Technology

Thousands of private ChatGPT conversations have been appearing in Google search results because of the chatbot's "Share" feature, which the company recently removed following a backlash.

Fast Company reported this week that ChatGPT users may have inadvertently made their conversations with the AI chatbot public and searchable. The Fast Company report found nearly 4,500 ChatGPT conversations in Google search results, some of them regarding mental health struggles, relationships, and other personal and sensitive topics. Fortunately, the public conversations did not identify the users behind the posts.

How did these conversations end up on the web?

Until recently, ChatGPT users had the ability to share chats with friends, family, or coworkers by making them public. The function worked similarly to the sharing settings on a Google Doc, and users would be given a public link to the chat they could send to others. An additional option gave users the option to make the post "discoverable," and specifically discoverable by Google — whether users realized it or not.

When users created a shareable link to one of their conversations, a pop-up would appear that read: "A public link to your chat has been created." A checkbox also appeared under this message, labeled "Make this chat discoverable." And in fine print below this message, a warning appeared: "Allows it to be shown in web searches."

By checking this box, users were making it possible for their conversations to be indexed by Google, meaning Google's web crawlers could identify the page and make it eligible to appear in search results.

After Fast Company published its report, OpenAI removed the feature, with one company leader calling it a "short-lived experiment."

OpenAI Chief Information Security Officer Dane Stuckey explained on X how the feature worked — and where it ultimately went wrong.

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Even though ChatGPT users had to opt in for their chats to become public, the company decided the potential for user error was simply too high.

As Mashable has reported previously, OpenAI is required to save user conversations — even conversations users have actively deleted — because of an ongoing lawsuit from the New York Times. As part of this suit, OpenAI must retain all conversations indefinitely. (This does not apply to ChatGPT Enterprise or ChatGPT Edu customers, according to OpenAI.)

So, while ChatGPT users can toggle on a "Temporary Chat" feature that's similar to an incognito mode in a web browser, your chat data may still be retained.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

You can program without programming tools, and integrated development environments (IDEs) are popular among developers. I take a different approach. I treat my Linux system, with its array of programming tools, as an IDE in itself.

Google’s link shortener used to be an incredibly popular service, but the ability to create links was turned off in 2018. Google said all links would stop working this year, and even though the company is partially reversing course, many links across the web will still become broken.

Are you using a laptop as a desktop? That’s been my life for years, but after a recent experiment, I actually think that having a dedicated desktop is worth it—even with how great and powerful modern laptops are.

If there’s one thing STAY know for sure about Hyunjin from Stray Kids, it's that the K-pop star has a deep, poetic love for flowers.

Whether he's painting delicate blossoms in his studio or on the road, sharing poems that echo the beauty of nature, or adorning his space with preserved petals, Hyunjin has made it clear: flowers are more than just pretty — they're a core part of how he expresses himself.

SEE ALSO: K-pop rookies KiiiKiii tap into Gen Z's obsession with early internet aesthetics

So it's no surprise that floral phone cases are his actual accessory of choice. On Instagram, the dancer has shared mirror selfies snapped during his global travels on the group's dominATE World Tour, and in several, his iPhone is dressed in a floral-covered case. If you don't know what case we're talking about, pop over to Instagram to see the floral case in question.

These rich, botanical designs perfectly capture his dreamy, introspective energy. And the best part? You can shop the same aesthetic to match your own phone to Hyunjin's signature style.

Romance with an edge

Dark and dramatic, this matte black Roses and Thorns phone case from Casetify is adorned with deep red roses and subtle gold detailing. It's elegant, bold, and unmistakably Hyunjin-coded. The design balances softness with edge, much like Hyunjin's stage presence itself. It's a clear favorite in his rotation and gives off serious romantasy vibes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Roses and Thorns — BioVeg Case MagSafe Compatible $74 at Cafetify
Shop Now Floral nostalgia, Hyunjin-style View this post on Instagram

This one's for the romantics. With dainty bouquets in pink, red, and white set against a matte black background, the Vintage Flower Monday case from Casetify has a worn-in, dreamy vibe, like something out of a vintage diary. The delicate florals and washed tones feel straight from Hyunjin's sketchbook, capturing that quiet elegance he's so known for.

Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify VINTAGE FLOWER MONDAY — Impact Case MagSafe Compatible $64 at Casetify
Shop Now Hyunjin’s elegant life hack: a magnetic cardholder View this post on Instagram

Technically not a case, but definitely 100-percent Hyunjin. This Butterfly Sunday by Monika Strigel magnetic cardholder stand from Casetify features butterflies and white florals, and it’s been spotted attached to his phone more than once. During a 2024 livestream, Hyunjin explained that he'd stopped using a wallet "a long time ago" but kept misplacing his cards. The Snappy™ was a game-changer. He even called the accessory "amazing," and this is the second design he's been seen using. Stylish and practical? Very Hyunjin.

Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Butterfly Sunday by Monika Strigel Snappy Cardholder Stand $38 at Casetify
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These floral cases and accessories are romantic, artsy, and effortlessly cool. Just like him.

This is your last chance to get the original lineup of Nintendo Switch consoles before the prices go up on Aug. 3.

On Friday, Nintendo announced that it would be raising prices on the Nintendo Switch 1, Nintendo Switch OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite, and some Switch accessories. While the Nintendo statement didn't specify how much prices would increase, a popular Nintendo fan account on X spotted higher prices in effect at Target already. If these numbers are correct, then shoppers will soon face these prices:

• Nintendo Switch 1, originally $300, now $339.99

• Nintendo Switch OLED Model, originally $350, now $399.99

• Nintendo Switch Lite, originally $200, now $229.99

• Nintendo Joy-Con 2 controllers, originally $95, now $100

However, these higher prices haven't gone into effect at other retailers, which means gamers have about 48 hours to get the beloved console at the usual price.

As of this writing, all three of these consoles are available for sale at Walmart for their original prices. Unfortunately, the new Switch 2 landed with a higher price tag of $449. While it was consistently out of stock, a recent Switch 2 restock has changed that. But if that $449 price tag still gives you pause, you can still have a lot of fun on the original Switch, one of the greatest gaming consoles ever made.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Lite $199 at Walmart
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch w/ Neon Blue & Neon Red Joy-Con $299 at Walmart
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch OLED $349 at Walmart
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Lossless audio has become one of the buzziest terms in the world of music streaming. Apple Music offers it, as do Amazon Music, Tidal, Qobuz, and others. It’s positioned as a big leap in audio fidelity—a way to hear your favorite tracks the way artists and engineers intended.

KDE developers have announced that you can now test KDE Linux, a completely new Linux distribution currently in a "pre-alpha" phase. It's big news for KDE enthusiasts like myself, as it's meant to be a pure KDE Plasma experience free from the meddling of third-party distro developers.

Some crossovers focus on comfort, while others chase performance, but few manage to deliver both in perfect balance. This luxury compact SUV offers a driving experience that’s as engaging as it is refined, making every trip feel like more than just a commute.

Reddit is planning to unify its traditional site search and "Reddit Answers" AI tool, and give it more prominent placement in the site and mobile apps. The company is hoping to become more of a first destination for information searches, instead of Google or other search engines standing in the way.

Apple is facing high tariff costs in the current quarter, projected to reach a whopping $1.1 billion.

The company's CEO Tim Cook shared the projections, based on current rates and policies, with investors during an earnings call on Thursday. The hike comes amid a continuous trade war between China and the U.S. government.

SEE ALSO: India overtakes China in smartphone exports to U.S.

In the quarter that ended in June, tariffs cost Apple $800 million, which was actually lower than initially anticipated. "The bulk of the tariffs that we paid were the IEEPA [International Emergency Economic Powers Act] tariffs that hit early in the year, related to China," Cook said, according to The Verge.

