Technology

If your aim has felt off in competitive games lately, the problem might not be you—it could be your mouse. More specifically, your worn-out mouse skates might be dragging you down. Fortunately, replacing them is a quick and easy upgrade.

Apple's UI refresh, iOS 26, is almost here. To mark the recently passed World Emoji Day on July 16, the Unicode Consortium has approved a fresh batch of emojis for the update.

For context, the Unicode Consortium is a nonprofit that maintains the Unicode Standard, a universal character encoding system that ensures text and emoji appear consistently across all platforms and devices. In other words, it's not Apple or Google that decides which emoji make the cut, but the Consortium itself. This time around, eight new emoji have been selected for Unicode 17.0.

The new additions are:

• Apple Core

• Ballet Dancers

• Distorted Face

• Fight Cloud

• Hairy Creature

• Orca

• Trombone

• Treasure Chest

Credit: Unicode Consortium / Emojipedia

Before you get too excited, these likely won’t appear in the initial rollout of iOS 26. Apple typically takes its time designing its own custom versions of new emojis, and those designs usually arrive a few updates down the line. For example, Unicode 16.0 was finalized on September 10, 2024 — just a week before iOS 18 launched. But that emoji set didn’t show up on iPhones until the release of iOS 18.4 in March of this year.

So while iOS 26 is coming soon, expect the new emoji to follow a few months later.

With the Flip 7, Samsung has improved nearly every aspect of its flip-style foldable smartphone, bridging the gap that existed between the Flip 6 and Motorola's latest Razr Ultra (2025). However, does the Flip 7 have what it takes to outperform the Razr? Let's find out.

Luxury doesn’t have to come with reliability concerns, especially if you know where to look. These used luxury sedans have earned a reputation for long-term dependability, making them smart picks for value-conscious buyers.

TL;DR: Online safety for the whole family is easy with this lifetime AdGuard Family Plan, now just $15.97 (reg. $169) with code FAMPLAN.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02 with code FAMPLAN Get Deal

The internet isn’t just cluttered with ads; there are also trackers and other hidden threats. AdGuard keeps you safe online by blocking intrusive ads, stopping trackers, and safeguarding your privacy across all your devices.

Right now, you can grab lifetime protection for the whole crew with the AdGuard Family Plan. Cover up to nine devices for only $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN now through April 27.

Enjoy a safer and smoother browsing experience

The internet should be fun, not frustrating. AdGuard tackles the most annoying parts of online life, like pop-ups, autoplay videos, and banner ads, so that you can enjoy your time browsing, streaming, and scrolling again.

Aside from blocking ads, AdGuard also protects your privacy. Your information will stay safe from trackers and activity analyzers, and you'll be shielded from malware and phishing websites that you or your family members could fall victim to. 

Moms and dads will love AdGuard's parental control feature, which keeps your kids safe from inappropriate content online.

This Family Plan lets you protect up to nine devices with AdGuard, so you can make sure everyone's devices stay safe. And it works with Android and iOS operating systems alike, so it can be used on tablets, smartphones, and laptops. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Netflix isn’t pretending to play coy about AI anymore. The streaming giant confirmed during its latest earnings call that it leaned on generative AI to create visual effects for The Eternaut, an Argentine post-apocalyptic drama.

SEE ALSO: Trump Administration set to announce executive order targeting "woke AI" chatbots, report says

According to reporting from Engadget, co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that the creators of The Eternaut wanted a collapsing building sequence to anchor a key moment in the story. Instead of outsourcing the shot to a traditional VFX house, they turned to generative AI tools.

"Using AI-powered tools, they were able to achieve an amazing result with remarkable speed," Sarandos said. "In fact, that VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster than it could have been completed with... traditional VFX tools and workflows."

This doesn't appear to be a one-off either. Reports suggest that AI-generated ads will start appearing mid-stream in 2026 for Netflix's ad-tier subscribers. But The Eternaut marks a milestone. According to Sarandos, it contains "the very first Gen AI final footage to appear on screen in a Netflix original series or film."

Predictably, not everyone is applauding. Hollywood’s creative community remains uneasy — and increasingly vocal — about generative AI in production. Films like The Brutalist and Late Night with the Devil faced backlash for even light AI involvement. The issue is already on the radar of SAG-AFTRA, and it’s poised to become a flashpoint in future industry negotiations.

