IT General
Hands-on with Tiny Vinyls new tiny record player
UPDATE: Jul. 13, 2026, 1:45 p.m. EDT The launch of Tiny Vinyl's new record player and accessories appears to have been delayed. At the time of publication, none of their listings were live yet. Mashable has reached out to a company representative for more information. Our original story follows.
The miniature record maker Tiny Vinyl has announced some tiny accessories for its pocket-sized singles, including a new Tiny Vinyl Player ($49.99), crate ($19.99), and display frame ($14.99). The lineup is available exclusively at Target starting today, July 12.
Tiny Vinyl debuted last August as a new way for music lovers to enjoy some of their favorite artists' singles in physical format. (For my fellow Millennials out there, they're basically a new take on HitClips.) Each four-inch, fully functional Tiny Vinyl record has one song per side and is numbered, making them highly collectible. The current Tiny Vinyl catalog features releases from several dozen artists, including BTS, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Kid Cudi, Noah Kahan, and Zara Larsson.
In a press release, Tiny Vinyl co-founder Neil Kohler said the company's new accessories are a direct response to fan requests. Co-founder Jesse Mann added: "These new products give music fans and collectors everything they need to build out their own little Tiny Vinyl universe, a setup as fun and personal as the music they love."
Hands-on with Tiny Vinyl's new player and accessories Tiny Viny's new accessories range in price from $15 to $50. Credit: Haley Henschel / MashableTiny Vinyl records are playable on many standard turntables at 33 1/3 RPM, making the Tiny Vinyl Player an inessential novelty purchase for most adults who are already into the vinyl-collecting hobby. I think it has much more appeal as a "baby's first record player" that parents buy for their kids. My younger self would've had her American Girl Dolls DJing with it. (American Girl actually sells a toy turntable for the same price already, but it's not functional.)
The player is a manual belt-drive turntable in a box with a faux leather exterior. It's about the size of a loaf of bread. Inside, there's a small storage pocket, a simple control panel, and built-in speakers. It has Bluetooth support if you'd prefer to pair it with a nicer wireless speaker or headphones instead. You can also plug in a wired speaker on the back.
The storage pocket can comfortably fit about six Tiny Vinyl records — preferably, ones you're not precious about. When the player's lid is shut, it hits the corners of their gatefolds unless they're pushed to the back of the pocket.
They are, indeed, tiny vinyl. Credit: Haley Henschel / MashableThe player's control panel features a power button, an audio output selector with an LED indicator light, and a volume slider. When it's on, its silicon platter doesn't start spinning until you unlock its plastic tonearm, raise it with its cue lever, and move it over the platter. The tonearm and its lock are a little delicate; those are the only parts I'd be worried about a child accidentally breaking.
Tiny Vinyl sent me three different mini-records to test on the player. It offers the kind of audio quality you'd expect for $50: pretty tinny, muffled, and a little distorted. (I also played the records on my regular turntable for comparison's sake, and they sounded 10 times better.) On the upside, I couldn't hear the player's interior mechanisms at all when it was on — it runs really quietly.
The Tiny Vinyl Player supports Bluetooth and wired speakers. (That blue indicator light means it's paired with my JBL Charge 5.) Credit: Haley Henschel / MashableThe Tiny Vinyl Player comes with a USB cord and power adapter. A company representative told me that it should only be plugged into an outlet, as hooking it up to a laptop or another device with a USB port won't give it enough juice to work.
The Tiny Vinyl Storage Crate can hold up to 30 Tiny Vinyl records. It has the same pebbled pleather finish as the player and is designed to sit beneath it. There are four indents on its surface where the player's feet are supposed to go.
The Tiny Vinyl Storage Crate can hold up to 30 mini-records. (I only had three on hand.) Credit: Haley Henschel / MashableTiny Vinyl's new 2x2 Display Frame is meant to showcase your four favorite Tiny Vinyl covers. Its build quality is also on par for the price: It's made with MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and an acrylic pane. Right out of the box, my initial review unit was splitting in several spots and had dried adhesive on some of its corners. (Update: It was probably a pre-production fluke. Tiny Viny's rep sent over two replacements that were both in perfect condition.)
The display frame comes with four clear plastic sleeves bearing the Tiny Vinyl logo. The company rep confirmed that these are made from polypropylene, which won't damage your records with off-gassing over time like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sleeves.
