IT General

TL;DR: Gift your kids an educational, low-stimulation app with the Montessori-inspired Pok Pok, now £36 with code DROP20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription £36
£250 Save £214 Get Deal

If you’re a parent of little ones, you’ve heard a lot of pros and cons for screen time. For those looking for a calm way to introduce toddlers to the concept, Pok Pok can help. This gentle, Montessori-inspired app is geared towards kids 2-8, and right now, a lifetime subscription can be yours for just £36.

Let your kids enjoy award-winning educational games, guilt-free

While most apps for kids are brightly colored and super stimulating, Pok Pok aims to be the opposite. Their app is filled with award-winning educational games that give your kids a foundation in STEM, numbers, cause and effect, problem-solving, and language. And you can rest easy with no guilt, knowing they’re enjoying an ad-free, low-stimulation educational experience.

This app is Montessori-inspired, which means it takes cues from Montessori’s child-centered educational approach, which focuses on hands-on learning, independence, and children’s natural development. That allows Pok Pok to provide a calming app experience that can grow with your child through open-ended play. All animations are hand-drawn, and sound effects and music are created in-house to ensure they’re calm, gentle, and not overly stimulating.

Pok Pok is COPPA-certified, which means you won’t see any advertisements to trick kids into buying things. There’s also an option for offline play when you’re traveling, or if you prefer, your child isn’t connected to the internet.

This lifetime subscription provides unlimited learning games and regular updates with new seasonal and cultural updates, so the app stays fresh and exciting. You’ll also receive a surprise gift mailed to you with your purchase.

Introduce little ones to screen time with the gentle, low-stimulation app, Pok Pok, now £36 with code DROP20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Enjoy serious data security at an affordable price with a lifetime subscription to the Internxt Cloud Storage 10TB plan for A$538 for a limited time.

Are you tired of hitting the storage limits on free cloud storage services like Dropbox? If you're looking for somewhere dependable and secure to keep your precious data, Internxt is an excellent option. It's an open-source platform with end-to-end encryption so that you can trust your files will remain safe and private. 

Right now, you can bypass expensive monthly fees and secure a lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage's generous 10TB plan, available for just A$538 (reg. A$4,459).

This cloud storage service truly values your privacy

Get serious about securing your important data with Internxt. They make privacy their top concern, so you can rest easy knowing your files are safe and the platform values transparency with its users. 

Though you may not have thought about it, traditional cloud storage providers can monetize user data with targeted advertising and data sharing. There's also the worry of data breaches or surveillance with these bigger companies. 

This is where Internxt shines — you don't have to worry about your data being accessed. They offer end-to-end encryption. That means data will be encrypted on the sender's device and only decrypted for the receiver, so not even Internxt can access it. 

Internxt also has an open-source policy. That means their code is publicly available, offering total transparency to users. They're also GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliant, which means they adhere to strict European laws that protect user privacy and data security.

Like the popular cloud storage options, Internxt offers cross-platform compatibility and easy integration across devices and operating systems. And unlike the competitors with monthly or yearly subscriptions, this lifetime subscription won't cost you a penny more after purchase.

Enjoy a massive amount of storage with a service that prioritizes privacy with this lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage 10TB plan for A$538 (reg. A$4,459).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan AU$538
AU$4,459 Save AU$3,921 Get Deal

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A mythological creature.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

NYMPH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To search.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SCOUT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To contaminate.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TAINT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An electronic message.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

EMAIL

Final Hurdle hint

A mouse-like animal.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SHREW

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

The moon is still big and bright in our skies following the full moon, but you'll notice that each night it's a little darker on the right-hand side (left if you're in the Southern Hemisphere). This is because of the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 12?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Aug. 12, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 88% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's a lot to see on the moon tonight, and it's also the start of the peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower. The moonlight may dim some of the meteors, but some should still cut through the light.

Alongside this, with no visual aids on the moon, you can spot the Kepler Crater, Mare Serenitatis, and the Mare Vaporum. Add a telescope and you'll see the Apollo 16, the Schiller Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains, a 323-mile-long mountain range.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from MIT are available to take for free on edX.

There's a massive bank of free online courses from some of the biggest educational institutions in the world sitting on edX. It feels like a secret, but edX is not hiding it. You can find everything listed out, ready for enrollment.