"There are many factors that could change, including tariff rates," the CEO continued.

In the past, President Donald Trump has specifically threatened Tim Cook and Apple with higher tariffs on iPhones, part of his pressure campaign to move iPhone production to the United States. Experts say that is extremely unlikely to happen, as the U.S. lacks the infrastructure to manufacture flagship smartphones.

In the Thursday earnings call, Cook also shared that the company set a "June quarter revenue record", with growth across its iPhone and Mac products and services divisions. He said the results were "better than expected."

As Mashable reported on Friday, despite economic uncertainty, a negative July jobs report, and the looming threat of tariffs, tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Reddit are still reporting strong revenue this quarter.

The original Nintendo Switch will soon hold a higher price tag in the United States.

On Friday, Nintendo announced that it's raising prices on its old gaming consoles and accessories as a result of "market conditions" beginning Aug. 3. The price of the new Nintendo Switch 2 will remain the same. However, the original Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite, and some Switch accessories will all get higher prices.

The announcement didn't reveal what the new retail price will be for Switch 1 systems, but we have some idea of what to expect.

Nintendo fans (or anyone who's gone searching for Switch 2 restocks) may recognize the X account Wario64, known for tracking Switch inventory online. The account spotted the higher prices already in effect at retailers like Target; the increases range from $30 to $50.

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As Kotaku reports, video game consoles usually go down in price as time goes on and the products get older. But Nintendo is taking another route, and tariffs may be to blame.

While the Nintendo statement didn't mention tariffs, the company referenced "market conditions," a common euphemism for tariffs. This is the exact same language the company used in April, when it paused Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States following the initial round of tariffs. Earlier this year, Microsoft also announced price increases on Xbox consoles (also citing "market conditions"). And in previous reporting, experts have also told Mashable that tariffs have had a big impact on video game consoles and accessories in particular.

"[A] lot of the big electronic brands may have avoided some tariffs by stockpiling inventories earlier in the year, before tariffs were announced," said Rick Kowalski, Senior Director of Business Intelligence at the Consumer Technology Association, in an earlier interview with Mashable about tariffs and tech prices. "Those stockpiles will only last a few months at most, so eventually, importers will need to restock, and they'll import more products at the higher tariff rates."

Nintendo says that prices for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, as well as physical and digital Switch games, will not change yet. However, the company says further "price adjustments may be necessary in the future."

The best back-to-school college deals at a glance: Best school supplies deal Select school supplies at Amazon Save $10 when you spend $50 Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (WiFi, 64GB) $209.99 (save $120) Get Deal Best dorm essentials deal Select dorm essentials at Amazon Get 20% off when you spend $100 Get Deal Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal

It's almost time to head to campus for the new school year. But before you do, you may want to take inventory of what supplies you need, what tech needs upgrading, and what kind of budget you're working with. With President Trump's tariffs set to take effect today, Aug. 1, we could see some major price hikes in the weeks leading up to the beginning of the semester. In other words, a good deal today could end up being a great deal in just a couple of weeks.

Below, we've rounded up the best back-to-school deals: college edition. These include cute and compact coffee makers, noise-cancelling headphones, laptops and tablets, and of course, your basic school supplies. If you're hoping to deck out your dorm on a budget, we've got you covered.

General school supplies deals

• Save $10 when you spend $50 on select school supplies

• Five Star spiral notebook 6-pack + study app — $17.99 $26.99 (save $9)

• 20% off for students on your next qualifying storewide purchase with Circle

• 30% off select backpacks

• Buy one get one 25% off BIC and Pilot writing tools

Laptop and tablet deals

Check out our extensive list of all the best back-to-school laptop deals.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (WiFi, 64GB) — $209.99 $329.99 (save $120)

• Apple 11-inch iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Lenovo Idea Tab Pro (MediaTek Dimensity 8300, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $309.99 $379.99 (save $70)

• Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (Intel i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $379 $479 (save $100)

• Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $479 $599 (save $120)

