The Vampire Lestat.
Does he come close? Sure. There's a stint where the impervious Brat Prince even tries to see if he can die. But this isn't how it'll happen.
In the third episode of The Vampire Lestat, the eponymous anti-hero sits down for an interview with Daniel Molloy and says, "I'm immortal, more or less. The light of the sun, the sustained heat of an intense fire, Jefferson Starship, garrote-wielding coven members, these things might destroy me. But then again, they might not."
Also, in episode 3, Daniel says Lestat owes him for preventing the Brat Prince from being beheaded in Detroit (both on the tour stop and in the episode) by the Fang Gang. Daniel is pedantically corrected by Dr. Fareed (Gopal Divan), who says, "You assume death at decapitation. A study done in Budapest had two class B vampires surviving separation for nearly two hours. A vampire of Lestat's breeding could last four to five times [longer]."
Later in the episode, Louis kills a Fang Gang member by chopping off his head. But the Jar-Jar Binks tattoo suggests this bloodsucker was not very old. Even Bruce (Damon Daunno) scoffs at his coven, calling them idealistic Gen Z'ers. Lestat and Louis are older, and made of tougher stuff (meaning the blood of Akasha).
"Detroit" offers one hint: Daniel does hate Lestat. After using his glamor power to trick Daniel into thinking he'd gotten the rock star to open up about Nicky and Magnus on camera, Lestat's voiceover from The Failures recording says, "A mean-spirited telepathetic prank, a price paid for amusing my muses. It brought poor Dan to his knees and seeded a hate for me inside him there to be watered in the sunlight later. But what can I say? Serving cunt has its consequences."
But let's not forget that Daniel's reunited with his daddy, Armand, who seems to have some strategy in place. For what? We have theories.
The Vampire Lestat is now streaming on AMC+, with new episodes each Sunday.
NYT Pips hints, answers for July 13, 2026The New York Times' latest game, Pips, brings domino fun to your desktop. How to play Pips as well as hints in case you get stuck.
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.
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.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally.
Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.
Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 30-5, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 13, 2026Connections: Sports Edition is a New York Times word game about finding common sports threads between words. How to solve the day's puzzle.
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch Kansas sports.
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.
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.
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 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.
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: On the baseball field
Green: In Kansas
Blue: Messi, Messi, Messi
Purple: Sounds like a baseball team
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Materials Found on a Baseball Field
Green: Teams in Kansas
Blue: Lionel Messi Teams
Purple: Starts of MLB Team Names
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 #658 is...
Materials Found on a Baseball Field: CHALK, DIRT, GRASS, RUBBER
Teams in Kansas: JAYHAWKS, SHOCKERS, SPORTING KC, WILDCATS
Lionel Messi Teams: ARGENTINA, BARCELONA, INTER MIAMI, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Starts of MLB Team Names: BLUE, MARL, ROCK, WHIT
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 today's Connections.
NYT Strands hints, answers for July 13, 2026The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know happiness.
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.
The words are related to feeling content.
These words describe things happy feelings.
Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Today's spangram is Hits the spot.
Pleasant
Enjoyable
Satisfying
Delightful
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 today's Strands.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 13, 2026Connections is a New York Times word game that's all about finding the "common threads between words." How to solve the puzzle.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like cats.
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.
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.
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Police interaction
Green: Hold this
Blue: Cats
Purple: Sounds like a kiss
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Interrogate
Green: Things with Handles
Blue: Fictional Cats
Purple: Starting with Smooches
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 #1128 is...
Interrogate: EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION
Things with Handles: BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA
Fictional Cats: FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM
Starting with Smooches: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN
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 today's Connections.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 13, 2026Here's the answer for "Wordle" #1850 on July 13 as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're like a dark beer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brave, bold.
The letter T appears twice.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
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...
STOUT
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 today's Wordle.
House of the Dragon cut a fan favorite book character. But is that a bad thing?"House of the Dragon" cut "Fire and Blood" fan favorite Nettles, replacing her with Rhaena. So far, the change is working.
House of the Dragon has made no shortage of changes in its adaptation of George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, much to the consternation of the book's biggest fans (and Martin himself).
One of the changes that earned the most gripes was House of the Dragon's decision to cut Fire and Blood's character of Nettles, a key dragonrider, and gift her storyline to Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell). At first, I'll admit, I was skeptical of the move as well. Why cut such a fascinating figure? But the first half of Season 3 has proven that merging Rhaena with Nettles wasn't just a matter of trimming Fire and Blood's considerable cast. It's also a way to further complicate the Targaryen family's thorny dynamics and Rhaenyra's growing paranoia.
In the book, Nettles is a lowborn girl from Driftmark who manages to claim Sheepstealer by feeding him sheep, just like Rhaena does in the show. Fearless and clever, she joins the dragonseed crew and fights at the Battle of the Gullet. Later, she and Daemon (Matt Smith) develop a close relationship as they seek out Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Vhagar, but Fire and Blood's historical "sources" differ on the true nature of their bond. Mushroom, a court fool, claims the pair are lovers. (For the record, she's 17 and he's 49.) Maester Norren of Maidenpool, where the pair spends considerable time, characterizes Daemon's behavior towards Nettles as more paternal. Like many of its historical events, Fire and Blood leaves the truth of Daemon and Nettles' relationship ambiguous, although it does give the lover theory much more airtime.
Whichever account you choose to believe, the important thing to know is that Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) winds up hating Nettles, believing her to be a traitor. This puts a wedge between her and Daemon, who eventually helps Nettles escape after Rhaenyra demands her head.
House of the Dragon remixes the Nettles storyline significantly by replacing her with Rhaena, starting with the Battle of the Gullet. Instead of fighting alongside her fellow dragonriders, Rhaena loses control of her wild dragon and burns several Velaryon ships. Worse, the chaos of her and Sheepstealer's presence inadvertently leads to Jacaerys' (Harry Collett) death. That right there gives Rhaenyra more than enough cause to hate Sheepstealer's rider the way she hates Nettles, even if she doesn't know it's Rhaena quite yet.
Sheepstealer's rebellion also adds new dimensions to Rhaena. Up through Season 2, Rhaena has mostly been relegated to the background as the Targaryen without a dragon. While that reflects her own family's treatment of her, it doesn't make for the most compelling TV character. Now, though, she's faced with a horrifying reality: She's gotten the dragon she always wanted, but she can never join her fellow Targaryen dragonriders. Worse, she can never return home, knowing that Rhaenyra will blame her for Jace's death.
In Season 3, episode 4, House of the Dragon continues to build on this family tragedy when Daemon discovers Rhaena hiding out in the Vale. He realizes the horrible bind he now finds himself in. Should he go after his daughter to bring closure to Rhaenyra, knowing full well the truth would devastate Rhaenyra further and leave Rhaena's life forfeit? Or should he lie to Rhaenyra?
He chooses the latter option, burning an unknown body and claiming its unrecognizable head is that of Sheepstealer's rider. The lie showcases Daemon's protective paternal side, a rare sight to see in House of the Dragon, but it also reveals that there are limits to his loyalty to Rhaenyra. His daughters' safety is that limit.
Rhaenyra has feared betrayal from her own camp ever since Jace and her Queensguard locked her up before the Battle of the Gullet. But her pain and rage from that incident would pale in comparison to the double whammy that Rhaena rides Sheepstealer and that Daemon lied to her about it. Plus, what happens if Baela (Bethany Antonia) learns of Rhaena's whereabouts before Rhaenyra? You know that she would absolutely stand by her twin sister, meaning Rhaenyra would believe she's being betrayed by three of her remaining family members.
By making Rhaena Sheepstealer's rider and having her involved in Jace's death, House of the Dragon has woven an intricate web of tragic misunderstandings. With every episode, the threads on this web pull tighter and tighter, promising a painful, likely explosive conclusion once Rhaenyra inevitably learns the truth.
You simply don't get this same level of tragedy in Fire and Blood. Nettles and Daemon spend much of their time together sequestered in Maidenpool, removed from the rest of Team Black. (Them potentially being lovers adds an extra ick factor, especially since House of the Dragon has already seen enough child brides for a lifetime.) House of the Dragon's tweaks bring this storyline right to the heart of the Targaryen family, roping Rhaena, likely Baela, and even the late Jace into Rhaenyra and Daemon's conflict. It's an adaptation change that bolsters a good chunk of the show's existing ensemble, without adding new figures and spreading the rest of the cast thin.
So, while you can be sad to miss Nettles in House of the Dragon, don't simply dismiss House of the Dragon's changes to her storyline as needless alterations. Four episodes into Season 3, and they've made the show richer and more heartbreaking, proving that House of the Dragon knows exactly what it's doing when it comes to adaptation.
House of the Dragons Ormund Hightower cooks up a villainous plan that isnt in the bookIn "House of the Dragon" Season 3, episode 4, Ormund Hightower reveals his plot to crown Daeron Targaryen. It's a show-only invention.
Ever since Ormund Hightower (James Norton) showed up in House of the Dragon, he's done nothing but sniff his pomander, give a boy a perfect Targaryen bleach job, and lie. Now, in Season 3, episode 4, his true master plan comes to light.
He doesn't want to help protect Aegon II Targaryen's (Tom Glynn-Carney) claim to rule. Instead, he wants to place someone else entirely on the Iron Throne: Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth).