You can find free lessons on useful topics like AI, Python programming, investing, and so much more from famous schools like MIT. There's a lot on offer, so we've got you started with a standout selection of free online courses from MIT. These are the best free online courses from MIT this month:

• Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis

• Circuits and Electronics 2: Amplification, Speed, and Delay

• Circuits and Electronics 3: Applications

• Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications

• Derivatives Markets: Advanced Modeling and Strategies

• Energy Economics and Policy

• Financial Accounting

• Foundations of Modern Finance

• Foundations of Modern Finance II

• Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes

• Fundamentals of Statistics

• Introduction to Biology: The Secret of Life

• Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science

• Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

• Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning

• Management in Engineering: Accounting and Planning

• Management in Engineering: Strategy and Leadership

• Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance

• Probability: The Science of Uncertainty and Data

• Structural Materials: Selection and Economics

• Supply Chain Analytics

• Supply Chain Dynamics

• Supply Chain Fundamentals

• Supply Chain Technology and Systems

• Sustainable Building Design

• Sustainable Energy

These free courses do not come with a shareable certificate of completion or graded assignments/exams, but that's the only catch. You can start learning at a pace that suits you.

Find the best free online courses from MIT on edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: MIT MIT Online Courses Free at edX Get Deal

The best VPNs aren't always the most expensive. Some leading VPNs are actually really affordable, which is great news for anyone looking to secure cheap online security, data protection, and increased streaming options.

You have come to the right place if you're looking for a premium VPN with advanced features, without the big price tag. We've lined up some great value options for absolutely everyone, and there is no need to compromise on security, connection speed, customer support, or anything else.

But first, there are a few things we need to cover.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide valuable protection for your data and identity when you're navigating the online world. How do they do this? VPNs offer online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address and makes all of your information unreadable.

All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services.

SEE ALSO: The best VPNs for your iPhone

VPNs can also be used to stream movies and shows from around the world, and the process is actually really simple. We've already mentioned how VPNs provide anonymity by hiding your real IP address. Well, this technique can also be used to manipulate the streaming market. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming sites into thinking that you are based in a different country. This provides access to all the extra content that would normally be restricted in your location.

Should you use free VPNs?

The question that everyone wants an answer to is whether you actually need to pay for a VPN. There are plenty of free VPNs out there, but do these offer the features you need to browse, shop, and stream securely? Unfortunately, there is often a catch with free versions (usually in the form of a limitation on your data usage or connection speed).

Occasional users will probably be satisfied with a free VPN, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading on a regular basis, you should look elsewhere. The only exception to this rule is a free trial. These come without limitations, but obviously don't tend to last for a long time.

The conclusion is that the best option for securing your data and streaming more content from around the world is with a paid subscription. The sad fact is that you'll have to pay to gain access to advanced security features without limitations on your usage. It's not all bad news though, because there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What should you consider before subscribing to a VPN?

The process of actually selecting a VPN can be seriously tricky, especially if you don't know what to consider. Most of the best VPNs offer many of the same features with similar packages, so it's important to know what matters.

To make your life a little bit easier, we have shortlisted a few things to consider before making any sort of decision:

• Customer support — VPNs can be difficult to understand if you're not an experienced user, and even if you are, problems can occur. Whether you're a total beginner or not, customer support is key for dealing with any potential issues that might arise. You should also consider whether customer support is offered by phone, email, or web chat.

• Jurisdiction — It's a good idea to look for VPNs based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland, and other privacy-friendly countries. VPNs based in countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the intelligence-sharing alliances should be avoided: the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Spain. VPNs in these countries can be forced by authorities to collect and hand over user data.

• Network size and location — The best VPNs offer a large network of geographically diverse servers. The more servers (and server locations) offered by a VPN, the more likely you are to find a reliable and fast connection. This is also particularly important for streaming, as you should always be able to connect to a server in the country with the content you want to watch.

• Trustworthiness — We recommend finding an experienced provider with a strong track record and a clear privacy policy. It's important that your VPN of choice guarantees your data won't be logged or collected. If it isn't obvious what happens to your data, you should steer clear.

Make sure you carefully consider these features before deciding on the VPN that suits you and your lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can begin the process of finding the best deals.

