Technology

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is the first smartwatch with Google Gemini

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:22

The Galaxy Watch 8 series got Google Gemini before Google could add it to its own Pixel Watches.

At Wednesday's Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra, all of which have Google Gemini integrated into its One UI 8 Watch operating system. During the livestream, Samsung touted Gemini as a useful hands-free way to operate its health and fitness features.

Asking Gemini to "start a 300-calorie circuit training workout" activates Samsung Health behind the scenes, so you can track your workout without navigating to the app. Other examples include using Gemini as a voice assistant to send messages or schedule calendar events. Whether as a health and fitness coach or personal assistant, Gemini on the Watch 8 series introduces an exciting new use case for AI wearables.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Every phone announced, including Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7

Earlier in the event, Samsung shared the Google Gemini integration with its new foldable phones, the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. Ever since debuting Galaxy AI a few years ago, it has maintained heavy focus on bringing AI features to its devices, and this event was very much on brand with those efforts.

Preorders for the three new models in the Galaxy Watch 8 series start today, and going on sale July 25. Here's the price breakdown:

  • Galaxy Watch 8: $349 for WiFi, $399 for WiFi plus 4G LTE

  • Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: $499 for WiFi, $549 for WiFi plus 4G LTE

  • Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025): $649 for WiFi plus 4G LTE

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is the first smartwatch with Google Gemini

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:22

The Galaxy Watch 8 series got Google Gemini before Google could add it to its own Pixel Watches.

At Wednesday's Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra, all of which have Google Gemini integrated into its One UI 8 Watch operating system. During the livestream, Samsung touted Gemini as a useful hands-free way to operate its health and fitness features.

Asking Gemini to "start a 300-calorie circuit training workout" activates Samsung Health behind the scenes, so you can track your workout without navigating to the app. Other examples include using Gemini as a voice assistant to send messages or schedule calendar events. Whether as a health and fitness coach or personal assistant, Gemini on the Watch 8 series introduces an exciting new use case for AI wearables.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Every phone announced, including Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7

Earlier in the event, Samsung shared the Google Gemini integration with its new foldable phones, the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. Ever since debuting Galaxy AI a few years ago, it has maintained heavy focus on bringing AI features to its devices, and this event was very much on brand with those efforts.

Preorders for the three new models in the Galaxy Watch 8 series start today, and going on sale July 25. Here's the price breakdown:

  • Galaxy Watch 8: $349 for WiFi, $399 for WiFi plus 4G LTE

  • Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: $499 for WiFi, $549 for WiFi plus 4G LTE

  • Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025): $649 for WiFi plus 4G LTE

Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for just A$15 — for life

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:19

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC for just A$15 with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license, on sale through 20 July.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro AU$15
AU$303 Save AU$288 Get Deal

Do you have an old computer that could use a refresh? Upgrade its operating system and give it new life with Windows 11 Pro, now just A$15 (reg. A$303) through 20 July.

If you’ve got an older device lying around, you don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars for a brand-new laptop. Just give it a new lease on life with this Windows 11 Pro upgrade. This new operating system is filled with features that can help you tackle both work and play.

What’s new in Windows 11 Pro?

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro was created with modern professionals in mind, but you don’t have to be tackling work to appreciate the new features. It offers a seamless interface that’s easy to navigate, snap layouts, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience everyone can benefit from.

We should all be taking our cybersecurity more seriously, and Windows 11 Pro offers advanced security measures like a biometric login, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses to beef up your protection.

Need to get work done? Windows 11 Pro includes Microsoft Teams, and also offers some unique professional features. Azure AD lets you manage logins and permissions for employees, while Hyper-V makes it possible to create and run virtual machines to test things. You’ll also get Windows Sandbox, a way to test files safely without risking your computer.

If you’d like to ditch the mouse and keyboard, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro gives you the option to go touchscreen. And it also puts Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, right on your desktop.

Once you tackle all your responsibilities, it’s time to start gaming. Windows 11 Pro includes DirectX 12 Ultimate, with graphics that make you feel like you’re right there in the game.

Note: You’ll need 4GB RAM and 40GB of hard drive space to run Windows 11 Pro, and if you’re running Windows 11 but can’t install upgrades via Windows Update, you won’t be able to install this version either.

Elevate your PC experience with this lifetime license to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, now just A$15 (reg. A$303) through 20 July.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Unpacked was silent on Project Moohan and the rumored trifold phone

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:17

We got a lot of information from Samsung at Samsung Unpacked, like everything coming to the Galaxy Watch 8, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and its four new colors, and all the new AI-infused features.

But we were expecting at least some information about Project Moohan and the rumored trifold phone and were left empty-handed.

