IT General

Smart rings are becoming increasingly popular options for those that want to keep tabs on their fitness and health, but don't want to lug around a smartwatch on their wrists. The Oura Ring is one of the biggest players in this segment, and now, the third-gen model is heavily discounted.

Two of NASA's historic data-collecting missions — used by scientists and earthbound agriculturalists to track carbon dioxide and crop health — may be permanently grounded as the Trump administration looks to shrink the agency's spending.

When they launched over a decade ago, the satellites known as the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCOs) revolutionized the collection of carbon data and greenhouse gas science. To put it simply, the OCOs changed how we understand our impact on the planet. Experts rely on the data for studies on greenhouse gases and severe weather and climate disasters, as well as other practical uses, including modeling the effectiveness of eco-friendly transportation on carbon dioxide emissions and even mapping plant photosynthesis and crop failures around the world.

SEE ALSO: This Webb photo didn't just see galaxies. It changed their place in time.

OCO-2 has been orbiting Earth since 2014, designed initially to measure regional carbon dioxide sources and natural "carbon sinks" that absorb greenhouse gases. OCO-3 was launched in 2020 to supplement previous OCO missions, and is attached directly onto the International Space Station. The satellites run the government around $15 million in annual maintenance costs, reports NPR.

The equipment was expected to last in space for several more years, NPR reports, but NASA employees have recently been tasked with drawing up plans to terminate their use.

The agency has been looking to private scientific partnerships to keep its missions running, as the Trump administration and other Republican leaders double down on attacks against climate change science. President Trump shut down the federal climate.gov website in June, following a May executive order that outlines a new "gold standard" for federal scientific research and enables agency heads to deem research that fails to align with the stipulation of the order as "scientific misconduct." The site now redirects visitors to the climate page of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Compared to his first term, Trump has slowed the federal government's investment in its space program. But the president's stance on proactive climate policy has remained the same across administrations: In 2019, Trump issued orders to withhold climate modeling research in federal assessments, following the deletion of federal climate change websites hosted by the EPA.

In the last month, Sean Duffy, secretary of transportation and acting NASA administrator, and other agency leaders have preemptively begun scaling back NASA's workforce and structure in order to align with a proposed 2026 budget cut that would see $6 billion of excised funding and the termination of dozens of science programs and missions, reports Reuters.

Dozens of NASA employees signed a letter in protest of the proposed budget, writing: "We are compelled to speak up when our leadership prioritizes political momentum over human safety, scientific advancement and efficient use of public resources. These cuts are arbitrary and have been enacted in defiance of congressional appropriations law. The consequences for the agency and the country alike are dire." The letter explicitly calls out the irreversibility of decommissioned spacecraft and the loss of mission observations, as well as cuts to research in "space science, aeronautics, and the stewardship of the Earth."

SEE ALSO: Live from space! Watch Earth live streamed on Mashable.

Illinois is officially staking its claim in the wild west of AI regulation. In a landmark move, state lawmakers have passed a bill banning AI from acting as a standalone therapist and placing firm guardrails on how mental health professionals can use AI to support care. Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law on Aug. 1.

The legislation, dubbed the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, was introduced by Rep. Bob Morgan and makes one thing clear: only licensed professionals can deliver therapeutic or psychotherapeutic services to another human being.

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"We have already heard the horror stories when artificial intelligence pretends to be a licensed therapist. Individuals in crisis unknowingly turned to AI for help and were pushed toward dangerous, even lethal, behaviors," said Rep. Morgan in a statement to Mashable. "Every day, AI develops further in our country without the guardrails necessary to protect people. By passing HB 1806, we are taking action to pause the unchecked expansion of AI in mental healthcare and putting necessary regulation in place before more harm is done."

Under the new state law, mental health providers are barred from using AI to independently make therapeutic decisions, interact directly with clients, or create treatment plans — unless a licensed professional has reviewed and approved it. The law also closes a loophole that allows unlicensed persons to advertise themselves as "therapists."

Violating the act could cost up to $10,000 per offense, with fines scaling based on the severity of the infraction. The law went into effect immediately.