If you're looking forward to the new Samsung Galaxy S26 series next year, we have some potentially bad news. Rumor has it Samsung will officially scrap the Galaxy S26 Plus in favor of its Edge model. However, we've heard this rumor before, and after using the Galaxy S25+ for the last six months, I think it should stick around.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, July 19, 2025:

AcrossSee-through

• The answer is Clear.

"Anybody home?"

• The answer is Hello.

Winged horse of Greek myth

• The answer is Pegasus.

Salamander known for its regenerative abilities (and adorable appearance)

• The answer is Axolotl.

Texting format, for short

• The answer is SMS.

Birthplace of bossa nova

• The answer is Rio.

Even score

• The answer is Tie.

Insect seen in Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory"

• The answer is Ant.

Directory abbr.

• The answer is Ext.

Metroid console, for short

• The answer is NES.

DownParty snack made with cereal and pretzels

• The answer is Chex Mix.

Gift with many interlocking pieces

• The answer is Lego Set.

Airline whose name comes from the Book of Hosea

• The answer is Elal.

Election loser

• The answer is Also ran.

Stand-up comic's act

• The answer is Routine.

Command that uses the "V" key

• The answer is Paste.

Pulling their arms might win you money

• The answer is Slots.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

This was another busy week in tech, with Plex rolling back part of its big redesign, more bad news for Windows 10 computers, Google merging Chromebooks and Android, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

One of the most budget-friendly electric SUVs on the market is about to become a little less enticing. Thanks to upcoming changes in federal EV tax credit eligibility, this standout model may soon lose one of its biggest advantages, a $7,500 incentive that’s helped make it a top choice for value-conscious buyers.

Are you trying to become more proficient in using your Chromebook? Well, there are a number of default keyboard shortcuts that you should memorize for sure. From taking an instant screenshot to re-opening that tab you accidentally closed, here are seven of the best Chromebook keyboard shortcuts to memorize.

Have you ever had a kid run up to you, tug on your shirt, and say, "Watch this — hey, hey, watch this!"?

I recently had that experience during a play session with my nieces and nephews, and for once, I didn't have to smile and nod my way through a very thorough explanation of Captain Underpants or Roblox. No, what my adorable niece showed me that day would forever change the course of my life.

Mario. Kart. Legos. That. Shoot. Turtle. Shells.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart Yoshi Bike $14.99 at Amazon
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As Mashable's tech editor, I'm tasked with covering the latest gadgets and gear, but sometimes products slip through the cracks, and it takes an adorable 6-year-old to open your eyes. These Mario Kart Legos aren't new by any means, but they're new to me, and I can't stop playing with them.

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Legos. My prized possession was a Wild West jailhouse set. When you inserted a dynamite-shaped brick into the cell door, a spring blew it off its hinges. It was awesome, and a similar kind of wizardry is at play here.

These kits are small and simple enough that you can build them quickly with young kids, who will appreciate the turtle shell-firing mechanism as much as I did.

Not only do these Legos make excellent gifts, but you can also pick them up at Amazon starting at just $12.99 (the Yoshi Bike set is pretty much permanently on sale for that price).

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart Donkey Kong Bike $29.49 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $5.50 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart Standard Kit $18.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $1 Get Deal

One of my absolute favorite sitcoms on the planet is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Its unique blend of dark humor, absurd situations, relatable characters, and willingness to tackle controversial topics make it a hysterical watch full of relevancy and entertainment.

You’ve probably used Linux today without even realizing it. From your phone to the cloud, it’s everywhere. Here are five surprising facts about Linux that most people don’t know.

As a follow-up to the Alienware m16, the Alienware 16 Area-51 (2025) hits a solid home run. This gaming laptop is a true desktop replacement, with a sleek design, a new vapor chamber, and an outstanding CPU and GPU combo that can handle resource-intensive gaming, as well as most work tasks.

Getting proper sleep can help improve nearly every aspect of your health, but over a third of adults in the United States don't get enough of it, according to the CDC.

If a noisy environment is what's keeping you up at night, you've likely considered foam earplugs, but those are no longer the only option available on the market — reusable earplugs and sleep earbuds offer a more convenient alternative.

SEE ALSO: Dodow review: A simple sleep gadget that's best for back sleepers

I spent a month and a half trying out earplugs and earbuds ranging from $50 to $349 to find the best of what's out on the market — and to see if getting earbuds just for sleep is actually worth it.

