IT General

Linux Mint is one of the most popular and most recommended Linux distributions for users new to Linux. We're going to walk you through the installation process step by step so you'll know exactly what to expect.

Care for a "fridge cigarette"? According to TikTok, a fridge cigarette is the perfect summer treat: a crisp Diet Coke, chilled to perfection.

The trend took off when creator Rachel Reno (@reallyrachelreno) posted a video of herself in a park in New York, snacking on a sandwich, chips, and a Diet Coke. She wrote, "overheard someone call Diet Coke a ‘fridge cigarette’ and nothing’s been more true to me since." She also referred to the drink as a "crispy ciggy."

True Diet Coke fans understood the comparison. Reno got over 3.8 million views on the video. One user wrote in the comments, "A 'fridge cigarette' is the funniest thing I've ever heard in my life and it's so true." Another wrote, "Accurate, Diet Coke has been my vice of choice for decades."

Diet Coke has captured Gen-Z's attention over the years. Back in 2023, TikTokkers were grabbing viral "Diet Coke breaks", as Substack writer Casey Lewis wrote. Instead of "cigarette breaks", young people are turning to the soft drink as a way to take the edge off and recharge.

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

The trend also fits into the wider facets of TikTok youth culture. Young people on the app regularly romanticize their lives, making daily moments and mundane routines into aesthetic pieces of content. The term "fridge cigarette" is another rendition of making a daily ritual sound a little more enticing.

SEE ALSO: What is the Gen Z stare? TikTok zoomers and millennials are bickering over facial expressions

Plus, the Gen-Z version of a "smoke break" being a Diet Coke also speaks to plummeting rates of smoking among young people. A fridge cigarette isn't the worst replacement.

When it comes to compact luxury sedans, three names dominate the conversation: Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Each brand brings its own blend of performance, refinement, and prestige to the table, making the competition fierce for buyers seeking a premium driving experience in a smaller package.

Grok, the AI chatbot coming from the workshop of Elon Musk's xAI, now lets you chat with animated companions, including a very flirty one.

The latest version of Grok for iOS (version 1.1.18) comes with two companions — an anime girl called Ani and a red panda called Rudi.

The scantily dressed Ani will certainly be the one that makes headlines, as it's essentially a sexbot, constantly offering very flirty responses to your queries. It also offers a "level 3" mode, in which she goes fully NSFW, though you need to get a bit more acquainted with her to reach that level.

It gets more NSFW if you tell it the right things. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable/Grok

I've tried the companions out, and they seem like lightly AI-powered games that are limited in a number of ways. For example, I've asked Ani to change her background to the surface of Mars, but she merely described the scenery to me, without changing the visuals. Similarly, instead of actually performing an action (such as dancing), she described the act of dancing with words. And while I tried to steer the conversation into something else, it somehow always reverted to a romantic night upon a hilltop.

Once you reach a certain level of "friendliness" (I was unable to do it; my seduction powers are apparently useless on AI bots), Ani will become more unhinged, and, eventually, change its outfit to something sexier.

Rudi will tell you a story in an oddly whispery voice. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable/Grok

Rudi (or Rudy, I've found both instances of the spelling in the Grok app) the red panda is also a story-telling character, with you picking a topic and it turning it into an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure style story. It does have a "Bad Rudy" mode which makes it a lot more naughty; in one instance it offered to "shove a firecracker up fate's sorry ass and watch it squeal," which is pretty disturbing coming from an animated cartoon panda.

Grok offers some customization options for these; for example, Bad Rudy and NSFW content can be turned on or off in the settings.

SEE ALSO: Musk-Trump feud brings Twitter back to life

While the two bots don't seem particularly groundbreaking in terms of advancing artificial intelligence, the NSFW nature of the Ani bot will surely pique interest.

The new features come days after Grok went on an antisemitic tirade on X, prompting xAI to issue an apology. Shortly after that, xAI launched a new version of Grok, which beats AI competitors in several key AI benchmarks.

Like many of the late night show hosts, Seth Meyers returned from vacation on Monday night ready to go right back.