Illinois is now the first state to regulate the use of AI in mental healthcare. It joins a growing list of AI-related laws already on the books, including recent amendments to the state’s Human Rights Act. Those changes make it a civil rights violation to use AI in ways that result in discriminatory treatment of employees — such as using zip codes as a proxy for protected classes — or to deploy AI tools without notifying employees.

The role of AI in mental health care is still hotly contested. On one hand, the appeal is clear: with the high cost of care leaving millions of Americans without access to therapy, turning to AI can seem like a practical alternative. But warnings from mental health professionals, researchers, and even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman point to serious concerns. At best, AI-driven therapy poses major privacy risks. At worst, it could exacerbate a person’s mental health crisis, especially when vulnerable users mistake a chatbot for professional care.

"By clearly defining how AI can and cannot be used in mental health care," Morgan's statement reads. "We’re protecting patients, supporting ethical providers, and keeping treatment in the hands of trained, licensed professionals."

Save $50: Grab the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 on sale for $199.95 at Amazon as of Aug. 4. This deal saves you 20% on the normally $249.95 earbuds.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04 Get Deal

There's nothing that kills the momentum of a good workout quite like earbuds that refuse to stay put.

That's one problem Beats set out to fix with their workout earbuds, but they didn't stop there. The result is the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and as of Aug. 4, you can grab them for $50 off their retail price at Amazon at just $199.95.

If your eyes popped out at the sale price, hear me out: these earbuds are a big upgrade over any cheap pair you might bring with you to the gym. Let's start with the fit: in my experience, they're a little awkward to put in at first, but once you find the right ear tip size and figure out the best angle to put them in at, Beats achieves something difficult — they give you a secure fit thanks to the ear hook, along with solid sound and ANC, thanks to the in-ear buds.

Open earbuds, another popular option for working out, can clip around the ear but sit outside of your ear canal, meaning you'll always hear the world around you. You can achieve the same effect with the Powerbeats' transparency mode.

Beats smartly opts for a tactile on-ear button controls that are way less likely than sensitive touch controls to get accidentally activated mid-workout. Naturally, they also have an IPX4 water- and dust-resistance rating, so you don't have to worry about getting too sweaty. The brand could've stopped here, but they also built a heart rate monitor into these earbuds, which according to our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis), works about as well as the monitor on the Apple Watch. These Apple-owned earbuds also pair just as quickly and as well as a pair of earbuds, making them an especially convenient workout option.

Considering their biggest con is their higher price point, it's worth grabbing them on sale. Though $199.95 isn't their lowest price ever — that would be their Prime Day price of $179.95, these earbuds don't go on sale that often, making this a deal worth jumping on.

The best Apple deals you can shop this week Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 (save $80) Get Deal Best MacBook Air deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 (save $200) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 (save $300) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $299 (save $50) Get Deal

If you checked our Apple deals last week, you'll find that not much has changed, but we're not really complaining. Several record-low prices are still available, so if you weren’t able to take advantage last week, now’s your chance. (I’ll admit, I’m a little curious to see what happens during Black Friday this year, considering all of the dirt-cheap deals we’ve seen since Prime Day.)

Here are the best Apple deals you can still get for the week of August 4.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 at Amazon
$249 Save $80 Get Deal Why we like it

While the AirPods Pro 2 aren’t as cheap as they were over Prime Day, they’re still on sale. Right now, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169, down from $249, at Amazon. (Pretty good for earbuds with ANC.) The discount applies to the USB-C versions of the earbuds.

Best MacBook Air deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon
$999 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is surprisingly still at its record-low price. That's right: You can get the MacBook Air M4 (in any color) for just $799. That's a 20% discount and a $200 savings.

Best MacBook Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $300 Get Deal Why we like it

If you'd rather have a Pro, the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is still sitting at $1,299.00. This is the lowest price we've tracked for this model and a full $300 off its list price.

More MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,399 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499 $1,799 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

You can still get the 11-inch Apple iPad 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) for $299. Honestly, for a do-everything tablet that's perfect for back-to-school or just watching Netflix, it's a tough price to beat.

