Technology

Smartphones are so much more than just phones now. When you take the iPhone 17 Pro out on the trail, it's your camera, your GPS, and your lifeline if something goes wrong. That's a lot riding on one device, and a cheap or subpar phone case can jeopardize your device’s integrity should the worst happen. Bringing it into the back country can be even more of a gamble if your case isn't ready for an accidental drop.

One of the best things about the ESP32 and similar microcontrollers is the price. They only cost a few dollars each and can be put to good use in all manner of projects, from simple guides you follow along to complex projects you plan over weeks or months.

Android Auto has built-in automations called “shortcuts.” If this is news to you, I’m not surprised—they’re not very good. Thankfully, it’s possible to create much more useful automations with a great app called MacroDroid. That’s exactly what I did.

Putting a home lab together doesn't have to be expensive or take up a lot of space. Over the years, I've managed to collect, scavenge, and re-purpose old devices to the point where I can run most of my projects without spending a dime. Today, I'll tell you about my scavenged setup and the most important apps I run on it.

I currently own several GPUs—including two RTX 50-series GPUs—that have damaged display outputs. As strange as it seems, I actually purchased these "broken" cards without any thought to repairing them. And while that may sound counterproductive, there is actually a simple reason: I only use them for compute.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box is on sale for $199.42 at Amazon, down from its $249.99 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box $199.42 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.57   Get Deal

Perfect Order has spent the past few months as one of the easier Mega Evolution expansions to buy without completely wrecking your trading card budget, and Amazon has now pushed its biggest sealed box below another price barrier. 

As of Aug. 7, the Pokémon TCG’s 36-pack Perfect Order Booster Display Box is ready to buy at Amazon for $199.42. That knocks $50.57 off its $249.99 typical price, giving you a 20% discount and bringing the cost of each booster pack down to roughly $5.54. 

The best listing available is sold and shipped by third-party seller Champion-Gaming, with free delivery estimated for Aug. 10 -11 at the time of writing. If there are any problems, Amazon does still include its handy 30-day refund or replacement window, which is useful when you’re spending close to $200 on a sealed box. 

That said, you can save even more when shopping outside of Amazon. Walmart currently has the same 36-pack box down to $179 with free shipping, while TCGplayer’s lowest English-language sealed listings start at $174.87 with shipping included — which is only slightly above its market price of $173.86. 

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Still, this is a much stronger Amazon price than we saw in July, when the box was sitting at $227.20. If you prefer buying through Amazon, dropping below $200 takes a chunk out of the cost without having to purchase packs one at a time. 

In this Pokémon: Legends Z-A-inspired expansion, you can still pull valuable Perfect Order chase cards like SIR Mega Zygarde ex, MHR Mega Zygarde ex, SIR Meowth ex, and SIR Mega Clefable ex — or you can buy these separately at TCGplayer. 

At a glance:

Key specs: The Z Fold 8 weighs just 201 grams and is just 4.5 mm thick when unfolded; the 7.7-inch inner AMOLED display is huge, bright, and virtually glare-free.

Its biggest flaw: The dual 50MP wide and 50MP ultrawide cameras are fine, but not elite. Professionals and creators used to 200MP main cameras or iPhone 17 Pro Max video will notice a difference.

Price: The $1,899.99 price isn't unreasonable amidst the global memory crisis, but it still hurts.

Our 50-word review: This stylish foldable is so much fun to use, and there's nothing else like it. The spacious inner screen looks fantastic and is great for videos and gaming, yet the phone still folds up and slips into your pocket like a flip phone from 2010. The Gemini-backed AI features make photo editing a breeze, too.

Galaxy Z Fold 8: In-depth review Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the new passport-style foldable smartphone from Samsung that officially launched today. And as much as Samsung might wish that it wasn't living in the iPhone's shadow here in the United States, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room. The wider design of the Z Fold 8 matches the rumored shape of the iPhone Ultra, the biggest open secret in Silicon Valley. If Apple does indeed reveal its first folding phone in September, it will be going head-to-head with the Z Fold 8 (and to a lesser extent the Z Fold 8 Ultra), which has a more familiar design and an Ultra-level camera array.

