Mashable

The viral Shark ChillPill has never been cheaper — save $30 at Amazon

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:42:16 +0000

SAVE $30: As of July 10, the Shark ChillPill is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Credit: Shark

Shark ChillPill

$99.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.00

Considering how hot it's been this summer, a portable fan is worth thinking about. Thankfully, Amazon is making it nice and easy to shop by offering discounts on select models. Among them is the two-in-one Shark ChillPill, which has returned to its Prime Day price.

As of July 10, the sleek Shark ChillPill is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. Compared to its full price of $129.99, you're saving $30. More importantly, this marks a return to its lowest-ever price at the retailer. So why not scoop it up now and make your summer adventures a bit more breezy?

The two-in-one Shark ChillPill will certainly help keep you cool this summer. It offers 10 speeds and 10 noise levels — and it can mist you. The dry-touch evaporative mist keeps you cool without getting you all wet, which is a nice bonus against the summer heat. Plus, it has a versatile design that can be worn, attached to something you own, or twisted if you want to prop it up on a table.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino reviewed this fan and called it, "the most unique take on the personal fan that I've ever encountered." She continued to say, "With 10 speeds, it's effective at cooling you down, even on the hottest of days." Plus, it's one of our favorite gadgets so far this year.

If you're looking for something to keep you cool on-the-go during these warmer months, don't miss out on this deal on the Shark ChillPill at Amazon.

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

Its extremely hot right now: Stay cool and save over $10 on the DREO TurboPoly Fan 512 at Amazon

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:12:40 +0000

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 10, the DREO TurboPoly Fan 512 has dropped to $86.40 at Amazon. That's $13.59 off its list price of $99.99.

Credit: DREO

DREO TurboPoly Fan 512

$86.40 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $13.59

It's a hot one, and if you've been on the lookout for a fan to help keep you cool at home, Amazon can help. A few deals have been popping up on select models, including the DREO TurboPoly Fan 512. For a limited time, the grey model has dropped to $86.40.

Usually this DREO fan retails for $99.99, so you're saving $13.59 on this color variant. The dark grey version is also on sale right now at Amazon, though it costs a few dollars extra at $89.96. However, the regular grey model won't be on sale for long. Not only does it have a "limited time deal" tag, but it's also being claimed, which you can see in the bar below the price on the right-hand side. So if it's caught your eye, now is the time to grab it.

From a personal standpoint, I think this DREO fan is worth every cent. I recently bought it to help with the heatwaves and it's made a big difference in my apartment. It's a pedestal fan that oscillates up to 120 degrees vertically and horizontally to cover the room. While the vertical tilt needs to be adjusted manually, the horizontal can be controlled through a remote and the panel on the front.

To find your ideal breeze, it also offers up four wind modes — auto, sleep, turbo, and normal — alongside nine wind speeds. Plus, it operates quietly — keeping noise levels down to 20dB — which is a huge positive if you're using it when sleeping. Furthermore, this is a great air circulator, and so can also be used in the colder months to carry warm air from your heater and push it around the room.

If a new fan has been on your mind, act fast to save on the DREO TurboPoly Fan 512 at Amazon.

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

Millie Bobby Brown takes a sweary animal quiz during the worst Hot Ones wing

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:44:27 +0000

Millie Bobby Brown has taken on so many nightmares in the Upside-Down that a mere spicy wing is nothing to her.

That's why she's back for another appearance on First We Feast's Hot Ones in the clip above, answering questions on everything from Enola Holmes 3 to the animals she looks after on her farm.

The highlight? A very frantic post-Da Bomb marine life quiz during which Brown tells host Sean Evans to "Shut the f*** up!"

The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:35:19 +0000

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be as straightforward as ordering a pizza. As for the quality? That’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, years) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of the top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discreet sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped through them all. I also consulted a helpful panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to get the most out of hookup apps

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you want. Are you here for a good time? Own it. That means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. In our most recent update in July 2026, it still earns the top spot. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.
Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.
FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.
Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they got rid of key features like free messaging for non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles.
Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels limited compared to more open apps like Tinder.
DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.
Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for hookups specifically.

Move over, Lego: Play-Doh just dropped its own stunning botanical line for adults

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:16:03 +0000

The Blooms by Play-Doh lineup:

Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit

$24.99

Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit

$24.99

Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit

$39.99

Play-Doh Blooms Garden Bouquet Kit

$39.99

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.

Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit

Credit: Play-Doh

Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit

$24.99 at Amazon

Why we like it

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.

Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit

Credit: Play-Doh

Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit

$24.99 at Amazon

Why we like it

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.

Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit

Credit: Play-Doh

Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit

$39.99 at Amazon

Why we like it

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.

Play-Doh Blooms Garden Bouquet Kit

Credit: Play-Doh

Play-Doh Blooms Garden Bouquet Kit

$39.99 at Amazon

Why we like it

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.

Ninja Slushi Twist review: Making 2 flavors at once rocks, but the regular Slushi is fine for most situations

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:00:16 +0000

I reviewed the Ninja Slushi when it came out in 2024 and have had a blast with it since. The Slushi is the easiest little machine to use, and I have a hard time finding any real cons about it. Perhaps the Slushi's biggest downfall is that it's such a hot commodity that it can be hard to land on one flavor for a group of people. At least that's the problem Ninja was aiming to solve when it released the Ninja Slushi Twist in May 2026.

What's special about the Ninja Slushi Twist?

Like the original, the Ninja Slushi Twist can turn room-temperature liquid into the perfect frozen slushy consistency in less than an hour, and no ice or pre-freezing is needed. The Twist doubles the fun of the original with two separate vessels for making two separate drinks at the same time.

Those drinks can be the same treat in two different flavors or can be two different recipes completely. Then, they can be dispensed separately or mixed together by swirling your glass with the dial on the drip tray.

Technically, you could sorta kinda mix flavors with a single canister Slushi. It'd just involve combining two recipes beforehand, like mixing two fruit flavors before they go in the Slushi. Except that doesn't fly with a picky strawberry daiquiri or strawberry margarita purist like me, which can make happy hour cocktails feel very boring for the rest of the group. The simplicity of the Slushi Twist's two canisters operating individually is a foolproof way to prevent the friendship-ruining lie that you can "barely taste the pineapple."

I also couldn't help but think about how clutch the Ninja Slushi Twist would be at large family gatherings. I originally convinced a friend's parents to get a Slushi for their beach house. My friend's siblings, nieces, and nephews come over all the time, and the Slushi has been a year-round hit. (The kids are always psyched to help with the recipe process — I would have probably been more excited about fractions at 10 years old if I were getting a slushie out of it.)

The Slushi Twist would allow the adults to make their margs and the kids to make their age-appropriate Baja Blast slushies at the same time, rather than one group having to wait for the first batch to finish.

The Slushi Twist slushes smarter and faster

Just like the original Slushi, you can make slushies, frappés, milkshakes, and cocktails (with or without alcohol) in the Ninja Slushi Twist. But instead of pushing a button to tell the Slushi what kind of drink you're making, the Slushi Twist already knows what to do. SlushAssist technology senses the mixture of ingredients in the vessel and chooses an optimal slush time and temperature for you.

The Ninja Slushi Twist (left) and the original Ninja Slushi (right). Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Slushi Twist has clear lights to help with water and sugar ratios. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I followed the included booklet's recipe for three servings of frosé, which just involved rosé, cocktail juice, and some simple syrup (I mimicked that as best I could on the other side with white wine and pineapple juice). I'd have to manually select "spiked slush" on the original Slushi, but here, I just pressed the "Dual SlushAssist" button in the middle and let the Twist take the wheel. Less than 30 minutes later, both wine slushies were ready — and dare I say, an even smoother consistency than that of my favorite rooftop bar's.

4:51 p.m. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

5:08 p.m. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

You don't necessarily have to make the same type of concoction on both sides of the Slushi. Perhaps half of your brunch guests are craving espresso martini milkshakes, while the others would prefer frozen mimosas or bellinis. SlushAssist should recognize that one side's ingredients require a warmer temperature to preserve a creamy texture that can be poured and won't be chunky.

If you're only using one side of the Twist, you can just press the SlushAssist button on that side. Just one of the 72-ounce vessels is more than enough for me if I'm making a protein shake or fun drink by myself.

I also appreciate the Slushi Twist panel's addition of the specific "add water" and "add sugar" lights. The original Slushi doesn't have dedicated warning lights for either of those errors, only warning you that your ratio is off through a special pattern of blinking lights on the front. It's important to remember that Slushi concoctions sometimes require more math than you'd expect, and that making a low-sugar or sugar-free drink in the Slushi won't go well. Let us live, chemistry.

Correct water, sugar, and alcohol content of your mixture determines whether the Slushi machine actually slushes correctly. You need to keep an especially careful eye when you're going rogue and making up your own recipe, but ratios can be thrown off by changes as simple as doubling or halving a recipe.

Too much water or too much alcohol will make your mixture runny, while too little sugar could make your mixture freeze a little too well (like, into a block). Both errors could cause your machine to completely shut off by itself. Luckily, the included recipe book does a great job of explaining the appropriate percentages of each ingredient across a variety of recipe types.

Things to consider: What makes the Ninja Slushi Twist worth it?

While the original Ninja Slushi feels quite slim for being a whole-ass frozen drink maker, the Ninja Slushi Twist is significantly bulkier. The Slushi Twist measures 11.93 inches wide compared to the 6.54 inches of the single-vessel 88-ounce Slushi, taking up nearly double the width on your counter. There's nothing that Ninja can do about the inherent size difference, but it's something to keep in mind if you don't have a ton of free storage space.

Overall, the Slushi Twist absolutely works like it's supposed to. It chills liquids into fun frozen drinks in as little as half an hour, and isn't loud and obnoxious while doing so. The Twist requires very little manual intervention during slushing and is even easier to use than the OG model. Is the end result basically the same as something a blender can do? Sure. But I will die on the hill that the serotonin boost and hit of nostalgia of on-demand slushies make this ridiculous dessert appliance feel a little less extra.

Choosing between the original Ninja Slushi and the Ninja Slushi Twist should be super straightforward. Before buying, you surely already know whether your frozen drink needs are serious enough to justify a $399.99 machine that makes two flavors at once. If you have guests over frequently or have more than four people in your home, you'll probably get your money's worth out of the double vessels.

Trying to choose between the Ninja Slushi Max and Slushi Twist? If you're already going to spend $369.99 on the Slushi Max, you might as well spend $30 more and secure the variety made possible with the Slushi Twist instead. Across the two 72-ounce vessels, you get a full capacity of 144 ounces compared to the 150-ounce capacity of the Slushi Max.

Ninja Slushi Twist

$399.99 at Amazon

Is exclusive a valid relationship label? Love Island USA fans are split.

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Love Island USA has found its latest relationship status to argue about: “exclusive.”

As Season 8 heads into its final stretch, islanders Zach Georgiou and Kayda Bosse have turned a familiar dating label into one of the villa’s messier debates. After weeks of being coupled up, Zach asked Kayda if she would “exclusively date” him, stopping short of asking her to be his girlfriend. Kayda accepted, but when she told the other women, they downplayed the arrangement, with fan-favorite Trinity Tatum calling it a "situationship."

Viewers have been debating the difference ever since.

Love Island has its own relationship dictionary. Islanders “explore” connections, become “closed off,” “recouple,” and even like “french fries” (whatever that innuendo means). The term “closed off” typically means a contestant is no longer open to pursuing other people in the villa, while boyfriend and girlfriend is the clearer, more traditional label. Zach and Kayda’s “exclusive” step landed somewhere in between, which is probably one of the reasons why it caused such a reaction.

Zach and Kayda have been coupled up since Day 3, but their run hasn't been completely smooth. Their relationship hit a rough patch after Casa Amor, the Love Island twist where couples are temporarily separated and introduced to new Islanders who can test their connections. At that time, Zach explored another connection with Alannah Keyser, who was later removed from the villa after social media posts resurfaced of her using a racial slur. Zach then told Kayda he would have chosen her either way, but Kayda was hurt after learning from another Islander that Alannah’s departure had changed the situation.

The two eventually reconciled, and Zach later told Kayda he was not ready to use the boyfriend-girlfriend label because they had only known each other for a few weeks and live in different countries.

That explanation did not fully land with everyone in the villa. When Kayda shared the news with the other women, Trinity interpreted the “exclusive” label as less of a milestone and more of a gray area. In her view, the step did not seem meaningfully different from what Zach and Kayda were already doing, especially so late in the season. The word “situationship” quickly became the center of the conversation, both on the show and among fans.

Online, Love Island viewers have been split. Some argued that “exclusive” is a normal and reasonable step before boyfriend and girlfriend, especially for a couple about to leave a controlled reality TV environment and test the relationship in the real world. Several commenters said the villa is not normal dating, and that wanting to see how things work outside before using an official label is fair.

Others sided more with Trinity’s read, or at least understood why the label felt underwhelming. Some fans pointed out that Zach and Kayda have spent weeks together, shared a bed, talked about their feelings, and acted like a couple. To those viewers, asking to be exclusive after all that felt less like a romantic leap and more like a cautious rebrand. One common reaction was basically: If you are already choosing each other, why not just say "boyfriend and girlfriend"?

A third camp thought both sides had a point. Some fans said “situationship” may have been the wrong word, but that the women were reacting to something broader about Zach’s behavior and timing. Fans brought up his Casa Amor choices, Kayda’s trust issues, and the fact that the couple had recently been vulnerable in America’s vote. For those viewers, the issue was less the dictionary definition of “exclusive” and more whether Zach’s actions matched the seriousness of the moment.

The debate is especially timely, as many of the other Islanders have made it official: Bryce Dettloff asked Trinity to be his girlfriend on the June 29 episode, making them the first official couple of the season. And then on July 7, KC and Titi became boyfriend and girlfriend after 9 days of knowing each other. I guess when you know, you know.

Zach’s brother, Charlie Georgiou (Georgio professionally), who was on Love Island Season 7, defended the choice online. He wrote that exclusively dating before becoming boyfriend and girlfriend was a “mature decision,” arguing that the villa is a manufactured environment and that leaving the show as a couple comes with its own complications.

Ultimately, in my opinion, Kayda's frustration with the word "situationship" is valid, as it's a label that lacks commitment or a shared understanding of where things are going. Exclusivity, by contrast, is at least one clear agreement: the two people are not pursuing anyone else. By that definition, Zach and Kayda may not be fully official, but they are not exactly floating around label-free either.

Still, Love Island relationships are rarely judged by the couple alone. Zach and Kayda may know what “exclusive” means to them, but in the villa, every label gets interpreted by the group — and then relitigated by the internet.

Are cheating scandals the new Emmy bait?

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Reality TV scandals have always been good for ratings. This year, they may also be good for Emmy nominations.

The 2026 Emmy nominations arrived on Wednesday, July 8, and two of the most interesting reality TV nods came with some very juicy backstories. Summer House earned its first-ever Emmy nomination after a season dominated by relationship fallout, friendship fractures, and one very closely watched timeline. Ariana Madix, the former Vanderpump Rules star whose post-Scandoval career has also become a reality TV success story of its own, earned her first nomination as host of Love Island USA.

Neither nomination can be reduced to a scandal. Emmy voters are not handing out awards for mess alone, and both nominations also speak to production, casting, editing, hosting, and the kind of storytelling that turns chaos into television.

But...it is hard to ignore the pattern: some of reality TV’s biggest awards breakthroughs are coming after seasons where off-screen betrayal became part of the on-screen event.

Bravo has seen this before. In 2023, Vanderpump Rules earned its first Emmy nominations after Scandoval, the cheating scandal involving Madix, her long-term boyfriend at the time, Tom Sandoval, and her best friend, Rachel Leviss, that turned a long-running Bravo show into a full-blown pop culture fixation. Cameras went back up after the affair became public, the finale became must-watch TV, and viewers treated the reunion like a national hearing with better contour. The show went on to earn another Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program nomination in 2024.

Now, history has repeated itself.

Summer House landed in Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, where it’s nominated alongside America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Love on the Spectrum, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, and Welcome to Wrexham. The nomination follows a Season 10 that kicked off with classic Hamptons house drama and ended with fans dissecting what actually went down between Amanda Batula, West Wilson, Ciara Miller, and Kyle Cooke.

For fans, it's long-overdue recognition for a show that's been delivering quality reality TV for over a decade.

Unlike Scandoval, the Summer House drama of Season 10 was not a single explosive reveal that immediately reshaped the season. It was a slower-moving internet investigation. Season 10 showed Batula dealing with marital issues with Cooke, while Miller remained one of her closest confidants. Wilson, who had previously dated Miller, was still flirting with her throughout the season and keeping the possibility of a reconciliation alive.

Then Batula and Wilson confirmed they were dating after previously denying romance rumors, and viewers began reassessing everything they had already watched: the friendship, the flirting, the timing, and the reunion-room answers.

The season was huge, just check the numbers. Part 1 of the Season 10 reunion drew 3.1 million multi-platform viewers in seven days, the biggest episode in Summer House history. Reunion content also racked up 84 million social video views after May 26. Bravo even sold tickets to an exclusive extended and uncensored screening of the reunion in New York, giving fans a chance to watch the fallout together before it aired on TV and Peacock.

That right there is the power of reality TV at full volume, where a relationship betrayal becomes a ratings driver, a reunion becomes an event, and a cast member becomes someone fans want to defend, follow, and see win.

Madix knows that trajectory well. After Scandoval, she became one of Bravo’s biggest breakout figures, turning a very public breakup into a career expansion that included Dancing With the Stars, Broadway, brand deals, and eventually the Love Island USA hosting job.

When she took over the Peacock dating show, she did not arrive as a traditional host dropped into a franchise, but as a fanbase that had watched her become the wronged woman at the center of one of reality TV’s biggest scandals and was already invested in her next chapter. Love Island USA already had its own momentum, cast, drama, and fan ecosystem, but Madix brought an additional audience ready to show up.

Since then, Love Island USA has become one of Peacock's biggest reality hits. Season 6 became Peacock’s most-watched and most-talked-about series by minutes watched and social conversation volume. Fans have turned nightly episodes, recouplings, Casa Amor fallout, Aftersun interviews (hosted by Summer House's Cierra Miller, who landed the gig after her cheating scandal broke), and off-screen drama into a full-blown social media routine.

Madix is nominated alongside RuPaul Charles for RuPaul’s Drag Race, Alan Cumming for The Traitors, Kristen Kish for Top Chef, and Jeff Probst for Survivor. That is a stacked category filled with reality-TV institutions, which makes her first-time nomination even more notable.

Taken together, Summer House and Madix's nominations point to the same thing: reality TV’s messiest moments can become bigger than temporary internet chaos. When handled well by producers, editors, hosts, and networks, they can raise a show’s ratings, deepen fan investment, and turn reality stars into television figures with real staying power.

Cheating scandals have a particular pull on viewers because they deliver both an emotional story and a mystery to solve. The betrayal of infidelity hits hard — but it also turns audiences into detectives. Viewers have a reason to keep watching beyond the episode they're currently watching. Fans comb through old scenes hunting for clues, rewatch confessionals with fresh context, compare reunion answers to podcast interviews, and treat Instagram posts like evidence in a case file.

Plus, reality TV inherently makes viewers feel unusually close to its cast members, especially on shows like Vanderpump Rules and Summer House, where relationships and friendships have been filmed for years. Fans do not personally know Madix, Miller, Batula, Wilson, or anyone else involved, but they have watched enough birthdays, breakups, group trips, fights, and reunions to feel invested in the stakes.

Reality TV has spent years being treated like television's guilty pleasure. In 2026, the guilt seems beside the point, because the pleasure, apparently, is Emmy-nominated.

A new Shark FlexStyle for creating the best curls possible just dropped

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:47:59 +0000

It's no secret that multi-stylers like the Dyson Airwrap initially went viral because of the Co-anda tech that seemed to wrap and create curls as if by magic.

While the promise of curls styled more by air than heat was enticing, it also didn't take users long to figure out that these tools weren't on par with traditional hot tools when it came to definition and longevity. Shark is looking to close that gap with its latest release, the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl, which hit online shelves on July 6 and retails for $349.99.

Credit: Shark

Shark FlexStyle IonCurl

$349.99 at Shark

At first glance, the multi-styler looks similar to the original FlexStyle. It features four different attachments — the 1.25-inch IonCurl curlers, the IonCurl FrizzFighter high shine polisher, the IonCurl styling concentrator, and the IonCurl oval brush — and can be used without any attachments as a standard blow dryer. It also has the iconic twisting base mechanism, but the main differences here are all about the tech you can't see.

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: What's different

The IonCurl features two major upgrades to optimize the curling experience with this multi-styler: the ion smooth technology and CoandaBoost technology.

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl lineup. Credit: Shark

Ion smooth technology

Ionizers have long been a part of blow drying tech to provide the smoothest styling possible. That step becomes extra crucial when your blow dryer doubles as your primary styling device. With the Ion smooth technology, the IonCurl works to target any frizziness and flyways for smoother and shinier looking hair.

CoandaBoost technology

Coanda tech is essentially the fancy term for describing the automatic wrapping mechanism that's now a mainstay on any multi-styler with a curling attachment. However, Shark ups the ante of the FlexStyle line with the CoandaBoost tech. The enhanced airflow allows for the hair to be wrapped even more tightly around the styling barrel, which creates a more defined and longer lasting curl. According to the brand, this is the strongest version of the tech you can find on any of the Shark FlexStyle models.

Other FlexStyle models

Speaking of other Shark FlexStyle models, it's worth breaking down where the IonCurl falls in the existing lineup of FlexStyles.

The original Shark FlexStyle is essentially the all-in-one multi-styler, the original Dyson Airwrap dupe, and the most affordable version of the tool, starting at $299.99 for a build-your-own model (and that's before dropping down to one of the frequent sale prices).

The Shark FlexStyle Glam is an upgraded version of the FlexStyle, both in functionality and price. The tool goes for $449.99, but can be used on both wet and dry hair for styling.

The IonCurl then, at $349.99, falls somewhere in the middle, and is for anyone who prioritizes the best curl possible. Like the other two models, the curling barrels on this version of the multi-styler need to be switched out in order to change the curl direction, which is where Dyson retains the biggest advantage.

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: Where to buy

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl is available to purchase at SharkNinja, Sephora, and Ulta for $349.99 in the lilac colorway.

Where to buy the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl

SharkNinja

Shark FlexStyle IonCurl

$349.99

Sephora

Shark FlexStyle IonCurl

$349.99

Ulta

Shark FlexStyle IonCurl

$349.99

GLP-1s are inescapable online. Heres why thats a problem.

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:14:26 +0000

Kate Gombach recently celebrated four years in recovery from an eating disorder. Such a milestone once felt impossible for the 35-year-old who recalls growing up at the height of "heroin chic," a time in the early aughts when celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie appeared in tabloids looking extremely thin.

"I didn't realize that living the way I'm living now was even an option for me," Gombach tells Mashable. "I thought trying to shrink my body constantly was what I had to do because of the body that I was born in."

Since Gombach completed treatment at the Eating Recovery Center, she'd mostly been able to tune out the kind of messaging and advertising that typically triggered her disordered eating. But over the past several months, that became much harder thanks to one of the most popular medications of the 21st century: appetite- and hunger-suppressing GLP-1s.

Suddenly, Gombach saw bodies shrinking everywhere she looked, particularly amongst celebrities and on social media. Creators who once championed body positivity or neutrality began weight-loss journeys with little explanation or initial disclosure about paid partnerships and sponsored content, Gombach witnessed.

"I didn't realize that living the way I'm living now was even an option for me."

Even as Gombach pruned certain accounts from her feed and actively disliked weight-loss advertising on Instagram and TikTok, Gombach still encounters marketing for GLP-1, or semaglutide, drugs there, not to mention on television and the wider internet.

"It's not easy, and it's not fun, but [I'm] trying to push through it, maintain my recovery, and hold on to my beliefs, despite a lot of people around me kind of switching," Gombach says.

Fighting to stay in recovery

She's not alone. Mashable interviewed others in recovery who described the same seismic shift toward thinness and diet culture triggered by GLP-1 drugs.

In just the first nine months of 2025, the pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly spent $700 million marketing their GLP-1 medications, Wegovy and Ozempic, and Zepbound and Mounjaro, respectively, according to Reuters.

This advertising rush has made weight loss content inescapable for many. That might help explain why Americans are flocking to online black markets to purchase Eli Lilly's "retatrutide," a drug not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration that reportedly leads to significant weight loss.

Meanwhile, influencers pitching wellness optimization strategies, and Make America Healthy Again proponents who promote thinness as virtuousness, have revived diet culture after it fell out of favor in the late 2010s.

Now former patients like Gombach find themselves fighting to stay in recovery.

Social media and eating disorders

"Many people feel like they've come through on the other side," said Jessica Scheer, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). "But it's a hard thing to protect now."

Gombach spends several hours a day on social media, where she connects with recovery-focused influencers. Building that network during treatment aided Gombach's recovery, because her friends had neither experienced an eating disorder or lived in a larger body, like she does.

Yet experts say social media can also be risky for those in recovery as diet culture and pro-disordered eating are extremely difficult to moderate online.

Earlier this year, the eating disorder care company Equip surveyed 828 adults about how social media influenced their body image. A number of respondents named GLP-1 ads unprompted as a distinct source of distress.

A recent survey by NEDA found the same. Clinicians reported having weekly conversations with patients about GLP-1 advertising and increased disordered eating behaviors.

New research published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that GLP-1 use may be higher among people with eating disorders compared to the general population. The study authors, who did not look at the role of social media, wrote that these people might use GLP-1 drugs to achieve rapid food restriction and weight loss.

Whether or not they are actually taking the drugs, people with a history of disordered eating may be more at risk online. A 2024 TikTok algorithm study, conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne, found that users with a history of disordered eating were served more videos featuring "toxic" eating disorder content than those without prior struggles.

The researchers attributed the increased likelihood of seeing such videos to the platform's content personalization system, particularly the way TikTok collects and profiles users based on personal data. The platform, they wrote, may see lingering on content as a sign of engagement.

The researchers noted several limitations of their study, including that they evaluated videos based on hashtags, an "imperfect" indicator of their content. TikTok declined to comment on the research.

Positive engagement or eating disorder risk?

Dr. Blair Burnette, a Michigan State University assistant professor and principal investigator of the eating- and body image-focused ARISE Lab, called the findings of the study "extremely disturbing." She was not involved in the research.

"It was very clear that the people who were struggling were getting delivered more harmful content," said Burnette, who is overseeing multiple studies on social media's effect on body image, GLP-1 advertising, and eating disorders. A patient can unintentionally direct more GLP-1 related content to their feed simply by pausing on a video or searching for seemingly unrelated content, she explained. It's become a greater worry for her as a clinician.

Equip survey participants also reported that actively seeking body-positive or recovery-focused content led to seeing more about fitness and body transformation, as well as restrictive eating.

GLP-1 content on social media

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director of the Eating Recovery Center, said that social media usage is cropping up more and more in treatment with the rise of GLP-1s. Patients are vulnerable to posts about GLP-1 weight loss, and platforms are responding to it, she said. "The algorithm likely curates content that gets more interaction, and when people are engaged in a mental illness, the content that gets more interaction reinforces that mental illness."

While their effectiveness is still widely debated, many platforms offer content controls intended to weed out such posts. Still, less obvious content can derail recovery. A favorite creator suddenly posting an image of their thinner body, for example, is not easily flagged by moderation tools or necessarily clocked by users themselves.

In fact, Scheer explained, eating disorder content readily "shapeshifts" into whatever nutrition and wellness trends are taking over the internet at any given moment. Unhealthy or restrictive food habits can be repackaged as "clean eating." Compulsive exercise is reformed into "hot girl walks" or daily gym vlogs. GLP-1 influencers are lumped in with wellness advice accounts.

"It's a great business model."

Scheer points to advertising phrases like "take control of your health" or "get back control of your body," which mirror the mindset of many people experiencing disordered eating habits.

Co-opting the language of recovery

The diet industry has also co-opted the language of recovery and anti-diet spaces to sell their own products. For example, GLP-1 ads often promise to quiet "food noise," or incessant rumination on hunger and eating. Food noise happens to be one of the most common indicators or struggles among people with eating disorders, explained Sharon Maxwell, a weight inclusivity advocate, consultant, and content creator.

"People with eating disorders are very susceptible," said Maxwell. "It's a great business model."

Maxwell started posting online after they left a restrictive cult upbringing and were diagnosed with an eating disorder. They built a career offering weight inclusive curriculum to large businesses and eating recovery facilities, even collaborating with Meta's former moderation team on better age-gating of eating disorder content. But in recent years that work has dwindled.

The human safety teams Maxwell once worked with have been reconfigured or shrunk, they note. In the year since, they say they’ve seen a rise in anti-fat content. And as platforms bank on questionable drug and wellness advertising revenue, Maxwell says creators they used to work alongside have pivoted to sponsored GLP-1 posts.

Eating disorder recovery in the era of GLP-1s

Content about GLP-1s, already hard to moderate, is supercharged by stereotypes about larger bodies and weight loss. GLP-1s are much less criticized because they result in thinner bodies, said Wassenaar. Though researchers are still learning about their long-term effects, GLP-1s have surged in popularity, even as established interventions that have nothing to do with body size, like vitamin K shots for infants and life-saving vaccines, are increasingly rejected.

For those in recovery, this type of messaging can generate guilt and shame, explained Wassenaar. GLP-1 marketing constantly suggests the need to change one's physical appearance — and that there are several choices available for doing so.

"You could make a choice to be on a medication. You could make a choice to be on a diet. You could choose a lower calorie food, but you're not, and that's why you think your body is flawed," Wassenaar said of the normalization of weight loss interventions. "It's insidious."

"I don't have to lose weight. I don't have to go down that path."

Maxwell says they'd be lying if they didn't feel enticed to use GLP-1s for weight loss.

Gombach similarly wonders about GLP-1s. She says two of her doctors tried to prescribe her a GLP-1 based on her body mass index, despite the fact that she's in good health. "Would people be nicer to me if I did that?" Gombach asks.

Maxwell and Gombach say GLP-1s aren't the solution to such thoughts.

"It's not the medicine itself that sounds appealing to me. It's the outcome of being in a smaller body," Maxwell said. "I know what happens if I engage in intentional weight loss, and that is a relapse into anorexia, and I'm not willing to do that."

Managing social media while in recovery

Since entering treatment, Gombach finished her masters in clinical mental health counseling and specializes in eating disorder care. That may give her unique insight into coping with ubiquitous weight-loss messaging, but she still uses multiple strategies herself.

Gombach leans on practices she learned in acceptance and commitment therapy, which focuses on aligning behavior with one's values. When Gombach sees content that could trigger negative feelings about her body, she affirms that it's not for her and doesn't match what she wants for herself.

She also focuses on "clarity of intention," or the reality that an influencer, brand, or pharmaceutical company preys on people's insecurities so that they'll buy a product and feel better or achieve greater acceptance.

Then there's training her algorithm. She immediately unfollows a creator when they announce they're on a GLP-1 drug. Every few months, she mass unfollows accounts that have begun sharing diet culture content. Gombach also tries to adjust her ad settings, but frequently sees harmful marketing content nonetheless.

Gombach says she hasn't considered quitting social media because "it’s still something that ultimately helps me."

Time to turn away from social media?

Dr. Erin Parks, co-founder and chief clinical officer of Equip, says even former patients' best efforts to filter content run headlong into algorithms that don't distinguish between thinness and health.

She doesn't discourage patients from eliminating screen time altogether, because it may be helpful to them. Yet, she does want them to consider whether being on their phone is like attempting not to drink but spending all their time in a bar.

Parks recommends people in recovery curate their feed with a clinician when possible and stay open to their changing needs. Content they find tolerable one day may trigger disordered eating thoughts the next. That's why she says it's important for people to closely monitor their social media use, including their intended time spent versus reality, as well as how they feel before, during, and after scrolling.

Maxwell has also scaled back their time online because of GLP-1s. They stopped posting about eating disorder recovery years ago, opting to highlight the joys of living in a larger body. "So often in eating disorder recovery we're obsessed with staying in the disorder, and then we become obsessed with the process of recovery, and that almost replaces the eating disorder," they explained. "My life isn't about recovery, recovery allows me to have a life."

While the rise of GLP-1s has made the desire to escape weight stigma difficult to ignore, Maxwell still envisions a future where social media can support those in recovery and fight weight discrimination.

