IT General

President Donald Trump has responded to news that Elon Musk is starting his own political party, calling the endeavour "ridiculous."

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk launches 'America Party' as a pro-tech alternative to the two-party system

"I think it's ridiculous to start a third party," Trump said on Sunday. "We have a tremendous success with the Republican Party. The Democrats have lost their way, but it's always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion."

The U.S. does technically have more than two political parties, with other parties including the Green Party and Libertarians. However, the Democratic and Republican parties overwhelmingly dominate, resulting in a two-party system.

"Third parties have never worked," Trump continued. "So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous."

Trump also addressed the matter via his Truth Social account, again claiming that the Tesla CEO is upset with him for ending an alleged "EV mandate." Despite Trump's claims of an EV mandate "which would have forced everyone to buy an Electric Car in a short period of time," no such law has ever existed. However, Trump has dismantled incentives encouraging adoption of electric vehicles, including a $7,500 tax credit for drivers who buy a new EV.

"I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks," Trump posted (emphasis original). "He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States."

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

Musk announced his new "America Party" on Saturday, after running a poll on X asking whether he should create it. Of the 1.2 million respondents, approximately 65 percent answered in the affirmative.

"When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy," Musk posted to X. The billionaire has repeatedly characterised the Democratic and Republican parties as being functionally identical. "Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom."

What are Musk's plans for the America Party?

Musk has already offered some insight into his potential strategy for the America Party, which apparently won't be aiming for the office of president quite yet.

"The way we’re going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: Extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield," he posted on Saturday.

Epaminondas was an ancient Greek general who was instrumental in the Thebans' victory against the Spartans during the Battle of Leuctra. His strategy involved creating a column of his strongest soldiers around 50 fighters deep, who essentially speared through the Spartans' phalanx and smashed it apart. 

Interestingly, Epaminondas' column was fronted by the Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite unit of 300 gay men in 150 couples. As it currently stands, it seems unlikely that the pink vote will be leading Musk's political charge. The billionaire has been widely criticised regarding his views on LGBTQA issues, with hate speech on Twitter (now X) reportedly surging after he took control of the platform.

"One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts," Musk posted to X. "Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people."

Musk previously threatened to start the new "America Party" last week, expressing his disapproval of Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and declaring that he would form a new political party if it passed. This spending bill ultimately did pass, with Trump signing it into law on Friday, July 4.

Musk cannot run for president himself, as he is not a "natural born Citizen" of the U.S. as required under the Constitution. Even so, the richest man in the world has already demonstrated there are a myriad other ways a billionaire can make his will known in U.S. politics. Having his own political party will be yet another tool in his belt.

TL;DR: Watch Spain vs. Belgium in Women's Euro 2025 for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The second round of Women's Euro 2025 group stage fixtures showcases some really interesting matchups, including Spain vs. Belgium. All eyes will be on the World Cup winners to see if they can build on that success in Switzerland.

If you want to watch Spain vs. Belgium in Women's Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Belgium?

Spain vs. Belgium in Women's Euro 2025 kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on July 7. This fixture takes place at the Stockhorn Arena.

How to watch Spain vs. Belgium for free

Spain vs. Belgium in Women's Euro 2025 is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Spain vs. Belgium in Women's Euro 2025 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. Visit ITVX

5. Stream Spain vs. Belgium in Women's Euro 2025 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Spain vs. Belgium (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch Spain vs. Belgium in Women's Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

Ever wonder why the moon looks different every night? Well, that's because of a thing called the lunar cycle.

This is a recurring series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days (according to NASA), and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. The moon is always there, but what we see on Earth changes depending on how much it is lit up.

See what's happening with the moon tonight, July 6.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, July 7, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. From Earth, 89% of the moon will appear visible (according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation).

This is the 12th day of the lunar cycle, and the moon is so close to being full. Some of the most notable things to spot with your bare eye tonight are the Aristarchus Plateau, the Mare Serenitatis, and the Mare Tranquillitatis.

With binoculars, you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Posidonius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Clavius Crater. Add a telescope and you'll also spot Apollo 17, Fra Mauro Highlands, and Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next full moon?

This month's full moon will take place on July 10. The last full moon was on June 11.

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A smirk.

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

SNEER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Upwards.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 7, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ALOFT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Togetherness.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 7, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

UNITY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

First appearance.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 7 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DEBUT

Final Hurdle hint

A bed covering.

