Technology

Is Prime Day the last chance to get $89 Apple AirPods 4? I hope so.

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:52

SAVE $40: As of July 11, Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for $89 in Prime Day 2025. That's the lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $89 at Amazon
$129 Save $40 Get Deal

Prime Day deals are entering their final day, which is great news for people who write about them.

Look, I love a record-low price as much as the next Shopping Editor, but enough is enough. The deals this year have honestly been really good. That's good news for everyone involved. But Prime Day is a four-day event this year, so there's only so much I can give. So for one final time, I'm going to recommend that you check out the lowest-ever price on Apple AirPods 4.

As of July 11, you can score AirPods 4 for $89, down from their usual $129 price and under $90 for the first time ever. This particular deal is for the AirPods without active noise cancellation or AppleCare+, but there are discounts across all models.

SEE ALSO: This is not a drill: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are down to a record-low price on Prime Day

Powered by the H2 chip, these AirPods create an incredibly immersive listening experience. Personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking makes it feel like the sound is moving all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience. The microphone audio is super high quality too, using advanced computational audio to reduce background noise while highlighting the sound of your voice.

Check out what we thought of the AirPods 4 when we gave them the full review treatment.

Prime Day is active until July 11, so this could be your last chance to pick up $89 AirPods. You've been warned.

The best Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

YouTube is ditching Trending to get niche with Charts

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:23

YouTube is ditching its Trending page to expand Charts into more specific categories.

Set to be removed "in the next couple of weeks," YouTube's Trending list and Trending Now page will be replaced with more niche lists on YouTube Charts, according to a company blog post.

SEE ALSO: YouTube turns 20: How one video at the zoo changed the internet forever

YouTube currently has daily and weekly charts for trending music videos and artists, songs on YouTube Shorts, film trailers, and podcasts. The company said the shift to additional charts was due to reduced traffic to the Trending page and the development of specific fandoms and "more micro-trends enjoyed by diverse communities than ever before."

"Back when we first launched the Trending page in 2015, the answer to 'what's trending?' was a lot simpler to capture with a singular list of viral videos that everyone was talking about," YouTube's post reads.

"Viewers increasingly learn about trends in different places across YouTube – from recommendations and search suggestions to Shorts, comments and Communities. With these shifts, we've seen visits to the Trending page decrease significantly, especially over the last five years."

Featured Video For You All You Need to Know About Neuralink's Telepathy Update

YouTube noted it would both show popular content in charts and show personalised, algorithm-based recommendations to users, pointing to the platform's Explore menu for people looking for non-personalised content. Custom recommendations drive YouTube's future strategy, with the company injecting more and more AI tools into search.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Shark robot vacuum Prime Day deal: Save $400 right now

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:20

SAVE $400: As of July 11, the Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 57% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum $299.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $400 Get Deal

Prime Day is the perfect excuse for a big, 'treat yourself' purchase like a robot vacuum. And if you've been eyeing one up for a while, then you'll love this amazing deal on the Shark Matrix Plus, now at its lowest-ever price.

As of July 11, this robot vacuum is over 50% off, now priced at $299.99. That's a savings of $400. Who can argue with that?

And this vacuum doesn't just pick up dirt; it mops your floors, too. It uses Sonic Mopping to scrub hard floors 100 times per minute, and if you know it's about to encounter an extra deep stain, head to the app and initiate Matrix Mop to get 50% better stain cleaning in certain spots.

The best Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

This vacuum is seriously smart, too. It boasts an impressive precision matrix grid, meaning it takes several movements over dirt and debris to ensure it is all removed. And the smart features don't end there: the CleanEdge Detect system uses blasts of air and corner recognition to remove debris from edges and corners, pulling the debris into the cleaning path. Say goodbye to dusty, forgotten corners.

And like all high-end robot vacuums, there's no need to manually map out the path for the Matrix Plus because it uses 360-degree LiDAR vision to learn your space, detect obstacles, and pick up dirt. It also self-empties, self-charges, and holds up to 60 days' worth of dirt, limiting your work even further. The base is bagless, too, so it is both useful and environmentally friendly as it eliminates the need for waste bags.