"I do have hope," Maxwell said. "How much? Not as much as a few years ago, but it's still there, and I'm still holding on. I've got a vice grip on it."

If you are concerned about your eating behavior, visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website for more information. You can also text CONNECT to 741741 for immediate support from a trained volunteer at the Crisis Text Line.

Dysons newest Airwrap just got an update and new attachments — including a first-time addition to any Airwrap

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:58:15 +0000

Dyson just released an updated version of its latest multi-styler, the Airwrap Co-anda2x, just one year after the original version of the styling tool became available.

The updated Airwrap, available to purchase as of July 9, comes with a new lineup of attachments and a more powerful motor for creating longer-lasting styles. The new Co-anda2x retails for $749.99, putting it at the same price point as the first version of the styler. (The first iteration initially went for $699.99, but jumped up $50 in price after its release).

Credit: Dyson

Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x

$749.99 at Dyson

The updated Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x: What's new

While the latest Airwrap Co-anda2x looks rather similar to its predecessor at first glance, the upgrades made could go a long way for anyone looking for the longest lasting styling possible.

Updated attachments

The first major update to the new Airwrap is the four new attachments, replacing some of the lineup from the 2025 release of the Airwrap Co-anda2x.

The 2026 Airwrap Co-anda2x attachment lineup is as follows (new attachments are bolded):

Conical Co-anda2x curling barrel: a tapered barrel for creating more defined curls that can style hair closer to the root
Large round volumizing brush 2x: a larger round brush with a 2.8-inch diameter, which is larger than that of the round brush included with the previous generation Airwrap
1.6-inch Co-anda2x Curling Barrel (Long): a curling barrel that's the same diameter as the larger barrel option on the older Airwrap, but features a long barrel, making it easier to grab thicker or larger sections of hair
Air straightener 2x: a clamp-style straightening iron that uses air to create and set the style
Fast dryer2x
Anti-snag loop brush 2x

Dyson also updated the curly/coily model of the Airwrap, but it's not available just yet. According to a Dyson spokesperson, that version of the Airwrap will hit store shelves in the coming weeks.

As a reminder, the 2025 Airwrap Co-anda2x attachments are as follows:

30-millimeter Co-anda2x curling barrel
40-millimeter Co-anda2x curling barrel
Round volumizing brush 2x
AirSmooth 2x attachment
Fast dryer 2x
Anti-snag loop brush 2x

The new Airwrap Co-anda2x attachment lineup... Credit: Dyson

Compared to the curly/coily lineup of the previous gen. Credit: Dyson

The addition of the Air straightener 2x marks the first time that any Airwrap has featured a straightening attachment that isn't a brush. Anyone looking to get in on the Dyson air straightening tech before this Airwrap would have to buy the Dyson Airstrait, which goes for $499.99 at full price. While there are multiple new attachments on this Airwrap, the straightener is by far the biggest deviation from any previous Airwrap model.

Like its predecessor, these Airwrap attachments are RFID-enabled and can automatically change the air speed and temperature for optimal styling results. I was skeptical as to how much of a difference this could make when I tried out the first-generation Airwrap Co-anda2x, but pairing the multi-styler with the app and using the automatic adjustments genuinely made for longer styles that felt less effortful to achieve.

The attachments are also available to buy separately, and are backward compatible with the first version of the Airwrap Co-anda2x, but no other previous Airwrap model. (So far, we can only find the new versions of two out of four of the attachments on Dyson's site, but we will update this piece when the rest become available.)

Conical Co-anda2x curling barrel 2x — $39.99
Air straightener 2x attachment — $44.99
Large round volumizing brush 2x — $39.99
1.6-inch Co-anda2x curling barrel — $39.99

A new motor

The other notable upgrade is the introduction of a new motor: the Dyson Gen 2 motor. While not as flashy as new attachments, the headline here is increased air pressure, which is designed to create and lock in styles better. In my experience, multi-stylers in general, including the Dyson Airwrap, can struggle with longevity in styles, as they do not rely on heat as much as traditional styling tools. The new motor, then, seems to be an answer to customer concerns over this reality.

Where to buy the new Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x

As of July 9, you can pick up the second-generation Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x at Dyson's website and at Sephora in the ceramic pink colorway. A jasper plum colorway will become available later this year.

Where to buy the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x

Dyson.com

Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x

$749.99

Sephora

Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x

$749.99

The older gen

Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x

$749.99

I tried to scrub weight loss content from my FYP. Heres what I learned.

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:46:56 +0000

I'm someone who smashes TikTok's "Not Interested" button like I'm getting paid per click.

Content about losing weight, eating clean, or glow-ups have become an easy target for my lightning quick thumbs. Post about how healing your gut microbiome also made you lose 20 pounds? Not interested. The latest Serena Williams Ro ad? Certainly not interested! Vlog about packing a palm-sized, crumb-filled "snack" tin? What did I say? Not. Interested!!

I believed in that precious button. I thought it was a tool in the fight against companies hawking GLP-1s or weight loss apps and creators platforming unhealthy body transformations while disguising unhealthy eating habits as trends.

More than 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime — and every 52 minutes a person dies as a direct consequence of an eating disorder, according to the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED). Meanwhile, our federal government is funneling taxpayer money into ads that call people in larger bodies "nasty," all while slashing at affordable food programs, healthcare, and federal food regulation.

I've worked hard to keep that messaging out of my life, but I've noticed that weight loss influencers still frequently infiltrate my daily scroll. About every third ad is for a weight loss service. I'm seeing GLP-1 influencers more than my friends. What's going on, "Not Interested" button?

If you are like me, shouting disinterest to the TikTok algorithm gods, I have horrible news. It doesn't appear to do anything.

TikTok's "Not Interested" button isn't what you think

After what I would estimate was years of trying to curate my FYP, check out what my advertising settings looked like when I went over them last month:

Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok

Health & Wellness: Interested. Weight management: No preference.

Well. I thought I had made my preferences and interests pretty clear, actually.

I also looked at my content topic preferences, which users can edit using a sliding scale from "See More" to "See Less." They were all still set to the default, including "Health and Fitness." This is the closest to weight-related settings on this page, since there isn't a specific sliding scale for weight loss or body-focused content.

Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok

TikTok's own advertising guidelines prohibit "exaggerated or harmful weight loss or muscle gain claims" and products such as fat burning pills, appetite suppressants, and weight loss or detox foods. The app's community guidelines ban content that promotes disordered eating and risky weight management behaviors, including sponsored content from creators. The company says its "goal is to foster a body-positive and inclusive environment" and the platform hosts a large community of body positive creators, several I follow.

And yet.

I had incorrectly assumed that by smashing "Not Interested," TikTok was also automatically changing my account settings. It's not. Instead, "Not Interested" is more like a thumbs down, adjusting how the algorithm is categorizing me and my interests in a much more simple manner. If I hit "Not Interested" on one GLP-1 creator, or even go as far as blocking their page, it would continue to show me others. It's not registering that I don't want to see any content like that, just that I didn't enjoy scrolling by that one.

To be fair to the billion dollar company, the button wasn't designed or advertised to act the way I and others users think it does. But research has found that it may not be effective at its intended purpose, limiting specific content, either.

A recent Northeastern study used hundreds of bot accounts to test the impact of the tool — which researchers still called "the most effective explicit" signal to the algorithm — on user agency. It found that video topics can reappear mere minutes after hitting the button under these conditions.

"Worse, we find that once accounts cease to indicate disinterest in a topic, many find their feeds dominated by such content again," the study authors write. TikTok declined to comment on the research.

Content settings: Solution or part of the problem?

That's not to say you shouldn't user TikTok's "Not Interested" button. It's also not the end all be all of personal content moderation on the platform. In fact, there's a plethora of settings users may not know exist. Specific content control tools and ad preferences — included ones related to weight loss and nutrition — are embedded deep in profile settings.

What I changed in my TikTok settings

For content preferences (at the top of your settings), I moved "Health and Fitness" all the way to "see less" and adjusted "Fashion & Beauty" as well, just to be safe.

Then, I scrolled to the bottom of my settings to find ad controls. I clicked "manage ad topics" to adjust specific types of content and "mute advertisers" to hide accounts. I adjusted every related setting to the equivalent of "Not Interested," including removing any personal user details that could potentially indicate my interest (like my gender and age) under "edit personal details." To find settings for "weight management," I had to select "Other" under "manage ad topics."

I cleaned out TikTok's "inferred" preferences, too. Yes, you can see what assumptions TikTok has made of you. I recommend you take a look.

Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok

The app gave me notice: I may have to wait 48 hours to see any changes. Finally, I thought, these may actually do something.

I gave the app the full two days, waiting to see a change… and I kept waiting. In fact, I am still waiting, months later.

Not long after I changed my settings and began testing the "Not Interested" button more intentionally, the ads seemed to only get worse, just like the Northeastern researchers posited. I started screenshotting every ad I got just out of pure incredulity. Here's a sampling:

Nearly two months after first reporting this story, I am still inundated with ads.

I blocked Ro. And yet there the brand was... Credit: Mashable

Instagram and weight loss content: What to know

I recognize it's not just a problem for TikTok, so I also explored Instagram's tools to personalize content and reconfigure user preference profiles.

Under content preferences, users can see and edit their own algorithm, including things you want to encounter less. Unlike TikTok, users can also "snooze" suggested content from profiles you don't follow for 30 days at a time. (Do that.)

Credit: Mashable screenshot

What Instagram knows about me right now. Credit: Mashable screenshot

But here is the real difference between the two platforms, experts told me: Unlike TikTok, Instagram's main feed is not designed to show you a never ending flow of content from people you don't follow.

Yes, you can go to the app's explore page. Yes, the app can inject suggested content into your scroll. But you can also avoid those things much easier than on TikTok (who actually uses the "Following" tab over there?), and stick with only the accounts you have carefully chosen to pay attention to.

I checked my settings, which are linked across Meta platforms like Facebook, and adjusted them only marginally. As long as I stick to my main feed, I haven't had as much of a problem.

This isn't to say Instagram is perfect. In fact, parent company Meta was recently found liable for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms when it came to mental health and content tools. But I feel a bit better over there. For now.

Can you ever be fully safe from weight loss ads online?

In the midst of a growing frustration with my feeds — that I have still not solved — I turned to experts.

I asked Jessica Scheer, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), why it's so difficult to protect our feeds, and why GLP-1 ads have seemed to skirt the tools above.

"Because of the political construct we're in right now," Scheer said, "we're seeing much more of a laissez-faire approach to any type of active content moderation on either accounts or algorithm programming."

"It's really, really tough, because everybody's competing for the views, the clicks, the likes," said Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director of the Eating Recovery Center. "The algorithms are designed in favor of the creators, not in favor of the consumers."

And even when platforms have robust controls, weight loss content can very easily slip through the cracks, explains Dr. Blair Burnette, a Michigan State University assistant professor and principal investigator of the ARISE Lab. Videos featuring disordered eating, body checking, and anti-fat sentiment are not easily caught by algorithms trained to scan captions, comment sections, and audio for explicit words and phrases.

Not only are brands still creeping up, but so-called "GLP-1 influencers." Credit: Mashable

How to clean your feeds, the best you can

If I can offer you one takeaway, it is this: Continuously update your profile settings. Not once, not twice, but consistently.

Scheer says NEDA is still figuring out best practices for being online in this landscape, working alongside clinicians, caregivers, and people with lived experience to determine which tools work, which ones don't, and how tech companies can step up. But in the meantime, routine (or even clinician-supported) audits of your feeds are crucial. "Algorithms re-train slowly so repetition is key," the organization writes.

"Oftentimes, these fixes are only temporary," said Scheer. "It only really helps you, maybe, for a few sessions, and then you might have to recalibrate yet again."

Burnette told me she is also still figuring out the best advice for patients who want to stay online while in recovery. But there are ways to regain some control.

She recommends her patients utilize device screen time limits and additional time-limiting apps like Roots. She suggests following new forms of content and purging your following list regularly. You have to be intentional in who you choose to follow, Burnette advises, like creators who are specifically anti-diet or accounts that never post images of their bodies.

This advice works just as effectively for those who aren't in active recovery. If your feed isn't working anymore, scrap it. If something feels off about accounts you've followed for years, block them. If your phone is causing more anxiety than joy, put it down. Don't be precious about it, either. That's how Big Tech (and its sneaky older sibling Big Pharma) want you to feel.

Why is the internet rooting against Argentina?

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:22:10 +0000

Spend five minutes on the World Cup side of TikTok or scrolling through X, and you might come away with one glaring conclusion: Everyone is rooting against Argentina.

That is not exactly true, of course. Argentina has one of the loudest, most passionate fan bases in the tournament, and Lionel Messi remains one of the most beloved athletes on the planet. But online, the defending champions have become the World Cup's biggest lightning rod, as every rival fan base seems ready to cast Argentina as the tournament's heel, the team that always seems to thrive amid controversy.

The latest fuel came after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16, a match that ended with Egypt filing a formal complaint to FIFA over disputed VAR decisions and officiating. Head coach Hossam Hassan even suggested the governing body wanted to keep Messi in the tournament, allegations FIFA has not substantiated.

BBC Sport later analyzed the match and concluded that while several officiating decisions were undoubtedly controversial, they did not amount to evidence of a conspiracy. Still, the outlet noted that perception has become part of the story, pointing to statistics that have fueled online debate and FIFA's decision to appoint an all-Argentine on-field officiating crew for France's quarterfinal against Morocco, a choice it described as "not a great look."

But the anti-Argentina pile-on is bigger than one controversial match. It is what happens when sporting rivalries, geopolitical tension, Messi fatigue, and internet fandom all collide.

That is the strange beauty of the World Cup. Every match carries decades of history onto the pitch before the opening whistle. Or, as one Portuguese-language X user put it, "The World Cup is 20% soccer and 80% colonial resentment."

Unlike club soccer, where rivalries are built around cities and leagues, the World Cup asks entire countries to compete. As writer Franklin Foer argued in How Soccer Explains the World, the sport often reflects far more than what happens on the field; it can become a proxy for nationalism, historical conflict, and cultural identity.

On social media, those fault lines get compressed into memes and 130 characters. Argentina is not just Argentina; depending on who is posting, it is the team that broke France's heart in 2022, the rival England still associates with Maradona and the Falklands, the opponent Mexico fans love to hate, or the Messi-led dynasty some viewers are simply tired of seeing win.

Geography doesn't always dictate loyalty, either. While fans often talk about Latin America rallying behind one of its own, the region's football rivalries run deep. Brazil and Argentina have spent more than a century battling for continental supremacy, while Uruguay and Chile each have their own sporting history with La Albiceleste. Mexico, meanwhile, has repeatedly seen its World Cup dreams ended by Argentina, helping turn every meeting between the two countries into an internet event of its own.

Argentina's relationship with the rest of Latin America is complicated by more than football. Historians and sociologists have written about the country's long-standing self-image as a uniquely "European" nation within Latin America, an identity that often minimized or erased its Black and Indigenous history.

That history has collided with soccer before. After Argentina won the 2024 Copa América, the French Football Federation said it would file a complaint with FIFA over "racist and discriminatory remarks" in a chant sung by Argentina players about France's diverse team; Enzo Fernández later apologized, and his Premier League club, Chelsea, opened an internal disciplinary process.

That broader conversation has followed Argentina into this year's World Cup. FIFA is investigating allegations of racist abuse directed at YouTube creator iShowSpeed during Argentina's Round of 32 victory over Cape Verde after footage from his livestream appeared to capture an altercation with an Argentina supporter. The investigation is ongoing, but the incident quickly became another flashpoint in the wider online debate surrounding Argentina and race.

None of that means every Argentina fan shares those views, or that every anti-Argentina post is about race. But it helps explain why some Latin American and Black football fans online are reading this year's incidents through a broader history, one in which Argentina's image of itself as white and European has long been contested.

So, the next time your For You Page insists that "everyone hates Argentina," remember that you're probably looking at more than just another soccer take. You're watching decades of history compressed into a 90-second video and one very heated comments section.

French Fry Day 2026 deals: Score free fries from McDonalds, Five Guys, Sheetz, Chick-Fil-A, and more

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:05:30 +0000

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

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

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

Arby's

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

Checkers & Rally’s

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

Chick-Fil-A

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

Del Taco

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

Five Guys

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

Jack in the Box

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

McDonald's

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

Sheetz

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

Wendy's

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

Whataburger

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

White Castle

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

16 summer hosting essentials that cost under $25 at Amazon

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:02:16 +0000

Best summer hosting under $25 at Amazon

Best yard game

Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set

$19.99 (save $10)

Best cooler deal

Igloo Classic Playmate Cooler (red)

$20.79 (save $13.20)

Best speaker deal

Soundcore Select 4 Go

$21.99 (save $3)

Best kitchen deal

Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Maker

$21.45 (save $4.05)

Best outdoor dining essential

Fly Away Outdoor Fly Repellent Fan (2 pack)

$25.91

With limited weekends remaining in summer 2026, it's time to schedule the backyard barbecues you've been considering. Clean off the grill, mow the lawn, and set out the games for a fun gathering with family and friends.

Maybe the only downside to this plan is that summer hosting can add up. Rather than worrying about the cost, check out these essential items at Amazon that are under $25. Shop from this list and you'll have plenty of fun without going over budget.

I've collected the best summer hosting essentials that cost $25 or less at Amazon. Happy hosting!

Best backyard game deal

Credit: Franklin

Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set

$19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10

Why we like it

On the list of wholesome summer fun activities, it doesn't get much better than a bocce ball match. On sale for only $19.99, the Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set has everything you need for a great outdoor activity. Plus, there's an included carrying box for easy transportation.

Best cooler deal

Credit: Igloo

Igloo Classic Playmate Cooler

$20.79
$33.99 Save $13.20

Why we like it

Nothing says summer more than the Igloo Classic Playmates Cooler. Go with the red colorway while it's on sale for $20.79 and your guests will have instant access to chilled drinks while lounging on the patio. The seven-quart size can hold up to nine cans, making it easy to load up and set out for guests.

Best speaker deal

Credit: Soundcore

Soundcore Select 4 Go

$21.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $3

Why we like it

Compact in size and price, the Soundcore Select 4 Go Bluetooth Speaker is well worth using during summer hosting. It's dustproof and waterproof and can get up to 20 hours of playtime before needing to recharge. Crank up the playlist of summer with the Soundcore speaker while it's on sale at Amazon for $21.99.

Best kitchen deal

Credit: Hario

Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Maker

$21.45 at Amazon
$25.50 Save $4.05

Why we like it

The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Maker is one of my best secret hacks for making summer hosting easy. It takes just a few minutes to get a one liter batch brewing by loading up the basket with ground coffee. After that, I leave it in the fridge overnight and wake up to excellent cold brew that costs a fraction of buying it premade at the store. It's the perfect refresher to serve on warm afternoons.

Best outdoor dining essential

Credit: Fly Away

Fly Way Outdoor Fly Repellent Fan

$25.91 at Amazon

Why we like it

Admittedly, this one is a smidge over $25, but the payoff is well worth it. Instead of dealing with the struggle of swatting flies and even bees away from your table when dining outside, get the help of the Fly Away Repellent Fans. A two pack at Amazon comes in at $25.91. The fans use reflective blades made from a holographic material that keeps flying insects away. But the blades are soft and flexible enough to not cause harm should a hand get in the way. Fly Away says the two fans are ideal for tables of up to six feet, and they use AA batteries, so they're easy to replace.

More summer hosting deals under $25

Kan Jam Mini Backyard Game — $9.49 ~~$19.99~~ (save $10.50)
Puffin The Buoy Life Vest Insulated Can Cooler Sleeve — $12.95 ~~$16.95~~ (save $4)
Tossware Pop 9-oucnce Plastic Champagne Flute (12 pack) — $13.99
Grand Tongo Insect Repellent Spray (3 pack) — $16.99
OXO Good Grips Wooden Utensil Set (3 piece) — $19.99
Govee Smart RGB LED Strip Lights (16.4 feet) — $19.99 ~~$24.99~~ (save $5)
Funboy Giant Vintage Stripe Inflatable Pool Float — $21.75 ~~$29~~ (save $7.25)
Herhsey's S'mores Kit Box, 14 oz (2 pack) — $21.98 ~~$25.45~~ (save $3.56)
Coleman Chiller Cooler (9 quart) — $23.99
Yeti Rambler 12-ounce Can Insulator — $25
Yeti Ridgeline Slim 12-ounce Can Insulator — $25

Aeocky just launched a beast of a dehumidifier, and its already on sale at Amazon

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:30:15 +0000

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

Credit: Aeocky

Aeocky RHEA-001 Smart Dehumidifier

$237.49 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $62.50

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

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

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

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

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

The Ninja DualBrew Pro coffee maker is $50 off at Amazon — buy now for under $200

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:23:10 +0000

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

Credit: Ninja

Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee Machine

$199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50

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

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

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

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

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

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Anna DeGuzman explains how she became a professional magician through content creation

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

Her social media savvy also influences her IRL live performances.

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

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

The Coleman Pro hard cooler is on sale for its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $74

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:52:22 +0000

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

Credit: Coleman

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

$125.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $74.00

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

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

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

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

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

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The unconventional advice creator Michael Tchao swears by

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch the full interview above.

The World Cup is getting its own YouTube creator all-star game, led by iShowSpeed

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

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

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

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

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

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

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

Servers in locations all around the world
Easy-to-use apps available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policies so your data is always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Multiple simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantees

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN.

Justin Bieber is joining FIFA’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:38:52 +0000

FIFA officially has Bieber fever.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Odyssey sails into rave reviews and online backlash

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:43:44 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Erling Haaland is somehow a Love and Deepspace star now

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:39:35 +0000

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

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

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

Chinese fans quickly ran with it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connor Storries Emmy nod delights Heated Rivalry fans

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:41:22 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower just dropped to a record-low price at Amazon — save over $500

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:26:53 +0000

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

Credit: Segway

Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower

$789 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $510

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

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

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

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

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

Grieving people prefer AI bots that speak as dead loved ones, study suggests

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:19:22 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arbys just dropped a $45 Bedazzled Tumbler

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:09:28 +0000

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

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

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

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

Credit: Arby's

Arby's Bedazzled Tumbler

$45 at Arby's

Your favorite internet videos are coming to Netflix

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:31:39 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many of the announced series are the exact kind of polished, publisher-made videos that became major digital franchises on YouTube, the reigning media distributor in the U.S.: celebrity Q&As, lie detector interviews, cooking videos, fashion segments, home tours, travel shows, and bite-sized lifestyle series. Of course, Netflix is not replacing YouTube, but it is clearly interested in some of the viewing behavior that YouTube watchers expect — and social media users have noticed the connection.

There are still some open questions. Netflix has not said exactly how these videos will be surfaced, how the platform will recommend them, or how much they will be tied to related shows, movies, and talent. It has also not announced the full slate of future publisher partners.

But the direction is clear, and pretty soon, internet videos will live where your prestige dramas or true-crime documentaries already do.

Score up to 47% off Craftsman cordless drill kits, socket sets, and more at Amazon

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:26:50 +0000

GET UP TO 47% OFF: As of July 8, you can get up to 47% off select Craftsman tools at Amazon. Save on cordless drills, toolsets, and more.

Best Craftsman tool deals as of July 8:

Best drill deal

Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

$59 (save $40)

Best tool set deal

Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set

$149 (save $100)

Best cordless tool deal

Craftsman V20 Brad Nailer

$99 (save $60)

Growing up with a dad who's a mechanic (and a race car driver) meant I spent my childhood rummaging through drawers to bring him whatever tool he needed next. He always had the fanciest toolboxes (it's honestly crazy how much men will pay for those things) and a Snap-On truck came by weekly. Naturally, I inherited none of his knowledge — I have a tape measure, one screwdriver, and whatever leftover hex keys came free with my IKEA furniture.

If your own setup is looking similarly tragic, Amazon has a ton of Craftsman tools on sale for up to 47% off. It’s a justifiable excuse to stop borrowing your neighbor's stuff and build out a decent collection.

Best drill deal

CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (CMCD700C1)

$82 at Amazon
$99 Save $17

Why we like it

A reliable cordless drill is a non-negotiable adult purchase. After moving year after year and losing my tool bag, I had to learn this the hard way.

If you're looking to buy a drill on the cheap, you can get the Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (CMCD700C1) for $59 at Amazon. This is the best price I've seen it across retailers (though Lowe's is matching it). It also comes with a 20V max Lithium battery and charger, as well as a three-year limited warranty.

Best tool set deal

Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set with 3-Drawer VERSASTACK Tool Box (SAE/Metric Set, CMMT45309)

$149 at Amazon
$249 Save $100

Why we like it

While it might not have a hammer or a tape measure, this 262-piece kit is the ultimate upgrade for anyone who wants to start doing their own auto maintenance or heavy-duty garage projects.

Right now, you can grab the Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanics Tool Set for $149 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $100 price cut. It includes 118 sockets, 24 wrenches, 44 hex keys, dozens of specialty bits, and a three-drawer, Versastack-compatible box with a one-handed locking dial.

Best cordless tool deal

CRAFTSMAN V20 Brad Nailer, 18GA, Cordless, Bare Tool Only (CMCN618B)

$99 at Amazon
$159 Save $60

Why we like it

Whether you're working on baseboards or doing trim work, you'll need a cordless nailer. Right now, you can get the Craftsman V20 Cordless Brad Nailer (CMCN618B) for $99, down from $159, at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or $60 savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked on this tool since 2023.

Note: This listing is for the tool only (the battery and charger aren't included). But if you already own the cordless drill we mentioned above (or any other tool in Craftsman's V20 lineup), you can just pop that same battery right into this nailer and get straight to work.

More Craftsman deals

Craftsman Torque Wrench (CMMT99433) — $59.98 ~~$75.49~~ (save $15.51)
Craftsman Deep Impact Socket Set — $89 ~~$109~~ (save $20)
Craftsman V20 MAX Cordless Drill Driver and Impact Driver Set (CMCK200C2) — $99 ~~$169~~ (save $70)
Craftsman V20 Cordless Stick Vacuum Kit (CMCVS001D1) — $149 ~~$199~~ (save $50)

iShowSpeed World Cup stream captures alleged racist abuse, prompting FIFA investigation

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:22:18 +0000

FIFA has opened an investigation after alleged racist abuse directed at iShowSpeed was captured during one of the streamer's World Cup livestreams on YouTube, reports the New York Times.

Over the past month, Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., has become an unofficial face of the World Cup online, livestreaming matches from stadiums across the United States and giving millions of viewers a front-row seat to the tournament via his official partnership with FIFA, FOX Sports, and YouTube. His streams have featured appearances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

FIFA confirmed Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into an incident that took place during Argentina's July 3 Round of 32 victory over Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. In footage from Speed's livestream, the 21-year-old creator, who was wearing a Cape Verde jersey, is seen confronting an Argentina supporter in the stands after viewers alleged the fan directed a racist remark toward him.

"The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect," the organization said in a statement provided to the Associated Press. "It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game."

The investigation comes as Argentina has found itself at the center of several of the tournament's biggest flashpoints. Just days after the Cape Verde match, the defending champions survived a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16 — a result overshadowed by disputed VAR decisions, a disallowed Egyptian goal, and a formal complaint from the Egyptian Football Association over the officiating. The controversy has fueled intense online debate around Argentina's path through the tournament.

Speed, a longtime Cristiano Ronaldo supporter who frequently trolls Lionel Messi online, was also seen taunting the Argentine star before his missed penalty against Egypt. Later in the same stream, the creator was confronted by Argentina fans in the stands, with one appearing to mock his movements while yelling at him. "What's wrong with that guy?" Speed says in the broadcast.

For Speed, who has over 57 million subscribers on YouTube and nearly 150 million followers across platforms, the incident underscores how his streams have become more than creator content.

With tens of millions of followers tuning in, he's emerged as the World Cup's premier Gen Z correspondent, bringing viewers into the stands to capture the tournament's real atmosphere, not just the polished TV moments.

Make tidying your home effortless with $130 off the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:40:00 +0000

SAVE $130: As of July 8, get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's a discount of 10%.

Credit: Amazon

Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop

$1,169.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $130

If you spend an inordinate amount of time trying to keep your floors clean, it's time to admit you might need some help. A robot vacuum is one of the best and easiest ways to make sure you have spotless carpets and dazzling hard floors.

As of July 8, get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's $130 off and a discount of 10%.

This robot vacuum and mop combo is capable of serious suction and thorough mopping. It uses special AI-enhanced vision to detect over 280 types of objects potentially in its way at home, with an ultra-thin design that helps it navigate the entirety of your home's floor plan. It has its own all-in-one dock as well that can help it prep to mop up your hard flooring, with a 100-degree waetr mop for washing, a self-cleaning washboard, and 100-day auto-emptying so you don't have to handle it yourself.

It uses a special side brush and outward-swinging mop that work together to give you complete coverage in each room, with corner coverage as well as tight, edge-hugging power that means you don't have to be the one to scrub everything. Plus, it can clean around your pets and get all of the important areas that need extra attention without you having to program it to do so.

Now's the perfect time to splurge on this automated robot vacuum and mop combo, so if you're tired of manually handling it all, grab one before they're all bought up -- or the price goes back up.

The Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car has never been cheaper at Amazon — save over $10

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:23:01 +0000

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 8, the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon, its lowest-ever price. That's $15 off its full price of $74.99.

Credit: Lego

Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car (42223)

$59.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $15.00

If you're a fan of the Lego Technic cars, Amazon has an excellent deal for you to check out. As of July 8, the retailer has the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car discounted to its lowest-ever price of $59.99. Perfect time to grab it.

Usually, this Lego set's price tag lands at $74.99, so overall you're saving $15. That's a solid discount, but considering it's never been lower than this deal price, now is a great time to make a move on it.

With 793 pieces in total, this Lego set sees you putting together a brick-built model of the 1966 Ford GT40 MKII race car. It has some very cool features as well that you can interact with, like the ability to steer using a knob on the top, opening doors and hood, and you can even lift the engine cover to check out the V8 engine.

If you know someone with a love of cars, or maybe that someone is you, this set looks like an awesome addition to a collection. It's also worth noting that it's a build recommended for adults, considering it's a bit more complex to assemble and meant for displaying.

If this deal has caught your eye, act fast to save on the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car at Amazon.

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The NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker is a perfect summer pickup — save $50 at Amazon

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:45:21 +0000

SAVE OVER $50: As of July 8, the NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker is on sale for $149.62 at Amazon. That's $50.37 off the full price of $199.99.

Credit: NutriBullet

NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker

$149.62 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.37

Looking for a way to beat the heat this summer? The NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker can help you out by creating some tasty frozen treats to enjoy in your own kitchen. Now is a great time to buy it, as Amazon's slashed just over $50 off select colors for a limited time.

As of July 8, the black and mint chip green NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Makers have been discounted from $199.99 to $149.62 at Amazon. The white model is on sale for just a few cents higher at $149.99, so you can pick out a color that best suits your personal tastes.

There's a nice variety of frozen treats that the NutriBullet Chill is able to whip up, with five presets to choose from: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Smoothie Bowl, and Frozen Yogurt. These are churned together with the help of a double-sided blade and dual-direction rotation which, according to the store page, ensure creamier results.

It also features a sleek design, with an LED display that shows a progress ring that helps you track the churning process. Plus, it looks quite compact, so it won't take up too much space on your countertop.

Now is a great time to pick up the NutriBullet Chill Ice Cream Maker at Amazon.

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Need a boost? The Bluetti AC70 portable power station is over $100 off at Amazon.

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:30:28 +0000

SAVE OVER $100: As of July 8, the Bluetti AC70 portable power station is on sale for $328.99 at Amazon. That's $100.01 off its full price of $429.

Credit: Bluetti

Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station

$328.99 at Amazon
$429 Save $100.01

Portable power stations are great to have on hand in the summertime. From camping trips and outdoor adventures to assisting during outages, they can give you an extra boost of power when you need it most. If you've been thinking about buying a model, the good news is Amazon has quite a few on sale right now. The Bluetti AC70 portable power station is among them, with its price marked down to $328.99.

Compared to its full list price of $429, you're saving just over $100 on this model. As of July 8, this portable power station has a "limited time deal" tag, so you'll want to make your move quick before the price goes back up.

The Bluetti AC70 is packed with power, with a 768Wh capacity, 1,000W inverter, and up to 2,000W in power lifting mode. Plus, its compact size makes it a breeze to take on-the-go. It weighs 22.5 pounds and features a helpful handle on the top.