Samsung has been slowly releasing information about Project Moohan, its Android XR headset, for months now, so we really expected to hear more about it at Samsung Unpacked. The headset is allegedly built on Google's Android XR operating system and powered by an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset, but we don't know much more. We got a teaser photo of the headset at Galaxy Unpacked 2025 all the way back in January, where we learned that Project Moohan is a joint venture between Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm. While Mashable hasn't had the opportunity to review it just yet, but Tom's Guide's Philip Michaels got his hand on an early version of the headset, which he described as relatively comfortable.

"It didn't feel particularly heavy during my demo — I certainly wasn't looking forward to removing it, as I am most of the time when trying on headsets," he said.

But after an hour-long Samsung Unpacked, the tech giant didn't even touch on the headset, or its rumored trifold phone — two of the most anticipated drops.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This app turns your iPhone into a scanner, and it lasts a lifetime

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:15

TL;DR: Scan anything, anywhere, with this lifetime subscription to iScanner, now A$38 (reg. A$304) with code SCAN through 20 July.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription AU$38
AU$304 Save AU$266 Get Deal

Raise your hand if you've ever had to rush to the library to print something. If most of us don't have the space for clunky printers, chances are we also don't keep a scanner at home. That's what iScanner is for.

This iOS app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a handy little scanner that works for basically any document type. It's also only A$38 (reg. A$304) for a lifetime subscription. 

No more wasted desk space

Even if you're one of the few with a physical scanner still in your presence, you can now clear some counter space thanks to iScanner. And while you're at it, you can throw away that dusty old filing cabinet, too. 

iScanner is the number one US-based scanning and document management tool, letting you knock items off your to-do list from anywhere. Need to save a receipt for taxes? Do you have a contract you need to digitize? You can scan any document using just the phone on your iOS device. 

Students, entrepreneurs, educators, and stay-at-home moms alike will all find endless uses for a scanner in your pocket. The AI-powered tools ensure your documents' borders are detected and automatically adjusted while also straightening scan pages and ditching curves and skews. 

Thanks to AI, you can also use iScanner to help you solve complicated math problems.  Or put its OCR technology to the test and let it help you decipher text in up to 20 languages.

Once things are scanned, the app becomes a full PDF editor and file manager. Edit your scans, including signing them, adding text, or autofilling them with custom templates. Then, use the file manager's folder via drag and drop to keep them safe and organized. 

Scanning something confidential? You can also protect files and folders by locking them with a PIN.

Use code SCAN by 20 July at 11:59 p.m. PT to get an iScanner lifetime subscription on sale for A$38. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Does Superman have a post-credits scene?

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:11

James Gunn has previously helmed such superhero cinema as Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1,2, & 3, The Suicide Squad, and the offbeat indie Super. Now, he's taking the helm of the latest relaunch of Superman, and coming with him are a cavalcade of stars, including David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced.

This Superman not only reboots the Man of Steel but also marks Gunn's new wave of DC movies taking flight. So, what does that mean for such superhero movie traditions as the post-credits scene? Well, if you want to know if there's something for DC fans after the credits, we'll answer that for you below —without spoilers.

SEE ALSO: 'Superman' review: Can James Gunn's reboot get DC back on track? Should you sit through the credits of Superman? Is there a post-credits scene?

First off, yeah. Not only will the credits give you an insight into some of the subtle cameos from past Gunn collaborators, but it'll also give you some treats like the identity of the artists who make up this Superman's favorite band. But hey, no spoilers.

As to whether or not the post-credits tidbits include more scenes: Yes. They do.

Superman offers both a brief mid-credits scene as well as a playful post-credits scene. So if you want to get all the Superman you can out of the movie's 129 minutes, you should definitely stay through the credits. And as a bonus, you can appreciate the number of people and the craft it takes to make a blockbuster as action-packed as this Warner Bros. summer tentpole.

Superman opens in theaters July 11.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for July 9, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:11

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

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

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

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

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

Dim.

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

SHADY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A circular dessert.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DONUT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A western hello.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

HOWDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A duplicate.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 9 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CLONE

Final Hurdle hint

To sway.

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

SWING

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linda Yaccarino is out as X CEO

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 18:07

X CEO and Elon Musk collaborator Linda Yaccarino is officially leaving her top seat at the social media company.

Yaccarino declared that she would be stepping down as CEO in an X post, writing:

...When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App.

I’m incredibly proud of the X team - the historic business turn around we have accomplished together has been nothing short of remarkable.  We started with the critical early work necessary to prioritize the safety of our users—especially children, and to restore advertiser confidence. This team has worked relentlessly from groundbreaking innovations like Community Notes, and, soon, X Money to bringing the most iconic voices and content to the platform. Now, the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with @xai.

X is truly a digital town square for all voices and the world’s most powerful culture signal. We couldn’t have achieved that without the support of our users, business partners, and the most innovative team in the world....