• Apple 11-inch iPad Air (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $499 $599 (save $100)

• Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $549.99 $849.99 (save $300)

• HP OmniBook X Flip 14 (Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $579.99 $849.99 (save $270)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $599 $649 (save $150)

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

• Apple 13-inch iPad Air (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $699 $799 (save $100)

• Acer Swift 14 AI (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $729.99 $1,199.99 (save $470)

• Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)

• Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (AMD Ryzen 9 270, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,799.99 (save $450)

• Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399.99 $1,749.99 (save $350)

Dorm essentials deals

• Get 20% off dorm essentials when you spend $100

• Get a $15 Amazon credit when you spend $50 on household essentials

• Get a $15 Target gift card when you spend $50 on household essentials

• 20% off select Brightroom and Hefty storage and organization items

• 15% off select Ninja kitchen gadgets with code CLASS15

• Get 20% off Casper mattresses, toppers, pillows, and more

• Philips Hue 10-foot LED lightstrip base kit — $49.98 $76.99 (save $27.01)

• Dreo TurboPoly 13-inch table fan — $53.95 $66.99 (save $13.04)

• Chefman 4-quart compact air fryer — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Keurig K-Mini Mate — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ — $89 $129 (save $40)

• Bissell Little Green Pet Deluxe — $100 $139.99 (save $39.99)

• Bissell Crosswave Turbo — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Shark Cordless Pet Power — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

Noise-cancelling headphones deals

• Anker Soundcore Life Q20 noise-cancelling headphones — $41.79 $65.99 (save $24.20)

• Beats Studio Buds+ — $129.95 $169.95 (save $40)

• Bose QuietComfort earbuds — $149 $179 (save $30)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $189 $229 (save $40)

• Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds — $213 $329.99 (save $116.99)

• Bose QuietComfort headphones — $229 $349 (save $120)

• Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)

Other tech deals

• onn mini wireless keyboard — $9.88 $14.88 (save $5)

• Apple AirTag — $25.99 $29 (save $3.01)

• Anker Nano 7-in-1 charging station — $35.99 $49.99 (save $14)

• Apple AirTags (4-pack) — $79.98 $99 (save $19.02)

• Anker laptop power bank — $94.49 $134.99 (save $40.50)

• Hisense 40-inch H4 FHD TV — $118 $168 (save $50)

• onn 50-inch 4K TV — $178 $329 (save $151)

• Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $289.99 $389.99 (save $100)

Subscription deals

• Hulu — $1.99/month $9.99/month (save $8/month)

• Peacock — $2.99/month for 12 months $10.99/month (save $8/month)

• Spotify Premium Student — free for 6 months, then $5.99/month $11.99/month (save $6/month)

• Walmart+ — $49/year $98/year (save $49)

• Paramount+ Premium — $6.49/month $12.99/month (save $6.50/month)

• Target Circle 360 — $49/year $99/year (save $50/year)

• Amazon Prime Student — free for 6 months, then $7.49/month $14.99/month (save $7.50/month)

The ink is dry, the papers are signed, and T-Mobile is officially the proud owner of UScellular. The acquisition that started over a year ago is now complete. Over four million new customers are coming to the Magenta side, and if you're one of them, you might be wondering what that means for you.

The world's gone digital, and the best apps for sexting open up a whole new dimension for your sex life.

Sexting (aka dirty talk, swapping nudes, raunchy audio messages, etc.) is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Sexting is a fun way to explore your sexuality and connect with others on a deeper level, especially when you’re not physically together.

And it’s not just a feeling — recent studies are showing the tangible benefits of sexting. One March 2025 review that looked at 70 scientific papers found that the perks of consensual sexting generally fall into three categories: individual benefits from the act itself (like exploring your desires, safe experimentation, and both sexual pleasure), individual benefits from your partner’s reaction (think validation, feeling better about yourself, and owning your sexual agency), and relationship benefits (feeling more connected emotionally and sexually).