With the help of the Bluetti app, you can also monitor the status of the power station, set a charge/discharge mode, and update the battery. It's an easy way to keep an eye on it while it's being used. Plus, it comes with a LiFePO4 battery that can last over 3,000 charging cycles.

If you've been searching for a solid portable power station, don't miss out on this great deal on the Bluetti AC70 portable power station at Amazon.

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65+ birthday gifts to add to your wish list

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:01:29 +0000

Kids aren't the only ones who get excited about birthday gifts. You can be a full-grown adult and still lose your shit when you open up the gift that topped your wish list. But as you get older, it does become a little more difficult to come up with a list of birthday gift ideas. You can't just ask for all the coolest new toys anymore. Well, you can if you want — we're not going to stop you.

If your birthday is coming up and you're struggling to think of what you want, don't sweat it. We compiled the ultimate birthday wish list, with gifts ranging from tech to outdoor essentials to home goods. To make your search easier, we've separated our gift ideas into categories: Our current favorite birthday gifts, gifts under $25, gifts under $50, gifts $50 to $150, and gifts $150+.

Read on for some birthday inspo and start casually dropping hints to your friends and family. And hey, happy birthday!

Our top picks

Color-changing smart light bulbs

Credit: Philips

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

$99.99 at Best Buy

I have put a Hue light bulb in every lamp in my apartment, and it's so rare that I use the Big Light now. These color-changing bulbs let me dim the lights when I want to relax or emit fun colors while I'm watching a movie. And the best part is, I don't have to get out of bed to turn the lights off at night.

A digital camera that captures film-style photos

Credit: Camp Snap

Camp Snap camera

$69.95 at Camp Snap

I love taking and having film photos, but 1) film is expensive, and 2) all of the film cameras I have are chunky. The Camp Snap camera is an amazing alternative. It's digital and incredibly lightweight — and the pictures truly do look like they were taken on film. They're clear yet stylized enough to give that vintage feel. And you can take multiple versions of the same shot without feeling like you're wasting film.

Coffee from around the world

Credit: Atlas Coffee Club

Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription

Starting at $55

I personally don't drink coffee, but my dad is a big coffee guy. I got him and his wife a three-month subscription to Atlas Coffee Club for Christmas and they freakin' loved it. They sent me a text every month to let me know where their coffee came from, and they love trying new roasts from around the world. Each month, you get coffee beans and a postcard from different countries, so you get to try beans you can't get from your grocery store. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.

A new Kindle

Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon

Listen, I used to be such a physical books-only kind of person. Then I bought a Kindle Paperwhite, and it changed my reading game for good. I'm able to easily take the e-reader on the plane, to the beach, or even in the bathtub (shoutout to the Paperwhite being waterproof). Plus, I can read library books for free from the Libby app. If you're a reader, trust me when I say a Kindle should be at the top of your birthday list this year.

A gorgeous TV that doubles as art

Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch, QLED)

$699.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $300

Samsung's The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing, and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that's worth it.

Birthday gifts under $25

Elevate your cooking game

Oil dispenser and sprayer

$9.99 at Amazon

We love a multi-functional product, and this 2-in-1 oil dispenser would be a great addition to your kitchen. It pours and sprays, so you can drizzle olive oil or coat a pan for cooking without reaching for two separate bottles.

Whatever you want from Amazon

Credit: Amazon / Mashable composite

Amazon e-gift card

If your Amazon wish list is calling your name, ask for an Amazon gift card for your birthday. Get the present you've been dreaming of on someone else's dime.

Learn something new

Credit: Coursehorse

Coursehorse Gift Card

Starting at $5 at Coursehorse

You’ve successfully completed one more trip around the sun, so to celebrate, develop a new skill or indulge a passion by taking an IRL class on the subject of your choice. Coursehorse partners with real-world instructors and schools in major cities to offer nearly 70,000 classes in subjects such as art, language, music, cooking, self-defense, gardening, and anything else you could possibly want.

Simple Lego flowers

Lego Roses building kit

$9.39 at Walmart
$45 Save $35.61

Lego sets can be pretty freakin' expensive, but if you're looking for some more budget-friendly building kits for your birthday list, we've found a fun one. It includes two buildable roses that you can display after you've put them together. Wilting not included!

A delicious-smelling candle

Credit: Paddywax

Paddywax Candles

Starting at $17

Paddywax candles are unbeatable. They smell amazing, have cute designs, and won't break the bank. Scents range from fruity to savory to musky to floral. I personally love the wisteria & willow and fresh air & sea salt scents.

A puzzle with a few tricks up its sleeve

Credit: Magic Puzzle Company

Magic Puzzle Company (Big Rock City puzzle)

$22.99 at Amazon

Magic Puzzle Company makes incredibly fun 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles that have a secret envelope for you to open when you're done. This surprise envelope unlocks a "magical twist ending," so placing that final piece will be even more exciting. The intricate designs feature tons of little Easter eggs, like puzzle pieces in the shape of items in the scene. The Big Rock City puzzle has a hot dog-shaped piece and music note-shaped piece to name a couple.

Somewhere to put your headphones

Credit: Coreminded

Universal headphone stand

$23.99 at Amazon

Rather than laying your headphones throughout your home or having them clutter up your desk, ask for a universal headphone stand for your birthday. This one is compatible with almost any pair of over-ear headphones or gaming headsets — and it has a pretty sleek look, too.

A stylish candle warmer lamp

Credit: Geezo

Candle warmer lamp

$24.99

Big candle fan? Then a candle warmer should be on your birthday list. It helps your candle last longer and you don't need an open flame burning in your home. And if you're going to ask for a candle warmer, make it a cute one. With a glass lamp shade, this warmer blends seamlessly into your home decor.

Backup battery for your phone

Anker portable charger

$25.99 at Amazon

This portable charger from Anker is great for travel or being out on the town all day. It has enough juice to recharge your phone a couple of times, and it comes in four colors.

Cold hard cash

Credit: Visa

Gift card

Starting at $10 at Giftcards.com

You really can't beat the gift of cold, hard cash — or a gift card. A Visa card is a perfect birthday gift because you can spend it on literally whatever you want; buy yourself something fun or get some help with groceries. Best of all, you don't need to decide exactly what you want before your birthday. The gift card starts at $10.

New reading materials

Credit: Bookshop.org

Bookshop.org Gift Cards

Starting at $10 at Bookshop

Support independent bookstores from around the country with a gift card to Bookshop. Starting at $10, the gift cards can either be used to buy books from a specific shop you love, or the purchase can feed the site’s profit-sharing pool to benefit all of Bookshop's partner stores.

Gifts $25 to $50

A way to keep track of your keys

Apple AirTag

$38.86 at Amazon

In our opinion, the first thing you add to your keyring should be an AirTag. You can monitor where they are in Apple's Find My app, and you'll get an alert on your phone if you ever leave them behind somewhere.

The viral Owala FreeSip reusable water bottle

Credit: Owala

Owala FreeSip insulated water bottle

$29.99 at Amazon

The Owala FreeSip is a fan-favorite and Mashable staff-favorite reusable water bottle. The innovative spout lets you sip like a straw or chug like a cup. Plus, the bottles come in super cute color combinations.

A personalized Yeti mug

Credit: Yeti

Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug

$35 at Yeti

This Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug is a great size for both true coffee lovers and beer drinkers. It can also hold two Moscow mules, according to Yeti, if that's more your speed. The Rambler is available in an array of fun and neutral colors. Plus, you can customize it with an etched design or monogram. For just $6 to $10, you can choose designs from Yeti's library or upload your own file.

Our favorite incense

Credit: Houseplant

Houseplant x ripple incense droplets

$35 at ripple

I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of the incense smell you'd experience in your local Earth Magic shop. However, I've become obsessed with Seth Rogen's incense droplets from the Houseplant x ripple collab. The scents are room-filling without being overpowering, and they smell amazing. My apartment feels so cozy every time I light one of these little incense cones. I'll definitely be buying more once I run out, and giving these as gifts to everyone I know.

Mini zodiac cupcakes

Credit: Baked by Melissa

Baked by Melissa zodiac cupcakes

$37

Birthday cake is the standard, but might we suggest this fun alternative: mini cupcakes selected by an astrologer specifically for your zodiac sign. This Baked by Melissa offering comes with 25 cupcakes, and the flavors vary depending on your sign — though there are some fan-favorites that show up in each zodiac variation. These also make for a great last-minute ask if you're in Manhattan or Boston, as there's same-day delivery for select locations.

A cast iron skillet

Credit: Lodge

Lodge cast iron skillet

$40.75 at Amazon

A cast iron skillet is the true sign that you're graduating from cheap nonstick cookware and all mismatched plates. It's something you probably want, but don't particularly want to spend the money on. Lodge has different sizes depending on what you want to cook.

A Lego set that doubles as decor

Credit: LEGO

Lego Orchid

$49.99 at Amazon

One of our favorite gifts under $50 is this Lego Orchid that's fun to build and adds a nice touch of greenery to your space that feels more unique than a plastic plant. This set is part of the Lego Icons line, which also features succulents, a bonsai tree, and a bouquet, in case orchids aren't your thing.

A smart speaker

Echo Dot smart speaker

$49.99 at Amazon

Find yourself wondering out loud what the weather will be like today, or how to convert cups to liters? Add an Echo device into your home and get answers to all of your formerly rhetorical musings. The Echo Dot is also a decent low-key speaker.

A media streaming stick

Credit: Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

$49.99 at Amazon

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the best streaming devices we've tested, and it's also one of our favorite birthday gift ideas. It can turn your old TV into a smart TV, or take it on vacation to access your streaming services without logging in on the Airbnb TV.

The delicious scent without the fire hazard

Credit: Pura

Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser

$49.99 at Amazon

If candles are a no-go, opt for a Bluetooth-enabled diffuser to make any room in your home smell divine. The Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser holds two fragrances and is controlled entirely through the app. Schedule one scent to wake up to and one to fall asleep to with the in-app calendar feature. Pura collaborates with brands like NEST, Anthropologie, Disney, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to source their scents, so whatever the occasion calls for, they’ve got your back.

Gifts $50 to $150

A custom neon sign

Credit: GITM Store

Custom Neon Sign

$53.96 at Amazon

Pick out a funny phrase, inside joke, or family name and get a custom sign in as little as one week. It might sound too good to be true, but Mashable editors have ordered from this Amazon storefront before and had a great experience. In fact, this is one of our favorite undiscovered gems on Amazon.

Coffee from around the world

Credit: Atlas Coffee Club

Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription

Starting at $55

Atlas Coffee Club is a coffee subscription that sends you coffee beans and postcards from a different country each month. So, you get to try roasts you probably can't get from your grocery store, and you get to learn about a new place — and maybe get some travel inspo. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.

A personal blender for morning and night

Ninja Blast Max portable blender

$69.95 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.04

Make protein shakes, smoothies, or margaritas with ease with the Ninja Blast Max portable blender. It holds up to 22 ounces, and the blending cup detaches so you can drink right out of it. The Blast Max comes in fun shades like blue raspberry, pink lemon, moss green, and lavender.

An endless supply of veggies and herbs

Credit: AeroGarden

AeroGarden Sprout

$52.80 at Amazon

Whether you're an enthusiastic home chef, like a bit of greenery, or simply can't stand running to the grocery store every time a recipe calls for some cilantro, a hydroponic garden is a great way to keep veggies and herbs on hand, even if you don't have a green thumb.

Film vibes from a digital camera

Credit: Camp Snap

Camp Snap camera

$65 at Camp Snap

Film photos are back in a big way, but not all of us have the patience to fill up an entire roll and then wait for it to get developed. Camp Snap is a really neat camera that takes film-esque photos and stores them on an SD card so you can pull them to your computer or phone and post them immediately. It's super lightweight and has a pretty low profile compared to film cameras, making it easy to slip into your purse or pocket on a night out.

A tea and coffee lover's best friend

Credit: Cosori

Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle

$69.99 at Amazon

There's a certain electric gooseneck kettle that's beloved by design nerds, but that's also a tad overpriced (more than a tad, really). Instead, make the smart choice and opt for the infinitely more practical Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle. It still has plenty of charm — not to mention pre-set buttons for tea, coffee, and boiling water.

A pack of disposable cameras

Credit: Fujifilm

Fujifilm disposable cameras

$53.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $26.00

We have a couple of camera options on this list, but sometimes you really just want that classic disposable camera experience. You'll capture some fun, in-the-moment memories with no do-overs. A three-pack of disposable cameras costs $79.99 (these have become kind of expensive since the invention of digital/phone cameras).

Fancy olive oils

Credit: Brightland

Brightland olive oil Mini Artist Series

$85 at Brightland

This is one of our favorite gifts to give someone who's difficult to shop for, so it also makes a great gift to ask for when you aren't sure what you want. Brightland makes infused olive oils that come in super cute bottles. This set includes four mini bottles of chili, garlic, lemon, and basil-flavored olive oils. Your kitchen will feel elevated with these on display and in your cooking rotation.

Our favorite creator mic

DJI Mic Mini

$45 at Amazon
$59 Save $14

The DJI Mic Mini is wildly popular amongst creators on TikTok, and for good reason. It's easy to use and actually sounds great. It's maybe not ideal for large productions, but for social video, it's awesome.

Color-changing smart light bulbs

Credit: Philips

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

$99.99 at Best Buy

Turn your bedroom into a party with these color-changing smart light bulbs. You can control the lights from your phone and set whatever mood you're feeling. This kit includes two smart Bluetooth bulbs.

Something to make your life a little more eco-friendly

Credit: Stasher

Stasher Bags starter kit

$99.99 at Stasher

Whether you're packing your lunch or storing leftovers, using plastic bags should be your last resort. Heck, you should be trying to stay away from all single-use plastics if you're able to. But, if you want to start small, these Stasher bags are a great option to make your daily life more eco-friendly. These silicone bags are secure and completely reusable — either wash them by hand or stuff them in the dishwasher. Grab a starter pack for $99.99.

A beginner-friendly sewing machine

Credit: Singer

Singer M1150 sewing machine

$119.98 at Amazon

Sewing has become a popular hobby amongst TikTokkers, and whether you've never touched a sewing machine in your life or you're just in need of a new one, the Singer M1150 is a solid machine for sewists of all levels. It hits all your basics at a reasonable price point.

A year of ad-free music

Credit: Spotify

Spotify Premium 12-month subscription e-gift card

$120

Maybe a Spotify Premium membership isn't in your budget this year, or maybe it's a monthly bill you'd just rather have someone else foot for you. Whatever the case, add a 12-month Spotify subscription gift card to your b-day list. It's especially great if you've got someone shopping for you who notoriously waits until the last minute to buy gifts, since it can be delivered via email or text.

Luxurious towels

Credit: Brooklinen

Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Sheets

$129 at Brooklinen

Multiple Mashable staff members revere Brooklinen towels as the softest towels ever. The brand's bath sheets are bigger than a standard bath towel, meaning you feel more coziness and less cold air as you step out of the shower.

The smart temperature-controlled mug

Credit: Ember

Ember Mug 2

$129.95 at Amazon

There's a lot of debate about what makes a good gift, but getting something that is a) practical and b) something just extravagant enough that you'd never get it for yourself may be the infallibly perfect combo. We think for coffee and tea drinkers, that combo is found in the Ember Mug 2. This temperature-controlled mug may be unnecessary, but boy, does it feel good to take a hot sip of coffee after forgetting you poured it an hour ago.

A cute travel bag

Credit: Baboon to the Moon

Baboon to the Moon

$145 at Amazon

You've probably seen Baboon to the Moon bags if you've been online in the last half-decade. They're bright and colorful (or muted and neutral if you'd rather), and come in three sizes to fit your travel needs.

The gift of clean air

Levoit Core 300S smart air purifier

$119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00

We know, we know, an air purifier is not the sexiest gift, but it is a practical one. The Levoit Core 300S is a smart air purifier with a companion app that lets you control the device and see real-time stats about your home's air quality. It's suitable for spaces up to 1,095 square feet.

A portable, waterproof speaker

Bose SoundLink Flex

$154.99 at Amazon

Beach days and outdoor adventures are made complete with your favorite playlist. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable speaker that can handle the elements while still providing stellar sound quality. It's waterproof, rust- and drop-resistant, and even floats. Plus, it comes in five fun colors. For even bigger sound, try the Bose SoundLink Max.

A 3-in-1 portable fan

Shark ChillPill

$149.99 at Shark

Beat the summer heat with Shark's 3-in-1 portable fan. It has 10 fan speeds, a misting attachment, and a cooling plate attachment. Whether your warmer months are filled with outdoor concerts or buildings without AC, you're going to want to add the Shark ChillPill to your birthday list.

Gifts $150+

A new Kindle

Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon

The Mashable team has tested every Kindle e-reader, and we think the Kindle Paperwhite is the right e-reader for most people. Instead of asking for a book, ask for a Kindle for your birthday and save yourself money and space. Sure, it doesn't smell the same as a new book, but now you'll have no excuses for not keeping up with your yearly reading resolutions.

The viral Hatch alarm clock

Credit: Hatch

Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock

$169.99 at Amazon

Intrigued by sleepmaxxing? The Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock could help you get a better night's rest. It's designed to help you create a bedtime routine to help you fall asleep more easily. It's packed with different sleep sounds and light levels to ease you in and out of sleep.

Sleep earbuds that also track your sleep

Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special sleep earbuds

$179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50

The Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds are our top pick for the best sleep earbuds. Our tester liked their noise cancellation, comfort and fit, reliable performance, and sleep data. The sleep tracking was more accurate than data from a sleep-tracking phone app.

A desk you can take anywhere

Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk

$179.99 at Amazon

If you work remotely, you gotta get this portable desk from Logitech. The Casa Pop-Up Desk includes a wireless keyboard, wireless trackpad, and a desk stand that doubles as a discreet and stylish carrying case. It comes in three colors, so you can match your aesthetic. This is an especially great tool if you like working from coffee shops or moving around while you work.

A new comforter

Credit: Buffy

Buffy Comforter

$195 at Buffy

Comforters, like a mattress, shouldn't be an item you cheap out on. They're supposed to last you a while, so why not have something a little more luxurious? The Buffy Cloud comforter is a sustainable comforter made from recycled fiber and eucalyptus. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart reviewed it, calling it "the first piece of bedding I've used that actually feels kind of dreamy."

Sony's bass-heavy headphones

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Sony ULT Wear headphones

$198 at Amazon

Sony's ULT Power Sound lineup is for true bass lovers. The ULT Wears have Sony's impressive sound quality and noise cancellation, and are made even more impressive by the addition of the ULT button, which punches up the bass two additional levels. These headphones are booming, and the best part is they're relatively budget-friendly.

A pressure cooker and air fryer in one

Credit: Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo Crisp

$199.95 at Amazon

Your new favorite kitchen appliance: a pressure cooker that can air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, slow cook, prepare rice, steam, sauté, and more. Impress guests with your culinary skills (that are in fact just throwing all the ingredients listed in the recipe into this thing and then waiting a few hours).

A trusty pet camera

Credit: Furbo

Furbo pet camera

$129 at Amazon
$210 Save $81

If you're anything like us, you view your pet like it's your actual child. We support that. Now, you can up your pet parent game by picking up a Furbo pet camera. Not only does it livestream what your pet is up to while you aren't home straight to your phone, but it also has the ability to toss treats and produce two-way audio for quick check-ins.

Design-friendly humidifier

Credit: Vitruvi

Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier

$229 at Amazon

There's something to be said for a product that can marry form and function, and this Vitruvi humidifier does just that. Admittedly, $229 is probably a hefty price for a humidifier you're buying for yourself, but it's a great splurge gift if you prefer your household appliances not be eyesores.

Your own personal ice cream maker

Ninja Creami

$199.95 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30.04

If you're as chronically online as we are, you've likely seen people whipping up frozen treat concoctions with the Ninja Creami. The countertop ice cream maker has presets for gelato, ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, and mix-ins if you want to channel your inner Dairy Queen. You do need to freeze your ingredients beforehand, so it's not an instantaneous sweet treat fix, but you have creative freedom to try out whichever flavors your sweet tooth desires.

A portable, smokeless fire pit

Credit: Solo Stove

Solo Stove Ranger 2.0

$199.99 at Solo Stove
$229.99 Save $30

Whether you're a hardcore camper or you just like unwinding with a few beers by the fire, Solo Stove's Ranger fire pit is a fantastic gift to ask for. It's designed to be smokeless and portable, making it great for balconies, backyards, beach hangs, or camping trips. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel reviewed the larger Solo Stove Bonfire and wrote that it burns "beautiful, clean fires when conditions are right." The best part? The Ranger is typically on sale for $199.99, so whoever gifts it has 30 extra dollars to spend on your birthday.

A Bluetooth record player

Sony PS-LX3BT Bluetooth turntable

$248 at Amazon
$398 Save $150

Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel called Sony's Bluetooth turntable the "perfect record player for beginners." It's stylish and super simple to use, and you can connect it to a wireless speaker, soundbar, or wireless headphones via Bluetooth.

A pair of AirPods Pro

AirPods Pro 3

$219 at Amazon
$249 Save $30

When you already own a pair of earbuds, it can be hard to justify splurging on a new pair — even if you really, really want to. And that's why the AirPods Pro (Gen 3) earbuds are an ideal birthday present. Apple stepped up its audio game with these buds, which feature improved sound quality and active noise cancellation. For a cheaper alternative, ask for the latest 4th Gen AirPods, which are $129 without ANC or $179 with ANC.

A cool drone with a 4K camera

DJI Mini 4K

$209 at Amazon
$299 Save $90

DJI drones have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and the DJI Mini 4K is a great option from the brand. It's beginner-friendly and suitable for recreational use. You'll be able to capture stunning 4K scenes.

A heated massage gun

Credit: Therabody

TheraGun Mini Plus massage gun

$279.99 at Amazon

If you pick any massage gun, make it this one. The TheraGun Mini Plus is portable and easy to maneuver over sore muscles. But the absolute best feature is the temperature settings. It has heat built in, which feels amazing on tight muscles and joints. Plus, you can add on a cooling massage head if you prefer cooling therapy instead (or in addition).

Five hair tools in one

Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Shark FlexStyle

$299.99 at Amazon

Instead of asking for the $600 Dyson Airwrap, you can get a product that performs nearly identically for half the price in the Shark FlexStyle (trust us, we tested them head-to-head). Pick up a version for textured hair or straighter hair for $299.99.

A portable projector

Anker Nebula Capsule Projector

$279.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $20

With the Anker Nebula Capsule, you can project up to 120 inches and have movie nights inside or outdoors. The projector is ultra-portable and has decent audio, doubling as a Bluetooth speaker. Our reviewer praised the image quality and compact size.

A red light therapy mask

Shark CryoGlow LED mask

$349 at Amazon

Mashable writers and editors have tested a number of red light masks, and we think the Shark CryoGlow is the best choice for most people. Our reviewer noticed a "significantly reduced" number of new pimples and improved appearance of forehead fine lines after three months of use. In addition to LED light therapy, the mask features cooling under-eye pads for depuffing during treatments.

An Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 11

$329 at Amazon
$399 Save $70

An Apple Watch lets you access smartphone features conveniently on your wrist. You can control your music, send and receive texts, monitor your health, and tons more. The latest Apple Watch isn't too different from the previous model, but it has a significantly longer battery life, which we love.

Year-round spa days

TheraFace Pro

$299.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $120

You can ask for a day at the spa, or you can ask for the gift of getting a facial whenever you want and from the comfort of your home. In her review of the device, Mashable Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern wrote that the TheraFace Pro is "a hell of a lot cheaper than getting regular professional facials, and I truly feel like I've received a spa treatment every time I use [it]."

An indoor garden

Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Gardyn Studio

$499 at Gardyn

Yard space is not easy to come by, but you can still have the garden of your dreams. Gardyn is an indoor hydroponic system that lets even the most notorious plant killers grow a thriving harvest. There are three starter kits to choose from: salad lover, budding florist, and chef faves. The smaller Gardyn Studio houses 16 plants, while the larger Gardyn Home holds 30.

A robot vacuum and mop combo

Eufy C28 robot vacuum

$499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300

Robot vacuums with roller mops have been the hot trend in 2026. Our robot vacuum expert named the Eufy C28 the best budget roller mop, so you'll get a great cleaning helper without having to ask someone to drop $1,000+ on your birthday. This robot vacuum has some of the best battery life on the market and impressive debris pickup.

The iPad mini

Apple iPad mini (2024, 7th generation, A17 Pro chip)

$489 at Amazon
$599 Save $110

Our reviewer called the iPad mini 7 the "best choice" if you want a compact tablet, and said it looks better and is a lot more powerful than previous-generation iPad minis. It supports the Apple Pencil Pro, and we named it the best tablet for reading.

A fancy desk chair

Credit: Branch

Verve Chair

$549 at Branch

Our favorite type of birthday gift is something you want to buy yourself but just can't justify spending your own money on. The Verve chair is a prime example of that. It's super comfy and ergonomic, and it comes in really cute colors, but it's definitely on the luxury end of pricing. If you work from home or just spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, put this at the top of your birthday wish list.

A camera to rival your phone

Credit: Nikon

Nikon Z 30 Mirrorless Digital Vlogging Camera Bundle

$696.95 at Amazon

When giving your friends and family birthday gift ideas, it's usually best to look for gifts under $50. But if you have a partner or parent who really loves you, then it's okay to dream big.

An easy-to-use mirrorless camera designed with creators in mind, the Nikon Z 30 boasts video, camera, and live streaming capabilities at an affordable price. The camera body can be purchased alone or with one or two kit lenses. There’s also the creators’ accessory bundle, which comes with a mic, tripod grip, and Bluetooth remote.

A handheld gaming console that's not a Switch

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Lenovo Legion Go

$699.99 at Best Buy

Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry described the Lenovo Legion Go as "beefier and more powerful" than the Nintendo Switch. It has a huge display, solid performance, and all-around great specs. It's not a one-to-one competitor of the Switch, but rather a portable way into PC gaming that's "really good at running all kinds of games."

A new phone

Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

iPhone 17

Starting at $799

Thinking of upgrading from an iPhone that has a Lightning port? Don't spend your own money on an expensive phone — have someone who loves you spend their money! The iPhone 17 starts at $799, while the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1099. (Group gift, anyone?)

A TV that blends into your decor

Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch, QLED)

$699.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $300

A MacBook Air

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,149.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $149.01

We named the Apple MacBook Air M5 the best MacBook for most people. So, if you're in the market for a new laptop — and want to stay in the Apple ecosystem — this is the one to ask for on your birthday.

Meta’s smart glasses have a new look and the same privacy problem

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Meta may have finally found a way to make smart glasses look normal. That might be the problem.

On June 23, Meta announced a new line of AI-powered Meta Glasses, starting at $299. The collection includes three frame styles: Meta Adventurer, Meta Fury, and Meta Glasses by Kylie, a slim oval frame designed in collaboration with Kylie Jenner.

Like Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses, the new frames are meant to make AI wearable, stylish, and a little less like something you would only see at a tech conference. They can take photos, record video, play audio, handle calls, and let users interact with Meta AI hands-free. In other words, Meta is selling them as everyday eyewear that can also document what you see. That's exactly where the issue lies.

Online, users have been debating the new glasses with the usual mix of alarm, jokes, defensiveness, and rage. Some people have argued that the backlash ignores genuinely useful features, especially for creators, travelers, parents, and blind or low-vision users.

Others have been more blunt, saying the glasses make it too easy for strangers to record people without their knowledge and then turn those interactions into content.

On a phone, recording usually requires a visible gesture. Someone has to pull it out, aim it, and hold it up. Smart glasses remove most of that very difficult process (sarcasm, detected). A person can be talking to you, looking at you, or sitting across from you on the subway while the camera is already built into their frames.

Meta's glasses do include a small LED indicator that lights up when photos or videos are being captured, but people also argue that the light can be easy to miss, especially in bright settings or crowded spaces.

That concern is no longer just hypothetical. In February 2026, three women reported they were secretly recorded by men wearing smart glasses during staged pickup-style interactions, then posted online without consent. One woman said she was approached in a Washington, D.C., airport lounge and later discovered that the man had filmed her with smart glasses. Another said she was filmed in a grocery store and found the clip online, where it had already been viewed millions of times.

There have also been concerns in more intimate settings. In September 2025, a woman went viral after saying she realized during a Brazilian wax at a Manhattan European Wax Center that her esthetician was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

The employee reportedly said the glasses were not charged and were prescription, and there was no evidence that the appointment was recorded. Still, the reaction made clear that the presence of a wearable camera can be enough to make people feel exposed, especially in situations where privacy is part of the service.

Drama has had real digital ramifications. In December 2025, TikTokker Anthony Festa went viral after posting about arriving for a 6 a.m. Solidcore class on Nov. 30 and finding the studio empty, with no instructor present. He filmed himself on his Meta glasses doing a makeshift private workout, and the situation escalated after he alleged staff pressured him to take the video down.

While initially about the workout class, the situation brought up a recurring question: if wearable cameras make it easy to document everything in real time, what responsibility do public spaces have to make their rules clear before someone starts filming?

The recording light is now becoming a legal issue, too. On June 4, 2026, Pennsylvania state Rep. Joe Ciresi introduced a bill that would require smart glasses and other wearable recording devices to include a visual indicator when recording audio or video.

This is aimed at a real loophole in the current smart-glasses setup. On TikTok, retailers sell "ghost dot" stickers to block or dim the recording light, and similar LED-blocking stickers have appeared on retail sites.

The bill is part of a wider wave of scrutiny around where smart glasses could go next. In February, the New York Times reported that Meta had been exploring facial recognition for its smart glasses through an internal feature called "Name Tag," which could allow a wearer to identify people and receive information about them through Meta AI (Meta has not launched that feature for consumers). U.S. Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Jeff Merkley of Oregon sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in March demanding more information about these reported plans, and in May, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Meta AI Glasses over concerns.

And in June, the Verge reported that people in at least 30 states were offering to remove the recording light from Ray-Ban Meta glasses, including a New Jersey modder who said he performed the service multiple times a week. Meta has responded, saying tampering with the light violates its rules and that it removes listings for those services, but the reporting has given lawmakers a concrete example of why a tiny indicator light may not be enough on its own.

Smart glasses have been a hard sell. Google Glass became a punchline more than a decade ago, and even Meta’s more recent Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses have had to fight the same basic problem: people do not always love the idea of a camera sitting on someone else's face. Reuters reported in November of last year that smart-glasses sales were growing, but that mainstream shoppers still had concerns about privacy, comfort, and price.

Meta seems to know that. Its newest rollout isn't just about making the glasses cheaper — it's about making them look like something people might actually want to wear, even before they think about the technology inside. By tapping Kylie as the face of this much chicer version, Meta's launch event pulled in a fashion-and-internet crowd that included stylist Law Roach, creator Nara Smith, and DJ Peggy Gou.

The glasses have since popped up on everyone from F1 WAGs to influencers — perhaps for fashion, perhaps as a gift from Meta — though not without the inevitable internet backlash that accompanies every such sighting.

As lawmakers rush to catch up, Meta is simultaneously making its smart glasses cheaper, more fashionable, and more ordinary. But the more "ordinary" this tech looks, the more concerns it brings.

CircleToonsHD bet on himself after discovering his superpower

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Christian Brantley is better known online as CircleToonsHD. With a distinctive animation style that focuses on strategically simple character designs, he's created a workflow that allows him not only to create cartoons regularly but also to comment on emerging news and trends in gaming, tech, and other areas of pop culture.

With an irreverent sensibility and energetic attitude, the graphic designer turned indie animator earned over a million views on videos like "How AI Killed the Internet" and "How One Item Fractured Elden Ring's Fanbase." Posting videos regularly, he's earned over 500,000 followers on TikTok and 4 million subscribers on YouTube. Plus, he's launched his own video game, a virtual card game called Fool's Blade.

But how did Circle grow from a side project to an indie animation success story? While Brantley was at VidCon 2026, he sat down with Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko to dig into the secrets of success, including how he discovered his "superpower" and when he knew it was time to bet on himself.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

What is it you love about content creation?

CircleToonsHD: I think what really brings me to content creation is when it finally becomes like a physical manifestation — where you can see the fans, like VidCon. Because it's really easy to fall into the numbers, likes, and subscriptions. And that's kind of nebulous. But when you can finally make actual tangible impacts, either with my game [Fool's Blade] or my content? People go, "You inspired my work," or "I'm going to college because of the stuff that you put out," you know?