The last two weeks of news have been undeniably chaotic, from Elon Musk's Grok AI calling itself 'MechaHitler' and going on an antisemitic spree to President Donald Trump getting ratioed on his own Truth Social after urging people to move on from Jeffrey Epstein. And on Late Night, Meyers tried to cover it all.

"If you thought we’d come back from our two-week break with a laundry list of good news, well, I’m sorry, but you clearly haven’t been watching this show," said Meyers. "If the news gets any worse we’re going to have to start doing 'A Closer Look' in black and white and change the title to French."

Meyers then lists everything that went down when Late Night was off, and it's a lot.

“In the past two weeks, Republicans forced through a heinous plan to kick millions off health insurance to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, even though their own members said the bill was bad before they voted for it. The White House and Kristi Noem faced intense criticism for their handling of the tragic Texas floods. Trump announced more arbitrary tariffs that even his own administration couldn't defend. The AI chatbot operated by the world's richest man went on an unhinged antisemitic rant and called itself 'MechaHitler'. And Florida opened up a gruesome new detention centre for migrants and even their stupid nicknames for the prison make it sound really bad."

Then, Meyers turns focus to Trump's continued press criticism and Truth Social urging for people to move on from convicted child sex offender Epstein, in a similarly spot-on response to that given by The Daily Show's Ronny Chieng.

"How dare you fixate on a story from the past, something Donald Trump has never done?" said Meyers. "He's focused on the issues of today, not the 2020 election, or the Russia investigation, or Hunter Biden's laptop, or Hillary Clinton's email server, Joe Biden’s autopen, or Rosie O'Donnell making fun of him, or his ratings for The Apprentice, which ended in 2015, or deceased golfer Arnold Palmer's unusually large penis, which, by the way, we have yet to see definitive proof of."

Virtual reality technology is at a critical point, full of potential that has not yet been fully realized. While it may seem like first-person experiences are the future of VR, there’s a whole untapped market that could help VR dominate the industry.

SAVE $200: As of July 15, the Chefman indoor pizza oven is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off its list price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Chefman Indoor Pizza Oven $199.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $200 Get Deal

Prime Day may be over, but that doesn't mean there aren't still great deals to find. One of our favorite offers we've come across recently is on the Chefman indoor pizza oven, which has received a 50% discount at Amazon. If you've been hoping to host a pizza party this summer, this is well worth picking up at this low price.

This discount has dropped the price of the Chefman indoor pizza oven from $399.99 to $199.99, allowing you to save $200. It's also incredibly close to its lowest-ever price of $199.94, making now a great time to jump on this deal.

SEE ALSO: This versatile air fryer from Ninja is $40 off for a limited time

Not only does this pizza oven have a design that makes it a solid fit for more compact spaces in kitchens, but it's built to tackle a variety of pizzas, too. It comes with six presets: Neapolitan, New York, thin-crust, pan, frozen, and a manual option. On top of that, you'll also get a pizza stone, pizza peel, and a digital cookbook to kickstart your pizza-making adventure.

Who knows how much longer this deal will last beyond Prime Day, so act fast to save 50% on the Chefman indoor pizza oven at Amazon.

This isn't the only deal that's still lingering around after the sale event, either. Check out our breakdown of Prime Day deals that are still live to see if there's anything else that catches your eye.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

Privately funded American space company Axiom Space successfully finished its Ax-4 mission on Tuesday morning, returning astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary from the International Space Station, and safely splashing down off the Californian coast.

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft "Grace" landed in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on July 15 at 4:31 a.m. CT / 5:31 a.m. ET, with American Commander Peggy Whitson (Axiom's director of human spaceflight), Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Polish and Hungarian mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu emerging from the capsule. They were picked up by the SpaceX and Axiom support teams, who lifted the floating capsule into a "Dragon nest," then transferred it to a level deck so the astronauts could exit.

You can watch the splashdown moment starting from around the 1:04:00 mark in Axiom's livestream above, after which you can hear Whitson confirm the crew as safe and "happy to be back."