Since Daeron was raised as a ward of House Hightower, Ormund believes he's not as affected by the "taint" of the Targaryen blood he shares with his siblings. Instead, he thinks he's more of a Hightower, blessed with the virtues of the Seven and therefore more suited to rule. Remember, High Septon Balman (Simon Chandler) refused to bless Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) coronation because he finds the Targaryens and their dragons profane. Perhaps he and the rest of the Faith of the Seven would look differently on Daeron due to his connection to House Hightower.
None of Ormund's schemes, from using a decoy Daeron (Charlie Gordon) to planning to crown the real Daeron, is in George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood. However, the change opens up several fascinating possibilities for their future that aren't present in the book.
Ormund and Daeron spend much of their time in and around Tumbleton. They also fight in the Battle of the Honeywine, which the show appears to have cut. During their time in Tumbleton, some of the local lords believe that Daeron should be crowned king, as he is a challenger to Rhaenyra's claim. However, Ormund is not the mastermind of this plot. In putting Ormund in control of the plot, House of the Dragon beefs up his role as a major antagonist outside the direct Targaryen family, while also putting more emphasis on Daeron's claim to the throne.
These elements are already present in Fire and Blood, but that book is a 700-page tome of Targaryen history, with only a small fraction devoted to the Dance of the Dragons. Because of this, we get a lot less time with characters like Ormund and Daeron than we do in the show. House of the Dragon has the power to expand on many of its characters, sometimes at the cost of cutting key book characters. (See: Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) and Fire and Blood's Nettles.) That power is on full display with Ormund and Daeron, which offers a fascinating glimpse at their lord and squire dynamic and further highlights House Hightower's devotion to the Seven. The plan to crown Daeron also adds even more urgency to Rhaenyra's need to establish herself firmly as the Queen of the Seven Kingdom. Plus, the fake Daeron move worsens Rhaenyra's growing paranoia.
All of that is a potent combination that wouldn't have been possible had House of the Dragon not strayed a bit from its source material. Because it did, we're gifted with an even more formidable new villain, as well as an intriguing new conspiracy that book readers and show-only watchers alike won't be able to predict.
Is Sunfyre still alive in House of the Dragon?Is Aegon II Targaryen's dragon Sunfyre still alive in "House of the Dragon"?
The number of dragons in House of the Dragon dwindles with every season.
Season 1 ended with Lucerys Velaryon's (Elliot Grihault) Arrax getting chomped in half by Aemond Targaryen's (Ewan Mitchell) Vhagar. Vhagar continued to pick off her fellow dragons at the Battle of Rook's Rest in Season 2, when she wounded Rhaenys Targaryen's (Eve Best) Meleys and sent her and her rider plummeting to their deaths. Vhagar also torched Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and his dragon Sunfyre, leaving the pair to fall from the skies in a literal blaze of glory. Finally, Season 3 kicked off with the death of Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) and Vermax, both of whom perished during the Battle of the Gullet.
But what if one dragon who was presumed to be dead is still very much alive?
In House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4, Aegon reunites with what appears to be the corpse of Sunfyre, which has been languishing in the Crownlands since the Battle of Rook's Rest. Several locals have taken advantage of Sunfyre's presence, turning the spectacle of a dead dragon into the world's most depressing petting zoo.
However, Aegon believes Sunfyre actually isn't dead.
"He's alive. I know it. He's alive. He must be," Aegon tells Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) after petting Sunfyre for the first time since Rook's Rest.
Larys treats Aegon's insistence that Sunfyre is alive like the ravings of a mad man, and it's hard to disagree with him. Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon have always taught viewers that no death is truly confirmed unless you see the evidence of a dead body. Here, we see a pretty definitive corpse.
However, if anyone would be able to sense if their dragon was still alive, it would be their rider. Plus, if Sunfyre is truly dead, it would be a massive change from George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood. (Not that the show is afraid to make some bold changes, many of which pay off.) With that in mind, let's take a look at what happens to Fire and Blood's version of Sunfyre, and see how that could map onto the show.
Sunfyre survives Rook's Rest in Fire and Blood, but he's deeply wounded and unable to fly home to King's Landing. Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) leaves a group of men near Sunfyre to guard and feed him while he heals. Eventually, Sunfyre heals enough to get back in on the action, and he plays a pivotal part in the conflict to come. Without giving away any further spoilers, I'll just say it would be pretty tough to pull off the rest of the Dance of the Dragons without him, although House of the Dragon might already have a plan in place.
In House of the Dragon, unlike in Fire and Blood, Sunfyre is not moving or showing any signs of life at all. Because of this, Criston hasn't left anyone behind to help feed him, and citizens of the Crownlands feel emboldened enough that they can walk up to Sunfyre and touch him. (For a fee, of course!) All of this seems like a pretty solid argument for his death — unless Sunfyre is just in some kind of draconic healing coma. Perhaps he's just sleeping off his horrible injuries, and he'll rise again when Aegon needs him. Which, given Aegon's treatment at the ruins of Rook's Rest, seems like it could be any day now.
House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4: Ormund Hightowers crash out is destined to become a memeIn "House of the Dragon" Season 3, episode 4, Ormund Hightower has a crash out for the ages.
All men must die, and all men must occasionally crash out.
It's not the official saying, but it feels like the theme of House of the Dragon Season 3 so far, which has had deaths aplenty from the very first episode, as well as more than a few incidents of characters losing their shit.
The greatest crash out so far? Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton), who in episode 4, goes from calmly indulging in some smelling salts to teaching his dining table a very serious lesson.
The Ormund we're introduced to in episode 1 is cool, calm, and collected as he receives a note from Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) telling him to wait for Aemond to send word. In episode 4, he finally receives that word — and his reaction is slightly less chill.
"A raven just arrived from Harrenhal, my lord," says his surly second-in-command (Joplin Sibtain). "It bears the Hightower seal."
Ormund opens the note and reads it with a completely blank face while Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) watches on nervously from the sidelines. By the time Ormund's finished reading, he's presumably seen something he doesn't like, because he hisses across at a nearby servant, "Get out. Now."
The servant scarpers, and not a moment too soon. Within seconds, Ormund goes from sitting still as a statue to slamming his hands onto the desk over and over, punctuating every slam with "Useless! Craven! Cunt!"
He then proceeds to draw his sword and drop the c-bomb three more times as as he slams the blade into the wood as hard as he possibly can.
The entire sequence is House of the Dragon comedy at its finest. The expression of apoplectic rage on Ormund's face as he screams "CUNT!" for the third time while hammering his blade into the wood is surely destined for meme territory, particularly when it's contrasted with him calmly sitting back down moments later and telling Daeron in a light, airy tone: "Your uncle Gwayne has sent word. It seems Aemond will not be joining us after all."
A glorious scene to watch, which must have been even more fun to act.
It also says a lot about Ormund's character: Beneath his carefully curated veneer of respectability and honor, there's a pretty serious temper waiting to explode out.
House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4: Has Alyn solved the rat problem in Kings Landing?In "House of the Dragon" Season 3, episode 4, Alyn (Abubakar Salim) has a suggestion that could solve Rhaenyra's (Emma D'Arcy) rat issue.
Rats have infested House of the Dragon's Red Keep since Season 2, but one savvy sailor may have just solved the issue.
In Season 3, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) finds the royal seat of power in King's Landing brimming with rodents. There are no ratcatchers left in the city — Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) had them all hanged in Season 2 after the terrible business with Blood and Cheese — so the rats are free to swarm the halls.
Until Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) gives the queen an old mariner's trick: Bring in the cats.
A naval war hero in his estranged father Lord Corlys Velaryon's (Steve Toussaint) fleet, Alyn knows a trick or two about keeping close quarters free of vermin. Attending the queen in his father's absence, Alyn and Rhaenyra have a heart-to-heart looking at King Viserys' Old Valyria model.
"Incessant!" Rhaenyra says, when she finds a horde of rats scurrying about the model. "Thanks to Aegon, all the ratcatchers are dead."
"Onboard ship, we kept cats," offers Alyn.
Outside of Westeros, ship's cats have been constant companions of sailors for hundreds of years, and have been the adorable subject of many authors and maritime museums. As National Museums Liverpool writes, "Until the Royal Navy banned cats and other pets on board ships in 1975, many sailors and seafarers welcomed their whiskered crew mates on long voyages, enlisting them to keep the relentless hordes of mice and rats at bay." The museum also says cats were symbols of bravery during World War II, and that "some were rewarded for their services on board and were even given their own uniforms!"
The respect.
In George R. R. Martin's Fire and Blood, it's Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) who solves the Red Keep's rat problem, bringing no less than 100 cats into the building to sort that shit out. A centurion of felines! But seeing as he's, you know, off his head at present, it's up to Alyn to manage the situation. Perhaps this plan will include the progenitor of poor ill-fated Ser Pounce, the beloved cat of King Tommen Baratheon in Game of Thrones.
House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4: The seasons dogs are hereIn "House of the Dragon" Season 3, episode 4, we get two very good dogs in the Vale.
Very good boys are few and far between in Westeros, but they're often the internet's favourite characters.
House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4 gifts us with two lengthy dogs of utter elegance, and their appareance in this dragon-dominated world is a welcome sight.