Grab this deal before it runs out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

BLUETTI’s Elite Solar Generator is a jaw-dropping $1,000 less for Prime Day

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:17

SAVE $1,000: As of July 11, Prime members can grab the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Solar Generator for just $699 — down from $1,699.

Opens in a new window Credit: BLUETTI The BLUETTI Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 $699 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $1,000 Get Deal

When your camping set-up or home emergency plan needs a serious upgrade, BLUETTI’s Elite 200 V2 Solar Generator is a no-brainer. During the final hours of Amazon Prime Day, it's down to just $699 — a jaw-dropping 59% off its regular $1,699 price.

With a whole $1,000 off, that’s the lowest price we’ve seen, confirmed by trackers like CamelCamelCamel, and it’s exclusive to Amazon Prime members.

This portable beast packs a 2073.6Wh LFP battery, offering enough juice to run mini fridges, routers, power tools, or your entire campsite — all while staying whisper-quiet and gas-free. It also features four 2600W AC outlets (with 3900W Power Lifting) and supports up to nine devices at once, including laptops, drones, or even your coffee maker.

SEE ALSO: 100+ deals are live on Prime Day — get record-low prices on Apple, Ninja, and Samsung

What makes the Elite 200 V2 really stand out among its specs is its 17-year battery lifespan, thanks to auto-grade LiFePO4 cells rated for over 6,000 cycles. It's built to last and designed to handle extreme temperatures with multi-layer protection onboard.

If you need fast power in a pinch, BLUETTI’s stated TurboBoost tech, plus built-in MPPT solar optimisation, means you can hit 80% charge in just 50 minutes with both AC and DC inputs. You can also use the app to check performance in real time and toggle modes remotely.

The best Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Lightweight, compact, and surprisingly powerful, this all-in-one generator looks perfect for off-grid adventures, power outages, or anyone wanting a cleaner backup power solution.

With deals like this, it’s hard to see this lasting long, so if you want reliable energy without the noise or fumes, now’s the time to make your move.

To be fully equipped for all the other adventures you've got ahead, take a look at Mashable's full guide best Prime day deals including, Apple, Yeti, Kindles, and plenty of other winning brands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ive never wanted AirPods, but this record-low Prime Day price is seriously tempting

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:06

RECORD-LOW PRICE: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $149 in Prime Day 2025. That's the lowest-ever price we've seen on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $149 at Amazon
$249 Save $100 Get Deal

Prime Day is putting me in an uncomfortable position. I've never wanted AirPods. In fact, I've always been slightly anti-Airpods. I can see how incredibly popular they are, but that just pushed me further away. But the Prime Day pricing is pulling me back in, and as the end of the sale looms on the horizon, I can feel the pressure to purchase.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 are down to $149 this Prime Day. That's the lowest price we've ever seen, so when I say this is a tempting deal, you can probably see where I'm coming from. Buy now or wait and miss out — that's where I'm at right now.

SEE ALSO: We've found Apple devices at record-low prices for Prime Day: Shop AirPods, MacBooks, iPads, and more

The AirPods Pro 2 are packed with impressive tech, including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode, plus an Adaptive Audio that offers a bit of both. You get four sizes of silicone tips that ensure for a customised fit, and the battery lasts up to 30 hours.

Mashable's Apple expert recommends this deal over the AirPods 4 discount: "The AirPods Pro drop down in price less frequently than the AirPods 4, making it a better deal to grab when you spot it. They’re also an all around better pair of earbuds, with the aforementioned ANC, four sizes of silicone ear tips for a more secure fit, and an additional hour of listening time per charge (even with ANC)."

Score Apple AirPods Pro 2 at their lowest-ever price. I might just do the same.

The best Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Astronomers think newly discovered comet may be way older than the sun

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:00

A giant comet spotted days ago hurtling through the solar system may be the most ancient one ever seen — and may be loaded with frozen water.

The icy traveler, called 3I/ATLAS or Comet ATLAS, was discovered on July 1 by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile. This enormous space snowball came from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius and is about 300 million miles from Earth right now. 

