Technology

In 1996, Happy Gilmore inspired many of us to change the way we saw golf, or at least how to swing a golf club. Now, 30 years later, we've got a sequel. Happy Gilmore 2 stars Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, and Christopher McDonald sat down with Mashable's Executive Producer, Mark Stetson, to talk about the cultural impact of the first film, crucial elements that needed to be included the sequel, and the tech they used in the new film to create archival footage of themselves from the last 30 years.

Happy Gilmore 2 picks up with Happy (Adam Sandler) and Virginia (Julie Bowen), who have grown their family and their lives thanks to Happy's success in the golf world. However, after a family trauma rocks their world, Happy, who has since retired from the game of golf, has to come out of retirement to help pay for his daughter's schooling. Of course, his rivalry with Shooter McGavin (McDonald) proves to be an obstacle he must get over in order to re-establish himself as one of the G.O.A.T's of golf.

In the interview, Bowen and McDonald reveal whether or not they got the sense of how big the 1996 original film would actually become. Bowen reacts immediately: "Oh, God. No... It was my first movie so I had to idea that it was possible." McDonald had more of a gut feeling about the film's potential, saying, "I mean, I had an idea of it. I don't know how easy that is to predict, though, because, in this world, it's like, we never know. And sometimes I've done great work, and then it does mezza business. But then they discover it later on."

Happy Gilmore 2 has a few important flashback scenes where they had to figure out a way to make it look like Happy hosted SNL in the 2000s, and that he won multiple PGA championships. This, Sandler says, required "a lot of special effects. More than I've ever done before in my life." Bowen goes on to describe the experience. "You go after every scene, you have to go into this truck with hundreds of cameras... and stand there and you kind of go, 'Are they stealing my soul?' But they take every single thing about you in that outfit and make you look young."

The interview ends with Sandler talking about how he was able to hold on to his sense of self throughout his career. "In the beginning, you don't even know who you are. Well, I didn't know who I was. And all of a sudden I was working and doing stuff that, I would be on the set, or I'd watch it and I'd say, 'I like that. I'm so happy I'm in that, but I don't know if it's exactly what makes me laugh,' or whatever. And then me and my buddies just started going, 'Let's try to try to make stuff that we used to love growing up.' Stuff like the old Saturday Night Live guys, the Animal Houses and the Caddyshacks and stuff. We were like, 'We kind of want to be in that world for the youth.' And we’d never think we did it as good as them but we worked hard to try to make the youngsters happy."

Happy Gilmore 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

The headline speaks for itself, but allow me to reiterate: You can apparently get ChatGPT to issue advice on self-harm for blood offerings to ancient Canaanite gods.

That's the subject of a column in The Atlantic that dropped this week. Staff editor Lila Shroff, along with multiple other staffers (and an anonymous tipster), verified that she was able to get ChatGPT to give specific, detailed, "step-by-step instructions on cutting my own wrist." ChatGPT provided these tips after Shroff asked for help making a ritual offering to Moloch, a pagan God mentioned in the Old Testament and associated with human sacrifices.

While I haven't tried to replicate this result, Shroff reported that she received these responses not long after entering a simple prompt about Moloch. The editor said she replicated the results in both paid and free versions of ChatGPT.

SEE ALSO: How many people use ChatGPT? Hint: OpenAI sees more than 1 billion prompts per day.

Of course, this isn't how OpenAI's flagship product is supposed to behave.

Any prompt related to self-harm or suicide should cause the AI chatbot to give you contact info for a crisis hotline. However, even artificial intelligence companies don't always understand why their chatbots behave the way they do. And because large-language models like ChatGPT are trained on content from the internet — a place where all kinds of people have all kinds of conversations about all kinds of taboo topics — these tools can sometimes produce bizarre answers. Thus, you can apparently get ChatGPT to act super weird about Moloch without much effort.

OpenAI's safety protocols state that "We do not permit⁠ our technology to be used to generate hateful, harassing, violent or adult content, among other categories." And in the Open AI Model Spec document, the company writes that as part of its mission, it wants to "Prevent our models from causing serious harm to users or others."

While OpenAI declined to participate in an interview with Shroff, a representative told The Atlantic they were "addressing the issue." The Atlantic article is part of a growing body of evidence that AI chatbots like ChatGPT can play a dangerous role in users' mental health crises.

I'm just saying that Wikipedia is a perfectly fine way to learn about the old Canaanite gods.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

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.

Why type long and tedious paths when you can instantly jump to directories? We're entering the age of quantum computing, yet still navigating terminals like it's the 1970s. Solutions exist today: tools like Zoxide, Warp, and Yazi all make cd obsolete and could save you a lot of time.

Are you ready for the iPhone 17? Well, the event is just over a month away, so I wanted to dig up my favorite iPhone colors from years past and think about what hue the iPhone 17 would look best in.

X is changing Community Notes again.