Note: Following the Ozlo Sleepbuds price increase to $349, we can't recommend them at their full price — we think they're more worth it to catch on sale, ideally at their original price of $299. We're also currently in the process of testing the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, which will come equipped with active noise cancellation for $229 when they're released in August.

How are sleep earbuds different than normal earbuds?

First, a confession: I used to wear AirPods nearly every night to sleep. More accurately, I used to wear a single AirPod so I could actually sleep on my side.

After testing earbuds designed for sleeping, I can tell you that everyday earbuds don't match up to the sleep earbud experience. For starters, standard earbuds aren't designed to be worn while you're lying on your side, so they often stick out of your ears and put hard plastic in contact with your ear. Not to mention, earbuds typically cap out at six to seven hours of battery life per charge, so if you're getting at least eight hours of sleep, you run the risk of interrupting it with the sound of your earbuds powering off.

Sleep earbuds, like the Soundcore A20 ones pictured in the middle, have a much thinner profile than traditional earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Sleep earbuds, on the other hand, can offer white noise options, better battery life, and significantly more comfort (that actually allows you to wear more than one earbud at a time). The pairs I tested came without microphones and with touch controls that worked but were less sensitive than traditional earbuds, so you can lie on your side without activating them. There aren't really any options for active noise cancellation, but you'd be surprised at how well passive noise cancellation and a good fit can do for most nighttime noises.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more Is it safe to wear earbuds to sleep every night?

First and foremost, it's important to consider that sleep earbuds aren't the only way to approach nighttime noises that might be keeping you up.

I consulted Dr. Ashley Kita, an otolaryngologist and assistant professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA, to discuss any risks associated with wearing earbuds all night. While she didn't warn against using earbuds, she suggested that if what's keeping you up is a partner's snoring, you start looking for solutions there.

"If you're doing all of this to avoid a partner who is snoring, sometimes gently encouraging that person to investigate why they're snoring is kind of an important consideration," Kita said. "Because we find that obstructive sleep apnea is really underdiagnosed, and snoring, for some people, is the only sign of it."

If, however, what's keeping you up is less in your control, then you do want to be aware of three main aspects of using earbuds all night: proper hygiene, safe noise levels, and your ear comfort.

Proper hygiene

When I started testing these earbuds, I realized I was now wearing earbuds uninterrupted for longer than I typically would in the course of a day, even as someone who tests headphones for a living. When I asked Dr. Kita how that wear time might raise someone's risk for infection, she drew a comparison to the wear time of hearing aids:

"Many individuals wear hearing aids for longer hours during the day than they sleep at night," she said. And yet, folks who wear hearing aids don't often have ear infections, though long wear times may increase their risk.

SEE ALSO: How to set up Hearing Aid mode on your AirPods

With the long wear times, Kita said the main concern she could anticipate was wax buildup since the natural path for wax to exit the ear canal would be blocked. However, she said it's not necessarily a cause for concern, as wax can typically exit the ear canal at other points during the day when you're not wearing earbuds (or blocking your ear canal in any other way).

As for any heightened infection risk, Kita shared that it can increase when there's greater wax buildup that can then trap bacteria. She recommended cleaning the buds with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton pad after each use, if possible. (The brand behind one of our picks below, Ozlo, recommends a weekly cleaning). With all that said, someone's risk for infection really comes down to personal susceptibility — some people are more prone to ear infections than others. If you fall into that category, being more proactive about cleaning your earbuds is a good practice.

Noise levels

Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common type of hearing loss (behind age-related hearing loss), so it's important to be aware of the level of noise you expose yourself to. Kita pointed me in the direction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) chart for how long people can be exposed to certain decibel levels safely.

In its FAQ, Ozlo also cites OSHA's recommendation, as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommendations, which top out at 90 decibels and 85 decibels for eight hours, respectively. With that in mind, Ozlo designed its earbuds so that their masking white noise tops out at 75 dB. We reached out to a rep from Soundcore to see if its earbuds have specific upper decibel limits, and will update this guide when we hear back. In general though, Kita said the less noise, the better, recommending that you always try to use the lowest volume possible.