I'll do my best not to mention Apple again in this review, because the Z Fold 8 is a damn fine phone that stands on its own.

Starting with last year's generation of foldables, I've been telling everyone that these devices are finally ready for primetime. And if the Galaxy Z series' record-breaking preorders are any indication, consumers are ready, too.

So, is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 worth it's $1,899.99 price tag? Overall, I had a great experience with this phone, which is only really hampered by one flaw: The camera array is just fine. Without a doubt, it's the best foldable I've tested yet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: By the numbers The Galaxy Z Fold 8 fits much more comfortably in your pocket than most smartphones. Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

This phone is remarkably thin, yet Samsung packed some impressive hardware into its svelte frame:

• Inner display: 7.6-inch inner and 5.5-inch outer AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Lavender, cream, graphite, and pistachio

• Dimensions: 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.5 mm unfolded / 1123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7 mm unfolded

• Weight: 201 grams

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 4,800mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Galaxy Z Fold 8 introduces an awesome new form factor Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The 7.7-inch inner display is far and away the Z Fold 8's best feature. I've never used a phone with this large a screen, and you immediately appreciate the difference in a variety of ways. The larger size results in a much more comfortable feel in your hand, and the keyboard is designed for you to use both thumbs, making typing faster, more accurate, and easier.

When unfolded, this is definitely a phone designed for two-handed use, but you can also leave it unfolded and operate it one-handed using the external display. I actually found myself using the phone while folded quite a bit, and you can easily use the camera, messages, phone, and other apps without opening it. One important note: The Z Fold 8 doesn't support Flex Mode, meaning you can't leave it half-opened on your desk in an L or A shape.

Overall, it feels more like a small tablet than a big phone.

Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

Both displays offer up to 120 Hz refresh rates and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Combined with Samsung's glare-free display tech, I never had trouble using the phone in direct sunlight. And if you're worried about a visible crease, don't be. The crease is virtually invisible while using the phone, and Samsung introduced new Flex Titanium hardware to make the hinge more durable.

You can just do so much more with the larger screen, which looks incredible. I generally avoid streaming TV shows and movies on my phone, but not with the Z Fold 8. Likewise, while I've never been a huge fan of mobile gaming, the mobile version of Mario Kart looks and plays awesome here.

Mobile gamers will definitely appreciate the Z Fold 8. Credit: Nintendo / Screenshot by Timothy Werth Credit: Nintendo / Screenshot by Timothy Werth

There is a small, annoying cutout in the screen for the 10MP selfie camera, and I wouldn't be surprised if it gets eliminated in the future. The 10MP selfie camera is pretty low-quality anyway, and I expect it will either disappear under the screen or be cut in future versions of the phone. (Keep scrolling to see the results of my camera test.)

The large size does have some drawbacks. Accessing the fingerprint sensor to unlock the phone can be tricky depending on how you hold it, and you can't easily open or close it with one hand, which is annoying.

I have to note one other complaint: The phone still has the characteristic wobble of all smartphones with a camera bar, and as my colleague Abrar Al-Heti at CNET aptly demonstrated, wireless charging is a pain without magnets. (Disclosure: Mashable and CNET are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: Strong performance and a versatile user experience Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

Under the hood, the Z Fold 8 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. Think of this mobile chipset as the phone's engine. The chip offers powerful performance, and on the Geekbench 7 benchmark test, the phone earned a single-core score of 2,375 and a multi-core score of 6,766. The single-core score is double that of the Motorola Razr Ultra (the multi-core scores were nearly identical).

What you need to know is that the phone quickly supports on-device AI processes and never slows down while multitasking. When shooting 4K and high-resolution video, the phone did get noticeably warm, and the thin design compromises heat dissipation. However, it never got so hot that it was painful to hold, like older GoPros sometimes did.