What is the best VPN?

We're sorry to burst your bubble, but there isn't one VPN that stands above all the rest. The best VPN for you really comes down to your own set of personal preferences. Once you find a few options that tick your boxes, you need to consider the best deals.

We have reached out to partners in order to provide you with market-leading prices on VPN subscriptions, with performance and security in mind. All of these VPN services have been handpicked not only because of the prices and deals on offer, but because they all offer the most important features to protect your online data and identity.

There are also plenty of services to consider on this list if your priority is unlocking streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Online security should always be the priority, but we know that many subscribers use these services to unlock more content from around the world. We get it, and we're here to help.

These are the best deals on cheap VPNs in 2025.

The best streaming deals to watch 'Jurassic World Rebirth' at a glance: WATCH NOW Buy or rent 'Jurassic World Rebirth' on Prime Video $19.99 or $29.99 Get Deal WATCH NOW Buy or rent 'Jurassic World Rebirth' on Apple TV+ $19.99 or $29.99 Get Deal WATCH LATER Peacock Premium yearly subscription $109.99/year (save 17%) Get Deal WATCH LATER Peacock Premium for Students $2.99/month for 12 months (save $8/month) Get Deal WATCH LATER Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $3.99/month (save $7/month) Get Deal WATCH LATER Peacock Premium for Active Military and Veterans $3.99/month (save $7/month) Get Deal WATCH LATER Peacock Premium for Teachers $3.99/month for 12 months (save $7/month) Get Deal WATCH LATER FOR FREE Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal WATCH LATER Peacock Premium Get $3 or $5 cashback per month with World or World Elite Mastercard Get Deal

The Jurassic Park franchise roars on in 2025 with Jurassic World Rebirth — one of the most anticipated movies of the summer. Besides a new star-studded cast, we're most excited about the return of Jurassic Park's original screenwriter, David Koepp.

Directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One), it stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as a group of people who should know better than to mess with dinosaurs so casually. Nevertheless, they seek out the beasts, and all chaos ensues.

Jurassic World Rebirth landed in theaters July 2, but if you missed it on the big screen, you can officially watch it at home. Here's everything you need to know.

What is Jurassic World Rebirth about?

Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, Rebirth follows an extraction crew (Johansson, Bailey, Ali, and Friend) on an expedition to the original research facility for Jurassic Park. Their mission? To procure DNA from the dinosaurs deemed "too dangerous for the park" for a medical advancement worth trillions.

Check out the official trailer below.

Is Jurassic World Rebirth worth watching?

The last two Jurassic Park movies — Fallen Kingdom and Dominion — were loathed by critics, including Mashable's own, despite making over a billion dollars. So, the bar is set pretty low.

For what it's worth, though, Mashable film critic Kristy Puchko calls Jurassic World Rebirth "the best of the new batch of movies."

"In the end, Jurassic World Rebirth is a rocky ride. Some bits are absolutely exhilarating, while others feel like a chore. But unlike the humans in this franchise, the humans of our world just cannot tire of these incredible beasts, happy to shell out ticket money to get as close as we might to their enormous majesty. And this film, including its hilariously calamitous opening with its requisite kill, will deliver, feeding both all our yearning for excitement and our need for escapism," she writes in her review, adding, "It’s not better than the original, but it’s the closest we’ve come."

Like most of the other Jurassic Park movies (aside from the original), it has a relatively low critic score overall on Rotten Tomatoes, with a solid 70+ audience score. Translation: People can't get enough of these on-screen beasts.

Check out our full review of Jurassic World Rebirth.

How to watch Jurassic World Rebirth at home Credit: Universal Pictures

There are a couple of different ways you can watch Jurassic World Rebirth at home. You can buy it or rent it on digital for as low as $19.99, or you can stream it on Peacock at a later date. See the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

Jurassic World Rebirth is available as of Aug. 5 to buy or rent at digital-on-demand retailers. Just be aware that with rentals, you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it instead, then it's yours to keep with no watch limits.