SEE ALSO: Video game industry makes it easier to find accessible games for disabled players

"While I don't necessarily love the idea of extra noise when you're not even conscious to appreciate it, if it's the thing that's keeping you asleep or letting you sleep, it just comes in this category of risks and benefits," Kita said. "Just make sure that it's quiet enough, then it really isn't that much different than using a white noise machine on your nightstand."

Comfort

Earbuds fitting comfortably is important for you to be able to fall asleep, but also for your ear health.

"Everyone's ear canal is shaped differently," Kita said. "And so something that might be really comfortable for your ears might really cause my ears to ache."

In other words, giving yourself earbuds-induced earaches every night can actually impact your ear health. If one of the below recommendations really isn't sitting right, even with adjustments to the ear tip sizes, don't be afraid to return them.

The best earbuds for sleeping

Below, I pulled three of the best sleep earbuds on the market. Between the overall, upgrade, and earplug picks, there's a wide range of price points, but as with any product, the most expensive of the bunch isn't necessarily the best overall. With that in mind, I highlighted where each earbud excelled, whether that be in comfort, noise cancellation, or ease of use, to help you pick the best sleep earbud possible.

UPDATE: Jul. 5, 2025, 6:00 a.m. EDT As of April 2024, the Ozlo Sleepbuds increased in price from $299 to $349 on Ozlo's website and Amazon in the United States due to tariffs. We no longer recommend them at full price, but do recommend grabbing them if you catch them on sale for at least their original price.

Testing updates

We're currently in the process of testing the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, which will be released to the general public in August. We also updated our recommendation of the Ozlo Sleepbuds following their price hike in April — we only recommend them on sale.

Creator-approved DJI mics at Amazon Low in stock DJI Mic Mini bundle (2 transmitters, 1 receiver, charging case) $169 Get Deal Still in stock DJI Mic Mini (1 transmitter, 1 receiver) $89 Shop Now Best single-mic option DJI Mic 2 (Transmitter only) $99 Get Deal Backup option DJI Mic 2 (1 transmitter, 1 receiver) $219 Shop Now

If you've been on TikTok lately, you've probably spotted the DJI Mic Mini or the DJI Mic 2. If you haven't noticed them, go ahead and do some scrolling before returning here. You saw it, right? All of Chit's co-workers use one, as does the "Do it lady" man himself. And if it's good enough for Chit, it's good enough for us.

DJI (literally) launched onto the creator scene with epic drones. These days, DJI is a creator-approved brand that makes not just drones but super-portable cameras too, like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. And now thanks to the TikTok creators and YouTubers we spend hours watching each week, DJI is synonymous with wireless microphones.

In fact, these wireless mics are now so popular that it's hard to find them in stock. As of this writing, the popular DJI Mic Mini bundle, which comes with two microphones, a receiver, a charging case, and wind muffs, is sold out at Best Buy, DJI, B&H Photo & Video, and other retailers. With a retail price of $169, it's low in stock at Amazon, and only from third-party sellers.

Why are the DJI Mics so popular?

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth recently tested the DJI Mic Mini bundle while testing the company's pocket gimbal camera and smartphone gimbal, and he had a good experience. "It's just easy. If you've ever been on video and had to wrangle with an annoying lavalier mic cord under your shirt, you know why a wireless option is so appealing. And the audio is good enough for professional purposes. Just plug the receiver into your iPhone, and you're good to go. I wouldn't use it for a full-on TV production, but for social creators and YouTubers, it's very handy."

Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

As we said, the DJI Mic Mini is absolutely everywhere — except in stock at Amazon or DJI. Of course the top-selling creator mic would sell out often. It seems as if Amazon is having a hard time keeping up with the demands of creators lately. But if you're lucky, you can find a few models in stock at Amazon, either sold as single mics or bundles. And if you're really desperate for a DJI Mic 2, one is included when you snag the Osmo Pocket 3 bundle at Amazon, FYI.

Here's where to find the DJI Mic Mini and other DJI wireless microphones in stock. In addition to the options below, you can try your luck at each of these retailers:

• DJI

• Best Buy

• B&H Photo & Video

• Amazon

• Walmart

DJI Mic Mini bundle Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJi Mic Mini bundle $169 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

It's what all the cool kids are using, and the DJI Mic Mini bundle comes with everything you need to join them. The bundle includes two microphone transmitters, one receiver, a charging case, four windscreens, two clip magnets, a carrying pouch, and a few extras like cables and adapters. In total, the $169 retail price is a great option when you need to record crystal-clear audio.

