Technology

Google reboots its AI Ask Photos feature

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 19:32

It's take two for the AI search feature in Google Photos.

After pausing the rollout of Ask Photos, due to latency issues and user experience criticisms, Google is back with an improved version and expanding access (via Engadget). Previously, it was only available to select users with early access.

Ask Photos, a feature that was introduced at 2024's Google I/O, is a Gemini-powered search tool within the Google Photos app that can find images in your library using natural language search. It's touted as being capable of handling more complex queries that are indirectly related to photos you may have on file, such as "what's my license plate number?" or "what did I eat on my trip to Barcelona?"

But those complex queries incidentally slowed down results for simpler queries like "beach" or "dog," and Google paused the rollout in early June. And getting to the traditional search interface was replaced by the AI search feature, which complicated the user experience.

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On Thursday, Google shared improvements: "You’ll now see results right away while Gemini models continue to work in the background to find the most relevant photos or information for more complex queries," the announcement said. Basically, the classic search interface is back, but with Gemini.

With these improvements shipped, Google is now rolling out Ask Photos to eligible users in the U.S. To be eligible, you must be 18 years old and up, be in the U.S., have a Google account (duh), and have Face Groups turned on, which lets Google search for people and pets.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Early Prime Day book deals: Save up to 80% on hardcovers, paperbacks, and Kindle editions

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 18:54
The best early Prime Day book deals at a glance: BEST HARDCOVER DEAL "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid $21 (save $9) Get Deal BEST PAPERBACK DEAL "The Crash" by Freida McFadden $9 (save $8.99) Get Deal BEST KINDLE BOOK DEAL "So Far Gone" by Jess Walter $2.99 (save $12) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is nearly here (officially running from July 8 through 11), and we're already 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 at Amazon weeks ahead of the formal Prime Day start.

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

Best early Prime Day 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 earlier this 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 ahead of Prime Day for $21, down 30% from its list price.

Hardcover book dealsPaperback book dealsKindle book deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Even TikTok is hosting an anti-Prime Day sale

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 18:47

TikTok Shop joins the long list of online retailers to announce summer sales that compete with Amazon Prime Day. The in-app shopping platform will run a 13-day "Deals for You Days" savings event from July 7 to 19, according to a company press release. Meanwhile, Prime Day 2025 is slated for July 8 to 11, making it Amazon's longest members-only sale on record.

TikTok said its Deals for You Days event will feature discounts of "up to 50% off across all categories and brands," including Fenty Beauty, Crocs, and Philips, adding that eligible shoppers can save even more at checkout by paying with Venmo.

TikTok Shop will also introduce a price-match guarantee for items featured in select shoppable livestreams during Deals for You Days, the company said. If a customer finds a product on sale for a lower price off-platform, they'll earn cash back on the difference.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025: Dates, deals, and the competition

This marks the second year TikTok Shop has hosted a Deals for You Days sale alongside Prime Day — though its first iteration, a nine-day affair, didn't move the needle. According to a July 2024 Modern Retail report that analyzed Salesforce data, TikTok Shop's gross merchandise growth was down 6 percent during last year's 48-hour Prime Day sale. In contrast, non-Amazon retailers saw 3 percent year-over-year gross merchandise volume growth during the same period.

"Part of the issue may have been that TikTok’s sales event didn’t offer sharp enough discounts," Modern Retail's Allison Smith wrote at the time. "The average discount on TikTok was 18% compared to the average discount during Prime Day, which was 22%, according to Salesforce." Reportedly, that's even with TikTok helping certain brands subsidize their markdowns.

SEE ALSO: Is that the sound of the TikTok Shop bubble popping? These creators aren’t worried yet.

It certainly doesn't help that the competition elsewhere is fierce. Bigger retailers have been competing with Amazon's flagship sale for years, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. In 2025, the former has plans for a six-day Walmart Deals event during Prime Day; Best Buy is hosting a concurrent Black Friday in July sale; and Target has a conveniently timed Circle Week sale in the pipeline. All three events will run both in stores and online.