Of course, overthinking isn't a great approach to sexting. We're here to have fun, after all.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting What is sexting, exactly?

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, that’s OK! Sexting is just “sex” and “texting” mashed together. It could mean sending sexy snaps, video or audio clips, or writing out a steamy message.

A long time ago, sexting was something you’d only hear about when someone was having an affair or a celebrity’s nudes were leaked. But nowadays, it’s the norm for many couples and single people alike.

Whether you’re in a committed relationship, single and swiping, looking for a regular sexting buddy or friend with benefits, or wanting to amp up your solo sesh with steamy instructions from an AI companion, sexting offers a healthy way to explore your sexuality.

Credit: Zain Bin Awais / Mashable SEE ALSO: The cherry emoji and 14 other emoji you can use to sext What are the best apps for sexting in 2025?

To find the best sexting apps, we tested dozens of platforms, evaluating them on what matters most: privacy controls, ease of use, inclusivity, and the effectiveness of their communication tools. Based on our real-world use (yep, we actually signed up and used 'em!), these are the top apps for safe, fun, and discreet sexting. You might even recognize some from our guides to the best dating apps and hookup apps.

Where can I find someone to sext? 

Good news: You definitely don't need to be partnered up to find someone to sext with. There are plenty of apps (and websites) out there designed to connect you with people looking for some digital heat, often pretty quickly.

Just be sure to keep an eye out for sketchy platforms, bots, and catfishing scams. Finding safe, reliable, and genuinely fun options is exactly why curated recommendations (like the ones in this guide!) are so helpful.

Sexting safety

To get the lowdown on sexting safely, we talked to Gary Orenstein, Chief Customer Officer at Bitwarden (an open-source password manager).

"If an app is being used to share intimate content, privacy features cannot be optional — they’re essential," he tells Mashable. What tops his list? "First and foremost, end-to-end encryption is critical," so only you and your partner see the messages, not even the app company itself.

Orenstein also recommends looking for apps with "built-in controls, such as disappearing messages and self-destructing media [which] help minimize long-term exposure of shared materials" and features like "screenshot detection or alerts [that] can discourage unauthorized saving," though these aren't always foolproof.

"The most overlooked risk is the assumption that encryption alone guarantees privacy," Orenstein adds. "Even with end-to-end encryption, apps cannot prevent screenshots, screen recordings, or physical access to an unlocked device." He stresses that basic device-level safeguards, such as strong passcodes, biometric locks, and up-to-date software, are essential. And ultimately, "Privacy depends not only on technical safeguards, but also on the trustworthiness of the recipient."

SAVE $20: As of August 1, get the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 for $39.99, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's a discount of 33% and its lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20 Get Deal

If you spend a lot of time on your Nintendo Switch 2 talking to your friends in GameChat, you might want to also add a way for them to see your face. Not everyone wants to be on camera all day long (especially for work), but it can add some fun to hangouts with your buddies, and it can also enhance some of your Switch 2 games. But if you don't want to buy or feel like the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is for you, you've got an alternative: a Piranha Plant-shaped camera that's a lot more fun. And it's gone down to its lowest price yet.

As of August 1, get the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 for $39.99, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's $20 off and a discount of 33%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Direct: See all the new games coming to the Switch 2, plus a bonus Hyrule trailer

This USB-C camera connects straight to your Switch 2 and is compatible with your system whether you use TV mode, tabletop mode, or portable mode. It enables video chat via GameChat, and it lets you use the camera-based features in all the games that the Switch 2 supports. For example, Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV comes with a special mode built around using your face in-game as you compete on a special game show.

You'll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership to use GameChat, however, so keep that in mind when purchasing the camera. And if you're not really interested in using it too much beyond game additions, you won't need the membership. And don't be shy about buying it just so you have an excuse to have a miniature Piranha Plant in your house. Absolutely no one is going to fault you for that.