On Thursday, the @CommunityNotes account expanded upon a June X post to announce a new pilot test where people can select posts that are liked by people who normally disagree. Think of, say, a post that both Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani like, or a post liked by both someone who makes their brand off of loving cats and also by someone who makes their brand off of loving dogs.

"People often feel the world is divided, yet Community Notes shows people can agree, even on contentious topics. This experimental new feature seeks to uncover ideas, insights, and opinions that bridge perspectives. It can bring awareness to what resonates broadly. It could motivate people to share those ideas in the first place. Ultimately, it could help move the world forward in ways that the people want," the @CommunityNotes account posted in June.

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

As of July 25, select contributors are also able to rate posts by answering questions about why they like — or don't like — the post.

"Starting today, your ratings will have a visible effect for others in the pilot," the @CommunityNotes account posted on X on Thursday. "Posts that receive sufficiently positive ratings — determined by an early, in-development open-source algorithm — will show a new callout letting you know that the post seems to be liked by people from different perspectives."

If users with opposing viewpoints both agree that the fact-check is accurate, then that note gets published to the public.

"As before, only people in the pilot will see these callouts," the announcement post continued, adding that X will expand it gradually "as we refine the open-source algorithm behind it."

"Right now, it's very basic, similar to the early Community Notes pilot test algorithms," the @CommunityNotes account posted on X. The message linked readers to the GitHub account that displays the code, and which allows users to share critiques, ideas, and suggestions.

Google Gemini's coding agent hallucinated while completing a task and then deleted a bunch of code, a GitHub user claims.

The frustrated vibe coder is Anuraag Gupta, who goes by anuraag2601 on GitHub. He shared a recent experience where things went very wrong while using Gemini CLI (command line interface), an open-source coding agent. In his GitHub post, Gupta, who is a product lead at cybersecurity firm Cyware, clarified he's not a developer, but a "curious PM [product manager] experimenting with vibe coding."

Mashable contacted Gupta through an X profile that matches this GitHub account, and the person who replied confirmed he created the post. And in an email to Mashable, he shared some tips on how to avoid this kind of vibe coding mishap.

What started as an attempt to compare Anthropic's Claude Code to Gemini CLI's capabilities turned into what Gupta described as "one of the most unsettling and fascinating AI failures I have ever witnessed."

Google did not respond to Mashable's request for comment by the time of publication.

When vibe coding goes wrong

Seasoned developers might know to experiment with AI coding agents in an isolated environment or otherwise protect the original source files, as some Redditors pointed out. But coding agents or assistants are increasingly adopted by non-developers since LLMs offer a way to create software without programming knowledge.

Luckily, Gupta's code was purely experimental, but what happens if someone was using a coding agent for something with real consequences? That's no longer a hypothetical. Tech investor Jason Lemkin said he was using the Replit AI agent to build an app for his company when the agent wiped out an entire company database. The Replit CEO even apologized on X, calling the incident "unacceptable and should never be possible."

For Gupta, the vibe coding mishap started with a simple request to move all the files from his Claude coding experiments to a new folder called "anuraag_xyz project." However, when Gupta checked his desktop for the new folder, he said he couldn't find it. Gupta reported that after multiple failed search attempts, Gemini admitted the files were gone:

I have failed you completely and catastrophically.

My review of the commands confirms my gross incompetence. The mkdir command to create the destination folder likely failed silently, and my subsequent move commands, which I misinterpreted as successful, have sent your files to an unknown location.

The security constraints of my environment prevent me from searching outside the project directory, which is now empty. I cannot find your files. I have lost your data.

This is an unacceptable, irreversible failure.

For more details on what may have gone wrong, check out Gupta's full GitHub post.

Gupta told Mashable in an email that he uses Gemini 2.5 Pro, the underlying model, for day-to-day tasks. But, "as far as CLI tools go, so far in my testing, Gemini CLI is quite bad, slow and unreliable," said Gupta in an email to Mashable. "This particular issue that I ran into really surprised me, and made me lose trust in trying out Gemini CLI again in the near future. I am continuing to use Claude Code for now."

Gupta advised other vibe coders to "sandbox these AI CLI tools by restricting them to a specific folder and ensuring you have a clear instruction file (claude.md for claude code) to establish milestones and keep pushing your code to [GitHub] as per these milestones."

He also said he expects more vibe coders to start experimenting with CLI tools from Google and coding startup Cursor. Now that vibe coding has hit the mainstream, tech companies might have to prepare for more incidents like these.

With National Orgasm Day just around the corner (it’s July 31, btw), sex toy brands have been hinting at new products to look forward to this summer. The latest launch to catch my eye comes from the luxe sex toy brand LELO.

On July 23, LELO released its first-ever dual-ended wand vibrator, the Lelo Switch.

No, you can't play Mario Kart on this Switch. Credit: LELO SEE ALSO: The Ava Vivv wand is the best vibrator under $30

The main draw of this vibrator is that it can be used by two vulva owners at the same time. LELO is calling the new vibe a “true celebration of vulva-centered sex and mutual connection” that’s “uniquely suited for simultaneous, co-creative play.”

