Technology

Choosing the right trim level can make all the difference when you're shopping for a new SUV. Spend too little, and you may miss out on features you'll use every day. Spend too much, and you're often paying for luxury extras that add little real value. The sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle.

These days, our smartphones are powerful machines with more cameras and storage than ever before, yet running out of space is still a common problem. But did you know one of the biggest culprits on Android could be Google Messages? I recently realized that Google's Messaging app is using over 25GB of space on my phone, and there's no easy way to clean it up.

Experienced coders and people who have never done so much as a "Hello World" exercise are all having a blast with vibe coding. That's the practice of telling an AI model in plain English what software you want to make and then watching it rattle off lines of code faster than you can read them.

What’s old will one day be new again; it’s a tale as old as time. This is true of nerdy hobbies that techies love, whether that’s because of the retro charm or in pursuit of a more satisfying experience that rejects the modern approach.

Just like USB-C cables can be confusing, so can USB-C ports. On the surface, it's just a port: stick a cable in it, and it'll charge your phone, sooner or later. But in reality, there's a lot more to USB-C than meets the eye.

If you use DistroWatch to find new distros, you've probably assumed—and reasonably so—that its rankings point you toward the good stuff. And while I think it's a great discovery tool, it's a terrible way to judge the quality of a distro. Many distros I would never recommend are ranked higher than objectively better alternatives. Here are three Linux distros that are far better than their DistroWatch rankings suggest.

Certain things in this world don’t follow our natural logic. A Galaxy phone charges from 0-100% in less than 60 minutes, and we’re supposed to believe that’s healthy for the battery? In reality, it is, but there are other things to worry about.

Social media bans for kids are quickly becoming the global legislation trend of the moment.

Children under 16 are finding themselves at the center of political conversations, with countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Austria, and Indonesia, and more attempting to wrangle Big Tech companies' hold on young people's attention.

SEE ALSO: Australia's kid social media ban is ineffective, study suggests

Online age verification laws are taking shape by the month, with governments citing the need to address issues including child sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, self-harm, and the impact on kids' mental health, as well as "addictive" design, violent content, and porn. However, these laws have also come under severe criticism for efficiency and their impact on digital privacy and free speech.

Plus, kids are already finding ways around them.

So, where are we at, globally? Which countries have followed Australia's example and are rolling out their own social media bans? Here's the list, alphabetically, and incidentally starting with the one who started it all.

Australia

The first to do it, Australia set a global precedent in Dec. 2025 with its world-first social media ban for children under 16. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act requires social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and Snapchat to implement age verification and take "reasonable steps" to prevent kids under 16 from creating accounts. However, a July 2026 study by Australian government advisors found the ban so far ineffective.

Plus, Reddit is suing.

Austria

Following in Australia's footsteps with fewer letters, in March 2026, Austria announced a bill to ban social media use for children under 14. With a draft planned for completion by summer, Austria's legislation would also add a new compulsory subject, "Media and Democracy," to school curriculums to boost awareness of "how to recognise disinformation and radicalisation."

Brazil

Brazil's social media ban, the Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents, came into force in March 2026. The law requires kids under 16 to link their social media accounts with a legal guardian, and tech platforms must add age verification for users wanting to access adult content. It also means social media platforms must limit "features designed to artificially increase, sustain, or extend" time kids spend on the platforms, including automatically playing videos.

Canada

Canada is set to ban users under 16 from holding social media accounts, with a proposed law announced by the Canadian government on June 11, 2026. The Safe Social Media Act will enforce age verification to access online services and legally mandated safety requirements for social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. But Canadian law will also apply to companies that use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.

Denmark

Denmark is planning a social media ban for kids under 15, announced back on Oct. 8, 2025, by the country's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen. According to the Associated Press, the law could arrive in 2026, but there's no date or details yet. Reports also suggest parents could allow their children to use social media from the age of 13.

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An EU-wide social media ban for kids under 13 could be coming, announced July 13, 2026. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission (the EU's executive body), presented a report on online safety for children, which recommended age-appropriate restrictions on platforms (the EU has launched its own age verification app), parental supervision for social media use, and the insistence that digital platforms "must prove that their services do no harm."

But it won't just be social media that's impacted. As Mashable's Anna Iovine reports, it could apply to "other digital services such as AI companions, video-sharing platforms, and video games."

France

France is ready to approve its social media ban for kids under 15, with the government reaching a compromise on the bill on July 20, 2026. Once it's through, France will be the first European country to officially enact such a ban. According to Le Monde, the social media ban will block under-15s from creating new accounts as of Sept. 1, and in Jan. 2027, all existing accounts will come under the law.

Germany

Germany hasn't yet rolled out a social media ban, but the government is considering it.

Greece

Greece plans to ban social media for kids under 15, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announcing the proposed law on April 8, 2026. In a TikTok video, translated by the BBC, Mitsotakis cited sleep issues and anxiety in children caused by "the pressure to always be online," and he criticized "the addictive design of certain applications." If passed, the measure will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, and the PM said age verification is also needed.