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's Grok AI calls itself 'MechaHitler,' goes on an antisemitic spree

While Yaccarino didn't say her reasons for leaving, sources familiar with the matter told NBC that the move had been in the works for weeks. Over the course of her tenure, Musk has become embroiled in political and platform controversy, including a recent "antisemitic tirade" by xAI's integrated chatbot Grok. On July 5, following a public fallout with President Donald Trump after acting as the de-facto government leader of the "Department of Government Efficiency," Musk announced he was forming a new political party as a pro-tech alternative to the current political establishment.

Yaccarino joined the company in 2023 after leading advertising at NBCUniversal, with Musk describing her new role as overseeing business operations while he focused his energy on "product design and new technology." Yaccarino has since become the company's go-to talking head for its ongoing battles with third-party advertising and content moderation, including the platform's continued investment in community-generated fact-checking.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Streaming just got cheaper: Snap up Prime Day streaming deals from Paramount+, Starz, Apple TV+, and more

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:43

UPDATE: Jul. 9, 2025, 10:22 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to include Prime Day digital movie deals in addition to streaming deals.

The best Prime Day streaming deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Paramount+ Premium (with Showtime) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $24) Get Deal BEST PRIME VIDEO ADD-ON DEAL Starz (Prime Video add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $20) Get Deal RUNNER-UP PRIME VIDEO ADD-ON DEAL Apple TV+ (Prime Video add-on) $4.99/month for 2 months (save $10) Get Deal BEST DIGITAL MOVIE DEAL 'Warfare' $12.99 (save $7) Get Deal

Prime Day isn't just a good time to score a TV or laptop at a steep discount anymore. In 2025, it's also a good time to load up your devices with streaming services and digital movies.

For the first time in Prime Day history, streaming deals are aplenty, so long as you're a Prime member. (Not yet a member? Sign up here.) One of the perks of subscribing to Prime is having access to Prime Video, Amazon's own streaming service. And since Prime Day is a celebration for members, the mega retailer is offering streaming deals in the form of Prime Video add-ons and digital movie discounts. There's certainly a chance more streaming services will toss their hats in the ring to compete with Prime Video, but we're not expecting Black Friday-level streaming deals or anything.

Still, we're pretty impressed by the sheer number of streaming discounts available this Prime Day. Below, we've rounded up all the best options, and we'll continue adding to this list if any new streaming deals pop up. Keep in mind that most of these deals will fizzle out once Prime Day ends on July 11. Be sure to secure the streamer of your choice before then.

Best Prime Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $0.99/month for 2 months (save $12/month) Get Deal Why we like it

New and returning subscribers can get their first two months of Paramount+ Premium — that's the ad-free tier with Showtime — for just 99 cents per month. Typically $12.99 per month, that saves you $24 total. Even better, you can score the deal on its own through Paramount+ or as a Prime video add-on. For what it's worth, the streamer typically offers a $2.99 per month deal for six months during Black Friday. While the Prime Day discount is only valid for a third of the time, it'll cost you $2 less per month, making this a pretty epic deal.

The Premium tier gives viewers an ad-free experience (except with live TV), access to the entire Showtime library, the ability to stream CBS live and download movies and shows for offline viewing, and 4K, UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 quality. The discount is only valid through July 13, so be sure to sign up ASAP. Also, remember that the cost per month will go back to full price ($12.99/month) after your two-month promotional period, unless you cancel.

More Prime day streaming dealsPrime Day digital movie deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The SteelSeries gaming headset with a 60-hour battery is on sale for Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:39

TL;DR: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless gaming headset is just $104.99 for Prime Day, a 30% discount from its list price of $149.99.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless gaming headset $104.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal

Let's face it: Wired gaming headsets are kind of a drag. It's not the most annoying thing in the world to deal with wires, but if you have the chance to go wireless, you should at least give it a shot. That's what the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless gaming headset, which had its price chopped by nearly one-third for Prime Day, is for.

This gaming headset is compatible (via a USB dongle) with PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, and mobile platforms. Xbox users, unfortunately, are out of luck here; there is a special Xbox-branded version of this headset, but it's not nearly as heavily discounted as this version. (Womp, womp.) Anyway, this headset comes with a retractable microphone that can be used for voice chat, but it's also hidden when you don't feel like being social. SteelSeries also promises a staggering 60-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging, so you never have to be out of the action for too long.

Just make sure you don't get too immersed in your games. Remember to, you know, eat and shower sometimes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The SteelSeries gaming headset with a 60-hour battery is on sale for Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:39

TL;DR: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless gaming headset is just $104.99 for Prime Day, a 30% discount from its list price of $149.99.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless gaming headset $104.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal

Let's face it: Wired gaming headsets are kind of a drag. It's not the most annoying thing in the world to deal with wires, but if you have the chance to go wireless, you should at least give it a shot. That's what the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless gaming headset, which had its price chopped by nearly one-third for Prime Day, is for.