I had someone in my meet-and-greet say that they are going to college for animation, partially because of stuff they watch from me. That's the same feeling I [had] watching animators back in the day, in early YouTube, that inspired me to make my stuff. So, if you can kind of make those impacts and those connections, that's like everything for me.

It makes it tangible, you know? We had a huge meet-and-greet yesterday. We met so many amazing people, and they showed me on their iPads the art they're making. They showed me their channels and stuff, telling me, "I have 300 subscribers — it's so small." And I'm like, "Have you ever seen a room with 300 people? Like, that's huge. That's super cool."

What were some of the animators that inspired you?

Ooh, the early Newgrounds days, early YouTube days, the Egoraptors of the world — he's still around making some amazing stuff with Glitch Productions. Really, those precursor early YouTube days were, like, so pivotal and formative for everything that I make.

Was there a moment when you were like, "I've made it!"?

There's kind of like two modes of "made it."

I had a few videos kind of explode in, like, 2016 or 2017, and they were getting millions of views. And I was like, "Oh my gosh." That was the first time I made it. But I didn't have enough subs or consistency to make it my full-time job. The money wasn't coming in. So it was really mind-blowing that millions of people were watching the content. But I was like, "This can't kind of be a full-time job. It could just like a quick flash in the pan thing." Because it's really easy to have, like, one thing explode and then never again.

So I was really excited about that. I worked a full-time job, where I was a graphic designer and large-format pressman. I was doing YouTube at the same time for about three years. Then one day, the money just ticked slightly above. And I was like, "I'm gonna bet on myself, I'm gonna do this." And I left to do YouTube full time, and it's the best bet I ever made.

I made that bet on myself. It was nerve-racking at first, but when it came through, and now I could pour those kinds of hours into it full time, it really started flowing in. So I hunkered down and built out the style. I built out the production so I could make animations every week, because that wasn't common in the YouTube space, and it still isn't.

I honed in on a different style that was efficient and fun, and that allowed me to get in front of jokes and current pop culture. So I really had this leg up when something crazy happened in the gaming space, or the movie space, or the internet space. I could have something out in three minutes, and all my other animator buddies are like, "Oh my gosh, like, that's a superpower." And so that really is when I knew that could do it full time and bet on it. I had that timing.

What is it you love about working on the internet?

Oh man, the connections you can make over long distances. I have a lot of buddies that — tangible, in-person [relationships] now — but that initially would come from just shooting over a message on Twitter, on Instagram, on Discord, being like, "Hey, I love your stuff, like, do you want to like make something?" And that just can't happen anywhere else.

A lot of times, when I was growing initially, I would be super nervous reaching out to these bigger creators. And now it's the other way around, and so I have, like, a window into how it felt to help out, I guess.

So a buddy of mine that came here, YouTube's GarrettTheCarrot, I've been around him to see him grow from like 70,000 to now something like 6 million subs. He was talking about he was so nervous to reach out to me and I was like, "Dude, your work is awesome; I don't care if you have one follower if you're creative." Meeting other creatives is infectious, and it makes your creative work better, and it makes it easy to work online.

When was the moment where you knew you wanted to be an animator?

I've always had an interest in art. I paint. I do graphic design. I was always sketching in a book. But I think when I realized that indie animation and people putting themselves out there was getting just as successful and fun, and later on lucrative as TV and movie, and it was real, you know? I was like, "I want to give it a whirl," because it became a real thing.

How long did it take before you saw significant growth in followers, and what do you think instigated that?

I tell people that I made over 2000 things before I made a penny. A lot of people post a 10th video, and [if it doesn't go viral are] like, "It's not for me." And I'm like, "You're not even in the flames! You've got to get in there."

My YouTube channel was created in 2012, and there's some fun animations there. But about 2016 or 2017 [I developed the style I use now], so [there were about] five, six years until it started doing something recognizable under the brand. But I was constantly posting stuff on YouTube, and Instagram, and Twitter, and grinding it out.

So I always tell people that don't blow up in their first six months, "You're not even 10% into it yet. You gotta bet on yourself over and over again." And it's important that you enjoy what you're doing. If you're doing it for the only explicit purpose of blowing up or making it big, you're not doing it for the right reasons.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

The interview above was edited for length and clarity.

The best dating apps for serious relationships

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Several single women recently told Mashable the truth about dating in 2026: it's bleak. But that doesn't mean there's no hope. While singles are increasingly frustrated with dating apps, one coach said the apps aren't keeping people single; it's how they're using them. If you're swiping into the void and avoiding talking to people, yes, it may be hard to find a date! But it is absolutely possible to find your person online. In fact, Mashable recently interviewed several married couples who met on dating apps.

According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. If you're a younger adult and/or LGBTQ, you're more likely to have met your significant other online: one in five adults under 30 and nearly one in four for LGBTQ adults.

The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So, if that's you, you're certainly not alone, despite what you might see people lament on TikTok.

But with so many apps, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be challenging to determine which ones to invest in. And the discourse on dating app culture can be unrelenting. In 2025, singles told Mashable they'd rather meet a potential partner in person, but they're begrudgingly on the apps. Some, like Tinder, have seen their revenue decrease in recent years, while Hinge is growing. Even then, though, daters bemoan even the most popular of apps. A Kinsey scientist recently told Mashable where daters are going wrong: use dating apps as a tool, not to let them run the show — and stop self-optimizing, already.

Despite the frustration over The Apps™, it's undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your home, they're the way to do it. If you're, say, introverted or have difficulty approaching someone in person, an app can still be useful.

What is the #1 best dating app?

Considering the variation in experiences on all the dating apps, it's difficult to quantify which ones are the "best." Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups.

That being said, if you're looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you're looking for in your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one's ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel also have a reputation for more "serious" connections.

Depending on the type of relationship you're seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you're in a space meant just for you.

Which dating site is best for serious relationships?

Mashable has researched to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are available for both Android and Apple users, so the type of phone you have won't determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We've also included some "niche" options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.

Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:

How to unblock Pornhub for free in West Virginia

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from West Virginia with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including West Virginia. Pornhub has responded to these new laws by restricting access to potential users from those locations. It's a complicated situation with a quick and easy workaround.

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

How to unblock Pornhub for free in West Virginia

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

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

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

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

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

Servers in 105 countries
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Unblock Pornhub for free in West Virginia with ExpressVPN.

Enjoy expert-designed lessons that prioritize real communication with this exclusive Babbel offer

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Learn all 14 Babbel languages for life for just $159 with code LEARN and build real conversation skills through expert-created lessons.

Credit: Babbel

Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages)

$159
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AI can translate a sentence in seconds, but actually holding a conversation with another person is a different skill. That’s where Babbel takes a different approach. Instead of relying primarily on AI-generated lessons, Babbel’s courses are created by 100+ linguists and language educators who focus on helping people communicate naturally in real-life situations.

For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages for a one-time $159 (reg. $299) when you use the StackSocial code LEARN.

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Rather than asking you to memorize endless vocabulary lists, Babbel builds lessons around conversations you’ll actually have — ordering food, asking for directions, introducing yourself, navigating travel, or chatting with coworkers. The goal isn’t simply knowing another language; it’s feeling comfortable using it.

Lessons take about 10 to 15 minutes, making it easy to fit practice into a lunch break or commute. Your progress syncs across desktop, tablet, and phone, and you can even download lessons for offline learning when you’re traveling.

Babbel also incorporates speech recognition to help refine pronunciation and offers personalized review sessions that reinforce what you’ve already learned. There’s even an AI conversation partner for additional speaking practice, but it’s designed to complement — not replace — the expert-developed curriculum at the heart of the platform.

Lifetime access includes 14 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Polish, Danish, Norwegian, Turkish, Indonesian, Russian, and English.

If you’re looking for a language-learning platform built around authentic conversations instead of automated content, this offers a refreshingly human approach.

Get lifetime access to Babbel Language Learning for a one-time $159 (reg. $299) with the StackSocial code LEARN through July 31.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Cool for the summer? Check out the best dating apps for LGBTQ women.

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Pride Month might be over, but there's still reason to celebrate. It's summer, after all, a time for patio hangs and barbeques and all-night dancing. And if you want a fellow sapphic by your side, why not try a dating app?

As a lesbian, you probably know all about them. Lesbian Americans (along with bisexual and gay Americans) are far more likely to have ever used dating apps than straight Americans: 51 percent to 28 percent, according to the Pew Research Center.

There are a few reasons why LGBTQ people might turn to online dating more quickly than straight folks. For one, you might live in an area without a thriving LGBTQ community, and in-person dating may be hard. If you don't know other lesbians to begin with, how can you meet more IRL to date? (Sometimes, lesbian spaces can also be co-opted by The Straights.) Unfortunately, in-person dating may also be less safe, depending on where you live.

Thankfully, we live in a time where we can find people like us with a few swipes. Lesbians are welcome on major dating apps, and there are also niche ones specifically for lesbians and other queer women and people. But which one to choose?

How to find the best dating apps for lesbians

Niche lesbian dating apps aren't your only option for finding love. Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable

In Mashable's recommendations below, you'll find both general dating apps and apps specifically for queer people. As the former appeals to the general population, you'll find more users in these spaces. The caveat, however, is that when you swipe on other women, you might find those coupled with men who are looking for another woman to have a threesome with (aka unicorn hunters). No judgment here, but that's probably not what you're looking for. Then again, people of all types are on dating apps like Tinder and Hinge. You never know who you may come across.

Then there are apps specifically for the community, like HER and Lex. If you yearn for a smaller dating scene, head for these apps. While there's no "Grindr for lesbians" — we go into why in the FAQ section — these apps are more so like stepping into your neighborhood lesbian bar than an app like Bumble.

You can also try multiple dating apps, as each one below has a free version. You can filter by the gender you identify with and are looking for, and sometimes, as with OkCupid, there are many options to choose from.

Diving into the dating pool isn't easy, but the water's fine. Check out our guide below for the full rundown of our recommendations and dating app reviews.

Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland take their bromance to the World Cup

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:58:32 +0000

Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland are about to play a World Cup quarterfinal. Naturally, the internet has decided this is also an HBO sports drama.

On Saturday, July 11, England will face Norway at Miami Stadium for a spot in the World Cup semifinals, setting up one of the tournament’s most internet-friendly player matchups: Bellingham, England’s midfield star, against Haaland, Norway’s goal-scoring machine and his former Borussia Dortmund teammate. FIFA's match center lists Norway vs. England as a quarterfinal in Miami, while England confirmed the matchup after its 3-2 Round of 16 win over Mexico.

The football stakes are obvious. England got here after Bellingham scored twice in quick succession against Mexico, with Harry Kane adding a second-half penalty. Norway arrived after stunning Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring both goals to send his country into the final eight.

But online, the matchup has become about more than tactics, form, or who survives the Miami heat in July. Some fans have latched onto the long-running friendship between Bellingham and Haaland, resurfacing old clips, affectionate moments, and edits of the two from their Dortmund days.

Some have even started comparing the setup to Heated Rivalry, the late-2025 breakout sports romance series about two rival hockey players whose on-ice competition hides a heated bond (for lack of a better word).

Before Bellingham became one of Real Madrid's defining players and Haaland became Manchester City's long-term superstar, they were two of the most exciting young players at Borussia Dortmund. Bellingham joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020 as a teenager and quickly became the club's youngest goalscorer in a competitive match. Haaland had arrived earlier that same year and was already one of Europe's most-feared young forwards.

On the pitch, the pairing had tons of chemistry. Bellingham brought the energy, timing, and midfield drive. Haaland brought the terrifying inevitability of a striker who always seemed one run away from scoring. Off the pitch, they seemed to grow a genuine friendship.

And the friendship did survive their inevitable transfers. Haaland left Dortmund for Manchester City in 2022, while Bellingham joined Real Madrid in 2023. Haaland has since signed a long-term contract keeping him at City until 2034, while Bellingham's move to Madrid made him one of the most high-profile English players ever to join the club.

Even after they separated, Bellingham made it clear that Haaland was still checking in. During the 2022 World Cup, Bellingham said Haaland messaged him before and after England's opening game, sending "good luck" and then "well done." He described Haaland as encouraging and said the two still sent each other "silly stuff" when something reminded them of an old joke. Oh, to be on the receiving end of one of Halaand's snaps...

It also helps that both players have become perfect internet characters in different ways. "Hey Jude" Bellingham has the polished superstar aura and the ability to turn a high-pressure match into his own stage. Haaland has spent this World Cup becoming something like Norway's final boss and social media content creator, with Norway's run producing some of the tournament's most joyful moments, both online and offline.

Sports fans already love a former-teammates-turned-rivals storyline. The internet loves lore. Fortunately for fans, Saturday's matchup has both.

After a brief slump, iRobot announced 5 new Roombas and a wet dry vacuum. Is it redemption arc time?

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:40:27 +0000

Where to buy the new 2026 Roombas

iRobot Roomba Electro Plus 5-in-1 Hard Floor Cleaner

$399.99 (available now)

iRobot Roomba Max 775 Combo + AutoWash Dock

$999.99 (available now)

iRobot Roomba Plus 575 Combo + AutoWash Dock

$799.99 (ships in 2-3 weeks)

Roomba Max 715 Vacuum + AutoEmpty Dock

$699.99 (ships in 1-2 weeks)

iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo + AutoWash Dock

$699.99 (available now)

Roomba Plus 415 Combo + AutoWash Dock

$599.99 (available now)

When iRobot filed for bankruptcy in December of last year, no one knew for sure if we'd ever see the launch of a new Roomba again. iRobot confirmed plans for a comeback with a big announcement on July 7: New Roombas have been released for the first time since iRobot handed ownership to its manufacturer, Picea.

Of the five new Roomba robot vacuums and the new cordless upright wet dry Roomba vacuum, most are available for purchase now. Others will be ready to ship over the next few weeks. Here's a quick rundown of the 2026 lineup:

Roomba Electro Plus 5-in-1 Disinfecting Hard Floor Cleaner — $399.99 (available now)
Roomba Max 775 Combo + AutoWash Dock — $999.99 (available now)
Roomba Plus 575 Combo + AutoWash Dock — $799.99 (available to preorder now)
Roomba Max 715 Vacuum + AutoEmpty Dock — $699.99 (available to preorder now)
Roomba Plus 515 Combo + AutoWash Dock — $699.99 (available now)
Roomba Plus 415 Combo + AutoWash Dock — $599.99 (available now)

It pains me to say that the pink Mini Roomba still hasn't made its way to the U.S. But let's go over the other big developments.

The Roomba Electro Plus is probably the most fun addition to the family. This actually isn't iRobot's first foray into non-robotic vacuums — the retired iRobot H1 handheld vacuum is buried deep in niche iRobot lore. The Roomba Electro Plus has too many cool features to be forgotten that easily. If it can resonate with consumers better than Dyson's latest attempt to branch into the robot vacuum space, it's already a W in my book.

The Electro Plus mops and vacuums at the same time. Credit: iRobot

The Electro Plus uses electrolyzed water to sanitize without cleaning solutions. Credit: iRobot

The brand's first upright cordless wet dry vacuum electrolyzes regular tap water to kill 99.99 percent of surface germs and bacteria without the use of chemicals. The roller mop can clean up wet and dry messes in the same pass, then washes itself while it charges on the ThermaClean Dock. Priced at just $399.99, the Roomba Electro Plus feels pretty affordable compared to similar wet dry vacuums from Roborock, Mova, Tineco, and Dreame.

But as someone who tests new robot vacuums every single month, I had another question brewing: Will any of these Roombas be good enough to make my list of the best robot vacuums of 2026?

A few main points stuck out during my initial skim of the press release. Good news first: These Roomba prices aren't as delusional as they've been in the past.

Pre-bankruptcy, most Roombas were simply too expensive for the basic stuff that they could do — competing brands were offering the same baseline cleaning and maintenance features for much less money. iRobot and new owner Picea have gotten a little more practical.

The Roomba Max 775 Combo. Credit: iRobot

The Roomba Plus 415 Combo. Credit: iRobot

The Roomba Max 775 and its heated spot mopping really stood out to me. At $999.99, the Roomba Max 775 might be the most affordable roller mop robot vacuum that actively uses hot water while scrubbing. That was one of my favorite things about the Narwal 2 Flow, which costs $1,499.99.

In terms of suction power, these new Roombas are a much better bang for your buck than past Roombas. iRobot typically doesn't outwardly list suction power measurements in Pascals (Pa) for easy comparison to other robovacs. I was able to confirm the numbers with iRobot via email: The Roomba Plus 415 has 20,000 Pa, the Roomba Plus 515 has 25,000 Pa, the Roomba Plus 515 has 22,000 Pa, and the Roomba Max 775 and Max 715 come in hot at 30,000 Pa. For reference, the most powerful robot vacuums on the market right now have 35,000 to 36,000 Pa suction power, so 30,000 Pa is still pretty ferocious.

With stats like that, the two most premium Roombas could easily earn a spot as one of the best robot vacuum and mop combos this year.

The big red flag is that only two of the new Roombas have PrecisionVision AI (iRobot's version of small obstacle avoidance technology), and of course, they're the two most expensive models. Both Roborock and Dreame have more than one robot vacuum in the $500 to $800 price range that can avoid obstacles like cords, socks, and pet waste. If iRobot really wants to change consumer minds about its value as a brand, it can't be reserving such a core feature for only its premium models.

Kai Cenat’s Streamer University is back, and the 2026 class is stacked

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:03:41 +0000

Kai Cenat is once again taking the internet back to school, and this year's class is stacked.

On Monday, July 6, Cenat returned to livestreaming to reveal the 2026 roster for Streamer University, his creator-focused bootcamp that brings aspiring streamers, rising online personalities, and some of the biggest names on the internet together in one space for workshops, collaborations, and live content.

The reveal streamed on Twitch and YouTube on Monday night, where Cenat announced this year's professors, club directors, and students. That list starts with some of the most recognizable names in streaming and creator culture. Agent00, Cinna, The Sushi Dragon, Ludwig, Kaiya Cenat, Poudii, Pokimane, Faze Adapt, Lizzo, YourRAGE, and Mashable 101 honorees Maya Higa and Duke Dennis are all set to serve as professors for the 2026 class.

Cenat also revealed this year’s club directors. Nick Nayersina will lead the fraternity; Lethal Shooter will run basketball; Markell Washington will lead cheerleading; Oliver Cannon and Gibson Hazard will head the film club; Proto will oversee science and engineering; T-Pain will lead musical arts; Markus King will run debate; and Yonna Jay will lead drama.

Yes, Streamer University has a drama club.

The student roster includes Queen Naija, Skai Jackson, Stable Ronaldo, Sketch, DreamDoll, Sara Saffari, PlaqueBoyMax, Jasontheween, Kanel Joseph, Bonnie, Tatum Bittick, Marlon, Braeden, OnlyLarryKing, and dozens of other creators.

Streamer University first launched in May 2025, when Cenat hosted the inaugural four-day event at the University of Akron. The program gives growing creators access to major names in the streaming world while helping them build audiences across platforms. Selected students take part in a multi-day experience focused on networking, content creation, mentorship, and collaboration. Everything from attendance to meals and accommodations is covered for accepted participants.

This year's return began in June, when Cenat announced Streamer University 2026 with a cinematic trailer posted to his social media accounts. The video leaned into the school theme, showing Cenat approaching an abandoned, Hogwarts-like version of Streamer University that had been overtaken by owls carrying dusty applications.

Applications opened online for three tracks: students, professors, and club directors. Prospective students had to be at least 18 years old, able to travel within the United States, and submit at least one social media account for review. Applicants were also asked to send in a short video showing their personality, content style, and why they wanted to attend.

The 2026 rollout had already shown how big Streamer University had become before Cenat even revealed the final roster. In June, he also held in-person audition events in cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, drawing crowds of hopeful creators who wanted a shot at joining the class.

On Wednesday, June 17, thousands of people gathered outside State Farm Arena in Atlanta, and the auditions were eventually shut down due to safety concerns related to the turnout.

That demand did not come out of nowhere. A 2023 Morning Consult survey found that 57 percent of Gen Zers said they would become an influencer if given the opportunity, with money, flexibility, and fun among the biggest reasons the career path appealed to them. The problem is that as creator careers become more appealing, it becomes harder to stand out. Streamer University gives selected creators what is difficult to build alone: access to major names, built-in collaboration, and the chance to be seen by an audience much larger than their own.

With more than 20 million followers on Twitch, Cenat is currently the platform's most-followed streamer, but his influence now reaches well beyond his own channel. Streamer University has become one of the clearest examples of that reach — a creator-led event big enough to draw massive crowds, major names, and a student class hoping the right collaboration can change everything.

Erling Haaland makes the Majin Buu meme official

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:46:21 +0000

Erling Haaland bears a striking resemblance to Dragon Ball Z villain Majin Buu. This isn't new information; it's a comparison that first went viral way back in 2021. The meme has resurfaced as the Norway striker has become one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

But only now, as his team prepares for a quarter-final showdown with England, has Haaland finally acknowledged the likeness himself.

The latest chapter in this long-running meme began with an Instagram post from @hidden.ny, showing Haaland recreating Majin Buu's signature hand gesture.

Fans immediately flooded the comments with references to the iconic villain, continuing a joke that has done the rounds on social media for years.

Then Haaland joined in. Responding in the comments on July 6, the Manchester City striker wrote: "I mean I don't disagree."

That single sentence was all the internet needed.

Screenshots of Haaland's response quickly spread on X, Instagram, and TikTok, with fans celebrating the striker's tacit approval of one of his most persistent online memes.

Majin Buu is one of the most memorable antagonists in the legendary anime series Dragon Ball Z. Created by the wizard Bibidi and later unleashed by Babidi, the pink magical being is known for his seemingly limitless power, ability to regenerate from almost any injury, as well as his habit of turning opponents into candy before eating them.

Fans aren't exactly saying Haaland has the character's villainous tendencies. The joke has always been about the resemblance — not just his closely shaved blond hair and broad facial features, but also the occasional expression that gives off unmistakable Majin Buu energy.

The meme has gone far beyond side-by-side comparisons. Some fans have made art by kitting Majin Buu out in a Norway shirt and giving the pink villain Haaland’s signature blond hair.

One kitted-out mockup DBZ figure seems a perfect collectible for soccer and anime fans alike.

As far as athlete-anime comparisons go, it's one of many. But they don't always get acknowledged by the subject. Now that Haaland has officially signed off, fans can consider this meme canon.

These are Sidney Razs content essentials after nearly 20 years as a creator

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:26:54 +0000

Sidney Raskind may have many, many life hack trials under his belt, but he only keeps one bag for all his content creation essentials.

Known online as Sidney Raz, the 30-something-year-old creator made the phrase, "Here's something I wish I knew before I was in my 30s" unmistakably his own, testing out hacks on everything from how to properly extend sun visors in cars to how to turn an Allen key. His short videos blew up on TikTok in 2021, and he's been a full-time content creator for nearly five years.

Credit: Zooey Liao/Mashable/Amazon

Though he may be newer to knowing how to properly open mail, he's been in content creation for almost 20 years, working both in front of and behind the camera. All this to say, he knows his way around a good kit for producing content. We caught up with him at VidCon 2026 to learn about his favorites.

iPhone 17 Pro

Raskind told us that one of the best parts of modern content creation is that the barrier to entry when it comes to gear is much lower than it used to be: "You can do everything on a phone, and you can get a refurbished one for hella cheap." He personally uses an orange iPhone 17 Pro.

Credit: iPhone

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

$1,099 at Apple

A great mic for audio

"Good sound quality enhances everything," Raskind tells Mashable. That's why the content creator carries around not one, but two kinds of microphones: the Rode Mic Go and the Rode Wireless Pro.

Sidney Raskind's microphone kit

Rode Wireless Go III

$178

Rode Wireless Pro

$260

A truly portable tripod

Raskind gave Mashable a full demonstration of this ultra-portable tripod. "That is a tripod you can set up anywhere!" he said, pulling the card-shaped metal device out of his pocket.

"Oh he's lying, it doesn't work, it doesn't work," he quipped as he unfolded it. "Yes, it does!" he proclaimed triumphantly as he set his phone up, leaving it standing on its own, on the now unfolded and functional tripod. (And it's on sale for Prime Day).

Credit: Geometrical

Geometrical Pocket Tripod PROv2 Universal Kit

$39.96 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $9.99

A bag to carry it all

Raskind came into Mashable's VidCon booth with this weather-proof bag that contains all his essentials for content creation. "I have a panel coming up tomorrow that's all about my one bag," he told us.

Credit: Wandrd

Wandrd Rogue 9L Sling V2

$179 at Wandrd

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

Tackle those dirty floors with $500 off the iRobot Roomba 505X robot vacuum and mop combo

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:04:55 +0000

SAVE $500: As of July 7, get the iRobot Roomba 505X robot vacuum and mop for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's a discount of 50%.

Credit: Amazon

iRobot Roomba 505X robot vacuum and mop

$499.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $500

Robot vacuums are some of the most useful appliances around if your floors are perpetually dirty. If you find that you're going over your carpets over and over again, or you're sick of vacuuming or mopping, you should absolutely invest in one. And we've found one that's on sale right now at Amazon.

As of July 7, get the iRobot Roomba 505X robot vacuum and mop for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's a discount of 50%.

This powerful robot vacuum and mop combo has strong suction to handle a variety of different types of messes in your home. Whether you want to clean around corners or along walls or scrub sticky and messy spots, it can tackle every job, minor to difficult. It can even empty debris into its reservoir on its own for up to 75 days and washes, refreshes, and dries its own mop pads so you don't have to touch it for at least four weeks.

It uses PrecisionVision AI to recognize obstacles on its own so you don't have to worry about it bumping into everything in its path. That includes everything from cords to pet accidents, so you don't have to rack your brain programming a cleaning path and zone only for the robot to get into a mess. It's truly autonomous in that way as you can set it up and let it run.

If you're looking to automate your cleaning tasks, this is a great option to pick up right now, especially since it's on sale. And if you hate cleaning, you'll be able to rely on a robot to handle it all correctly -- much more affordable than paying for a cleaning service.

The Camp Snap CS-8 made a special appearance at Taylor Swifts wedding. Heres how to snag one for yourself.

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:51:11 +0000

The wedding of the ~~summer~~ year was packed with a star-studded attendance list. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married at Madison Square Garden on July 3 with A-list celebs like Emma Stone, Tom Hanks, Sabrina Carpenter, Zoë Kravitz, Graham Norton, and a massive list of more. But something in attendance caught the eye of the Mashable shopping team: the Camp Snap CS-8 Digital Video Camcorder.

We've seen Taylor herself using the Camp Snap CS-8 in the past, but on her wedding day, Kelly Stafford, podcaster and wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, was seen with the modern-day take on a camcorder.

While it's not possible for us to capture the footage Stafford did at the wedding, we can get our own creative hands on the celeb-loved creator camera. Since we still have well over a month left of summer fun and wedding season is in full-swing, snagging the camera could be one of the most nostalgic ways to capture memories.

Why celebs love the Camp Snap 8 digital camcorder

Taylor, Selena Gomez, Idris Elba, and Nina Dobrev are all fans of the Camp Snap CS-8, which is a modern version of a classic camcorder, the Kodak Super 8. Camp Snap intentionally designed the camera without a playback screen. Instead, you'll record unforgettable moments, and upload the footage later via USB-C to your phone, laptop, or computer.

The take-it-everywhere digital camcorder lets you choose aspect ration and has included vintage filters. Credit: Camp Snap

The Camp Snap CS-8 has a rechargeable battery, a 2.7k video sensor, and five customizable image filters, including black and white and two vintage options . You'll be able to record in four different aspect ratios, and it even records audio thanks to the built-in microphone. The included 4GB card can hold about 30 minutes of footage, but you can upgrade to a 128GB SD card, which will hold up to 16 hours of video footage.

How to buy the Camp Snap 8

Tons of celebrity-loved products are hard to find in stock, but we're in luck with this one. The Camp Snap CS-8 is available for purchase online at Camp Snap for $199. But it's worth noting the brand produces in small batches and the camera's page indicates stock is limited.

If you're in the mood to capture unedited footage of life's best events, the Camp Snap CS-8 is about as perfect as it can get. Just ask Taylor.

Credit: Camp Snap

Camp Snap CS-8 Digital Video Camcorder

$199 at Camp Snap

Let a machine cut your grass with $400 off the Segway Navimow X430 robot lawn mower

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:16:25 +0000

SAVE $400: As of July 7, get the Segway Navimow X430 robot lawn mower for $2,099 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,499. That's a discount of 16%.

Credit: Amazon

Segway Navimow X430 robot lawn mower

$2,099 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $400

If you have an overgrown lawn and don't want to cut it, you can just have a robot do it for you. It's 2026, and you don't need to go out in the heat and be miserable thanks to robot lawn mowers. If you've been thinking about grabbing one for the outdoors, now's the time to go ahead and pick one up thanks to this Amazon sale. It's one splurge you won't feel bad about the next time it's almost 90 degrees outside and you have to mow.

As of July 7, get the Segway Navimow X430 robot lawn mower for $2,099 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,499. That's $400 off and a discount of 16%.

This heavy-duty robot lawn mower uses all-wheel drive and a dual suspension system to help carry it across even the most difficult terrain. It can climb slopes of up to 84%, cross obstacles up to 2.8 inches, and excels even with more difficult lawns. So no matter what your situation is, it can tackle difficult areas. It's powered by dual 180W motors with dual cutting discs as well as 12 blades, a 17-inch cutting width, and adaptive blade control to get through even the tallest grass.

You can set the mower up without worrying about any wires or complicated initial instructions. When it's up and running, you can use its one-tap mapping method to enable quick setup without a boundary wire or antenna. From there, you can edit maps with GeoSketch, track its movements by way of GPS, and set up and receive GeoFence alerts. No matter where it goes while handling the mowing, you can see what it's doing via the accompanying app.

Amazon is packed with outdoor deals for summer from Coleman

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:10:57 +0000

Best Coleman outdoor deals at a glance

Best grill deal

Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill

$249.99 (save $175)

Best cooler deal

Coleman Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler (45 quart)

$153.99 (save $66)

Best tent deal

Coleman Skydome Camping Tent (4 person, evergreen)

$96.02 (save $43.97)

It's full-on summer fun these days. Heck, we're even watching World Cup matches in the backyard on the portable projector. However, we have limited weekends remaining in the summer 2026 season, so it's time to take full advantage of long days spent at the campground, campfires with friends, and floating the river.

By now, you've probably realized what elements of your outdoor gear are getting close to needing a replacement. Nothing lasts forever, and we tend to be especially tough on outdoor gear. We saw tons of great outdoor deals during Prime Day, but Amazon seems to understand we're still spending time outside, and the outdoor deals are still rolling in. I've scrolled the live deals and compiled my favorite Coleman outdoor sales that are worth shopping at Amazon.

Best grill deal

Credit: Coleman

Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill

$249.99 at Amazon
$424.99 Save $175

Why we like it

With wheels and collapsible legs, the Coleman RoadTrip Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill is a great model for weekends at the campground or using in the backyard. It has three adjustable burners, instant ignition, and 20,000 BTUs of power for cooking up the best outdoor meal. In total, you'll have 285 square inches of grilling space. The grill usually sells for $424.99, but Amazon has it discounted to $249.99, which is the lowest price we've seen within the past year.

More Coleman grill deals

Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove — $83.99 ~~$129.99~~ (save $46)
Coleman Fold ‘N Go 6,000 BTU Portable Propane Grill — $127.59 ~~$141.99~~ (save $14.40)
Coleman Classic 3-Burner Propane Camping Stove — $156.18 ~~$220.99~~ (save $64.81)

Best cooler deal

Credit: Coleman

Coleman Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler (45 quart)

$153.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $66

Why we like it

Coleman's latest summer essential is the Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler. Fill it with up to 76 cans or 200 pounds of chilled goodness to take on a camping trip. Once the contents dwindle, fold it up and easily pack it away for the trip home. The Coleman cooler folds down into just one-third of its expanded size for great portability. Coleman mentions the 45-quart size can keep items cooled for up to 55 hours.

Amazon has the new cooler on sale for $153.99, marked down from the list price of $219.99, which works out to a 30% discount.