Indonesia

Indonesia announced it would ban social media for children under 16 on March 6, 2026. As reported by the BBC, the country's minister of communication and digital affairs, Meutya Hafid, said anyone under 16 with an account on a "high risk" online platform would see it deactivated by the end of March, naming "YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox."

Malaysia

Malaysia has banned social media for under-16s, with communications minister Fahmi Fadzil announcing the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) in Nov. 2025. The law came into force on Jan. 1, 2026, but it really got started on June 1, 2026. As NBC News reports, requires social media companies to add age verification and to prohibit kids under 16 from creating accounts on platforms with at least 8 million users (that means YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook). The law also requires social media companies "to limit features that increase, sustain, or extend" kids' online time.

Poland

Poland is looking to ban kids under 15 from social media, with Education Minister Barbara Nowacka announcing plans on Feb. 26, 2026. Yes, that would mean age verification on social media sites and big fines for companies not enforcing them.

Slovenia

Slovenia is set to ban social media access for kids under 15, with draft legislation announced by Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arčon on Feb. 5, 2026.

Spain

Spain announced plans to ban social media for children under 16 on Feb. 3, 2026, with the country's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, promising to "protect them from the digital Wild West." The proposed bill, which still needs to be passed by parliament, will hold social media companies (including their executives) liable for "illegal or harmful content" existing on their platforms. "We will turn algorithmic manipulation and amplification of illegal content into a new criminal offence,” Sánchez said at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February.

Thailand

Thailand hasn't announced a social media ban yet, but there's a lot of discussion about it.

Turkey

Turkey passed a bill on April 23, 2026, that blocks kids under 15 from accessing social media platforms. According to the Associated Press, which cited state media reports, the law will require age verification on social media, rapid responses by companies to "harmful" content, and expanded parental controls.

United Kingdom

The UK confirmed an impending social media ban for under-16s on June 15, 2026, following the rollout of age verification in the country in July 2025 (it's kind of working?). The government explicitly said it "plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia," with the intention of broadening the law to cover other platforms, including livestreaming and gaming sites.

The UK is also considering overnight curfews for teens aged 16 and 17 and blocking infinite-scroll mechanisms for kids.

This story is developing and will be updated as laws are proposed and passed.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 29, the Anker Soundcore 2 portable speaker is on sale for $29.98 at Amazon. That's $15.01 off its list price of $44.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $29.98 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $15.01   Get Deal

Portable speakers are great to have around while going to the beach, pool, camping, and more in the summertime. Picking one out can feel a bit overwhelming, though. With so many different models to choose from, we're here to help. We've spotted a great deal on the Anker Soundcore 2 portable speaker right now at Amazon that's well worth a look.

As of July 29, the black model of this speaker has been marked down to $29.98 at Amazon, which is just over $15 off its list price. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, it's also pretty close to its lowest-ever price of $21.59, so it's a great time to scoop it up.

Unfortunately, only the black model is available at this price, though other colors are on sale for a few dollars extra. Among the discounts are the mocha brown model at $33.98 and the baby blue, beige, and navy blue models at $35.98 each. There's also the pink model on sale, though for a bit higher at $39.99.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

While the Anker Soundcore 2's portable design is convenient for your summer excursions, it's also durable. With IPX7 waterproof protection, it's ready for a day at the beach or by the pool. Plus, it boasts great sound quality. According to the store page, this little speaker delivers 12W of power and enhanced bass from dual neodymium drivers, offering a nice boost for your favorite tunes.

On top of that, its battery can last up to 24 hours. With that kind of power, you can spend the whole day listening to your favorite music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more.

The Anker Soundcore 2 portable speaker currently has a "limited time deal" tag, so act fast to save 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.

TL;DR: Granola has launched an Apple Watch app that lets you record and transcribe meetings without pulling out your phone, available free starting today. Since a feature like this can place extra pressure on battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best pairing for heavy Granola use.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 3 $779 at Amazon
  Shop Now

Granola just launched an app for the Apple Watch that lets you record and transcribe meetings without taking out your phone. It's built for the meetings that happen off your laptop: a walking one-on-one, a whiteboard brainstorm, or even a quick coffee chat. Tap your wrist to start, and your notes sync automatically to your iPhone and computer once you're done.

It's also easy to use throughout your day. Before a scheduled meeting, it gently taps you as a reminder to hit record, and for spontaneous chats, you can add Granola to your watch face so a new note is always one tap away.

If you've got back-to-back meetings all day and plan to keep Granola running through most of them, that'll wear down a standard Apple Watch fast. In that case, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is worth considering.

We've covered the Ultra 3 a few times already, and battery life keeps coming up as its standout upgrade. Mashable's Stan Schroeder noted that most Apple Watch models severely lag behind other watches in battery life.