Deals on Apple accessories and more

• Apple AirTag — $24 $29 (save $5)

• Apple Pencil (USB-C) — $69 $79 (save $10)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 $99 (save $19.02)

• Apple Pencil Pro — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple Magic Keyboard and Case (iPad Air 13-inch) — $287.09 $319 (save $31.91)

SAVE $25: Get MLB.TV, the official streaming service of MLB, as a standalone service or as an add-on to Prime Video for only $34.99 for the rest of the season. With about two months to go, that means you'll save about $25 total compared to the $29.99 monthly cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: MLB.TV MLB.TV $34.99
$59.98 Save $24.99 Get Deal

Watching sports has become incredibly frustrating in recent years — particularly for cord-cutters just looking to kick back and enjoy some baseball. So many subscriptions and services are required to simply tune into your favorite team's games. It's just silly. That's why MLB.TV exists, to simplify things for streamers and put every out-of-market game under one subscription. If you're hoping to catch the tail end of the season, which runs through the end of September, you can snag yourself an MLB.TV subscription for a discounted rate

As of Aug. 4, you can sign up for MLB.TV as a standalone service or as an add-on to Prime Video for only $34.99 for the rest of the season. With about two months to go, that means you'll save about $25 total compared to the $29.99 monthly cost.

There's a few things to note. MLB.TV's All Teams package gives you access to every out-of-market game, but blacks out your local team. In other words, this is really only worth it if you want to watch a team that lives in a different region than you. You can see which games are blacked out for you by entering your zip code on the sign-up page. For example, living in Nashville, I cannot watch Cincinnati Reds or Atlanta Braves games. Be sure to double check your region before you commit to a subscription.

Typically $29.99 per month or $129.99 for the whole season, MLB.TV is a solid option for those hoping to watch the most baseball for the lowest price. If you're just tuning in for the end of the season, $35 for the final stretch is a pretty sweet deal.

TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. Athletic Club for free on LFC TV. Access this one-month free trial from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The start of the new Premier League season is fast approaching, and the defending champions are ramping up their preparations with a double header against Athletic Club. Liverpool will play their final two pre-season friendlies on the same day at Anfield, and you can watch both games without spending anything.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Athletic Club for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Athletic Club?

Liverpool vs. Athletic Club kicks off at 5 p.m. and 8p.m. BST on Aug. 4. These fixtures take place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Athletic Club for free

Liverpool vs. Athletic Club is available to live stream for free on LFC TV. A one-month All Red Video membership is available for free, down from the usual £4.99 per month.

LFC TV is not available all around the world, but anyone can access this one-month free trial with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access LFC TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Liverpool vs. Athletic Club for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Sign up for LFC TV

5. Live stream Liverpool vs. Athletic Club for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Liverpool vs. Athletic Club without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for LFC TV?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Liverpool vs. Athletic Club for free with ExpressVPN.

Save 19%: As of Aug. 4, you can grab the Dyson Supersonic on sale for $349.99 at Woot for the next four days, or until it sells out. This $80 markdown applies to the $429.99 model with five attachments, which hasn't gone on sale as often in recent months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic $349.99 at Woot
$429.99 Save $80 Get Deal

If you've been waiting to grab the classic Dyson Supersonic on sale, now is the time.

The iconic hair dryer has a few different iterations these days, from the Supersonic Origin with one attachment to the Supersonic with three attachments — and those happen to be the models more typically on sale. Less common is seeing a markdown on the original Dyson Supersonic with five attachments, but as of Aug. 4, you can grab it on sale for $349.99 at Woot, saving you $80 on the $429.99 hair dryer. At the time of writing, it's at full price at Amazon and Dyson's website.

SEE ALSO: 6 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are actually worth the hype

The attachments you'll get with this dryer include the styling concentrator, flyaway attachment, wide tooth comb, gentle air attachment, and diffuser. After reviewing this hair dryer myself, I totally get anyone who might find that list overkill. And it's true — not everyone has the hair type that would justify all five of those attachments. However, if you have the hair type that justifies at least three, it could well be worth the cost. Even if you get the Supersonic Origin for its $299.99 sale price, buying two $40 attachments piece meal will put you a good $30 over the price of this dryer.