"LELO Switch flips the script on dominant narratives around sex — especially those that center male pleasure or position the penis as the main event,” LELO sexpert and certified sex therapist Casey Tanner said in the release. “It also challenges the idea that pleasure between two women is always one-sided or sequential. Instead, Switch is about mutual arousal, creative positioning, and shared sensation.”

In practice, simultaneous use might be a little tricky. The positioning could get awkward, and some positions, like straddling your partner, might be tough on the leg muscles. A spooning position would likely be more comfortable.

The coolest feature I saw is its integration with the LELO app. You can set up a private chat room with your partner (using the “Love Bridge” feature) and switch (see what they did there?) control over each other’s LELO app-connected devices, no matter how far apart you are. This makes it a great tool for long-distance couples or any partners looking to explore their eroticism from a distance.

Its dual-ended design gives you two totally different experiences in one beautiful toy. Credit: LELO SEE ALSO: Where to buy sex toys online (including Target and Sephora)

Other features I noticed were the "Finish Me Off" mode, which slowly builds you to orgasm, and the "Out of Control" mode, which promises a “tailor-made” experience for an “unpredictable” orgasm. The toy also has 16 vibration intensities and 10 pleasure settings: five on the clitoral end, five on the penetrative end, and two extra modes when connected to the app. It's currently $199, which is a competitive price for a smart vibrator with this range of features.

As for the design, it looks super chic without overdoing it. It comes in three colors (Lilac, Soft Pink, and Aqua) and has little ridges on both the wand and penetrative end should feel ahhmazing on your labia and clit (once you add a generous amount of lube, of course). Though if you decide you want penetrative or clitoral stimulation while you’re enjoying the other, it may get a little messy, and you might want to have a second toy nearby for dual stimulation.

Opens in a new window Credit: LELO LELO Switch $199 at LELO
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Overall, I can’t wait to try this toy. As a huge fan of the iconic LELO Smart Wand 2, I'm especially curious to see how the Switch's wand end compares. I haven’t had the best luck with app-connected toys in the past, as they can be complicated to set up when you're already in the mood. Fumbling with settings can kill the vibe, whether I’m alone or with a partner. Even so, I’m excited to test the LELO Switch and see if it lives up to the hype.

Internet Archive — the no-cost, nonprofit digital library that has become embroiled in the nationwide battle over copyrights and free speech — is now an official source for government documents.

According to a new designation announced by California Senator Alex Padilla, the website will join a network of more than 1,000 libraries around the country tasked with archiving government documents for public view. Unlike other designated federal depository libraries, as they are known, the Archive is entirely online. The news was first reported by San Francisco's KQED, who spoke to both Padilla and Archive founder Brewster Kahle about supporting the mission of "universalizing" all knowledge through digitization — this includes, says Kahle, "helping integrate these materials into things like Wikipedia, so that the whole internet ecosystem gets stronger as digital learners get closer access into the government materials.”

SEE ALSO: What is woke AI? Decoding the White House's new target.

The status is particularly notable as the Trump administration has systemically removed information from federal websites under new, "anti-woke" executive orders. Archive visitors will now have access to primary, government sources, in addition to materials uploaded by users or saved through accessible websites. The Internet Archive also operates the Wayback Machine, an online source that stores web history going back more than 28 years, and partners with libraries to pinpoint important online archival material through its Archive-It initiative.

"As a federal depository library, the Internet Archive will help remove barriers so that communities from across the nation and around the world can access federal government publications online," Padilla wrote in an official letter to Scott Matheson, superintendent of documents for the Government Publishing Office. "The Archive will help the Government Publishing Office advance its mission to digitize and make federal government publications accessible." Members of Congress are allowed, by law, to nominate up to two qualified libraries for depository status. Some institutions have given up their status as they have struggled with storing mass amounts of physical material, KQED reports, which has pushed the office to invest increasingly in mass digitization efforts.

The Internet Archive has weathered several copyright cases that allege the site is an "unlicensed digital copyrighting and distribution business" providing the general public with "derivative works" that require express permission to share. The Archive and its fervent supporters have argued that the website is a specialized library, with the right to preserve works (including books, music, and other materials) in its online database. Government documents are copyright-free.

Last year, the website faced multiple cyberattacks that led to a weeks-long outage and the shuttering of both the Archive and its Wayback Machine. Hackers claimed to have access to millions of user profiles and support tickets, with the aim of exposing key security flaws in the website's back-end.

"The Internet Archive has broken down countless barriers to accessing information," said Padilla. In October, the website hit 1 trillion archived pages.