Each DJI Mic Mini weighs just 10 grams, so it's lightweight and won't tug on your clothes. Plus, each mic can get up to 48 hours of battery life with the charging case, so you won't have to worry about a dead mic while you're in the flow of creating.

DJI Mic Mini Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini $89 at DJI
Shop Now Why we like it

While the popular bundle is hard to find in stock, DJI does have the regular Mic Mini in stock. This option comes with the essentials you need to get started: a transmitter and receiver. So while you can't mic up an entire webshow cast, you can start recording audio for yourself.

DJI Mic 2 transmitter Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic 2 $99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

Can you talk to the camera for six hours? Because that's how long the DJI Mic 2 will keep going on a single charge. With intelligent noise-cancelling, this DJI mic is perfect if you only need one transmitter. Of course, DJI tossed in all the extras like a windscreen, magnetic clip, and carrying case. The transmitter also comes with 8GB of internal storage, which works out to about 14 hours of uncompressed audio.

If you prefer the black DJI Mic 2, please note that it's sold from a third-party seller on Amazon. This seller has a 100% positive rating, but always be cautious when buying from third parties. The Pearl White colorway option is sold by Amazon.

DJI Mic 2 bundle Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic 2 (1 TX + 1 RX) $219 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

If you'd like to get the DJI Mic 2 wireless microphone with some accoutrements, then opt for this transmitter plus receiver bundle, which is available at Amazon (and sold directly by Amazon). We wouldn't be surprised if this too goes out of stock, so shop accordingly.

I sweat, and I sweat a lot. All summer long, I carry around a bandana, which isn't just the most underrated men's fashion accessory, but a great way to dab away sweat like a southern gentleman drinking sweat tea on a porch. If you're trying to cool off, there's another way to beat the heat this summer: personal fans.

Mashable previously named portable fans the product of the summer. They were all over the Vidcon conference floor, and I'm still seeing handheld portable fans all over the streets and subways of New York City, and I know I'm not alone.

So, to help my fellow excessive sweaters (I see you), I asked Mashable's team of shopping experts for their personal fan recommendations. When you need help making a purchase, you can always count on the Mashable hive mind. (And if you're worried about your carbon footprint when using portable fans to cool off, we have thoughts on this as well.)

The best option for little ones Opens in a new window Credit: Ventifinal Ventifinal Portable Stroller Mini Fan $9.99 at Amazon
$13.99 Save $4 Get Deal Why we like it

It's rough being a kid, and it's even harder to go through life when overheated. A Mashable parent and shopping editor personally uses the Ventifinal Portable Stroller Mini Fan to keep the kiddos cool(er). It's affordable and super functional, easily wrapping around a stroller, a crib, or in the car. Plus, the base can detach, so it'll sit upright at home. The Ventifinal fan has three speed settings and comes in black, blue, and pink. Expect to get about three hours of use on a full charge.

Best compact portable fan Opens in a new window Credit: Gaiatop Gaiatop Mini Portable Fan $7.99 at Amazon
$9.99 Save $2 Get Deal Why we like it

Measuring under six inches in height and 2.5 inches in width, the Gaiatop Mini Portable Fan is the ultimate tiny companion for getting a nice breeze. It's perhaps the single most popular fan among Amazon shoppers. At this size, it's also lightweight and comes with both a lanyard for strapping to your bag and a base for using the fan on your desk or nightstand. This Gaiatop fan has three speeds and recharges in under three hours.

Best portable fan for versatility Opens in a new window Credit: Jisulife Jisulife Handheld Fan $16.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $3 Get Deal Why we like it

A fan, a power bank, and a flashlight is what you're in store for with the Jisulife Handheld Fan, which was recommended by creator Naomi Hearts in Mashable's In My Bag feature. Not only does this assist with keeping cool, you can recharge your phone on the included power bank or search for that Lego brick that just bounced under the couch with the flashlight.

In terms of cooling, you get three fan speeds on the Jisulife and thanks to the power bank, you can get up to 37 hours of life before you'll need to recharge. It also comes in over a half a dozen colorways (and looks like a bear) to find your perfect summer accessory.

