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Happy birthday, America. Nearly 250 years ago, delegates representing the Thirteen Colonies gathered in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence, severing America's ties to Great Britain. It's a monumental moment in U.S. history, which is why there will be many celebrations across the country this weekend. If you have some downtime during the holiday weekend, it's the perfect time to stream a documentary centered on America's 250th anniversary.

SAVE $200.99: The Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum is on sale for $299 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $499.99. That's a 40% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum $299 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $200.99   Get Deal

It's time for summer fun in the pool. While hotter and hotter summers prove uncomfortable for plenty of situations, things are still enjoyable outside while in the pool. There's only the slight issue of who has to clean the pool. Instead of dealing with the hassle, check out this Amazon deal that solves the issue.

As of July 1, the Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum is on sale for $299 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $499.99. That's a 40% discount.

Designed to clean for up to 180 minutes at a time and cover up to 1,937 square feet, the Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 is about to become the savior of summer. It's great for both in-ground and above-ground pools. Plus, it can work on a variety of pool materials like fiberglass and pebble stone. Shape is also a non-issue since the Ecovacs can handle everything.

SEE ALSO: Backup your home for less — the Anker Solix F3800 power station is $300 off at Amazon

When it comes to cleaning power, the Ultramarine P1 uses 4,800 GPH suction to rid your pool of sand, dirt, leaves, and other debris that tends to land in the pool. The two-layered filter can capture hair, twigs, fine dust, and even algae.

From the Ecovacs app, you can set a cleaning schedule, choose from three suction modes, and set the overall run time.

While it's on sale for under $300, upgrade your summer fun with the Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum. It's a cost-efficient way to make sure the pool is always clean when you're ready to take a dip.

SAVE $300: As of July 1, the Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,697.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 15%, which is its best price to date (still live from Prime Day).

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV $1,697.99 at Amazon
$1,997.99 Save $300   Get Deal

Got a new TV on your wishlist? I suggest graduating to an OLED model if you want an upgrade that makes a noticeable difference.

OLED TVs have a more advanced lighting system and are noticeably more vibrant and detailed than QLEDs, particularly while watching dim scenes or in dark rooms. They also come with steeper price tags, of course, but you can still grab one of Samsung's 2026 OLED models for its Prime Day price if you act fast.

As of July 1, the Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV is still down to $1,697.99 at Amazon post-Prime Day. That's $300 off its list price and its best price on record.

The S85H is Samsung's most affordable OLED TV for 2026, with the S90H and S95H (which we crowned the best OLED TV of 2026) available as the premium upgrades. It features a remarkably thin panel and an NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, which can upscale older content to 4K. Unlike the its more expensive siblings, the S85H showcases a glossy screen, which will preserve black levels better in bright rooms, but could be more prone to reflections.

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Other features like Color Booster Pro, AI Customization Mode, Real Depth Enhancer, Voice Amplifier Pro, and Motion Based Sound, all work together to deliver a personalized, immersive viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and acceptable input lag also make the S85H worthy of console gaming.

Consider the 65-inch (the sweet spot for most people) S85H OLED 4K TV if you want a Samsung OLED model that offers the best picture quality for the best price.

SAVE OVER $600: As of July 1, the Anker Solix C2000 is on sale for $849.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C2000 $849.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $649.01   Get Deal

The Anker Solix C2000 is back on sale at Amazon. As of July 1, this portable power station is almost half its usual price. Normally $1,499, it is now reduced to $849.99.

It's a reliable portable power station that delivers 2,400W rated output and up to 4,000W peak, making it powerful enough to run multiple appliances at once, including bigger devices like window or RV air conditioners. A two-door fridge can run for up to 32 hours with this model.

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Despite this power capacity, it's actually relatively compact and lightweight, weighing only 41.7 pounds. This makes it a great power source for camping vacations and road trips. Anker also states it was designed with space-saving in mind, and is 25% lighter and 29% smaller than similar units. So you don't need to worry about it taking up lots of space when you're away from home.