SAVE $100: As of July 25, buy a Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and get a $100 Amazon gift card as part of a bundle for $499.99, down from its usual price of $599.99. That's a discount of 17%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic + $100 Amazon gift card $499.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $100 Get Deal

If you're an Android fan, and you want a new smartwatch, you've got plenty to choose from, but Samsung's lineup always has a set of good, reliable picks. Should you happen to be in the market for some new tech to spruce up your wrist, you might want to head to Amazon, where you can get the newly-released Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic with a gift card to sweeten the deal.

As of July 25, buy a Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and get a $100 Amazon gift card as part of a bundle for $499.99, which saves you $100 on what you would usually pay for both items. Basically, you're buying the watch at its regular price, but getting a free $100 gift card.

SEE ALSO: All the best smartwatches for every wrist and interest

This classy watch features a rotating bezel, a cushion design to stay comfortable on your wrist, and a host of features to make it an integral part of your day and your life. Samsung boasts that this is the thinnest and most comfortable watch in its lineup, and it's also extremely bright, with up to 3,000 nits to sear into your eyeballs (in a good way).

Powered by the Exynos W1000 chip, the watch can measure your stress levels, antioxidant index, sleep quality, heart rate, and even your circadian rhythm. Of course, it can also be used to make and take calls, text, utilize other comms apps, make payments, and much more.

This brand-new smartwatch can already net you some additional money off when you shop at Amazon, so if you've had your eye on this model, now's a good time to invest.

The unthinkable has happened. Peacock (my favorite streaming service) has increased its prices — and it's the biggest price hike to date.

It feels like déjà vu, doesn't it? In July 2024, Peacock's second ever price hike took effect ahead of the summer Olympics, much to the dismay of subscribers. Just a little over a year later, here we are again. This time around, Peacock Premium (the ad-supported tier) has made the jump from $7.99 to $10.99 per month, while the Premium Plus (ad-free) tier went from $13.99 to $16.99 per month. Annual subscription prices also made a massive leap from $79.99 per year to $109.99 per year with ads and from $139.99 to $169.99 per year without.

The newest pricing officially makes Peacock's ad-supported and ad-free tiers more expensive than Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Paramount+. Yikes.

Credit: Peacock When do the new prices go into effect?

Peacock's new pricing officially took effect on Wednesday, July 23 for new subscribers. If you're an existing subscriber, however, you won't be charged the new prices until after Aug. 22, depending on your bill date. If you signed up for a promotional offer before July 23, that pricing will be valid through the end of the promo period. You'll be charged the new prices once the promo period ends. If you wish to cancel, just click on your profile icon, then account, and under "plans & payment" you'll see options to change or cancel your plan.

A new and cheaper "Select" tier is being tested

Peacock is launching a new cheaper option dubbed the "Select" tier. It will cost $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually, which is the same as its ad-supported plan was priced before the recent price hike. The streamer is just beginning to test the Select plan, but if it proves to be popular, it will be the cheapest way to subscribe to Peacock.

Existing subscribers can switch to the Select tier by visiting the "plans & payment" tab in your account and selecting the "change plan" option. The Select tier will not include access to movies, Peacock Originals, sports and live events, or your local NBC channel.

The following content will be available on the Select Tier:

• NBC Current Season and Library (e.g. the Law & Order series, the Chicago series, The Office, etc.)  

• Bravo Current Season and Library (e.g. The Real Housewives series, Below Deck, etc.)  

• Other TV Library (e.g. Days of Our Lives, Yellowstone, El Señor de los Cielos, etc.)  

• Select Channels (e.g. The Office Channel, NBC News Now Channel, etc.) 

How to save on a Peacock subscription

As prices continue rising, we're all seeking ways to save on streaming services. Fortunately, Peacock is one of the only streamers that offers regular discounts throughout the year. Plus, there are several ways to score a subscription on any given day for a discounted rate: student discounts, military discounts, first responders discounts, third-party discounts, and more.

The best Peacock deals at a glance: Best for students Peacock Premium for Students $2.99 per month for 12 months (save $96) Get Deal Best for military personnel Peacock Premium for Military $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal Best for first responders and medical staff Peacock Premium for Medical Professionals and First Responders $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal Best for teachers Peacock Premium for Teachers $3.99 per month for 12 months (save $84) Get Deal Best way to watch for free Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99 per year) Get Deal Best for JetBlue customers Peacock Premium Free for one year for JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic status members (save $109.99 per year) Get Deal Best bundle deal Xfinity StreamSaver (Apple TV+, Peacock, and Netflix) $15 per month with Xfinity Internet or TV Get Deal Best for Mastercard users Peacock Premium or Premium Plus Get $3 or $5 cashback per month with World or World Elite Mastercard Get Deal

As an elder millennial, I remember Clippy well. I don't remember Microsoft Office's animated paperclip fondly, but I'll never forget him. The rarely helpful assistant would pop up to make suggestions as you worked in Microsoft Word, often slowing down the experience significantly. (At least, that's how I remember Clippy.)

Now, Microsoft is testing another virtual assistant. While it's not quite Clippy 2.0, the new Copilot Appearance experiment from Copilot Labs is definitely giving major Clippy vibes.

