IT General

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

To encourage.

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

CHEER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Showy.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GAUDY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Assertive.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PUSHY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A human.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WIGHT

Final Hurdle hint

Cruel.

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

HARSH

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

Here we are again. Another wave of price hikes on our subscriptions is landing. Yesterday, it was Google's Nest Aware subscriptions, which saw a pretty significant price jump. And if you thought that meant hikes were coming to streaming services, turns out you were right—and Peacock is getting the party started.

As Mashable's Tech Editor, I have way too many charging cables, power blocks, and USB-C blocks in my apartment. But there aren't many that I actually like to use. While most chargers are simply necessary evils, only one of these products has earned permanent status in my bedside AC outlet.

The Charger, from under-the-radar brand Counterpart, solves the biggest problem with most USB-C wall chargers — it features a retractable cable that snakes up inside the device when it's not in use. That means no annoying cable cluttering up your desk, countertops, or bedroom. It's one of those ingenious product innovations that makes you wonder, "Why aren't all chargers like this?"

Opens in a new window Credit: Counterpart The Charger, 35W USB-C Wall Charger $44 at Counterpart
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You have to be pretty confident in your charger to name it The Charger. And I think it's worthy of the name. Because on top of its innovative design, this puck-shaped charger also looks attractive, which isn't something I can say about any other charging product I own. (And, again, there are so many).

This 35W USB-C charger features a retractable four-foot ribbon cable. When not in use, simply press a button on the front of the device, and the cable retracts like a tape measure. As you can see in my video review, it's immensely satisfying. And as a GaN charger, it offers more efficient charging than the average device. While you can find some chargers with retractable cables for cars, this is one of the only options for the home.

Yes, the $44 price tag may give you pause, but it's well worth it for a product that's attractive, functional, and comes with a two-year warranty. These chargers also make great gifts, especially if you're looking for stocking stuffers or under-$50 gift ideas.

The Charger comes in five different color options and can be purchased at the Counterpart online store.

Pornhub stopped operating in France last month in anticipation of the country's age-verification law going into effect. When the law was suspended weeks later, Pornhub restored itself in France. Now, Pornhub has blocked itself once again.

France's age-verification law requires porn sites to install a third-party system to check visitors' ages. This system must also be "double-blind," meaning the porn site doesn't know the visitor's age, and the verification system doesn't know which site they are accessing.

SEE ALSO: Do age-verification laws work? Not according to this study.

On June 16, the Administrative Court of Paris suspended the law, citing EU regulations. On July 15, the Council of State, the top French court, annulled the suspension. That same day, Aylo (which owns Pornhub and other adult sites like YouPorn and Redtube) released a statement that it will again stop operating in France.

"While important questions about the implementation of the law in France are still being considered, we maintain that French citizens deserve regulation that will prevent children from accessing adult content and that can be effectively enforced," Aylo states. "They also deserve that their privacy and sensitive data be protected. Again, we believe the current approach faces significant challenges in achieving these important goals."

The company goes on to state that verifying one's age every time one visits a site doesn't protect minors but instead endangers privacy through potential data breaches. It also said these laws put children at risk by driving them to websites that don't comply with the laws.

"To the French government and [France's communication regulator] Arcom we ask, how many minors have been protected in the six weeks since this law came into effect?" the statement says. "Provide the data on how this reduced access to age-inappropriate content."

These are the same concerns free speech advocates have expressed to Mashable: that age-verification sites won't work, are easily circumvented with VPNs, and have internet privacy and security concerns. In terms of the former, Proton VPN saw a 1,000 percent increase in sign-ups in France in the 30 minutes following the initial block.

Aylo advocates for device-level filters to prevent minors from accessing these websites.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for similar laws. Pornhub has blocked itself in most states with such a law. The UK's own age-verification law goes into effect on July 25, and Pornhub will comply and operate within the region.

How do you unwind when you’ve had a rough day? Some people like to turn their brains off and watch YouTube videos until they get sleepy. Others turn to old episodes of comfort food television that never fail to make them feel better.

We love tiny PCs. But a lot of them are on the weaker side specwise, and that's understandable—there's not a lot of space inside to put high-end parts, and even if there was, thermals are also an issue. This one, however, doesn't seem to skimp on anything.

Did you know Apple's CarPlay will let you make anything — and I mean truly anything — the sound that plays when you start up your car? Well, TikTok found out, and now it's a quickly spreading trend.