After running a new kind of computer simulation, scientists believe the comet originated from a rarely seen corner of the galaxy, far beyond the birthplace of the sun. And because it likely formed around an ancient, thick-disk star in the Milky Way, it should be rich in water ice, said Matthew Hopkins, a University of Oxford astronomer, who led the research. If early predictions bear out, this object may be over 7 billion years old — born more than 3 billion years before this solar system existed.

Every planet, moon, asteroid, and life form orbiting the sun shares a common heritage, built from the same materials about 4.6 billion years ago. But interstellar visitors are true outsiders. 

"They are remnants of other planetary systems, carrying with them clues about the formation of worlds far beyond our own," the European Space Agency said. "These icy wanderers offer a rare, tangible connection to the broader galaxy — to materials formed in environments entirely unlike our own."

SEE ALSO: NASA's asteroid target practice may not have been the success we thought

Comets are balls of ice, dust, and rock, known for their telltale tails — millions-of-miles-long debris trails of vaporizing material. More than 4,000 comets are known, but astronomers say countless others are likely orbiting the sun beyond Neptune in a disk known as the Kuiper Belt or on the outer edge of the solar system, in the so-called Oort Cloud, about 50 times farther from the sun. 

Unlike Halley’s Comet and others that regularly circle the sun, Comet ATLAS isn’t one of the locals. It’s only the third object ever confirmed to have come from far beyond the solar system. And this one might be the most significant. Astronomers say it’s on a steep, unusual path that hints it formed near ancient stars orbiting in a thicker region of the Milky Way — an area scientists know less about.

"This is an object from a part of the galaxy we’ve never seen up close before," said Chris Lintott, a co-author on the new findings, which Hopkins presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting on Friday. 

The researchers' computer simulation, dubbed the Ōtautahi–Oxford Model, marks the first real-time application of predictive modeling to an interstellar comet. It was created to estimate how many such interstellar objects the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory might find, relying on information about their orbits and likely stellar origins. 

This is the trajectory of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech diagram

The discovery offers a rare chance to study a frozen fragment from the galaxy’s early days, the researchers say. If the comet formed around one of those older stars, it would help confirm that ice-rich materials were free-floating between star systems long before the sun entered the universe — and may still be delivering materials to young planetary systems today.

Based on the study, the team believes there's a two-thirds chance the comet is older than our own solar system, and that it’s been drifting through space ever since.

Comet ATLAS has already started waking up from its hibernation. As it moves closer to the sun, its surface heats up, releasing gas and dust. Early glimpses with some of the world's largest telescopes suggest it may even be larger than the other two known interstellar visitors: 'Oumuamua, which swung by in 2017, and Borisov, which came and went two years later. 

If their predictions are confirmed, this could have implications for how many similar objects Rubin will likely detect. It may also provide clues about the role interstellar comets play in seeding new worlds across the galaxy. Researchers believe the powerful telescope in Chile could uncover dozens more such visitors — maybe even up to 50 over the next decade.

Comet ATLAS poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of 150 million miles, even at its closest approach to the sun around Oct. 30. Stargazers might get a shot at seeing the comet for themselves with a backyard telescope this fall or in early 2026 after it reappears on the other side of the sun. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Will there be a Murderbot Season 2? Heres what we know.

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:00

One of the most fun shows of the summer has been Apple TV+'s Murderbot, a charming adaptation of Martha Wells' beloved sci-fi series The Murderbot Diaries.

The series centers on rogue security android Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård), who doesn't do much murdering but does do quite a bit of TV binge-watching. (Shout out to The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.) Over the course of the season, Murderbot goes from hating "asshole" humans to forging an unexpected bond with the humans it's been tasked with protecting. And even though Season 1 functions as its own contained story, adapting the entirety of Wells's novella All Systems Red, its finale leaves the door open for future seasons.

What happens at the end of Murderbot Season 1?

Murderbot Season 1 ends on a happy, if bittersweet, note. After the nefarious company wipes its data and almost plunges it in an acid bath, Murderbot regains its memories and reunites with its humans from the utopian Preservation Alliance. They've got good news! They've bought its contract from the company, and they hope to bring it back to Preservation so it can be a free agent.