This gaming headset is compatible (via a USB dongle) with PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, and mobile platforms. Xbox users, unfortunately, are out of luck here; there is a special Xbox-branded version of this headset, but it's not nearly as heavily discounted as this version. (Womp, womp.) Anyway, this headset comes with a retractable microphone that can be used for voice chat, but it's also hidden when you don't feel like being social. SteelSeries also promises a staggering 60-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging, so you never have to be out of the action for too long.

Just make sure you don't get too immersed in your games. Remember to, you know, eat and shower sometimes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gmails new manage subscriptions view makes tackling spam easier

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:29

In the wake of an AI overhaul, Gmail has gained another impressive feature that might slash away at that glaring red number looming over your mail app.

Announced this week, the company's new "manage subscriptions" feature collates a user's subscription-based emails into a single tab, providing a simple, streamlined view of every newsletter, marketing promotion, or daily deal that flies into your inbox.

SEE ALSO: How to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live: See the debut of Samsung's next-gen Galaxy devices

When in "manage subscription" view, users will see emails organized not by recency, but by frequency, with the most active subscription lists at the top of the inbox. A number next to each subscription indicates just how many emails the address has sent — Gmail users can tap on the sender to view every email or use the click to unsubscribe button (the small mail logo next to an email) to ask to be removed.

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

Apple's iOS 18 unveiled a similarly streamlined new look for Apple Mail in 2024, which included automatic sorting of promotional emails into their own designation "Promotions" tab — making it easier to spot and cull all of that subscription spam.

To access "manage subscription" view, tap the navigation bar (three lines) in the top-left corner of the app, scroll down to the bottom of the menu, and click "manage subscriptions." Google's new feature is now available on web, Android, and iOS devices in select countries.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gmails new manage subscriptions view makes tackling spam easier

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:29

In the wake of an AI overhaul, Gmail has gained another impressive feature that might slash away at that glaring red number looming over your mail app.

Announced this week, the company's new "manage subscriptions" feature collates a user's subscription-based emails into a single tab, providing a simple, streamlined view of every newsletter, marketing promotion, or daily deal that flies into your inbox.

SEE ALSO: How to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live: See the debut of Samsung's next-gen Galaxy devices

When in "manage subscription" view, users will see emails organized not by recency, but by frequency, with the most active subscription lists at the top of the inbox. A number next to each subscription indicates just how many emails the address has sent — Gmail users can tap on the sender to view every email or use the click to unsubscribe button (the small mail logo next to an email) to ask to be removed.

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

Apple's iOS 18 unveiled a similarly streamlined new look for Apple Mail in 2024, which included automatic sorting of promotional emails into their own designation "Promotions" tab — making it easier to spot and cull all of that subscription spam.

To access "manage subscription" view, tap the navigation bar (three lines) in the top-left corner of the app, scroll down to the bottom of the menu, and click "manage subscriptions." Google's new feature is now available on web, Android, and iOS devices in select countries.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked liveblog: See the latest announcements

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:09

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked has arrived, and we’re excited to meet the next wave of Samsung foldables.

The annual summertime Samsung event is traditionally when we learn all about the latest iterations of the Z Flip and Z Fold series as well as the newest Galaxy Watches. If Samsung sticks to the same script as last year, that means we could see a Z Fold 7, a Z Flip 7, and a Galaxy Watch 8 today.

We’ll be following all of the announcements here as they happen. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET this morning and will be livestreamed on Samsung’s website and YouTube.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked liveblog: See the latest announcements

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:09

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked has arrived, and we’re excited to meet the next wave of Samsung foldables.

The annual summertime Samsung event is traditionally when we learn all about the latest iterations of the Z Flip and Z Fold series as well as the newest Galaxy Watches. If Samsung sticks to the same script as last year, that means we could see a Z Fold 7, a Z Flip 7, and a Galaxy Watch 8 today.

We’ll be following all of the announcements here as they happen. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET this morning and will be livestreamed on Samsung’s website and YouTube.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite gaming deals from Prime Day 2025: Consoles, accessories, and more

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 17:02

UPDATE: Jul. 9, 2025, 11:00 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest gaming deals from day two of Amazon's Prime Day 2025 sale.

Best Prime Day gaming deals 2025 Best PlayStation deal 'Final Fantasy XVI' $24.79 (Save $15.20) Get Deal Best Xbox deal Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller $159 (Save $40.99) Get Deal Best Nintendo deal SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch (128GB) $15.20 (Save $4.79) Get Deal Best gaming laptop deal Asus ROG Strix G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,399.99 (Save $500) Get Deal

2025 has already been a huge year for video games. Between the Nintendo Switch 2 launch and this year's game release schedule, our gaming backlogs are looking downright scary at the moment (not to mention expensive). Good news, though — Amazon Prime Day 2025 is here, and the event always marks a great time to pick up everything on your gaming wishlist at a big discount.