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

DUVET

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

Pokémon GO took the world by storm, and seemed to come out of left field, and it's hard to believe that the game has been out for nearly a decade! There are still a huge number of people playing the game today, though, of course, nothing like the game at its peak.

For most of my life, I've used an operating system other than Windows. I'm no fan of Microsoft's platform, but there is one thing it does better than anyone else.

If you want to keep your local files in sync with your Google Drive account, you can use a graphical or command-line method on your Windows 11 PC. I’ll show you how.

TL;DR: Live stream USA vs. Mexico in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final is finally here, and it's an absolutely huge matchup between bitter rivals. USA vs. Mexico is the final a lot of fans really wanted when this tournament started. These impressive sides will battle it out for the trophy this weekend, and you can watch all the action from anywhere in the world.

If you want to watch USA vs. Mexico in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is USA vs. Mexico?

USA vs. Mexico in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on July 6. This fixture takes place at the NRG Stadium.

How to watch USA vs. Mexico for free

USA vs. Mexico in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

These free live stream is not available all around the world, but fans in excluded territories can still watch this game for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access (like Italy), meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Gold Cup from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup 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 Italy

4. Visit YouTube

5. Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final 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 the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream USA vs. Mexico before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final for free with ExpressVPN.

If you want a button that quickly closes all your chosen running apps, you’re in luck. Windows 11 lets you make such a button, and I’ll show you how.

When everyone talks about minimalist Linux distros, they start with things like Raspberry Pi OS or a headless Ubuntu server. However, if you're just trying to set up a home theater PC (or other streaming box), you have a much better option.

In my earliest years of using Android, I often had an animated forest as my background, or fish wading through water. I forgot about live wallpapers for most of the last ten years, but now I’ve landed on a new favorite.

If you're running Linux on 30-plus year old hardware, lend me your ears: in recent weeks the Linux kernel has been updated to no longer support Intel 486 and 586 processors. Here's why it's happening, and how you can check the CPU in your device.

The family car has come a long way—morphing from sedans to station wagons, minivans to SUVs—shaped by shifting needs and changing times. And now, we’ve arrived at the era of the all-in-one crossover.

There are things that make a home feel calming, and the same is true of our phones. Here are four apps I’ve personally installed that have done a lot to reduce the anxieties I feel when using my phone.

If you're ever in the mood for something that's easy to pick up and play, look no further than browser games. While there's a seemingly endless supply of relaxing time-wasters and addictive score-chasers made specifically for browsers, you can also find browser ports of retro gaming classics from all genres.

Elon Musk isn't done with politics just yet.

Days after the SpaceX and Tesla CEO threatened to form his own political party as an alternative to America's "Democrat-Republican uniparty," Musk has announced his pledge to do so.

"Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom," Musk wrote in a July 5 post on X. "The way we’re going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: Extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield."

SEE ALSO: Following mass layoffs, Xbox exec recommends AI to cope

Following a rift between him and President Donald Trump that saw Musk unceremoniously severed from his "Department of Government Efficiency," the former top campaign funder became a vocal opponent to the Trump Administration's 900-page "One, Big, Beautiful bill," which was recently signed into law and includes cuts to Medicaid and $350 billion for border and national security.

Trump, in response to Musk's criticisms that Republicans were supporting "debt slavery," threatened to cut electric vehicle subsidies and investigate SpaceX spending, saying it may force Musk to "close up shop and head back home to South Africa."

Responding on X, Musk said what sealed the deal in severing ties with Trump and the Republican Party, despite years spent aligning himself with the administration in a grab at power, was economic: "Increasing the deficit from an already insane $2 [trillion] under Biden to $2.5 [trillion]. This will bankrupt the country."

Amid a series of replies and posts on X after the America Party announcement, Musk reshared what could become key platform points for his party (under which he would still be unable to run for President). The list included reducing debt, modernizing the military with AI and robotics, less regulation in the energy sector, and pro-natalism. The CEO appears to be attempting to turn his devoted follower base away from the Republican party and establishment politics — reposting sentiment from X influencers and Tesla fan accounts about the GOP "dangling" and then dropping the promise of "limited government and an America First agenda."

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.

Trump critics and Musk allies jumped on the announcement, including financier and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci and investor Mark Cuban, who suggested Musk reach out to the Center for Competitive Democracy to help get the America Party on voters' ballots.

Tesla's top investors are waiting to see how the CEO's political moves will affect the status of his company, after Musk seemingly departed politics to focus on turning around declining sales. James Fishback, CEO of investment firm Azoria, said he was postponing a Tesla exchange-traded fund until the Tesla board could "clarify Musk's political ambitions," Reuters reported, as shareholder trust declines.