Vinyl is back in a not-tiny way Tiny Vinyl records work on many standard turntables. Credit: Haley Henschel / MashableThe press release noted that Tiny Vinyl's inception was motivated by two recent trends: miniature collecting and vinyl collecting. The former gained popularity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, largely thanks to videos of miniature builds on social media. They tap into viewers' desire for control, fascination with craft, and penchant for the adorable, experts told NPR last spring.
The vinyl revival, meanwhile, has been brewing for nearly two decades now. According to a report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), U.S. vinyl sales have seen 19 years of consecutive growth. Last year, they hit $1 billion in revenue for the first time. (That's not even counting pre-owned vinyl.) Call it the Taylor Swift effect: The singer-songwriter's 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, sold over 1.6 million copies on vinyl last year, per a report from Luminate, an entertainment industry analytics company. That's 5.5 times as many units as the second-bestselling vinyl release of 2025, Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend, which sold 292,000 copies.
There are several factors behind the vinyl resurgence, two being mere nostalgia and consumers' growing interest in owning physical media. Another is because popular artists like Swift (and their labels) are embracing the format alongside their fans.
In recent years, this has increasingly involved a strategy of releasing multiple vinyl variants of the same album as a means of driving sales, according to another Luminate report. These special, often limited-edition pressings boost the collectible factor and fuel fan FOMO. (For her part, Swift released 11 different vinyl variants of TLOAS, including nine webstore exclusives that were only available for a short time.) Tiny Vinyl records, which are chart-eligible with the RIAA and Billboard, are yet more variants to hunt down.
I finally got an equalizer on Android Auto—and it only took a free app
If you're an audio geek like me, one of the first things you do when your music doesn't sound quite right is reach for the equalizer. I did the same thing with Android Auto after getting a new car. To my surprise, there wasn't one, so I had to find a solution myself.
LubeLife just dropped a pickle-flavored lube, and the scent is almost too realistic
Not everyone is a flavored lube person (I have to be in the mood myself, like once a year maybe), but if you are, there's a brand-new flavor on the market that's giving major George Costanza vibes. (Seriously, go watch the "Pastrami" scene from Seinfeld and you'll see what I'm talking about).
SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.Earlier this month, LubeLife released a limited-edition Pickle Flavored Lubricant for $12.99. It’s a water-based, sugar-free formula that swaps out the usual fake-strawberry sweetness for a tangy, savory dill profile. (Remember the Good Head Numbing Strawberry Throat Spray at Spencers? This is the exact opposite of that.)
They sent me a mailer (with a very on-theme pickle vibrator) before it launched, and if I'm being honest, when I opened it, I felt like I was sniffing some kind of sandwich dressing. The scent is straight, unfiltered vinegar. I give them props for authenticity, but I couldn't imagine going down on someone with this in my mouth. I'd probably choke, but to each their own. (I'm not here to ick someone's yum!)
If you have a strong stomach and want to add a savory twist to your bedroom routine, LubeLife's Pickle Flavored Lubricant is water-based, non-sticky, and condom-compatible.
LubeLife Pickle Flavored Lubricant $12.99 at AmazonGet Deal at Amazon
2.5GbE is a mess, and manufacturers are making it worse with rushed hardware
While most households are still going to be fine with Gigabit Ethernet, as broadband speeds climb and local devices start needing more LAN performance, it's clear the time for faster wired networking in your home is coming sooner rather than later.
The best Apple Deals are at Best Buy — shop previous generation models for $400 off
With price increases in place at Apple, we're hyper-focused on finding the very best deals from the brand. Since we're in between sale events, still months away from the next Prime Day and Black Friday, we're looking for any opportunity to save.
This week, we patrolled for the best deals, and surprisingly, Best Buy had a real bounty compared to Amazon. While there are still a few gems at Amazon, the real showstoppers are at Best Buy where current and previous generation models are on sale, savings you hundreds of dollars.
So if you're looking for the best price in the sea of price increases, here are the best Apple deals as of July 13.
Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max chip, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,999 at Best Buy$3,399 Save $400 Get Deal
There are a ton of MacBooks on sale at Best Buy right now, particularly on MacBook Pro models. Unfortunately, we didn't find any savings on the affordable MacBook Neo and Air laptops, however, we did find a great deal on an M4 MacBook Pro.
Right now, grab a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip for $400 off. That brings it down to $2,999 from its $3,399 list price. This model has a ton of power, too, with 36GB RAM and 1TB SSD, making it a prime laptop for both gamers and creatives.