Best minimalist fan Opens in a new window Credit: Muji Muji Rechargeable Compact Handheld Fan $19.90 at Muji
Get Deal Why we like it

Muji is a terrific go-to option if you only accept top-quality pens, stationary, and wardrobe essentials, and the brand's minimalist design also carries over to the Muji Rechargeable Compact Handheld Fan. One of our reporters personally uses this fan to cope with UK heatwaves, and as we all know, our friends across the pond don't even have the benefit of air conditioning. You'll have control over four speed settings and get between two and 12 hours of use with each charge. Recharging takes about 3.5 hours via the USB cable. The head is foldable up to 120 degrees and can angle upward, making this the perfect desktop accessory this summer.

Best tabletop fan to use at home Opens in a new window Credit: Iris Woozoo Iris Woozoo 3-speed Oscillating Fan $39.97 at Walmart
$45.99 Save $6.02 Get Deal Why we like it

This is a recommendation from Mashable's tech editor, and it's also a cult-favorite among college students for its small size and dorm-cooling abilities. If you're searching for a powerful fan that's lightweight enough to travel with you from room to room at home, Walmart has your solution. The Iris Woozoo 3-speed Oscillating Fan is a free-standing fan that operates on one of three speeds with oscillation options. With 90 degrees of vertical tilt, you'll be able to get the stream of chilled air wherever you want it, and all of this is controllable on the included remote. Plus, there's an auto-off timer and natural breeze setting, both of which are ideal if you're using the fan come bedtime.

Best K-Pop-approved portable fan Opens in a new window Credit: Line Friends Line Friends minini Portable Handheld Fan $15 at Line Friends
Get Deal Why we like it

Keep cool with the company of Brown the bear or Jessica the cat, two of the most adorable Line Friends around. These South Korean icons have captured hearts all over the world, and now they're adorned on the Line Friends minini Portable Handheld Fan. This is a must-have for walking around town this summer, but it's absolutely essential if your summer vacation has you jetting off to a remote (but hot) location. The lightweight design and included wrist strap make these cuties especially travel-friendly.

Best portable misting fan Opens in a new window Credit: HandFan HandFan Portable Misting Fan $18.99 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $5 Get Deal Why we like it

When we were at Vidcon, a battery-powered hand fan was among the items recommended by icon Jools Lebron. Specifically, she says she depends on a fan that can last at least six hours per charge. This rechargeable, battery-operated fan also adds a misting effect, providing extra cooling power on a hot day.

Bonus pick: A bladeless home fan Opens in a new window Credit: Dreo Dreo Tower Fan for Bedrooms $71.99
$79.99 Save $8 Get Deal Why we like it

In our guide to the best bladeless fans, a Dreo tower fan nabbed the top spot. This particular bladeless tower fan is on sale at Amazon, making it a smart pickup for the summer heat. If you're tired of sweating in your own home, use this fan to quickly cool down your space without taking up as much room as a bulky box fan. Look for a 10% coupon to save on this oscillating home fan.

There are plenty of times in life when thinner isn't necessarily better, but in the case of tablet-style foldable phones, slimming down is definitely for the best.

That’s my big takeaway after several days playing with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the latest flagship foldable from the Korean tech giant. It combines what I always liked best about this style of foldable (namely the incredible versatility of its display modes) with an almost unbelievably sleek form factor that makes it the best Samsung foldable yet.

Yes, it starts at $1,999, making it the textbook definition of a premium or luxury product. And beyond that, its battery life didn’t wow me during my testing, and what counts for new software features here mostly just bring the Fold line up to speed with previous Galaxy phones’ AI features. But there’s so much else to like about the Fold 7 that if you have $2,000 lying around and any part of it sounds appealing to you, it’s well worth your consideration. Plus, if you pre-order from Amazon, you can get a $300 gift card to soften the financial blow.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Price and specs Just looks like a normal phone from this angle. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

As I already covered, this phone is going to cost you two grand to start. Perhaps the specs sheet will do a good job of explaining why:

• 8-inch AMOLED inner display with 2184x1968 resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• 6.5-inch AMOLED cover display with 2520x1080p resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset

• 12/16GB RAM

• 256/512GB/1TB memory

• 4,400mAh battery

In plain English, that means you’ve got two very large, high-quality displays to go along with one of the higher-end mobile chipsets on the market right now. Even with a relatively small battery size (more on this later), this is a powerful device and the price reflects that.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Design and displays Even when folded, it's tiny. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is pretty incremental in a lot of ways, but its physical design is probably the biggest area where Samsung made real changes this year. I’ll get to why in a second, but first, let me say the color choices this year are dull: Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Jet-black. Blegh. My pink iPhone 16 may not be as powerful a device, but it’s got way more pizzazz, I’ll tell you that much.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that Samsung made the Galaxy Z Fold 7 significantly thinner and lighter than any foldable I’ve ever used. It’s in keeping with the recent Galaxy S25 Edge, a phone that offered thinness and little else as a primary selling point. (Ultra-thin phones are also a major theme in the mobile world this year.) Its 215g weight is perfectly agreeable in the hands for a device with two big displays; it’s actually lighter than the S25 Ultra, which notably only has one display on it.