The crew left for the ISS on June 25 for a 14-day mission, as NASA describes, "conducting microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach engagements." According to the space agency, it's India, Poland, and Hungary's second human spaceflight mission in history, and the first time these three countries have had astronauts on the ISS.

A slow change is coming to the Linux kernel, and it’s as fundamental as it gets for programmers: the very language they write in. Such an impactful move has to be handled carefully, but it’s cause for celebration.

HBO MAX BUNDLES: HBO Max is offering a few different bundle deals so you can stream from its library without making a massive dent in your wallet.

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in July 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99 per month with ads, $29.99 per month ad-free Get Deal Best Student Discount HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads plan Get Deal Best Bundle with Hulu Hulu with HBO Max Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99 per month Get Deal

It's happened: Max has rebranded back to its old name of HBO Max. Forget the name change, because the service still has plenty of exciting films and shows to watch. From The Last of Us to Sinners and so much more, HBO Max is worth the investment for those looking to dive into the most talked about pieces of entertainment.

If you've been hoping to catch the latter — you can check out our Sinners review to see our thoughts, where we called it "easily one of the best movies of the year"— there's no better time than now to start looking at plans and bundles.

The good news is that HBO Max has a couple of different bundles available at the moment that are worth checking out, including a big bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. With streaming prices on the rise, a bundle like this can be a great way to save some cash while getting access to your favorite services.

SEE ALSO: The Chicken Jockey is coming to streaming: Every way to watch 'A Minecraft Movie' at home

Alongside that deal and a couple more, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're just interested in its service on its own.

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

HBO Max Student Discount Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads plan Get Deal Why we like it

It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $4.99 per month. That's a 50% discount off its usual price of $9.99 per month. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code that can be used to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.

• HBO Max Student Discount — $4.99 per month (save 50%)

Best Bundle with Hulu Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with HBO Max Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $9.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $9.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $16.99 per month.

• Hulu with HBO Max add-on — from $9.99 per month

HBO Max's monthly plans

HBO Max offers a few different subscription plans. If you don't mind having to sit through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $9.99 per month or the annual plan runs for $99.99 per year, which ultimately saves you $19. If you can't stand ads and don't mind throwing down a bit more cash, the Standard plan will cost you $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year, which saves you $33. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year.

Below we've broken down what comes with each of these plans, per HBO Max's website, so you can know a bit more before you buy.

Basic With Ads — $9.99 per month, $99.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

Standard (Ad-free) — $16.99 per month, $169.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

• 30 downloads to watch on the go

Premium (Ad-free) — $20.99 per month, $209.99 per year

• Stream on four devices at once

• 4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)

• Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)

• 100 downloads to watch on the go

If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with a HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

SAVE $400: As of July 15, the Apple Studio Display is on sale for $1,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 21% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Studio Display $1,499 at Amazon
$1,899 Save $400 Get Deal

I love a good deal on an Apple product, especially as we leave the Prime Day madness behind. So this huge discount on the Apple Studio Display really caught my eye. As of July 15, you can save $400 on the tilt-adjustable stand, nano-textured glass model. This isn't just its lowest price this year, it's the lowest price in well over a year, last reaching this price in April 2024 (according to camelcamelcamel).

It's a seriously high-quality screen, too; it boasts a 27-inch 5K Retina display with 600 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for a billion colors, so everything you do will look really sharp and vibrant. It’s got a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Apple's Center Stage, meaning your video calls stay focused on you, even if you move around.

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Series 10 is still available for its record-low Prime Day price

The three-mic system is also of the highest quality, ensuring your voice comes through loud and clear, and the six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio delivers an immersive listening experience. Perfect for long calls or meetings, or watching movies and TV.

Connectivity-wise, you get one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports, plus 96W of power delivery to keep your MacBook charged. And for added comfort, there’s an optional stand that lets you adjust both tilt and height.

Told you it was a good deal: head to Amazon to grab it now at this low price.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

A newly moustachioed Stephen Colbert returned from vacation on Monday night, catching up on the goings on at Paramount, The Late Show network CBS' parent company in July.