More MacBook dealsApple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)
Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro chip, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)
Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max chip, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $4,499 $4,999 (save $500)
$1,049 Save $300 Get Deal
An iPad is a travel essential when you need a source of entertainment on the go. Unfortunately, iPads also got a price hike along with most Apple products, so if you're look to get more for your money, turn to Best Buys deals.
Right now, you can get the previous iPad Air generation that comes with an M3 chip for a discounted price. The 11-inch iPad comes with 512GB of storage and even has cellular capabilities, but it comes unlocked so you can take it to the mobile carrier of your choice. Usually $1,049, it's now $300 off, bringing it down to just $749.
More iPad dealsApple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $427 $449 (save $22)
Apple iPad Air (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi+Cellular) —$499 $599 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) with Logitech keyboard — $648.99 $798.99 (save $150)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $709 $749 (save $40)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 256GB, WiFi) — $849 $899 (save $50)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 1TB, WiFi+Cellular) — $1,049 $1,449 (save $400)
$549 Save $120 Get Deal
With the AirPods Max 2 here, the previous generation is still available and even more heavily discounted. Right now, grab the Apple AirPods Max for just $429, saving you $120. Apple's over-the-ear headphones have easy connectivity to iOS devices with noise-cancellation to block out your surroundings and spend more time focusing on music. There are few differences between the AirPods Max and the second generation, so you're not missing much between generations, especially if you want to prioritize savings.
More AirPods dealsApple AirPods 4 without ANC — $99 $129 (save $30) 23%
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $148.99 $179 (save $30.01) 17%
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50) 20%
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $497 $549 (save $52)
$399 Save $100 Get Deal
With all the price increases, it's refreshing to see a product maintaining its price. The Apple Watch Series 11 still has a list price of $399, but luckily, it's down to $299. That saves you $100 for 20% off. Admittedly, this isn't the smartwatches lowest price ever—that would be $279, which it dipped down to during Prime Day. However, $299 is still a great value, especially as we're in between big shopping events.
More Apple Watch dealsApple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) — $219 $249 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)
Apple iPhone 16e (128GB, Unlocked) — $539.99 $599.99 (save $60)
Apple iPhone Air (256GB, Unlocked) — $949.99 $999.99 (save $50)
Apple MagSage Charger — $39.99 $49 (save $9.01)
Apple Pencil USB-C — $71 $79 (save $8)
Apple Pencil Pro — $99 $129 (save $30)
Love Island USA Season 8 winners are revealed and fans react
The wait is finally over: The winning couple of Love Island USA Season 8 has been revealed, and it's a pair that fans have been rooting for.
SEE ALSO: ‘Love Island USA’ reveals the final four couples competing for first placeSeason 8, Episode 35 marked the season finale of Love Island USA, with the four remaining couples (Melanie and Sincere, Kayda and Zach, Aniya and Carl, and Trinity and Bryce) each enjoying a romantic date before finding out which duo would be going home with the $100,000 grand prize. The couples had a chance to reflect upon their relationships throughout Season 8, including their first meetings, their ups and downs, and their futures outside of the villa.
Before the reveal, the Islanders also enjoyed special shoutouts from celebrities Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Alex Warren, Ciara, Jordin Sparks, Sombr, Kesha, Druski, and Kehlani, filled with plenty of french fry references to tie everything together.
Trinity and Bryce for the winFinally, host Ariana Madix joined the Islanders to reveal the winners of this season: none other than Trinity and Bryce, also known as "Brinity" in the Love Island fandom.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Despite having mixed opinions about the final four couples, fans seemed to be pleased that Brinity was the winning couple, with many X users saying that the pair deserved the win after their connection stood the test of challenges, dozens of bombshells, and a few days spent away from each other during Casa Amor.
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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.As one of the few pairs who were coupled up in Episode 1 and chose to stay loyal during a recoupling, the two had one of the longest journeys together in the villa. They said "I love you" to each other for the first time on their final date, a candlelit dinner followed by a Fijian fire dance performance, and fans were here for all of it.
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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.America voted for the villa's 'Princess and Prince' Aniya and Carl in second place, Melanie and Sincere in third, and Kayda and Zach in fourth place for favorite couple.
Melanie and Sincere enjoyed massages and made brick oven pizzas during their final date, while Kayda and Zach were taken on a boat ride to an outdoor luncheon (about which Reddit had thoughts). (Viewers also were reminded, during finale conversations and a memory reel, of 'Paradise Cove,' where Kayda took Zach and Bryce early in the season, leading to a spike in search interest in the term this week.)