That said, TikTok Shop's immense recent growth could make it a more viable player in the anti-Prime Day game. In the first five months of 2025, the platform saw a 120 percent increase in U.S. sales compared to the same period last year, according to TikTok's press release. (What trade war?) TikTok Shop now counts over 70 million products across 750 categories since launching in September 2023, the company said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dont miss this pre-Prime Day discount: 50% off the Instant Pot Vortex Plus

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 18:46

SAVE $65: As of June 27, get the Instant Pot Vortex Plus for $64.99, down from its usual price of $129.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 50%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Instant Pot Vortex Plus $64.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal

If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you know how valuable it is to have appliances that claim multiple functions. Not everyone has a ton of space to put a toaster, an air fryer, a rice cooker, a slow cooker, etc. So something like the Instant Pot Vortex Plus or one of its variations is a great idea. And if you've been thinking about adding one to your kitchen, now's the best time to do so with this pre-Prime Day deal.

As of June 27, get the Instant Pot Vortex Plus for $64.99, down from its usual price of $129.99 at Amazon. That's $65 off and a discount of 50%.

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day kitchen steals — save on air fryers, blenders, and more

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a 4-quart cooker with multiple functions: it can air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, and reheat. It has a one-touch setup for smart programming options that you can customize to your liking as well, so you can just press a button and start cooking right away.

It's large enough to hold large portions, like a 12 ounce box of chicken tenders, a couple of potatoes to bake, or even some veggies so you can feed your family or partner and kids, or just yourself easily. It has a simple touchscreen display, it's easy to clean with a non-stick dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray, and it's super compact.

So if you want to save significantly on a device that can help you sling out food quickly, this is the time to grab one ahead of the Prime Day kitchen deals. You'll be getting dinner on the table in record time.

Best home and kitchen deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best gaming deals ahead of Prime Day 2025: Consoles, accessories, and more

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 18:41
Best early Prime Day gaming deals 2025 Best PlayStation deal 'Final Fantasy XVI' $24.88 (Save $15.11) Get Deal Best Xbox deal Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller $159 (Save $40.99) Get Deal Best Nintendo deal Nintendo Switch $299 (Save $20) 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 just around the corner, and the event always marks a great time to pick up everything on your gaming wishlist at a big discount. While Prime Day doesn't officially begin for a few more days (the event runs July 8 to 11), there are still plenty of live deals from the gaming space that are worth checking out, from individual titles, to consoles, to accessories, and beyond.

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

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

Best PlayStation deal Opens in a new window Credit: Square Enix 'Final Fantasy XVI' $24.88 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.11 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

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: Nintendo Nintendo Switch $299 at Amazon
$319 Save $20 Get Deal Why we like it

If you have any interest in handheld gaming, a Nintendo Switch needs to be part of your repertoire. It's no doorbuster deal, but the original Switch is $20 off ahead of Prime Day. If you don't feel like springing for the cutting-edge Nintendo Switch 2, we wouldn't recommend against going back a generation.

Nintendo Switch gamesNintendo Switch hardware

Consoles

Controllers and accessories

Memory cards

Categories: IT General, Technology

Early Prime Day air fryer deals: Instant Pot and Ninja both have one standout option

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 18:27
The best early Prime Day air fryer deals at a glance Best basket air fryer deal Instant Pot Vortex Plus (4-quart) $64.99 (save $65 with Prime) Get Deal Best air fryer oven deal Ninja Prestige 10-in-1 XL $249.99 (save $100) Get Deal

We can't scientifically prove this (yet), but time moves slower when you're hungry and waiting for the oven to preheat. Such prolonged agony is probably the reason many air fryer havers you know bought theirs. If you've been envying their vast recipe opportunities, you might as well grab an air fryer on sale to see what the hype is about. Prime Day is one of the best times of year to find kitchen deals overall, and a few good air fryer deals are even popping up before Prime Day officially starts on July 8.

SEE ALSO: Walmart's anti-Prime Day sale is extra competitive this year

We'll be tracking the best Amazon air fryer deals through the week of Prime Day. Make sure you're signed up for Prime, as most of the best early deals are already locked to Prime members.

Best air fryer deal ahead of Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Pot Instant Pot Vortex Plus (4-quart) $64.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Instant Pot pressure cooker deals aren't the hot commodity that they were five years ago. Instant Pot air fryers are another story — at a full 50% off, the 4-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus is seeing the largest discount percentage-wise in this entire list. Now, you're gaining the ability to air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, and reheat all in one $65 countertop device. You can between cooking settings on the digital touch display.