Are you on the fence with whether you should run a homelab? Well, what started as a small journey has now become the cornerstone of my house. I’m not kidding when I say that my homelab is the most useful and functional part of my home.

Best Ninja deals Best air fryer deal Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer with 7qt MegaZone (DZ071) $157.49 (save $42.50) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Twisti High Speed Blender Duo; Euro-Pro Bundle $101.14 (save $38.85) Get Deal Best cookware deal Ninja NeverStick Essential 10-Piece Cookware Set (C19000) $229.49 (save $40.50) Get Deal

Believe it or not, back-to-school season is in full swing. Retailers are using this as a chance to sell off their summer inventory before we settle into fall. (I’ve already seen Halloween decorations out, and at Hobby Lobby, even Christmas stuff — which is too far, even for me). Right now, you can find deals on just about anything a student might need, from Kindles and MacBooks to printers and dorm decor (with most at record-low prices).

And in a surprisingly smart move, Ninja is getting in on the action. Through August 12, its Back to School Sale gets you 15% off select items (including blenders, air fryers, and cookware) with the code CLASS15.

To save you some scrolling, we’ve sorted through the offers to find the very best deals from the sale.

Best air fryer deal Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer with 7qt MegaZone (DZ071) $157.49 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $42.50 Get Deal Why we like it

If there's one appliance college students swear by, it's the air fryer. They’re easy to use, whip up a full meal in minutes, and don’t require a ton of cleanup.

Right now, you can get the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer with 7qt MegaZone for $169.99 with the code CLASS15. Normally, this appliance goes for $199.99, so you’re saving $30 with this deal. (You’ll notice that some items aren’t included in the sale, but I’ve double-checked to make sure all of my selections are.) If you want to save even more, we found the same model at Amazon for $157.49.

The Ninja Foodi FlexBasket has one large MegaZone basket that can be divided into two 3.5-quart baskets when you need to cook two different foods at once. So, chicken nuggies on one side and fries on the other — done.

The Dual Zone technology and Smart Finish feature mean that both zones will be done at the same time. You can also sync the settings with Match Cook to cook one large meal in a single 7-quart basket. With six cooking functions (air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate), you’ll be able to cook just about anything.

Best blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Twisti High Speed Blender Duo; Euro-Pro Bundle (SS151) $101.14 at Ninja
$139.99 Save $38.85 Use code CLASS15 Get Deal Why we like it

Getting a quick breakfast or mid-day protein shake in the campus dining hall can get pricey, so it's a good idea to have a blender on hand.

The Ninja Twisti High Speed Blender Duo; Euro-Pro Bundle is currently on sale for $101.14 with the code CLASS15. (Amazon, and a few other retailers like Target and Crate & Barrel, aren’t matching this price, so that means this is the lowest you can get right now.)

This deal includes a 1600 peak-watt motor base, pitcher with Twist Tamper and drizzle cap, 34-ounce high-speed pitcher, one 18-ounce Nutrient Extraction single-serve cup and spout lid, one 24-ounce Nutrient Extraction single-serve cup and spout lid, and a recipe guide.

The coolest thing about this blender is the Twist Tamper lid, which pushes the ingredients down while it blends, so you don’t have to stop mid-way and shake it around or scrape the sides with a spoon. The removable drizzle cap is a nice add-on, too. This way, you can add ingredients while blending without removing the entire lid. The single-serve cups are perfect for taking smoothies on the go, and the spout lid makes for less mess.

If you're looking for something that's smaller and more portable, the Ninja Blast Portable Blender is also on sale for $59.49 with code CLASS15.

Best cookware deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja NeverStick Essential 10-Piece Cookware Set (C19000) $229.49 at Ninja
$269.99 Save $40.50 Use code CLASS15 Get Deal Why we like it

An air fryer can do a lot, but it can’t do everything. When you need to boil pasta or sauté veggies, you’ll need some quality cookware.

The Ninja NeverStick Essential 10-Piece Cookware Set is currently on sale for $229.49, which is an absolute steal for 10 pieces of cookware. (It’s also out of stock at Amazon.)