It comes with lots of smart features that improve efficiency, such as fast charging. You get six recharging methods including AC and solar (solar panels are sold separately), allowing a full recharge in as little as 58 minutes.

This portable power station deal is available right now at Amazon, so don't miss out.

It's been 17 years since Plugable introduced its first universal docking station, the humble UD-160-A. It was a uniquely functional and intuitive USB 2.0 device that expanded a laptop's capabilities without any proprietary connectors or mental guesswork.

On the very same day Sony announced it would no longer produce physical discs for PlayStation games starting in Jan. 2028, Microsoft signaled it might do something similar for Xbox.

However, it seems Microsoft is being thoughtful about all those gamers who already have a library of video games on physical discs.

According to a new report from The Verge, Microsoft employees are currently testing a new Xbox feature called "Disc2Digital" which would digitize physical game discs. 

The feature just recently launched in the test phase, but was first noticed after “enable Disc2Digital” was discovered in the Xbox PC app code back in May. 

SEE ALSO: Xbox layoffs, studio closures could start in days

Disc-to-digital games will work much like regular digital games on Xbox. Disc-to-digital games will be available on Xbox Cloud Gaming and users can stream the game with a Game Pass subscription. If the digital title is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, the disk-to-digital version will also be available on PCs and handheld devices.

Users must be signed in to an Xbox account on an Xbox console to be granted a digital entitlement for the physical game.

Physical discs will continue to work even after the game has been digitized. However, the disc-to-digital game will be tied to the physical copy. This means if a user sells the physical disc or gives it away, they will no longer have access to the digital version. The disk-to-digital game will move from the original Xbox account to the new Xbox account based on its connection to the physical game.

The Verge reports that the disc-to-digital feature will work on most Xbox One and Xbox Series X game discs. Microsoft has told testers that some Xbox One discs may not be compatible with the feature. Disc2Digital will also not work with physical discs for the original Xbox or Xbox 360 game consoles.

While Disc2Digital seems like a sign that Microsoft plans on doing away with physical game discs like Sony, the company has yet to confirm the move to go fully digital. The move from physical discs to digital games seems inevitable, even though many gamers prefer to have physical media. However, the main complaint among gamers about digital games has long been the inability to fully own their purchases. There have been instances where digital media has been pulled from a consumer's library or made unavailable even after they purchase the title.

Even in its testing phase, Microsoft's Disc2Digital feature seems to show care towards its customers and their concerns about their purchases. 

If Microsoft does go fully digital like Sony in the future, Disc2Digital will go a long way in making the Xbox stand out from its competitors.

SAVE $420: As of July 1, get the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop for $879.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's a discount of 32%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop $879.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $420   Get Deal

Robot vacuums are one of those "the future is here" items that can actually help put a dent in your daily chore list. If you're looking to trade some cash for time and peace of mind, but you don't want to pay a small fortune for a great model, you're in luck. We've found one that's more than worth splurging on right now at Amazon.

As of July 1, get the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop for $879.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's $420 off and a discount of 32%.

SEE ALSO: The Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save over $100

This combo robot vacuum and mop can tackle even the most frustrating of messes all on its own, from bare floors to carpet and beyond. It offers powerful 25,000 Pa of suction with an anti-tangle system that's perfect for getting up ground-in dirt and debris, hair, and more.

It uses a special flexible arm to reach some of those areas that other robot vacuums can't get to, and uses a precision algorithm to guide it into sweeping those areas without your input, so all you're left with while you're up and about doing other things are simple, clean floors. It can avoid obstacles on its own with ease as well. In addition to mopping up messes both large and small, it can handle emptying its own reservoir, too — so you can truly let it go off on its own and be your own personal cleaning crew.

This premium robot vacuum and mop is the perfect choice if you've been wanting to get some time back from cleaning. It's a splurge, but made better since it's on sale. Best to pick it up discounted while you still can.

For Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson, Tubby Nugget has always been more than just a cute character.

At VidCon 2026, the creators behind the internet's beloved little nugget sat down with Mashable Culture Editor Crystal Bell to reflect on the journey from sketching the lovable character for fun to building a brand with plushies, collectibles, and a passionate community of fans. They also share what it's like meeting people who've formed real emotional connections with Tubby at conventions and other in-person events, where the character comes to life in a whole new way.

The conversation also dives into the business of expanding Tubby Nugget beyond social media, the challenges of growing a creator-led brand, and the unexpected story behind the Tubby Nugget x Obsession crossover that almost became a reality.

Watch the full interview above.

As of writing, my NVMe SSD is about four years old—old enough to make me think about replacing it. That said, with sky-high storage prices right now, part of me wants to hold off until the market settles down. The sensible move in that situation is to check whether your drive really needs replacing—but I didn’t expect I’d have to switch operating systems just to find the answers I was looking for.

SAVE 33%: Amazon's got the Sony 55-inch OLED 4K Ultra HD TV Bravia XR8B Smart Google TV on sale for $998, down from $1,499.99. That's a 33% discount or $501.99 in savings.

Sony 55-inch OLED 4K Ultra HD TV Bravia XR8B Smart Google TV $998 at Walmart
$1,499.99 Save $501.99   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon

Rumor has it the PlayStation 6 won't drop until late 2027, so you technically have plenty of time to prep your living room setup. But if your current TV is struggling to keep up with your PS5 graphics without lagging, you might want to jump on an upgrade a little early.

Right now, Amazon's got the Sony 55-inch OLED 4K Ultra HD TV Bravia XR8B Smart Google TV on sale for $998, down from $1,499.99. That's a 33% discount or $501.99 in savings. This is the lowest we've seen it go for since February.

SEE ALSO: Sony sued over high PlayStation Store 'monopoly' prices and download fees

As for the screen itself, it's an OLED, which means your picture should be crystal clear no matter how dark the scene is. It also has Google TV built right in, so you can pull up Netflix or Crunchyroll from the home screen.

Bonus: Since it's a Sony TV, it comes with exclusive PS5 features (like Auto HDR Tone Mapping) and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Some New York City proposals involve a skyline view. This one involved police custody.

Two people were arrested Wednesday, July 1, after climbing to the top of the Empire State Building, unfurling a banner, and apparently turning the whole thing into a marriage proposal 1,454 feet above midtown Manhattan.

The pair was spotted around noon on the building’s antenna, dressed in black and wearing face coverings. They attached a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." It's a take on a quote frequently attributed to guitarist Jimi Hendrix, but actually spoken by 19th-century British politician William Gladstone.

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After spending roughly half an hour near the top of the tower, the two began climbing down to a lower platform, where one appeared to get down on one knee. Because apparently the observation deck was too basic.

The climbers were identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, the Russian daredevil couple and content creators highlighted in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.

Nikolau, a former gymnast and the daughter of circus performers, and Beerkus, a longtime "rooftopper," have built their public personas around illegal climbs of skyscrapers and landmarks around the world. The documentary follows both their relationship and one of their most dangerous stunts: an attempt to scale Malaysia’s Merdeka 118, one of the tallest buildings on the planet.

Once at the top, the couple made sure to post to their social media, and the photos went immediately viral.

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Police took the pair into custody after they descended, while a spokesperson for The Empire State Building called the incident “unauthorized." Their social media team, on the other hand, used the moment to poke fun at another big event happening in New York City this week (cough Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce).

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It is still unclear how the climbers got access to the antenna, which rises far above the building’s public areas. The Empire State Building remained open during at least part of the incident, though the observation deck was reportedly later cleared as police responded.