In the episode, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) goes to squeeze funds out of the Vale to fill the empty coffers of King's Landing. Here, he must bargain with Lady Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin), Lady of the Eyrie, who appears on that gorgeous wooden throne above the perilous Moon Door, flanked by two hounds.
Thanks to House of the Dragon animal trainer Kim Gaskell, these pooches sit quietly during the meeting, the pair's silken coats matching Lady Arryn's cream cape. Considering the Vale seems like an absolute Wuthering Heights of boredom and loneliness and one elusive dragon, I'd say having two elegant hounds for company is what Lady Arryn deserves.
In Season 2, the internet praised another canine, the ratcatcher's dog, as "the only loyal character in the show."
House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4: Ormund has the ultimate WFH situationIn "House of the Dragon" Season 3, episode 4, Ormund Hightower (James Norton) has the ultimate bath desk.
Working from home in Westeros depends on whose castle you've just seized, and Ormund Hightower (James Norton) has landed himself the ultimate set-up.
House of the Dragon's latest home-invading lord not only pulled a switcheroo on Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) in Season 3, episode 3, but he's gone and taken over the town of Tumbleton by episode 4.
And it's here where we see the most covetable home decor in the Seven Kingdoms: the bath table to end all bath tables. Down the bench, Iron Throne.
At the start of the episode, Ormund takes a highly Geralt of Rivia-style meeting with the actual owners of the house, a much disgruntled Lord and Lady Footly of Tumbleton (Adam Brown and Alexandra Moen). In the centre of a very busy room, he sits smugly in their deep soaking tub, a marvel of medieval cooperage and iron sanctuary hoops, with all his diabolical war homework covering his Hightower.
Look, I know there are some pretty good bath caddies out there, but there’s enough room here for his documents and correspondence, a quill and ink pot, a wine goblet, and several pomanders and Westeros-style aromatic diffusers. The House of the Dragon set decoration team has me paying attention. Honestly, plonk one of these in my living room and expect every meeting furthermore to be off camera.
Yes, you might be distracted by other elements of the scene, including the hilariously tiny towel Ormund uses to dry himself. But man, that bath table has me re-evaluating my budget.
Rhaenyra Targaryen will be a bad queen because she hates funRhaenyra Targaryen may be queen, but she's also the biggest hater of the Red Keep's most fun tradition: the Small Council balls.
Guys, I hate to say it, but I think House of the Dragon's Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) is going to be a bad queen.
No, it's not because of how she keeps alienating allies like Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), or how she springs to execute her detractors among the smallfolk of King's Landing. And no, it's not because of the crises she inherited, like a depleted treasury or a starving, restless city.
Instead, it's because she dares disrespect the Targaryens' most fun tradition. Don't worry, it's not incest. It's the Small Council's marbles.
First seen in House of the Dragon's Season 1 premiere, these multi-colored balls serve as a way for the members of the Small Council to clock into work. Once you put your marble in your dish, you're punched in and ready to help rule the realm.
The marbles are an aesthetically pleasing world-building detail, but they're also versatile: In Season 1, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) kills Lord Lyman Beesbury (Bill Paterson) by smashing his skull into his own marble. In Season 2, King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) fiddles with his own ball during a meeting, even letting his son Jaehaerys give it a spin. Forget their potential as a bureaucratic tool or murder weapon; these marbles just seem fun to play with.
Which brings me to my beef with Rhaenyra. In House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4, she tells Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) that he is welcome to stay on her Small Council so long as he remains loyal. When he goes to clock in with his marble, she stops him, calling them "relics of a dead regime."
Respectfully, Rhaenyra, how dare you? The Small Council balls have been a delightful way for members to announce their presence. They allow every member to have some colorful flair, they sound great when they plunk into place, and they look so fun to play with. Would you deny your team the satisfaction of a little ball to fidget with? Ruling the realm is a stressful task, Rhaenyra! Maybe you'll find that playing with a big old marble is a much better way to decompress than taking your worries out on the smallfolk.
But what worries me most about Rhaenyra's statement isn't her clear hatred of a fun time. It's the fact that she declares the marbles a relic of a dead regime, meaning Aegon's. Yet the marbles were in place during her father Viserys' (Paddy Considine) reign, and likely during the reigns of many of the Targaryens who came before. Is she so blinded by hatred of Aegon that she would dismiss her father's relatively peaceful rule? Is she over prior Targaryen patriarchal regimes in general and hoping to have her own Daenerys Targaryen "break-the-wheel"-style moment? Or did she just forget the marbles even existed during her many years away from the Red Keep? (I know, who could forget them?) Whatever the reason, Rhaenyra's on thin ice post-marble gate. Let the Small Council play with their balls!
House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4: Where are Aemond and Vhagar?In "House of the Dragon" Season 3, episode 4, Aemond and Vhagar are nowhere to be found at Harrenhal. So, where are they?
Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his scaly steed were last seen storming Harrenhal in House of the Dragon, only for the drama king to take a blade to the kidney after attacking one Strong too many.
So the question is, where are they now?
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) finally make it to Harrenhal in search of Aemond in episode 4, only to find the castle looking just as haunted and abandoned as ever.
They do, however, find the witch Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), who eventually tells them that Aemond is long gone.
"He was here," Rivers says. "He seized the castle after Prince Daemon abandoned it. But when he learned that Rhaenyra took King's Landing, he and his dragon fled."
Later, Cole and Hightower are sitting in poor old Ser Simon Strong's dining hall when a soldier gives them an update: "We've scoured the area, Lord Hand. There is sign of a large dragon nest, but it has been abandoned. Prince Aemond may indeed have fled."
So the question is, where's Aemond? Has he really fled? Is something else going on? And is he even still alive after the injury he sustained back in episode 2?
The good news for Aemond fans? He definitely isn't dead, because there's footage of him in the "weeks ahead" trailer HBO dropped after episode 1 (jump to 54 seconds in) — footage that we haven't seen yet.
What's even more intriguing? The shot in the trailer sees Aemond speaking about Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) taking over King's Landing to someone offscreen. But he's sitting in Harrenhal's dining hall eating a meal when he says it. We double-checked this by cross-referencing the shot of Aemond with the shot of Cole sitting in the exact same seat in episode four (the chair is broken, so you can tell it's the same one).
The conclusion? Alys Rivers is most likely hiding Aemond in the castle while he recovers from his injury. Vhagar may even be hiding, too — we know from the Rook's Rest battle in back in Season 2 that she is capable of laying low in the woods, despite her size.
Aemond may be AWOL for now, but we'll likely be seeing him again very soon.
House of the Dragon Season 3 family tree: How the Targaryens, Velaryons, and Hightowers connectAfter "House of the Dragon" Season 3 introduced Daeron Targaryen, here's your refresher on Westeros' most incestuous family.
House of the Dragon Season 3 is here, and you know what that means: It's time to take a climb into the very tangled branches of the Targaryen family tree.
Over the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, some of these branches have been pruned. (RIP to the many Targs who've perished in this bloody show.) However, Season 2 also added its fair share of new offshoots, further complicating the knotted web between Houses Targaryen, Velaryon, and Hightower. Season 3 has complicated it even further, with new deaths and the face reveal of one Daeron Targaryen. If you're looking for a refresher on that web as you head into the second half of Season 3, we've got you covered.
Below, you'll find the Targaryen family tree as it stands as of House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4, as well as a rundown of the characters and how they connect.
There were two key deaths in the Targaryen family in Season 2: one on the Greens' side and one on the Blacks'.
Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) camp lost Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best), also known as the Queen Who Never Was. Meanwhile, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Queen Helaena (Phia Saban) lost their young son Jaehaerys when gold cloak Blood (Sam C. Wilson) and rat catcher Cheese (Mark Stobbart) assassinated him on Prince Daemon's (Matt Smith) orders.
There are still plenty of Targaryens left standing, though. Here's who to watch out for in Season 3.
Rhaenyra heads up the Team Black branch of the Targaryen family tree, with her husband/uncle Daemon by her side. (It was touch and go for a minute in Season 2, but after a life-changing study abroad trip to Harrenhal, complete with witches and visions, Daemon is finally ready to accept Rhaenyra as his queen.)
Their two young sons, Aegon and Viserys, are on their way to Pentos for protection after a brief pit stop in the Vale. However, Rhaenyra and Daemon's children from their prior marriages are still in Westeros and locked in on Rhaenyra's fight for the throne.
Rhaenyra's son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) and Daemon's daughter Baela (Bethany Antonia) are both dragonriders. Daemon's other daughter, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), doesn't have a dragon, which is why she was sent off as Aegon and Viserys' guardian. However, when they went to Pentos, she remained behind in the Vale, hoping to tame its wild dragon Sheepstealer. As of Season 3, she's successfully claimed Sheepstealer, but at a cost: He went rogue during the Battle of the Gullet, and his interference helped lead to Jace's tragic death. Now, Rhaenyra wants Sheepstealer's rider's head, and only Daemon and Lady Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin) know the truth of her identity.
Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) remains the matriarch of Team Green, although she's growing increasingly regretful about her role in the war for succession. (So regretful, in fact, that she's offered to surrender the Iron Throne to Rhaenyra.) She had four children with the late King Viserys (Paddy Considine).