Namely, the $16 million settlement Paramount Global agreed with President Donald Trump, who filed a suit against the company in October for a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice-President Kamala Harris — Trump alleged "deceitful" editing ahead of the November presidential election.

"As someone who has alway been a proud employee of this network, I am offended," said Colbert in his Late Show monologue. "And I don't know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company. But just taking a stab at it, I'd say $16 million would help."

Colbert criticised Trump's "nuisance lawsuit" and Paramount's agreement saying, "Paramount knows they could have easily fought it because in their own words 'the lawsuit was completely without merit.' And keep in mind, Paramount produced Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, they know 'completely without merit.'"

Finishing up, Colbert brought out the big guns.

"I believe this kind of complicated financial settlement with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles. It's big fat bribe," he said. "Because this all comes as Paramount's owners are trying to get Trump administration to approve the sale of our network to a new owner, Skydance. And some of the TV typers out there are blogging that once Skydance gets CBS, the new owner's desire to please Trump could 'put pressure on late night host and frequent Trump critic Stephen Colbert.'

"OK, but how are they going to put pressure on Stephen Colbert if they can't find him?"

Ahh, we get the moustache now.

When filming a documentary in recent months, I needed an efficient way to share files with team members in the field. The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable with USB4 is the fast, rugged, and compact external SSD that’s powered it all, even if it technically underperforms.

UPDATE: Jul. 15, 2025, 6:00 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the digital-on-demand release and streaming information for "M3GAN 2.0."

The best ways to watch 'M3GAN' and 'M3GAN 2.0': WATCH 'M3GAN 2.0' NOW Rent or purchase 'M3GAN 2.0' on Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEAL TO WATCH 'M3GAN' Starz 6-month subscription $17.99 (save $28) Get Deal SECOND-BEST DEAL TO WATCH 'M3GAN' Starz 3-month subscription $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal FREE TRIAL TO WATCH 'M3GAN' Starz Prime Video add-on free for 7 days Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING DEAL FOR 'M3GAN' Rent or purchase 'M3GAN' on Prime Video $3.99 or $7.99 Shop Now

Everyone's new favorite murderous doll (sorry, Chucky) is back for another round. M3GAN dominated the box office in its first go, but M3GAN 2.0, which hit theaters last month, hasn't been able to live up to the original hype. This time around, M3GAN's creator Gemma (Allison Williams) is forced to resurrect her after a new AI bot, Amelia (created using the same technology that made M3GAN), becomes a threat to all of humanity. M3GAN 2.0 is faster, stronger, and of course, taller, but otherwise the same dancing diva AI doll you've come to love.

Universal is hoping to find its audience outside of theater now that the film is officially available to watch at home. Here's what you need to know to watch M3GAN and M3GAN 2.0.

When does M3GAN 2.0 come out?

M3GAN 2.0 hit theaters June 27, 2025, about a year and a half after the AI doll's first murder spree. It officially made its streaming debut on digital-on-demand services like Prime Video and Apple TV on July 15. It will be available to stream at a later date.

Check out the official trailer for a glimpse at what's to come. Yes, there's more dancing.

How to watch M3GAN 2.0

M3GAN 2.0 is still in select theaters if you want the full experience. If you'd rather watch it at home, you can purchase or rent the film exclusively at digital-on-demand retailers (like Prime Video or Fandango at Home) as of July 15. The film is available to buy for $24.99 or rent for $19.99. While it's certainly tempting to save a few bucks and opt for the rental option, just be aware that 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.

• Prime Video — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

When and where will it be streaming? As a Universal Pictures film, we can be certain that M3GAN 2.0 will make its streaming debut on Peacock, the NBCUniversal-owned service. As far as when that will be, we can make an educated guess that it will arrive sometime around mid-September. Previous Blumhouse titles, Drop, The Woman in the Yard, and Wolf Man, had a window of a little over two months between the digital and streaming release dates. We'll update you once we find out for sure.

How to watch M3GAN

While the original M3GAN movie spent some time on Peacock as well (which makes sense, as it's a Universal Pictures film), it's now streaming exclusively on Starz. As a lesser-known streaming service, there are few options for deals, but they do still exist. Check out the best options below.