The wide display and chipset also support seamless multitasking. As with the new iPad experience (and other foldables), you can have multiple apps open side by side. You can also have floating app windows and resize the edges on the display.

So, if you want to leave Spotify open while you read a book in the Kindle app, you can do that. If you're using a web browser, you can keep the Gemini app open and ask questions as you browse.

Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

I did find some very minor bugs in the windowing and multitasking. The Kindle app had an awkward white bar at the top of the screen, and you could resize apps until they were too small to use. On top of that, not all apps will travel seamlessly between the inner and outer display. Ideally, when you close the phone, the app you're using should continue to run on the smaller outer display, but this doesn't always work.

The amazing disappearing Spotify. Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

But most of the time, the phone just works. And once you get used to the larger screen, it will be hard to go back.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 camera review: What's better than mid but worse than elite? Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

A few years ago, we would have been wowed by the cameras on this trendy little smartphone. Today, not so much.

The cameras aren't bad, but if you're used to the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Galaxy S25 or S26 Ultra, the difference is noticeable. As a reminder, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has three cameras:

• 50MP wide lens

• 50MP ultra-wide lens

• 10MP selfie camera

The dual 50MP main shooters are... fine. The selfie camera is pretty crap, unfortunately. I found myself awkwardly flipping the phone around to use the main cameras when taking selfies.

I went around New York City testing the various cameras, and I'll let my pictures do the talking here.

The Z Fold 8's cameras and processor capture good photos, even when there's a lot of detail and movement. While the Z Flip 8 sometimes overexposed or oversaturated photos, I found that the Z Fold 8 handled highlights and shadows much better.

Please note: All of the photos I took with the Z Fold 8 are untouched (except for slight cropping), though some of the photos have been compressed during the export process.

Madison Square Park in New York City. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Magic hour at the dog park. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Portrait mode is fine, and I found I got the best selfies with the main camera, not the 10MP selfie camera. Accomplishing this is a bit awkward, however.

Portrait mode is fine. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable A selfie taken with the main camera Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Unfortunately, I found the selfie camera to be a bit trash, and I'm too vain to get any use out of it. The dropoff in photo quality is very apparent, which isn't unusual, of course.

As for the zoom, I found that it worked surprisingly well, though not as well as you'd get with an actual telephoto lens.

Left: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Right: The 2X and 4X zoom work very well, but the photo looks grainy beyond that. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Left: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Most of the time, I found myself shooting at the 2x zoom, which I found worked really well indoors and out.

Weirdly, I found that the digital zoom worked better on the Z Flip 8, the Z Fold 8's littler, flippier sibling. Go figure.

Left: The 10x digital zoom on the Z Fold 8. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Right: The 10x digital zoom on the Z Flip 8 works better. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable A well-rounded AI feature set, especially for photo editing

The best AI feature on the Galaxy Z Fold 8? It comes with a free six-month subscription to Google AI Pro, letting you experiment with a lot of Google's best AI features. (Just set a reminder so you don't forget to cancel the subscription, or else you'll be charged $19.99 in seven months.)

Thanks to Samsung's close relationship with Google, you also get the support of Gemini, which generates a daily briefing of updates and news for your review, the "Now Brief." Your device will also automatically suggest actions across apps, such as making a calendar invite after a friend texts about dinner plans.

However, the main AI feature I find myself using on Galaxy phones is the build-in photo editing suite, which is very impressive. I praised these AI features in my review of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and they're just as useful here. In fact, they may actually be better, because the larger screen makes it easier to see the photos you're editing.

You can quickly and easily erase photo bombers, enhance focus, and make other simple edits. I find these features generally work well, and the text prompting in particular is useful.

Left: You can easily remove photo bombers from photos with the Eraser tool. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Right: The finished result Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

You can also have more fun with your photos if you so choose. I also appreciate that a digital watermark is added to AI-edited photos.