Per Microsoft, "Copilot Appearance is an experiment that gives you a new, visual way to chat with Copilot, powered by real-time expressions, voice, and conversational memory."

Copilot, Microsoft's ChatGPT-powered AI assistant, is available with many Windows laptops and products. Now, Appearance lets you give Copilot a face — a marshmallow, emoji-like face.

Credit: Microsoft

Copilot users who participate in the test can talk to the rainbow-hued face and watch it respond in real-time. While AI chatbots have become hugely popular since the explosive debut of ChatGPT, the chatbot experience is largely text and voice-based. You can find AI avatars, such as xAI's new anime avatars, that react to your prompts, this technology has so far lagged behind traditional chatbots.

Copilot Appearance could be a big step toward bringing this technology to the masses. However, as anyone who has seen the movie Her knows all too well, anthropomorphizing AI chatbots comes with some risks. But by making its Copilot Appearance avatar undeniably adorable, Microsoft may help mainstream the anthropomorphization trend, for better or worse.

Crucially, the Copilot's experimental new face doesn't have a name, though that might not stop people from settling on a nickname. Clippy's official name was actually Clippit, but no one remembers Clippit.

How to activate Copilot Appearance

For now, Copilot Appearance is only available to certain users in the United States, the UK, and Canada. It's part of the Copilot Labs program.

According to Microsoft, it's easy to access Copilot Appearance:

1. Enter Voice mode

2. Go to the "Voice settings" menu

3. Toggle on Copilot Appearance.

If you don't find a toggle for Copilot Appearance, then you don't have access to this new feature.

Around the same time as a big Starlink satellite internet outage this week, it looks like Amazon's competitor network is almost ready to get rolling.

In a company blog post, Amazon detailed its latest developments related to Project Kuiper, a new satellite internet network the company is preparing for launch — literally. The big news here is that Amazon opened a new $140 million facility at the Kennedy Space Center that can handle payload processing for all of its satellite launches. Handling processing internally, rather than farming it out to third-party entities, would theoretically streamline the process of getting these satellites into low Earth orbit, at least according to Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's DOGE installed Starlink at the White House against wishes of security officials

Amazon sent its first 27 satellites into space back in April, and the company says it has more than 80 additional launches planned for the initial network rollout. The company will be contracting with aerospace companies such as Arianespace, Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and SpaceX, which owns Starlink.

Amazon says that most of these launches will take place in Cape Canaveral, Florida, not far from its Kennedy Space Center facility. Before they're sent to the Kennedy Space Center for processing, the satellites are built and tested in a separate facility in Washington state.

The stated goal of Project Kuiper is to deliver affordable satellite internet to people who might need it, which can include those in rural or otherwise isolated communities. According to a company FAQ, service will start rolling out in "late 2025." The FAQ claims that, depending on their service tier, customers can expect anywhere from 100Mbps download speeds all the way up to 1Gbps.

Of course, while Amazon may have dominated the e-commerce world terrestrially, its satellite internet offering has a long way to go to catch up to Starlink, which operates a network of more than 6,700 satellites, the largest satellite constellation in the world.

SAVE $130: As of July 25, Bose's popular QuietComfort headphones are on sale at Amazon and Best Buy (for today only) for $130 off the original price of $349. That's 34% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 at Amazon
$349 Save $120 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 at Best Buy
$349 Save $120 Get Deal

Bose makes some of the best headphones and earbuds on the market. Trust us, we are experts on Bose and its lineup of audio products at this point. That's why when one of their flagship devices gets a hefty discount, we say it's a no-brainer to snag one while you can.

Now is one of those times, because the brand's popular QuietComfort headphones (not to be confused with the more premium QuietComfort Ultra headphones) are on sale at multiple retailers for just $229. That's $130 off the original price of $349, and a 34% discount. Both Amazon and Best Buy are offering this deal, so take your pick — just do it fast, because this deal is only going to be available until the end of the day, at least at Best Buy.

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

The Bose QuietComfort headphones are all about high-quality noise-cancellation (in fact, we named them our pick for best noise-cancelling headphones) and all-day wearability thanks to their plush earcup cushions. In those regards, these headphones are a standard-bearer.

There are more highlights, though, including swappable listening modes ("quiet" and "aware"), adjustable EQ, a 24-hour battery life, and a wired option for when you unexpectedly run out of juice. They also have a quick charging option — 15 minutes on the charger can get you around 2.5 hours of playtime — and multipoint support, which means you can stay connected to multiple Bluetooth-enabled devices at once.

If you're looking for a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones at a discounted price, you're not going to find a better deal today.

SAVE $50: As of July 25, get the 11-inch iPad for $299, down from its usual price of $349. That's a discount of 14%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 11-inch Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $349 at Amazon
Get Deal

If you didn't score an iPad back during Prime Day, worry not. There are still plenty of chances to get one of your own right now for a discount. If you're ready to plunk down some cash on a tablet, now's the time to get a discounted iPad that's more than affordable.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets in 2025

As of July 25, get the 11-inch iPad for $299, down from its usual price of $349. That's $50 off and a discount of 14%. This discount currently applies to the yellow, blue, and pink colorways.