However, Murderbot has other plans. It doesn't quite know what it wants to do, but it knows it doesn't want anyone else making decisions for it. That includes its favorite humans, like Dr. Mensah (Noma Dumezweni). So it hitches a ride into space by itself, headed for new adventures, which the show will hopefully explore in Season 2.

SEE ALSO: 'Murderbot' review: Alexander Skarsgård leads a charming adaptation of a sci-fi favorite Will there be a Season 2 of Murderbot?

Apple TV+ announced July 10 that Murderbot has officially been renewed for a Season 2, meaning we'll definitely be seeing more of Murderbot in the future.

What would a Season 2 of Murderbot be about?

Murderbot's second season will likely adapt Artificial Condition, the second entry in The Murderbot Diaries series. In that novella, Murderbot joins forces with a research transport vessel (fan-favorite ART) and begins to unravel the dark, murderous secrets of its past.

However, Murderbot showrunners Paul and Chris Weitz have discussed incorporating elements from other books into Season 2, telling Nexus Point News in an interview, "We would talk with Martha Wells, we might end up using shuffling the deck a little bit, using some stuff from, say the third or fourth book with stuff from the second book, but we don't know yet."

Bringing in parts from later books would also allow Murderbot to bring back members of the PreservationAux team, who don't figure into Artificial Condition. Great news, because I'm not ready to give them all up just yet!

Murderbot is now streaming on Apple TV+.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Speak 11 languages confidently with science-based tools and AI coaching

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to MosaLingua Premium for just $85.97 and learn up to 11 languages at your own pace — with no subscription fees, ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: MosaLingua Mosalingua Premium Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription $85.97
$4,085 Save $3,999.03 Get Deal

There’s learning a language — and then there’s actually remembering it. With MosaLingua Premium, you’re not just memorizing vocab — you’re speaking it, living it, and finally understanding that YouTube video without subtitles. And the best part? This is a lifetime subscription — no monthly fees, no renewal emails, just unlimited access forever for $85.97 through July 15.

MosaLingua combines science-backed learning with real-world content and AI-powered feedback, so you’re not just cramming. You’re actually progressing. Whether you’re brushing up on Spanish before your Barcelona trip or finally tackling Japanese for that long-awaited anime binge, MosaLingua adapts to your goals and your schedule.

You’ll get full access to 11 complete language courses: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic — and any new ones they add in the future. Lessons are short and focused, so you can make real progress in as little as 10 minutes a day. Plus, tools like MosaChat-AI and MosaDiscovery let you practice conversation and turn Netflix or your favorite blog into a learning tool.

With offline access and cross-platform syncing, you can study on your phone during your commute, switch to your laptop at lunch, and never lose your place. It’s ideal for travelers, professionals, students, and lifelong learners who want real results without the hassle of subscriptions or overpriced courses.

Don’t miss grabbing lifetime access to MosaLingua Premium for $85.97 through July 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This bundle gives you Windows 11 Pro and helps you skip the learning curve

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: If you need a new operating system, right now you can get Windows 11 Pro and a training bundle for only $20 (reg. $237).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro + The Essential Windows 11 Pro Course $19.97
$237 Save $217.03 Get Deal

Switching to a new operating system can feel like a hassle, especially when you just want things to work the way you’re used to. If you’re setting up a new PC or finally making the jump from an older version of Windows, this combo of Windows 11 Pro and a full training course makes the whole process a lot easier. It’s also only $19.97 (reg. $237), but that price won’t last long.

Windows 11 Pro plus some useful PC tips

Windows 11 Pro has a fresh, modern look, but more importantly, it’s built to help you get things done without extra friction. You’ve got features like Snap Layouts that make multitasking feel more organized, better voice typing, and a new search experience that actually feels useful. Security is tighter, too, with things like BitLocker and password-free sign-ins to help protect your files. And with Copilot, the built-in AI assistant, you can ask questions, change settings, or even get writing suggestions without hunting through menus.