The eldest, Aegon, remains King of Westeros. His younger brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) attempted to kill him in a dragon dogfight at the Battle of Rook's Rest, and once Aegon recovered from his worst injuries, he fled King's Landing with the help of Larys Strong (Matthew Needham). Now Aemond is Prince Regent, and Alicent is trying her best to get herself and her daughter Helaena out of harm's way.
Alicent's youngest son Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) makes his official House of the Dragon debut in Season 3, episode 4, although he's been hiding in plain sight since the Season 3 premiere. He's a ward of House Hightower and squire to Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton), who's engineering his own plot — involving a fake Daeron — to place him on the throne.
In addition to Alicent, the rest of House Hightower continues to be a major player in House of the Dragon. Her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), former hand of the King, was the first Green loyalist to be executed under Rhaenyra's reign. Elsewhere, Alicent's brother Gwayne (Freddie Fox) has been traipsing around the Seven Kingdoms with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), a nightmare we wouldn't wish on even our worst enemies.
House of the Dragon Season 3 also introduces a new member of the Hightower family: Lord Ormund, head of House Hightower. His late father Hobert (Steffan Rhodri) was Otto's oldest brother, making Ormund Alicent and Gwayne's cousin.
Rhaenyra's Hand is Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), also known as the Sea Snake due to his naval prowess. Over the course of House of the Dragon, he's lost his wife Rhaenys, as well as their children Laena (Nanna Blondell) and Laenor (John Macmillan).
However, Season 2 revealed that Laena and Laenor weren't Corlys' only descendants. He also has two bastard sons, Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) and Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty). Their mother Marilda, unseen in the show, was a shipwright. House of the Dragon primarily refers to Marilda in the past tense, implying she is dead, hence why she's greyed out in our family tree. However, by this point in Fire and Blood, she is still alive.
While Corlys didn't truly acknowledge Alyn and Addam prior to Season 2, the pair are now a much more prominent part of his life — and the show. Alyn is a notable sailor in Corlys' fleet, and Addam became a dragonrider. Thanks to his Valyrian blood, he now rides Seasmoke, Laenor's old dragon.
Addam isn't the only new dragonrider to join Rhaenyra's ranks in Season 2. Smallfolk Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) and Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) also claimed dragons. Ulf rides Silverwing, the dragon of Rhaenyra's grandmother Alysanne, while Hugh rides Vermithor, the dragon of Rhaenyra's grandfather Jaehaerys. The pair, like Addam, are bastards of Valyrian blood, earning them the nickname of "dragonseeds." While they haven't been legitimized as Targaryens, they will certainly have a large role to play in the battles to come.
UPDATE: Jul. 12, 2026, 10:00 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect the events of the first four episodes of Season 3.
UPDATE: Jun. 26, 2026, 4:02 p.m. EDT A previous version of the family tree did not show Rhaenys, Hobert, or Marilda as deceased the way they are in the show. It has since been updated.
Meta withdraws its controversial AI image featureCalled "Muse Image," this proposed tool would have allowed users to use public-facing Instagram photos as references for generative AI.
Meta's Must Image tool, which launched last Tuesday, is now being shuttered by the company, according to Reuters.
The social media giant released a statement on Friday announcing it would discontinue the feature: "Our intent was to provide a useful creative tool and to give people control over whether their public content could be referenced in this way. We've heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark, so it's no longer available."
Meta launched Muse Image as part of a suite of new AI tools. Designed for Instagram and WhatsApp users, it lets them touch up, alter, or add 3D effects to new photos. Muse Image took things a step further, allowing users to use photos from public-facing Instagram accounts as reference material for generative AI. Worse still, they enabled the feature by default, so if you didn't want your personal photos being used as AI fodder, you had to either make your account private or locate the specific setting that would toggle the feature off.
Unsurprisingly, the backlash came hard and fast.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
But it was actors and other famous people with massive followings and public accounts who led the charge. Hacks star Hannah Einbinder took to her Instagram stories to urge her followers not to use the feature, prompting the Screen Actors Guild to take action as well, urging its members to "protect your likeness" by deactivating it. To its credit, though, this time around Meta listened.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
There's no shortage of controversy regarding generative AI and copyright issues, whether we're talking about companies asking child actors to sign away their voice rights or major record labels suing music generators over creative use, but leave it to Meta to carelessly trip every wire and provoke a backlash so severe that they were immediately forced to back down.
Expect more heated battles over image rights, privacy, and generative AI as these tools only become more powerful and more ubiquitous, but in the meantime, let's all be glad that Meta was receptive to the negative feedback.
Google comes out against site blocking in the EUThe company is pushing back against the latest legislative attempts to control the internet.
A French court ordered upstream internet intermediaries like Google and Cloudflare to actively block access to prominent pirating and illegal streaming sites at the request of sports rights holders. But Google is pushing back against this judgment, and its reasoning is surprisingly sound.
The landmark decision places direct responsibility on upstream internet providers rather than on illegal streaming services, which are notoriously difficult to bring to justice in a local court, especially when they exploit loopholes in international law or employ backup domains and servers that go online when their main platforms are blocked.
To effectively block access to these sites, which operate across multiple domains, servers, and web addresses, Google would have to use a combination of DNS filtering and IP- and VPN-blocking, but these catch-all approaches are guaranteed to impact law-abiding users and web hosts as well. To analogize, it's a bit like trying to catch a minnow with a giant trawling net. At the end of the day, you may have all the minnows in the sea, but you're also going to harm the dolphins, whales, and other fish species.
Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.
Worse still, savvy internet pirates have multiple ways to circumvent these actions, meaning the minnows might still escape while the larger fish (ordinary internet users) get caught up in the filtering.
Google said as much in their submission to the EU court:
"Blocking DNS resolvers, IPs, VPNs, is ineffective, as it does not remove content at all and is easily circumvented by using alternative DNS resolvers. It is disproportionate, catching lawful services, raising extra-territoriality concerns and blocking entire domains. Similarly, blocking IP addresses neither removes the content nor achieves proportionate outcomes, as many lawful services may be using the same IP address."
Google's report goes on to cite real-world harms caused by these blanket bans, including inadvertently blocking Google Drive access and restricting access to websites such as Amnesty International, the ACLU, UNICEF, UNHCR, the Australian Senate, and Stanford Law Review.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has echoed Google's criticisms, arguing that the EU's attempts to legislate the internet "keep EU users locked up behind big tech's gates." The EFF also took a strong stand against the automated filtering mandates argued for in Article 13 of the EU Copyright Directive.
It's also looking like these concerns are coming to the United States, as a House IP Subcommittee met on June 30 to discuss exactly the kind of upstream content bans enforced by the EU. California Representative Darrell Issa has already pledged to introduce exactly such a bill.
Not coincidentally, these legislative efforts are ramping up right as illegal streaming and downloading experiences a resurgence in popularity (a "Piracy Renaissance," according to one publication), perhaps not in spite of a massive spike in online streaming platforms but because of these platforms and their ongoing efforts to raise prices, introduce advertising, and fragment their content offerings.
Expect this debate to heat up as more and more tech companies are pulled into the argument, and as the interests of internet giants like Google are pitted against the copyright claims of giant media broadcasters.
Gamestop marks up popular Pokémon on card game by 300%It's officially a trend: retailers are starting to chase aftermarket profits by marking up popular products.
Gamestop has been marking up their Pokémon card decks by multiples of three and even four over their retail pricing from the Pokémon Center, the official primary retailer for Pokémon merchandise, according to reporting by Engadget.
Engadget reporter Sam Rutherford noticed that the price of an Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle at Gamestop was a whopping $90, more than three times the $27 charged for the same item by the Pokémon Center, while more rare or collectible items, such as the 30th Anniversary Ultra-Premium Collection, were marked up by as much as 400%, retailing for $600 at Gamestop compared to its usual $120 MSRP.
This phenomenon is a small part of a larger trend driven by a mismatch between an item's original cost and its value on the second-hand market. Other obvious examples include coveted sneakers, concert tickets, and high-end luxury items like Swiss-made watches and luxury handbags by Chanel or Hermès.
Everyone is fighting for a share of the aftermarket value of these high-demand luxury items. So, any time this mismatch exceeds 200 percent of the item's original cost, there's a strong financial incentive for third-party retailers to step in. Which is why fights keep breaking out at Costco stores when new Pokémon cards are released.
Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.
Gamestop can plausibly argue that it's just engaging in what economists call pricing equilibrium, raising the cost of the cards to better reflect their true market value, but as Rutherford points out, this also puts the cards financially out of reach for a huge chunk of the intended Pokémon card consumer market, who aren't in fact collectors flush with cash but children and teenagers eager to play a card game.
For its part, Nintendo is aware of these problems. At its most recent annual shareholders meeting, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa spoke of a commitment to allowing fans to purchase Pokémon cards with "peace of mind," and vowed to "take measures to respond to this [price gouging] issue," though he was notably reticent to list specific steps.
Take a step back from Pokémon cards and Gamestop's actions start to look like part of a much broader trend. Earlier this year, Rockstar Games made the controversial decision not to sell physical copies of its upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 game, instead offering in-store fans a box with a digital code inside it, effectively killing the resale market for what will surely be the best-selling game of the year and probably the decade, while Sony announced it will no longer support disc drives after January 2028.