If you're just interested in the styling concentrator, wide tooth comb, and diffuser, the Supersonic with three attachments is actually a better choice, clocking in at a sale price of just $299.99 at the time of writing. Whatever model you go with, all three offer three heat settings plus a cool shot, three air settings, a nice compact design, and a seriously fast hair dry that doesn't feel like it's heavily damaging your hair.

Good news for redditors: plans for paid subreddits are paused for now.

During Reddit's Q2 earnings call, CEO Steve Huffman said the company is "deprioritizing" initiatives to monetize the user economy on the platform, according to Engadget. In a follow-up AMA, Huffman confirmed that this includes paid subreddits. "To stay focused on what matters most, we’re shifting resources away from a few areas, such as work on the user economy," Huffman wrote. "This includes what some have referred to as paid subreddits."

Previously, Huffman had shared plans for subreddits with "exclusive content or private areas" behind a paywall as a revenue-boosting scheme.

But now, Huffman said the social media forum will focus on "strengthening our core product," which includes "making Reddit the go-to place for search." Growing its user base is critical to driving ad revenue, which brought in $465 million last quarter and accounts for the vast majority of its total revenue, according to its earnings report. That's an 84 percent increase from last year.

If you've googled something recently, you've probably noticed Reddit posts showing up a lot more in search results. Reports from last year showed a massive increase in Reddit's search traffic from Google, likely due to a Google algorithm update that began prioritizing posts from discussion forums. So it looks like that trend has continued.

Huffman also said during the earnings call that the company will be focusing more on using its AI-generated Reddit Answers tool to make Reddit its own search engine. To complicate things, Google confirmed to Mashable earlier this year that Reddit Answers uses Google's Gemini model, as part of a partnership that also allows Google to train its AI on Reddit content.

SAVE $350: The Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $899.99. That's a 39% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S5V $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350 Get Deal

Some people love vacuuming. It hangs out in the number one slot on their chores list. Other folks cannot image getting any sort of enjoyment out of the task. If you fall into the second category, a robot vacuum could solve your floor-cleaning blues. As incentive, Amazon has a great deal on a versatile model to start the week off right.

As of Aug. 4, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $549.99, marked down from the standard price of $899.99. That works out to a savings of $350 from a 39% discount. That makes this a record-low price for this model at Amazon.

With 12,000Pa suction power, the Roborock Qrevo S5V aims to leave no mess uncleaned. The vacuum's dual zero-tangle system means you'll be in great shape if you deal with pet hair and the smart obstacle avoidance aims to leave socks where you left them.

SEE ALSO: As an anxious cat mom, I can't recommend a robot vacuum with a livestream camera enough

The Roborock Qrevo S5V is a combo robot vacuum, so it's ready to tackle your mopping chores, too. And as added bonus, the Roborock has self-washing and self-drying of the mop pads with warm air, which means you'll need to get involved way less often.

Like most robot vacuums these days, the Roborock Qrevo S5V comes with a charging dock with automatic emptying. The brand says the dock can store up to seven weeks worth of debris before it'll need some human help to empty it out.

Since we're heading into back-to-school season and everyone's schedules will be packed, let the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum take over the floor care. It's at a record-low price at Amazon just in time for a busy fall season.

SAVE $24: As of Aug. 4, you can grab a four-pack of Tile Mate trackers for only $59.99 at Amazon. That's 29% off the usual cost of $83.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Life360 Tile Mate (4-pack) $59.99 at Amazon
$83.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

If you tend to misplace important items, Bluetooth trackers are a must-have. And if you're an Android user or an Apple user seeking something a little cheaper than AirTags, the Tile Mate is one of our top picks.

As of Aug. 4, you can get a four-pack of Tile Mate trackers at Amazon for only $59.99. That's 29% off the usual cost of $83.99 and — for what it's worth — $20 cheaper than a four-pack of AirTags. That's also a new record-low price for these babies, making them an even better buy.

The Tile Mate was one of the first Bluetooth trackers to hit the market and, after a few upgrades and facelifts, it's still a solid option. While many trackers fit into an Apple, Google, or Samsung-shaped box, Tile has its own network (via the Life360 app) and is device agnostic. Hence, why it's a great choice for both Android and Apple users.