This was not the first time someone had climbed the Empire State Building — daredevils and climbers, like Alain Roberthave, who scaled the building in 1994, have previously made their way onto the building’s antenna and other restricted areas, while Jared Leto legally scaled part of the landmark in 2023 to promote a Thirty Seconds to Mars tour.

As for proposals, this definitely was the first that didn't take place on the observation deck.

When Megan Letter uploaded her first YouTube video in 2013, she wasn't chasing a career. She simply loved playing The Sims and wanted to share that passion with other people online.

More than a decade later, she's watched the internet reinvent itself time and time again. Algorithms have changed. Short-form video has reshaped audience habits. Monetization has shifted across platforms. Through it all, MeganPlays has continued to evolve without losing sight of the thing she believes matters most: building a genuine connection with her community.

In this VidCon edition of Creator Playbook, the gaming creator reflects on the lessons she's learned from 13 years online. She shares why consistency is still one of the most important ingredients for growth, how creators can use analytics without letting the algorithm dictate every creative decision, and why YouTube and TikTok serve very different purposes for today's creators.

She also tells Mashable Culture Editor Crystal Bell about the realities of making a living online — from navigating brand deals and platform monetization to recovering from creator burnout. Along the way, MeganPlays offers candid advice for aspiring creators, including why they shouldn't wait for the "perfect" setup before posting their first video and how finding the right niche can help build a lasting audience.

Whether you're just starting your creator journey or looking to adapt to an ever-changing internet, MeganPlays' biggest lesson is refreshingly simple: just start.

Watch the full Creator Playbook interview above.

For the past couple of years, I have been a big fan of Samsung's One UI design language on Galaxy phones. That changed with the update to version 8.5. I'm not alone. Many people are swapping out their home screens for custom launchers and replacing Samsung apps with alternatives. What did Samsung get so wrong?

CPUs and GPUs are the two components that have the biggest impact on your PC's performance, provided everything else is fine. I'm not talking about edge-case scenarios where you're using an RTX 5090 with a dying SSD from 10 years ago; I'm talking about the way your PC ages, and how often you may find yourself re-using some parts vs. how often you'll be discarding them to get something new.

There's no other way of putting it: Things are looking grim at Xbox right now.

A couple of different reports paint a bleak picture of the Microsoft-owned video game console manufacturer. Chiefly, The Verge reported that large-scale layoffs and even studio closures could happen around July 6. This could include Arkane Studios, the French developer behind Dishonored, Prey, and the upcoming Marvel Blade game, which still exists only in vague teaser form. The Verge's report suggests Microsoft could cancel Blade, which was set to launch in 2027.

SEE ALSO: Did PlayStation outsell Xbox 8 to 1 with 'GTA VI' pre-orders? Microsoft rebuts claims.

Arkane joins a list of at least four other Xbox subsidiary studios that could either be shut down or, potentially, spun off and sold to someone else. It's unclear how likely the latter possibility is, though. One other studio on that list includes State of Decay developer Undead Labs, per Gamesbeat. The next game in that series, State of Decay 3, has been in development for years and is set to launch in 2027 at the time of this publication.

Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory round out the list of studios that might cease to exist as soon as next week, per previous reports. One of Xbox's major issues during the last decade or so has been a distinct inability to consistently ship first-party games, and shutting down or spinning off several studios is unlikely to help in that regard. Layoffs in other parts of the Xbox business that are not otherwise shutting down are also likely, per GamesBeat.

All of these developments follow a leadership change at Xbox earlier this year, though the problems go back much farther than that. New Xbox head executive Asha Sharma has made some small symbolic overtures to win hearts and minds, such as confirming the existence of a next-gen Xbox console, Project Helix, in development. However, Xbox's reputation among video game enthusiasts is at a historical low, thanks to rampant layoffs, a lack of compelling software, and Microsoft's very controversial relationship with the Israeli military.

