Technology
July Fourth party essentials for the perfect summer shindig
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.
Google is changing its emoji layout, again
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 soonAs 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.
10 early Prime Day printer and scanner deals you can shop right now
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 dealsCanon TS202 — $43.99 $53.99 (save $10)
HP DeskJet 2855e — $64.99 $89.99 (save $25)
Canon PIXMA TR4720 — $99.99 $107.99 (save $8)
Canon MegaTank G3270 — $149 $248.99 (save $99.99)
HP ENVY Inspire 7955e — $159.99 $229.99 (save $70)
Epson Workforce Pro WF-4830 — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)
HP Smart Tank 5103 — $199.99 $269.99 (save $70)
Epson Workforce ES-580W — $369.99 $429.99 (save $60)
Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw — $479.99 $702.99 (save $223)
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Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)
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Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $599.99 (List Price $749.99)
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Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)
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Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)
Snag a Google Pixel Tablet for $120 off with this pre-Prime Day deal
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 2025The 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-
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)
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Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $599.99 (List Price $749.99)
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Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)
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Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)
Leaked renders reveal Nothing Phone 3 design
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, displayAs 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.
Save 26% on this Starz and Hallmark+ bundle via Prime Video
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-
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)
-
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)
-
Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $599.99 (List Price $749.99)
-
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)
-
Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)
Trixie Mattel drops summer anthem Gay HBO Max Song
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."
A TikTok AirTag experiment revealed what happens when you donate clothes to charity
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.
The Bear Season 4: Read all the texts Carmy has sent Mikey since he died
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.
Apple's Beats Pill Speaker Is Heavily Discounted Right Now
There aren't a lot of portable speakers that are as iconic as Beats' Pill is. And if you want to grab one for cheap now, the current, most recently released model is just $100 at this moment.
Don't Mix These Components, You Could Destroy Your PC
If you're tempted to reuse an old modular power supply cable on a new power supply, save yourself a lot of trouble and buy a new one instead. You could wind up completely frying thousands of dollars in components otherwise.
Windows Is 'Accidentally' Blocking Chrome and Other Browsers
While Microsoft Edge is nice, most Windows users still resort to third-party browsers. And it's a well-known fact that Windows doesn't like that. So it's a funny coincidence to see that Microsoft is accidentally blocking third-party browsers, even if this time it's an actual accident.
6 Great Shows Returning to Apple TV+ This Season
Apple TV+ is on fire in 2025 with its slew of new and returning content—all of which includes popular titles and long-awaited new seasons. While the first half of the year has focused more on new releases, the second half is taking a different route and debuting new installments of some of its most popular ongoing shows.
Buying Your First Domain? These Are the Best Registrars
So, you’re ready to buy your first domain name? Picking the right domain registrar (a domain seller) out of the gate is important, but there are a lot of options out there. Here are my favorite registrars to use, and some things you need to keep in mind while picking them out.
10 Tech Products I’ll Use Until They Fall Apart
While I’m constantly upgrading my tech—this year, I’ve already gotten a new CPU and GPU, and I’ll likely upgrade my TV and add a couple of PC handhelds to my collection—there are some devices I find so good, I have zero desire to ever replace them. I’ll use these gadgets until they disintegrate.
The iPhone Now Has a Nostalgic Game Boy Camera App
Delta Camera, an app that emulates the monochromatic photo style of Nintendo's old Game Boy Camera, is now available in closed beta. A full release is planned for later this year, though you can gain beta access by contributing to the developer's Patreon.
Google Chrome Is Ditching More Old Android Devices
If you're still using an old Android smartphone or tablet, we have some potentially bad news. Select models running vastly outdated software will lose access to Google Chrome later this summer. Google recently announced that Chrome will only support Android 10.0 or higher starting this August.
Xfinity Has New Unlimited Internet Data Plans
Comcast Xfinity is rolling out a variety of new broadband internet and mobile service plans, along with longer price guarantees. A key feature of these plans is unlimited data, which is a huge issue for households with high internet usage.
Switchbot Now Officially Works With Home Assistant
Home Assistant, the open-source home automation platform, has officially added SwitchBot to its 'Works with Home Assistant' program. This is a big step forward for anyone with smart home appliances because it helps make the ecosystem more complete and easier to manage.
YouTube is injecting more AI into your recommendations
As YouTube fills up with more AI videos, the company is also building on its own AI tools, injecting more AI-powered recommendations into its platform for some users.
The new AI-powered search tool is available for Premium users on mobile devices. When searching for things related to shopping, places, or things to do in a specific location, users may be shown an AI-powered video carousel with results.
Not every query will result in a carousel, but the ones that do should include more relevant videos.
SEE ALSO: YouTube announces new AI tools for its creators: Veo, Communities, auto-dubbing, and moreSo, for example, if you search "best beaches in Hawaii", YouTube will display an AI-generated carousel with clips from several videos and descriptions accompanying the showcased videos.
YouTube is also expanding its conversational AI tool to some non-Premium users across the United States. These users can try out the AI tool, asking it for more information, related recommendations, and summaries.
Back in April, Google announced that an AI-powered feature was coming to YouTube, "providing another way to discover content when searching on YouTube as well as discover topics and information related to your search query." YouTube is owned by Google, which has introduced new AI search tools into Google Search, including AI Overviews and AI Mode. Both those tools are powered by Google's Gemini AI models, and it's no surprise Google would leverage Gemini for YouTube as well.
So, after testing AI search on YouTube with some U.S. users, the official rollout is here.
Premium users can now try it for themselves.