More air fryers on sale

Basket air fryers

Air fryer ovens and glass cooking systems

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best travel deals to shop ahead of Prime Day 2025

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 18:18
The best early Prime Day travel deals at a glance: BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCE DEAL Budget car rentals save up to 30% on base rates + get 10% back in an Amazon gift card Get Deal BEST LUGGAGE DEAL American Tourister Stratum 20-inch carry-on $45.89 (save $44.10) Get Deal BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORY DEAL Apple AirTags (4-pack) $74.99 (save $24.01) Get Deal BEST CHARGING DEAL Anker 633 MagGo portable charger $42.99 (save $17) Get Deal BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEAL Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones $119 (save $30.99) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, 128GB, WiFi) $549 (save $50) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is coming in hot (formally July 8 through 11) and one seasonally appropriate category that's already popping off weeks before the official event is travel deals. Whether you're looking to upgrade your luggage or in-flight entertainment, there are plenty of discounts to help you do so on a budget. Heck, Amazon has even partnered with travel companies like Budget and Expedia to offer Prime Day deals on travel experiences. So you can book a trip and get all of the gear you need to make it successful, all while saving some money.

Mashable's shopping experts are keeping track of all the best travel deals Prime Day has to offer, including luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, Kindles, charging accessories, and more. Don't see what you're looking for? Check back for more as we get closer to the big day(s).

Best Prime Day travel experience deal Opens in a new window Credit: Budget Our pick: Budget car rentals save up to 30% on base rates + get 10% back in an Amazon gift card Get Deal Why we like it

Instead of relying on Uber and Lyft to get around on your next trip, you can rent your own wheels and save. For Prime Day, Amazon customers get exclusive car rental benefits at Budget. Sign in to your Amazon account on Budget's website to unlock up to 30% off base rates on rentals for your next trip. Plus, 10% of the time and mileage charges incurred will be returned to you in the form of an Amazon gift card. You'll receive your gift card at the email associated with your Amazon account about 48 hours after your rental is complete. Head over to the promo page for more details on terms and conditions.

More Prime Day travel experience dealsBest luggage deal Opens in a new window Credit: American Tourister Our pick: American Tourister Stratum 20-inch carry-on $45.89 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $44.10 with on-page coupon Get Deal Why we like it

Traveling is already expensive enough as it is. Opt for a carry-on only and avoid those checked bag fees (compression packing cubes are your best friend). This one from American Tourister will get the job done and won't cost you a fortune, as it's down to just $45.89 (nearly half off) ahead of Prime Day — its best price on record. Just be sure to select the on-page coupon before checking out. The Stratum 2.0 carry-on has all the essentials for a solid suitcase: spinner wheels, a durable hard shell, an ergonomic carbon fiber handle, expandable capacity, and interior pockets. It's nothing fancy, but it's a great value for the cost.

More Prime Day luggage dealsBest travel accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirTag (4-pack) $74.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $24.01 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're an iPhone user who travels regularly or tends to lose things, AirTags are a must-have for keeping track of your belongings. Attach them to your luggage, purse, keys, backpack, instrument, etc. and as long as there's an Apple device nearby with FindMy turned off, you'll be able to see precisely where you are in proximity to your stuff. I used them for the first time on my first trip to Europe, and now I swear by them. At $74.99 for a four-pack, you're getting a pretty great deal. However, we have seen them drop about $10 further in the past. It may pay off to wait until Prime Day proper to snag a set.

More Prime Day travel accessory dealsBest charging deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Our pick: Anker 633 MagGo portable charger $42.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $17 Get Deal Why we like it

Portable power is essential for travel, but you can't trust any old power bank on Amazon. Anker's portable charging gear is some of the best, and you can't go wrong with the 633 MagGo — especially while it's down to just $42.99. It's compact, can attach to your phone via magnets, doubles as a foldable stand, and can juice up your phone quickly, thanks to its 20W USB-C output. Just $3 shy of its best price ever, you can rest assured you'll be getting a great deal if you snag it before Prime Day.

More Prime Day charging dealsBest noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony WH-CH720N $119 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's headphones expert Bethany Allard selected the Sony WH-CH720N as the best early Prime Day headphones deal, noting that they're a more budget-friendly option than the new Sony WH-1000XM6s. They're lightweight and reliable, feature an impressive 35-hour battery life with noise cancellation on, and have multipoint pairing. Our sister site CNET (also owned by publisher Ziff Davis) writes, "The CH-720N offers the appealing combination of a lightweight, comfortable design with respectable performance." We've seen them drop to a lower price before, but at $119, they're still a steal.