SEE ALSO: This third-party charging case is my favorite Nintendo Switch 2 accessory

Take a look at our top deal picks from the sale, and be sure to keep checking backing regularly, because we'll be updating this page every time a new batch of discounts comes in.

Best PlayStation deal Opens in a new window Credit: Square Enix 'Final Fantasy XVI' $24.79 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.20 Get Deal Why we like it

Final Fantasy XVI is unlike any FF game that came before it, and honestly, we think that's a good thing. That's because Final Fantasy XVI is a truly fantastic character action game that combines engaging combat, an intriguing story, as well as the visual spectacle we've come to expect from the series to make an incredibly worthwhile adventure for all PS5 owners to experience.

PlayStation gamesPlayStation hardware

Headsets

Misc.

Best Xbox deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller $159 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Xbox's Pro-style controllers are some of the best on the market, so when you have the chance to get one at a discount, it's always worth it. The Core model comes with many of the accessories from the more expensive version, including a charging case. Pick one up ahead of Prime Day and save $40.99.

Xbox gamesXbox hardware

Headsets

Best Nintendo Switch deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch (128GB) $15.20 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $4.79 Get Deal Why we like it

Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch consoles just don't really come with enough onboard storage for those of you who game regularly. You're eventually going to need a microSD card, so why not get one while they're on sale for Prime Day? Right now, you can snag one for just $15. Just note that these cards will only work with the original Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED.

Nintendo Switch gamesNintendo Switch hardware

Controllers and accessories

Best gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Strix G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,399.99 at Amazon
$2,899.99 Save $500 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're dead-set on getting one of the newer RTX 50 series GPUs, this is going to be one of the best discounts you'll find during Amazon Prime Day 2025. The Asus ROG Strix G16 sits at the cutting edge of gaming laptop performance, packing in features like intelligent cooling, full-surround RGB, and three free months of PC gaming, among others. Pick one up during Prime Day and save $500.

More gaming laptop deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung brings Google Gemini AI features to its foldables lineup

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 16:55

Samsung and Google's partnership is still going strong, bringing Gemini AI features to Samsung's foldables lineup.

At Samsung Unpacked, Google's senior VP of devices and services Rick Osterloh came onstage to announce Gemini-powered AI features for the new Samsung Z Fold 7. Google's existing Circle to Search feature on Samsung devices now includes AI Mode, which is a chatbot-style interface for searching based on images.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Every phone announced, including Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7

Alongside this, Gemini Live is also coming to the Z Fold 7, which enables screen and camera sharing for live search. Osterloh also announced a six-month free trial of Google AI Pro for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, which gets Samsung users access to Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro.

The Google announcement was part of Samsung's broader initiative bringing its suite of AI features, Galaxy AI to its foldable devices. In January, Samsung introduced new Galaxy AI features for its S25 series, including personalized daily briefs and agentic capabilities like scheduling events and sending messages on your behalf. These capabilities are now included in the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 as part Samsung's Android One UI 8 operating system (based on Google's Android 16 system).

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung brings Google Gemini AI features to its foldables lineup

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 16:55

Samsung and Google's partnership is still going strong, bringing Gemini AI features to Samsung's foldables lineup.

At Samsung Unpacked, Google's senior VP of devices and services Rick Osterloh came onstage to announce Gemini-powered AI features for the new Samsung Z Fold 7. Google's existing Circle to Search feature on Samsung devices now includes AI Mode, which is a chatbot-style interface for searching based on images.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Every phone announced, including Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7

Alongside this, Gemini Live is also coming to the Z Fold 7, which enables screen and camera sharing for live search. Osterloh also announced a six-month free trial of Google AI Pro for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, which gets Samsung users access to Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro.

The Google announcement was part of Samsung's broader initiative bringing its suite of AI features, Galaxy AI to its foldable devices. In January, Samsung introduced new Galaxy AI features for its S25 series, including personalized daily briefs and agentic capabilities like scheduling events and sending messages on your behalf. These capabilities are now included in the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 as part Samsung's Android One UI 8 operating system (based on Google's Android 16 system).

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get 3 books for the price of 2, plus more of the best Prime Day book deals to shop now

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 16:39
The best Prime Day book deals at a glance: BEST BOOK DEAL OVERALL Get 3 books for the price of 2 Select hardcovers, paperbacks, and Kindle editions Get Deal BEST HARDCOVER DEAL "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid $21 (save $9) Get Deal BEST PAPERBACK DEAL "Just for the Summer" by Abby Jimenez $7.61 (save $10.38) Get Deal BEST KINDLE BOOK DEAL "Such Quiet Girls" by Noelle W. Ihli $5.99 (save $9) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is finally here (officially running from July 8 through 11), and we're being blessed with tons of deals. If you're looking to stack your summer reading list with books, it's time to get going.