Left: Describe the edits you want in plain text. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Quick Share to Apple devices is a game-changer

One of the biggest barriers to ditching my iPhone for good? As a tech journalist, I often need to move photos, videos, and other files from one device to another. Without AirDrop, it's a huge pain to switch from an Android smartphone to my work MacBook Pro.

Quick Share appears in the lower left of the share screen. Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

However, with the Z Fold 8 running Android 17 and One UI 9, the new Quick Share feature is a godsend. This allows you to quickly and wirelessly send files to nearby devices, including Apple devices. Samsung is working hard to make it easier to switch from iOS to Android, and this feature could be the one that gets me.

Is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 worth it?

As much as I love this phone, I know that $1,899.99 is a really big ask. It's no coincidence that Samsung introduced a new Galaxy credit card to help users finance their devices.

So, here's what I'd say: If you can take advantage of a good trade-in or carrier offer at T-Mobile or Verizon, I think this phone is absolutely worth the upgrade, especially if you love phones that fit in your pocket. If you've been sitting on the foldable fence these last few years, the Z Fold 8 is a phone that makes it easy to get down.

Phones have been getting pretty boring in the past few years, and the Z Fold 8 finally makes phones fun again. And, I'll be honest: showing off this phone to your friends and family will make you feel pretty cool.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 $1,899.99 at Samsung
  See It at Samsung See It at Amazon See It at T-Mobile

If you're like me, you spend a lot of time watching YouTube in order to learn as much as you can about your hobbies. For me, that includes videos about 3D printing, which is a technology that fascinates me and I want to know as much as possible about it.

Nearly a century ago, Bugatti built a chassis that lived two separate lives. The Type 57 underpinned the Type 57G and Type 57C, cars nicknamed "Tank" for their enclosed, slab-sided bodywork that looked more like an armored vehicle than anything else on a 1930s starting grid. The shape helped them win Le Mans outright in 1937 and 1939, at a time when most competitors were still betting on raw power instead of aerodynamics.

Willem Dafoe is an icon, not only of modern cinema but also of photography. Alongside unforgettable performances in movies like The Last Temptation of Christ, Nosferatu, and Spider-Man, he's also awed the public with his extraordinary skills in front of a still camera, inspiring a TikTok trend where people try to pose like Dafoe.

So, when the star of Late Fame visited Mashable's studios for an interview with Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, the pair not only dug into the sensational New York movie and how it connects to Dafoe's own youth as a struggling theater actor. But also, they dug into what it means to turn a photoshoot into art.

SEE ALSO: 'Late Fame' review: Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee mesmerize in tale of New York City, art, and identity

"I gotta admit, I like photoshoots," Dafoe began. Referring to those who meme or mimic him online, he said, "I'm aware enough about it that I hope it doesn't make me gun shy or make me self-conscious about it, because I'm aware of it."

He went on, "There's something instant about it. It is a collaboration. You enter a room. You get these clothes that you would probably never wear in life — not always — sometimes beautiful clothes. But sometimes they're horrible."

SEE ALSO: Willem Dafoe and Robert Eggers reveal their inspirations for 'Nosferatu'. It goes deeper than you may think.

"The photographer comes in," Dafoe continued, "He/she may have some ideas. We shoot away, and it's all about finding something....But when it works it's really fun and it's really instant. It's about making shapes. You're free because you're not representing anything. You're just doing."

"I'm trained as an actor, as a doer," Dafoe said, "Not in psychology, not in interpretation, not in lots of things. But I know that everything is based on doing, and the quality of how you do it is the performance. And you put yourself into these structures and the structures kind of tell you what to do, and work on you. And then something happens, and that becomes the heart of the performance."

Late Fame is now in theaters.

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Are you looking for thrilling and unpredictable racing? No we're not talking about F1, unless you like regular pit stops, safety cars, and the same driver winning almost every week. We're talking about a form of two-wheel racing where anything could happen.