I've been using my Pixel 10 Pro for more than three months now, and I'm mostly loving it. However, I've realized that Pixels aren't nearly as customization-friendly as Samsung Galaxy phones. The one thing I miss is Good Lock, and I recently discovered a similar suite of tools for my Pixel.

If you've spent any time with Python, you've probably used it for data work, scripting, or maybe some automation—but image editing likely wasn't on your radar. It turns out Python can handle a surprising amount of what Photoshop does, and with way less code than you'd expect. This includes resizing or cropping, removing backgrounds, or even animating a still image into a GIF. Here are seven ways I use Python to edit and animate images. I'm also sharing the code snippets to help you get started.

Fashion collabs are taking over the world right now; I've seen some partnerships that I'd never thought would happen (Naomi Osaka's Wimbledon dress sold out within hours). But with the World Cup ending on July 19, everyone's trying to get a piece of that soccer advertising pie, including T-Mobile.

SEE ALSO: FIFA World Cup schedule today: Games, kickoff times, livestream info for July 1

Today, T-Mobile announced that it's teaming up with Umbro (an iconic sportswear brand) to create limited-edition jerseys exclusively for T-Mobile members. And from the photos, they don't look half bad (most collabs are kitschy and just short-lived fads). I could definitely see someone wearing one of these jerseys while running errands or going about their day.

Credit: Atiba Jefferson

The drop won't happen until Tuesday, July 7, and as I mentioned above, you have to be a T-Mobile member to get one. They'll be available exclusively through the T-Life app for $60 on a first-come, first-served basis. Once they sell out, they're gone.

T-Mobile is framing the surprise collab as a way to celebrate a "record-breaking Member Month" (apparently, nearly 14 million members engaged during the first week alone).

Even if you miss out on the jersey, the other perks it's throwing at qualifying members right now are pretty great. Along with bringing back a free year of DoorDash DashPass, T-Mobile's basically paying for its members' streaming subscriptions with free Netflix, Hulu, and MLB.TV. It even added Apple TV+ for $3 per month, plus free texting and high-speed data in more than 215 countries if you happen to be traveling this summer.

We have Mario, Zelda, and GTA as video games that will always be part of our lives. But we can't forget Minecraft. The game that has infinite possibilities — there's something for every age and experience level in the game. Minecraft will forever be a favorite, and now we have a new way of showing our love.

The best backpacks of 2026? We're convinced. Credit: Herschel

The limited-edition Herschel Minecraft collection is now live at herschel.com, and it's packed with must-have items if you're a fan of the game. But be warned, the collab is selling out quickly, so hop on anything you want before it vanishes.

Highlights of the Herschel Minecraft collab

The Herschel Supply x Minecraft collection is filled with backpacks, lunch boxes, pencil cases, and accessories. And unlike some collabs, the collection features way more than just Steve and swords. Snag a Creeper hat, an Enderman backpack, and a hip pack with a print that depicts The End.

Credit: Herschel

At the time of writing, the incredible Cube Little America Backpack is sold out in all colorways, but we have fingers crossed for a restock. However, there's still plenty to choose from. Browse the selection of Creeper merch, Pink Sheep, and Enderman items. There are also options that reflect life in the Overworld, the Nether, and the End.

As an in-game treat, you can download the free Herschel Backpack Trials Add-On from the Minecraft Marketplace to get a massive inventory expansion so you can carry up to 442,368 items. You'll need the Minecraft Bedrock Edition to add on this free expansion.

How to buy the Herschel Minecraft collab

The entire collection of Herschel Supply x Minecraft items is on sale now at Herschel's website. Stock is dwindling on items, so shop today to get the best selection. Plus, that will ensure items arrive in time for the 2026-2027 school year. The collection has items for both kids and adults. Herschel offers free ground shipping on orders over $75.

Opens in a new window Credit: Herscel Herschel x Minecraft collection   Shop Now

Many people don't ever change their Wi-Fi password. Out of those who do change theirs, many think that that's it, they're done, their connection is now super safe.