From this wide-angle perspective, these attempts to eat into the aftermarket seem distinctly anti-consumer and likely to provoke a significant backlash.
How to watch Sinner vs. Zverev in the 2026 Wimbledon final online for freeHow to watch Wimbledon for free. Live stream Sinner vs. Zverev in the 2026 Wimbledon final for free from anywhere in the world.
TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Zverev in the 2026 Wimbledon final for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Wimbledon has been fun, sweaty, and shocking in 2026. We've been treated to some electric tennis, shock results, and top players delivering when it counts.
Sinner now faces off against Zverev in the final game of the tournament. Sinner is seeking his fifth Grand Slam title and his second at Wimbledon. Zverez is looking to build on his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open. It's going to be a fascinating battle between two guys at the top of their game.
If you want to watch Sinner vs. Zverev in the 2026 Wimbledon final for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
Sinner vs. Zverev in the 2026 Wimbledon final is set to take place at 4 p.m. BST on July 12.
Sinner vs. Zverev in the 2026 Wimbledon final 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:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world
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.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
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
30-day money-back guarantee
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).
Live stream the 2026 Wimbledon final for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Wimbledon 2026 online for freeHow to watch Wimbledon for free. Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world.
TL;DR: Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Every Grand Slam could make a claim for being the biggest tennis event on the schedule, but Wimbledon has something special.
Maybe it's the fast-paced tennis on lush green surfaces? Maybe it's the crisp white outfits? Or maybe it's the copious amounts of champagne and strawberries consumed by fans? Whatever the reason, Wimbledon is hard to beat. And now that we're into the latter stages of the tournament, the action really is heating up.
If you're interested in watching Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It is the third of four Grand Slam tennis events each year.
The defending singles champions are Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek.
The 2026 Wimbledon Championships is the 139th edition of the tournament. This year's event takes place from June 29 to July 12.
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:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world
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.
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.
Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.
This educational kids app gives parents a much-needed break — and now it’s $60 for lifeLock in a lifetime of educational fun with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok.
TL;DR: Lock in a lifetime of educational fun with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale now for just $59.99 (reg. $250).
Have you had a sip of hot coffee this summer break? If not, you might want to check out Pok Pok. It’s an educational app that offers a guilt-free screen option for kids ages 2-8, so you can get a little break when you need it.
Right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok for only $59.99.
Pok Pok is an award-winning app that gives busy parents everywhere a chance to cook dinner, answer some emails, or just enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the morning while their little ones enjoy some educational content. It takes a Montessori approach to learning, so kids can navigate it independently.
Montessori-inspired learning means there is no winning or losing and no rules, levels, or objectives. Kids can just open Pok Pok, tap a toy, and start exploring categories like space, dinosaurs, numbers, and shapes. This open-ended play setup can grow with your kids, so they can enjoy the app for years.
As your kids play, you can rest easy knowing the app was developed in collaboration with early childhood experts and designed to be calming and non-addictive, featuring hand-drawn animations and in-house-made sound effects.
Pok Pok is COPPA-certified, ad-free, and GDPR-compliant, so they won’t be tricked into making any purchases. A lifetime subscription also includes access to regular updates, so kids will always have something new to explore. This subscription also includes an exclusive surprise gift that will show up at your address.
Let your kids explore while you take a break thanks to this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale now for just $59.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
This $145 ASUS Chromebook is a laptop and tablet in oneGet two gadgets in one with this ASUS Chromebook CM30, on sale now for only $144.97.
TL;DR: Get two gadgets in one with this ASUS Chromebook CM30, on sale now for only $144.97 (reg. $369.99) through July 19.
If you’re in the market for a laptop and a tablet, you have a pretty steep price tag ahead of you. The ASUS Chromebook CM30 solves for that, giving you two devices in one thanks to a detachable keyboard.
Right now, you can bring home this multitasking device for less than you would pay for just one of those items — $144.97 — until July 19.
The world asks a lot of us these days. Since we’re all used to multitasking, our devices should be able to do it too. This ASUS Chromebook CM30 is up to the task — offering an easy way to switch from a productivity laptop to a relaxation tablet in just a few seconds.
The ASUS Chromebook is a 2-in-1 device powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, delivering smooth, efficient performance. 8GB RAM and 128GB eMMC storage let you multitask, save files locally, and have enough room for your favorite apps.
The 10.5-inch touchscreen delivers crisp visuals and intuitive touch control and easily detaches from the keyboard to provide a sleeker user experience. There’s also a garaged stylus with fast-charging technology that lets you change things up when you’re tired of tapping.
This Chromebook arrives running Chrome OS, an efficient operating system for today’s busy world. There are also dual 5MP front and rear cameras for capturing images and hopping on video calls.
You’ll enjoy up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, and plenty of ports for your connectivity needs. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 help you connect anywhere, and you can rest easy taking this ASUS Chromebook along with you thanks to its military-grade aluminum chassis that offers rugged protection on the go.
You’re saving over $200 thanks to this model’s Grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing on the case.
Bring home an ASUS Chromebook CM30 for just $144.97 today.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Microsoft Office is finally a one-time purchase, and it’s only $30Get Microsoft Office for life on sale for $29.97
TL;DR: Instead of paying for Microsoft 365 every month, get a Microsoft Office lifetime license while they’re on sale for $29.97. Sale ends July 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
You might not want to keep paying for Microsoft 365 anymore. At its absolute cheapest, Microsoft 365 is $99.99 per year, and that’s if you pay for the full year up front, but it’s also not your only option anymore. Instead of paying for the same software year after year, now you can get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office installed directly onto your PC, and it’s only $29.97 (reg. $219.99) on sale.
You don’t have to pay a monthly fee to get the core Microsoft apps anymore.
This version of Microsoft Office comes with
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
Publisher
Access
OneNote
Teams (free version)
Just keep in mind that Microsoft is ending support for Publisher in October, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use it. It just means it won’t be changing anymore, which may actually be a good thing if you like your apps to look the same tomorrow as they were yesterday.
This license is a little different from Microsoft 365. It doesn’t come with extras like cloud storage, or the new AI integrations, but for many users, that’s actually a good thing. The AI integrations are still being worked out, so sudden updates can totally change your workflow. If you want a simple, reliable set of tools to work with, this is an excellent option for a great price.
Through July 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it’s only $29.97 to get a Microsoft Office lifetime license.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 12, 2026Connections is a New York Times word game that's all about finding the "common threads between words." How to solve the puzzle.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you know your state capitals.
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.
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.
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Fruit insides
Green: Fruit-flavored
Blue: Fun at college
Purple: Capitals
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Reproductive Part of Fruit
Green: Bit of Fruit-Flavored Candy
Blue: Verbs in a College Life Slogan
Purple: Starts of U.S. Capitals
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 #1127 is...
Reproductive Part of Fruit: PIP, PIT, SEED, STONE
Bit of Fruit-Flavored Candy: DOT, NERD, RUNT, SPREE
Verbs in a College Life Slogan: PARTY, REPEAT, SLEEP, STUDY
Starts of U.S. Capitals: DEN, MAD, PHO, SAC
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 today's Connections.
NYT Strands hints, answers for July 12, 2026The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you live in New York.
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.
The words are related to the big city.
These words describe things found in New York City.
Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Today's spangram is Empire State.
Bagel
Deli
Taxi
Subway
Stoop
Bodega
Borough
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 today's Strands.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 12, 2026Here's the answer for "Wordle" #1849 on July 12 as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a chatter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Short, abrupt noises.
The letter C appears twice.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.
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...
CLACK
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 today's Wordle.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 12, 2026Connections: Sports Edition is a New York Times word game about finding common sports threads between words. How to solve the day's puzzle.
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.
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.
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 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.
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: For the collection
Green: Baseball strategy
Blue: Take a break
Purple: Sounds like a Celtic
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Award
Green: Baseball Tactics
Blue: Used During a Timeout
Purple: Homophones of Celtics All-Time Greats
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 #657 is...
Award: CUP, MEDAL, PLAQUE, TROPHY
Baseball Tactics: DELAYED STEAL, HIT AND RUN, SACRIFICE, SQUEEZE
Used During a Timeout: CHAIR, DRY ERASE BOARD, TOWEL, WATER BOTTLE
Homophones of Celtics All-Time Greats: ALAN, BURRED, KOOZIE, PERISH
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 today's Connections.
NYT Pips hints, answers for July 12, 2026The New York Times' latest game, Pips, brings domino fun to your desktop. How to play Pips as well as hints in case you get stuck.
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.
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.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.
Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.
Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.
Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.
Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
8 things to know about Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAIApple lawsuit against Sam Altman's OpenAI explained, including trade secret theft, former employees, AI hardware, and supplier claims.
Apple and OpenAI are heading to court.
On Friday, July 10, Apple sued OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company led by CEO Sam Altman, and two former Apple employees, accusing the ChatGPT maker of obtaining confidential Apple information to help build its own consumer hardware.
The lawsuit names OpenAI’s commercial and nonprofit entities, its hardware company io Products, OpenAI Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan, and former Apple engineer Chang Liu. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
“This case is about Apple’s former employees stealing Apple’s trade secrets for the benefit of OpenAI,” Apple said in the complaint.