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

• Prime Video — buy for $29.99, rent for $19.99

• Apple TV — buy for $29.99, rent for $19.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $29.99, rent for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $29.99, rent for $19.99

Stream it on Peacock

As a Universal Pictures film, we know that Jurassic World Rebirth will eventually make its streaming debut on Peacock. The digital-to-streaming arc of other recent Universal films (Drop, Wicked, The Woman in the Yard) was between two and three months. So, while we don't know the exact streaming date yet, we expect Rebirth to make its Peacock debut sometime in late mid-to-late October. We'll keep you updated.

Don't have a Peacock subscription? You can sign up for as low as $10.99 per month with ads or $16.99 per month without (thanks to a recent price hike). Before you get ahead of yourself, though, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest Peacock deal: Save 17% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

If Peacock isn't running any sort of special, the best Peacock deal for most people on any given day is the annual subscription deal. You'll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. While a monthly subscription with ads costs $10.99 per month (which adds up to $131.88), a yearly subscription will only run you $109.99 (which breaks down to about $9.17 per month). That's about 17% in total savings. For those who prefer watching without ads, you'll pay $169.99 per year (which breaks down to about $14.16 per month instead of $16.99).

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn More

Xfinity customers should check the eligibility details below before signing up for Peacock, as you might be able to score a subscription without paying a cent. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible to get Peacock for free through Xfinity. You can also head to Xfinity.com for more details.

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

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

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

Best Peacock deal for students: Save $8/month for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $2.99 per month for one year (save $8 per month) Get Deal

Students can shave $8 per month off a Peacock Premium subscription for an entire year — that's a total of $96 in savings. You'll need to verify your student status via SheerID and retrieve the unique promo code to knock the cost down to just $2.99 instead of $8.99. Just note that it can only be used once, and after the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price again.

Best Peacock deal for first responders: Save $7/month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal

First responders and medical professionals can secure a Peacock Premium subscription at a discounted rate of $3.99 per month by verifying their professional status via SheerID. Unlike the student deal, however, it's not limited to a year. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew your subscription at the discounted rate each year — although you may have to go through the verification process each time and receive a new promo code. Learn more about eligibility terms and requirements.

Best for active military and veterans: Save $7/month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal

Active duty U.S. military service members, Reservists, National Guard members, veterans, or U.S. military retirees can also get Peacock Premium for a discounted rate of $3.99 per month, so long as you can prove your military status using SheerID and continue to meet requirements. You may need to revalidate your status to renew the promotion each year.

Best for teachers: Save $7/month for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $3.99/month for 12 months (save $7 per month) Get Deal

Educators who can verify their status on SheerID can also score Peacock Premium for just $3.99 per month instead of $10.99. However, the promotion is limited to a year. Once the promotional period ends, you'll be charged full price, so be sure to cancel before the year is up.

Best for Instacart users: free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

You'll unlock a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value) by signing up for Instacart+ ($99.99 per year). That's on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. Oh, and here's a pro tip: If you're new to Instacart+, you'll get a free two-week trial to test the waters. That means you can watch Jurassic World Rebirth and plenty more for free if you wait until the streaming debut to sign up. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged.

Best for Mastercard holders: Get up to $5 back per month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Mastercard Peacock Premium Get $3 or $5 cashback per month with World or World Elite Mastercard Get Deal

If you sign up for Peacock using an eligible World or World Elite Mastercard, you'll automatically receive a monthly statement credit of $3 for Peacock Premium or $5 for Peacock Premium Plus. That ultimately drops the price of the Premium tier back to $7.99 (its former price before the most recent price hike) and Premium Plus down to $11.99 per month. Learn more about eligibility requirements on the promotional page. The offer ends on Dec. 31, 2025.

A lot of AI features are pretty unnecessary and sometimes invasive. But many can actually be genuinely useful. Many of Copilot's features are regarded by many as gimmicks, but one of the most useful ones just got a lot easier to access.

The internet has always been in flux, a place where sites rise, dominate, and then quietly fade away into oblivion, leaving only traces behind. Yet, for those of us who grew up online, these sites weren’t just web addresses; they were part of our digital lives. Today, many of them exist only in memory, or in the dusty archives of the Wayback Machine.

Kubuntu Focus, the manufacturer that makes Kubuntu Linux-only PCs, has announced a new workstation-level laptop, the Focus Zr Gen 1. The heavy-duty laptop is meant to be a desktop replacement with its dedicated GPU options.