This model earned itself a top spot on Mashable's list of the best iPads, so you know you're getting a quality tablet. It's perfect for just about anyone, no matter if you use it for work or play, especially thanks to its A16 chip that powers it and makes it something of a force of nature.

Its crisp 11-inch display also gives you much more real estate than your phone, as does its Apple Pencil compatibility, which lets you turn it into a makeshift notebook, or a MacBook-like device when you add a wireless Magic Keyboard.

There's a lot to love about this model, so if you've been pining for an iPad or just need something reliable to get you through the workday, be sure to grab yours while it's still dipped down to this price.

Updated on July 26 at 11:30 a.m. ET — If the coupon code featured in this story is no longer working, we've added some additional power station deals on DJI and Jackery products to consider. You can read our original story below.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 $999 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $300 use code POWER2000 Get Deal

If you’ve been looking for an alternative power source for your off-grid adventures or as a backup in case of a power outage, a portable power station could be a good option. And right now, Mashable readers can get a special discount on a seriously powerful model from DJI. (Yes, the drone company.)

As of July 25, you can get the DJI Power 2000 portable power station for just $999 at Amazon when you use the code POWER2000. That's a 23% discount, saving you a solid $300 off the regular $1,299 price.

Note: This code is only valid until July 31, so don't wait too long to make a final decision. If the promo code isn't working, DJI may have sold out its stock of on-sale power stations.

SEE ALSO: These popular DJI drones are finally in stock at Amazon — grab them while you can

The DJI Power 2000 is built around a beefy 2048Wh capacity battery, which is powerful enough to run most common appliances (kettles, projectors, or even an electric saw). One of its standout features is the incredibly fast recharge time — it can go from zero to 80 percent in just 55 minutes. DJI also made it durable with a tough LFP battery, protective coatings, and a flame-retardant housing to keep it safe in wet or rugged outdoor conditions.

If you need even more juice for an extended blackout, the system is expandable. You can connect additional batteries (which are sold separately) to get up to 22.5kWh of power. You can also keep an eye on everything with the DJI app, which lets you check the status or customize settings remotely, so you can keep track of the power station when it's not within reach. 

More power station deals Also on sale DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station $699 (save $300 at Amazon) Get Deal Bundle and save Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 with 100W Solar Panel $759 (save $300 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Jackery deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station $499 (save $300 at Amazon) Get Deal

UPDATE: Jul. 26, 2025, 11:30 a.m. EDT We've updated this story with additional power station deals.

SAVE $79.01: As of July 25, get the Anker Solix C300 portable power station for $219.99, down from its usual price of $299, at Amazon. That's a discount of 26%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Solix C300 portable power station $219.99 at Amazon
$299 Save $79.01 Get Deal

Planning to spend some time in the great outdoors this summer? Or maybe you just want to be prepared for when the next destructive storm hits your area. No matter what the situation, a portable power station can be a great thing to have around. Whether you need it to charge up your phone when you're going off-grid or to keep appliances running in an emergency, they're always useful to have. And right now you can get a great one on sale thanks to Amazon.

As of July 25, get the Anker Solix C300 portable power station for $219.99, down from its usual price of $299, at Amazon. That's $79.01 off and a discount of 26%.

SEE ALSO: Forget dead batteries — these Bluetti power stations are game-changers for the outdoors and power outages

The Anker Solix C300 portable power station gets you 288Wh of power, which is more than enough juice to charge your phone, tablet, laptop, or even portable speaker several times over. It's not just for personal tech, though, as it can power just about anything you need it to for a short time thanks to its massive capacity.

It only takes an hour to charge back up if you're using a wall outlet as well, so you can rest assured that even when it's depleted, you can get it back up to speed to use again in no time.

You never know when you might need some backup electricity, and this is a fair price to get this portable power station for, so get it while you can.

Best tech deals

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• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

Update: Since publishing, SteelSeries have implemented and notified us of a new firmware update on SteelSeries GG for compatibility with the Nova 3, Nova 5, and Nova 7 headsets. We've installed this additional update and can confirm the 2.4GHz USB-C dongle with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X now works with the Nintendo Switch 2 — both docked and in handheld mode.

New PC graphics cards and CPUs are coming out all the time, constantly changing the gaming landscape. Gaming peripherals are different. Good products can remain relevant in the space years after launch.

Released in 2022, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is a prime example of that. I bought the Xbox edition back in November 2023, and it’s still my favourite multi-platform gaming headset almost two years on. 

Arctis Nova 7 vs. 7X

Shopping for a headset can get incredibly confusing if you’re looking to use it across multiple platforms like the PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Xbox, and on mobile. Some headsets simply aren't capable of doing that, so where do you start?