The filing contains claims involving secret project names, confidential presentations, Apple-issued laptops, physical hardware components, supplier relationships, and even instructions for getting through an Apple exit interview. It also arrives as OpenAI prepares to release its first consumer device with former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
There is a lot going on. Here are the 8 most important things to understand about the lawsuit, what Apple is actually alleging, and what could happen next.
Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple watch.
The first important distinction is that it is generally legal for one company to recruit employees from a competitor.
A former Apple engineer is allowed to accept a job at OpenAI. That engineer is also allowed to use general knowledge, professional experience, and skills developed over the course of a career. Apple does not own everything a person learned while working there.
A trade secret is different— it is valuable information that is not publicly known and that a company has taken reasonable steps to protect. That could include an unreleased product design, a private manufacturing process, a confidential list of suppliers, or technical specifications for a component that has not yet reached the market.
Apple alleges that OpenAI did not merely hire people with experience. It says OpenAI used those employees and its recruiting process to obtain protected documents, designs, physical parts, manufacturing knowledge, and information about unreleased products.
In plain language, Apple’s argument is essentially this: OpenAI was free to hire Apple engineers, but it was not free to ask them to bring Apple’s files and hardware along with them.
That remains Apple’s version of events. A complaint lays out what the plaintiff says happened; it is not a court ruling that those allegations are true. OpenAI's Director of Strategic Communications Drew Pusateri has denied wanting or using Apple’s confidential information with a statement on X:
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Apple and OpenAI were publicly working together only two years ago.
In 2024, Apple announced that ChatGPT would be integrated into Siri, Apple’s systemwide Writing Tools, and other Apple Intelligence features. The arrangement allowed users to send certain questions to ChatGPT directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
The relationship became more complicated when OpenAI moved beyond software and began developing its own consumer device.
In 2025, OpenAI acquired io Products, the hardware startup created by Ive, Tan, and several other former Apple employees, in a deal valued at roughly $6.5 billion. Ive, who helped design products including the iPhone, iMac, and Apple Watch during his time at Apple, is working with OpenAI on the device but is not personally named as a defendant in Apple’s lawsuit.
OpenAI has offered few concrete details about what it is making. The company has described the project as a new kind of AI device that would move beyond the familiar structure of screens, apps, keyboards, and smartphones. Its first hardware product is expected as soon as the end of 2026.
That context matters because Apple is not suing over information used to improve ChatGPT; rather, it alleges that its secrets were taken to help build physical products that could compete with Apple’s hardware business.
Apple says the information at issue covers product architecture, battery systems, circuit boards, component selection, manufacturing equipment, metal-finishing methods, supply-chain relationships, and unreleased product plans.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Some of the lawsuit’s most striking allegations involve how OpenAI interviewed Apple employees.
Tan spent more than 24 years at Apple and most recently served as vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch. He later helped found io and is now OpenAI’s chief hardware officer. Because he had worked on confidential Apple programs, Apple says he knew the company’s internal terminology, project names, suppliers, and development process.
According to the lawsuit, Tan used that knowledge while interviewing current Apple employees for jobs at OpenAI.
Apple alleges that he referred to at least one unreleased Apple project by its internal codename before asking a candidate about the company’s plans for it. To someone outside Apple, the name would have meant very little. To an employee working on the project, it would have signaled exactly what Tan wanted to discuss.
Candidates were also allegedly required to prepare “Technical Deep Dive” presentations about their work. Apple says the instructions asked for details including how components were selected, which vendors were used, what software supported system integration, and how engineers communicated with suppliers.
Those questions may sound like ordinary technical interview questions. Apple’s argument is that, when directed at current employees working on secret projects, they were asking candidates to disclose information that belonged to Apple.
The filing also alleges that Tan told candidates to bring “actual parts” from Apple to their interviews for “show and tell” sessions. Those parts allegedly included batteries, logic boards, systems-in-package, shields, and other physical components.
One candidate appeared surprised by the request, according to messages quoted in the filing, and said they “didn’t even know we could take those from the office.”
Apple says the interview process also generated evidence that now appears in the lawsuit. In one example, an employee allegedly began screenshotting and downloading files related to a highly confidential Apple project in the hours before an OpenAI interview. During the interview, Tan allegedly asked about that same project.
Apple says it found the activity by reviewing access records and server logs connected to its own systems. In other words, the candidate allegedly used an Apple computer to retrieve the files, leaving a record inside the systems from which the information was being taken.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The lawsuit’s other central figure is Liu, who spent more than eight years at Apple as a senior system electrical engineer working on the iPhone before joining OpenAI in January 2026.
Apple alleges that Liu failed to return an Apple-issued laptop when he left the company. It also says he later discovered an authentication vulnerability that continued to give him access to Apple’s cloud-based file storage after his employment had ended.
According to the complaint, Liu did not report the apparent security problem. Apple says he instead used it to continue accessing confidential engineering materials while already employed by OpenAI.
The lawsuit alleges that Liu downloaded dozens of files containing technical specifications, engineering presentations, circuit-board information, and details about unannounced products. One compilation allegedly contained more than 1,000 pages of technical materials.
Apple also points to messages Liu allegedly sent after discovering that his access still worked. In one, he reportedly wrote to an Apple employee: “LOL, I found out I can access the [server], so funny.”
That detail is important because it could help Apple argue that the access was not accidental. Accidentally discovering that an old login still functions is one thing. Continuing to use it to download files after acknowledging the unexpected access is another.
Apple also alleges that Liu helped another Apple employee prepare for an OpenAI interview. He allegedly directed her toward specific confidential folders, advised her about what information to review, and discussed how files could be copied without attracting the attention of Apple’s security team.
The complaint says Liu eventually encouraged the employee to stop communicating through Apple devices and move their conversation to LINE, a separate messaging app. The employee later joined OpenAI. Liu has not publicly responded to the allegations.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
When an employee leaves a company like Apple, the departure involves more than returning a badge and laptop.
The company may disable system access, examine recent downloads, recover devices, remind the employee of confidentiality agreements, and ask questions about where the person is going next. These procedures are designed to make sure confidential materials do not leave with the employee.
Apple alleges that OpenAI knew how those procedures worked and coached recruits on how to navigate or avoid them.
According to the filing, Tan circulated an internal Apple document marked “Need to Know” that explained Apple’s security process for departing employees. Apple says the document was intended only for certain Apple managers but was shared with recruits before they had even told Apple they were leaving.
That would mean the recruits allegedly knew in advance what Apple’s security team might inspect, what questions might be asked, and when their access could be cut off.
Apple also claims OpenAI advised departing employees not to disclose that they had accepted jobs with the company. Recruits were allegedly told not to sign documents during Apple exit interviews and to contact OpenAI immediately if Apple asked them to sign anything.
The lawsuit says Apple found a pattern among employees leaving for OpenAI: some skipped exit interviews, ignored messages from Apple’s security team, provided little or no notice, or otherwise avoided the usual departure process.
Apple is using those examples to argue that the alleged conduct was coordinated rather than the work of one person independently deciding to take files.
OpenAI now employs more than 400 former Apple employees, according to the complaint. That number is not evidence of wrongdoing by itself. The significant question is whether any of those workers brought protected Apple information with them and whether OpenAI knowingly requested, received, or used it.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Apple’s allegations extend beyond employees and interviews.
Modern hardware companies rely on complicated networks of suppliers that make batteries, chips, displays, enclosures, circuit boards, and manufacturing equipment. Apple also develops specialized processes with some of those partners that are not available to competitors.
The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI used information from former Apple employees to approach companies within that supply chain.
In one example, Apple says OpenAI asked a trusted manufacturing partner to demonstrate a proprietary metal-finishing technique. The technique allegedly involved a multi-step process developed by Apple to produce a particular appearance and physical finish on its devices.
Apple says the supplier was contractually prohibited from performing that work for other companies. OpenAI allegedly led the partner to believe that Apple had authorized the demonstration. According to Apple, it had not.
The complaint also says OpenAI approached a longtime Apple supplier involved in battery and power manufacturing. Former Apple employees allegedly used internal terminology to ask targeted questions about specific components and processes.
This part of the lawsuit could be particularly important because it moves the allegations beyond files sitting on an employee’s computer. Apple is claiming that confidential information was put to practical use while OpenAI was developing hardware.
OpenAI has not announced the design or component list for its device, so it is not publicly possible to determine whether any Apple technology appears in it. That is one reason Apple says it needs the lawsuit’s discovery process.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Apple says it contacted OpenAI in February and asked the company to investigate its concerns. According to the lawsuit, OpenAI did not respond. Apple filed its complaint roughly five months later.
Apple is asking for damages, but money is only part of what it wants.
The company is also seeking an injunction, which is a court order requiring someone to do or stop doing something. Apple wants OpenAI barred from possessing, using, or disclosing its alleged trade secrets. It also wants confidential materials returned and evidence connected to the case preserved.
“Preserved” means the defendants could be required to retain relevant emails, messages, files, designs, access logs, and internal documents rather than deleting or changing them while the lawsuit moves forward.
Apple also expects to use discovery. Discovery is the part of a lawsuit in which each side can demand relevant evidence from the other. Depending on what a judge allows, Apple could seek internal OpenAI communications, recruiting records, design documents, supplier correspondence, and information showing how the company developed its device.