Aniya and Carl's dinner date, in a secluded wood surrounded by flowers, candles and string lights, was a fan favorite. Production gave them a fairytale-inspired book commemorating their journey together in the villa, from their first meeting in Casa Amor to Aniya's heartbreak and Aniya and Carl's much-celebrated reunion.
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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Many viewers also celebrated this season finale's Black representation. For the first time in Love Island history, all four women in the final couples were Black.
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.There was one aspect of the finale that did give viewers pause: Unlike other Love Island season finales, the winners were not given a choice between splitting the $100,000 prize evenly, or having one person keep the entire $100,000 to themselves; they were simply awarded the prize together, to be split evenly. Some viewers felt that it left out the final test of loyalty for the couple.
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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.We're excited to see what the future has in store for Trinity, Bryce, Aniya, Carl, Melanie, Sincere, Kayda, Zach, and all the other Islanders of Love Island USA Season 8. As for Brinity, the future is looking pretty bright, with Bryce saying that he's going to teach Trinity how to surf in Los Angeles (and possibly get her in a wetsuit).
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How to watch 'Love Island' Season 8 reunionWhile we won't be seeing the Season 8 Islanders of Love Island USA on our TV screens every day for now, we can expect to see them together one more time during the Season 8 reunion episode — which is scheduled to air 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT Monday, August 31 on Peacock. You can sign up here to watch.
Over 200 economists warn that more AI job losses are coming: "We must act now"
Job losses spurred by the AI boom are growing, and a group of economists is now sounding the alarm that it's going to get worse.
A new group called We Must Act Now released an open letter on Monday, warning about "AI's transformation of the economy." The open letter is signed by more than 200 economists, and signees currently include sixteen Nobel Laureates, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and the chief economists of both OpenAI and Anthropic.
The open letter urges tech leaders and policymakers to take urgent action and address the impacts AI will have on the economy now and in the future.
"AI may become radically more powerful over the next 10 years," reads the first bullet point of the open letter.
"This could drive an unprecedented transformation of our economy, larger than the Industrial Revolution, but unfolding over a vastly shorter time frame," the open letter continues. "It could bring risks, including large-scale job displacement, as well as opportunities such as major gains in living standards."
We Must Act Now's statement concludes with a call to action for leaders of both government bodies and the tech industry.
"Economists, policymakers and technology leaders must act now to understand the economics of transformative AI and to build the incentives, guardrails, and institutions needed to steer AI in a direction that complements humans and benefits society," reads the letter.
A report released at the end of last year found that there were 50,000 jobs lost due to AI in 2025, and this year, Amazon, Atlassian, Block, Fiverr, Meta, Pinterest, and Snap have all announced layoffs related to AI. As the technology develops, AI-related job cuts are likely to accelerate, too. A survey from May 2026 found that 99 percent of executives among the 12,000 respondents said that they expected AI "to lead to at least some headcount reduction in the next two years."
Some politicians are already working on the problem. California Governor Gavin Newsom took action shortly after Meta laid off 8,000 employees, citing its AI push. Last month, Newsom shared that the state will be tracking AI job losses and revealed California's AI-Unemployment Tracker.
However, the economists who signed on to the We Must Act Now letter would clearly like to see more.
“AI capabilities are advancing far faster than our understanding of the economic implications," said economist Erik Brynjolfsson, who organized the group alongside economists Ajay Agrawal, Tom Cunningham, and Anton Korinek. "In that gap lie the greatest opportunities of our era. We must act now to guide AI to complement humans rather than simply imitate them — and to generate prosperity for the many, not just the few."
House of the Dragon director calls Ormund Hightower evil
Still on the fence about whether Ormund Hightower (James Norton) is a good guy or a bad guy in House of the Dragon?
Season 3, episode 4 director Claire Kilner is here to convince you it's very much the latter. In HBO's "Inside the Episode" clip above, Kilner describes Hightower's relationship with Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as "abusive".
"Daeron and Ormund's relationship is really dysfunctional and horrible to watch, but brilliant and fun to direct," Kilner says. "Because it's a really abusive relationship. Daeron has only known the love that he's known from Ormund that isn't love at all. Daeron is in Ormund's thrall, but doesn't really understand it or know it, and Ormund is a great manipulator and knows when to give love and when to give punishment. He's an evil man."