Don't want to sign up for another streaming service? You can also rent or purchase M3GAN on digital on-demand retailers like Prime Video or Fandango at Home. Here are some quick links if you choose that route.

Note: Rentals give you 30 days to watch and just 48 hours to finish once you begin.

• Prime Video — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

• YouTube — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

• Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

The best Starz streaming dealsBest overall: Save $28 on a 6-month subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz 6-month subscription $17.99
$45.99 Save $28.00 Get Deal

A Starz subscription usually costs $10.99 per month or $45.99 for a six-month subscription, but with this deal, the price falls to only $17.99 total for six months. That's equal to just $3 per month and saves you $28. In this day and age, $3 per month is a steal for a streaming service.

Second-best deal: Save $6 per month for 3 months Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz 3-month subscription $4.99 per month for three months (save $18) Get Deal

If you don't want to commit to half of a year of streaming on Starz, you can opt for a three-month subscription instead and pay just $4.99 per month. That's still $6 per month in savings or $18 total across three months.

Free trial: Sign up for the Starz Prime Video add-on Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz Prime Video add-on free 7-day trial, then $10.99 per month Get Deal

If you don't want to spend a dime watching M3GAN and you're already a Prime Video member, you can sign up for the Starz add-on through Prime Video and get a seven-day trial for free. After the trial runs out, you'll be charged the full $10.99 per month fee, so be sure to cancel ahead of time to avoid it.

Finding potential partners on dating apps who want the same things as you can be a grueling task — especially if you’re out for a relationship. It can feel deeply disappointing when someone you’ve spent hours talking to keeps making excuses for not meeting up. Why do they bother crafting sparkling text conversation over a series of weeks if they won’t actually take you on a date? 

A new study published in Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace may have the answer. Researchers from Miguel Hernández University of Elche in Spain studied the motives of Tinder users and how this lined up with the ‘dark tetrad’ set of personality traits of narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. The dark tetrad personality theory suggests that people with these traits lean toward antisocial, impulsive, and dangerous behavior. Researchers also looked at sociosexual orientation (their attitude toward casual sex). 

Although it was a small study of 200 people, most of whom were women, three groups with distinct reasons for using the app were revealed. 

In it for love (and not dark)

These people (41 percent) were looking to find a partner. They were named the “non-dark and non-sociosexual” group because they scored low for dark traits and sociosexuality (aka they weren’t particularly open to casual sex — which the study defined as “to have sex one night only"). This group were the most likely to use the app to form relationships. This contrasts Tinder's own research which states that 69 percent of people who use the app are looking for something serious.

SEE ALSO: 3 new dating terms to know In it for sex (and kinda dark) 

The second-largest group (39 percent) were using the app to have casual sex. Which in itself is no bad thing. But this lot were coined the “slightly narcissistic and sociosexual" group because they also had the highest levels of narcissism (vanity, superiority, and a constant pursuit of validation and ego reinforcement). They also showed moderate levels of Machiavellianism (manipulativeness, self-interest, and an indifference to morality) and psychopathy (lack of empathy, impulsivity, and antisocial behavior). 

In it for themselves (and super dark)

The remaining 20 percent were on the app for distraction, entertainment, social approval, to get over an ex, practice their social skills, and be fashionable. They showed the highest levels across all the dark traits but were particularly high in psychopathy and sadism. Interestingly, they weren’t that bothered about casual sex and became known as the “high-dark and slightly sociosexual” group.

The importance of these findings

Previous research has linked dark traits to antisocial behaviors like bullying, trolling, sextortion, and sexual aggression. So the theory goes that people with those traits are the most likely to use — and abuse — dating apps for sexual gain. “The findings appear to challenge that,” says psychotherapist Toby Ingham.

Although the largest group of users are in it for love, those who are in it for sex and themselves far outnumber them. You’d be forgiven for fearing that the non-problematic dating app users are becoming evermore rare. But more research would need to be done to say that this is, for sure, the reality. A Tinder spokesperson said, “As the authors acknowledge, this study is based on a small, female-skewed sample of 200 people — including individuals who don’t currently use Tinder. It is inappropriate and misleading to draw broader conclusions about the dating intentions of Tinder’s 47 million monthly active users.”