MotoGP is where the real action can be found. Every week you see the best riders in the world go wheel to wheel with their rivals, throwing their bikes into corners with absolutely no sense of self preservation. It's an awesome spectacle, and it doesn't need to cost you anything to watch.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Want to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.

What is MotoGP?

MotoGP is the oldest established motorsport world championship, with the inaugural season taking place in 1949. Races last approximately 45 minutes, without pitting for fuel or fresh tires.

The likes of Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha do battle for the constructors' championship. Marc Márquez is the defending champion.

When is the 2026 MotoGP World Championship?

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship features 22 races held all over the world between March and November:

1. Thailand GP — March 1

2. Brazil GP — March 22

3. USA GP — March 29

4. Qatar GP — April 12

5. Spain GP — April 26

6. France GP — May 10

7. Catalonia GP — May 17

8. Italy GP — May 31

9. Hungary GP — June 7

10. Czechia GP — June 21

11. Netherlands GP — June 28

12. Germany GP — July 12

13. Great Britain GP — Aug. 9

14. Aragon GP — Aug. 30

15. San Marino GP — Sept. 13

16. Austria GP — Sept. 20

17. Japan GP — Oct. 4

18. Indonesian GP — Oct. 11

19. Australia GP — Oct. 25

20. Malaysia GP — Nov. 1

21. Portugal GP — Nov. 15

22. Valencia GP — Nov. 22

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2026 MotoGP World Championship without spending anything.

How to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, 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 Austria, meaning you can access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this quick and easy process:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races without actually spending anything.

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

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is tough to beat when it comes to streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Impressive streaming speeds without buffering

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

Windows is teeming with useful tools that Microsoft, for one reason or another, doesn't talk about or promote. Worse still, many of them are tucked away in places where hardly anyone would think to look, even though they can be indispensable for troubleshooting various Windows issues. One of them is Reliability Monitor, which has been part of Windows for almost two decades.

Between work and my own hobbies, I basically always need access to a PC. So, after a recent power outage, I decided to repurpose an old Raspberry Pi and an Anker Power Station to work as a small backup Linux desktop in an emergency.

SAVE OVER $70: As of Aug. 7, the Dreame L40s Ultra AE robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $599.98 at Amazon for a limited time. Act fast to save $70.01 before the deal is done.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame L40s Ultra AE Robot Vacuum and Mop $599.98 at Amazon
$669.99 Save $70.01   Get Deal

Recently, the FCC announced it's banning all robot vacuums made outside the U.S. However, the ban doesn't include models that are already in circulation, which is good news if you've been hoping to buy one.

If you're searching for a good deal, Amazon is the place to look. As of Aug. 7, the retailer has dropped a discount on the Dreame L40s Ultra AE robot vacuum and mop, but not for much longer. For a limited time, shoppers can snag the Dreame L40s Ultra AE for $599.98 rather than its full price of $669.99. Overall, you're saving $70.01 with this offer, but you only have Aug. 7 to buy at this low price.

SEE ALSO: After a brief slump, iRobot announced 5 new Roombas and a wet dry vacuum. Is it redemption arc time?

Released last year, the Dreame L40s Ultra AE features 19,000Pa suction that can help free your carpets and rugs of dirt, crumbs, and hair. It even comes with a TriCut brush that helps prevent tangling, and a liftable rubber brush that can pick up larger debris from the floor. When it comes to mopping harder surfaces, it also features MopExtend technology, which extends the mopping pad to clean along edges or under furniture. And on top of that, it has AI-powered 3D obstacle-avoidance technology to help it steer clear of obstacles.

Its PowerDock Base is quite impressive, too. According to the store page, it automatically dispenses dust for up to 100 days and washes mops with hot water at 149 degrees Fahrenheit. It even offers hot-air drying to keep everything feeling fresh and clean the next time it goes out.