SAVE 42%: The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Essentials Bundle is on sale for Prime members for just $211.97, down from the usual bundle price of $362.97. That's a savings of $151 and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Essentials Bundle (32GB) $211.97 at Amazon
$362.97 Save $151.00 Prime member exclusive deal Get Deal

Amazon is coming in hot with the deals ahead of Prime Day. Hundreds of items are already on sale and that includes great prices on MacBooks, AirPods, fitness trackers, and plenty more. But if you're a reader or you wish you read more, there's an excellent e-reader deal for Prime members that's already live.

As of July 6, the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Essentials Bundle is on sale for Prime members for $211.97, marked down from the standard price of $362.97 for the bundle. That's a savings of $151 or a 42% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. You'll need to be an Amazon Prime member to score this savings.

Today's bundle includes the 32GB Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, a plant-based leather case, and a wireless charging dock. Considering the 32GB Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (without the bundle accessories) is still at its full price of $279.99, this is a heck of a deal.

Amazon typically discounts Kindles devices during Prime Day events, but only goes for bundle deals before the sale officially starts. Ordinarily, that could mean it would be wise to wait for the sale to start to grab the best Kindle deal, but given just how awesome this deal is, it could be the smartest move you'll make this Prime Day.

For reference, the lowest price we've ever clocked on the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (without the bundle) was $224.99. That means going for today's bundle deal saves you $13.02 compared to the lowest we've ever seen on the Kindle Colorsoft alone.

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day book deals: Save up to 80% on hardcovers, paperbacks, and Kindle editions

The Kindle Colorsoft is the retailer's first color e-reader. This display upgrade gives you the ability to highlight important passages, see book covers in their intended colors, or read graphic novels like never before on a Kindle. The 32GB storage space puts you in great shape for plenty of downloaded book titles.

Amazon mentions this model can last about eight weeks before it'll need to recharge. However, since today's bundle including a wireless charging dock, you wont' have to worry about a dead battery. Just store the Kindle on its charging dock and you'll be set with a full battery every time you pick it up to turn some pages.

If you're interested in an e-reader and you happen to be an Amazon Prime member, you can snag the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Essentials Bundle for $211.97 which is a massive 42% discount. Once you get your device, be sure to get the awesome Libby app to check out free books.

The best early Prime Day deals to shop this weekend

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $159.99 (List Price $249.00)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh Portable Power Station — $449.00 (List Price $799.00)

• Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen 1080p Camera With Cover (White, 2-Pack) — $59.98 (List Price $99.99)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR 2 Camera Kit With Mini 2 Camera — $109.98 (List Price $219.98)

• Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base — $297.99 (List Price $599.00)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $34.99 (List Price $59.99)

• 55" Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2024 Model) — $699.99 (List Price $819.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $194.99 (List Price $348.00)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless ANC Earbuds (Jet Black) — $199.95 (List Price $249.99)

SAVE 40%: As of July 6, you can get the Hisense 55-inch Class U6 Series Mini LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (55U65QF) for $477.99, down from $799.99. That's a 40% discount and a $322 savings.

55" Hisense Class U6 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart TV $477.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $322 Get Deal

Fourth of July has come and gone, and now we’re gearing up for Amazon’s annual Prime Day sales event, where you can find thousands of items on sale, including TVs. This year, Amazon isn’t being stingy with its pre-Prime Day TV deals, as we’re already seeing some models get major price cuts, with some hitting new all-time lows.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

On June 30, the price for this Hisense TV dropped to an all-time low, and the deal is still live. As of July 6, you can get the Hisense 55-inch Class U6 Series Mini LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (55U65QF) for $477.99, down from $799.99. That's a 40% discount and a $322 savings.

The Hisense 55-inch Class U6 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (55U65QF) is a 2025 model TV, so you’re really lucking out with this deal. It features Mini-LED technology, which uses smaller LEDs to create a brighter, more realistic picture (deeper blacks and brighter whites). It has a built-in subwoofer, is compatible with WiFi 6, and supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

It's also a Fire TV, so the smart home screen will feel familiar and has all the streaming apps you'd expect. For movie lovers, there's a cool Filmmaker Mode that disables the TV's extra processing effects, letting you see the film exactly as the director intended.