The included Windows 11 Pro course is what makes this really beginner-friendly. It’s a set of video lessons that walk you through everything step by step, from basic setup to more advanced tips that help you get comfortable using the system day to day. Whether you’re new to Windows or just want a faster way to figure things out, this course saves a lot of trial and error.

Here’s your very limited-time chance to get Windows 11 Pro and the Essential Windows 11 Pro Course for only $20. Sale ends July 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying endless subscription fees for a PDF editor — this one is only $30 for life

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Replace Adobe Acrobat with PDF Reader Pro, a PDF editor that lasts for life for only $30.

Opens in a new window Credit: PDF Reader Pro PDF Reader Pro Premium License For Windows: Lifetime Subscription $29.97
$79.99 Save $50.02 Get Deal

If you’ve ever needed to edit a PDF, you probably ran into the same annoying wall: most PDF editors either come with a steep price tag or lock essential features behind a monthly subscription. That might be fine if you edit PDFs every day, but for most people, it just feels like throwing money away.

PDF Reader Pro skips the subscription nonsense. It lets you work with PDFs on your Windows computer with no extra frustration, and right now, a lifetime license is just $29.97. Normally it’s $79.99, but this deal isn’t going to last long.

What makes PDF Pro so special?

Instead of paying every month just to make a few edits or sign a form, you can install PDF Reader Pro once and be done. It handles all the core tasks: editing, annotating, signing, converting, and even redacting. It does all that with a clean interface and no hidden costs.

You can merge files, compress huge PDFs, password-protect sensitive documents, and create fillable forms with interactive elements like checkboxes and dropdown menus. There’s also batch processing for when you need to apply changes to multiple files at once.

PDF Reader Pro has been downloaded over 60 million times in more than 200 countries, and it continues to earn strong reviews for being both powerful and easy to use. You don’t need a subscription for that.

If you’re tired of renting your PDF software, this is your chance for a cheaper, lasting alternative.

Until July 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a PDF Reader Pro Premium Lifetime License on sale for $29.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Categories: IT General, Technology

Learn Italian with Rosetta Stone teach before you go on vacation

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: It’s only $148.97 (reg. $399) to get a Rosetta Stone lifetime subscription right now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $148.97
$399 Save $250.03 with code FLUENT Get Deal

In a few months, I’ll be walking through Rome, eating gelato near the Trevi Fountain, and hopefully not sounding completely clueless when I order espresso. I’ve always wanted to learn Italian, but never knew where to start. So when I saw that Rosetta Stone was offering lifetime access for $148.97 (regularly $399) with code FLUENT, I decided this was the moment to go for it.

Using Rosetta Stone to learn Italian

I expected flashcards or grammar drills, but Rosetta Stone threw me straight into matching words with images and repeating phrases out loud. It’s surprisingly natural. Instead of memorizing rules, I’m hearing and speaking real Italian from the start. The app uses a speech-recognition tool that checks my pronunciation, which makes me feel more confident saying things out loud.

It’s honestly kind of fun. I’m picking up greetings, simple questions, and how to say everyday things like “Where is the train station?” and “I would like a coffee.” I never thought I’d enjoy language learning this much, but here we are.

Right now, I’m practicing daily for 10 to 15 minutes. It’s manageable, and it feels like I’m making steady progress. I’m definitely not fluent, but I’m getting to a point where I can handle myself in a conversation — or at least not panic in an Italian café.

I’m also eyeing other languages in the app. A single purchase gives you access to 25 languages, so once I’ve had my Italian adventure, maybe I’ll start French next.

If you have travel plans coming up, it’s worth it to be prepared.

Use code FLUENT to get a Rosetta Stone Lifetime Subscription on sale for $148.97. Sale ends July 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Categories: IT General, Technology

Can’t stop reading? These book apps help me keep track

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 11:00

Maybe you've seen a bunch of BookTok recommendations fly by without saving them, madly scribbled down titles talked about in your go-to podcasts, or have tried to remember the book your friend recommended over that third glass of Bourgogne aligoté? Sure, you could write them down in a notebook, but there's also a bunch of apps that let you track books you'd like to read, are currently reading, or want to read in the future.