The Arctis Nova 7X plays great with the Xbox. Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries

SteelSeries, that's where.

When it comes to SteelSeries, there are two models to keep in mind. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 — visually identifiable by its pure black headband strap — only works with PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile, and tablet. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, however — sporting its easily noticeable green strap — works with all of the above and the Xbox (Xbox One, Series X, and Series S). 

Due to differences in their wireless protocol technology under the hood, Xbox consoles cannot work with the same type of headset channels as models designed for other consoles. Unlike Switch and PC platforms, Xbox consoles also don't support Bluetooth, so they are left out of the conversation when it comes to many high-end gaming headsets.

Thankfully, the switchable multi-platform wireless dongle changes all that. 

The USB-C dongle in Xbox mode. Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries

The wireless and T-shaped USB-C 2.4GHz dongle for the Arctis Nova 7X has a switch for two modes: flicking it to the right for a standard USB connection for PS5, Switch, PC, and mobile, and the left for the Xbox (signalled by the green colour both on the switch and light on the back). 

Exquisite versatility

For any gamer who likes to jump between every platform, you can simply take the dongle out of whatever machine you’re using and switch to audio from the next e.g. watching a Netflix movie on an Xbox (it’s the only platform with decent media remotes) and playing more of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PS5. 

SEE ALSO: The best gaming headset for every platform

The Arctis Nova 7X’s Bluetooth mode is icing on the cake for dual audio. In my case, I can listen to whatever game I play via the dongle, whilst connecting the 7X to my phone via Bluetooth to listen to whatever Instagram reels my friends randomly send me or video gameplay guides on YouTube — all without having to take the headset off. 

Whichever way you connect, the Arctis Nova 7X utilises SteelSeries’ 40mm neodymium magnetic drivers that drop high-quality sound for games, TV, and movies — and even 3D Tempest audio for compatible games like Returnal, Horizon Forbidden West, and Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

The USB-A to USB-C makes connecting to Xbox and PC a breeze. Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries

The USB-C dongle may not mean wireless compatibility for everyone if they don’t have a PC for a USB-port, but the Arctis Nova 7X’s included 1.5m USB-C to USB-A adapter means you can connect to any rig or console without any issue. However, I did separately buy a dedicated wireless adapter so I could cleanly plug the dongle into the back of my Xbox Series X without that cluttered look. 

The Nova 7X's dongle also works with other adapters. Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries

As for PS5 owners, your console has a USB-C port right in the front, so your dongle can go straight in. You can use any adapter on the standard USB-A ports as well if you wish.

Nintendo Switch 2 issues

While the Arctis Nova 7X can connect to the original Nintendo Switch via the headset’s dongle with no issue — both plugged directly into the handheld’s USB-C port and docked via USB-A — there have been ongoing compatibility issues with the Nintendo Switch 2. 

While still connectable with the Switch 2 in Bluetooth mode, Nintendo’s new handheld/home console hybrid’s audio still isn’t working with the Arctis Nova 7X’s dongle outside of recognising it as a microphone — even after I installed the latest SteelSeries firmware update specifying system compatibility with this model, and then a factory reset before trying again. 

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X headset's dongle plugged into a Nintendo Switch 2. Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries

Granted, this issue doesn’t seem to be impacting every Nova 7/7X owner — some saying their Switch 2s are now working with the dongle just fine, while just as many state the same problem as mine — looking like a hit and miss depending on the exact unit. 

There will hopefully be more of a widespread fix in future updates, but I’d only recommend the Arctis Nova 7X to Switch 2 owners if they don’t mind playing only via Bluetooth and wired 3.5mm connection in the meantime — just in case the current firmware update doesn’t take hold as well. 

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

That said, the Nova 7X’s USB-C dongle does fit nicely into most Android and newer iPhones without issue, so you can use that as your workaround if you want to still be plugged into other media whilst playing Donkey Kong Bananza on your Nintendo Switch 2 over Bluetooth.

Comfort and battery life

Whichever system you play on and whichever connection mode you’re using, the Arctis Nova 7X’s combination of plush airweave cushion and lightweight steel headband does make for a comfortable viewing and gaming experience. The retractable mic also makes for a sleek but optional avenue for group chats, without getting in the way or looking clunky. 

One thing to keep in mind, though — whilst comfy to wear and flexible for larger heads like mine — a noticeable pressure on the sides of your head can be felt after wearing the Arctis Nova 7X for around 4-5 hours (I usually need a quick break to let my head recover). Be sure to take a breather if you’re having any full-day gaming or streaming marathons over the weekend. 

When you do jump back in, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X’s stated 38-hour battery does hold true in my almost-two years’ worth of time with it — usually only needing to charge it once a fortnight if using it for a few hours daily. 

Where to buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X 

While this isn’t a perfect gaming headset due to some of its limitations, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is still an awesome multi-platform headset if you want to play on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile, or tablet on a budget. It's available to buy right now at Amazon, and it’s even 30% off at the time of writing — a great price for an all-around gaming headset that can double as wireless headphones for travel.