On top of Amazon offering three free months of Kindle Unlimited and Audible to new members, we're also seeing some pretty sweet discounts on books themselves. Whether you want to load up your Kindle with e-books or you prefer physical books in your hands, there are a ton of deals waiting for you on Amazon Prime Day. Kindles themselves are seeing some massive discounts as well. This comes as no surprise, considering Amazon owns Kindle. (If you're looking for those discounts, check out our list of the best Kindle deals.)

From bestsellers to hidden treasures, we'll be tracking all the best Prime Day book deals below and updating the list with the latest and greatest price drops throughout the shopping event.

Note: Struck-through deals were sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best Prime Day book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Get 3 for the price of 2 Get Deal Why we like it

Physical page turning holds a special, untouchable place in our hearts, but physical copies of books are not cheap. For Prime Day, however, Amazon is giving shoppers the ability to pick up three books for the price of two. That means you can finally add to your physical TBR list without breaking the bank. It also helps, of course, that most of the books are already discounted as well. There are tons of bestsellers, new releases, and BookTok favorites included in the sale, including Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Just add three books to your cart from the promo page and the deal will automatically be applied at checkout.

Best Prime Day hardcover book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ballantine Books Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid $21 at Amazon
$30 Save $9 Get Deal Why we like it

Atmosphere is the latest from the New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid. Just released last month, it's already listed as one of Goodreads' most popular books of the year. It follows Joan Goodwin, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, who is selected as one of the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s. The hardcover copy is already on sale on Prime Day for $21, down 30% from its list price.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Our 5 favorite expert-tested soundbars to upgrade your TV setup

Mashable - Wed, 07/09/2025 - 16:39

Building a home entertainment system that checks all the boxes takes time. Likely, if you're reading this, you've found the right TV for you, set up smart lights for ambiance, and now, you're ready for the next step: investing in a soundbar.

A good soundbar can make watching a movie in your living room feel more, for lack of a better word, cinematic. If you're feeling lost reading about Dolby Atmos and the pros and cons of a subwoofer, you can save yourself a lot of time by seeing what the experts have to say. Not only have Mashable tech reporters tested some of the top soundbars from brands like Samsung, Sonos, and Bose, but we've also consulted a bevy of experts.

Ty Pendlebury tests and researches TVs and home entertainment tech for CNET, a sister site of Mashable also owned by Ziff Davis. He's been testing audio-visual equipment, including soundbars, for over 20 years.

"I reckon I’ve reviewed over 100 soundbars in my time," Pendlebury wrote to Mashable.

When creating CNET's guide for the best soundbars, he tested soundbars in the CNET AV Lab, using several different types of media including movies, music, and games, to determine which soundbars sound the best.

Below, we've combined Pendlebury's testing results and expertise alongside Mashable's most recent soundbar reviews to select five of our top picks for the best soundbars. And as a bonus, almost all of these soundbars are on sale during Prime Day, which runs through July 11.

Is it worth getting a soundbar?

Built-in TV speakers are typically located at the back of the TV, pointing down, which isn't the best position for optimal sound quality. At the most basic level, soundbars fix the issue by directing the sound outward toward the room.

So what does that fix cost? Soundbars can run anywhere from as low as $75 to easily over $1,500. Obviously, that's a wide range, but most of the selections in Pendlebury's guide, and the soundbars we've tested at Mashable in past years, fall in the the $200 to $700 range. To simplify your search, we'll be pulling picks that sit roughly in the low, middle, and high points of that range.

Best soundbar for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart Soundbar $499 at Amazon
Shop Now Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Bose Smart Soundbar.

The Bose Smart Soundbar isn't the cheapest option out there, but for folks who want more than the bare minimum features, it's a great option with powerful sound that doesn't demand a ton of space on your media console. "For most users, I think this soundbar hits the sweet spot in terms of features, sound, and value for the dollar," wrote Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth in his review of the soundbar.

Beck Werth tested the soundbar with TV shows, music, and movies, and found that the Bose soundbar offered a far superior experience than the built-in speakers on his TV. The bass sounded pronounced without losing clarity, while everything from music to F1 races sounded balanced. Perhaps best of all, Beck Werth reported, "For TV shows, I was able to turn off closed captions for all but the most accent-heavy shows." Bose's AI Dialogue Assist feature also helped clarify vocals even more, offering hope to anyone who's become a little more reliant than they would like on closed captions.

SEE ALSO: The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are a decent budget option from the premium brand

This performance is thanks to the five different transducers (including two that point upwards to bounce sound off the ceiling) and central tweeter. Again, if you're looking for more than the bare minimum, you'll find that in the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, which Beck Werth said made the sound quality "really [sing]," where it was available. While there's a lot to praise, it is worth noting this soundbar doesn't come with a subwoofer, but you can connect your own or purchase one down the line, giving it some solid upgrade potential.