Since its network is a bit less developed than competitors and its Bluetooth range is smaller (only 350 feet), it works better for finding household items than locating lose luggage. Attach them to things like your keys, wallet, remote, or anything else you tend to lose track of at home. Press a button on your phone and you can ring the tracker to locate it. Or, if your phone is the thing that has gone missing, you can press a button on your Tile Mate to ring your phone. The Tile Mate can also trigger a silent alarm with the SOS feature that alerts loved ones you're in danger.

Did we mention they come in fun colors and not just stark white or black? Grab a four-pack in a rainbow of colors for only $59.99 while you can.

SAVE 25%: As of August 4, you can get the Bluetti Solar Generator (AC180) for $519, down from $699, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount and $180 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Solar Generator (AC180) $519 at Amazon
$699 Save $180 Get Deal

You don’t have to be an apocalyptic prepper to justify investing in a generator. With the unpredictable weather patterns and general uncertainty and fragility of the aging power grid, more and more people are deciding they want some sort of insurance when the power inevitably goes out.

Usually, a good generator will cost you anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, which is why it's always a good idea to jump on these deals when they pop up. As of August 4, you can get the Bluetti Solar Generator (AC180) for $519, down from $699, at Amazon. All you have to do is use the code CLNUK3H9 at checkout. That's a 25% discount and $180 in savings.

The Bluetti (AC180) has a 1152Wh LiFePO4 battery that can be recharged in about an hour using a 1440W AC input. It has a 1800W output and 11 outlets to power multiple devices at once. You can also use the Bluetti App to give it an extra boost to 2700W when you need it.

The built-in MPPT charge controller also means you can hook up a solar panel to recharge when the grid is down and the sun is out. (You can get a full charge in 2.8-3.3 hours.) That way, you're not burning fossil fuels to keep your fridge cold or the lights on.

It doesn't feel like the PlayStation 5's 2020 launch date was that long ago, but a new leak is dragging us into the future of PlayStation, at least potentially.

YouTuber Moore's Law is Dead, who has reported on upcoming technology developments in the past, posted a lengthy video containing several claims about the next generation of PlayStation hardware, which have subsequently spread around the internet. Naturally, there's a big caveat to all of this: The information is coming from a YouTuber who is reporting based on an AMD presentation to Sony that allegedly happened in 2023. Take it with a grain, or maybe several grains, of salt.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo is raising prices for the Switch 1 — are tariffs to blame?

Still, if any of the information in the video is true, it's compelling. According to Moore's Law is Dead, the PlayStation 6 will have roughly three times the 3D rendering power of the PS5 while launching at the same $499 price point. It will play PS4 and PS5 games, continuing a recent commitment to backwards compatibility on Sony's part. According to the leak, the console will launch no earlier than fall 2027.

Interestingly, the leak also claims Sony wants to launch a new gaming handheld alongside the PS6. Per the video, the PS6 handheld will have a touch screen, microphones, an SSD slot, and haptic vibration. Sony is supposedly looking into launching the device at a price point between $400 and $500. That would put it in direct competition with something like the Nintendo Switch 2. If these leaks are accurate, Sony's handheld would be substantially more powerful.

It could also have better specs than the upcoming Xbox handheld, though obviously that doesn't guarantee success at all. I'm old enough to remember the Vita.

Google is pushing advertisers to buy ads in AI mode, according to a report from AdAge. The publication caught onto slides from Google pitching AI Mode ads to potential buyers.

"Be part of our most powerful AI search experience, as customers explore their biggest questions with AI Mode," read one slide in the presentation. "As we apply the power of Generative AI to Search, Ads will continue to play a critical role in helping consumers find helpful information and enabling businesses to be discovered online."

Google reportedly told advertisers that the new ads would come in the form of text and shopping ads with product details within AI Mode chats. The ads would be presented in response to user queries.

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From a mock-up in the presentation, the ads appear in banners under AI search queries, indicated by a "Sponsored" label. The slides describe the AI Mode advertisements as an "experiment."