The clock is ticking to jump on this deal. Act fast to save on the Dreame L40s Ultra AE robot vacuum and mop at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

The best Excel formulas are the ones that explain themselves. That's why I use named ranges whenever I can. Creating them one by one, though, feels like unnecessary admin—especially in larger spreadsheets. Since discovering Ctrl+Shift+F3, it's become one of my most-used Excel shortcuts.

Well, that was a bleak and bonkers two hours.

Netflix’s The Last House might be one of the most baffling films on the platform in an age, as a certified genre Rolodex that blends The Call of Cthulhu with Home Alone and the overwhelming essence of COVID lockdowns. By the end of the movie, from director Louis Leterrier (Now You See Me), The Secret Agent Oscar-winner Wagner Moura and Past Lives Oscar-snubbed Greta Lee have seen their family through five years of imprisonment in their own home thanks to some malevolent waterbending.

But what actually happens at the end of The Last House? Well, we're still thinking about the family dog in the freezer, but we'll break it down.

What happens in The Last House? Noah Alexander Sosnowski, Wagner Moura, Greta Lee, and Riley Chung. Credit: Netflix

In a set-up not unlike Netflix thriller Brick, The Last House sees a Seattle family suddenly sealed inside their own home. Unlike Brick, the sealing happens during an extreme rainstorm, with the locks bolted by tendrils of water itself. And it's not just the home of Ann (Lee) and Jason (Moura) and their children Ruth (Riley Chung) and Graham (Noah Alexander Sosnowski) — it's the whole neighborhood.

Scenes of being trapped inside might trigger memories of COVID lockdown for viewers, especially as the family tries homeschooling their stir-crazy kids and watching Annie and Air Force One on DVD on repeat. But things for this family only get more grim as they face starvation in their own home, then shoot their sickly Golden Retriever, Cassidy, freezing her for sustenance. Then, Jason goes all Caractacus Potts on the neighbourhood wildlife with "chimney fishing." Honestly, watching the Animals of Farthing Wood getting butchered one-by-one was not on our weekly agenda.

Days stretch into weeks, into months, then five years later, the family seems to be the "last house" on their street that's still got living residents inside. That's chiefly through Jason's ingenuity in collecting rainwater and setting animal traps through their chimney, and Ann's resourcefulness in growing a farm's worth of vegetables in the living room.

Why can't the family leave their home in The Last House? Ruth (Riley Chung) has been studying the creatures for years. Credit: Netflix

While the neighbors initially speculate it's the government or aliens causing this involuntary lockdown, it's neither. Essentially, the family is trapped by tentacled deep sea creatures, who look like Cthulhu, but smaller. They're less towering titans and more the height of a pro basketball team.

But are they actually monsters? Ruth (Emma Ho), who is ultimately revealed to be the film's narrator, doesn't think so. Early on, she tells her family that one of the creatures she saw outside "seemed nice" and was "trying to communicate." Jason has his own enigmatic experience, as the seemingly sentient rain takes the shape of his palm against the window pane.

Not all of the creatures seem so friendly; however. Aside from starving out their neighbors, the creatures also snatch up the long-lost jogger from the start of the film, as she tried to get into the family's home for safety. Later, the family gets their best view yet of these mysterious creatures, when one enters the house, and splashes salt water all over their crops, killing the lot.

From there, Ruth insists these creatures aren't aliens, but fabled deep sea creatures like Leviathan or the Kraken.

“80 percent of the ocean is unexplored," she explains, "What if these things aren’t from outer space? What if these tales of sea creatures are real? What if that's why they can control the rain? They're not conquering our world. This is their world."

And that's the only explanation we ever get. So why do the creatures kill off a bunch of Seattle residents? As the film starts in the shallows of the coast, which is littered with human debris, we might infer that the creatures are wiping out humanity to reclaim the planet, preventing further damage to their environment.