More cooler deals

Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Ice Chest (62 quart) — $59.99 ~~$74.99~~ (save $15)
Coleman Vintage Steel Belted Cooler (54 quart) — $149.99 ~~$199.99~~ (save $50)
Coleman Pro Wheeled Premium Hard Cooler (55 quart) — $209.99 ~~$299.99~~ (save $90)

Best tent deal

Credit: Coleman

Coleman Skydome Camping Tent (4 person, evergreen)

$96.02 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $43.97

Why we like it

Camping can often feel like an expensive activity, but shop today's outdoor deals at Amazon and you can snag the four-person Coleman Skydome Tent for only $96.02. The waterproof tent comes with its own rainfly and carrying bag. Coleman mentions this tent is designed to go up in just five minutes with the pre-attached poles. Plus, it can withstand winds of up 35 miles per hour.

More Coleman outdoor deals

Coleman Rugged XL 700 Lumens Lantern — $42.50 ~~$64.49~~ (save $21.99)
Coleman Pro Rocker Chair — $62.99 ~~$89.99~~ (save $27)
Coleman Skyshade Screened Shelter — $97.99 ~~$129.99~~ (save $32)
Coleman Oasis Instant Pop-Up Canopy Tent — $188.99 ~~$279.99~~ (save $91)

Whip up frozen sweet treats with $70 off the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:01:37 +0000

SAVE $70: As of July 7, get the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker for $149.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $219.99. That's a discount of 32%.

Credit: Amazon

Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker

$149.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $70

If you find yourself wanting to snack on ice cream but don't want to leave the house for it, there are options. You could pick up a pint from the supermarket, or you could make your own frozen desserts at home, courtesy of a machine like the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker. With it, you can make your own flavors and treats all from the comfort of your own kitchen.

As of July 7, get the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker for $149.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $219.99. That's $70 off and a discount of 32%.

This easy-to-use ice cream maker can help you put together a variety of frozen treats, with the end result being thick ice cream you can scoop like the handmade flavors at your favorite restaurant. Add your own mix-ins to each pint, with the ability to build your perfect treats with Oreo or fruit and everything in between.

If you're health-conscious and watching the amount of sugar or calories you're taking in, you can also use the machine to whip up high protein, keto, low sugar, or dairy-free desserts as well. With the three-step process, it's all about making your frozen desserts quickly and efficiently, so you have more time to enjoy them.

Tired of store-bought ice cream or just want to make your own treats? Grab this ice cream maker and start creating while it's on sale. You'll be glad you took the plunge, as homemade ice cream is often the best you'll taste.

The Roborock Q7 M5 is back at its record-low price — buy it for under $150

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:39:47 +0000

SAVE $80: As of July 7, the Roborock Q7 M5 robot vacuum and mop combo is on sale at Amazon for $149.98, down from $229.99. That's a 35% discount and one of the best prices we've seen on this LiDAR-equipped robot vacuum.

Credit: roborock

roborock Q7 M5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo

$149.98 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $80.01

Robot vacuums don't have to cost a fortune. Right now, the Roborock Q7 M5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo is on sale for $149.98 at Amazon, down from $229.99. That's 35% off or $80 in savings, matching its record-low price and sitting just $7.50 above its Prime Day all-time low.

The Roborock Q7 M5 handles both vacuuming and mopping, so it can pick up dust, crumbs, and pet hair before wiping away the finer dirt left behind. Its strong suction is designed to pull debris from carpets and hard floors, while an anti-tangle brush system helps prevent long hair and pet fur from constantly wrapping around the rollers.

Navigation is another highlight. Instead of wandering around, the Q7 M5 uses LiDAR mapping to quickly learn your home's layout and clean in a more efficient pattern. Through the Roborock app, you can schedule cleanings, adjust suction and water levels, create no-go zones, and tell the robot which rooms to prioritize.

The built-in water tank lets you choose between three mopping levels depending on your flooring, and the battery can run up to 150 minutes on a single charge — enough to cover larger homes before needing to recharge. It also runs fairly quietly, making it a good option if you work from home or have pets that spook easily.

If you're ready to spend less time vacuuming, grab the Roborock Q7 M5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo at Amazon today.

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SCOTUS allows Texas age-verification law for app stores (for now)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:39:11 +0000

On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed Texas to enforce a state law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors who want to download apps or make purchases on their phones, the Associated Press and others reported.

The law is called the Texas App Store Accountability Act, or SB 2420, according to SCOTUSblog. SB 2420 requires app stores, primarily Apple's and Google's, to use a "commercially reasonable method" to verify the age of account users, though the law doesn't specify what those methods could be. If the account belongs to someone under 18, it must be linked to a parent or guardian's account to obtain permission to make downloads or purchases.

Two groups have sued to block the law: the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas. Both have claimed that the law violates the First Amendment right to free speech.

In Dec. 2025, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman temporarily blocked enforcement of the law, but last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit put those orders on hold, SCOTUSblog reported. This prompted the groups to file a petition with the Supreme Court.

On July 6, Justice Samuel Alito denied both petitions, allowing the law to stand for now.

"Every day the law is enforced, Applicants are denied their basic rights to organize, advocate, express ideas, and discover new perspectives through the most important medium for human communication," attorneys for Students Engaged in Advancing Texas wrote in their filing.

In their own filing, attorneys for the Computer and Communications Industry Association stated, "No State has ever required its citizens to prove their age before reading a newspaper, entering a bookstore, or even accessing the internet. Texas Senate Bill 2420...does exactly that — for every mobile app on every mobile phone."

On June 1, when the Court of Appeals issued its decision, Attorney General Ken Paxton, the defendant in both cases, stated, "Parents deserve to know what their children are downloading and to have the ability to stop them from accessing harmful or inappropriate content."

Last year, SCOTUS upheld Texas's age-verification law, requiring similar age checks to view explicit content.

The Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 is under $66 at Amazon — save over $10

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:49:54 +0000

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 7, the Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 set is on sale for $65.66 at Amazon. That's $14.33 off its full price of $79.99.

Credit: Lego

Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 (21345)

$65.66 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $14.33

Amazon has been dropping some excellent Lego deals lately, and it's certainly not slowing down yet. If you're looking for an adult set to piece together this summer, the Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 is a truly delightful pickup that's incredibly close to its lowest-ever price right now.

As of July 7, the Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 is marked down to $65.66 at Amazon. Usually it's listed for $79.99, so this is a great opportunity to save just over $14. It's just a few dollars away from its lowest-ever price point of $63.95, so what better time to grab it?

If you have a big love of cameras, particularly vintage models, this Lego set is sure to brighten your day. It's a 516-piece build that creates the Polaroid OneStep SX-70 camera, complete with a viewfinder, Color Spectrum, exposure compensation dial, and stickers to add.

Another really fun element is that it actually comes with three illustrated "photos" that can be loaded into the camera and ejected with the red button. That certainly helps it feel like the real thing.

This discount may not last for long. Don't miss out on this chance to save on the Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 set at Amazon.

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

The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box hits lowest-ever price on Amazon — save over $80

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:35:10 +0000

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is on sale for $124.98 at Amazon, down from its $209.70 list price.

Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box

$124.98 at Amazon
$209.70 Save $84.72

Magic: The Gathering’s Marvel Super Heroes set has already been through a few rounds of strong discounts, but Amazon has now dropped the Play Booster Box down to the lowest price we’ve seen for this 30-pack display.

As of July 7, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is on sale at Amazon for $124.98. That means instead of its $209.70 list price, you’ll be saving $84.72 with 40% taken off the sealed box altogether. What’s more, this new drop marks the Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box’s lowest price yet, as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Sold and shipped by Amazon directly, free delivery is listed at the time of writing for as soon as July 13, or July 9 for Prime members. Just take note that Amazon is marking this listing as final sale with no returns.

At this price, you’re paying roughly $4.17 per Play Booster before tax, which is a sharp drop for a fresh crossover set that only launched at the end of June.

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Walmart currently has the same box for $124.98 through marketplace seller Cataclysm Games, fulfilled by Walmart, with other sellers starting from $124.95. TCGplayer is even cheaper on paper, with unopened listings as low as $115.90 with shipping included — going even lower than the box’s $118.15 market price.

For anyone catching up, Marvel Super Heroes brings the comic-book universe into Magic: The Gathering, with heroes and villains jumping from the page to the battlefield. This is both a great set for current players and beginners, as you can build around Marvel heavy hitters, equip them with recognisable gear, and use their abilities across casual games, Limited play, and drafts.

Inside the box, you’ll get 30 Play Boosters, with 14 Magic trading cards in each pack. Every pack includes one Traditional Foil card and one to four rare-or-higher cards, alongside commons, uncommons, and a land. There’s also a chance of pulling a Foil Borderless Mythic Rare, while a Traditional Foil Land replaces a regular land in 20% of boosters.

This isn’t the only Magic: The Gathering deal live right now. You can score the Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box on sale for $18.10 at Amazon. Plus, you can still pre-order Magic: The Gathering's Reality Fracture Play Booster Box at $10 off on Amazon.

The iRobot Roomba 105X robot vacuum and mop is over half off at Amazon — save $250

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:32:24 +0000

SAVE OVER $200: As of July 7, the iRobot Roomba 105X robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $219.99 at Amazon. That's $250 off its full price of $469.99.

Credit: iRobot

iRobot Roomba 105X

$219.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $250

Summer can be a very busy time, and if you're finding it difficult right now to keep up with cleaning your floors, a robot vacuum can be a helpful purchase. This is particularly true of the combo cleaners. If their high price tags have kept you from making a move, Amazon's actually offering some solid deals on select models right now. This includes the iRobot Roomba 105X, which has received a huge 53% discount.

Normally, this cleaner is listed for $469.99. As of July 7, and for a limited time, it's had its price cut to $219.99. This deal price isn't far off its lowest-ever price. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, that was $199.99, so you're looking at just a $20 difference.

The iRobot Roomba 105X boasts power‑lifting suction that's 70x stronger than the Roomba 600 series. With the help of a three‑stage cleaning system, it combines that suction with a multi‑surface brush and an edge‑sweeping brush to make sure every surface and corner is clear of any dirt or debris.

Its built‑in microfiber mop helps scrub out stains on harder surfaces. And there's no need to worry about it getting carpets wet, as it automatically detects them to avoid mopping. On top of that, its AutoEmpty Dock even holds up to 75 days worth of debris, so you don't have to constantly empty it. Plus, it features ClearView LiDAR that helps map out your home for an even clean.

This deal may not last for long considering it has a "limited-time deal" tag. Act fast to save on the iRobot Roomba 105X robot vacuum and mop at Amazon.

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

The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is now under $80 on Amazon — save nearly $40

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:28:17 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $79.99 at Amazon, down from its $118.99 list price.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box

$79.99 at Amazon
$118.99 Save $39

Since launching in the trading card space in mid-May, the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising expansion has been fluctuating in price. Fortunately, it's now back down to one of the lowest prices we’ve seen.

As of July 7, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is on sale at Amazon for $79.99. That’s a drop of $39 from its $118.99 list price, and takes 33% off the sealed ETB altogether. Plus, as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel, it’s only 30 cents off its lowest-ever price.

The same box is still a little cheaper at TCGplayer, if you’re happy to shop away from Amazon. Unopened Chaos Rising ETB listings are currently starting from $73.99 with shipping included, putting it only slightly above its $73.29 market price. Walmart, meanwhile, has the ETB for $80.89 through a marketplace seller — close, but still not quite as low as Amazon.

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Inside the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box, you’ll get nine Mega Evolution Chaos Rising booster packs, one full-art foil promo card featuring Fennekin, 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.

As for valuable cards you can pull from these packs (or buy individually from TCGplayer), you’ll have the chance to get singles worth up to $275 — including SIR Mega Greninja ex, Megan Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, SIR Cinccino ex, and Mega Dragalge ex.

While you’re shopping around for Pokémon cards, you can also grab the Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection for up to $35 off. What’s more, the Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is now available for just over market price on Amazon.

Pre-order the Pokémon TCG Pitch Black Booster Bundle for over $20 off — thats under market price

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:23:39 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle is on sale for $67.92 at Amazon, down from its $89.89 list price.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle

$67.92 at Amazon
$89.89 Save $21.97

The Pokémon TCG’s latest Mega Evolution expansion is already getting preorder discounts before release day, and Amazon has one of the better early prices for the Pitch Black Booster Bundle.

As of July 7, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle is on sale for $67.92 at Amazon. That's a 25% drop from its $89.89 list price. That saves you $21.97 on the six-pack box ahead of launch on July 17 — even better TCGplayer’s market price of $72.36.

This listing is sold by third-party seller DSTStore instead of Amazon directly, but it still comes with Amazon’s 30-day refund/replacement window. Free delivery is listed for July 23 at the time of writing. That price brings Amazon’s bundle down to about $11.32 per booster pack, which is significantly cheaper than buying individual Pitch Black sleeved booster packs from Amazon right now. Those are currently listed at $19.90 each, meaning six packs would come to $119.40 before tax.

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Inside the Pitch Black Booster Bundle, you’re getting six sealed titular booster packs from the upcoming Mega Evolution Pitch Black expansion. Each booster pack should include 10 trading cards, one Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card, giving you a straightforward way to open a decent chunk of the new set without jumping to a full booster display box.

Pitch Black is built around Mega Darkrai ex, with Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex also joining the expansion — surely making for some exciting pulls when the launch comes in.

Among other Pokémon TCG deals right now, you can grab the Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection for as low as $64.69. What's more, you can buy the Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box for around market price.

YouTube animator Circle ToonsHD on the essential tools of the trade

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:57 +0000

With 4 million YouTube subscribers, Circle ToonsHD has become a beacon of inspiration for aspiring animators looking to forge their own paths in the field.

For 10 years and counting, Christian Brantley, the animator behind the Circle ToonsHD handle and many of its voices, has been creating original content that combines a mischievous sense of humor with his love of animation and his passion for pop culture.

His signature style features characters who resemble charmingly inflated stick figures and are capable of a wide array of emotions across seemingly any genre. He's made funny short videos about fantasy role-playing games, the video game Among Us, and that time Sony unveiled the first look at their CGI Sonic the Hedgehog and his nightmare teeth.

He's collaborated with other creators, like rapper bbno$, for silly vids like "When bbno$ is Your Bard."

Yet Circle ToonsHD digs deeper into media critique with long-form, horizontal videos about the rise of AI and "How 'Good Graphics' Killed Video Games."

In an interview with Mashable for our Creator Playbook series, Brantley credited his success to a commitment to his craft and his "superpower" of turning around animated videos swiftly.

The animator — who's happy to lend a kind word or a bit of advice to up-and-coming content creators — was also happy to share which tools of his trade make keeping up the pace of Circle ToonsHD's output possible.

What Circle ToonsHD needs to animate

Top of his list: "Tablets are gonna obviously jump out ahead," he told Mashable in an interview at Vidcon 2026.

"I use Huion. Huion is an awesome company. They're affordable. They're accessible. Wacom is really good, but they can be on the higher end. And so, really, truly, I've fallen in love more with Huion than Wacom."

Credit: unknown

HUION Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) Drawing Tablet

Next up, a good smartphone.

"I make a lot of my stuff with photo references," Brantley explained, "So, a good smartphone [is necessary]. I am obsessed with the Samsung line of phones. I actually used to film a lot of my content on a smartphone, because I used to do moving illustrations on a screen, like puppeteering animation. So that's really big."

Likewise, Brantley recommends a "good computer," adding that the right software is essential.

Credit: Adobe

Character Animator

Credit: HUION

HUION Artist Glove

"I know Adobe, the company, kind of sucks, and they are weirdly half discontinuing Animate, but Adobe Animate is incredible, and it is like my child of a program that I feel so confident in."

He added, "I push MS Paint, not because it is good. But because it is one of the quickest ways people can start drawing and practicing and making little doodles. And that's like unironically what started my love for digital art. So maybe it's pushed on to different phone apps now that people are drawing on, but if you can make cool stuff in MS Paint, you are actually going to be a fun creative."

Brantley says a drawing glove is also essential, "so your hand's gonna glide a lot better." His favorite is one by Huion.

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Huion/Adobe/Microsoft/Shure

Best gear for creating animation audio?

Brantley favors a Shure SM7B microphone.

"For my voice acting, that is pivotal," he explained, "with a CloudLifter as well. That's going to upgrade voice acting. That's a little bit on the pricier side, but if you really want to jump into voice acting, that's a really good jump as well."

Credit: Shure

Shure SM7B microphone

Credit: Cloud Microphones

Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator

What apps are essential for Circle ToonsHD?

While YouTube is his main hub for both long and short-form animation, he's been into Instagram more and more.

"I'm kind of falling in love with Instagram lately," Brantley said. "If we're talking like the vertical space, art and animation and creative is like skyrocketing and exploding on Instagram."

Beyond that, he sees Instagram as an essential networking tool.

"I found that being like almost a business card at VidCon," he explained, "Being like, 'Can I get your Instagram? Swap some content? Let's make some stuff?' The amount of content or videos I've made from reaching out to people on Instagram is in like the dozens, so super good spot."

"If you're not growing Instagram," he concluded, "even if you're not making content on Instagram, it is a dang good business card."

Catch up on Mashable's complete VidCon 2026 coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and reporting from the convention floor.

The interview above was edited for length and clarity.

Alberta Tech on what AI gets right and where it still falls short for creators

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Alberta Devor didn't set out to become a creator. During the pandemic, the engineer started posting funny TikToks simply because she was bored (extremely relatable). Over time, those videos found an audience among fellow software engineers and tech-curious people, eventually leading her to leave her stable job at Google and pursue content creation full-time under the name Alberta Tech.

In this conversation with Mashable Culture Editor Crystal Bell at VidCon 2026, Alberta Tech reflects on making that leap, why her background as an engineer helped her earn her audience's trust, and how comedy has become one of her favorite ways to explain complex topics like AI and software development. She also shares her nuanced perspective on generative AI, where it fits into creators' workflows, why "vibe coding" has become such a misunderstood — and polarizing — term, and the role originality still plays in an increasingly AI-powered internet.

Plus, Alberta Tech offers practical advice for aspiring creators, from knowing when it's time to leave your day job to why staying curious can lead to your next great idea.

Watch the full interview above.

Taylor Swifts wedding photos are going viral. Theres just one problem.

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have not released official wedding photos yet, but that has not stopped fake ones from spreading online.

In the absence of actual photos, AI-generated pictures have filled the gap, turning one of the year's biggest celebrity events into the latest example of a growing internet trend: when people are desperate to see something, AI can make a version of it before the real one exists online, and likely fool people in the process.

For a July 3 wedding that reportedly took over Madison Square Garden and drew a guest list full of famous people, surprisingly little has actually leaked.

There have been details, outside photos, and guest comments, but no official images of Swift and Kelce from the ceremony or reception. Their marriage was announced with a "JUST&T Married" billboard outside Madison Square Garden and a press release from Swift's publicist, Tree Paine. According to that release, Swift and Kelce’s wedding looks were created by Christian Dior Haute Couture; their shoes were custom Christian Louboutin; Swift wore Cartier jewelry; Austin Swift served as her "Man of Honor"; Jason Kelce was Kelce's best man; and Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony.

So far, though, the main thing fans still do not have is the thing they usually want most: the photos.

That left plenty of room for fake ones. After the wedding, AI-generated images claiming to show scenes from the ceremony and reception began circulating across social media. Some appeared to show Swift and Kelce in wedding attire. Others claimed to offer a look inside the venue. One showed Swift alongside Sabrina Carpenter, another drinking a cosmopolitan. Many people, including myself, believed at least one of the photos was real.

That was until Joseph Kahn, the director behind several of Swift’s music videos, including "Blank Space" and "Look What You Made Me Do," called out the images on X. Kahn, who attended the wedding, said every wedding photo he had seen circulating online was fake, effectively putting an end to the rumors.

Swift and Kelce’s wedding had already inspired fake AI content before the ceremony. Comedian Bert Kreischer posted an AI-generated image of himself standing with Swift and Kelce as if they were all at the wedding, and Kelce responded in the comments with crying-laughing emoji. In that case, the image was clearly a joke. But after the real wedding, similar AI images became harder to distinguish from actual rumors, fan edits, and supposed leaks.

Fake celebrity wedding photos are becoming a familiar part of the online news cycle. Earlier this year, Zendaya addressed AI-generated images that appeared to show her wedding to Tom Holland. She said people in her real life believed the fake photos and complimented her on them, only for her to explain they were not real. Zendaya's stylist, Law Roach, critiqued the viral AI-generated wedding dress on Good Morning America, saying, "That dress was not good enough. Trust me, the dress was better than that."

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner were also the subject of fake AI wedding photos in June. Images claiming to show the couple celebrating in Sicily spread across social media. The photos were reportedly created by Italian digital artist Rick Dick and were originally posted as AI-generated images. But as the images were reposted elsewhere, that context was often lost, and some users believed they were real.

That is how a lot of AI slop moves these days. A photo may begin as a joke, an obvious edit, or a clearly labeled AI post. But once it is screenshotted, cropped, reposted, or shared by another account, the original caption can disappear, and by the time it reaches a wider audience, it may no longer look like a meme. It may look like a leak.

Swift is also not new to the darker side of AI-generated images. She has previously been the target of AI fakes using her likeness, including political images falsely implying her endorsement. In April, Swift’s company, TAS Rights Management, filed trademark applications connected to her voice and image, including the spoken phrases "Hey, it’s Taylor Swift" and "Hey, it’s Taylor," as well as a specific Eras Tour image of Swift performing with a pink guitar.

She is not the only celebrity trying to get ahead of the issue. Matthew McConaughey has pushed other public figures to protect their voices and likenesses in the AI era, and he has secured trademarks associated with his own persona, including his famous "alright, alright, alright" catchphrase. Other celebrities have also started filing trademark applications tied to their voices, faces, and signature phrases as AI tools make it easier to generate realistic-looking and realistic-sounding versions of real people.

The legal landscape is still messy. Right of publicity laws can protect someone from unauthorized commercial use of their name, image, and likeness, but those protections vary by state. Trademark law may give celebrities another tool, but it is not a perfect shield against every AI fake. There is also proposed federal legislation, including the No Fakes Act and Take It Down Act, aimed at unauthorized AI-generated copies of people's voices and likenesses, but the debate over how to regulate the technology is still ongoing.

How to tell if an image is AI-generated

There are a few ways to be more careful with celebrity images online. The first is to check where the image came from. Real celebrity wedding photos usually come from an official account, a reputable publication, a photo agency, or a confirmed guest. Posts that use vague language like "leaked," "reportedly," "first look," or "fans think" should be treated carefully, especially if there is no clear source.

It also helps to look for signs that an image may have been generated or altered. Strange hands, inconsistent faces, odd lighting, blurry backgrounds, incorrect clothing details, and unreadable text can all be clues. But AI images are getting better, so the source matters more than the image itself.

With Swift and Kelce, the safest rule is simple: if the photo did not come from the couple, their team, a confirmed guest, a photo agency, or a trusted outlet explaining where it came from, it's worth approaching with a healthy dose of skepticism. Until the newlyweds say otherwise, you need to calm down.

The Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R is down to its best-ever price — save over $20 at Amazon

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0000

SAVE OVER $20: As of July 6, the Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (42210) is down to its lowest-ever price of $111.99 at Amazon. That's $28 off its full price of $139.99.

Credit: Lego

Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (42210)

$111.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $28.00

Lego is always a fun gift idea, and if you're shopping for a Fast & Furious fan right now, Amazon has a great offer on a build. As of July 6, the retailer has discounted the awesome Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R down to $111.99.

That's a solid discount of $28 off this set's usual price of $139.99. It's also its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R is quite a detailed build. It comes with 1,410 pieces that create the car from the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious, including fun elements like functioning steering, a 6-cylinder engine, front and rear suspension, opening doors, and more. According to the store page, it even features the first-ever LEGO Technic drift mechanism, so you can recreate iconic street racing scenes.

Given its more complex assembly and detailing, this set is recommended for adults. However, if you know someone younger than 18 who's interested in it, just help them out with the build.

If it's caught your eye, don't miss out on this opportunity to grab the Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

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Why this World Cup finally feels like a turning point for soccer in America

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:58:47 +0000

America has a Monday night football game to watch in the middle of July. Only this time, there are no helmets.

Tonight, the U.S. men's national team faces Belgium in a prime-time World Cup knockout match, with a quarterfinal spot on the line and a team the country actually wants to root for.

This isn't the norm, at least in the U.S. For decades, soccer in the States has been treated as the next big thing that never sticks. The World Cup arrives, casual fans tune in, the conversation swells for a few weeks, and then the country usually returns to its regular rotation of football, basketball, baseball, and whatever officiating scandal people are talking about.

But this tournament has been different. The U.S. opener against Paraguay drew an average audience of 18 million across Fox's platforms with another 7 million watching on Spanish-language Telemundo. FIFA has also said attendance surpassed 3.6 million in the first two weeks of the tournament, breaking the record set in 1994, the last time the U.S. hosted the men's World Cup. So if soccer has been trying to prove it belongs in the American sports conversation, this tournament is making a pretty strong case.

Part of the buzz comes down to logistics. The games are being played on American soil and in American time zones, which means the U.S. team is not asking casual fans to wake up at 5 a.m. or plan their entire day around a match happening halfway across the world. A prime-time game is an easier sell. It can be watched at bars, at home, in group chats, after work — the way Americans already watch big sports events.

Part of it is timing. The U.S. reached this stage during a summer already wrapped in red, white, and blue, as the country marked its 250th birthday and host cities turned World Cup matches into something that looked a lot like an extended Fourth of July weekend. Across the country, the scene has been hard to miss: packed fan zones, pop-up shops selling soccer gear, viewing parties in parks, shopping centers, and museums, and U.S. fans showing up in jerseys, flags, and face paint.

There is also the fact that the U.S. team has given people a reason to keep watching.

Striker Folarin Balogun has been at the center of that, giving the U.S. the kind of scoring threat it has not always had on the World Cup stage. But the entire roster is one of the clearest examples yet of what modern American soccer looks like, from Christian Pulisic to Chris Richards and Weston McKennie.

Plus, players like Tim Weah, Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman, and others reflect a U.S. program built from several pipelines at once: players developed abroad, players connected to immigrant families, players with eligibility for multiple national teams, and players shaped by European club soccer, MLS academies, and the American youth system. Several could have represented other countries and chose the United States instead. For casual fans, that makes the team easier to get behind.

And then there is the controversy, because nothing pulls Americans into a sporting event faster than a good scandal.

During the U.S. team's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was sent off the pitch after a VAR review for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemović. The red-card decision initially meant he would miss the Belgium match, taking the U.S.'s top scorer out of its biggest game of the tournament. Then, after a conversation between Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA changed course.

The red card itself was not erased, but FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-game ban, clearing him to play in the round of 16. The decision came after Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked for the play to be reviewed, saying Monday that he did not think it was a foul. The decision, though controversial, has sparked debate on the internet.

The betting market is moving, too. Sportsbooks have seen unusually strong activity around U.S. matches, with games involving the USMNT drawing far more action than other World Cup matches on the same day. Betting volume does not prove long-term fandom, but it does show that the U.S. team has moved from background programming to something people are actively tracking as part of the broader American sports calendar.

However, the increase in interest for the sport did not start with this match, or even the World Cup in general. A Nielsen study found North America's soccer fan base has grown 10.9 percent over the past five years to more than 136 million people. The U.S. now has the fourth-largest soccer fan base in the world, with 62.5 million followers, according to the same report. The tournament is surely helping interest, with nearly seven in 10 North American fans saying their fascination with the sport had increased in the last three years as the World Cup approached, while 64 percent expected their interest to grow further.

Locally, youth soccer clubs have reported new sign-ups and renewed interest from families during the tournament. In Houston, HTX Soccer said hundreds of children signed up in recent weeks, a jump the club connected to World Cup excitement. In Florida, the soccer team Tampa Bay Rowdies has been using watch parties and youth outreach programs to turn World Cup attention into something more lasting.

That still does not mean soccer has overtaken football, basketball, or baseball in the U.S. But it does mean this World Cup arrived at a moment when the sport was already gaining ground. Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami also helped push MLS further into the mainstream, building on the celebrity and global attention David Beckham has been cultivating since becoming one of the club's owners. MLS has grown to 30 teams across the U.S. and Canada. Premier League and La Liga broadcasts have helped make the U.S. the biggest foreign market for several major European leagues. Streaming, social media, FIFA video games, and shows like Ted Lasso and Welcome to Wrexham have made the sport more familiar to American audiences who did not necessarily grow up watching it.

For once, the question about soccer in the United States is not whether people can be persuaded to care. It feels like a lot of them already do.

Claires is betting Gen Alpha wants creators, not celebrities

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:41:55 +0000

For millennials, a trip to Claire's was practically a rite of passage.

It was where ears were pierced, friendship necklaces were split in half, and every trip to the mall somehow ended with an armful of glittery accessories you probably didn't need but absolutely had to have. Long before "girlhood" became an internet buzzword, Claire's had already built an empire around it.

But nostalgia alone isn't enough to sustain a retailer in 2026.

After years of financial struggles, shifting shopping habits, and the slow decline of the American mall, Claire's has spent the past several years redefining itself for a generation that's more likely to hang out with friends on Roblox than at the mall. Its newest customer isn't a millennial looking for a nostalgia fix — she's Gen Alpha, discovering the brand through YouTube, social media, and online gaming platforms.

That strategy was on full display at this year's VidCon, where Claire's unveiled its latest collaboration with Roblox YouTuber Lana's Life, which just hit stores nationwide. The collection, inspired by the wildly popular game Dress To Impress, is more than another creator merchandise drop. It's part of a broader effort to position Claire's as what Chief Brand Officer Michelle Goad calls "an inspiring playground for modern girlhood."

"Girls feel very rushed to grow up," Goad told Mashable at the convention. "Because they have access to everything on social. They're seeing grown women in their algorithm, and they feel this urgency to grow up faster. We took a counterculture position and said, 'We're actually going to take a beat and cherish girlhood.'"

For Claire's, that starts with understanding how Gen Alpha differs from the generation before it. While Gen Z embraced louder colors, edgier aesthetics, and more maximalism, Goad says today's tween shoppers are gravitating toward something noticeably softer.

"They're really feminine," she said. "They like a very pastel aesthetic."

She believes part of that shift comes from growing up with millennial parents. "If mom is in her beige era," she joked, "your daughter is probably into something really girly."

That insight has shaped everything from Claire's merchandising to the creators it partners with.

Rather than signing a traditional celebrity ambassador, the company looked to Lana's Life, whose 9.5 million subscribers know her through Roblox roleplay videos, beauty content, and Dress To Impress. Claire's had already seen strong demand for Dress To Impress-inspired products in stores. Lana, Goad said, was the obvious person to help bring that audience into the physical world.

The decision reflects a broader shift in how brands think about influence. "This consumer demands a two-way conversation and a true relationship with their community," Goad said. "You're going to want to engage and be a fan of someone who's actually there, showing up in the comments and doing the work."

Claire's debuted its Lana's Life collaboration at VidCon 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Claire's

For Gen Alpha, creators often feel more accessible than celebrities. They're present in comment sections, livestreams, and community posts in ways movie stars and musicians rarely are. And that trust and connection hold more weight than a traditional celebrity endorsement. With millions of followers, Lana offers both the scale of a celebrity and the intimacy of a creator, which is exactly the combination Claire's is betting on.

The collaboration itself was designed to blur the line between digital and physical play. Fans visiting Claire's booth at VidCon could test products before they reached stores, meet Lana in person, and purchase items that unlocked digital rewards inside Roblox.

That feedback loop is central to how Claire's says it now operates. Instead of relying solely on trend forecasting months in advance, Goad says the company watches what young girls are actually talking about online and moves quickly. Internally, she describes the strategy as being "on trend, on time."

Whether it's the rise of squishies, Dress To Impress, hackey sacks making a comeback for a new generation, or another internet obsession waiting around the corner, Claire's increasingly treats Gen Alpha communities as its research department.

"I think our job is to listen," Goad said. "What are they saying in the comments? What are they asking for? What are they excited about?"

It's a notable evolution for a retailer once synonymous with mall culture. Instead of asking young shoppers to fit into Claire's vision, the company says it's rebuilding the brand around theirs.

For a generation growing up almost entirely online, Goad hopes Claire's can still offer something increasingly rare: a place — whether that's inside a Roblox game, on social media, or in one of its stores — where girlhood isn't something to rush through, but something worth celebrating.