Nearly all new Windows laptops come pre-installed with Windows 11. But with it, you also get a bunch of unnecessary features that can slow down your system, compromise your privacy, or bombard you with annoying notifications. That’s why I tweak a few settings before I start using my new device.

Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint all have built-in pen and drawing tools, but they can be a bit lackluster, especially if you’re accustomed to OneNote or real digital art software. Thankfully, Microsoft is starting to test a few much-needed improvements.

In the early days of the smartphone revolution, Android owners used to envy the look and feel of the iPhone. But things have changed since a lot. I am a longtime iPhone owner who has been increasingly looking at the other side of the fence with envy, all because of Apple's stagnant innovation when it comes to its most prized and supposedly innovative product.

Fractal, the Matrix client developed for the GNOME desktop environment, just got updated to version 12 today. It includes several new features and improvements you can try out as you talk to people across decentralized Matrix networks.

Linux is the best server operating system, right? As it turns out, not always. While I used to run all of my game servers on Linux, a recent issue pushed me toward Windows for game server hosting—and I’m actually happy with the switch.

Grok users, paying or not, have unlimited access to the new Grok 4 model for a limited time, xAI announced on Aug. 10 — a move to remain competitive as its fellow AI companies launch increasingly advanced models and generative AI tools.

"Simply use Auto mode, and Grok will route complex queries to Grok 4. Prefer control? Choose 'Expert' anytime to always use Grok 4," xAI wrote in an announcement posted on X.

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

As xAI vies for a larger user base, the company may be trying to poach disgruntled ChatGPT users following the launch of OpenAI's GPT-5. On platforms like Reddit, many ChatGPT users have complained that GPT-5 feels less humanlike and is a little more careful in the way it approaches its relationships with users. After facing a backlash, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the company will re-release its previous model, GPT-4o, allowing other AI companies to step in with less-controlled alternatives.

Early tests of Grok 4, which launched on July 9, showed it's an impressively advanced model, surpassing competitors like DeepSeek and Claude, but the model's apparent lack of guardrails also suggests the new bot could pose safety concerns for users. A Mashable investigation showed that xAI's new generative AI image tool, Grok Imagine, failed to meet basic safety standards, allowing users to create sexual deepfakes.

How to access Grok 4 for free

You can start using Grok 4 now in the Grok iOS and Android app, or via the X website.

While on auto mode, the chatbot will evaluate whether or not a prompt requires the extended responses of Grok 4 or the quicker feedback of Grok 3. Users can also select the "Expert" setting to get answers from Grok 4.

The company will also be expanding its usage limits for users to accommodate the new model. Further information on free tiers for Grok 4 has yet to be provided.

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

In the days leading up to the release of FX's Alien: Earth, the show has gone on a full publicity rampage.

FX has introduced tie-in products with everything from SoulCycle to Skullcandy headphones. On Aug. 9, they also launched "The Hunt," a series of pop-up stunts where fans could check out containment pods teeming with mysterious alien life and enter sweepstakes to win swag.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' review: Xenomorphs get upstaged in this sci-fi treat

But the Alien: Earth product that most captured my attention was the Alien-themed burger and shake combo at Black Tap, available until Aug. 24. After all, how in the world do you capture the vibe of the Alien franchise in a burger or shake? Would a Chestburster explode from my body hours after I consumed these menu items? (And would you call that a... Chestburger?)

Given that I'm still alive while writing this, days after having both the burger and shake, the answer is thankfully no. But even without the 4D Chestburster experience, the Alien: Earth burger managed to be the craziest burger I've ever eaten, hands-down.

Look at that Xenomorph blood... I mean, sauce. Credit: Belen Edwards

There's nothing too out there about the Alien: Earth burger's ingredient list. You've got a beef patty and some pepper jack cheese, topped with cilantro, charcoal aioli, and salsa verde. Crispy onion petals round out the toppings, curling out of the burger buns just like a Facehugger's spindly legs curl around its victim's face. The combination proved delicious, with the salsa verde providing a light zing to counteract a burger's usual heaviness.