That doesn't bode well for what the Hightower Lord has planned for the rest of Season 3.
Eufy’s new spinning roller mop is $300 off at Amazon
SAVE 38%: As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings.
Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon$799.99 Save $300 Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Eufy
If you're looking for a robo-vac-mop combo that gets the job done without costing you an arm and a leg, you need to check out the Eufy C28. Mashable's Senior Shopping Reporter, Leah Stodart, says it's the most affordable roller mop on the market, and right now it's even cheaper.
SEE ALSO: The new Eufy C28 is the most budget-friendly roller mop robot vacuum. I tried it against the top 2 in its class.As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings. This isn't the lowest price we've seen for this hybrid robo vac, but it's damn near close. According to CamelCamelCamel, it was $449.99 on June 23.
This combo unit features an 11-inch HydroJet roller brush that spins nine times per second while 24 water ports constantly douse it with fresh water, and a built-in scraper squeegees the gross wastewater into a separate tank, so you're never cleaning with dirty water. For carpets, its 15,000 Pa suction power is strong enough to lift stubborn pet debris like catnip and crumbs (Leah really put it through its paces!), and it features an anti-tangle rubber brush roll that can handle strands up to 30 cm long.
"The Eufy C28 gets bonus points for its slow, deliberate vacuuming when spot cleaning the tricky area where a rug changes to hardwood — its crumb pickup around rug edges has actually been more reliable than premium Roborock and Dreame models," she writes.
The base is also super hands-off. It handles about 95 percent of the maintenance for you — it automatically dumps the dustbin, washes the roller, and dries it with hot air so a sour smell doesn't rot in the corner of your room.
The compact SUV that beat the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V
The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have dominated the compact SUV segment for years. They've earned their reputations through strong reliability, impressive resale values, and the kind of everyday practicality that keeps them at the top of buyers' shopping lists.
Upgrade your home with the Bluetti FridgePower while its on sale for almost $200 off
SAVE $192.45: The Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti FridgePower portable power station $806.55 at Bluetti$999 Save $192.45 enter code MASHABLE5OFF at checkout Get Deal
Not that a power outage is ever espeically convenient, but there are some times when it's much more worrying. Somehow, the storm patterns know when we've just done a giant grocery-store haul, and sends a giant storm right after that threatens to knock out power. Instead of worrying, consider this upgrade.
As of July 13, the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount that takes $192.45 off the price.
We have tons of options when it comes to portable power stations. Some are excellent for camping, like the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2, while others are designed for larger power backup. But if your number one concern is keeping the refrigerator cooling, the Bluetti FridgePower is your model.
SEE ALSO: Survive RAMageddon with the best microSD, SSD, and hard drive deals this weekThe FridgePower comes with 2,016Wh of battery capacity. Depending on how much energy your fridge uses, it'll keep it online for at least 20 hours, according to Bluetti. It can handle a surge of up to 3,600W and it's especially thin, measuring under three inches thick.
Place the Bluetti FridgePower on top of your fridge or mount it to the wall next to your fridge, and you'll have plenty of backup power for the next outage. You'll plug your refrigerator into the FridgePower and the power station into the wall. If grid power cuts out, the Bluetti automatically takes over.
Before the Mashable exclusive code expires, snag the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station on sale at Bluetti for $806.55. Be sure to use code MASHABLE5OFF at checkout to get the best price.
Hurry — its your last chance to save 40% on a year of HBO Max
SAVE UP TO $65: It's your last chance to get 40% off any annual HBO Max subscription. Through July 15, new and returning subscribers can knock the cost of the HBO Max Basic tier (with ads) down from $109.99 to $78.99, the Standard (no ads) tier down from $184.99 to $132.99, and the Premium tier (no ads + 4K) down from $229.99 to $164.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max 40% off all annual subscriptions Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max (Prime Video add-on) 40% off all annual subscriptions Get DealHBO Max really surprised me during Prime Day last month with the best streaming deal of the year (so far). If you haven't locked in your discount yet, you still have a couple more days to do so before it disappears.
New and returning subscribers can score all annual HBO Max subscriptions for 40% off through July 15. And yes, that includes ad-free tiers. Typically HBO Max annual subscriptions cost $109.99 for the Basic with ads tier, $184.99 for Standard (no ads), and $229.99 for Premium (no ads + 4K). With this limited time discount, however, those costs drop to just $78.99, $132.99, or $164.99, respectively.