The best TV deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $69.00 (List Price $99.99)

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $269.99 (List Price $329.99)

• 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $598.00 (List Price $699.99)

• LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)

• Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,620.55

SAVE $14: The Renpho smart scale is on sale at Amazon before Prime Day for just $20.99, down from the standard price of $34.99. That's a 40% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Renpho Renpho smart scale $20.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $14.00 Get Deal

We're almost an entire week into July now and that can only mean one thing — Prime Day is almost here. Officially, the sale kicks on Tuesday, July 8, but we're already seeing some awesome deals if you feel like shopping early. If your summer plans involve a focus on fitness, there's already a great deal on a feature-rich smart scale.

As of July 6, the Renpho smart scale is on sale for just $20.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $34.99. That's a massive 40% discount that takes $14 off the list price.

The Renpho smart scale means business when it comes to giving you useful health metrics. Of course, it functions as a scale but it also gives you a BMI reading and calculates body fat percentage. It goes even deeper to give you information on your muscle mass, body water, bone mass, and metabolic age.

SEE ALSO: The best early Prime Day fitness tracker deals in 2025 — shop Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, and more

With the Renpho Helth app, you'll be able to keep tabs on all of the smart scale metrics, comparing them to your previous numbers. Plus, there's a baby and pet mode so you can get accurate readings on your baby and pet's weights.

The Renpho smart scale uses four sensors to accurately calculate weight in 0.2 pound increments and the large 11 by 11 inch area makes it easier to step on the scale. Renpho mentions this smart scale is suitable for folks who weigh up to 400 pounds.

This summer, get more accurate insight into fitness metrics thanks to the Renpho smart scale. Ahead of the major Prime Day sale, grab the sale while it's on sale for $20.99 at Amazon. You'll beat the rush of the sale chaos and it might even arrive on your doorstep before Prime Day even starts.

The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $159.99 (List Price $249.00)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh Portable Power Station — $449.00 (List Price $799.00)

• Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen 1080p Camera With Cover (White, 2-Pack) — $59.98 (List Price $99.99)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR 2 Camera Kit With Mini 2 Camera — $109.98 (List Price $219.98)

• Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base — $297.99 (List Price $599.00)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $34.99 (List Price $59.99)

• 55" Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2024 Model) — $699.99 (List Price $819.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $194.99 (List Price $348.00)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless ANC Earbuds (Jet Black) — $199.95 (List Price $249.99)

The thousands of recently terminated Microsoft employees, navigating one of the company's largest layoffs in years amid a period of industry upheaval, already have a tool to cope with the emotional burden, according to one Xbox exec: Microsoft Copilot.

The sentiment was shared in a now-deleted LinkedIn post by Xbox Game Studios Publishing executive producer Matt Turnbull, captured at the time by gaming blog Aftermath, which reads:

"I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I'd be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances. I've been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools (like ChatGPT or CoPilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss."

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

On July 1, Xbox's parent company announced it would be terminating around 9,000 employees — about four percent of its workforce — in a move intended to ensure the company was set up for success in a "dynamic marketplace." The job cuts affected the company's gaming division, mainly Xbox staffers — just a few months prior, Microsoft cut 6,000 jobs, providing the same reasoning as recent layoffs and in the wake of a round of cuts in 2023 that saw 10,000 employees heading out its doors.

Many tech companies have been whittling down their workforces, citing changing markets and the impact of generative AI. A handful of CEOs, including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski, have outrightly stated their intent to replace jobs and workflows with AI.

"At a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity," Turnbull wrote, recommending using CoPilot for help with both job hunting and gaining "emotional clarity and confidence." Microsoft CoPilot has reportedly become a non-negotiable for Microsoft employees in recent months, as it struggles to sell the assistant to other companies.

In May, CEO Mustafa Suleyman said the company was trying to market CoPilot as an emotionally therapeutic confidant to Gen Z and millennial customers, with the agent now able to "sense a user’s comfort boundaries, diagnose issues, and suggest solutions," reported Fortune.

Broadly, professionals have warned about using AI-powered chatbots as a replacement for human therapy and emotional connection. In January, the American Psychological Association sent a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate harmful chatbots that deceptively advertise psychological or mental health support. The use of AI tools by therapists themselves, including agentic AI, recording and transcription tools, and notetakers, has prompted further concerns about digital privacy.

But tech is still courting consumers by building more "emotionally intelligent" agents, including Microsoft's CoPilot. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has called ChatGPT a life adviser for young adults, for example, even as watchdogs have warned about using the tool for therapy.