It has almost become competitive at this point: How weird, funny, or esoteric can you make your start-up sound?

It's become a trend to start your car and begin filming as it slowly loads, then plays the sound. (The custom sound is played only when your phone connects to CarPlay, so that builds a natural bit of tension as the audience waits for the reveal.) Here are just a few we've spotted on TikTok.

This person used the race sound from Nintendo's Mario Kart.

This person gets greeted by Taylor Swift.

This driver gets a little motivation from the internet's new favorite character, Chit.

This person has a sound from the classic film Billy Madison.

This driver recycles an old meme sound.

It's a funny, silly trend that brings a little bit of whimsy each time you start up your car. I live in New York City and don't have a car, but if I did, I'd probably choose something from the Tim Robinson/I Think You Should Leave/Conner O'Malley extended universe.

Still, if you want to set up your own sound via CarPlay, we can show you how.

How to change your CarPlay start-up sound like the TikTok trend

Per usual, TikTok itself is very helpful for this trend. This post from @cronloya does a really good job of breaking it down step-by-step.

Here's another quick tutorial from @JimKirkVO on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

I was able to recreate the process, though I could not test it out in my non-existent car. But here's how you do it, in seven steps.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone

Step 1: Go to the Shortcuts app.

It should already be installed on your iPhone.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 2: Create a CarPlay automation.

Navigate to the "automation" tab at the bottom of the screen, click "new automation," then scroll down and select CarPlay.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone / Mashable

Step 3: Select "run immediately."

Then hit "next."

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 4: Create a "new blank automation" and navigate to "files."

You may need to hit the button for "add action" to find the files tab, depending on your iOS.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 5: Select "file," then click the blue "file" to pick your sound.

You need to select "file" within the "files" tab... then click the blue word "file" to actually pick the sound. A bit confusing, but you've got this.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone / Mashable

Step 6: Select your sound from within your files.

Once you see the file is uploaded, hit the "done" button. (For some reason, the only sound I could find on my phone was The Rock telling someone it doesn't matter what their name is.)

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 7: Click into the automation, search for "play sound," and select that automation.

You'll have to search for "play sound" to find it. Once you click that option, hit done and your custom sound is complete.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Now, you'll need to download a sound file — an MP3, most likely — to do this trick. Luckily, Mashable has some tutorials on how to do just that. Typically speaking, you can also Google a popular sound and find a downloadable version.

So, with just a little bit of effort, you can add a pinch of whimsy to your daily commute.

The Trump administration has struck an agreement to hand over the personal data of 79 million Medicaid users, part of the President's effort to "crack down" on undocumented communities across the country.

In documents obtained exclusively by the Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) agreed to provide demographic and location data to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, including names, addresses, and ethnicities, in order to more efficiently track down undocumented individuals living in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: 988's crisis services for LGBTQ youth are now silent

"ICE will use the CMS data to allow ICE to receive identity and location information on aliens identified by ICE," the agreement reads. In response to the Associated Press, Health and Human Services assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, said the two agencies "are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans."

Officials have contended that the Medicaid data will be used as a cost-cutting measure to reduce health care costs. But, according to data from the U.S. Commission on Sentencing, more than 90 percent of individuals who commit entitlement fraud are U.S. citizens, and undocumented individuals are only able to enroll in emergency health insurance coverage, not standard policies.

The move to collect information on undocumented individuals through government agencies, anticipated by activists and experts, is fast becoming the largest effort to consolidate Americans' personal data. According to the agreement, officials cannot download any personal data from CMS's databases indefinitely. Instead, officials will be able to access information from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until September 9.

In June, the administration attempted a mass data seizure of personal health information from citizens in states that allow undocumented residents to enroll in state-funded health care. State officials have since sued the administration for illegally exposing the personal information of residents, arguing that the move would have a "chilling" effect on those seeking medical attention and creating a culture of fear.

"By turning over some of our most sensitive healthcare data to ICE, Health and Human Services has fundamentally betrayed the trust of almost 80 million people. This jaw-dropping development proves that the Administration’s claim of using this information to prevent fraud is a Trojan horse that instead will primarily advance their goal of deporting millions of people," said Elizabeth Laird, director of equity in civic technology for the Center for Democracy and Technology.