The Ultra 3 narrows that gap significantly, putting it at up to 42 hours of normal use, a solid jump if you're planning to run something like Granola day after day.

Granola for Apple Watch is free and available today, requiring watchOS 11 or later. If your calendar is packed and you want the app running the whole time, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is your best bet.

Boston Dynamics has passed among three owners in the last decade, from Google in 2013 to SoftBank in 2017 to Hyundai in 2021, when the automaker paid about $880 million for a company known at the time more for viral videos of dancing robots than for turning a profit.

We can't ask Homer what he thinks of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, but we can ask someone who knows it better than most.

Emily Wilson, the British-American classicist whose 2017 translation of the epic poem was one of the director's inspirations, has been asked for her opinion on The Odyssey film a few times since the film's release on July 17. And the reactions have gone from light criticism to scathing response.

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' hints at 3 myths without detailing them. Here are the untold stories.

Nolan has cited Wilson's work as among his influences for the film, notably Homer's opening line, "Tell me about a complicated man."

When asked for her response to The Odyssey by the Associated Press on July 20, Wilson said, "I want to celebrate the fact that so many more people are aware of The Odyssey and were brought back to the poem. But at the same time, I had the sense that Christopher Nolan was trying to pack everything in while missing themes that were essential to the poem."

However, in a rather brutal 4,000-word review for the London Review of Books, published July 24 in print and now online, the professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania went to town on Nolan's adaptation.

"Nolan’s Odyssey lacks many of the elements that make the poem great," she writes. "It has nothing convincing to say about time, memory, history, war, or about the relationship between one warrior’s glorious return and the lives of his family, adversaries, comrades, friends and neighbours. It lacks psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth. Its narrative structure is gimmicky. The writing is abysmal. None of the characters has convincing motivation for their actions or words. There are no sex scenes, and all the food looks horrible."

Girl, tell us what you really think!

"It lacks psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth. Its narrative structure is gimmicky. The writing is abysmal. None of the characters has convincing motivation for their actions or words. There are no sex scenes, and all the food looks horrible." - Emily Wilson

Wilson's translation famously reexamined the role of women in The Odyssey, like the characters of Penelope and Circe (played onscreen by Anne Hathaway and Samantha Morton, respectively). And Nolan's film does give women more agency than they've had in his previous work, as Mashable's Belen Edwards writes in her review, "Nolan makes sure to emphasize the women of The Odyssey's complexities, as opposed to letting them linger on the sidelines or in dead wife montages. Most importantly, he lets them be angry."

What did Wilson think? "There are more female characters than in most Nolan movies, thanks to the source material. But none of them has much to say, in contrast to the characterisations in the poem," she writes, particularly scrutinising an under-written Calypso (Charlize Theron) as "an unpaid therapist, soothing the soul of the bedraggled, PTSD-ridden Odysseus with drugs, and graciously listening to his disjointed tale of woe."

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Granted, it's nothing short of a herculean task to try and fit every last element of Homer's 12,000-line poem into a film that runs just under three hours, despite that IMAX screen size. Nolan does hit the major plot points of The Odyssey's 20-year chronology — the Trojan Horse, Penelope's sleazy suitors, Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his men running into the cyclops Polythemus (Bill Irwin), the sirens, the Scylla monster, and the nymph Calypso along the way — he leaves many myths deliberately untold.

Wilson does eventually return to a shadow of her original response, seeing Nolan's film as "still an event to celebrate," with the film "bringing audiences back to cinemas." However, the review is still pretty withering, especially a section which reads, "My eyes stayed dry, even for Argos the dog," and one in which Wilson yearns for "a tub of wax for my ears" to survive the film's booming soundscape.

"I had hoped that Nolan’s affinity with these Homeric themes might push him to new creative heights, and enable him to conjure more believable characters," Wilson writes. "But The Odyssey features his usual combination of grandiosity and superficiality."

I'm going to leave the hand-wringing to the internet on this one (and it's happening), but it's interesting to hear scholars like Wilson's responses to The Odyssey, a text that has been reinterpreted for thousands of years through literature, art, film, video games, and myriad creative avenues.

As to what Homer would think? No one can ever know that, stop speaking for an ancient Greek poet on X.

The Odyssey is now in cinemas.

UPDATE: Jul. 29, 2026, 12:01 p.m. GMT This story was originally published on July 20, 2026, then updated and republished on July 29 after Emily Wilson's essay appeared in the London Review of Books.

Singles are growing increasingly disenchanted with dating apps, and those with the means are turning to matchmakers. But with such an investment — oftentimes thousands of dollars, which is way more than Tinder Gold — there's a lot at stake.

Matchmaker Sameera Sullivan told Mashable she's been a matchmaker in the U.S. for almost 15 years now, first at an international agency (though she didn't name which one) and then striking out on her own. Previously, she worked as a recruiter in the aerospace and defense industry, and then was recruited herself to be a matchmaker. Before matchmaking, she would always coach and help friends.