The best feature of this cookware (aside from the fact that it’s designed to withstand chips or flaking) is that you can pop it right in the oven. All of the pots, pans, and lids are oven-safe up to 500°F. It’s also all dishwasher-safe, for quick and easy cleaning. And you’ll get a 10-year warranty under the Ninja 10 Year Guarantee.

This set includes an 8-inch frying pan, 12-inch frying pan, 1.5-quart saucepan with glass lid, 2.5-quart saucepan with glass lid, 3-quart sauté pan with glass lid, and a 6.5-quart stock pot with glass lid. What more could you need going into soup season?

If you're wondering why tech companies like Meta, Reddit, and Apple reported strong earnings this week despite President Donald Trump's tariffs, well, the tariffs may be the answer. No, the tariffs didn't help these companies, but they did lower expectations. The lower the bar, the easier it is to clear.

Yahoo Finance noted that second-quarter earnings were largely trending positive and that "analysts tempered their expectations amid President Trump's tariffs, stocks' lofty valuations, and uncertainty about the health of the US economy."

Meta, for instance, brought in Q2 revenues of $47.5 billion versus $44.8 billion expected. Still, the company had a good quarter regardless of lowered expectations. Its sales revenue was up 22 percent year over year, and ad revenues saw an upward bump, too.

Reddit saw soaring revenues as well. It brought in $500 million, which far surpassed Wall Street's expectations of $425 million. Apple's revenue was up 10 percent year over year, coming in at $94 billion versus $89.5 billion expected. Reddit just barely beat expectations for daily active users, even as Google's AI push has put a damper on web traffic for most sites. (Reddit has partnered with Google and increased its visibility in Google Search.) It also saw its revenue from licensing deals grow. Apple, meanwhile, beat expectations largely on the strength of iPhone sales, which grew 13 percent year over year.

In short, these tech companies saw strong sales despite significant headwinds and lowered expectations. Still, it's not like the effects of Trump's tariffs and a shaky economy are totally absent. Apple, for instance, estimated tariffs would cost the company $1.1. billion this quarter alone. In addition, a negative July jobs report is increasing economic unease, even among Trump loyalists.

The IRS's free Direct File program — a new initiative that allowed taxpayers to complete their taxes using free, guided tax software approved by the federal agency — is no more, following a push by the Trump administration to axe the service as part of his One Big Beautiful Bill.

The move, which was speculated to happen following the bill's passing, was seemingly confirmed earlier this week, after IRS Commissioner Billy Long told attendees of the National Association of Enrolled Agents Tax Summit that the program was "gone."

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Long provided that the agency's new focus is modernized "audit tech," saying: "You’ve heard of Direct File, that’s gone. Big beautiful Billy wiped that out. I don’t care about Direct File. I care about direct audit.” According to an internal IRS report, more than 300,000 Americans used the service in 2025.

The agency's Free File prep service was launched for the 2025 tax season after a pilot period in 2024, galvanized by pressure from political leaders and advocates. Following Long's comments, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others accused the Trump administration of siding with large tax preparation companies, such as H&R Block and TurboTax owner Intuit, capitulating to their tax interests over Americans. "Direct File was an easy way for Americans to file their taxes for FREE each year. It's a no-brainer — and it's popular. So why in the world did the Trump administration kill it? To give a huge handout to giant tax prep companies like TurboTax that rip Americans off," she wrote in a July 29 post on X.

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The IRS has not yet confirmed the end of Free File, but did allude to potential private partnerships that would replace the prep service. "Commissioner Billy Long is committed to modernizing the IRS and providing a taxpayer experience that meets today’s expectations, which includes giving taxpayers transparency into the status of their tax returns and audits," an IRS spokesperson told CNBC. "We look forward to Treasury’s forthcoming report to Congress on the Direct File program and on potential public-private partnership alternatives to Direct File, as required by the One Big Beautiful Bill."