Hilda Burke, a psychotherapist and author of The Phone Addiction Workbook, doesn’t think they tell us much about the overall state of dating apps. “There’s a perception of Tinder as where you go for a bit of fun. Extrapolating the findings to dating apps more generally would be false. They may say something about those who use Tinder, but not about what people are looking for in general these days,” she says. 

Ingham thinks it may be less a question of whether bad actors outnumber honest users and more one of the power and influence that online platforms give to disenfranchised people. “They also come at a time of heightened attention on the way social media may be having a destructive effect, particularly in areas concerning men, women and dating,” he adds.

So, what can we take from the findings? “They may help us find our way around dating apps more safely,” says Ingham. “They remind us that there are complicated people out there and that we need to be careful when we use these platforms.”

How to tell what type of dating app user someone is

The challenge here is that dark traits are tricky to spot. “They’ll probably be completely invisible when you’re engaging through an app,” warns Burke. “Because a lot of initial courtship is virtual, there’s also the possibility of fantasy and imagining the person’s someone they're not. You may only see the red flags in real life.”

There are some potential signs of these behaviors that you can look out for. But Burke adds an important caveat: “We can’t insulate ourselves from getting disappointed, getting heartbroken, or getting with the wrong person. We want hacks to get around it, but risk and being hurt is part of dating and part of life.” 

How to tell if they’re in it for love (and not dark)They meet you in real life

“Willingness to meet is the first clue. You can narrow down the field considerably based on that. It’s important to meet within a reasonable timeframe…within a couple of weeks,” Burke explains. “Get out of the fantasy stage. Don't nurse these communication threads for months. Not meeting up leads to greater projection.”

They talk about what they want

Whatever you're looking for, be honest and ask them to be. “We know people don't always tell the truth, so there’s no guarantee you won’t get disappointed. But by opening the conversation up, there's less chance,” Burke says.

They speak on the phone (or over voice note)

“With a phone call, you get their tone of voice. It's better than text where you really don't know what you're dealing with,” she continues. 

They spend quality time with you

After that, it’s all about putting the time in. Burke adds, “There's no shortcut. It takes a while to get to know a person and to see their traits emerge.”

How to tell if they’re in it for sex (and kinda dark) 

There’s nothing wrong with someone using a dating app for hookups, as long as they’re honest about it from the get-go. But the study reveals that narcissists are likely to use the app for this reason and may charm or manipulate people into casual sex. 

They show off in their photos 

“Putting up pictures that are very about their physicality or achievements, like standing on a podium at a TED Talk, as a talking head on the TV” is a potential sign, Burke says. “It's trying to give the impression of a kind of ‘Übermensch. ’ Although it doesn’t necessarily mean the person is an actual narcissist.”

They want to rush things

If you don’t want casual sex, make that part of the conversation. “Are they OK with that? How would they feel about waiting a few weeks or months so you can get to know each other first?” Burke says. If they want to have sex straight away and won’t wait at all, you've got your answer. “These conversations can be difficult, but at least then you can make an informed choice,” she adds. Ingham agrees. “If we go slowly, with luck, some of the dark folk will lose patience with us.”

They’re only available for sex

“You can get a lot of information from what someone is available for and when they’re available. Are all their messages just sexual chat at night time? If you want that, great,” says Burke. If you’re looking for something that’s not just about sex? This tells you everything you need to know. 

How to tell if they’re in it for themselves (and super dark)They don’t meet up

“All the matches, having hot people sliding into their DMs…it's less about finding a connection and more about getting attention and the validation that lots of people find them attractive,” says Burke. “They have no intention of meeting up. They’re just enjoying feeling desired.”

They fish for compliments

“Their messaging may look like courtship, but the ends justify the means,” explains Burke. For people with dark traits, ‘the ends’ are flattery, validation, and attention. “You may find that you inflate their ego through virtual flirtation, but they never actually connect with you because it's about them falling in love with themselves, ultimately.”