More Prime Day noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, 128GB, WiFi) $549 at Amazon
$599 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the 2025 Apple iPad Air (M3).

We fancy the iPad Air as the best Apple tablet for most people. It's more budget-friendly than the iPad Pro, but can still handle tough design jobs, as well as streaming, reading, and other creative projects. You could even use it as a laptop substitute and it'll work swimmingly. It's also lightweight, has impressive battery life at over 14 hours, and features a brilliant 11-inch display.

As our Apple expert writes, "While $50 off isn't the most jaw-dropping deal for this 11-inch Air, it's a decent markdown to kick off Prime Day season. We just hope to see it drop another $50 down to its record-low $499 by the time the official sale start comes around."

More Prime Day tablet and Kindle deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

July Fourth party essentials for the perfect summer shindig

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 17:45

Be the host with the most this year with help from our guide of the top party picks. July Fourth is all about the cookout: Being outside, grilling up some burgers and hot dogs, and celebrating all the best of summer in honor of our nation's birthday. Do it up right this year with these decor ideas, gadgets, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google is changing its emoji layout, again

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 17:22

Google has already walked back some of its recent changes to its emoji layout.

We here at Mashable covered significant design changes in Gboard — Google's emoji keyboard — that dropped in a beta about a month ago. At the time, it removed the "All" interface and redesigned the emoji, sticker, and GIF icons to make them more legible.

SEE ALSO: Your emoji choices may look different on Android soon

As a part of that redesign, Google removed the delete icon and instead replaced with a floating action button that would only appear once emoji were selected. 9to5 Google, a Google-focused tech site, spotted that choice has been reversed since it has proven unpopular. So, in short, you'll get your dedicated delete button back.

To be clear, this is still part of Gboard's latest beta — meaning it is still being tested out. In fact, this is exactly what a beta is for: to find and root out issues. Hopefully everything will be just right by the time the changes roll out for everyone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

10 early Prime Day printer and scanner deals you can shop right now

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 17:20
Best early Prime Day printer and scanner deals: Best deal overall Epson EcoTank ET-2800 $209.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best runner-up deal HP Smart Tank 5103 $199.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best budget pick Canon TS202 $43.99 (save $10) Get Deal

We’re officially in Prime Day mode — the big (now four-day) event is set to kick off July 8 but, as is typical, the sales are already rolling in. And if you're on the hunt for a new printer or scanner (most printers also function as scanners), you're in luck.

SEE ALSO: How to recycle Amazon packaging from your Prime Day purchases (yes, all of it)

We’re seeing early Prime Day deals on printers and scanners from all the top brands, including HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother. Whether you need a basic inkjet printer for occasional use, a high-performance laser printer for your home office, or an all-in-one scanner for digitizing documents, there are plenty of options to choose from.

And don't miss all the best early Prime Day deals that are already live.

Best printer deal overall Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color Printer $209.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a great all-in-one that can print, copy, and scan. Its biggest feature is that it uses high-capacity ink bottles instead of cartridges, which are less wasteful and easier to use. According to Epson, this can save you up to 90 percent on ink costs in the long run, and it even comes with up to two years of ink right in the box. It's perfect for printing everything from homework to photos, and the high-res flatbed scanner makes copying and digitizing documents simple.

You can get the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 right now for $209.99, down from $279.99. That’s a 25% discount and a $70 price cut. While this isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen it at (it was around $179 in November 2024), it’s still a great deal.

More printer and scanner deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag a Google Pixel Tablet for $120 off with this pre-Prime Day deal

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 17:13

SAVE $120: As of June 27, get the Google Pixel Tablet for $279, $120 off via on-page coupon at Amazon, down from its usual price of $399. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel Tablet $279 at Amazon
$399 Save $120 Clip $120 off on-page coupon. Get Deal

When it comes to tablets, there are plenty of options out there. You don't have to stick solely to an iPad, or even what Samsung has to offer, especially when Google also has some excellent models to choose from. Enter the Google Pixel Tablet, which is on sale right now at Amazon ahead of Prime Day.

As of June 27, get the Google Pixel Tablet for $279, $120 off via on-page coupon at Amazon, down from its usual price of $399. That's $120 off and a discount of 30%. Be sure to clip the coupon before checking out so that the deal will automatically be applied.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets in 2025

The Google Pixel Tablet was named an honorable mention in our list of the best tablets, and we're still excited about it. It has a bright, 11-inch screen with 256GB of storage, a Google Tensor G2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 8MP cameras in the front and the back. Plus, it has 128GB of storage so you don't have to spend all your time deleting photos and videos to free up more.