And, maybe you'll find like-minded book pals on there too.

SEE ALSO: The 12 best fiction books of 2025 (so far), according to BookTok

Here's a bunch of apps I regularly use that track your TBR (to be read) pile, the books you DNFed (did not finish), and offer suggestions for your next read. Some are prettier than others, most will allow you to import your Goodreads data.

Fable Credit: Mashable composite: Shannon Connellan / Fable

Probably the most social-friendly and prettiest of the book-tracking apps, Fable is for readers who want to connect with other like-minded book lovers. Or those who enjoy very lovely UX. Launched in 2023 by Padmasree Warrior, the app lets you join book clubs, post your reviews to the main feed, generate cute round-ups of your monthly and annual titles with Pedro Pascal stickers, and keep track of what you're currently reading, want to read, finished, and DNF. The book clubs are extremely popular and fit every niche, from clubs based around Taylor Swift lyrics to those for people who've never read the classics (and you might even get a free ebook for these ones).

The only tiny downside of Fable? The app hasn't yet introduced the ability to switch edition of the book you're reading, like other apps like Goodreads, Storygraph, and Margins.

Storygraph Credit: Mashable composite: Shannon Connellan / Storygraph

If you're a fiend for data, check out Storygraph. Founded by in 2019 by Nadia Odunayo, the app started as a book-tracker and has evolved into an online community. Operating the same way as a Goodreads or a Fable with TBR, DNF lists etc., the app visualises your reading habits into visually satisfying graphs — your go-to genres and moods, your pace, how many pages you regularly read. The app's Reading Goal will motivate you to read a certain number of books in a year and track your progress. Plus, Storygraph's buddy reads feature lets you add up to eight friends to the same book to read and comment as you go, or you can make a public readalong to engage a broader range of users.

Margins Credit: Mashable composite: Shannon Connellan / Margins

Launched in 2024 by Paul Warren and Nick Punt, Margins is similar to its peers in a lot of ways (want to read, currently reading, finished reading, stopped reading piles). However, it sets itself apart with very slick design (those fonts!) and its "Search by vibe" feature. The latter allows you to type in exactly what you're looking for and generate a carousel of suggestions — I typed in "summer horror by the sea" and it suggested Daphne Du Maurier's The House on the Strand and Alma Katsu's The Deep, a pretty good outcome. The library also has the option to add series and authors to your lists, and it has the all-important Reading Recap tool with templates to let you create pretty social-friendly lay-ups of your monthly reads.

Libby Credit: Mashable composite: Shannon Connellan / Libby

Launched in 2017 by OverDrive, Libby is the best way to borrow e-books and audiobooks for free from your local library (shoutout to BorrowBox too). All you need to do is sign up with your library card, as the app has thousands of global library partners. Your loans and holds appear in the app's Shelf tab, but it's also got great reading tracking functionality, through the app's tag system. When you find a title you want to read, you can save it with a tag with whatever name you like, whether you want to categorise your reads by genre, emoji, or go with the traditional TBR, DNF etc. It's a great way to get books for free while you're tracking them.

Book Buddy Credit: Mashable composite: Shannon Connellan / Book Buddy

Cringe name, great app. Essentially, Book Buddy allows you to add every book on your shelf to your in-app library — this could take a while if you've got a lot of books, but in a dream feature, you can scan the barcodes to make it quicker. After you've logged your library, the best feature of this app is the random book suggestion tool, in which the app will go through your library and suggest your next read — go to Search, then tap the crossed arrows icon. This is perfect for people who stare blankly at their bookshelf in a state of panic over which title to pick. You can also track if you've loaned out books to your mates who conveniently never return them. Book Buddy’s free edition lets you add up to 50 books, and if you want to add more it’ll cost £5.99 for a lifetime upgrade to Pro — and if you're using this app, you'll probably have more than 50 books.