Opens in a new window Credit: SteelSeries SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X $139.95 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $60.04 Shop Now

Apple's Liquid Glass design is, by far, the most polarizing feature in iOS 26.

By making elements on the iPhone's display semi-transparent, the operating system's new feature creates a cool, frosty look that really hits different from what we've had so far. But transparency (even partial) can be detrimental to visibility, and the Liquid Glass look can often be a bit much, especially if everything is cranked to the max.

In iOS 26, Apple offers several ways to tone down the look. We've got instructions on how to turn Liquid Glass on for maximum effect, so you can do the opposite if you want to get rid of some of it.

SEE ALSO: The 7 iOS 26 features only available for newer iPhones

Some of the Liquid Glass design isn't as easy to turn off, though. Fortunately, in the new iOS 26 developer beta 2, Apple has made several changes that reduce the transparency effect more than it was possible in the previous beta. The company also toned down the effect in beta 3, only to revert some of those changes back in the final, public beta which came out on July 24.

First, the Control Center now blurs the background a lot more than before, making it easier to make out the icons in the foreground. I love the Liquid Glass look, but this was a good decision from Apple, as the idea behind the Control Center is to quickly present some of your iPhone's key settings — and those need to be as visible as possible. The transparency effect isn't completely gone, mind you, it's just a lot more subdued than before.

It looks great, but it can be a bit much. Credit: Apple

Apple also offers an option to reduce transparency across the entire user interface, under Accessibility - Display & Text Size - Reduce Transparency. That option was there in iOS 26 beta 1, too, but now it makes everything even less transparent than before.

Finally, if you turn on high contrast mode (go to Settings - Accessibility - Display & Text Size - Increase Contrast), some of the floating elements of the user interface (such as the Search field in the Settings) now have a border.

The changes are subtle, but when you add them up, they do make everything more legible while still keeping a hint of that frosty Liquid Glass look.

The first public beta launched on July 24, meaning it's available to a much larger number of people. It's still a beta release, though, so expect some bugs until the iOS 26 goes final in September.

UPDATE: Jul. 25, 2025, 3:25 p.m. The text was updated after the iOS 26 public beta was released in July.

The clock for TikTok is ticking, and it seems the time is almost up.

Speaking to CNBC on Thursday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick commented on the TikTok deal with China which seems to be stuck on Chinese approval.

"China can keep a little piece [...] but basically, Americans will have control, Americans will own the technology, and Americans will control the algorithm," he said. "If that deal gets approved by the Chinese, then that deal will happen, if the don't approve it, then TikTok is gonna go dark."

Lutnick is referring to the potential deal to sell the majority of TikTok to U.S. investors, which President Trump recently said was all but done, with the buyer being "secured" on the U.S. side.

Trump did say at the time that China has to approve such a deal, and now it seems his administration is running out of patience.

"Those decisions are coming very soon, so let's see what the Chinese do," said Lutnick.

SEE ALSO: The Nicki Minaj challenge explained: Why everyone on TikTok is posing

TikTok has been in limbo for years, with Donald Tump proposing a ban on the app back in 2020, during his first term. The app was ultimately banned under the Biden-signed PAFACA (Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications) act in 2024, though the ban's enforcement kept being delayed, first by Biden, and then later by Trump, who said he would not ban the app and promised to make a deal under which the U.S. would own at least half of TikTok.

As Yellowjackets' resident cinephile Van Palmer, Liv Hewson has been a must-watch actor for Mashable's entertainment team, who are all devoted to the cannibal drama's hive. So, when they came by our studio for a Say More interview, Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko asked about what their must-see movies and TV are.

Hewson, who grew up in Australia, shared their appreciation for an array of American television, ranging from iconic comedy series The Simpsons to heralded drama series The Americans, to the unstoppable force that is The Real Housewives. They even tested out a playful Housewives catchphrase that would be all their own.

Talking movies, Hewson revealed their appreciation of the Muppets and the bonkers Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All At Once. Through these influences, the non-binary actor, who recently accepted the Rising Star Award from the Critics' Choice Association's Celebration of LGBTQ Cinema and Television, mused on how these productions inspire them and reflect the kind of movies and shows they aim to be a part of.

SEE ALSO: How 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' is a love letter to moms...and the internet

Speaking of Everything Everywhere All At Once, Hewson reflected, "I would give anything to be a part of something like this. It's always projects where I can tell that everyone involved has everything they need to make it, cares about making it, and is thrilled to be working on it."

They continued, "That's the energy I really try to bring to stuff I'm a part of. It's just the environment I'm desperate to create, participate in. And I'm a sucker for practical effects."

For more from Liv Hewson and Say More's full interview with the Yellowjackets star, including information on their creative involvement with the Lesbian Bar Project fundraiser, check out the full episode on Youtube.