"Over 90 percent of entitlement fraud is committed by U.S. citizens, underscoring the false pretense of sharing this information with ICE. The results of this decision will be devastating. It will sink trust in government even lower, force individuals to choose between life-saving care and turning over data to immigration authorities, and erode the quality and effectiveness of government services,” Laird said.

The Trump administration's One Big, Beautiful Bill, which Trump signed into law on July 4, includes a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding over the next 10 years — a move that will affect an estimated 11 million Americans and hundreds of rural hospitals. It strikes $186 billion from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, which benefits 5 million adults and children. And it allocates another $108 billion to immigration enforcement initiatives, including continued construction of a southern border wall, new immigrant detention centers, and logistic operations in the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.

Sadly, you can't buy the motivation to get your butt in the gym. And fitness wearables alone won't make you healthier. But a great fitness tracker can help light a fire under your behind and motivate you to take more than 500 steps in a day. And hey, that's not nothing!

The conversation around fitness has changed quite a bit over the past few years (as made clear by Every Fashion Brand Ever releasing an athleisure line). We can thank the self-care revolution for this one. Actively monitoring your fitness, sleep, and overall health metrics isn't just for athletes or people training for marathons. It's a building block of wellness that people are baking into their daily groove, just like keeping up with a skincare routine or eating vegetables.

Whether you splurge on an Equinox membership or rely on home fitness and smart home gyms, the best fitness trackers do so much more than count steps and monitor your heart rate. The Apple Watch Series 10 lets you connect to a whole host of fitness apps, while also queuing up your Spotify workout playlist. Then there's the classic Fitbit, which keeps you focused on the most important metrics. And more recently, smart rings like the Samsung Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring give you round-the-clock health monitoring.

What do we love about fitness trackers? Comparing the Oura Ring 4 and Whoop fitness trackers. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

We tested a lot of different wearables for this guide, and a lot of Mashable team members use these devices on a daily basis.

When it comes to exercise, we think they're the next best thing to having a personal trainer — they suggest workouts, track your heart rate, and let you know when it's time for a breather — all on your own time. Whether your preferred form of exercise is the gym, a long run, a few laps in the pool, a 10-minute workout on YouTube, or a casual walk around the neighborhood, it'll be there to record all of your PRs and motivate you with new challenges.

Some of the metrics available in the Oura app. Credit: Oura app We found the Whoop home page was a touch cluttered compared to Oura. Credit: Whoop app

In our testing, we found that the best fitness trackers don't just track your workout, but also help you optimize the rest of your day. Trackers that monitor your sleep (sometimes going as deep as times spent in each stage of sleep), body temperature, and blood-oxygen levels offer deep insights into your health. They'll even give you a heads up if you've been exercising too hard.

So, which fitness trackers do we rely on in our daily lives? You'll find our favorites below, but you can also see how popular products like the Apple Watch Series 10, Oura Ring 4, and Fitbit Charge 6 compare to each other.

In addition to the authors listed above, Mashable contributors such as Sam Stone, Kimberly Gedeon, and Samantha Mangino tested fitness trackers for this guide.

Razer has just released its Pokémon Collection in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. This comes after the popular debut of this same line in Asia, complete with a mechanical gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, and mousepad.

Compact SUVs have become the go-to choice for drivers who want versatility, efficiency, and comfort in one practical package. But with so many options on the market, finding one that truly delivers strong value can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve rounded up the 10 compact SUVs that give you the most for your money in 2025.

Want to buy a new router and upgrade your home's Wi-Fi network without breaking the bank? Whether you missed out on Prime Day or have been waiting for something truly affordable, we found the perfect deal. The excellent TP-Link Archer AX21 (AX1800) router is 45% off on Amazon, making it only $55.

TL;DR: Create anything, even NSFW art, with a lifetime subscription to Imagiyo for only A$45 through July 20.

Digital creativity has never been more accessible, yet many of us remember the days when crafting a single image meant wrestling with layers and plugins for hours on end. Now there’s a way to generate stunning visuals in seconds simply by typing a description of what you have in mind.

Imagiyo uses Stable Diffusion AI alongside FLUX AI to turn text prompts into high-quality images ready for commercial use, and there aren’t many limits to what you can create. Here’s what that means.

What art can you make with Imagiyo

What do you want to make first? It only takes a brief description to put Imagiyo’s advanced algorithms to work, and unlike other image generators, Imagiyo actually lets you really follow your creativity. Craft stunning landscapes, visualize characters from books, or go for something a little more daring. Imagiyo supports NSFW content creation. Just set your prompts to private and let your mind run wild.