According to AdAge, Google will roll out ads in AI mode before the fourth quarter. The tech giant told AdAge that they have already started showing more ads in AI mode and have seen "incredible results." In May 2025, Google announced that it was testing these ads, writing in a blog post, "Where relevant, ads may appear below and integrated into AI Mode responses."

Google's revenue from ads was estimated to be $96.5 billion in the fourth quarter of last year alone. So far, advertisements have been rare in AI chatbots like Google Gemini and ChatGPT. But as Google shifts away from traditional search and toward AI search, the company's massive ad inventory could shift as well.

Google has a big head start when it comes to AI search, and so far it has 30 times more traffic than its rivals. Its AI search results surpassed those of rivals like ChatGPT, with 16.5 billion visits in December 2024.

Google inserting ads into its AI search tools is just the beginning. Spending on AI-powered search advertising is projected to reach nearly $29 billion by 2029, according to Reuters.

In May, Match Group (the dating app conglomerate that owns Tinder, Hinge, and others) acquired HER, a dating app for queer women, nonbinary, and trans sapphics.

While things have been relatively quiet on the surface since the buy-out, HER did roll out a new feature this summer called "Feelings." It's akin to a status update, designed to help users communicate more confidently and honestly upfront, and — as the name suggests — share how they're feeling.

SEE ALSO: Summer lovin': Here are the best dating apps for lesbians

"Feelings" are tags you can add to your profile to let potential matches know what you're looking for or what kind of mood you're in. You can also add a short note next to your "Feeling" tag to elaborate a little more.

Once you set a "Feeling," it'll show up on your profile, Meet (the app's discovery feature), matches, and chats. This way, all bases are covered, and there's no way someone else can pretend you're blindsiding them with your intentions. "Feelings" disappear in 48 hours to help you keep things fresh.

Credit: HER

Using the "Feelings" feature is pretty simple. All you have to do is go to your profile page, and you should see a "How are you feeling?" prompt at the top. Tap it and browse your options. Examples include "Just talking," "Go on a date," "Flirty," and "Hook up." You can choose up to three and add a line of text, if you'd like. Then just click "update my Feelings."

If you see a "Feeling" tag that you relate to on someone else's profile, you can even tap a little plus sign (+) to add it to your own.

At the end of the day, the goal is to have better conversations with less anxiety. No more wondering if the other person is looking for something casual when you’re on the hunt for a life partner, or vice versa.

SAVE $350: As of Aug. 4, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (unlocked, 256GB) is down to just $949.99 at Amazon — a new best-ever price. That knocks 27% off the list price of $1,299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Unlocked, 256GB) $949.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $350 Get Deal

TIme to upgrade your phone? Now's a great time if you're an Android user, as one of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy lineup is down to an all-time low price.

As of Aug. 4, you can pick up an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with 256GB of storage for just $949.99 at Amazon. That's a $350 price drop from its usual $1,299.99 and a new best price ever for the titanium gray model. If you prefer titanium black or titanium silverblue (yes, that's the actual name), those models are also on sale for a new low of $999.99.

Here's the thing. If you're already rocking an S24 model, it's probably not worth the upgrade to the S25 Ultra. However, if you're sporting a really old handset and just need to catch up with the times, it's a great pick. A 2025 release, the Galaxy S5 Ultra has a lot to offer — too much, even (in the realm of AI). A nearly 27-hour battery life keeps you from being tethered to an outlet, even when you're watching endless TikTok videos. The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is hella powerful for the zippiest navigation. "Things that seem like they should be hardware-intensive, such as AI features, seem to run without much of a fuss," Mashable's reviewer writes. It also packs a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget and plenty of other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, and new curved edges and a lighter build.

Snagging the S25 Ultra at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. It also won't be carrier-locked if you want to travel abroad and connect to a new network. Of course, it's also a lot cheaper. Upgrade while it's down to a new record-low of $949.99.

SAVE 56%: The Renpho Elis 1 smart scale is on sale at Amazon for $19.98, down from the list price at Renpho of $44.99. That's a savings of $25.01.