Goodreads Credit: Mashable composite: Shannon Connellan / Goodreads

I use it, I don't love it. Yes, the design and UX of Amazon-owner Goodreads, one of the internet's legacy book-tracking apps, isn't great. And authors hate it, with many users dropping unnecessarily mean reviews as casually as painting their nails. But one (1) thing Goodreads does do well is the annual Reading Challenge, which lets you track the number of books you've read in a year and motivate you to hit a target number.

Goodreads allows you to export your data to other apps, just in case you ever feel like leaving!

Perhaps you use a different book tracker? Let us know in the comments, I'm keen to hear what you track your reads with.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 11, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:54

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 11 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Tech brands

  • Green: A jokester

  • Blue: Types of music

  • Purple: Terrible

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Companies that have become verbs

  • Green: Silly person

  • Blue: Kinds of songs

  • Purple: Homophones of synonyms for "Despicable"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #761 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Companies that have become verbs: GOOGLE, PHOTOSHOP, UBER, ZOOM

  • Silly person: DODO, GOOF, GOOSE, YAHOO

  • Kinds of songs: FOLK, LOVE, SIREN, SWAN

  • Homophones of synonyms for "Despicable:" BLOW, LOSE, MISS, WASTE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 11

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for July 11

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:54

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 11 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 11 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It could be verse

The words are prose-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are associated with a style of writing.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Poetry.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 11

  • Haiku

  • Elegy

  • Ballad

  • Epic

  • Poetry

  • Limerick

  • Sonnet

  • Acrostic

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 11, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:54

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for July 11 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 11, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A company logo.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

BRAND.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 11

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Prime Day Kindle deal: Get the new Kindle Scribe for its lowest-ever price

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:51

SAVE $140: As of July 11, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 33% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe $279.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $140 Get Deal

It's the last day to score deals in the Prime Day sales, and the beloved Kindle Scribe is reduced again, now at its lowest-ever price.

The Kindle Scribe is one of Amazon's most popular products, and not just for book lovers. Combine an e-reader and a notebook together, and you get the Scribe. The latest redesign added the ability to write on books, huge news if you're a margins person.

As of July 11, the 32GB model is now priced at $279.99. This price is for the color tungsten and includes the Premium Pen.

The best Prime Day deals to shop this week

This is a big upgrade on the basic pen, as this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen.

Aside from its note-taking abilities, the Scribe has a 10.2-inch, 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare-free and ink-free. Like the OG Kindle model, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or in hard-to-read lighting. And if you're a hectic note-taker, don't worry, you can summarize your notes, as well as change their length and tone with clever built-in AI notebook tools.

Get this great Kindle deal at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Fire HD 10 tablet is half price for Prime Day

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:37

SAVE $70: As of July 11, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 50% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet $69.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

We're on the last day of Prime Day, and if you're looking for some last-minute discounts, there's still plenty to be had. Like this latest deal on the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet, currently at its lowest-ever price. As of July 11, you can save $70 at the new price of $69.99. This discount is available on all colorways for the 32GB model (with ads).

For under $70, this tablet really can't go wrong. It has a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display screen, so it's perfect for streaming your favorite shows, reading, and searching the web. Like most Amazon devices, it comes with built-in Alexa for hands-free control and searching. It also has a 5MP front-facing camera so you can video chat, take selfies, or even film TikToks.

The best Prime Day deals to shop this week

Battery life promises to last 13 hours, and memory can be enhanced up to 1 TB expandable storage with a micro-SD card. So it's perfect for both work and play on the go.

It's not the latest in the Fire range, so if you want something more advanced, we recommend the Fire 11 Max. This option has even more advanced tools and features an 11-inch display, plus faster performance with 4GB of RAM.

Get this great tablet deal before the Prime Day deals end.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Im shocked this Mac Mini coupon is still live — get the Apple M4 Mac Mini for under $500 on Prime Day

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:29

TL;DR: As of July 11, the Apple 2024 Mac Mini (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $499.99 in Prime Day 2025. Apply the $45.93 off coupon to secure this low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2024 Mac Mini (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $499.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $99.01 Get Deal

When you come across a live coupon on a popular piece of Apple tech, you don't expect it to last long. That's what I thought when I saw the on-page coupon on the Apple 2024 Mac Mini, anyway. But it's still there, ready to be clipped onto the existing deal to get the Apple 2024 Mac Mini (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for under $500.