Imagiyo’s commercial-use license means you can take some of the images you generate and incorporate them into client projects, social media campaigns, or personal portfolios without fear of copyright issues.

Each month, you receive 500 image-generation credits and can submit up to two prompts at once. Unused credits roll over, so you never lose access to your creative potential. Best of all, Imagiyo delivers your purchased engine updates and feature improvements automatically, ensuring you always work with the latest AI models.

You have two days to get an Imagiyo AI Image Generator lifetime subscription for A$45 (reg. A$756). This sale lasts through July 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) AU$45
AU$756 Save AU$711 Get Deal

The best Ninja Swirl alternatives Best overall deal Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine (1.5 quart) $69.95 (save $20) Get Deal Best upgraded ice cream maker Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine (2 quart) $129.95 Shop Now Best stand-mixer ice cream attachment KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment $79.95 (save $40.04 + get a $4 Amazon credit) Get Deal Best from Ninja Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker $166 (save $33) Shop Now Best budget ice cream maker Dash Deluxe Gelato & Ice Cream Maker $59.99 Get Deal

If we're all being honest with ourselves, ice cream is an essential part of life. Imagine a warm summer night without savoring a bowl for dessert? It just doesn't add up. Enjoying a banana split after a major accomplishment, adding a scoop to warm pie, or taking a spoon to a pint while standing in the chill of the freezer: they're all magical moments. But if you don't feel like dishing out top dollar at the local artisan ice cream shop or watching your ice cream melt on the drive home from the store, why not make it at home?

Adding an ice cream maker to your collection of kitchen appliances will never, ever disappoint. Making ice cream at home gives you unlimited flavor possibilities while also nailing any dietary restrictions. Go dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free while making your own personal flavor creations to the exact level of sweetness you prefer.

We absolutely love the Ninja Swirl (and the Ninja Creami, too). Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino's review of the Ninja Swirl awarded it a prestigious Mashable Choice honor. "There's nothing I love more than leaving the house on a late summer evening to indulge in a cone of soft serve. It's something you can't get at home, unlike a pint of ice cream you buy at the grocery store. But now, with the Ninja Swirl, I don't have to leave the house for soft serve," said Mangino in her review.

That said, we don't love the price, and the best Ninja Swirl alternatives offer a more affordable way to get your homemade ice cream fix.

Ninja Swirl ice cream and soft-serve maker $348 at Amazon
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While the Ninja Swirl serves up both soft serve and hard, scoopable ice cream, it's hard to get past the $348 price tag. The machine also tends to sell out and is super rare to find on sale. Mangino also notes the machine takes up some serious real estate on your kitchen counter.

SEE ALSO: My new favourite air fryer upgrade — grab the Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer for only $159.99

Since National Ice Cream Day is just around the corner on Sunday, July 20, why not treat yourself to an ice cream maker that will supply endless joy and a refreshing dessert? Here are some of our favorite Ninja Swirl alternatives that might work better for your kitchen and your budget.

Best overall ice cream maker Opens in a new window Credit: Cusinart Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine (1.5 quart) $69.95 at Amazon
$89.95 Save $20 Get Deal Why we like it

Consistently making excellent ice cream, the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine produces 1.5 quarts of perfection with each use. It's a versatile machine that can make ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and even frozen drinks. All of that for under $90 feels like this is the ultimate summer treat-maker that sticks to a budget-friendly price. This model is currently on sale for under $70 at Amazon.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth says, "This is the ice cream maker my mom has been using for years, and it's awesome. I highly recommend finding a good chocolate malt recipe and making a pint with your mom." You can make ice cream in 20 minutes or less with this ice cream maker. Just pour ingredients into the feeding spout, press the "on" button, and the powerful motor and mixing paddle will take care of the churning. Cuisinart also includes a recipe book to help you get started, but a major benefit of making ice cream at home is coming up with your own creations.

Best upgraded ice cream maker Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine (2 quart) $129.95 at Williams & Sonoma
Shop Now Why we like it

Making four pints with each batch, the 2-quart Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine is perfect for feeding a crowd or a family who likes to have Friday night ice cream parties. It uses a simple on-off dial and a double-insulated freezer bowl to churn out perfect ice cream in under 30 minutes. If ice cream is not your thing, this machine can also whip up frozen drinks, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or gelato. All you'll need to do is all your favorite ingredients (or follow a recipe from the included book of inspiration) and turn the machine on. When it comes time for cleaning, you'll be in good hands — the freezer bowl easily lifts out. Plus, the brushed stainless steel design looks pretty great on a countertop.