Though at this price you won't get it as a free add-on, there is an additional purchase that considerably enhances the tablet: a charging speaker dock. Mashable's Alex Perry praised it as a worthy extra for the tablet, as it adds a charging base with fantastic audio.

If you're ready to lock in a new tablet, now's a great time to do so ahead of Prime Day, where this deal likely won't disappear as soon as you go to add it to your cart.

Best tech deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Leaked renders reveal Nothing Phone 3 design

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 17:00

We're only a few days away from officially seeing the next Nothing phone, but you can unofficially see it right now.

Android Headlines published some leaked renders of the Nothing Phone 3, which is set to make its grand debut on July 1. In case you aren't in the weeds on this stuff, Nothing is a UK-based tech startup that started making sleek and unique-looking flagship-quality phones a few years back. The Phone 3 carries that tradition forward, though whether or not you like the look is entirely subjective.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Foldable iPhone leaks tease new details on camera, specs, display

As you can see, the placement of the rear cameras is the big story here. The three lenses are oddly misaligned instead of being grouped together in a convenient little box like they are on a lot of phones. It's also got a vaguely grid-like, tech-y texture on the back of the phone, though that's roughly in line with previous Nothing phones. These devices are sort of meant to look unique and futuristic.

We don't know a ton about Phone 3 yet, but Nothing has pre-announced that it has a 50MP periscope telephoto lens and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip under the hood. It also has a 6.7-inch display with a beefy 5,150mAh battery. The rest of the specs will have to wait until next week, but at that point, there may not be much to reveal anymore, if the leaks keep coming.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save 26% on this Starz and Hallmark+ bundle via Prime Video

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 16:28

SAVE 26%: As of June 27, get the Starz and Hallmark+ Prime Video bundle for $13.95. Starz is normally $10.99 per month, and Hallmark+ is $7.99 per month. Signing up separately would cost you $18.98. That's $5.03 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starz/Hallmark Starz and Hallmark+ Prime Video Bundle $13.95 at Amazon
$18.98 Save $5.03 Get Deal

July is just about here, and you know what that means: Christmas programming! If you wait year-round for summer to arrive so you can check out some of your favorite Hallmark movies, you're not alone. It's a tradition that brings some holiday fun to the summer months, and one that's made even easier to take part in thanks to Prime Video's Hallmark+ add-on. Now, Amazon wants to make it even more of a deal to subscribe to the streaming channel via Prime Video with a new bundle deal that'll save you some serious dough.

As of June 27, get the Starz and Hallmark+ Prime Video bundle for $13.95. Starz is normally $10.99 per month, and Hallmark+ is $7.99 per month. Signing up separately would cost you $18.98. That's $5.03 off and a discount of 26%.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (June 27, 2025)

This bundle allows access to both channels via Prime Video, so you can sign up for them all at once and manage your subscription to both channels via one area on your dashboard.

Hallmark's Christmas in July programming is being added with a slew of new and old holiday movies under its Countdown to Christmas banner, with the new movie series All Wrapped Up heading to the platform in the coming days.

Starz also offers a wide range of movies to choose from, like the recent The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, if that's what you're looking for.

If you're looking to check out content from both channels, this is a great deal that you can subscribe to now. And when and if you're ready to cancel, you can do it straight from your Prime Video dashboard at any time.

Best tech deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Trixie Mattel drops summer anthem Gay HBO Max Song

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 16:25

Honey, it's Pride. And what better way to celebrate than all your favourite queer icons in an absolute banger of a song "Gay HBO Max Song" created by drag superstar, pop culture icon, and DJ Trixie Mattel.

Get down to the dulcet tones of The White Lotus' Tanya McQuoid's (Jennifer Coolidge) iconic-yet-ominous line from Season 2: "Please... these gays...they're trying to murder me!"

Pour one out for poor old Lexi Featherston (Kristen Johnston) who experienced a fall from grace (sorry) in an aptly named "Splat!" episode of Sex and the City from 2004. "No one's fun anymore!" she yelled. "I'm so bored I could die!" she declared before falling out of an 18th-storey apartment window.

There's even a Hannah Horvath (Lena Dunham) from Girls cameo with her "fruity little voice" comment to Elijah (Andrew Rannells) in Season 1, episode 3, on repeat for maximum dramatic impact.