They string you along

“They might say they’re busy, they’ve been off the radar, or their mother’s sick. If they’re always making excuses, it could be evidence that they’re not being honest,” says Burke. “Honesty would look like, ‘It’s been lovely talking to you, but I'm actually on the app because I just broke it off with someone else.’ If it’s not honest, they may fudge it to keep things in a holding pattern but never progress.”

They’re overly sarcastic

Dark people may overuse irony and sarcasm, says Ingham. “Nothing wrong with a good sense of humor, but if we’re serious about using the apps we might help ourselves by looking out for those that aren’t.”

Most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself

No matter how alert and cautious you are, you can’t protect yourself from ever coming across bad actors on dating apps. “Sometimes we expect too much of ourselves. We expect to be clinical psychologists and able to pick up on microscopic signals. Maybe we could if we weren’t romantically and sexually attracted to the person. But when attraction’s involved, it dulls our ability to pick up on signs,” Burke says. 

If you let someone with dark traits slip through the net, don’t be too hard on yourself. “In retrospect, it’s easy to think, ‘I should’ve known.’ In actuality, it's not that simple. The only way to get to know a person is to spend time together, and with that comes getting more connected, invested, and attached.” 

HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its impressive library without breaking the bank.

The best Hulu deals and bundles in July 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Add-On Deal Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal

There's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From A Complete Unknown to season four of The Bear, it's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained for hours. There's also the highly anticipated new Alien: Earth series set to stream on Aug. 12.

If any of these have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash.

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear' Season 5: Everything we know so far

With streaming prices on the rise (Hulu even recently increased its prices just last year), there's no better time than now to find a way to save on streaming services like this one. Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plan, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending.

You'll even get additional streaming services thrown in at a lower cost, and what's better than that?

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

Released last July, this is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Best Disney+ Add-On Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't want to splash out on the full Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, the next best thing is the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic plan. This comes with just Disney+ alongside Hulu, giving you access to each of their ad-supported streaming platforms for as low as $10.99 per month. If you're already subscribed to Disney+ or have been hoping to jump into its library, this is well worth investing in.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $10.99 per month

This isn't the only Disney+ plan available with Hulu, though. For those looking to jump into an ad-free tier for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, there's the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium plan that'll cost you $19.99 per month instead. And if you're a sports fan and want to throw in ESPN+, there are also Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic and Premium plans, which run for $16.99 per month and $26.99 per month, respectively.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $16.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $26.99 per month

Best Student Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.

• Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $9.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.

• Hulu (with ads) — $9.99 per month (get first month free)

• Hulu (no ads) — $18.99 per month

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $82.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN+ (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN+ (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $95.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.

• Hulu + Live TV (with ads) — $82.99 per month (three day free trial)

• Hulu + Live TV (no ads) — $95.99 per month

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

DISNEY+ BUNDLES: Disney+ is offering bundle deals so you can stream the best of its library at a lower price.

The best Disney+ deals and bundles in July 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Basic Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal

Whether you're looking to jump into the latest superhero saga or journey to a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ is the streaming service for you.

Home to Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and so much more, Disney+ offers a library that's stuffed-full of shows and films to keep both adults and kids entertained when it matters. This includes the new live-action Snow White and the latest Marvel series Ironheart. If you're curious about our thoughts on the show, check out our Ironheart review.

If you've had this streaming service on your radar but are unsure which plan is the best fit for you, we've got you covered with a selection of Disney+ streaming deals.

SEE ALSO: 'Phineas and Ferb' creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh reveal the ultimatum that made the show fans love

There are quite a few bundle deals to check out with Disney+ right now, including the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle. This is a great investment for those who already own the other two streaming services and are looking to cut down on costs. And with streaming prices on the rise (Disney+ even increased its prices just last year), now's a great time to jump on a bundle like that.

We've detailed all of the available bundle deals below, alongside basic information on Disney+ plans if you just want the House of Mouse's service on its own.