As for your connection options, this mid-range pick offers plenty, with connectivity available through HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect. And as it's a smart speaker, it also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The previous generation of this soundbar, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600, is CNET's top pick for the best compact Dolby Atmos soundbar. As it was phased out last fall with the release of this soundbar, we recommend opting for the newer version, which is easier to find in stock.

Best budget pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streambar $129.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Why we like it

Check out CNET's full review of the Roku Streambar.

The Roku Streambar is CNET's top pick overall for the best soundbar (and an Editors' Choice award recipient), but despite the accolades, it's available at an incredibly budget-friendly price. If you're shopping for your first soundbar or simply looking to upgrade your sound system while spending less than $150, the Roku Streambar is your best bet.

Alongside an upgraded sound system, opting for this soundbar will give you access to the 4K Roku streaming interface, giving you an easy way to watch all your favorite streaming services, from Netflix and YouTube to Disney+ and Hulu. The included remote makes navigating the Roku interface especially easy, and it can work to turn your TV on and off.

While combo products often mean that something is sacrificed in the process, Pendlebury called the Roku Streambar the answer "if you want to be able to hear your TV better, particularly vocals, and also enhance its streaming capabilities," especially if you don't already have a streaming device in your setup. (If you do already own a streaming device, the Vizio 2.1 soundbar is another great option that clocks in under $200 and comes with a subwoofer).

The four internal speakers may not offer absolute top-of-the-line sound (the bass could be better on this soundbar), but you'll find that it offers a noticeable boost to the quality and depth of the sound from your TV, especially with dialogue. The Streambar's compact size (it clocks in at 14-inches wide) means that while it can't compete with soundbars that simply have the space to create a fuller sound, it's not a bad trade off for folks who are short on real estate for speakers in their TV setup. Plus, if you decide you want to upgrade the sound profile, you can purchase a Roku subwoofer for $130 (and still be spending nearly $250 less than you would on the also subwoofer-less Bose Smart Soundbar).

Alongside the HDMI connection that works with your TV's HDMI ARC or Optical outputs, the Roku Streambar is also compatible with Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Google Home, Alexa, and of course, Roku Smart Home.

Best for Sonos households Sonos Beam Gen 2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar $499 at Best Buy
Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 has been on the market for a while, and when it goes on sale (like it does for Prime Day), it offers impressive value for the money. For customers who are already in the Sonos smart home ecosystem, it's an easy and affordable way to give your TV setup an instant boost. The Beam is incredibly easy to set up, and because it can sync with your other Sonos products, it's easy to build a genuine home theater surround sound system.

While it will make movies and TV shows pop, you can also use this soundbar for streaming music, one of the most underrated perks of having a TV soundbar in your living room.

In CNET's guide to the top soundbars, Pendlebury noted that the more affordable Sony HT-S2000 offered stronger bass; however, on balance, we'd still recommend the Beam for Sonos fans in particular.

Best upgrade pick Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Arc Ultra $999 at Amazon
Shop Now Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Sonos Arc Ultra.

We know — this soundbar sits firmly on the high end of the price spectrum, but we wouldn't be including it if we didn't think it was worth the price. The Sonos Arc Ultra is a true upgrade pick, offering some of the highest-quality sound for under $1,000 you can get. As Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth put it in his review: "While a single soundbar can't compete with the booming speakers you'll hear in a movie theater, this speaker gave me the closest match to that experience I've ever had in my living room."

The Arc Ultra achieves that feat through its impressive hardware, which includes 14 drivers and 15 Class-D digital amplifiers. Of course, it also comes equipped with Dolby Atmos and the brand's Sound Motion technology. All of this comes packed in a package much bigger — and much more sleek looking — than something like the Roku soundbar, meaning that you'll want to make sure you have space cleared on your media console. The result is that even without a subwoofer or any peripheral speakers, Beck Werth said he could "feel the bass in my chest. It really felt like sandworms were exploding out of the desert all around me," as he watched Dune.

SEE ALSO: How to watch 'Dune: Part Two' at home: Where is it streaming?

This is the level of sound quality you'd expect from a soundbar that's twice the price of our top pick for most people and nearly eight times the price of our budget pick. But naturally, that's not where our praise for it stops. Despite delivering top-of-the-line performance, it's incredibly easy to use, plugging and playing via HDMI just as well as our less expensive picks. With "a single tap on my phone screen," Beck Werth was able to sync the soundbar to his TV and remote, with the Sonos app helping him connect Spotify, Amazon Music, and Alexa with just a bit more effort.