Hurry to get the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box for the lowest price weve ever seen at Amazon

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:06:02 +0000

SAVE $16.89: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is on sale at Amazon for $18.10, down from the list price of $34.99. That's a 48% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box

$18.10 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $16.89

Just like Pokémon, getting into Magic: The Gathering can take a serious investment. Instead of fretting over the price of a starter pack, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of July 6, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is on sale for only $18.10 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $34.99. That's a major 48% discount that shaves $16.89 off the price. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Designed to help learn the basics of the game, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar set is the perfect option for a two-player adventure. The first game takes you on a guided battle between Aang and Zuko with two 20-card decks. There's a step-by-step guide booklet to take beginners through their first game with ease.

After that, players will combine any two of the eight 20-card half decks to form a full 40-card deck. That means players have tons of options to replay the game with new combinations and outcomes.

Today's box includes two packets of 100 cards, including the two 20-card tutorial decks with Aang and Zuko. The eight 20-card half-decks include Firebending, Earthbending, Waterbending, Allies, Big Creatures, Counters, Spells, and Attacking. Accessories include playerboards for both players, two spindown life counters, two beginner guides, and five double-sided tokens.

Since it's on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, snag the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box for only $18.10. It's a great intro to the game that comes with an affordable price.

You can get the Roborock Saros Z70 at its lowest price ever right now

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:45:16 +0000

SAVE 50%: As of July 6, you can get the Roborock Saros Z70 for $999.99, down from $1,999.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount or $1,000 in savings.

Roborock Saros Z70

$999.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $1,000

As the proud dog mom of two beagles, keeping my floors clean is a never-ending battle. But ever since I brought a robo vacuum-mop combo into my apartment, I've been able to handle the mess without stressing (too much). So if you've been trying to justify buying one for yourself, let this be your sign.

Right now, you can get the Roborock Saros Z70 for $999.99, down from $1,999.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount or $1,000 in savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked on this model to date. (It's listed for $2,599.99 on the Roborock website, so it's technically $1,600 off.)

One of the coolest (and most unique) features about this vacuum is its OmniGrip mechanical arm. It folds out to pick up rogue socks, tissues, or whatever else is in the way, and moves them. That said, our Senior Shopping Reporter, Leah Stodart, says that the arm is basically decorative. But with a $1,000 discount, the 22,000Pa of suction power and auto washing and drying base more than make up for it.

Harry Kanes World Cup post-match interview goes viral for all the right reasons

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:38:51 +0000

England beat Mexico 3-2 on Sunday, securing a spot in the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup — and if there was any doubt whatsoever in your mind as to how England Captain Harry Kane might be feeling about the victory, his post-match interview made it crystal clear.

Here he is speaking with the BBC about the game while struggling a bit to find his voice.

"Yeah it was a crazy game," says Kane in that clip, rubbing his throat. "But yep, we had to find...we had to find something. Yeah I've just been saying in there, I can't really talk."

The Bert from Sesame Street comparisons were inevitable.

He now has five days to rest that voice before England take on Norway in the quarter finals on Saturday.

Score the Pokémon TCG: Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection for under $65 — save over $35

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:16:12 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection is on sale for $64.69 at Amazon, down from its $99.99 list price.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection

$64.69 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35.30

Mega Greninja’s new Premium Collection has only just joined the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution lineup, but Amazon has already dropped one of the better post-launch prices we’ve seen for this eight-pack box.

As of July 6, the Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection is available at Amazon for $64.69 — which is a massive saving off its $35.30 listing price. This lowest-priced listing is shipped and sold by Amazon directly, though delivery times are listed for between July 30 and August 13. If you’d like to get yours as soon as possible, the third-party listing from Hero Collect (for $69.95) can arrive as soon as July 14.

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At $64.69, this Premium Collection works out to roughly $8.09 per booster pack before you count the extra Mega Greninja ex bonuses.

Inside the box, you’re getting eight Pokémon TCG booster packs of trading cards (two Chaos Rising, four Perfect Order, and two Phantasmal Flames), one foil promo card featuring Mega Greninja ex, one oversize lenticular promo card featuring Mega Greninja ex, and a tech sticker featuring Mega Greninja.

The card itself is built around Mega Greninja ex’s Mortal Shuriken Ability, which lets you discard a Basic Water Energy from your hand to place six damage counters on one of your opponent’s Pokémon. Its Ninja Spinner attack can also hit for up to 200 damage.

Amazon’s own $64.69 listing is the most convenient option right now, but it is not the absolute cheapest. If you’re open to shopping at other storefronts, TCGplayer currently has unopened Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection listings starting at $54.62 — while Walmart is selling the box for $57.99 with free shipping through third-party seller Cash Cards Unlimited.

You can get over $10 off the Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box. Meanwhile, the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is still available to buy for under $90.

The compact Keurig K-Mini Mate coffee maker is down to under $60 at Amazon — save $20

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:10:19 +0000

SAVE $20: As of July 6, the Keurig K-Mini Mate single serve K-Cup pod coffee maker is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon. That's $20 off its list price of $79.99.

Credit: Keurig

Keurig K-Mini Mate

$59.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.00

Some coffee machines have very bulky builds. If you live or work in a smaller space, that's not an ideal purchase for a countertop. If you're searching for something smaller to handle your favorite brew, the Keurig K-Mini Mate single serve K-Cup pod coffee maker can help you out. It's even on sale at Amazon right now.

As of July 6, the Keurig K-Mini Mate has been discounted from $79.99 to $59.99 at Amazon, saving you $20 overall. What's even better is every color is on sale at this price right now, so you can choose between the black, glamping green, pink sands, or red rocks models.

This coffee machine comes in at just four-inches wide, so no matter if you're in a smaller apartment or tiny office space, it can slot nicely onto a kitchen countertop without taking up a bunch of space.

The Keurig K-Mini Mate works with K-Cup pods and can brew a cup measuring up to 12 ounces in its One Cup reservoir. If you're in a hurry, it can even fit up to a 7.25-inch travel mug so you can have something ready to take on-the-go.

This delightfully compact coffee maker may not be on sale for long, so act fast to save on the Keurig K-Mini Mate at Amazon.

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Pokémon TCG Pitch Black booster packs are already on sale at Amazon — save $5

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:33:57 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Packs are on sale for $14.99 at Amazon, down from the $19.95 list price.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Pack

$14.99 at Amazon
$19.95 Save $4.96

The Pokémon TCG’s latest Mega Evolution expansion is still getting ready to drop in the trading card market, but Amazon is already offering discounts on booster packs.

As of July 6, preorders for Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Packs are on sale for $14.99 at Amazon. With $4.96 off its typical $19.95 price, that saves you 25% per pack. These packs are shipped and sold by MVP Marketplace rather than Amazon directly. You do still get Amazon’s 30-day refund/replacement window on this listing.

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TCGplayer currently has Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Packs starting at $13.44 with shipping included (vs. their market price of $11.42).

Each Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Pack includes one sealed booster with 10 random Pokémon TCG cards inside, plus the cardboard guard packaging you’d expect from a sleeved pack.

Pitch Black is the next dark-leaning Mega Evolution expansion, led by Mega Darkrai ex. Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex are also joining the set. The whole Pitch Black expansion will include over 115 cards, more new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, more than 20 Trainer cards, and more than 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations.

You can score the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for under $90. If it’s Scarlet & Violet expansions you’re hunting, you can now find the Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box for around market price on Amazon.

The Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box is now over $10 off at Amazon

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:30:12 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box is on sale for $68.90 at Amazon, down from its $79.99 list price.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box

$68.90 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $11.09

The Pokémon TCG’s Ascended Heroes era is still proving pretty expensive if you’re trying to catch up on the Mega Evolution expansion, but Amazon’s new price for the Meganium Box can at least take off a chunk of the cost.

As of July 6, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box is on sale at Amazon for $68.90. Compared to its $79.99 list price, that saves you $11.09 and takes 14% off the boxed set. This listing ships from Amazon directly, although it’s sold by third-party seller Bigg Time Sales. Free delivery is listed for July 14-16 at the time of writing. Just take note that Amazon is marking this listing as final sale with no returns.

Amazon’s price isn’t technically the lowest overall. TCGplayer currently has the Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box as low as $58 plus $3 shipping — a $61 total. That's only slightly above its $57.27 market price.

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Inside the box, you’re getting one foil promo card featuring Mega Meganium ex, one oversize lenticular promo trading cards featuring Mega Meganium ex, and four Pokémon Ascended Heroes booster packs.

Ascended Heroes is packed with incredibly valuable chase cards you can pull (or buy individually on TGCplayer) — including SIR Pikachu ex ($1,300+), SIR Mega Gengar ex ($1,200+), and SIR Mega Gengar ex ($700+).

Among other Pokemon deals right now, you can also get the Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box for around market price. What’s more, you can grab the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for under $90.

This ChatGPT-powered smart investing app helps you pick ideal stocks for your portfolio

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Easily identify the best investments for your portfolio with this lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker, now only $48.29 (reg. $486) with code JULY30 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Credit: Sterling Stock Picker

Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription

$48.29
$486 Save $437.71

The most successful investors don’t just hop on hot stocks. They take a long-term approach, choosing investments that align with their financial goals. Sterling Stock Picker helps make stock picking easier with AI-powered insights that simplify the process.

If you want to invest confidently, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker for just $48.29 with code JULY30, but you need to act fast — this deal ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Investing doesn’t have to be intimidating. Sterling Stock Picker makes it accessible for all — with no prior knowledge or intense research required.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, powers this app, which features patent-pending technology for its North Star Rating System. These ratings provide technical and risk analysis for each stock on the market and a clear recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or avoid.

Want a stock rocket? Sterling Stock Picker shows you companies with more than 50% quarterly revenue growth. You’ll also get access to Finley, a personal finance coach that can answer questions about your portfolio, individual stocks, and the market in general.

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Sterling Stock Picker has a five-minute questionnaire that provides the app with info about your values, investment goals, and risk preferences so it can give you the best options for your portfolio. If you prefer to be hands-off, there’s also a Done-for-You portfolio option, too.

Learn more about the market within the app thanks to in-depth explanations of financial concepts and expert-backed strategy guides. Want to talk things over with a fellow investor? There’s a member chat forum, too.

Lock in this lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker for just $48.29 with code JULY30 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Taylor Swifts wedding details: Everything revealed so far, including Adam Sandler conducting ceremony

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:00:38 +0000

Last night, right before the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, its undisputed queen of pop music, Taylor Swift, finally tied the knot to long-term beau, NFL tight end Travis Kelce, in what was surely the most anticipated and hyped up wedding of the century.

And while the world's most-watched couple have been notoriously tight-lipped about wedding details, and have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep their nuptials private, including forcing their guests to sign "ironclad" non-disclosure agreements and firing workers who took photos of the wedding sets, details are beginning to emerge about last night's affairs

The fairytale ceremony

Ordinary couples have to pick a wedding venue, and the typical locations are a combination of personal meaning, romance, and spirituality. The list includes religious venues, seaside locations, large barns, and ballrooms. But if you're the world's number-one power couple, there's really only one city and probably only one place that can accommodate both your guest lists while still delivering privacy from the paparazzi and your millions of fans: Madison Square Garden.

The home of the Knicks, played host to the Swift-Kelce wedding, and between the night itself and the two days of setup, the location fee alone is reported to be in excess of $3 million.

And of course, it isn't enough just to rent the venue; you also have to secure it. Ahead of the affairs, the NYPD listed the street closures necessary to guarantee security for the couple, and it was comparable or even greater than the list released during the NBA Finals:

And what about the clothing? In a testament to how well security was managed, we still don't have a photo of Swift in her wedding dress, but her publicist has revealed that both the bride and groom were garbed by Christian Dior Haute Couture, with famed Irish fashion designer Jonathan Anderson personally handling the designs — in close collaboration with the couple, naturally. The footwear for both the bride and groom was custom-made by Christian Louboutin, with even the sneakers selling for more than $1,000, while Cartier supplied her jewelry, according to PEOPLE.

As for the flowers, another staple of weddings, details are still sparse, but Page Six did manage to snap photos of large peach flower arrangements being carted into the venue.

The food and drink offerings largely still remain a mystery, but we have had some tantalizing glimpses into what was on offer, from luxury cake designer Julie Deffense teasing a video of the Swift wedding cake that "traveled over 1200 miles" before quickly deleting the video off her Instagram to TMZ slyly snapping pictures of the food being wheeled into the Garden, which included everything from lobster to fried chicken, onion rings and even a Krispy Kreme truck.

Some loyal Swiftians who waited outside the venue were even blessed with leftover desserts by one of the catering companies.

The attendees

Let's face it: a wedding isn't the venue, the food, or even the dress. A good wedding begins and ends with the guest list, with the friends and family you choose to celebrate your romance with, and the 1,000-strong list of the Swift-Kelce affair was a mix of A-list celebrities known the world over and friends, family, and even neighbors known only to the couple.

While every guest was no doubt honored to receive the invite, three people in particular were most important to the couple: Austin Swift, Taylor Swift's brother; Jason Kelce, Travis's brother, and…Adam Sandler. According to the hosts of Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, and Michael Strahan, all of whom were in attendance and spent their morning show gabbing about the wedding, the bride and groom eschewed the usual list of groomsmen and bridesmaids in favor of a Man of Honor for Taylor and a Best Man for Travis, and unsurprisingly they both chose their brothers to fill these important roles. But the officiating was done by none other than Adam Sandler, who has reportedly been a friend to the families of both Travis and Taylor over the years, which required the famous actor-comedian to get a one-day license as a marriage officiant in New York.

Celebrity guests included a mix of athletes, entertainers, and models, from Swift's close friends Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, and Zoë Kravitz to A-list actors like Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, and Julianne Moore, according to The Independent, who also reported that Beatles legend Paul McCartney delivered one of the night's many performances.

A few centuries ago, only the weddings of kings and queens elicited such fanfare, but given that Taylor Swift is pop culture royalty, it's no surprise that her wedding has been the most extravagant and publicized affair of 2026. We wish the happy couple the best of luck as they embark on their three-month honeymoon, the details of which are every bit as under wraps as those of their wedding.

I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:00:43 +0000

I test new robot vacuums on a regular basis and compare them to the top performers from previous months, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum and tweak its settings for optimal performance, I keep notes on its overall suction power vigor, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum and mop combo), pet hair pickup, the convenience of its automatic emptying and self-washing mopping pads, accuracy of smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. But the final boss here is cost efficiency — I'll be the first one to point out when a cheap robot vacuum actually works well for the price, or when a high-end robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge or not.

Recent changes to this guide

July 2026: I added the Narwal Flow 2 as the new pick for best roller mop robot vacuum overall, bumping the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow to the best roller mop robot vacuum under $1,000. The Narwal Flow 2 has stronger suction power and more advanced AI spill detection.

March 2026: I added the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow as the best roller mop robot vacuum, replacing the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller. Though the Dreame has more powerful suction on paper, the Curv 2 Flow demonstrated better edge mopping and comparable vacuuming. I also replaced the Eufy X10 Pro Omni with the Eufy C28 and shifted it to my budget roller mop pick. The X10 Pro Omni is two years old at this point, and the new C28 offers more advanced cleaning and obstacle avoidance.

January 2026: I added the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Aqua10 Ultra to the best roller mop robot vacuum. The Roborock Saros 10R, which was listed as the best option for corner cleaning, has been removed from the list. It costs nearly the same amount as the X60 Max Ultra Complete, which has near-identical corner mopping abilities and much stronger suction power.

December 2025: I added a disclaimer to the pick for best Roomba value in light of iRobot's bankruptcy news.

October 2025: I added the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Roborock Saros 10R (previously named the best robot vacuum right now) to the option for best corner cleaning.

July 2025: I removed the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum from this guide. While it was a solid budget mopping robot vacuum for its first year or so on the market, it's now a little bit too basic compared to other newer budget robot vacuums.

Anyone who wants to learn piano should see flowkey’s best price so far — just $56 for 5 years

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Get flowkey’s five-year Classic Plan for $55.99 with code JULY30 (reg. $899) — its lowest price ever.

Credit: Flowkey

flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription)

$55.99
$899 Save $843.01

Future and current pianists who would love some lesson flexibility without sacrificing growth, flowkey has never been cheaper, and this price is not likely to come around again in the near future.

Through July 5, you can get the flowkey Classic Plan (five-year subscription) for just $55.99 (reg. $899) with code JULY30 — the lowest price we’ve seen on this piano learning app.

If learning piano has been living on your someday list, this is a good time to move it up.

Flowkey is designed to make practicing feel approachable instead of intimidating. Whether you’re sitting at a keyboard for the first time or returning after a long break, the app guides you through each lesson at your own pace. It even listens while you play, offering instant feedback so you know when you’ve nailed a note — or when it’s time to try again.

The Classic Plan includes access to more than 1,000 classical and public-domain songs, featuring composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Bach, Debussy, Liszt, and Brahms. You’ll also unlock every course and exercise, covering everything from reading sheet music and learning chords to proper hand positioning and rhythm.

Helpful tools like Wait Mode, Slow Motion, Loop, and separate hand practice make difficult sections easier to master without feeling rushed. Because your subscription works across phones, tablets, and computers, it’s easy to fit practice into your schedule.

With five years of access at the lowest price ever, this is an easy opportunity to start building those piano skills while this offer is still available.

Get a five-year subscription to the flowkey Classic Plan for a one-time $55.99 (reg. $899) through 11:59 p.m. PT on July 5 with code JULY30.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

AdultFriendFinder review: Is the famous hookup site legit or not?

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t heard of AdultFriendFinder (AFF), honestly, consider yourself lucky. This online platform has seriously earned its reputation for being one of the raunchiest and spammiest "dating" sites cluttering the internet.

Sure, the name sounds wholesome and innocent enough, right? But peel back those endless paywalls, and what you find is a digital den packed with X-rated content, questionable profiles, problematic language, and aggressive marketing tactics that seem way more interested in your wallet than your actual experience. They constantly push you to spend more money on basic functions. (Oh, and did I mention it’s also visually offensive? Seriously ugly, aesthetically speaking.)

The best way to describe the AdultFriendFinder website (no app) is through its overall layout, which feels like a relic from the early 2000s internet. It's a mess of flashing banners, intrusive ads, and a user interface so poorly designed it feels intentionally built to overwhelm and confuse anyone brave enough to sign up. You know that scene in Because I Said So where Diane Keaton’s character awkwardly stumbles upon AdultFriendFinder while trying to vet dates for her daughter? Yeah, that's still the energy.

But is there anything redeemable behind the chaos? In this review, we do a deep dive into the AdultFriendFinder experience to figure out exactly how it works (or doesn't), what features it offers, and whether it actually connects people looking for hookups.

This site is for making adult "friends," not friends who are adults. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder

What is AdultFriendFinder?

AdultFriendFinder is one of the most well-known sites for finding quick sexual encounters and literally anything else even remotely related to sex. The rowdy feed of matches makes it heaven for anyone looking for a good time with no filter — and hell for someone who wouldn't be caught dead clicking on a "There are hot singles in your area" ad.

On AFF, you can find someone to sext via messaging or video chat (and plan to get it on IRL, if that's what you're looking for), watch live streams, or join niche group chat rooms to connect with other members. You can easily view photos and videos from other members, though interacting is often locked behind a paywall. Is it worth $20-something per month? Depends on how much fishy content you're willing to overlook for a juicy sexting session.

Credit: AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder

So, who's actually on this platform? While the site used to flash huge, questionable stats like "98,897,765 hot photos" on its signup page, those crazy numbers seem to be gone now (though they may show for people who've never logged onto the site before; we couldn't get it to replicate it in incognito mode, so it's probably safe to say they're just gone). According to Similarweb's data for May 2026, AdultFriendFinder has pulled in around 9.8 million visits.

AdultFriendFinder's ranking has slipped significantly; noting a steady drop from previous years, it currently sits at 84th in the Adult category in the United States. This suggests people might be finding better alternatives elsewhere, and we're not surprised. Today, you can download kink- and poly-friendly hookup apps like Feeld and Pure, plus hookup destinations like Tinder, which have a huge user base of people ready to meet.

Specifics on the demographic that most people care about — the gender ratio — can be hard to track down. According to SimilarWeb, the audience is roughly 76.44 percent male and 23.56 percent female. This kind of imbalance is pretty common on hookup-focused sites. It means it's likely a paradise if you're a straight man, maybe hit-or-miss if you're a straight woman or LGBTQ man, and probably an actual hellscape if you're an LGBTQ woman trying to navigate it.

On the flip side, AFF does let you identify as and search for a man, woman, a couple, or trans. They've made some attempts to be a "sex-positive" site with blogs, groups, and even a "sex academy." However, their language around the LGBTQ community has historically been anything but inclusive or positive. Previously, the AFF sign-up page listed "TG/TV/TS" as the "trans" gender selection — we'll let you infer what those stand for. After reaching out to AdultFriendFinder about it, this language has improved somewhat with more gender options that are appropriately labeled, though "trans" is still a separate selection from "man" or "woman," which feels more like fetishization than inclusivity.

The sexual oreintation selection is a bit more inclusive than the "searching for" section. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder

Is AdultFriendFinder legit?

As far as legitimacy goes, AdultFriendFinder is a real site with real users. However, the question is whether you can really find what you're looking for there, or if you'll mostly find a bunch of bots and scammers. Many users report that it feels like a scam site due to the number of fake profiles and the pressure to spend more money. Compared to other legit sites, its reputation is definitely questionable.

Because AFF is pretty spammy, it's hard to tell how many active members are actually using the site. The 1.4 Trustpilot score isn't reassuring either.

From the start, AdultFriendFinder makes it clear that it's not really aiming to build long-term relationships. The site emphasizes casual hookups and even allows for explicit content, so users know what they're getting into. But if you're looking for something more than just a one-night stand, you might want to consider other platforms.

One of the biggest turnoffs for potential users is that so many features are locked behind a paywall. While you can technically sign up for free, you can't do much beyond browse profiles or view photos from other members. Free members have very limited interaction options; you typically need to upgrade to send messages or see anything substantial. There’s also a brand-new age verification feature that won’t let you past the home page unless you verify you’re actually of age. You can either take a photo of your face to confirm your age or upload a valid photo ID that confirms your birth date. (Honestly, we’re glad they’re at least trying to protect minors from seeing anything they shouldn’t be seeing or connecting with pervy older people.)

There's brand-new age verification feature that won’t let you past the home page unless you verify you’re actually of age. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder

How does AdultFriendFinder work?

Signing up takes like 30 seconds. Seriously, just an email, username, password, and a quick intro will do. Of course, you'll have to go through the strict new age verification process too, but it's pretty quick.

Once you're in, brace yourself for the instant notification spam; apparently, a gray silhouette is enough to attract attention here. To even think about connecting with someone real, you absolutely have to add photos and details to your profile — essentially, prove you're not just another bot contributing to the noise.

AdultFriendFinder features a personality questionnaire to personalize your profile and up your chances of finding a compatible match. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder

After registering, there are a ton of ways to personalize your account (way more than you'd expect for a hookup site, honestly). The more you fill out, the better your chances of meeting someone (and improving your sex life). There are the basic physical appearance questions about eye and hair color, and since I identified as a woman, cup size was an option. (If you identify as a man, I'm sure you can guess what question they ask.)

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Xnxx porn for free

The site also features a Personality Type test and a "My Kinks" form where you can select whether or not you're "curious about, into, or can't live without" a certain kink (e.g., anal, bondage, role play, etc.). It also lets you choose whether you're a voyeur, the giver, or the receiver.

One weird thing about the Personality Type test is that it asks several questions about whether or not you enjoy shopping at discount stores — not really sure what that's about. It also asks whether or not "a quiet time for prayer should be allowed in school." You can choose "strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree."

Once you finish the personality test (20 questions), you can opt to have your Personality Type show up on your profile or have it hidden. It will also show you which personality types complement yours.

Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder

Matching on AdultFriendFinder: What to expect

Here’s what you can expect when you're looking for a connection:

Like a traditional dating site, AFF throws a collage of potential matches at you, showing who's online or nearby. But any resemblance to a "traditional" site stops there.
You barely have to scroll before noticing that there's no shortage of nudity. Depending on whether you set your preferences to men, women, or both, you'll see all of that stuff up close, personal, swinging around, in action. You name it, it'll pop up.
You can try to refine your results by gender, age, location, race, sexual orientation, body type, etc., but good luck making a dent in the sheer volume of profiles (real or otherwise).
The message section looks weirdly like old Gmail. You'll get a mix of messages; some might be genuinely friendly, but expect a fair share of instant, crude ones too. It's the online dating equivalent of creeps on Tinder, but amplified.

How much does AdultFriendFinder cost?

You can do a decent amount of looking without paying (this includes browsing profiles, getting limited messages, and hitting up some chat rooms). But hit any of that "juicier hidden content" or try to actually talk to someone, and you'll smack into a paywall or the site's non-monetary currency, "points." You earn points through activity on the free version, which is kind of like playing a mini-game just to unlock basic functionality.

To really get anywhere, especially if you're a guy looking for women (as some on Reddit noted, women prefer paid members for perceived credibility), you'll need a Gold membership. The prices bounce around a bit, but generally, the longer you commit, the cheaper the monthly rate.

Here is how the current pricing breaks down:

1 month of Gold is $24.95 (billed monthly)
3 months of Gold is $20.95 per month (billed quarterly at $62.85)
12 months of Gold is $14.95 per month (billed once at $179.40)

The prices bounce around a bit, but generally, the longer you commit, the cheaper the monthly rate. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder

The site shoves other weird add-ons at you, too. For example, there's a separate fee required just to "interact with standard members" on the platform. That costs $19.95 for one month, or $11.95 a month if you bill it quarterly. These layer-on costs, meaning the price you see for Gold might not be the actual price of a usable experience.

AdultFriendFinder also gives members the option to confirm their identity with ConfirmID. If you do this, the site promises to give you two weeks of Gold for free. The ConfirmID works by entering your legal first and last name, home address, gender, and date of birth, and uploading a copy of your driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID.

If you spend more quality time on the site than expected, springing for a paid membership is definitely something to consider. Once you're paying, you basically become royalty on the site: Your profile will appear way higher in searches, you can use the most advanced searches, unlock profiles with private photo albums, check out video profiles, and message to your heart's content. A general rule is that increased involvement and payment on your end generally equals more success on the website, as your constant activity and heightened searchability make it easier for others to find you.

So, does AdultFriendFinder work?

Once you get past the in-your-face sexplosion of naked profile pictures, horny AIM-era profile names, and explicit videos, the big question is: Does AdultFriendFinder actually work? Like, can you realistically log on and find what you're looking for? The short answer is... maybe, but probably not as well as you'd hope. While you're there, you will have to stay on guard for window shoppers and scammers.

Let's put it this way: AFF might work if you are very open-minded, specifically looking to blow off steam with casual sex or explore niche kinks, and you're completely over the slow pace of traditional dating sites. It has a ton of activities, ranging from direct messaging, sending virtual gifts and tips, watching live videos of people in your feed, joining adult chat rooms that can get very niche, or entering photo contests.

Aside from the NSFW content, the website is relatively straightforward (albeit ugly). Every feature is advertised in big letters, notifications are displayed clearly with labels, and you don't really have to click around to find anything. This makes it super accessible for users of all ages, even those who aren't tech-savvy and can't even figure out Facebook. Buttons are all over the place, but you figure it out after messing around for a few minutes.

AdultFriendFinder is like a PornHub that you can interact with.

Think of AdultFriendFinder as the dating site version of New York City — it never sleeps. It's like that booty call who's always awake when you text them. Or at least that used to be the case... 10 years ago. What was once a hot site that a few Reddit users were quick to hype up is now one of the dating sites that Reddit users can't help but diss — in the few instances that AFF is even being discussed at all. It's notable that, on a site where online dating is such a mammoth topic of discussion, AdultFriendFinder has rarely been mentioned in a positive light since the early 2010s. The Reddit community is diverse and open-minded; if a dating site exists, someone on Reddit has used it and has an opinion. When an innocent soul does ask if it's legit, AFF usually gets dragged for sketchy pricing and being riddled with fake profiles.

However, some Reddit members have praised AFF as a site for men meeting men. Even so, the site's still buggy and isn't exactly great for meeting real people who aren't, as one Reddit user so eloquently put it, "busted and unstable."

Good for: Very open-minded people looking to blow off steam

Stating the obvious, AdultFriendFinder is a space for people who want to bang with no strings attached, people who are in a sexual rut, people who are tired of porn, and people who find sites like eharmony boring. Getting to know someone for weeks before meeting up can be exhausting, and sometimes, you want to skip the small talk and do the dirty with a random. It's gonna get kinky out there, and that's great for those who are dying to blow off steam and want someone who will respond well to a brusque, sexy message.

As with all dating sites, catfishing is a big buzzkill. Your chances of being pursued are way higher if you have a lot of pictures of the same person (AKA you), videos, and a genuine profile that lets people know they're not dealing with something sketchy. Even if you've had bad luck with online dating in the past, AdultFriendFinder is the place to be honest.

SEE ALSO: What is consensual non-monogamy?

Bad for: People looking for a real relationship and the entire socially conscious community

If you're a cynic, conservative by any means, get sketched out easily, or aren't a fan of dick pics, you'll probably hate it. Similarly, if you appreciate a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing website that feels safe, no matter how badly you want to have sex, one glance at the landing page likely signals that it's not for you.

AdultFriendFinder is not the place to be if you're trying to make friends unless "with benefits" is tacked onto the end. Every inch of the site screams: "This website is used to have sex," and you should really listen to that.

As illustrated by the flood of artsy activism guides on Instagram in recent years, it's clear what content appeals to young people on the internet: Something aesthetically pleasing, shareable, and digestible. The "shareable" part doesn't totally apply to online dating, but apps like Hinge and OkCupid closely follow this design trend by limiting the number of words (and ads) in each tab, steering clear of endless scrolling, and ensuring that important info isn't cluttered with flashing clickbait.

AFF could do so much more to make people take it seriously

We're not knocking a quick hookup or no-strings-attached relations. This isn't about morals. Genitals are quite literally in your face from the moment you make an account, and that's just not cute. There are chiller ways to go about insinuating that this is a hookup website without feeling like you're trapped in a sex dungeon with strangers.

I could not get past the fact that the entire site looks like it's about to invite five viruses to your computer. We're talking terrible graphics that look like they were made on Microsoft Paint and pictures of women who look like they're from Pornhub in 2007. (That's when AdultFriendFinder was officially sold and rebranded from its original parent company.) Reddit user Snoo53279 summed it up in a comment from July 2020: "The people on AFF are definitely real, but there is a huge smattering of bots that also get in the way, so it can be a bit of a PITA to use." If they're not bots, they could be men posing as a couple to seem less threatening.

The parade of women on the landing page is questionable for two reasons. This shouldn't even need to be clarified, but not everyone is looking for a woman. At the least, the advertising isn't inclusive — but this crosses into fetishization territory. The cherry on top is that the women in the photos (unsurprisingly) probably aren't even members of the site, according to a disclaimer at the bottom of the landing page.

AdultFriendFinder's overall outdated vibe goes past an aesthetic annoyance — it's downright problematic at times. The lack of inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community is nearly unforgivable, and we'd be scared to see some of the related rhetoric that AFF users feel comfortable spewing. Without even a dash of social awareness, it's hard to see how anyone who's not an out-of-touch straight cis man would feel comfortable on this site.

Attempting to navigate the shoddy design might be enough to smother your horniness. Three main issues can make the site borderline unusable: It looks shady as hell, an alarming portion of the user base is made up of bots and spam accounts, and the user interface itself is outdated and rife with bugs.

AdultFriendFinder alternatives

Given AdultFriendFinder's... challenges... you're probably wondering where else you can look for casual connections or kink exploration online. While AFF might feel slightly more "legit" than sites with names that scream spam (you know the ones), there are definitely much better places to spend your time and money.