The craziness really started as I chowed down on the burger. Eating a burger tends to be a humbling experience, because no matter how hard I try, sauce and juice wind up running down my hands. Napkins will only do so much. At some point, you just have to surrender to the sauce. Now, that's all well and good when the sauce is something familiar, like ketchup or Thousand Island dressing. But when you're working with a neon green salsa verde and a deep black aioli, the effect is downright alarming.

I peered down at my hands to see them spattered in bright green and black, like some unholy mix of the Xenomorph's acidic blood and the frightening black goo introduced in Prometheus. Truly, it appeared as if I had fought a Xenomorph, and that's as close to Alien as you can get in a burger. With that in mind, the experience wasn't just about the taste of the (yes, very yummy) burger. It was also about the spillage, which reduced me to laughter the worse it got. Apparently, all you need to live your Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) fantasy is a really messy burger.

Meanwhile, the milkshake, which was Mountain Dew-flavored, was less my speed. (Look, I love shakes, but don't do the Dew.) The chocolate cake slice that topped the shake was solid, though, and so dark that it evoked the pitch blackness of space, where no one can hear you scream.

The shake and cake pairing also gave me such a sugar rush that by the time the burger arrived, I felt invincible, like I could kill a Xenomorph by myself. And after eating the burger and getting my hands and lips smeared with black and green sauce, it certainly looked like I had.

Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.

If you are looking for yet another streaming subscription service, both ESPN and Fox will be launching new platforms in the coming weeks that are perfect for sports fans. Today, in a surprise turn of events, the two companies announced they'll let you bundle them together for one monthly fee, saving you a bit of money.

There's always been a strict divide between mobile games and console games, but that barrier has been quietly breaking down in recent years. Most modern phones can now handle console games like Resident Evil 4 and Assassin's Creed Mirage, while mobile games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt Legends Unite are giving some console games a run for their money.

Gamescom 2025 is right around the corner, and it’s set to be one of the biggest gaming events of the year. Over the course of several days, Cologne will once again become the center of the gaming universe, with publishers, developers, and fans all gathering for a week packed with world premieres, hands-on demos, and more livestreamed showcases than you’ll reasonably have time to watch.

Whether you’re in it for the AAA blockbusters, the indie darlings, or just the chaos of live event surprises, this year’s lineup looks stacked. Last year saw the reveal of a lot of big sequels, including Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII. To be honest, this year won't be that much different in that regard now that we know Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is the big game to start of the festivities.

Even still, Gamescom will have a little something for everyone. Here’s how to watch and what you can expect once the show kicks off.

Gamescom 2025: How to watchOpening Night Live

Gamescom kicks off with Opening Night Live, setting the tone for everything that follows during the event. The showcase will stream on YouTube and be headlined by the worldwide reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Yes, that’s right — seven of them. We used to be a proper country.

The livestream starts at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 11 a.m. PT, so clear your schedule if you want to see it all unfold in real-time.

Xbox @ Gamescom

Xbox will stream for two days straight at Gamescom, kicking off on August 20 and running again on August 21. Both broadcasts start bright and early — 9 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. CT / 6 a.m. PT — and will be available to watch on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and Facebook.

Gamescom 2025: What to expect

As mentioned up top, the big headliner for this year’s event is the reveal of Black Ops 7. But for anyone whose interests go beyond the annual big shooty-shooter, Microsoft has something special: a playable build of Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to 2017’s sleeper hit action-platformer Hollow Knight.

Xbox’s showcase will also deliver fresh updates on several announced titles, including Grounded 2, Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, and Overwatch 2.

We might also finally hear pricing details for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handheld systems — Microsoft’s first serious push into handheld PC gaming. Based on leaks, these things likely won’t come cheap. One leak pegs the high-end Xbox Ally X at €899 (around $1,047 USD), making it a full $100 more expensive than the 2TB version of the Xbox Series X.

Beyond that, Gamescom will be packed with reveals, trailers, and even live performances. Here’s the full schedule so far:

• Opening Night Live — August 19, 1:30 p.m. ET (pre-show), 2 p.m. ET (main show)

• Xbox @ Gamescom 2025 Broadcast — August 20, 9 a.m. ET

• Future Games Show — August 20, 2 p.m. ET

• Xbox @ Gamescom 2025 Broadcast — August 21, 9 a.m. ET

• Bethesda — streaming on Twitch August 22–25