That means the ad-free Standard tier (the mid-tier option) is only $11 per month if you break it down — the same price as the Basic tier with ads costs on a regular day.
You can sign up through HBO Max directly or through Prime Video if you're a Prime member. Opting for the Prime Video add-on means you'll be billed directly through your Amazon account and the HBO Max catalog will live within your Prime Video library. After you choose your tier on Prime Video, the landing page will let you select the annual plan instead for 40% off.
Despite the impending HBO Max and Paramount+ merger situation, Paramount CEO David Ellison says HBO Max will continue to operate with independence. But that doesn't mean pricing won't change. This deal ensures you lock in a full year of streaming at an ultra low cost, regardless of any price hikes that hit in the next 12 months.
Just remember to sign up ASAP, as the deal is fleeting.
5 new movies to watch this week across Netflix, HBO Max, and more (July 13-19)
Last week's list of new streaming movies included a tearful Oscar winner, a Stephen King adaptation, and a twisted crime thriller. As for this week, my top selection is one of the most-talked-about movies of 2026, which finally makes its streaming debut. I have a feeling this horror movie could set viewership records for Peacock.
The new Jackery FridgeGuard can keep your fridge cooling for up to 15 hours: Where to buy after launch
A power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery FridgeGuard $549.99 at Costco$699.99 Save $150 Shop Now The Jackery FridgeGuard specs
Jackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.
A shockingly thin design. Credit: Lauren Allain / MashableIt's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.
Connect two together for up to 30 hours of cooling time. Credit: JackeryOnce you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.
Simply plug the FridgeGuard into the wall and the fridge into the Jackery, and you're set. Credit: Lauren Allain / MashableIt's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.
Capacity: 1,024Wh
Output: 800W, peak 1600W
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Warranty: 5 years
Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)
For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $549.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.
The new Jackery FridgeGuard can keep your fridge cooling for up to 15 hours: Where to buy
A power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery FridgeGuard $549.99 at Costco$699.99 Save $150 Shop Now The Jackery FridgeGuard specs
Jackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.
A shockingly thin design. Credit: Lauren Allain / MashableIt's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.
Connect two together for up to 30 hours of cooling time. Credit: JackeryOnce you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.
Simply plug the FridgeGuard into the wall and the fridge into the Jackery, and you're set. Credit: Lauren Allain / MashableIt's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.
Capacity: 1,024Wh
Output: 800W, peak 1600W
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Warranty: 5 years
Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)
For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $549.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.
Tom Cruise is officially in his TikTok era
Tom Cruise has taken a break from driving motorcycles off cliffs and piloting fighter jets to post on TikTok.
The actor's account, @tomcruise, first went live in March of 2021, after a series of Cruise deepfakes by Belgian VFX special Chris Ume went viral. Since then, he's racked up 1.8 million followers, but he has yet to actually post anything until now.
Since Sunday, Cruise has posted three TikToks. But if you're looking for a Cruise GRWM or a dance tutorial for his sick Tropic Thunder moves, you're out of luck. For now, Cruise's account is strictly promotional, with all three TikToks highlighting the trailer for Cruise's upcoming film Digger.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (The Revenant, Birdman), Digger is a satirical dark comedy about the world's most powerful man, Digger Rockwell (Cruise, unrecognizable under tons of prosthetics). He's on a mission to save humanity from the very disaster he's unleashed. Based on the trailer, that disaster involves climate catastrophe, with a side of nuclear war.
Film pundits are already heralding Digger as Cruise's best shot at an Oscar in decades. His last nomination came in 2000, for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, although he did receive an Academy Honorary Award in 2026. Iñárritu did prove to be the lucky charm for Leonardo DiCaprio, who won his first (and so far only) Academy Award for his role in The Revenant, so perhaps Cruise is hoping for a similar route to Oscar gold.
Apparently, that route also involves getting the word out about Digger on TikTok, so be prepared for a more social media-forward press blitz from Cruise in the months to come.
AT&T customers can make free international calls on World Cup match days. Here are all the details.
MAKE FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS: AT&T customers can make free international calls on remaining World Cup match games to the countries playing that day. Make calls on July 14, 15, 18, and 19 to playing countries between midnight and 11:59 p.m. at no cost.