Best stand-mixer ice cream attachment Opens in a new window Credit: KitchenAid KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment $79.95 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $40.04 Get Deal Why we like it

If you already have a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, you can actually just grab some add-ons to transform your mixer into an ice-cream production factory. The KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment churns up to two quarts of your favorite frozen dessert, and is compatible with most KitchenAid mixers except Mini models. This set includes all three accessories to make ice cream, including the ice cream bowl, the dasher, and the hub assembly piece.

To make awesome ice cream with your KitchenAid, you'll need to stick the ice cream bowl in the freezer for at least 24 hours before use. After that, you'll be able to add in your desired ingredients, churn for under 30 minutes, and then enjoy. KitchenAid redesigned the dasher with this model to ensure your ingredients and add-ins are fully incorporated. After enjoying the best ice cream you've ever had, the KitchenAid bowl is easy to hand-wash once it's up to room temp.

Best Swirl alternative from Ninja Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker $165.97 at Walmart
$199 Save $33.03 Get Deal Why we like it

The original Ninja ice cream maker is still a popular gift, though it's getting harder to find. While it's low in stock at both Amazon and Walmart, it's currently on sale at the latter, where you can pick it up for $169. Our reporter Samantha Mangino also enjoyed the Creami in her review for Mashable. "The Ninja Creami has taken over our social media feeds, and maybe for good reason. Besides the 24-hour freezing time, it creates creamy, smooth ice cream in just minutes with the press of a button (or two). But beware: it's loud as hell."

Best ice cream maker for small kitchens Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart FastFreeze Ice Cream Maker $119.95 at Cuisinart
Get Deal Why we like it

What happens if you want homemade ice cream but are short on kitchen space or really don't want another kitchen appliance? No need to cry over a lack of ice cream since you can go with the Cuisinart FastFreeze Ice Cream Maker. Its compact design is perfect for kitchens that don't have extra counter space for another appliance, and it can easily be stored in a drawer, cupboard, or the pantry. It whips up half a pint of ice cream in just three minutes. Although it's worth mentioning that you'll need to use pre-frozen ingredients, so some prep is necessary for the FastFreeze.

If you're craving a different type of chilled treat, the Cuisinart FastFreeze can also make milkshakes, slushies, and sorbets. You'll be able to select one of these options on the handle and then all you need to go is press "go" to be on your way to frozen delight. Did we mention the FastFreeze clocks in at under six pounds? Cuisinart includes three half-pint containers and lids with this model.

Best budget ice cream maker Opens in a new window Credit: Dash Dash Deluxe Gelato & Ice Cream Maker $46.02 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $13.97 Get Deal Why we like it

Dash makes some incredibly fun and functional kitchen appliances, and they're all offered at an affordable price. That's all true of the Dash Deluxe Gelato & Ice Cream Maker, which makes two quarts of your favorite flavors — that's the equivalent of four pints. Dash lists this model's MSRP at $59.99. Say a pint of Ben & Jerry's comes in at $6.99, you'll only need to make 8.5 pints in the Dash to break even, which is about two batches.

To use the Dash, you'll want to freeze the included bowl for at least 24 hours and get your desired ingredients into the freezer, too. Once you add those frozen ingredients into the bowl, switch the machine on, and watch it churn until it reaches your desired consistency.

Google Wallet allows you to add a huge variety of passes and cards to it, making it easy to keep track of all of your things. But you can also make your own passes if you need to. Doing this in Google Wallet isn't particularly difficult, but it'll go even faster if you know the steps.

Plex says that it's bringing music and photos functionality back to its core video streaming app. This is a major reversal of the multi-app approach that Plex announced about 10 months ago, though the company notes that Plexamp and Photos will still be offered as optional standalone apps.

You might be familiar with Beeper. The app made a name for itself by offering Android users a pathway to accessing iMessage, and while that's now gone, it's still a pretty useful app that offers the ability to keep all chats from all your apps in one place. Now, it's becoming even better, and fixing one of its biggest problems—but it's also leaving its other biggest problem unsolved.

Meet OpenAI's new web browsing agent.