Here are a few alternatives that offer a significantly better experience:

Pure: Think of Pure as a more modern, less eyeball-assaulting option for no-strings-attached hookups. It has a sleek, "hella-millennial" design (way better than AFF's retro mess) and features like self-destructing messages and profiles that disappear after an hour, giving it a casual, in-the-moment feel. It's basically a sexier, more private Snapchat for hookups.
Feeld: If you're a single or couple looking for group sex, polyamory, or exploring LGBTQ+ friendly dynamics, Feeld is a much better bet than navigating AFF's often problematic space. It's designed for open-minded individuals and couples and is generally praised for being more inclusive (though it had some bugs after a recent update, which seem to be getting addressed). It skips the unicorn hunting and rampant fetishization found elsewhere.
FetLife: If the "My Kinks" section on AFF piqued your interest but the endless bots scared you off, FetLife is exactly where you need to be. It's kind of like Myspace (RIP) for the BDSM, fetish, and kink community. You can find local kink events, join hyper-specific groups, and connect with real people who share your exact desires in a much safer, community-policed environment.
Sniffies: If you're a gay, bi, trans, or queer man looking for a hyper-direct hookup, skip AFF entirely and head to Sniffies. This map-based cruising platform lets you see exactly who's looking for action in your immediate area. You don't even need to register for an account to browse the map, and it displays users' intentions and preferred sex positions right on their avatars.
Mainstream Apps (like Hinge or OkCupid): While not strictly hookup-focused, even mainstream apps offer a more palatable and less spammy user experience. Their design is cleaner, there's less ad overload, and they prioritize clear information over flashing explicit content, which some users might find a relief compared to AFF's chaos.

Ultimately, you have options that are more modern, more inclusive, and simply less likely to make you feel like you need a virus scan after logging on.

The final verdict: Is AdultFriendFinder worth it?

AdultFriendFinder is a low-pressure way to find a friends-with-benefits situation without insulting anyone. Everyone is pretty much there for the same reason, and though it'll feel pretty unorthodox if you've only ever used Tinder to scope this type of thing out, AFF's blunt advertising at least means you won't have to explain that you're not looking for a relationship. It's niche-friendly and has a ton of interactive outlets to indulge your primal urges.

But that freedom comes with a price — the price is feeling like one of those people who fall for the ads that pop up before a free Pornhub video. It's not that a site dedicated to sex and sexting is inherently scammy — it's that AdultFriendFinder drowns you with explicit photos on profiles that might not even be real people while asking you to pay for a subscription with every click.

Unfortunately, no matter how in the mood you are, some people aren't cut out for the nothing-left-to-the-imagination approach with grammar mistakes all over the place. It wants to be sex-positive so badly, but the language the site has used in reference to the trans community is the furthest thing from that.

The site's functionality and safety aren't where they need to be in 2026. If security measures were tightened, graphics and photos were cleaned up to feel more relevant, and decision-makers behind the scenes were given a lesson in inclusivity and pronouns/identities, AdultFriendFinder could be a handy tool to find attachment-free hookups and connect with a community that's down for anything.

This isn't a dating or hookup site we would personally use, but if you're feeling brave, you can register for AdultFriendFinder here. Just don't try this at work.

Credit: AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder

A new piano app listens while you play, and a lifetime subscription is only $105 today

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Use code JULY30 by July 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a Skoove lifetime subscription on sale for $104.99.

Credit: Skoove

Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription

$104.99
$299.99 Save $195

Self-taught musicians have always faced a frustrating problem. Without a teacher in the room, you can’t tell whether you’re playing the right note, holding the right rhythm, or just confidently repeating the same mistake. Skoove uses live note recognition that listens to your playing through a microphone or MIDI connection and gives feedback in real time, and a Premium lifetime subscription is on sale right now for $104.99 (reg. $299.99).

Skoove’s app analyzes audio coming from an acoustic piano or a connected USB/MIDI keyboard, identifies the notes you played, and compares them against what the current lesson called for. If you stumble, the app pauses and waits for you to correct yourself. If you nail it, you move forward. That tight feedback loop is the part traditional sheet music and YouTube tutorials can’t replicate, and it works whether you’re on iOS, Android, Mac, or Windows.

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Skoove’s library includes more than 400 lessons plus thousands of instructional videos, with new lessons and songs added every month. Beginners can start with the basics like posture and single-hand playing, then move into chords, theory, and full pieces in genres including classical, pop, and blues. More experienced players can jump straight into chart hits by John Legend, The Beatles, and Adele, or pieces from Bach and Beethoven.

One-on-one support from Skoove’s music instructors is also included for the moments when an automated lesson isn’t enough, along with special courses for specific learning goals.

Skip the recurring monthly fee, and learn piano at your own pace.

Use code JULY30 to get a Skoove Premium Piano lifetime subscription on sale for $104.99. Offer ends July 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Taylor Swift wedding guest list: Everyone we expect to be there

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:38:58 +0000

Taylor Swift once joked that "anyone I’ve ever talked to" would be invited to her wedding.

Apparently, she was not kidding.

Swift and Travis Kelce’s reported Madison Square Garden wedding this weekend is expected to include around 1,000 guests, which means the guest list is less “intimate gathering” and more “award show with vows.” The couple has not publicly confirmed the full guest list, but reports, sightings, interviews, and a few very suspicious tuxedo fittings have started to sketch out who may be inside the Garden.

So, who is reportedly going? Let’s check the seating chart.

Gigi Hadid

Credit: XNY/Getty Images

Gigi Hadid is not just expected to be a guest. She is reportedly part of the bridal party. Hadid and Swift’s friendship dates back to 2014, and Hadid has publicly supported Swift’s relationship with Kelce, writing in 2023 that they were "over the moon" for her. Swift was seen arriving at Hadid’s New York City apartment on July 1, just days before the reported wedding. Nothing gets you wedding-ready like girl-time with your best friend!

Selena Gomez

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Selena Gomez is another obvious Swift guest and another reported bridesmaid. The two have been best friends for over 17 years — Swift even has a song about Gomez called "Dorthea." Gomez has been filming Only Murders in the Building in London but is expected to fly back to New York for the festivities.

Abigail Anderson Berard

Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage

Abigail Anderson Berard is not just another famous friend. She is Swift’s childhood best friend and the “Abigail” fans know from the song “Fifteen.” Elle reported that Anderson Berard was seen at Swift’s Watch Hill, Rhode Island, beach house during the weekend Swift was rumored to be having her bachelorette, and that she has long been expected to attend the wedding. Anderson Berard is expected to serve as Swift’s maid of honor.

Andy Reid

Chiefs coach Andy Reid is also a shoo-in for an invitation. Reid joked on a radio show that he "probably" had an invite and would go if he did not outgrow his tuxedo. He was also spotted picking up his tuxedo on June 25. That is a lot of tuxedo activity for a man not going to a wedding.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz has been friends with Swift for years; she even co-wrote the song "Lavender Haze" on Midnights. People reported that a source close to Swift said Kravitz received an invitation, but her fiancé — Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend and 1989 muse — Harry Styles, has a concert scheduled in London that night. Hopefully, he can make a late-night flight across the pond and get to MSG in time.

Ed Sheeran

Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Ed Sheeran is also one of Swift's oldest friends and collaborators — and he's already been spotted in New York, about 60 miles from Aaron Dessner’s Hudson Valley recording studio. Swift herself teased his likely involvement during an October interview on the U.K.’s Hits Radio Breakfast Show, when she was asked whether Sheeran would sing at her wedding and replied that it would be hard to keep him from it. How I wish I could experience that private concert.

Sabrina Carpenter

Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

Sabrina Carpenter has not publicly confirmed she is attending, but the clues are definitely there. Carpenter opened for Swift on several international Eras Tour dates, later became part of Swift’s current music universe with their Life of a Showgirl collaboration, and was spotted in New York on June 30 having dinner with friends in the West Village just days before the Big Day.

Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse can be presumed to be in attendance because she literally said she is going. In a Variety interview published in May, Waterhouse said, “I’m gonna go to Taylor’s wedding,” and joked that she might get inspiration for her own wedding to actor Robert Pattinson.

She and Swift have been friendly for years: they were spotted out together in New York with Cara Delevingne and Dakota Johnson back in 2016, dancing together at the 2024 MTV Music Awards, and Waterhouse opened for Swift at Wembley Stadium during the Eras Tour.

Mariska Hargitay

Credit: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Mariska Hargitay and Swift have been connected for years, especially through one very furry friend: Swift's cat, named Olivia after Hargitay's Law & Order SVU character. Fans have already started watching Hargitay’s Broadway schedule because her show, Every Brilliant Thing, was on break on July 3, the reported wedding date. Hopefully, she can make it, considering they looked like they had a pretty fun time together at the Knicks game.

Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw

Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw are reportedly expected to both attend and perform. Swift has written songs about both of the musical legends: "Clara Bow" and, fittingly, "Tim McGraw." I hope those songs made it to the top of the request list.

Jack Antonoff

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Jack Antonoff is one of the easiest names to imagine on Swift’s guest list. The producer and Bleachers frontman has worked with Swift for more than a decade, from early collaborations like “Sweeter Than Fiction” through major albums including 1989, Reputation, Lover, Midnights, Folklore, and beyond. He is also a close real-life friend: Swift attended Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s wedding in New Jersey in Aug. 2023. So if Swift and Kelce are gathering their inner circle at MSG, Antonoff and Qualley would make sense as both friends and returned-wedding-energy guests.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne is another longtime Swift friend. Delevingne once even lived with Swift during a difficult breakup. In a 2024 conversation, Delevingne said Swift “looked after” her well but that she also took Swift on “a bit of a wild ride.” Isn't that what best friends are for?

The Haim sisters

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim have been part of Swift’s inner circle for years and are expected to be wedding guests. Their current Swiftworld relevance is also very MSG-specific: Este, Alana, and Swift made headlines at Game 4 of the NBA Finals for their punny “Knicks” graphic t-shirts.

Graham Norton

Graham Norton has the clearest paper trail of almost any non-family invitee. In Oct. 2025, Swift appeared on The Graham Norton Show to promote The Life of a Showgirl and told Norton she planned to invite him. That invite seemed not to be an empty promise. Norton was pictured arriving at JFK airport on July 2, ahead of the reported wedding weekend. Norton also joked on his Wanging On podcast in January that he had signed "so many NDAs," though he later clarified that was a "joke." Sure, Graham. Sure.

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes are widely expected on Kelce’s side of the list. Patrick is Kelce’s quarterback, teammate, close friend, and one of the central figures in the Chiefs’ dynasty. Kelce served as a groomsman at Mahomes’ 2022 wedding, so it only makes sense for Mahomes to return the favor.

George and Claire Kittle

George Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers tight end and Kelce’s Tight End University co-founder, has also basically confirmed his own attendance. People reported that Kittle told ExtraTV at the Tight Ends & Friends concert that the couple had a strict no-gift rule, then joked that he might get Kelce an old coin anyway.

How about the New York Knicks’ starting lineup?

July 2 saw reports that the Knicks' starting lineup was going to return to the Garden halls — but this time as wedding guests. However, star player Josh Hart debunked the rumor. Maybe after another championship win?

Again, Swift and Kelce have not publicly confirmed the final guest list, so all of this still lives in the world of reports, sightings, public comments, and heavily analyzed celebrity logistics. But if even half these names make it inside the Garden, "anyone I’ve ever talked to" may not have been much of an exaggeration.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelces wedding guest list reportedly excludes these people

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:11:57 +0000

For a wedding with a reported 1,000-person guest list, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s alleged Madison Square Garden celebration still appears to have a velvet rope.

The reported wedding has become a full-blown spectacle in the middle of sweltering-hot Manhattan, with fans, photographers, and celebrity-watchers all trying to figure out who will actually make it inside the Garden. But the more revealing question might be who will not.

While plenty of A-listers are reportedly gearing up for the alleged big night, there is also a pretty long list of people who appear set to watch the wedding content on Instagram like the rest of us.

Keep reading for the reported, rumored, and heavily speculated names we do not expect to see inside the Garden tomorrow night.

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Despite weeks of speculation, Prince William and Kate Middleton will not be attending Swift and Kelce’s wedding. A People report ended chatter that the Prince and Princess of Wales would be in attendance after William jokingly said he was "hoping" there might be an invitation during a May appearance on the British radio show Heart Breakfast.

William has known Swift for years, famously joined her and Jon Bon Jovi onstage in 2013, and later took Prince George and Princess Charlotte to the Eras Tour in London, where the royal family posed backstage with Swift and Kelce.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Blake Lively has been one of the most-discussed possible absences from the wedding because, for years, she was one of Swift’s most visible close friends. Lively directed Swift’s "I Bet You Think About Me" music video, Swift used the names of Lively and Ryan Reynolds' children in "Betty" and other songs, and the couple was regularly part of Swift's public friend circle, from New York outings to the 2024 Super Bowl suite where Swift cheered on Kelce.

The reported strain stems from Lively's legal battle with Justin Baldoni over It Ends With Us, which pulled Swift into the surrounding drama even though she was not part of the film.

As the dispute unfolded, reports said Swift had been referenced in court filings and text messages, and Baldoni’s side accused Lively of using her friendship with Swift as leverage during conversations about the movie. Swift’s rep denied that she had any involvement with It Ends With Us beyond licensing “My Tears Ricochet” for the soundtrack, but the damage appeared to be done.

Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry

Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, are also reportedly not on the guest list. Sources close to the couple claim they were not invited, despite their once-close ties to Swift and Kelce, which allegedly ended due to the drama between Swift and Lively, and that Sperry did not want to be involved.

Sperry and Teller were seen with Swift during the early days of her relationship with Kelce, including at the 2024 Super Bowl. Teller also later appeared on Travis and Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast, where he referred to Travis as his "brother." Doesn't seem like it anymore.

Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss is another name with a long history in Swiftie lore. She and Swift were once inseparable during the 1989 era, appearing together at events, on social media, and even on a joint Vogue cover. Then, over time, public sightings slowed, and fan theories took over.

The widely discussed fracture has often been linked to Scooter Braun, who acquired Swift's Big Machine master recordings in 2019, sparking one of the most public disputes of Swift's career. Kloss' 2018 wedding to Joshua Kushner became part of the speculation because Braun was reportedly a guest, and Swift did not attend.

Kloss' wedding status, however, is messy. Some outlets have reported she is not invited, while TMZ suggested the opposite. Given that she sat GA at the Eras Tour, I'm going to go with the former.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

This choice isn't a surprise. Kardashian and Swift's history goes back to the 2016 fallout over Kanye West's song "Famous," after West claimed Swift had approved lyrics about her, and Kardashian released edited clips of a phone call between West and Swift. A fuller version of the call later leaked in 2020, which supported Swift's claim that she had not been told about the most offensive lyric.

That feud became one of the defining celebrity conflicts of Swift's Reputation era, complete with snake emojis, public backlash, and years of fan analysis. Taylor even has a song called "thanK you IMee" with the letters "KIM" capitalized. Real subtle.

Scooter Braun

Scooter Braun is also widely presumed to be nowhere near the guest list. The reason is obvious: Swift's long-running masters dispute began after Braun's Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group in 2019, giving him control of the master recordings for Swift's first six albums. Swift publicly criticized the deal, and the dispute eventually became a major artist-rights story as Swift began rerecording her old albums.

So yes, Braun's absence would be expected.

Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris, Swift's ex-boyfriend, has also been named in some rumored "not invited" lists. The history there is less dramatic than Kardashian-West, but it did get messy in 2016 after Swift's team confirmed she had co-written Harris and Rihanna’s hit "This Is What You Came For" under the pseudonym Nils Sjöberg. Harris responded in a series of tweets, including one accusing Swift's team of trying to make him look bad after their breakup. At least we got a really good song out of it.

John Mayer

John Mayer is another ex who is most likely far, far away from the Garden on July 3. Mayer dated Swift when he was 32, and she was 19. Following their breakup, Swift released "Dear John," which fans have long believed is about Mayer. Mayer even told Rolling Stone that the song made him feel "really humiliated" and called it "cheap songwriting."

That "cheap songwriting" was inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame, but I digress.

Charli XCX

Speaking of artists believed to have been called out on The Life of a Showgirl, Charli XCX is also rumored not to be in attendance. Rumors of a feud between the two began after Charli released "Sympathy Is a Knife" on Brat, which some listeners interpreted as a dig at Swift. Swift then appeared to respond with "Actually Romantic," a song fans believe is about Charli and includes the pointed line: "I heard you call me boring Barbie when the coke's got you brave."

Charli is also engaged to George Daniel, the drummer for The 1975 — the same band fronted by Matty Healy, whom Swift briefly dated in 2023 and wrote an entire album about in 2024.

Kayla Nicole

Kayla Nicole, Kelce's ex-girlfriend, is another snub that is not especially surprising. Nicole dated Kelce on and off for about five years before they split in 2022. In Oct. 2023, shortly after Kelce and Swift's relationship became public, Nicole told People that she had unfollowed Brittany and Patrick Mahomes on Instagram because she needed to "protect" herself, while emphasizing that she still had love for her Kansas City circle.

After Kelce and Swift announced their engagement in Aug. 2025, Nicole posted about choosing "joy" on Instagram Stories. More recently, in February 2026, she reflected on her last serious relationship during a TikTok Live and described the breakup as potentially a "right person, wrong time" situation.

Most weddings do not include the bride or groom’s exes unless everyone involved has reached an unusually high level of emotional maturity, so Nicole's absence would not be particularly shocking. Well, besides Harry Styles, of course, who will likely be there with his fiancée, Zoë Kravitz. Now that's called growth.

Penélope Cruzs Hot Ones episode features a lot of yelling in Spanish

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:15:07 +0000

You don't really need to speak Spanish to understand everything Penélope Cruz says during her Hot Ones episode. Context and body language are more than enough.

In the clip above The Invite star sits down opposite Sean Evans to take on increasingly spicy wings, while answering questions about everything from her new movie to her favorite European meals.

The highlight? Frantic ice cream consumption.

Lowes 4th of July sale has deep discounts on Craftsman power tools, robot lawn mowers, and Blackstone grills

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Best Lowe's 4th of July sale at a glance

Best cordless power tool deal

Craftsman V20 20-volt Max 6-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit

$199 at Lowe's (save $150)

Best robot lawn mower deal

Mammotion Luba 2

$1,999 at Lowe's (save $600)

Best grill deal

Blackstone 30-in Culinary Omnivore Griddle

$399 at Lowe's (save $50)

Best portable air conditioner deal

Hisense 5000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

$289 at Lowe's (save $70)

Welcome to the long 4th of July weekend. If you're heading to the campground, we're keeping our fingers crossed for you that the weather cooperates. But if you'll be sticking close to home, it's a great weekend to focus on home improvements. Clearing that list over the weekend means you can take back the remaining summer weekends for barbecues, lake swimming, or gaming inside if it's too hot.

Just in time for the long holiday weekend, the Lowe's 4th of July sale is loaded with great discounts on everything from cordless power tools to portable air conditioners. These are the best deals to snag during Lowe's 4th of July sale.

Best cordless power tool deal

Credit: Craftsman

Craftsman V20 20-volt Max 6-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit

$199
$349 Save $150

Why we like it

With six tools, a soft case, two batteries, and a charger, the Craftsman V20 20-volt power tool combo kit is an excellent buy for any home. Even better, it's on sale for $199, which is a savings of $150 compared to the normal price of $349. Tools include a drill/driver, impact driver, reciprocating saw, oscillating tool, circular saw, and a task light. Plus, Craftsman offers a three-year warranty.

More cordless power tool deals

DeWalt 20 Volt 2.0 Pack Battery — $79 ~~$199~~ (save $120)
Kobalt 24-volt 2-Tool Brushless Power Tool Combo Kit — $129 ~~$229~~ (save $100)
DeWalt 20V MAX 2-Tool Brushless Power Tool Combo Kit — $169 ~~$249~~ (save $80)

Best robot lawn mower deal

Credit: Mammotion

Mammotion Luba 2

$1,999 at Lowe's
$2,599 Save $600

Why we like it

Save yourself the time and hassle of mowing the lawn by upgrading to the Mammotion Luba 2 robot lawn mower. It's on sale for $600 off during the Lowe's 4th of July sale. This model is designed to tackle lawns that measure between 0.5 and 1 acre, and it can cut at a length between 1 and 2.7 inches. The all-terrain wheels can handle an 80 percent slope, and the mower can manage up to 30 mowing zones.

Today's deal on the Mammotion Luba 2 comes with the robot mower, one extra set of blades, the charging station, and the RTX reference station for navigation.

More robot lawn mower deals

Segway Navimow i110N Robot Lawn Mower — $789 ~~$1,099~~ (save $310)
Segway Navimow i206 Robot Lawn Mower — $849 ~~$999~~ (save $150)
Worx Landroid Vision Cloud Robotic Lawn Mower — $1,449 ~~$1,799~~ (save $350)
Segway Navimow X430 Robot Lawn Mower — $2,099 ~~$2,499~~ (save $400)

Best grill deal

Credit: Blackstone

Blackstone 30-inch Culinary Omnivore Griddle

$399
$449 Save $50

Why we like it

The Blackstone 30-inch Culinary Omnivore Griddle is a treat for those who like to cook outdoors in the summer. The 30-inch griddle size means you can cook up to 50 pieces of bacon, 15 pancakes, or 22 burgers at once. Blackstone made this model with two independent heat zones, so you're able to cook two different dishes at once.

The cart-style design with four caster wheels and folding side shelves means it can easily tuck on the side of the deck when not in use.

Home Depot’s 4th of July sale is a total goldmine — score free power tools and deals on outdoor gear

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The best deals from the Home Depot 4th of July sale at a glance:

Best power tool deal

DeWalt Flexvolt Battery and Charger Starter Kit

$299 + Free Power Tool

Best lawn care deal

Mammotion Luba 2 AWD 5000HX

$2,299 (save $700)

Best string trimmer deal

Echo Gas Straight Shaft String Trimmer

$249 (save $30)

Best grilling deal

Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

$199 (save $50)

The 4th of July sales are officially in full swing, and while Amazon tends to grab most of the attention, it’s far from the only place worth browsing right now.

Home Depot is rolling out some of the strongest holiday discounts we’ve seen on everything from power tools to backyard gear. Whether you're gearing up for DIY projects, upgrading your lawn setup, or firing up a new grill for the season, there’s a lot to dig into here.

Check out everything from the sale right here. To get you started, here are some of our favorite deals:

Best power tool deal

Credit: DeWalt

DeWalt Flexvolt Battery and Charger Starter Kit +Free Power Tool

$299 at Home Depot

Why we like it

There’s more to this deal than just the battery and charger. You’re essentially getting a high-capacity DeWalt Flexvolt battery and charger bundle that unlocks a free cordless tool at checkout. Once you add the DeWalt 20V/60V MAX Flexvolt Lithium-Ion 9.0Ah Battery and Charger Starter Kit to your cart, you can pick a bonus cordless DeWalt tool at no extra cost.

It’s a simple buy-in for a pretty strong payoff — you’re not just getting a premium battery system that works across DeWalt's 20V and 60V lineup, you’re also walking away with a free power tool you’d normally have to buy separately.

More power tool deals

Ryobi 18V Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit — $99 ~~$149~~ (save $50)
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit — $199 ~~$299~~ (save $100)

Best robot lawn mower deal

Credit: Mammotion

Mammotion Luba 2 AWD 5000HX

$2,299
$2,999 Save $700

Why we like it

The Mammotion Luba 2 AWD 5000HX is for people with big, tricky lawns that regular mowers struggle with. Instead of getting stuck on slopes or rough patches, it’s designed to keep going across steep inclines, uneven ground, thick grass, and slopes up to 80% grade.

Using AI vision and RTK GPS, it figures out where it is, maps your lawn, and keeps its cuts precise even under trees or around edges where other robot mowers tend to struggle. You can also divide your yard into multiple zones in the app, set no-go areas like flower beds or pools, and let it handle everything on its own, picking up right where it left off after recharging.

More robot lawn mower deals

Sunseeker X5 AWD Wireless Robot Lawn Mower — $1,399.99 ~~$1,999~~ (save $599.01)
Navimow X430 Robot Lawn Mower — $2,099 ~~$2,499~~ (save $400)

Best string trimmer deal

Credit: Echo

Echo Straight Shaft String Trimmer

$249
$279 Save $30

Why we like it

The Echo Gas Straight Shaft String Trimmer uses a 21.2 cc two-stroke gas engine paired with a 17-inch cutting swath, which helps it clear a wide strip of grass and weeds with each pass instead of making you go over the same area repeatedly.

We also like the practical touches here — the Speed-Feed head lets you reload line in seconds without taking anything apart, and the long straight shaft gives you extra reach for edging under bushes or along fences. At around 11.5 pounds, it’s easy to manage for most yard work, especially if you’re used to gas tools.

More string trimmer deals

Milwaukee M18 Brushless 18V String Trimmer Kit — $199 ~~$249~~ (save $50)
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless String Trimmer — $229 ~~$279~~ (save $50)

Best grilling deal

Credit: Nexgrill

Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

$199
$249 Save $50

Why we like it

This Nexgrill 4-burner gas grill gives you a lot of cooking space without pushing into high-end pricing, with a total 566 square inches that’s enough for a full backyard cookout — burgers, wings, and sides all at once, plus a warming rack to keep food warm between rounds.

Heat is handled pretty evenly, with stainless steel burners, angled flame tamers, and cast iron grates working together to reduce flare-ups. The 40,000 BTUs give you solid power for searing, while the side shelves make it easier to prep and plate without constantly running back and forth.

More gas grill deals

Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill — $299 ~~$399.77~~ (save $100.77)
Weber Spirit E-325 3-Burner Propane Grill — $499 ~~$549~~ (save $50)

Prime members can get a free e-book every month with Amazon First Reads: See the thrilling July 2026 picks

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:58 +0000

Summer vacation season is upon us. As you're packing your swimsuit and sunscreen, don't forget to pack your e-reader with plenty of summer reads. Luckily, Amazon just dropped its July First Reads lineup.

Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program. Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

Credit: Amazon

Amazon First Reads

What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight to 10 editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 for their book pick.

Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite

Some months, like Prime Day's July (or June) and Black Friday's November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.

To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you'll see the option to "read now for free " when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it'll automatically be added to your Kindle library.

Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight to ten books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon's publishing imprints, so they're exclusive to Amazon's shelves.

In addition to the full-length books offered each month, there's typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You'll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

July 2026 Amazon First Reads books

July's First Reads includes a short story from Peter James and an array of thrillers, romance, and fiction. Credit: Screenshot / Amazon

July's First Reads lineup brings more fun stories for your summer reading list. The July deals feature nine novels and one short read.

This month's short read, John Grebble Is Gone, comes from Sunday Times bestselling author Peter James. It follows John Grebble, who wakes up to find he's been declared dead. He realizes this was no accident — someone intentionally tried to erase him, and he's on a quest to figure out who.

But there are plenty more books to choose from, including a cozy mystery, The Oxford Detective Society, which is the first book in the Lyssa Moore Mysteries series.

Here are all of the First Reads deals for July 2026:

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you're asking if you should get a Kindle, that's a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you're in the market.

Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon

Best 4th of July sales 2026: Deals on Ninja appliances, TVs, pool inflatables, tools, cooling bedding, and more

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:15:05 +0000

A quick look at our favorite 4th of July sales

SharkNinja

save up to 30% on kitchen appliances, vacuums, and more

Bear Mattress

save 35% sitewide

Oru Kayak

save 20% sitewide

Home Depot

save up to 30% on appliances, furniture, grills, and more, plus get free tools

Funboy

save 25% sitewide

Best Buy

save up to 45% on TVs, up to $400 on select MacBooks and iPads, and more

It doesn't matter if Prime Day runs for a singular day or nearly 100 hours like the 2026 sale last week — it's easy to get overwhelmed and forget to buy something. Luckily, Prime Day 2026's unusual timing means we get to flow directly into 4th of July sales.

If there are any items still lingering on your summer shopping list, you have quite the host of July 4th sales to shop over the long weekend. As always, home gear like bedding and mattresses, countertop appliances, and tools are major 4th of July themes, as well as the outdoor items that come to mind when you think "fun in the sun": inflatables, kayaks, fire pits, and more are on sale.

Below, we're tracking the best 4th of July deals through the holiday weekend:

Home deals

AirDoctor: Save up to $709 on air purifier bundles
Caraway Home: Save up to 15% on cookware and bakeware
Cozy Earth: Save 20% when you buy three or more items
Crate & Barrel: Save up to 60% on dinnerware and drinkware, 35% on kitchen brands, and 30% on furniture
Cuisinart:
Ecobee: Save 25% on smart home thermostats
Home Depot: Save up to 30% on home appliances, living room and patio furniture, up to $165 on power tools, and up to $250 on grills
IKEA: Save up to 50% on furniture and storage, home textiles, pillows, and more
Joybird: Save up to 45% off on bestselling furniture and 35% sitewide
KitchenAid: Save up to 25% on select countertop appliances
Levoit: Save up to 40% on air purifiers, tower fans, and cordless vacuums
Lovesac: Save 40% sitewide
Lowe's: Save up to 45% on select major appliances, up to 40% on lighting and ceiling fans, up to 30% on gardening products, and more
Mellow Sleep: Save up to 50% sitewide
Michael's: Save 50% on all red, white, and blue party decor, up to 60% on summer party and craft supplies, BOGO frames and shadow boxes, plus save 30% on all regular price purchases
Nest New York: Save 25% sitewide on Limited Editions
Nutribullet: Save up to 44% on blenders and ice cream makers
PetSmart: Save 15% when you spend $50 on same-day delivery
Pluto Pillow: Save $25 on a custom pillow + pillow case set
Pottery Barn: Save up to 70% on select outdoor furniture, bathroom accessories, quilts, and more, plus an extra 20% on select styles
Revival Rugs: Save 20% sitewide
Rugs Direct: Save up to 80% sitewide on brands like Safavieh, Chris Loves Julia, Loloi, Rifle Paper Co., and Rugs USA
SharkNinja: Save up to 30% on Ninja kitchen appliances and Shark vacuums, hair tools, and fans
Target: Save up to 25% on sunscreen, up to 20% on inflatable pools and water toys, and more
Wayfair: Save up to 70% on indoor and outdoor rugs, umbrellas, gazebos, mattresses, pillows, and more

Mattress deals

Avocado: Save up to 15% on organic mattresses
Bear: Save 35% sitewide
Brooklyn Bedding: Save 30% sitewide
DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses and 66% on bundles
Eight Sleep: Save up to $500 on Pods and accessories
Helix: Save 20% sitewide with code JULY20, 25% on Luxe mattresses with code LUXE25, and 30% on Elite mattresses with code ELITE30
Nectar: Save up to 50% on mattresses + 66% on bundles
Purple: Save up to $800 on a mattress and base
Saatva: Save up to $650 on mattresses or up to $750 on bundles
Tuft & Needle: Save 25% on all bundles
Zinus: Save up to 60% off, plus get an additional 20% off

Bedding deals

Baloo: Save $30 on weighted throw blanket + cotton duvet cover bundle
Breescape: Save 30% sitewide
Brooklinen: Save 25% sitewide
Buffy: Save 20% sitewide
Coyuchi: Save up to 40% sitewide
Cozy Earth: Save 20% on bedding bundles and save 15% sitewide with code MASHABLE
Ettitude: Save up to 25% sitewide and up to 70% on final sale
Naturepedic: Save 20% on organic bedding + get a free muslin blanket
Rest: Save up to 40% on cooling comforters and sheets
Silk & Snow: Save 20% on all sheets

Beauty deals

Dyson: Save up to $130 on the Dyson Airwrap i.d., Airstrait, and Supersonic Nural
FabFitFun: Get a free Bonus Box worth $250 when you sign up for a membership
L'ange: Save up to 50% sitewide
Shark: Save up to $120 on the Shark FlexStyle, Glam, and SpeedStyle

Outdoor deals

Bote: Save up to 20% on Hangout inflatables, kayaks and paddle boards, and more
Diadem Sports: Save up to 50% sitewide on pickleball paddles, grips, and more
Dick's Sporting Goods: Save up to 50% on bikes, running shoes, kayaks, swimsuits and swim trunks, and more
Funboy: Save 25% sitewide
HOVERAir: Save up to 50% sitewide
JisuLife: Save up to 45% on handheld portable fans
Oru Kayak: Save 20% sitewide
REI: Save up to 50% on REI Co-op, Vuori, Hoka, The North Face, and more
Solo Stove: Save 20% on select fire pits and pizza ovens
TGW: Save up to 50% on select golf cart bags, golf stands, clothing and shoes, and drivers

TV deals

For even more 4th of July TV deals, check out our story of the best Prime Day TV deals — almost every model is still at its Prime Day price as of July 2.