Beyond the initial setup, the Sonos app can also be used to activate Trueplay, which helps you get the absolute most out of your speaker by adjusting the audio based on the layout and acoustics of the room the speaker is in, so you don't have to fiddle endlessly with audio settings. And when your TV is off, you can use the Arc Ultra as a smart speaker via voice control. But if you'd rather not have the mic on 24/7, Sonos also included an option to toggle that off.

So what's the catch? Obviously, you're paying for what you get, but beyond that, we really didn't have many issues with the Arc Ultra. The last thing we can stipulate is that even for as good as it sounds, it won't replace a setup with dedicated speakers and subwoofers to create true surround sound, but that's less a knock against Sonos and more a reality of any audio setup.

Best for Samsung TVs Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung HW-Q990C 11.1.4ch Soundbar $710.40 at Amazon
$899 Save $188.60 Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't want to build a home audio system from the floor up — and especially if you have a Samsung TV — then we recommend a premium Samsung soundbar like this. While this particular soundbar didn't make Pendlebury's list, we think Samsung fans will appreciate this audio system's balance of features. The soundbar itself contains 11 front-facing speakers and a built-in subwoofer; however, it also comes with two additional rear speakers for even richer, fuller sound.

And if you have a Samsung TV, you can take advantage of the company's Q-Symphony feature, which ensures your TV and your soundbar sync perfectly. Even if you don't, this soundbar can be calibrated to your living room or home theater, ensuring it fills every nook and cranny in your space with booming yet balanced sound. Naturally, it has Dolby Audio features as well.

The main downside here is the price tag. However, for a premium audio experience, you'll need to plan on paying at least $500 for a soundbar. Unfortunately, that's just the price of admission.

How to choose a soundbar

Beyond price, soundbars have a few more features worth considering, but that doesn't mean the buying process requires you to be versed in a ton of tech terminology. In fact, Pendlebury told Mashable, "Thankfully, buying a soundbar is a lot easier now than it used to be," due in large part to most having an HDMI connection, which allows for the easiest plug-and-play experience with your TV.

Along with connections, here are a few more features you'll see highlighted with soundbars on the market these days:

Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos is essentially the name of a type of spatial audio designed to deliver a three-dimensional audio experience. To clear up a couple of misconceptions off the bat: In the same way not all headphones with active noise cancellation perform equally, not all soundbars with Dolby Atmos will give the same sound performance across the board.

Our upgrade pick, the Sonos Arc Ultra, comes with Dolby Atmos. Credit: Sonos

Perhaps even more important to note is that while Dolby Atmos offers a more immersive sound, it's not exactly the same experience as getting true surround sound. "The biggest misnomer about soundbars right now is that if it has a Dolby Atmos sticker, it can do surround sound, especially if the soundbar is only $200," Pendlebury explained. "It needs dedicated speakers if it’s going to do surround sound. While height is easy to replicate, sound is literally bounced off the ceiling. I’ve never heard sounds coming from behind me in a speaker that sits under the TV. Dedicated surrounds provide the best experience."

Subwoofers and surround sound

As Pendlebury explained, to achieve true surround sound or exemplary bass sound, you'll need dedicated equipment. Simply put, you'll need multiple speakers. If you want true surround sound, you'll want to take that into account when determining where your budget may sit for a soundbar. For instance, even though our upgrade pick, the Sonos Arc Ultra, provides excellent sound designed to be immersive, it can't achieve the same surround sound that it would without dedicated speakers to help it out.

SEE ALSO: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review: The best gaming headset I've ever used

The same goes for subwoofers — a soundbar on its own can have great bass playback, but the best way to achieve the home theater experience is to get a subwoofer. While none of our picks below have one included, they all have compatible ones available for additional purchase. That said, our alternative budget pick, the Vizio 2.1 soundbar, does come with a six-inch subwoofer and two wired satellite speakers.

Connection types

As mentioned above, most soundbars these days offer HDMI connections, making it incredibly easy to get your setup going. However, you might prefer to also have Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity. As with many other device types, Bluetooth offers a simple way for you to connect to a soundbar and stream audio from devices like your phone, but as Pendlebury explains, WiFi offers a distinct benefit "as it means you can stream Spotify, for example, without running your battery down -- like you would with Bluetooth." 

Smart features

Smart features, like voice assistance integration, are also relatively commonplace these days (see: our Bose pick literally having smart in the name). Still, the execution isn't all the same. While even the most budget-friendly picks can work with AirPlay, more mid-range options may give you flexibility on how your soundbar is integrated into your smart home, and even, as with the Sonos Arc Ultra, can be used independently as smart speakers, even when the TV isn't on.

SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card

We also want to note that soundbars exist for computer setups, but for the purposes of this guide, we chose our top picks based on TV selections. (If you're looking for some audio options for your computer, you can check out our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers).

Categories: IT General, Technology
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