On Thursday, OpenAI announced ChatGPT agent, a tool that's capable of navigating the web and performing tasks on your behalf. As teased in an X post before the livestream, ChatGPT agent combines the autonomous capabilities of its Operator agent and the reasoning intelligence of its Deep Research tool.

OpenAI's Operator, which launched in January as preview mode to ChatGPT Pro users, could scroll, click, and type on the web but had limitations and never saw a widespread release. Deep research is another type of agent that can search the web and compile information on the user's behalf, but it couldn't take actions beyond that. The launch of OpenAI's new web browsing agent effectively combines both tools.

Credit: OpenAI SEE ALSO: I’m testing Perplexity’s new AI browser Comet. Here are 3 features I tried right away.

"Operator couldn’t dive deep into analysis or write detailed reports, and deep research couldn’t interact with websites to refine results or access content requiring user authentication," said the OpenAI announcement. "We saw that many queries users attempted with Operator were actually better suited for deep research, so we brought the best of both together."

OpenAI's new tool is part of the fast-growing agentic AI world

OpenAI's ChatGPT agent joins other agentic tools recently released that can perform tasks on the user's behalf. While not a full web browser, it acts similarly to Perplexity Comet's browser assistant. Anthropic also has a tool called "computer use" that can take over your cursor and write code. As models become more advanced, they are more capable of performing autonomous tasks. Web browsing is considered one of the next arenas for AI labs to compete in, with OpenAI, Anthropic, Perplexity already shipping features, and Google's Project Mariner research prototype.

When in agent mode, you can ask ChatGPT to perform tasks like "look at my calendar and brief me on upcoming client meetings based on recent news" or "plan and buy ingredients to make Japanese breakfast for four," according to an OpenAI spokesperson.

OpenAI said that users are always in control and ChatGPT requests permission before taking actions, such as submitting forms, making purchases, or handling personal info. OpenAI said users can easily interrupt or take over when needed. Certain tasks, like sending emails, require oversight called Watch Mode.

On the safety front, ChatGPT agent is not allowed to perform "high-risk" tasks like financial transactions or legal advice, and it is trained to recognize malicious or adversarial attacks from prompt injections or other manipulative tactics.

In terms of data gathering, OpenAI said ChatGPT can delete their browsing data and log out of websites with one click and does not collect data while the user is actively involved in tasks like entering passwords.

Given the advancements, there's also a considerably higher risk for things to go wrong. OpenAI has classified ChatGPT agent as high risk in its preparedness framework for biological and chemical capabilities.

There's good news for users who don't have the $200 a month ChatGPT Pro plan. It's available to Pro, Plus, and Team users. Pro users get access today, and Plus and Team users get access over the next few days. Pro users get 400 messages a month, while Plus, Team, and other paid users get 40 messages a month.

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.

With King of the Hill returning to Hulu in August, it’s a good time to brush up on the animated sitcom classic. While not as zany as the other cartoons that graced primetime Fox, it stood out for its dry humor from Texan dad Hank Hill. His misunderstandings of the world and obsession with propane made him an iconic character, along with the other quirky Texan characters, ranging from the conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble to the rambling talk of Boomhauer.

SAVE $20: As of July 17, get the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds for $89 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $109. That's a discount of 18%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds $89 at Amazon
$109 Save $20 Get Deal

If you want a good pair of earbuds, there are tons you could choose from. Apple, Samsung, and Bose are some great options to name a few. But if you want something more innovative that has multiple uses while still delivering great sound, it might be time to try the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds, especially since you can get them for a discounted price right now.

As of July 17, get the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds for $89 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $109. That's $20 off and a discount of 18%.

SEE ALSO: Don't break the bank: The best budget earbuds, tested by our audio experts

These unique buds have one leg up on the competition already at first glance: they're transparent, which is a fun throwback to the days of clear tech many of us grew up with. Plus, they have special ChatGPT integration that lets you ask the AI platform questions while you're out and about. That alone makes them worth picking up for the price.

But of course they're worth it as earbuds as well, with solid audio and compact 11mm drivers for better base. And they handle noise cancellation fantastically as well, given that they can detect additional noise leakage between your ear and earbud, making it simpler to block out the noise you don't want to hear to help you focus.

These earbuds are unlike any you've tried before in a few unique ways, and the fact that you can get them for under $100 means you should go ahead and invest before they go back up in price. You'll never realize how useful on-the-go ChatGPT is when you're out in the world otherwise.

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