Hisense 50-inch E7 Cinema Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $398.99 ~~$699~~ (save $300.01)
Hisense 50-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K Art TV — $649.99 ~~$1,299.99~~ (save $650)
Insignia 55-inch F50 Series 4K TV — $179.99 ~~$349.99~~ (save $170)
LG 55-inch 75B QNED 4K TV — $379.99 ~~$599.99~~ (save $220)
Hisense 55-inch U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $529.99 ~~$849.99~~ (save $320)
Samsung 55-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $997.99 ~~$1,397.99~~ (save $400)
Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $698.99 ~~$1,099.99~~ (save $401)
Hisense 65-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K Art TV — $799.99 ~~$1,299.99~~ (save $500)
TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $997.99 ~~$1,499.99~~ (save $502)
Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 ~~$2,499.99~~ (save $1,300)
Hisense 65-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $1,299.99 ~~$1,999.99~~ (save $700)
LG 75-inch 75B QNED 4K TV — $699.99 ~~$999.99~~ (save $300)
Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $848.99 ~~$1,399.99~~ (save $249.01)
TCL 75-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 ~~$1,999.99~~ (save $602)
Hisense 75-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K Art TV — $1,398.99 ~~$2,499.99~~ (save $1,101)
Hisense 75-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $1,699.99 ~~$2,499.99~~ (save $800)
LG 77-inch C5 OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 ~~$3,699.99~~ (save $1,700)
Insignia 85-inch QF QLED 4K TV — $659.99 ~~$1,099.99~~ (save $440)
Hisense 85-inch QD6 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $749.99 ~~$1,099.99~~ (save $350)

Tech deals

Garmin: Save $50 on the Venu 4, $100 on the Forerunner 70, $40 on the Vívofit Jr. 3, $100 on the Tread 2 Overland Edition, and more
Best Buy: Save up to 45% on select TVs, up to $400 on select MacBooks and iPads, up to $600 on select Windows devices, and more
HP: Save up to 72% on OmniBook laptops, Omen gaming PCs, All-in-One desktops, and more
LG: Save up $1,300 on wall ovens, washers and dryers, and more
Tile: Save up to 30% on trackers

Here’s everyone were expecting at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:41:15 +0000

Taylor Swift once joked that "anyone I’ve ever talked to" would be invited to her wedding.

Apparently, she was not kidding.

So who is reportedly going? Let’s check the seating chart.

Gigi Hadid

Credit: XNY/Getty Images

Gigi Hadid is not just expected to be a guest. She is reportedly part of the bridal party. Hadid and Swift’s friendship dates back to 2014, and Hadid has publicly supported Swift’s relationship with Kelce, writing in 2023 that they were "over the moon" for her. Swift was seen arriving at Hadid’s New York City apartment on July 1, just days before the reported wedding. Nothing to get you wedding ready like girl-time with your best friend!

Selena Gomez

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Selena Gomez is another obvious Swift guest, and another reported bridesmaid. The two have been best friends for over 17 year — Swift even has a song about Gomez called "dorthea." Gomez has been filming Only Murders in the Building in London but is expected to fly back to New York for the festivities.

Abigail Anderson Berard

Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage

Andy Reid

Chiefs coach Andy Reid is also a shoe-in for an invitation. Reid joked on a radio show that he "probably" had an invite and would go if he did not outgrow his tuxedo. He also was spotted picking up his tuxedo on June 25. That is a lot of tuxedo activity for a man not going to a wedding.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz has been friends with Swift for years, she even co-wrote the song "Lavender Haze" on Midnights. People reported that a source close to Swift said Kravitz received an invitation, but her fiancé — Taylor Swift's ex boyfriend and 1989-muse — Harry Styles, has a concert scheduled in London that night. Hopefully he can make a late-night flight across the pond and get to MSG in time.

Ed Sheeran

Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Ed Sheeran is also one of Swift's oldest friends and collaborators — and he's already been spotted in New York about 60 miles from Aaron Dessner’s Hudson Valley recording studio. Swift herself teased his likely involvement during an October interview on the U.K.’s Hits Radio Breakfast Show, when she was asked whether Sheeran would sing at her wedding and replied that it would be hard to keep him from it. How I wish I could experience that private concert.

Sabrina Carpenter

Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

Suki Waterhouse

Mariska Hargitay

Credit: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Mariska Hargitay and Swift have been connected for years, especially through one very furry friend: Swift's cat, named Olivia after Hargitay's Law & Order SVU character. Fans have already started to watch Hargitay’s Broadway schedule because her show Every Brilliant Thing had a break on July 3, the reported wedding date. Hopefully she can make it, considering they looked like they had a pretty fun time together at the Knicks game.

Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw

Jack Antonoff

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Cara Delevingne

The Haim sisters

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim have been part of Swift’s inner circle for years, and are expected to be wedding guests. Their current Swiftworld relevance is also very MSG-specific: Este, Alana, and Swift made headlines at Game 4 of the NBA Finals for their punny “Knicks” graphic-t-shirts.

Graham Norton

Graham Norton has the clearest paper trail of almost any non-family invitee. In Oct. 2025, Swift appeared on The Graham Norton Show to promote The Life of a Showgirl and told Norton she planned to invite him. That invite was, seemingly, not empty. Norton was pictured arriving at JFK airport July 2, ahead of the reported wedding weekend. Norton also joked on his Wanging On podcast in January that he had signed "so many NDAs," though he later clarified that was a "joke." Sure, Graham. Sure.

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes

George and Claire Kittle

How about the New York Knicks’ starting lineup?

The ultimate Taylor Swift wedding playlist: 13 songs fit for the big day

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:08:25 +0000

Taylor Swift's wedding hasn't even happened yet, and it's already become the internet's biggest event of the summer.

Between TikTok breakdowns, Reddit megathreads, and minute-by-minute updates from press and photographers stationed outside of Madison Square Garden in New York City — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's reported wedding venue — fans have been dissecting everything from security plans to celebrity arrivals. There are enough rumors and speculation to make even seasoned Swifties dizzy.

That got us wondering: If the world's biggest pop star is about to walk down the aisle, what Taylor Swift songs deserve a spot on the wedding playlist?

In honor of Swift's favorite number, here's our dream 13-song Taylor Swift wedding playlist.

"Lover"

If one Taylor Swift song was destined for weddings, it's this one. A timeless waltz wrapped in intimate lyrics, "Lover" has become a first-dance staple for countless couples. Released during Swift's pink-hued, heart-on-her-sleeve Lover era, it's romantic without veering into cheese, capturing not just the magic of a wedding day but the quiet promise of the life two people are about to build together.

"Love Story"

No Taylor Swift wedding playlist would be complete without the Fearless song that made generations of fans believe in fairy tales. More than 15 years after its release, "Love Story" still feels tailor-made for a wedding reception singalong.

"Paper Rings"

"I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings." Need we say more? It's joyful, chaotic, and impossible not to dance to in a pop-punk kind of way — a reminder that the relationship matters far more than the diamonds. (Though, have you seen the massive old mine cut diamond engagement ring?)

"So High School"

If one song belongs to Taylor and Travis, it's this one. Fans have long connected "So High School" to Kelce thanks to its football imagery, playful flirtation, and unmistakable sense of giddy new love. ("You know how to ball, I know Aristotle" is unfortunately one of Swift's funniest lyrics.)

Whether or not it actually makes the wedding playlist, it's become the unofficial soundtrack to their relationship. Its nostalgic, '90s-pop sound and playful, butterflies-in-your-stomach energy make it a natural fit for any reception.

"Mary's Song (Oh My My My)"

An early-career deep cut became one of Swifties' favorite Tayvis songs after Taylor mashed it up with "So High School" and "Everything Has Changed" on the Eras Tour, weaving in the lyric, "I'll be 87, you'll be 89" — playful a wink to Kelce's jersey number and Swift's birth year.

If there was ever an Easter egg disguised as a love song, this is it.

"Invisible String"

Some love stories feel destined. That's the idea behind the red string theory, the East Asian folk belief that two people who are meant to be together are connected by an invisible red thread, no matter how far apart life takes them.

Folklore's "Invisible String" imagines that same kind of fate, tracing two lives that were quietly intertwined long before they ever crossed paths. Whether you believe in soulmates or simply good timing, it's one of Swift's most tender meditations on finding the right person. (Joe Alwyn, you will always be remembered for your contributions to the Taylor Swift discography.)

"You Are in Love"

Truly one of the best love songs in Swift's entire catalog, "You Are in Love" doesn't rely on grand gestures. Instead, the 1989 deluxe cut celebrates the tiny moments that define a relationship — the shared glances, the routines, the comfort of simply knowing someone.

"Daylight"

By the time Lover closes with "Daylight," Swift has left behind the dramatic, all-consuming romances that defined so much of her earlier work. Instead, love becomes something calmer. Healthier. Brighter. Warmer. It's less about the wedding day than the marriage that comes after it. After years of searching in the dark, she's finally found someone who feels like daylight.

"Everything Has Changed"

Swift and Ed Sheeran's Red-era duet captures the butterflies of realizing your life might be about to change forever after meeting someone for the first time. In many ways, it feels like the grown-up, grounded counterpart to "Enchanted" — less about wondering if someone feels the same way and more about recognizing, almost instantly, that your life has changed. It's sweet, understated, and ideal for cocktail hour or dinner.

And if Sheeran happens to be in attendance, no one would complain if the longtime collaborators dusted it off for one more duet.

"King of My Heart"

When it's finally time to fill the dance floor, let Reputation have its moment. "King of My Heart" delivers all the romance without sacrificing energy, making it one of Swift's strongest reception songs. Consider it the perfect soundtrack for introducing Mr. Taylor Swift himself, the king of her heart. If only those castle rumors were true...

"Call It What You Want"

Despite its marketing, Reputation is actually one of Swift's most romantic albums. Half of the album is about falling in love. And one of its most intimate tracks, "Call It What You Want," is about finding peace in a relationship while the rest of the world keeps talking.

For one of the most famous couples on the planet, that message feels especially fitting.

"New Year's Day"

Picture this: the flowers have been packed away, the guests have gone home, the party is over. "New Year's Day" reminds us that a wedding lasts one day, but marriage is about who's still there helping clean up afterward. Few songs capture that sentiment more beautifully.

"Long Live"

No gathering is complete without at least one singalong of "Long Live." Every great wedding deserves one last anthem. Whether it's the final song of the night or simply one that brings everyone onto the dance floor with their arms around each other, "Long Live" is less about romance than gratitude — for the people who helped you get to this moment and the memories you'll carry long after the last dance.

Learn everything from a book in just 15 minutes with this $49 lifetime subscription

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Headway condenses the books you don’t have time to read, and through July 5, a lifetime subscription is only $49.

Credit: Headway

Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription

$48.99
$299.95 Save $250.96

Buying a book is easy. Actually reading it takes a lot of time, and that investment doesn’t even guarantee it’ll be worth it. Headway is a mobile app that condenses more than 2,000 nonfiction and fiction bestsellers into 15-minute summaries you can read or listen to, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for $48.99 (reg. $299.95) through July 5.

Headway pulls insights from books across business, psychology, productivity, health and wellness, and fiction. Each summary is available in text and audio, with audio versions narrated by professional voice actors rather than a synthetic read. Audiocasts let you queue summaries like podcast episodes for a long drive or a workout block. New titles get added monthly, so the catalog keeps moving forward.

Past the summaries themselves, Headway runs on a layer of features that help new ideas stick. Self-growth plans group related titles around a single learning goal, so each session builds toward something instead of feeling random. Highlights save as interactive flashcards that resurface at spaced intervals to lock the lessons in. Quizzes test recall after a reading, and trivia questions surface curious facts in between. Brainy, the app’s in-house mascot, even shows up to keep the streak going when motivation dips. The touch sounds silly until it works.

Daily microlearning sessions push a single insight to the home screen, Video Role-Plays drop you into real scenarios to apply what a summary teaches, and a Screen Locker shuts down distracting apps during a session. Downloads work offline for flights or commutes without service. A Sleep Timer turns a summary into a bedtime story for adults, replacing the usual phone scroll right before lights out. Curated collections also surface based on goals you set during onboarding, so the library narrows itself around the topics you set as priorities.

Until 11:59 p.m. PT on July 5, you can get a Headway Lifetime Subscription for only $48.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Heres everyone who definitely wont be at Taylor Swifts wedding

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:44:08 +0000

For a wedding with a reported 1,000-person guest list, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s alleged Madison Square Garden celebration still appears to have a velvet rope.

While plenty of A-listers are reportedly gearing up for the alleged big night, there is also a pretty long list of people who appear set to watch the wedding content on Instagram like the rest of us.

Keep reading for the reported, rumored, and heavily speculated names we do not expect to see inside the Garden tomorrow night.

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

The reported strain stems from Lively's legal battle with Justin Baldoni over It Ends With Us, which pulled Swift into the surrounding drama even though she was not part of the film.

Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry

Karlie Kloss

Kloss' wedding status, however, is messy. Some outlets have reported she is not invited, while TMZ suggested the opposite. Given that she sat GA at the Eras Tour, I'm going to go with the former.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

Scooter Braun

So yes, Braun's absence would be expected.

Calvin Harris

John Mayer

That "cheap songwriting" was inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame, but I digress.

Charli XCX

Charli is also engaged to George Daniel, the drummer for The 1975 — the same band fronted by Matty Healy, whom Swift briefly dated in 2023 and wrote an entire album about in 2024.

Kayla Nicole

After Kelce and Swift announced their engagement in Aug. 2025, Nicole posted about choosing "joy" on Instagram Stories. More recently, in Feb. 2026, she reflected on her last serious relationship during a TikTok Live and described the breakup as potentially a "right person, wrong time" situation.

Gay dating app Goose accused of using AI models to drum up interest

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:24:19 +0000

People on social media are already honking about the new gay dating app Goose, due to a Wired investigation that claims it might be using AI-generated men to advertise the app.

Goose, founded by actor and model Derek Chadwick, markets itself as an "anti-algorithm" app. It's membership only, and there are no matches, but users can "wave" to each other.

Before Goose launched, gay men already had plenty of apps to choose from. There's Grindr, which is ubiquitous and easily the most well-known, but over the past few years, users have complained about paywalled features and a buggy user interface. Additionally, there are the apps Sniffies — which dating app conglomerate Match Group just invested $100 million in — SCRUFF, Jack'd, and the new-for-mobile Squirt (to name a few).

And one is no longer: During Pride Month, Match sunset its "intentional" gay dating app Archer.

In this crowded market, people on social media are describing random men DMing them and adding them to their Close Friends stories, only to promote Goose — and these men might be AI-generated.

Wired found more than two dozen Instagram accounts created in May or June 2026 that posted only a few times, suggesting they might be inauthentic. Wired also ran images from the accounts through AI detectors, and there was a high likelihood that AI was used to create these profiles. As Mashable previously reported, these AI checkers aren't foolproof, but combined with other factors, Wired — and gay men the accounts are DMing — have reported that these men may be fake, created solely for the purpose of promoting Goose.

Reached for comment, Goose provided this statement: Goose is disrupting the gay app space by creating a place where real people can make real friends, dates, and community – our team hand-picked every person who received an invite to our app, and we are proud of the community we are building. We work 24/7 to keep our app safe and free of the fake profiles that have soured other platforms. Clearly, our competitors are taking notice.

The Federal Trade Commission prohibits false advertising, Wired noted, and requires disclosure on social media ads.

UPDATE: Jul. 2, 2026, 5:56 p.m. EDT This article was updated to include a statement from Goose.

Despite the backlash, Donald Trump is using AI again

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:13:28 +0000

At a time when AI is facing a growing backlash, when even his own administration is tiptoeing towards real regulatory oversight of the industry, President Donald Trump is doubling down on his own usage of what can only be described as AI slop — this time containing dubious deepfakes.

On July 1, Trump posted an AI-generated video casting himself as "Doctor Trump," a white-coat-wearing physician offering a "treatment plan" for “Trump Derangement Syndrome," a phrase he and his supporters have long used to attack his critics.

The clip opens like a pharmaceutical ad, with an AI-generated Trump wearing a stethoscope and telling viewers he has a plan to treat TDS. It then cuts to fake versions of celebrity critics, including Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts, Rosie O’Donnell, Edward Norton, and John Leguizamo, who appear as "patients" describing their supposed symptoms and recovery.

The fake De Niro says he could not eat or sleep, and was "constantly angry." The fake O’Donnell says she had been "suffering for over a decade." The fake Goldberg describes herself as a lost cause. The clip ends with Trump’s AI persona prescribing a mix of media criticism, prayer, and Diet Coke.

Social media, outside Trump's MAGA followers, was not amused.

This is not Trump's only bizarre interaction with AI this week. On Wednesday, the president visited the newly built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, where he interacted with an AI version of Roosevelt.

The library, which opens to the public on July 4, lets visitors explore Roosevelt’s letters, speeches, photographs, and other archival material, including via a lifelike AI version of the former president, all created with help from Microsoft.

During the visit, Trump asked the AI Roosevelt whether the Panama Canal was his greatest achievement. The digital Roosevelt said the canal was one of his proudest achievements, but also pointed to parks, medicine, and the Square Deal.

Trump later told the audience he had "a conversation with Theodore Roosevelt," a comment which circulated online before clips made clear he was referring to the library’s AI exhibit. Not everyone was convinced, however.

This is all part of a broader pattern on Trump’s social feeds, where AI-generated images and videos have frequently found a home.

Earlier this week, Trump shared what appeared to be an AI image of a giant golden eagle attached to the White House’s Truman Balcony, calling it “A Golden Gift to the White House for its 250th Birthday Year." The "gift" was also shared by official White House social media accounts.

The image’s metadata suggested it was indeed created with Google Gemini. Photos taken later that evening showed no giant gold bird attached to the White House, which is generally the kind of thing people would notice.

Social media users wondered why the shield on the eagle appeared to include 11 stars instead of 13. Others mocked the design as “tacky” and questioned the caption — since 2026 marks 250 years since American independence, not 250 years since the White House was built (it was completed in 1800).

In April, Trump posted and then removed an AI-generated image that showed him as a Jesus-like figure healing a sick man. After backlash from conservative and religious figures including Riley Gaines, Megan Basham, and Bishop Robert Barron, Trump said he thought the image depicted him as a medical worker "making people better." He has also previously posted an AI image of himself as the Pope.

Trump has also shared AI-generated videos and images that place him in more stylized or exaggerated roles. In May, Trump went on a spree, posting more than 20 mostly AI-generated images or clips in about 90 minutes, including images targeting Barack Obama, Gavin Newsom, Hakeem Jeffries, JB Pritzker, and others.

Another AI-generated video, shared in June and created by Trump-backed congressional candidate Anthony Constantino, depicted Trump as a globe-trotting hero, including scenes of him riding a lion, appearing on Mount Rushmore, riding a camel, and appearing as beloved Japanese character Naruto.

The Naruto-style imagery added to an existing backlash from anime and manga fans in Japan, where about 20,000 people have signed a petition titled “Protect Japanese Manga” back in March protesting the White House’s use of imagery from Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Naruto, and other franchises in political posts.

According to the petition, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already contacted the U.S. Embassy in Japan over unauthorized use of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Nintendo imagery.

In short, AI has become a regular part of Trump’s online presence. Not in any serious policy-based sense, but as a tool for memes, self-promotion, political attacks, and spectacle.

We'll wait to see whether that helps Team Trump in the 2026 midterm elections. But with the president at an all-time low approval rating, and AI not faring much better in surveys, it's hard to see how such slop-like usage can do anything more than amuse his most hardcore fans.

Austin Evans says the biggest creator mindset shift is learning to think beyond the next video

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:52:46 +0000

After 17 years on YouTube, tech creator and Mashable 101 honoree Austin Evans has seen the creator economy evolve from an internet hobby into a full-fledged industry. Along the way, he's gone from solo creator to CEO, built a team, reinvented his content strategy, and learned that long-term success depends on thinking beyond the performance of any single video.

In this conversation with Mashable Culture Editor Crystal Bell at VidCon 2026, Evans reflects on the mindset shifts that helped him build a sustainable career, why he transformed his channel from straightforward tech reviews into entertainment-driven content, and how his perspective on AI has evolved.

He also shares why he no longer obsesses over subscriber counts, the metric he now focuses on, and why he believes authenticity will continue to matter on an increasingly AI-powered internet.

Watch the full interview above.

The Supreme Court’s strangest media tradition is still running

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:07:24 +0000

In 2026, the fastest news delivery system in Washington still appears to be a sweaty intern in sneakers.

After the Supreme Court handed down a series of major rulings on June 30 — including a landmark decision on birthright citizenship and rulings on transgender athletes and campaign finance limits — interns were once again seen sprinting from the court with printed opinions in hand.

The footage quickly turned into its own internet event, partly because the visual is irresistible and partly because everyone had the same questions: what is this tradition, and why are they still doing this?

Let us introduce the "running of the interns," one of Washington's strangest and most beloved rituals.

The tradition has existed in some form for decades, dating back to the print era of Supreme Court coverage. Because recording devices are banned inside the courtroom, hand-delivered opinions were once the fastest way for news organizations to get major rulings from the Court to reporters outside.

That job often fell to interns at media outlets such as CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and other news organizations covering the Court. They would wait for printed opinions inside or near the building, grab copies as soon as they were available, and race them to producers and correspondents stationed outside so their networks could report the decision as quickly as possible.

The "running of the interns" became a recognizable Washington media spectacle during the Bush v. Gore case in 2000, when TV networks were racing to report the decision that effectively settled a presidential election. In the years that followed, interns kept running on major decision days, including the 2012 Affordable Care Act ruling and the 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, which popularized the tradition.

The routine is simple: interns wait for printed opinions, grab the documents, and race them across the Court plaza to producers and correspondents preparing to go live. It's part breaking news, part relay race, part free cardio.

This tradition comes at a very digital time, when the Supreme Court posts opinions online — and PDFs are often available within moments of a ruling. I mean, the rule of birthright citizenship was posted online by SCOTUS the moment it was announced.

Plus, during the pandemic (March 2020 to June 2022), the Court actually released opinions exclusively online. Once that became normalized, the old paper relay started to feel less like a breaking-news necessity and more like a relic from another media era.

After this change, the concept was declared extinct. But the ritual clearly still has legs (pun intended), and the "run" is back, both IRL and online.

Many online are admiring the tradition — some to the point of tears — and the interns' hustle. Others find it absurd and intense. Some are tagging sneaker brands, begging them to turn the scene into an ad.

In a world where every major ruling instantly becomes a PDF, a push alert, a live blog, and a social post, there's something refreshing about watching young people sprint through the streets in business casual attire, driven purely by their love of breaking news.

Natalie Tran says content creation made her a better filmmaker

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:11:29 +0000

Natalie Tran has spent most of her life performing. She started acting at just 5 years old, built a career in theater and film, and eventually found an unexpected creative outlet through short-form videos on TikTok. But rather than replacing her acting ambitions, content creation has become a springboard for something bigger.

In this conversation with Mashable Culture Editor Crystal Bell at VidCon 2026, Tran reflects on what happened after one of her comedy sketches went viral and how she turned that momentum into a sustainable creative career. She explains why making short-form videos taught her the fundamentals of directing, editing, and storytelling, how those skills carried over into writing and directing her first short film, Passion Project, and why she believes creators are increasingly carving out their own path into film and television.

Tran also shares her philosophy on authenticity, balancing sketch comedy with her off-camera personality, navigating comments and metrics, and why she thinks passion — not algorithms — is still the most important ingredient for building a lasting career online.

Watch the full interview above.

Is Taylor Swift getting married this weekend? Everything we know.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:53:19 +0000

Taylor Swift's latest era? Bridal.

For months, fans have wondered when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce would finally say "I do" after announcing their engagement last August. This week, those questions shifted into overdrive as reports of heightened security and elaborate preparations around New York City's iconic Madison Square Garden fueled speculation that the wedding is just days away. The timing has only added to the frenzy — the celebration is rumored to coincide with Fourth of July weekend, a holiday Swift has long called one of her favorites and famously celebrates with her star-studded Rhode Island parties.

Whether you're a Swiftie refreshing your feed for to-the-minute updates or someone who just opened X to find "Taylor wedding" trending, it's easy to feel like you've missed a chapter.

The reports have been plentiful. The theories, even more so. Here's everything we know about the rumored wedding weekend, along with what hasn't been confirmed yet.

Is Taylor Swift getting married this weekend?

It certainly seems that way.

After months of speculation following their engagement, multiple reports now point to the 4th of July weekend as the couple's long-awaited wedding celebration. On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that Swift and Kelce are expected to wed at Madison Square Garden on Friday evening, with a more intimate rehearsal dinner planned for Thursday night. People, meanwhile, has spent the week chronicling the wedding preparations, reporting everything from a black-tie dress code and no-phone policy to celebrity guests arriving in New York ahead of the festivities.

The preparations around New York City's Madison Square Garden have only fueled the excitement, as workers wearing Taylor Swift t-shirts have been spotted unloading equipment from trucks outside the Manhattan arena.

That said, neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly confirmed a wedding date or venue. As with nearly every milestone in their relationship, the couple appears to be keeping the biggest details under wraps until they're ready to share them.

Why is Madison Square Garden at the center of the wedding rumors?

If you've seen Madison Square Garden trending alongside Swift's name, you're not imagining things.

The iconic arena has become the focal point of wedding speculation after reports of extensive event preparations, increased security measures, and activity surrounding the venue began circulating online. Fans quickly connected the dots, wondering whether one of the world's most recognizable entertainment venues could also become the backdrop for the biggest celebrity wedding of the year.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani even addressed the rumors during a recent press conference about the extreme heat wave hitting the city this weekend. "My recommendation to all New Yorkers is to stay inside and stay cool. And if you happen to be getting married at Madison Square Garden, you will be staying inside, and you will be staying cool. And I think it's a good example to set for the city at large."

The mayor followed up with an Instagram post advising New Yorkers on ways to beat the heat. "Here’s what you should know about the historic heat wave headed our way," the post read. "Especially if you’re (hypothetically) having your wedding at MSG this weekend."

Whether the Garden is hosting the ceremony itself, part of the festivities, or simply another event tied to the wedding weekend remains unconfirmed.

Who's rumored to be attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding?

A Taylor Swift wedding was never going to be a quiet affair, at least on the internet. And the star-studded, 1000-person guest list is shaping up to be almost as headline-worthy as the wedding itself.

Several attendees have either confirmed their invitations or have been identified through reporting. Among them are San Francisco 49er George Kittle, Claire Kittle, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, Graham Norton, and Suki Waterhouse. Other close friends, including Ed Sheeran and Zoë Kravitz, are widely expected to attend, though their invitations haven't been publicly confirmed.

One notable absence? Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. After weeks of speculation, People reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales won't be making the trip to New York after all. However, the kings of New York — aka the Knicks starting five — reportedly did make the guest list.

Who else makes the final guest list remains one of the weekend's biggest mysteries. With Swift's decades-long friendships across music, film, and television, and Kelce's ties to the NFL, fans are expecting no shortage of A-list arrivals. We'll be on the lookout for Swift's childhood BFF Abigail Anderson.

What has Taylor Swift actually confirmed?

Officially? Almost nothing. That's become something of a pattern for Swift. While fans have become experts at decoding Easter eggs, the singer has increasingly chosen to share life's biggest milestones on her own terms — and often after the fact.

Beyond announcing their engagement, neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly shared details about wedding plans, including the date, venue, or ceremony. Instead, much of what the public knows has come from reporting by outlets including the Associated Press, The New York Times, and People, which have pieced together details from permits, venue preparations, and sources familiar with the celebration.

Until Swift or Kelce makes it official, everything falls on a spectrum from credible reporting to enthusiastic internet detective work.

When will we know for sure?

Probably when Taylor Swift wants us to.

According to People, guests have been instructed to follow a strict no-phone policy, with phones reportedly being collected upon arrival. Combined with the event's extensive security measures, that could make this one of the rare celebrity weddings where very little leaks in real time.

Of course, this is Taylor Swift we're talking about. If anyone can pull off one of the year's most anticipated events without the internet immediately spoiling it, it's probably her.

Until then, the wedding remains exactly where Swift has always seemed most comfortable: at the center of the internet's attention, with millions of people trying to decode the plan while the mastermind stays one step ahead.

How Jessica McCabe turned How to ADHD into a trusted online resource

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:24:16 +0000

Jessica McCabe didn't start her channel, "How to ADHD," with the goal of becoming one of YouTube's leading mental health creators. She started it because she needed somewhere she wouldn't lose her own notes.

At VidCon 2026, McCabe sat down with Mashable reporter Bethany Allard to discuss how that personal project evolved into a trusted resource for millions of people living with ADHD. She shares how her research process has changed over the years, why she works with researchers to ensure every video is evidence-based, how she built a team around the channel, and what she's learned about balancing authenticity with the responsibility of creating mental health content.

Watch the full conversation above.

The lovely Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower has hit a new record-low price at Amazon — save over $10

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 2, the Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower (10372) has dropped to a new low price of $55.95 at Amazon. That's $14.04 off its full price of $69.99.

Credit: Lego

Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower Building (10372)

$55.95 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $14.04

If you're looking for a sweet Lego set to piece together this summer, look no further than the Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower (10372).

This build is a delightfully colorful display for your home, and if you're hoping to grab it, we have good news: Amazon has it on sale right now. Even better, it's sitting at a new all-time low price. As of July 2, Amazon has slashed the price of this set down to $55.95, which is $14.04 off its original full price. Who knows how long it'll stay at this price.

The 660-piece Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower creates a pretty purple hibiscus flower display that features five large flowers, four buds that are opening, and two young flower nodes

Of course, the real highlight here is that this floral display will last you forever. No need to worry about watering or maintenance, which is a big win if caring for flowers and plants isn't really your strong suit. It's also worth noting that it's recommended for adults ages 18 and up. However, if you know someone younger who's interested, just help them out with the assembly.

This Lego deal is one you definitely don't want to miss. Act fast to grab the Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower at a new low price at Amazon.

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

All the states Pornhub is blocked in now

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:31:52 +0000

The explicit tube site Pornhub is now blocked in 25 U.S. states.

This is due to age-verification laws. These laws vary state by state, but typically require visitors of a site with over a third of explicit content to submit a government ID or other form of age authentication. Louisiana was the first state to enact such a bill a couple of years ago, and now others have followed suit. In June, the Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for such bills that come before and after.

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According to one preliminary study, age verification won't work to keep minors off porn sites. This is because of software like VPNs that allow someone to appear to be in a different location, and because of non-compliant websites. (The Florida attorney general is suing foreign-based porn sites for not instituting age verification.) Yet, these laws keep getting passed — and are encroaching on non-explicit websites as well, experts told Mashable.

While Pornhub is not blocked in Louisiana, it is blocked in these states:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Idah
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming

Pornhub isn't blocked in Ohio despite the state's age-verification law, due to a clause stating that establishing age verification methods doesn't apply to a provider of an interactive computer service (Aylo considers itself one).

In Louisiana, where users must submit ID to view Pornhub, the site has seen traffic decline by around 80 percent, Aylo (Pornhub's parent company) told Mashable.

"These people did not stop looking for porn. They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don't ask users to verify age, that don't follow the law, that don't take user safety seriously, and that often don't even moderate content. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and children," Aylo stated when asked for comment by Mashable back in January.

In a statement to Mashable, Aylo continued:

Industry experts say that, in addition to not working for their intended purpose, age verification laws also raise concerns about privacy protection and safety since websites now have to host (even more of) people's personal information. It will be harder to be anonymous online, which experts warn is dangerous to free speech. Adult industry experts Mashable spoke to in an explainer on age-verification laws advocated for device-level filters, as did Aylo in its statement.

Some in the adult industry worry about what Trump's second presidential term will bring due to the conservative policy outline Project 2025 and its measures to ban porn. One of Project 2025's authors, Russell Vought, was caught on a secret recording stating that age-verification laws are the "back door" to a broader porn ban.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Iowa

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:25:17 +0000

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

The world of porn continues to be rocked by new laws that require visitors to upload ID before accessing sites. After a number of states introduced these restrictions, Pornhub hit back by banning visitors from these locations. It's an ongoing battle that shows no signs of slowing down.

Age-verification laws for adult content have now been passed in Iowa. Pornhub has not yet been banned in Iowa, but access is still restricted. Fortunately, users can bypass these restrictions in just a few simple steps.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Iowa

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

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub

Credit: ExpressVPN

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

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

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Unblock Pornhub for free in Iowa with ExpressVPN.