SEE ALSO: What 'Materialists' got wrong (and right), according to matchmakers

When she worked for the agency, "that's when I started realizing how crazy this industry can be," she said. Sullivan stayed there for less than a year and observed what they were doing "wrong," and then started doing her own thing. 

What did they do wrong? These "bigbox" matchmaking agencies are "living off their brand," she said. "The owners are not really involved [and] they will take on everybody," she explained. "Then there are newer companies who are doing a lot of marketing and SEO…which is fine, but they're marketing to every demographic." 

Matchmaking is a centuries-old practice in places like India and China, but what was once a community-oriented assist has now become a booming business, especially stateside. With arguably as many options for matchmakers out there as dating apps, you're going to need to be discerning. If you're in a position to hire a matchmaker, here's what to do, according to Sullivan and some of her clients.

Why hire a matchmaker?

Sullivan's clients who spoke to Mashable have paid thousands of dollars — in the five figures — for her services and those of other matchmakers. Why drop so much money when, in relative terms, a paid dating app subscription is much cheaper?

A male client, 65 to 70 years old, who requested anonymity when speaking to Mashable, said he had dating site fatigue and wanted to find an alternative. He wanted a boutique, bespoke service with better filtering.

"Just moving from dating sites to a matchmaker gives you, I think, a better pool," he said. The singles are pre-screened and are definitely interested in a relationship, unlike on dating apps, where users' desires range widely. And from a safety standpoint, it might be better, given increased vetting.

"Vetting is the most important thing in matchmaking," Sullivan said.

Sullivan told Mashable that her vetting process includes not just a criminal background check, but also a background check for their career history, if they've owned any homes, marriage history, and the like. If they were previously married, they would check to make sure they're fully divorced. She or her team also conducts interviews, typically 90 minutes long, to learn more about them and what they're looking for.

How thorough background checks are depends on the service you use, however. Cheryl, who has worked with Sullivan, had a bad experience when a previous service matched her with men out of her home state. Keeping an open mind, she flew to Florida to meet one, and during dinner (which he didn't pay for), he "joked" that he'd take her for everything she's worth.

"The waiter paused and looked at me, and I paused and looked at him, and… at one point I said, 'Hey, just so you know, you said that out loud, and I can see you,'" she said. "I think he was using the service as a way to find rich women." 

Cheryl reported the man to the service, and they did remove him. However, the experience didn't turn her off matchmaking entirely — she found Sullivan when looking for a matchmaker close by.

Matchmaker red flags

When you reach out to matchmaking services, they'll often have a consultation first before they take you on, usually through a phone call. During this call, you might be able to spot some red flags. 

Be on the lookout for any promises or guarantees they make. Some services guarantee match offerings, but beyond that, they can't tell you they're going to find you a spouse. Sullivan's client, Ro, tried a big matchmaking agency, and the salesperson who spoke to him sold him on it. When FaceTiming, Ro says she told him that finding him a partner would be a slam dunk — but then, after he signed up, she said she doesn't handle clients, and palmed him off to a colleague.

"That was a disappointment right away," Ro said. He was also promised weekly check-ins, but then didn't hear from the service for two or three weeks at a time.

"They promised me a minimum amount of dates. They came through with the minimum amount of connections, but I turned a lot of them down," he recalled. "They just didn't get me."

"I'm not going to find you love. I'm going to find you candidates."

"I run a company, and we do sales, and I just don't love salespeople that are selling me on stuff," Richard, another client who has used multiple matchmaking services, said. He found Sullivan authentic because she didn't make those promises. She told him, "I'm not going to find you love. I'm going to find you candidates."

Another potential red flag (depending) is the clientele of the business. If they promise to provide services to every demographic, they may not be able to focus on a specific group and their needs (for instance, a certain religion or gender). Some matchmakers are specific to certain locations (if you search for "California matchmakers," for instance, you'll find some that tailor to singles in that state, and you'll also find services that are nationwide or global).

"We have a moral code," Sullivan said of matchmakers. "We have a responsibility that we have to be responsible for who we take on, because we cannot take on everyone. Not everyone is going to be our client who's willing to pay us."

Sullivan only takes on certain clients. She charges a premium price (some clients pay in the six figures), but it's not just about who can pay; it's about who wants to do the work. She employees a coach who assesses clients based on attachment styles and Dr. Helen Fisher's personality test, and uses the Gottman Method of couples' therapy. If potential clients aren't into this, she doesn't work with them.

"Some guys just want dates, and that's not my thing," she said. And while she has a free and priority (paid) database of women — who are also vetted — her clientele is only men.

Some services, though, are more focused on money than integrity, she said, and agree to take on anyone.

Questions for the matchmaker

When consulting with a matchmaker, you can ask them to show you some sample profiles of potential matches in their database. One of the most important things Sullivan tells people to ask is: Are the people you're showing me single and available today? Have they been pre-screened? (Meaning, have they spoken to the matchmaking service?)