That does not automatically mean OpenAI will have to prove every component was developed independently before its product can launch. Apple would have to persuade the court that its evidence supports such restrictions, and OpenAI will have opportunities to challenge the allegations and the scope of Apple’s requests.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Still, the timing is significant. OpenAI is moving toward its first hardware release, and Apple is asking a court to determine whether any part of that hardware operation depends on confidential Apple information.
Apple describes the conduct in sweeping terms, alleging that OpenAI’s hardware business is “rotten to its core” because of its supposed reliance on misappropriated trade secrets. OpenAI has denied that it wants another company’s secrets, and none of Apple’s claims has yet been proven in court.
Online, the immediate reaction treated the lawsuit like a particularly messy Silicon Valley breakup. Others focused on the employees at the center of Apple’s allegations, questioning how someone could spend decades helping build the company’s most important products and then (allegedly) carry confidential information into a rival operation.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Apple’s complaint arrives while OpenAI is dealing with legal challenges involving trade secrets, copyright, its corporate structure, and the safety of ChatGPT.
The closest comparison is a lawsuit Elon Musk’s xAI filed against OpenAI in September 2025, accusing the company of stealing confidential information after recruiting employees from the rival AI company. The case also focused partly on information disclosed during the hiring process.
A federal judge dismissed the original complaint on in February, but allowed xAI to revise its claims. The judge eventually dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice on June 15, finding that xAI had not shown OpenAI encouraged a former engineer to reveal trade secrets or that OpenAI employees knew he might have done so.
Musk separately sued OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, and President Greg Brockman over claims that they had abandoned the organization’s original nonprofit mission. A federal jury ruled against Musk in May after finding that he waited too long to file the case. The verdict turned on the statute of limitations and did not decide whether OpenAI had actually violated its founding commitments. Musk says he plans to appeal.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
OpenAI is also facing a growing group of cases focused on the safety of ChatGPT.
Florida sued OpenAI and Altman on June 1, accusing the company of aggressively marketing ChatGPT to children while concealing serious risks and disregarding safety warnings. The state alleges that the chatbot facilitated harmful behavior, including self-harm and violence, and collected information from minors without meaningful parental consent. OpenAI has disputed the copyright allegations and has said it continues to strengthen safeguards involving minors, self-harm, and threats of violence.
The government of British Columbia also announced July 7 that it had retained lawyers in Canada and California to explore legal action against OpenAI following the February mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School (the province has not yet filed its own lawsuit). It says internal OpenAI reports showed that the company’s safety teams flagged violent prompts connected to the shooter months before the attack but did not notify law enforcement. Families affected by the shooting have already filed separate cases against OpenAI in California.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Meanwhile, The New York Times, the New York Daily News, authors, and other publishers are pursuing copyright cases that accuse OpenAI of improperly using protected material to train its AI models.
It's clear OpenAI is actively trying to build the future. But, increasingly, it is also being asked to defend how it built it.
How to watch Norway vs. England online for freeHow to watch World Cup for free. Live stream Norway vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
TL;DR: Live stream Norway vs. England 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 is reaching its dramatic conclusion. One half of the semi-final stage has already been decided, and now Norway face off against England for a place in the final four.
England came through an epic clash with Mexico in the last round, relying on goals from Bellingham and Kane. Norway shocked the world by beating Brazil thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland. Can the Manchester City striker do the same against England? It's going to be a fascinating battle between two confident sides.
If you want to watch Norway vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
Norway vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on July 11. This fixture takes place at the Miami Stadium.
Norway vs. England 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 Norway vs. England for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Watch Norway vs. England for free from anywhere in the world
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 Norway vs. England (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.
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 Norway vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.
Phoebe Gatess Phia helped shoppers find deals — and may have helped itself to commissionsPhia, co-founded by Bill Gates's daughter Phoebe Gates, was accused of cookie stuffing after its extension allegedly replaced affiliate links
Phia’s browser extension was supposed to help shoppers find better deals, but it may also have redirected affiliate commissions to itself. Let us explain.
A celebrity-backed shopping startup co-founded by Bill Gates's daughter Phoebe Gates and her former Stanford University roommate Sophia Kianni has been suspended from affiliate platform Impact.com. The suspension came after a July 9 Bloomberg investigation found that its browser extension claimed credit for purchases it did not actually generate.
Testing conducted separately by Bloomberg, Capital One Shopping, and independent researcher Ben Edelman found that Phia could silently open a new browser tab during checkout and load its own affiliate link to the retailer. In some cases, that replaced the tracking code belonging to the website, advertisement, or publisher that originally sent the shopper there.
The practice is known as “cookie stuffing” or attribution fraud. In plain terms, Phia could receive credit, and potentially a commission, for a purchase even when the shopper had not discovered the product through Phia or interacted with one of its recommendations.
Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple watch.
Affiliate marketing normally works by assigning a unique link to a publisher, creator, or shopping platform. When a shopper follows that link and completes a purchase, the retailer can identify which affiliate generated the sale and pay it a commission.
According to Bloomberg, Phia’s extension sometimes inserted itself at the end of that process. A shopper could arrive at a retailer independently or through another publisher, only for Phia to replace the original referral code as the shopper approached checkout.
In one test described in the investigation, Bloomberg followed a Nordstrom link from a Wirecutter article about Fourth of July deals. Phia allegedly opened another tab in the background during checkout and replaced Wirecutter’s referral information with its own. The extension reportedly behaved similarly when Bloomberg reached a shopping site through a paid advertisement from another publisher.
Impact.com suspended the company after being alerted to the behavior, and the platform told Bloomberg that activity within the extension appeared to be inconsistent with its policies and that it was reviewing potentially affected transactions. Social media immediately was abuzz with conversation, with some people upset while some defend the 23-year-old co-founder.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Phia acknowledged that there had been a problem, although the company characterized it as a software issue rather than an intentional business practice.
“Within the last 24 hours, we were made aware that in a recent release our codebase was causing misattributions from a subset of users,” a Phia spokesperson told Bloomberg. The company said its team worked through the night to identify and correct the issue.
Bloomberg retested the extension after contacting Phia and found that it had stopped automatically claiming the referral click. Independent researchers also reportedly confirmed that the behavior was no longer occurring. It remains unclear whether the fix will be enough to satisfy Impact.com, retailers, and other affiliate partners reviewing the affected transactions.
Phia launched in April 2025 as an AI-powered shopping assistant available through a mobile app and browser extension. The product is often described as a version of Google Flights for shopping. While someone browses clothing or accessories online, Phia searches more than 40,000 retail and resale websites for the same item, similar products, lower prices, and discount codes. It can also compare a full-price product with secondhand listings, helping shoppers decide whether to buy it new or look for a cheaper resale option.
The company makes money in part through affiliate commissions. When Phia directs a user to a retailer and that person completes a purchase through its link, the retailer may pay the startup a percentage of the sale. That makes accurate referral tracking central to Phia’s business model: The code attached to the purchase determines which platform gets credit and potentially gets paid.
Phia grew quickly after its launch. Within its first week, the app reportedly reached No. 21 on Apple’s App Store and by September 2025, the company said it had crossed 500,000 downloads.
Its funding grew almost as quickly. Phia raised an $8 million seed round in September 2025, followed by roughly $35 million in additional funding in January 2026. The later round pushed its reported valuation to approximately $185 million less than a year after launch and brought its total funding to more than $43 million.
Phia has also attracted an investor roster that looks less like a cap table and more like a Coachella lineup. Backers include Khloé Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, Sydney Sweeney, Paris Hilton, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jessica Alba, Mindy Kaling, Ice Spice, Alix Earle, Karlie Kloss, and The Chainsmokers, alongside a collection of tech executives and venture capital firms.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Some have compared the situation to Honey, the PayPal-owned coupon extension that has also been accused of replacing creators’ affiliate links with its own during checkout. Honey remains the subject of an ongoing class action lawsuit, and PayPal has disputed claims that the extension improperly took commissions from creators.
The Phia allegations also arrive after an earlier controversy involving the amount of information collected by its browser extension. In November 2025, cybersecurity researchers found that the extension was transmitting copies of webpages users visited back to the company’s servers, including pages unrelated to shopping.
Those pages could include sensitive websites such as email inboxes and bank accounts, according to the report. Phia said the data was anonymous, was used to determine which websites involved shopping, and was not stored. The company removed the feature after concerns were raised and said it would limit its collection to website URLs.
Phia says the affiliate issue has been fixed, but Impact.com is still reviewing what happened and whether any transactions require further action. The extension may have stopped opening tabs in the background, but Phia’s affiliate business is now getting a very public checkout.
EA reverses course, removes microtransactions from College Football 27EA Sports pulls paid progression from College Football 27's Dynasty and Road to Glory modes after backlash.
EA Sports announced it will remove all paid progression options from College Football 27's Dynasty and Road to Glory modes, reversing a decision that drew significant backlash from fans and content creators following the game's launch.
In a statement posted to social media during the game's launch week, the developer acknowledged that player feedback indicated the microtransactions "missed the mark."
The studio said the paid options had been "added independent of deeper mode progression with the aim to give players more choice," but conceded that "what you've said is that they're not adding the value we intended." EA said the changes would take effect the following morning, though it warned that players with existing College Point balances would lose the ability to apply them to Road to Glory or Dynasty once the features were removed, urging fans to spend their points beforehand.
Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.
The reversal follows a wave of criticism after College Football 27's release, with fans organizing around the hashtag #CFBPlayDontPay to voice frustration over microtransactions appearing in the game's single-player offline modes. The system allowed players to spend real money to instantly boost their coach or player's development. For example, maxing out a coach in Dynasty from the start could cost as much as $100, more than the price of the game itself.
Compounding the frustration, EA also removed sliders that let players in College Football 25 and 26 manually adjust how much experience they earned, a feature that had let people level up faster without paying. With that option gone, spending money became the only way to speed up progression, which is what drove much of the backlash.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Notably, the statement stopped short of ruling out microtransactions from the franchise going forward. EA said its "goal for live service plans in CFB28 and beyond will be to deliver valuable features and content with greater transparency and communication" — language suggesting paid content will return in some form in next year's edition, even as the company walks back the current game's implementation.
‘Love Island USA’ reveals the final four couples competing for first placeLove Island USA revealed the final four couples heading to the finale and two couples that are getting dumped after a public vote.
Following a lighthearted week of quality time and family reunions, Love Island USA finally announced the four couples competing for the $100,000 first-place prize.
After Corbin and Parmida were dumped from the villa in Season 8, episode 29, there were six couples left standing: Aniya and Carl, Kayda and Zach, Kenzie and Dylan, Melanie and Sincere, Tierra and KC, and Trinity and Bryce. The next few days were full of fun challenges like The Girls pranking The Boys, The Girls enjoying a fun waterpark-themed getaway from the villa, and the Islanders meeting each other’s family members for the first time.
Season 8, Episode 33 kicked off with a "mouthwatering" couples’ challenge, in which each islander had to transfer food items in water (like sardines) or condiments (like ketchup) from their mouth into their partner’s mouth. After the challenge, the couples had a few more tough pills (or, in this case, fortune cookies) to swallow at dinner that night: they found out the results of a public vote that decided which four couples were heading to the finale, and which two couples were going home.
One by one, the couples cracked open their fortune cookies, revealing whether they were safe. The final four were revealed to be Aniya and Carl, Trinity and Bryce, Melanie and Sincere, and Kayda and Zach.
Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.
This left two couples dumped from the villa: Kenzie and Dylan, and Tierra and KC.
X users were sad to see them go, especially those who thought that Tierra and KC had a stronger connection than other couples in the villa. KC had just asked Tierra to be his girlfriend in Season 8, episode 31, which made the dumping even more shocking to viewers.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
However, viewers were elated that Kenzie didn’t say goodbye without squatting down for one last iconic split.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
While the islanders shared an emotional goodbye with Kenzie, Dylan, Tierra, and KC, they took the time to appreciate the genuine friendships they built in the villa – embodying what viewers called "Friendship Island" this season.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
What makes the final four couples especially memorable this season is that the four girls are each part of the original group of islanders that we were introduced to in Season 8, episode 1, with X users saying that we have a "core four" finale in our midst.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Now that the final four couples have been revealed, we’re only a few episodes away from finding out which couple will be crowned the winners of Love Island USA Season 8.
The season finale is scheduled to air on Sunday, July 12, 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on Peacock.
The 6 biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2026 so far2026 is halfway through and we've already had a slew of concerning cybersecurity incidents. Here are the 6 biggest.
The year is only halfway through, yet 2026 has already been filled with data breaches, hacks, and cybersecurity incidents.
So let's take a look back at the biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2026 so far. Mashable has picked the six most impactful incidents. There's likely lessons to be learned in order to protect yourself for the rest of the year.
Here they are, in no particular order.
GTA 6, the most anticipated video game for the past decade, will finally be released this year. And malicious actors are already targeting its fans and even the game's developer.
Fake GTA 6 pre-order websites, fake GTA 6 mobile apps, and even fake sites that copy legitimate game download platforms have been popping up since developer Rockstar Games confirmed a late 2026 launch for the game.
It's unclear just how many users have already been affected, but it's obviously growing, as hackers will continue to target Grand Theft Auto gamers up until the game's release and likely well beyond.
Not even Rockstar Games is safe. Earlier this year, the now-infamous hacker collective ShinyHunters announced that it had breached the game developer's networks. ShinyHackers sought out a ransom in exchange for not releasing the data it had stolen.
Rockstar downplayed the severity of the data breach, saying the breach occurred at a third-party provider. It also appeared that the data comprised corporate assets rather than private user information.
Edtech giant Instructure, the company behind the popular Learning Management System (LMS) Canvas, was a victim of what was easily one of the biggest breaches of the year so far.
The Instructure breach was also carried out by ShinyHunters, the hacking collective that is becoming quite notorious as the likely culprit behind so many data breaches. The stolen data in this breach included users' names, email addresses, student IDs, and private messages exchanged on the platform, which was used by a whopping 275 million users at nearly 9,000 schools around the world. These users included students, teachers, and school staff.
To make matters even worse, ShinyHunters breached Instructure's platforms again just one week after the company claimed it had fixed the security issues associated with the original data breach. This time, however, ShinyHunters defaced the login pages of specific schools.
The data breaches forced some schools to postpone final exams and assignments, as Instructure took its platforms offline to address the cybersecurity incidents.
ShinyHunters is well known for carrying out breaches and demanding a ransom in return for not releasing the data. It appears that Instructure struck a deal with ShinyHunters to prevent its users' data from being disseminated. It's certainly a worrying outcome that doesn't bode well for how future data breaches may pan out.
Conduent is a data management company whose clients include many major corporations, healthcare providers, and state agencies. So, when there's a data breach at an organization that handles sensitive data belonging to Humana and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, just to name a few, there is cause for concern.
Earlier this year, at least 25 million people in just two states were affected by a data breach at Conduent. A reported 15 million people were affected in Texas, which is just shy of half of the state's more than 31 million residents. Reports state that more than 10 million people were affected in Oregon.
According to Conduent, the unauthorized parties "obtained some files that contained individuals’ personal information, which came into our possession due to the services that we provide to your current and former health plan."
This data included users' names, Social Security numbers, medical information, and health insurance information.
That's a big cybersecurity incident involving some of the most sensitive user data that can be obtained.
The most recent incident on this list perfectly encapsulates many of the unresolved cybersecurity issues with AI.
Meta rolled out an AI-powered support chatbot for Instagram. Hackers figured out they could simply request that the AI chatbot send a password reset link for any Instagram account to the hacker's email address. Meta AI support complied with the requests simply because the hacker told them they were the account owner and needed the chatbot to send the password reset link to a new email address.
Malicious actors were stealing highly followed Instagram accounts through this method and then selling them on online black markets.
Meta did eventually fix the issue, but affected users were still locked out of their accounts for a time.
This may not have been the biggest, most widespread hack on our list. But the method used to steal these Instagram accounts is certainly the fastest-growing tool in hackers' arsenal. We'll be seeing many more bad actors tricking easy-to-fool AI-powered systems in the very near future.
What if a hacker could steal a smartphone's data with nothing more than their target visiting a website?
DarkSword spyware, which could do just that, had Google and numerous cybersecurity firms ringing the alarm bells earlier this year.
Google Threat Intelligence Group and cybersecurity companies Lookout and iVerify laid out their findings in March, showing how malicious actors were exploiting vulnerabilities in Apple's iPhone to siphon data from a device after the target visited an infected website.
Call logs, contacts, iMessage and WhatsApp data, email, calendars, notes, photos, screenshots, location history, web browser history, signed-in account identities, device keychains, SIM card info, Find My Phone settings, WiFi passwords, iCloud content, and more were all able to be pulled from a malicious actor using DarkSword.
Nearly 25 percent of all iPhones are still running some version of iOS 18, the iPhone operating system that was susceptible to the attack. This meant that there were potentially hundreds of millions of iOS devices on which DarkSword could be deployed.
According to the reports, Russian hacker groups were already deploying the spyware "to fully compromise devices."
To make matters worse, DarkSword was soon released into the wild shortly after the cybersecurity firms warned about it.
Apple did release updates and important information for users who were susceptible to the spyware. However, the existence of such an exploit shows just how easy it's becoming for bad actors to carry out an attack.
Speaking of how easy it is to get hacked, WeedHack may be the perfect example of how accessible it is to become an attacker, too.
A recent report from McAfee Labs detailed a new hacker tool being offered as a $5 per month service to aspiring attackers who may not have the technical know-how to carry out a campaign themselves.
WeedHack is a malware that's deployed under the guise of a Minecraft client or mod. Once a device is infected, an attacker can collect system information, search for files on the infected device, take screenshots of the target's system, and steal cookies and passwords from the target's web browser. And that's just the free version.
For $5 per month, an attacker could also gain webcam access to the infected device, keylogging capabilities, screen sharing with keyboard and mouse access, file management features for uploading and downloading files, and more.
Perhaps the most concerning revelation, however, was just how WeedHack was being used.
McAfee Labs uncovered a Telegram channel for WeedHack's customer base and found it was largely used by teenagers and young adults who were using the malware to cyberbully other young people, threatening, harassing, and spying on victims.
Malware-as-a-service has existed before, but WeedHack seems to be ushering in something that goes well beyond just your typical cybersecurity issues.