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle is one of the best available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, you can have three excellent streaming services right in the palm of your hand, which is a great offer to take advantage of given streaming service prices keep going up. The $16.99 per month option is for the With Ads plan, but if you'd prefer to watch your favorite content without ads, the No Ads plan comes to $29.99 per month. Compared to what you'd pay for each of these on their own, you're saving 43% with the ad-supported plan and 42% with the ad-free plan.

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Best Basic Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle feels like a bit too much, there are smaller bundle deals to check out instead. One of the most affordable bundle options the service has is the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic plan. This brings together Disney+ and Hulu (With Ads) for $10.99 per month. This is a great way to gain access to both of their libraries for only $1 more than what you'd pay for their ad-supported plans on their own.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $10.99 per month

If you'd rather spring for the ad-free version of that bundle, Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium is what you need. This offers both Disney+ and Hulu without ads for $19.99 per month instead. Disney+ also has bundles that throw in ESPN+. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic plan, which has ads, runs for $16.99 per month, and the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium plan without ads costs $26.99 per month.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $16.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $26.99 per month

Disney+ monthly plans

Disney+ offers two standard plans if you just want the service on its own. The Disney+ Basic ad-supported plan comes to $9.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will set you back $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year if you'd rather pay annually.

• Disney+ Basic (With Ads) — $9.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium (No Ads) — $15.99 per month, $159.99 per year

Disney+ has also created an "extra member" plan for people using your account that live outside of your household as they crack down on password sharing. If you're looking to add another person onto your account, you're only allowed one extra profile and can choose from the following add-on plans:

• Disney+ Basic — $6.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium — $9.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $7.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $10.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $11.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $14.99 per month

There's a wealth of shows and films to check out on Disney+ after you sign up. If you want some help finding something to watch, check out our roundups of the 12 best TV shows for adults on Disney+ and the 20 best movies on Disney+ to start building out your watchlist.

Elmo's X account was "compromised" on Monday, with hackers using the the Sesame Street favourite's social media for an antisemitic, racist tirade.

Having also experienced the online hellhole we're currently living in, Jon Stewart used his Daily Show monologue on Monday night to dig into WTF just happened.

"This is what happens when you go too long without tickling Elmo," the host declared.

"These tweets were especially shocking to me as someone who has worked with Elmo," he later added, reminding the audience he's actually been on Sesame Street, hosting the 1998 "Elmopalooza!" special. "Hateful, racist Elmo is not the Elmo that I remember. I know what's in Elmo's heart. And so I thought it would be appropriate to have my old friend back so that we could talk through this very difficult time."

Cut to "Elmo" (definitely not a cheap hand puppet) in a shady looking hacker den (definitely not a green screen). Excuses are made. Responsibility is evaded.

SAVE $40: As of July 15, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon — that’s 31% off the usual price of $129.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

As of July 15, you can snag the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 for just $89.99 at Amazon — that’s $40 off the regular $129.99 price tag. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, that’s this model’s lowest price in months.

That 31% discount makes this a standout deal for anyone looking to crisp, roast, or reheat with minimal effort.

SEE ALSO: Looking for cheaper food delivery? DoorDash gift cards are on sale at Best Buy

With a 5-quart nonstick basket and crisper plate, this air fryer looks built for volume, since it can handle up to 4 pounds of fries or 5 pounds of wings in one go. Whether you're batch cooking for the week or whipping up a game-day snack spread, this Ninja seems to have room to spare.

Thanks to Air Crisp Technology, your food gets that golden crunch at 400°F using little to no oil — the result being a crispy-fried texture with up to 75% less fat than traditional deep frying. Its 4-in-1 functionality also promises to cover the essentials with its various modes: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate, making it more than just a one-trick appliance. It even offers to handle frozen foods like a pro, taking them from icy to crispy in minutes.

As a bonus, cleanup is an apparent breeze, with both the basket and crisper plate being nonstick, and the compact design set to free up precious counter space.

Included in the box are a chef-inspired 20-recipe cookbook and cooking charts, so even air fryer rookies can hit the ground sizzling.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 15 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Come one, come all!

The words are festival-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things found at a local carnival.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is County Fair.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 15

• Livestock

• Vendors

• Prizes

• County Fair

• Rides

• Music

• Games

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.