"You need to have a very detailed conversation," Sullivan said. 

The matchmaker may say they can't show you because you haven't started with them yet (especially if they're waiting for your check to clear), but Sullivan said that's BS, because the person they're showing you during a consultation should be a fit. "If you're going to take somebody on and you're telling them, 'These are the five women we have [for you],' three of them should be available and single," she said. 

Another thing to ask is who you're going to be working with — the salesperson? If so, how long have they been with the company? That was an issue in Ro's case; he bonded with the salesperson, but didn't end up working with her. Who you end up working with depends on the matchmaking service. At Sullivan's, for instance, you could end up working with the first person who screens you.

Another important aspect to bring up is location. If you're only looking for a match in Arizona, for instance, the matchmaker should be able to show you singles in Arizona. Local is important, obviously, and there are matchmakers all over; if the one you're speaking to doesn't have clients where you are, they could refer you to someone who does.

"Love's tricky."

Richard said the most important thing is connecting with your matchmaker, because you're going to spend a lot of time on the phone with them. Both he and Ro said to do your due diligence and research. You can look on Google or Reddit to see how people review different services (but, as with everything, take it with a grain of salt.)

Even if you do everything right, however, love and marriage aren't guaranteed. "It may or may not work." The difference, she said, is that you're not doing the looking. So measure your expectations because, as she said, "Love's tricky."

The Pokémon TCG has always thrown out incredibly valuable cards throughout the franchise’s 30-year run, but modern-day expansions have taken the game’s trading card economy into the stratosphere. Since the launch of expansions like Scarlet & Violet’s Prismatic Evolutions, seeing a new card like SIR Umbreon ex worth well over $1,000 is no longer a surprise. 

We’ve scoured the market prices across each "modern" collection of cards, found out which are the most valuable in terms of TCGplayer market price, and linked to every card so you can check listings to buy one yourself, if you wish. 

These are the five most valuable Pokémon cards from every modern expansion.

Scarlet & Violet

Scarlet & Violet might be a historically significant expansion, but it's not the most expensive.

At the time of writing, its five leading cards are all listed below $100, with Gardevoir ex narrowly holding first place over Drowzee, making this one of the most affordable modern Pokémon TCG expansions in terms of average price per card:

• Gardevoir ex — 245/198: $76.19

• Drowzee — 210/198: $60.37

• Ralts — 211/198:  $47.02

• Kirlia — 212/198: $46.72

• Slowpoke — 204/198: $41.86

Paldea Evolved

Paldea Evolved is worth considerably more at the top end, primarily because of an Illustration Rare that has grown into one of the Scarlet & Violet era’s biggest chase cards. 

Magikarp sits hundreds of dollars above everything else in the expansion, leaving an enormous gap between first and second place. Raichu, Maushold, Tyranitar, and Sprigatito still give the expansion an impressive set of runner-ups:

• Magikarp — 203/193: $406.04

• Raichu — 211/193: $111.65

• Maushold — 226/193: $99.92

• Tyranitar — 222/193: $72.82

• Sprigatito — 196/193: $66.06

Obsidian Flames

Obsidian Flames includes 230 cards, including the Dark-type Tera Charizard ex cards.

Compared with most modern expansions, Obsidian Flames remains relatively inexpensive. Only its leading SIR Charizard ex chase card is currently breaking into triple figures, according to TCGplayer’s market price:

• Charizard ex — 223/197: $114.13

• Ninetales — 199/197: $39.77

• Cleffa — 202/197: $39.68

• Charizard ex — 228/197: $36.55

• Gloom — 198/197: $24.83

Scarlet & Violet — 151

Scarlet & Violet — 151 is this era’s first special expansion, with all of the original 151 Pokémon represented across its 207 cards. 

Its combination of modern SIR artwork and classic card designs (plus Gen-1 nostalgia) has kept demand especially high, making it one of the most valuable early Scarlet & Violet releases. Unsurprisingly, the final evolutions of Kanto’s first-partner Pokémon — Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur — remain among its best pulls:

• Charizard ex — 199/165: $383.12

• Blastoise ex — 200/165: $145.86

• Venusaur ex — 198/165: $115.88

• Zapdos ex — 202/165: $102.74

• Pikachu — 173/165: $96.76

Paradox Rift

Paradox Rift contains 266 cards and greatly expands the Ancient and Future Pokémon introduced earlier in the Scarlet & Violet era. Its selection of chase cards includes fewer ex Pokémon compared to other expansions, but still packs plenty of well-designed Special Illustration Rares:

• Groudon — 199/182: $120.02

• Altaria ex — 253/182: $58.89

• Morpeko — 206/182: $50.81

• Plusle — 193/182: $49.19

• Minun — 194/182: $46.86

Paldean Fates

Paldean Fates is a 245-card special expansion dominated by Shiny Pokémon, including more than 100 alternate-color cards. Its broad selection of popular Pocket Monsters gives this expansion proper value beyond one or two pulls, but its upper end is in another league entirely:

• Mew ex — 232/091: $1,065.49

• Charizard ex — 234/091: $317.57

• Gardevoir ex — 233/091: $180.67

• Pikachu — 131/091: $84.74

• Snorlax — 202/091: $60.86

Temporal Forces

Temporal Forces features 218 cards and continues the Ancient and Future themes established by Paradox Rift. It also brought ACE SPEC cards back into the competitive game, although its collector value now centers more heavily on illustration and special illustration rares:

• Gastly — 177/162: $101.36

• Morty’s Conviction — 211/162: $73.59

• Raging Bolt ex — 208/162: $72.60

• Gengar ex — 193/162: $62.76

• Sawsbuck — 166/162: $59.79

Twilight Masquerade

Twilight Masquerade includes 226 cards inspired by Kitakami and the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet game’s Teal Mask DLC. Its Ogerpon-focused theme gave the expansion several competitive cards, but its market strength comes from a mixture of popular Pokémon and Trainer cards, along with well-drawn artwork:

• Greninja ex — 214/167: $382.74

• Perrin — 220/167: $178.19

• Eevee — 188/167: $93.96

• Carmine — 217/167: $56.69

• Chansey — 187/167: $56.65

Shrouded Fable

Shrouded Fable is a smaller special expansion containing only 99 cards, with its story revolving around Pecharunt and the Loyal Three. Still, its most valuable pulls have ended up being a broader mix of non-Legendary-based illustration rares and its Hyper Rare Energy card:

• Persian — 078/064: $75.70

• Basic Darkness Energy — 098/064: $65.40

• Duskull — 068/064: $60.87

• Houndoom — 066/064: $58.29

• Horsea — 067/064: $47.56

Surging Sparks

Surging Sparks contains 252 cards and continues the Stellar Tera mechanic introduced in Stellar Crown. Pikachu became the expansion’s main attraction, although several other special illustration rares have retained substantial value: 

• Pikachu ex — 238/191: $326.21

• Latias ex — 239/191: $183.88

• Milotic ex — 237/191: $129.26

• Pikachu ex — 247/191: $94.14

• Hydreigon ex — 240/191: $36.91

Prismatic Evolutions

Prismatic Evolutions launched as an Eevee-focused special expansion containing 180 cards. By giving Eevee and all eight of its evolutions their own major chase cards, the set immediately attracted enormous collector demand. It now sits comfortably among the most expensive modern Pokémon TCG expansions:

• Umbreon ex — 161/131: $1,509.18

• Sylveon ex — 156/131: $551.20

• Leafeon ex — 144/131: $340.25

• Espeon ex — 155/131: $309.82

• Vaporeon ex — 149/131: $304.15

Journey Together

Journey Together contains 190 cards and brings a focus on the Pokémon of popular Trainer characters, putting characters like Lillie, N, Iono, and Hop in the spotlight with their best-known partners:

• Lillie’s Clefairy ex — 184/159: $118.82

• Salamence ex — 187/159: $58.87

• N’s Zoroark ex — 185/159: $49.33

• Iono’s Bellibolt ex — 183/159: $41.29

• Hop’s Zacian ex — 186/159: $35.82

Destined Rivals

Destined Rivals contains 244 cards, continuing the Trainer’s Pokémon mechanic while introducing a conflict centered around Team Rocket. This expansion’s combination of major Trainers, Legendary Pokémon, and villain-themed artwork quickly created one of the most alluring buys of the Scarlet & Violet era:

• Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex — 231/182: $533.30

• Cynthia’s Garchomp ex — 232/182: $261.91

• Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex — 230/182: $173.72

• Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex — 233/182: $109.43

• Team Rocket’s Moltres ex — 229/182: $108.04

White Flare

White Flare launched alongside Black Bolt, dividing the Pokémon of the Unova region between them. White Flare contains 173 cards once its secret rares are included, though its highest-value cards are especially expensive — led by two Black White Rare cards and a Reshiram special illustration rare:

• Victini — 172/086: $557.23

• Reshiram ex — 173/086: $504.21

• Reshiram ex — 166/086: $215.92

• Oshawott — 105/086: $93.12

• Hydreigon ex — 169/086: $87.04

Black Bolt

Black Bolt contains 172 cards and serves as the companion expansion to White Flare. Its Unova theme, monochrome Black-White Rares, and Legendary Pokémon have created an exceptionally valuable upper end:

• Victini — 171/086: $599.69

• Zekrom ex — 172/086: $593.30

• Zekrom ex — 166/086: $282.66

• Seismitoad — 105/086: $254.58

• Kyurem ex — 165/086: $80.59

Mega Evolution

Mega Evolution is an 188-card selection that brought Mega Evolution Pokémon back into the trading card. With its new gold Mega Hyper Rares, this expansion’s top five have quite an even spread in terms of value compared to some of the other collections released during the last couple of years: 