Opens in a new window Credit: Renpho Renpho Elis 1 smart scale $19.98 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $25.01 Get Deal

Not everyone likes to weigh themselves and that's more than fair. Weight is but a single indication of health. Old-school traditional bathroom scales only read out one number — the overall weight. Sure, that's awesome when checking that your luggage isn't overweight before a big trip, but otherwise this number can be pretty useless. The Renpho smart scale, however, goes way beyond offering a single number, and it's on a huge sale at Amazon.

As of Aug. 4, the Renpho Elis 1 smart scale is on sale at Amazon for $19.98, marked down from the list price of $44.99. That's a savings of $25.01 from a massive 56% discount. Today's sale price comes within $2 of the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Renpho Elis 1 smart scale offers tons of health insight, in addition to overall weight. The scale is designed to measure body fat, muscle mass, metabolic age, BMI, and more. Together, these metrics can offer a much more holistic view of health compared to weight alone.

SEE ALSO: Home gym starter kit: Everything you need to work out from home

The Renpho smart scale is suitable for those who weigh 400 pounds or less, and there are even settings to get accurate weight readouts on pets and babies. Plus, the Renpho Health app can sync to Apple Health and Samsung Health, so you can access app metrics on your fitness tracker or phone.

If you're looking for better insights into overall health, the Renpho Elis 1 smart scale gives you so much more than just weight. You'll get deep metrics that can help with tracking fitness goals much better than by weight alone. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the scale is on sale for only $19.98. Snag it while it's 56% off and you'll be in great shape for keeping tabs on fall health and fitness goals.

Microsoft is pushing Copilot AI on Bing users who search for rival AI chatbots, according to a new report from Windows Latest.

Users who search for the likes of Open AI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude will see Copilot banners popping up, prompting users to ask Microsoft's AI service their queries and later opening the Copilot website with results. The banner reads "Your Copilot is here."

Microsoft is pushing users to use its AI chatbot. Credit: Screenshot / Bing.

The results for Copilot are prominent, displayed right at the top of the search results of AI competitors.

"Effortlessly ask questions, generate images, and handle tasks with Copilot, your reliable companion," reads the result on Bing.com. And per Windows Latest, the Copilot promotion is subtly labeled as an advertisement, with fine print that reads, "promoted by Microsoft."

Microsoft isn't alone in leading users to its own AI. Google, for example, similarly promotes Gemini and AI search on its platform via pop-ups.

Microsoft recently entered the AI browser space, introducing Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge, its AI-powered browser.

SAVE 40%: As of August 4, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $29.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and $20 in savings.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

If you weren’t able to snag the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K during Prime Day, you’ve got a second chance.

As of August 4, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $29.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and $20 in savings. But you'd better hurry — Amazon's marked this as a "limited-time deal."

With an Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can stream millions of movies and shows (including free content and live channels) on your favorite apps, like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. It's not just for watching shows, either. If you’re into gaming but don’t have a console, you can use it to play Xbox games with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

This little device also seriously upgrades your viewing experience. It supports WiFi 6, Ultra HD 4K with Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. Plus, it comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, so you can search for content, launch apps, and even control your smart home devices just by asking.

Spike Lee's remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime thriller High to Low had Cannes Film Festival abuzz in May. And now, with the film set for cinemas and streaming, A24 and Apple have dropped an impeccable new trailer.

Written by Alan Fox and Lee, Highest 2 Lowest sees Denzel Washington reunite with the Malcolm X director, playing New York music mogul David King. (Kurosawa's film revolved around Tokyo shoe company executive Kingo Gondo, played by Toshiro Mifune.) When a personal ransom plot suddenly emerges, the city's iconic skyline and subways take on a sinister form as King scrambles to negotiate.

Jeffrey Wright plays King's driver, best friend, and closest confidante, Paul. A$AP Rocky stars as Yung Felon, an aspiring rapper trying to catch the ear of the music titan, and Ilfenesh Hadera plays David's wife, Pam.

Lee's crew is also an all-star lineup, with longtime collaborators editor Barry Alexander Brown and composer Howard Drossin, The Get Down editor Allyson C. Johnson, frequent Washington producer Todd Black, and Darren Aronofsky's go-to cinematographer Matthew Libatique.

Highest 2 Lowest hits cinemas Aug. 15 before streaming on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5.