Opens in a new window Credit: AT&T Free international calls to countries playing World Cup matches Learn MoreThe World Cup has been excellent this year. We've all falling in love with a Norwegian Viking, got teary as the British crowd sang "Hey Jude" to Bellingham, and we all now know where Cabo Verde is on a map. The 2026 World Cup has made the globe feel smaller, and if you're an AT&T customer, you have even more opportunity to connect.
On remaining World Cup match days, AT&T is offering customers the ability to make free internationals calls to the countries playing that day, anytime between midnight and 11:59 p.m. on match day. That looks like the following schedule:
July 14: Make free calls to Spain and France
July 15: Make free calls to England and Argentina
Jul8 18: Make free calls to countries playing in the third-place match
July 19: Make free calls to countries playing in the final match
You don't need to enter any kind of promo code to get the free calls. Simply make calls to the eligible countries and your bill won't reflect any additional charges. The only requirement is being an existing AT&T Mobility postpaid voice customer. Calls must originate in the U.S.
This deal is on top of A&T's support of those lucky enough to be attending a match this summer. Turbo Live by AT&T is available at select venues and gives fans a VIP connection to support live streaming, social posts, or getting important texts out immediately.
If you're an AT&T customer, be sure to take advantage of this free international calls deal on remaining World Cup match days.
Nextcloud replaced half the services in my homelab
Nextcloud's reputation as a Dropbox alternative is so persistent that many homelab guides never get past file sync. That's a shame, because file storage is probably the least interesting thing it does. Nextcloud can replace most of the stack you get in a homelab, and it's worth trying out if you've never considered it.
Samsung Galaxy Trifold 2 foldable could take a backseat to a ‘slideable’ phone
Samsung's sequel to the Galaxy Z Trifold could get preempted by a new mobile device with a rollable OLED panel. According to a new report from SamMobile, the company's rumored slideable phone could reach the market before the Galaxy Z TriFold 2, the company's highly anticipated follow-up to last year's tri-folding device.
The company has reportedly continued development on a second-generation TriFold, but a new claim from leaker Lanzuk suggests that phone could face delays. At the same time, Lanzuk claims development of Samsung's first slideable phone has picked up pace, potentially moving its release date earlier than expected.
SEE ALSO: Samsung working on phone with rollable screen, report claimsThe slideable device is expected to use a rollable OLED panel from Samsung Display, the company's display manufacturing arm, which has shown off several slideable and rollable screen concepts in recent years, according to SamMobile.
While foldable phones have a hinge that allows a flexible display to bend in the middle, rollable devices have an even more flexible display that can roll into the interior of the device like a scroll.
Earlier reporting had pointed to an early 2028 launch for the rollable, but the new report suggests the device could now arrive as soon as 2027, ahead of the TriFold 2. SamMobile cautioned that such timelines are subject to change, noting that Samsung's plans "could change and products can be delayed or even canceled for a variety of reasons."
Per SamMobile's report, sources within Samsung's supply chain indicate that the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 is being developed with an upgraded hinge designed to make the device thinner and lighter than its 309-gram predecessor by standardizing component thicknesses. However, the leaker says "recent issues such as costs" could be the reason behind pushing back the phone's launch beyond its original timeline.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold render reportedly leaks on Telegram
One of Google's new phones just leaked, but only a little bit.
Leaker Mystic Leaks (per 9to5google) shared a render on Telegram that allegedly shows the back of the new Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The render looks a lot like last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but there are some key differences, including a new Pine colorway. Rumor has it that color will also be available for the new Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL.
Google has already said that it will hold a big announcement event on Aug. 12, where all of the new Pixel phones will presumably be announced. That announcement showed a partial look at a phone in a gold/copper colorway.
SEE ALSO: Google announces the date for the Pixel 11 launch This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.One other noteworthy difference in the render is that the camera bar on the back appears to be substantially downsized from last year.
The camera flash module has also been repositioned to the upper left corner of the camera bar. Some are theorizing that it will be used for a new "Pixel Glow" system, which will use light and color to notify you of important happenings while your phone is lying face-down, and that this system will exist across multiple new Pixel devices.
Interestingly, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't seem to be fully adopting the all-black camera bar that the regular Pixel 11 phones are expected to have, based on renders shared by Android Headlines earlier this year. Mystic Leaks shared a list of alleged specs for all of the phones on Telegram back in May, and little of it is especially surprising. Expect a new Tensor G6 chip to power the devices, alongside the usual camera and battery upgrades we get every year.
We should get confirmation on all of these rumors on Aug. 12.