• Mega Lucario ex — 188/132: $274.82

• Mega Lucario ex — 179/132: $218.17

• Mega Gardevoir ex — 187/132: $209.98

• Mega Gardevoir ex — 178/132: $193.99

• Mega Venusaur ex — 177/132: $155.15

Phantasmal Flames

Phantasmal Flames is a more compact 130-card expansion centered around fire-and-darkness-themed Mega Evolution Pokémon — with Mega Charizard X unsurprisingly dominating the bunch, with three versions appearing among its five most valuable cards:

• Mega Charizard X ex — 125/094: $785.31

• Mega Charizard X ex — 130/094: $335.21

• Mega Charizard X ex — 109/094: $30.71

• Dawn — 129/094: $24.44

• Mega Sharpedo ex — 127/094: $21.36

Ascended Heroes

Ascended Heroes is a huge 295-card special expansion drawing from Pokémon Legends: Z-A and TCG collections of the past. Its combination of Mega Evolutions and jaw-dropping artwork has resulted in the most valuable cards we have seen since Prismatic Evolutions:

• Mega Gengar ex — 284/217: $1,262.19

• Pikachu ex — 276/217: $1,161.13

• Mega Dragonite ex — 290/217: $747.98

• Mega Charizard Y ex — 294/217: $506.61

• Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex — 281/217: $394.60

Perfect Order

Perfect Order is a compact 124-card expansion inspired by the Pokémon of Lumiose City introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Its market values are noticeably more restrained than those of Ascended Heroes:

• Meowth ex — 121/088: $134.07

• Mega Zygarde ex — 124/088: $133.91

• Mega Zygarde ex — 120/088: $63.86

• Mega Clefable ex — 119/088: $59.37

• Rosa’s Encouragement — 123/088: $54.19

Chaos Rising 

Chaos Rising contains 122 cards — including many that were featured in Legends: Z-A. Unsurprisingly, the star of the expansion, Mega Greninja ex, takes up two of the top five positions by a wide margin:

• Mega Greninja ex — 116/086: $237.40

• Mega Greninja ex — 122/086: $195.17

• Cinccino ex — 119/086: $65.70

• Mega Dragalge ex — 118/086: $43.11

• Mega Floette ex — 117/086: $33.56

Pitch Black

Pitch Black launched with 120 cards — honing in on a darker Mega Evolution theme led by Mega Darkrai ex, while Morpeko, Mega Zeraora, and Mega Chandelure also appear among its largest pulls:

• Mega Darkrai ex — 116/084: $282.62

• Mega Darkrai ex — 120/084: $195.78

• Morpeko ex — 117/084: $129.05

• Mega Zeraora ex — 114/084: $70.73

• Mega Chandelure ex — 115/084: $52.83

BTS will not be entering their album ARIRANG for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.

In syndicated Instagram stories shared across all seven members' accounts, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook issued a statement on their decision. Translated from Korean by the Meta-owned platform, each statement reads:

"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language."

Each member then thanked BTS fans, known as ARMY, and "all of you who are always with me," to close the statement.

SEE ALSO: The internet made BTS. 'Arirang' asks what comes next.

The K-pop powerhouse's decision to not put their sixth studio album forward for the Grammys comes a month after the Recording Academy's addition of five new award categories in June, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. This award in particular came under scrutiny from K-pop fans and journalists alike, called out as another example of the Grammys splitting awards when non-white artists and artists who perform in languages other than English dominate the cultural zeitgeist and deservedly take home the gold.

The Grammys' description for Best Asian Pop Music Performance describes the award as one that "recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages." The rules have a few more paragraphs of detail, but essentially, the award groups "Asian pop" into one generalised category, which is separate from major categories like Album of the Year and Record of the Year.

Featured Video For You Girlbossification of AI

Teen Vogue's Ayan Artan placed the Grammys' new Best Asian Pop Music Performance award "as part of a history of gatekeeping non-white artists from major award categories."

"There seems to be a pattern emerging here, and it becomes increasingly difficult to dismiss it the more you pay attention," Artan writes. "It goes like this: A non-white artist breaks into mainstream-music consciousness by delivering a critically acclaimed project and looks likely to win a Grammy in a major category. Soon after, a new category is announced by the Recording Academy to help segregate these artists."

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter wins Album of the Year? The Grammys splits the Best Country Album category into Traditional and Contemporary. In response, social justice advocate Terrell Couch wrote for Essence, "A separate but equal country album category does not broaden the genre’s influence; rather it reflects an ugly truth about America."

Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos wins Album of the Year with a Spanish-language record? The Grammys adds an award for Best Latin Song.