This isn't officially listed as a Prime Day deal, but I would be surprised to see it last long beyond the event. So if you're interested in upgrading, I recommend considering this deal carefully — get the Apple 2024 Mac Mini for $499.99 with this $45.93 off coupon applied.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite Prime Day AirPods deals: All kinds of AirPods at record-low prices in 2025

The Apple 2024 Mac Mini is packed with power but boasts an extraordinarily small footprint. The inclusion of a new 2024 M4 chip means that this Mac Mini can leverage a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. With blitz-worthy processing speeds and the graphics capabilities needed to play games or 3D model, this desktop computer offers impressive levels of performance The M4 chip is fortified with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Get the Apple 2024 Mac Mini for under $500 on the last day of Prime Day.

The best Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite Prime Day MacBook deal is still live — last chance to save $150 on the MacBook Air

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:16

SAVE $150: As of July 11, the 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 is on sale for $849 at Amazon. That's $150 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 $849 at Amazon
$999 Save $150 Get Deal

Prime Day is coming to an end, which means most of the best deals will also disappear. We've been treated to low prices on popular categories like AirPods, MacBooks, fitness trackers, and so much more over the last few days. It's going to be tough to say goodbye to all the savings, but before that point of no return, you can still score some great discounts.

I have been surprised by the standard of deals this year, particularly when it comes to Apple. The deals have been wild, with record-low prices across the board. Picking favorites in most category has been tricky, but the choice has been clear when it comes to MacBooks: the latest in the MacBook Air range is on sale for $849 at Amazon. The discount applies to all colors, so you can choose from starlight, midnight, silver, and sky blue.

SEE ALSO: Jackery’s portable power station Prime Day deal is its lowest price ever

This impressive model is powered by Apple's new M4 chip, meaning it's both fast and efficient. It can handle video editing, jumping between apps, and working through heavy multiple-tab workloads. It’s also built with Apple Intelligence, Apple's personal AI system that helps you write, create, and get more done in less time.

According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this model has never been cheaper (for particular colorways).

This Prime Day deal might not stick around for long. You know what to do.

The best Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Jackery’s portable power station Prime Day deal is its lowest price ever

Mashable - Fri, 07/11/2025 - 10:07

SAVE $834: As of July 11, Prime members can score the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station for just $834, its lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station $834 at Amazon
$1,449 Save $615 Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in reliable backup power, this Prime Day deal on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is as good as it gets. Originally $1,499, it's now just $834 — a massive 44% discount, but only for Amazon Prime members.

This isn’t your average portable power bank. With a 2042Wh LiFePO4 battery, 3 AC outlets, and a total output of 2200W, the Explorer 2000 v2 is powerful enough to run fridges, power tools, or keep your devices charged during blackouts, camping trips, or weekend getaways. It even features USB-C PD 100W fast charging — no need for extra adapters.

SEE ALSO: 100+ deals are live on Prime Day — get record-low prices on Apple, Ninja, and Samsung

Despite all that power, it’s surprisingly easy to carry. Weighing just 39.5 pounds, it's the lightest and smallest 2kWh power station in its class, built using the same CTB tech found in electric vehicles for improved safety and structure. Quiet types will love the Silent Charging Mode, which runs under 30 decibels — perfect for using while sleeping or working.

If you need to recharge in a hurry, you can go from 0 to 80% in just 66 minutes with AC fast charging, or fully charge it in about 5 hours on silent mode. Solar charging is also an option, though panels are sold separately.

The best Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

With a 10-year lifespan, app-controlled settings, and 20ms UPS switchover, the Explorer 2000 v2 seems like a future-proof pick whether you’re prepping for emergencies or just powering your next adventure.

Just don’t wait too long, since today is the last day of the Prime Day sale. So, this bargain doesn’t have many hours left, or will be gone even faster if enough people grab it first.

For kitting out the rest of your travels, Mashable has gathered a ton of the best Prime day deals including, Apple, Yeti, Kindles, and many more top brands.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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