What happens at the end of The Last House? Ann (Greta Lee) makes a stand with her family. Credit: Netflix

The next time a creature comes calling, the family is ready with Home Alone-style booby-traps, molotov cocktails and harpoons. Once trapped, Jason threatens it, demanding, “Open the door, or I’m gonna gut you."

However, Ruth begs for her father to let it go, he does. And this act of mercy leads not only to the family being let out of the house, but also the creature signaling to its squad to give the family mercy in return. So, as the foundation in the house — much talked about — finally gives way, the sun comes out, and five creatures scoot away underwater in a flying V across what used to be Seattle, flooded so high the Space Needle is practically a dock.

From there, the family steals the boat of a dead neighbor they rudely ridiculed before lockdown as a "doofus," rename the man's boat from "Seas The Day" to "Cassidy," to honour the family dog they ate, and literally sail into the horizon.

Featured Video For You Did ‘Sinners’ Launch a New Wave of Horror Musicals?

"In the end, an act of mercy set us free. We showed it to them, and they showed it to us," Ruth, now an adult (and voiced by KPop Demon Hunters' Arden Cho) says in voiceover, as the film takes a decidedly Disney Channel tone out of nowhere. "We never saw them again but we think they're still out there. After all, it's their home too."

The Last House ends with the family on "Day 1" of their new existence, searching for a new home and any other humans that may have survived the five years of octopus occupation.

The Last House offers no clue to how far this nautical attack reached. It's also unclear how exactly the waterbending powers of these creatures work. If they can control all water, couldn't they have skipped the whole lockdown scenario and controlled the 60 percent of the human body is water to destroy us? But then, I guess you don't get to the point of grim where you're rationing the family pet for sustenance.

Let's look away from the nonsense of Matthew Robinson's script, and look to the horrid statistics that likely inspired it.

Every year, an estimated 130 million tons of plastic waste pollute waterways and seas. Microplastics are a plague on the planet, showing up in microscopic krill. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is 100,000,000 kilograms' worth of our crap and twice the size of Texas. And by 2050, estimates predict there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

The Last House's point might have been more impactful if it mentioned literally any of this. But perhaps our treatment of the ocean means we deserve a movie this atrocious.

The Last House is now streaming on Netflix.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon, down from its $109.98 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $89.99 at Amazon
$102.88 Save $12.89   Shop Now

Ascended Heroes has become the most expensive Pokémon TCG expansion released this year. You can still find deals, though.

As of Aug. 7, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle is now on sale on Amazon for $89.99, which is 13% off its typical $102.88 list price. Shipped directly by Amazon itself via a third-party seller, this box with half a dozen packs will reach you between Aug. 16-19 at the time of writing. 

After spending most of July over the $90 mark (shown via price tracker camelcamelcamel), this is the best chance trading card collectors have had to save a few dollars on Ascended Heroes packs in weeks. 

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Amazon's price isn't quite at market value yet, although it's getting close. Against TCGplayer’s estimated market price of $87.24, Amazon is only $2.75 higher. However, you can get a sealed Booster Bundle from TCGplayer for the cheapest of all, with listings from RazorbackRarities coming to $87.99 after $4.99 shipping. 

Ascended Heroes has been incredibly popular because, among all the returning Mega Evolution Pokémon, there are some incredibly valuable chase cards worth well over $1,000. If you don't want to spend some time pulling packs, you can buy each card, like SIR Mega Gengar ex, SIR Pikachu ex, and SIR Mega Dragonite ex, individually on TCGplayer.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 7, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04   Get Deal

Earbuds tech is advancing all the time. From seriously impressive noise cancellation to live translation tools that help you communicate when traveling. A pair that continues to impress is the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Not only do these earbuds deliver the incredible sound quality of Beats, but they also have built-in heart rate sensors, making them the ideal workout earbuds.

And as of Aug. 7, you can grab these for $50 less than their list price on Amazon, now down to $199.95. Amazon has marked this as a limited-time deal, so we don’t know how long this price will hang around. 