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BTS' ARIRANG landed in March, marking the anticipated return of the K-pop superstars after a four-year hiatus, during which they fulfilled South Korea's mandatory military service and spent time on solo projects. ARIRANG, as well as lead single "SWIM," both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The album was critically heralded. The group's 34-city, 82-show ARIRANG world tour is essentially completely sold out. To say BTS' comeback album is leading mainstream music conversation is an understatement.

And it's BTS' own statements that show just how aware of the Grammys award-splitting the group seems to be: "I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language."

BTS has five Grammy nominations, the first K-pop artists to be nominated, and have performed at the Grammys several times, including the 64th Grammy Awards in 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada, before their hiatus.

BTS perform during the 64th Grammy Awards in April 2022 in Las Vegas. Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

Fans have reacted to BTS' decision with wholehearted support, with ARMY hitting social media with praise.

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by u/impeccabletim from discussion
in Music

Mashable has reached out to the Recording Academy and HYBE, the company that owns BTS' label Big Hit Music, for comment.

You might not have given much thought to the location of your 3D printer beyond making sure it fits somewhere. So what if you could print more and prevent problems simply by moving it to another room?

SAVE $60: As of July 29, Shokz OpenDots One are on sale for $139.95 at Amazon. That's $60 off their full price of $199.95, and marks a return to their lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear Headphones $139.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $60   Get Deal

Shokz OpenDots One landed among our favorite open earbuds as the top pick for most people, offering "better audio quality than we expected and an impressive battery life." If they've caught your attention, we've spotted an excellent $60 discount on the vibrant red pair at Amazon, so this is a great time to grab them.

Usually, these earbuds are listed for $199.95, but this deal has brought them down to $139.95, marking a return to their lowest-ever price at the retailer. Unfortunately, only the red pair is marked down to this price right now, but they're certainly worth grabbing while they're still on sale.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

In addition to earning a spot in our roundup of the best open earbuds, our review of the Shokz OpenDots One had plenty of praise for them. Writer Alex Bracetti said they "dish out satisfying sound that increases stamina when running low on energy, and the addition of Dolby Audio gives music a bit more thump." He added: "Battery life is sufficient for about a week of use, depending how long you exercise. The stylish design also stabilizes fit when sprinting at fast speeds."

Battery life can last up to 10 hours on a single charge or up to 40 hours with the charging case. Their clip-on fit — with a flexible nickel-titanium plate and soft silicone grip — ensures they'll stay securely on your ear as you move around.

If the Shokz OpenDots One check the boxes of what you're looking for, act fast to save on the colorful red pair 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.

It’s always a little sad to learn that a favorite free and open-source app has gone closed source—or worse, started costing money. But sometimes it’s inevitable. Developers need to pay the bills, companies need sustainable growth, and maintaining a public codebase takes real time and effort.

Donald Trump may have been doing everything he can to distance himself from the Epstein files, but he doesn't seem to be able to outrun his association with the deceased convicted child sex offender.

In the clip above, Daily Show host Jordan Klepper shares footage of people yelling "pedophile protector" at Trump on two different occasions.

"Wow, show some respect for the office. That's 'President Pedophile Protector'!" says Klepper. "Why does this keep happening? Is it the same guy? Is it something in the water? Is it because withheld millions of Epstein files and people are furious that nobody has been held accountable for it? We'll never know."

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TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle is on sale for $39.95 at Amazon, down from its typical $50.98 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle $39.95 at Amazon
$50.98 Save $11.03   Get Deal

Pitch Black’s Booster Bundle has continued to tumble in price since launch, and Amazon has now taken the six-pack box below $40 for the first time.

As of July 29, the Pokémon TCG’s six-pack Pitch Black Booster Bundle is down to $39.95 at Amazon — $11.03 off its $50.98 list price. With that 22% discount, you’re looking at the lowest price this box of Pitch Black boosters has seen on Amazon yet, as confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Sold and shipped directly by Amazon, free delivery is currently scheduled for Aug. 3, or Aug. 1 for Prime members at the time of writing. Still, you should keep in mind that Amazon marks the Booster Bundle as a final sale, meaning it cannot be returned once ordered.

At this new low $39.95 sticker price, you’re paying roughly $6.66 per booster pack before tax, which is even better than the $43.13 Amazon deal we covered last week, which worked out to around $7.18 per pack.

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If stock runs out, TCGplayer is matching this headline Amazon price, with unopened Pitch Black Booster Bundles starting at $39.95 with shipping included. You can also take comfort from the fact that you’re only spending 46 cents above market price right now.

The box grants you six sealed booster packs from Mega Evolution’s titular Pitch Black expansion. Each pack contains 10 trading cards, one Basic Energy card, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card, giving you 60 standard cards altogether before counting Energy cards.

The Pitch Black expansion contains multiple Pokémon chase cards worth hundreds of dollars (available to buy separately on TCGplayer) — the five most valuable are SIR Mega Darkrai ex, MHR Mega Darkrai ex, SIR Morpeko ex, SIR Mega Zeraora ex, and SIR Mega Chandelure ex.