The pop culture fiends among us will spot iconic quotes from shows like Euphoria (when Sydney Sweeney's Cassie had "never ever been happier" in Season 2), Succession, The Comeback, and The White Lotus Season 3, to name a few.

"Look, as gay people we live and breathe pop culture," says Mattel in a press release. "So making this track using timeless clips from some of TV's most iconic moments felt like the perfect way to celebrate PRIDE. This is a gay person's brain on HBO Max. Now go put on a blonde wig, click play, and dance."

Categories: IT General, Technology

A TikTok AirTag experiment revealed what happens when you donate clothes to charity

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 16:03

Ever wonder what happens when you donate clothes or old goods to charity? A TikTok creator decided to conduct an experiment to find out.

Creator @moe.haa decided to hide an AirTag in a pair of sneakers he donated to a Red Cross donation bin in Munich, Germany. He then tracked the journey through the Find My app.

Over the course of five days, the creator watched the sneakers cross borders and countries: going through Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia and eventually being placed in a second-hand store in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The journey spanned about 800km from its starting point.

The TikTokker then made a road trip to the resale store, where he found the shoes and bought them back. He asked the store clerk how the shoes ended up there. It turns out, her boss brought them to the store from Germany, where he resides.

SEE ALSO: A little girl's original tune has gone viral on TikTok. Some are calling it the Song of Summer.

According to the German Red Cross website, they have 18,000 donation bins across Germany. The items placed there are sorted into two different recycling models. The first is the "clothing depot model," when the items are sorted by the Red Cross and items are distributed to depots and thrift stores. The second is the "recycler model," in which entire contents of the container are sold to a company. From the second, the proceeds support Red Cross' overarching mission.

Thanks to the AirTag, the creator provided a little insight into how donations actually work. Your clothes may be traveling far, for a good cause.

This is the latest case of AirTags helping out in unusual ways. A London couple, for example, just tracked down their stolen Jaguar using a stashed AirTag inside the car.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bear Season 4: Read all the texts Carmy has sent Mikey since he died

Mashable - Fri, 06/27/2025 - 15:53

Contains spoilers for The Bear Season 4, episode 1.

The Bear Season 4 reveals more about the relationship between Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and his late brother, Mikey (Jon Bernthal), with the season opening with a poignant flashback of the two of them discussing the pipe dream of opening a restaurant together.

That isn't the only insight episode 1 gives us, though. Shortly after the flashback there's another moment, equally poignant but far briefer, in which Carmy sends a text message to his late brother's phone while he's on the way to work — and we see from a close-up that it isn't the only message he's sent.

So what has Carmy texted Mikey since he died, and what does it tell us about their relationship?

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear' Season 4's biggest problem is time: Full season review What messages has Carmy sent to Mikey since he died?

We've transcribed all the undelivered messages that are visible on Carmy's phone screen in Season 4, episode 1, below:

Miss you bro

Sat., Jan. 21

Found the tomato cans

Wed., Apr. 18

You were right about Claire Bear

Fri., May 26

Thinking of you today

Today

The restaurant was called Kerrigan's

Those are pretty brief, but all can be linked back to things that have happened in the show. "Found the tomato cans" is a reference to the end of Season 1, when Carmy finds the $300,000 that Mikey hid in the tomato cans mentioned in the recipe he leaves his brother. "You were right about Claire Bear" throws back to Season 2's brilliant "Fishes" episode, in which Mikey refers to Claire (Molly Gordon) as "the love of your fucking life."

The "thinking of you today" message was sent on opening day of The Bear, the restaurant which we now know Mikey played a key role in naming and funding. And the final message, "The restaurant was called Kerrigan's," relates to the opening flashback we've just seen in episode 1. Kerrigan's is presumably the name of the Irish restaurant that Carmy and Mikey's dad loved.

What do the messages tell us?

Carmy is a character marked by how shut off he is, constantly avoiding difficult subject matters and his own emotions. We know how much he loves his brother though flashbacks, though, and from the rare occasions when he talks about him.

But what the undelivered messages also show is just how much Carmy is thinking about Mikey. During all the most important moments that have happened in Carmy's life over the course of the show – from finding the money to reconnecting with Claire and opening his dream restaurant – Mikey has been on his mind. Sending a text message to his brother's old phone is likely a way for Carmy to feel close to him.

The Bear Season 4 is streaming now on Hulu.

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