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In addition to heart rate monitoring, the design of these earbuds makes them ideal for workouts. They feature a secure-fit earhook that’s been tested across different ear shapes and activity levels to help keep the earbuds in place during exercise. They also include Active Noise Canceling to reduce background noise in training environments, alongside Transparency mode to stay aware of your surroundings, such as passing bikes or cars when running outdoors. 

The built-in heart rate sensors work by measuring heart rate directly from the earbuds, pulsing over 100 times per second. They also have an IPX4 rating, which means they are both sweat and water-resistant. 

And if you’re an endurance athlete, these earbuds will keep you going for up to 45 hours of total listening time with the charging case, plus the Fast Fuel charging gives you 1.5 hours of playback from a five-minute charge. 

For this deal, you can choose from all available colors: jet black, electric orange, hyper purple, and quick sand. Head to Amazon to grab your pair now.

SAVE OVER $10: As of Aug. 7, the Anker Zolo magnetic power bank is on sale for $34.99 at Amazon. That's a $15 discount off its full price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15   Get Deal

If you're worried about your favorite devices running out of battery while you're out and about or on vacation this summer, a portable power bank is a must-have investment. These devices can keep you powered up when you're on the go, and buying one doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Amazon usually has great deals on select models, and today, the Anker Zolo magnetic power bank is one of them.

As of Aug. 7, every color on Amazon's Anker Zolo store page has been marked down to $34.99. Normally, this power bank retails for $49.99, so you can save $15 with this deal. However, each color has a "limited time deal" sticker right now, so it's worth grabbing one sooner rather than waiting too long and missing out.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 11 Pro: Everything we know ahead of Aug. 12 Made By Google event

No matter where you're heading, the Anker Zolo's compact size makes it perfect to bring along in a backpack or purse. It also boasts a 10,000mAh capacity, offering up to 7.5W wireless charging or 30W wired charging via the USB-C to USB-C cable. Plus, it can charge through magnetic cases.

It's also compatible with a wide range of devices. According to the store page, everything from iPhone 12 to 17 and AirPods Pro 2 can be wirelessly charged, while wired charging covers iPhone SE devices alongside 12 to 17 models; iPad Air and Pro; Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, and S24; AirPods, and more.

Don't get stuck with a low battery this summer. Act fast to save on the Anker Zolo magnetic power bank at Amazon.

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TL;DR: Creative has launched the XF1, a Hi-Res desktop speaker with 72W RMS output, dual Hi-Res Audio certification, and app-based EQ control, priced at $179.99.

Creative just dropped a new desktop speaker that's punching well above its size. The XF1 is small enough to sit next to your monitor without taking over your desk, but it packs enough power and tech to make you forget it's tiny at all.

The XF1 delivers 72 watts of power, split between two speakers, each with its own dedicated amp for the woofer and tweeter. Instead of one amp trying to push both the bass and the treble at once, each part of the speaker gets its own power source. That means cleaner sound at any volume, without muddying or distorting when you crank it up.

Sound-wise, the XF1 covers a wide range, from deep, rumbling bass to super-high frequencies that most speakers in this price range just can't reproduce. Creative says you'll notice it in the small stuff: the rasp in someone's voice, a bass line under a game soundtrack, the finer notes in a piano piece.

Credit: Creative

It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC support, which means better audio quality over Bluetooth than you'd normally get. You can also plug in over USB-C for high-res playback, or use a standard 3.5mm cable if you want to keep things simple.

SEE ALSO: Marshall’s new Stockwell III speaker is officially live: Order the 40-hour Bluetooth speaker now

The speaker also connects to Creative's app, Nexus, which lets you fine-tune its sound. There's a 10-band EQ if you want to get hands-on, plus over 120 built-in presets tuned for specific games, movies, and music genres, so you don't have to be an audio expert to get it sounding right.

The Creative XF1 launches for $179.99 in the U.S. and £139.99 in the UK.