With a thickness of just 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, the Z Fold 7 really needs to be seen and held to be believed. I’ve reviewed a handful of these tablet-style foldables over the years, and none of them have ever felt as good in the hands as this one does. I’m still a bit skeptical overall of the long-term viability of high-end foldables compared to regular smartphones (they really need to start costing less than $2,000), but from a pure usability standpoint, the Z Fold 7 is just tremendous.

Look at that little guy. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Both displays are also perfectly solid, as you’d expect from the spec sheet. The 8-inch inner display is still wonderful for watching videos on the go, while the 6.5-inch outer display works very well as a regular phone when you don’t feel like unfolding the unit. I also didn’t really notice the crease at all while using the phone in its unfolded state. It’s hard to believe, but foldable makers have more or less figured out that part.

If I have one complaint in this department, it’s that there’s a noticeably thick bezel around the outer display. It doesn’t really affect usability, but it immediately stood out to me the first time I used the Z Fold 7. It just looks a little awkward, that’s all. Not a deal-breaker, by any means, but worth pointing out.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Performance Nothing to worry about, performance-wise. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Let’s get the hard data out of the way first: Using the GeekBench 6 benchmarking software, the Z Fold 7 recorded a multi-core score of 9,600. That’s actually a little less than the 10,049 I registered on S25 Ultra earlier this year, but still a very high score overall. I’m not convinced the difference of 449 points actually matters in any meaningful way here.

Put simply, this phone works very well when you try to do pretty much anything on it. Apps load quickly, having a bunch of them open at once doesn’t noticeably slow it down, and I didn’t notice any egregious examples of the phone being uncomfortably warm to the touch after periods of use. Performance is not an issue here.

I will say, though, that this isn’t a banner year for new software ideas from Samsung’s foldable team. As far as I can tell, the Z Fold 7 just takes the AI features that were present in the S25 phones earlier this year and lightly adapts them to the bigger display. That does mean you have a much better way to edit photos than you would on a normal smartphone (complete with split-screen side-by-side editing), but the actual editing features don’t feel particularly new or novel here.

The other main advantage of the foldable form factor with regards to AI stuff is that you can drag and drop your creations from one app to another using split-screen view, which is nice. Other than that, there just isn’t a lot to play with here that wasn’t already around in one form or another before. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Cameras Your three rear lenses. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

To its credit, Samsung delivered a fairly beefy camera upgrade this year. The main selling point is the new 200MP main shooter on the back, which is a big jump from 50MP a year ago. Here are the full camera specs:

• 200MP wide rear lens

• 12MP ultra-wide rear lens

• 10MP telephoto rear lens with 3x optical zoom

• 10MP selfie cameras on both the exterior and interior displays

To keep it simple, the Z Fold 7 takes nice photos. The new 200MP main lens produces very pretty, clear, and vibrant shots.

Brooklyn looks good through the Z Fold 7's lenses. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

You can also get down with some nice macro photography. I recommend taking advantage of this while flowers are still in bloom.

Pretty. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Nighttime photography is fine, too. One could argue that it makes images look a little artificial, but our backyard is nearly impossible to photograph at night, but the Z Fold 7 did a pretty good job of capturing it.

Left: No nighttime mode. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Right: Nighttime mode. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

The Z Fold 7 is capable of up to 30x digital zoom. The results aren’t great, to be honest, but they rarely are in my experience on phones like this. You can get zoomed-in images that are technically clear and visible, but you can tell that the software is filling in some blanks to get there if you look closely enough.

Left: No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Right: 30x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Still, it’s not a disappointing camera system by any means. Portrait mode is always there for your social media shots, too. In all, I dig it.

Looking good, my man. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Battery life

The only thing I found truly disappointing about the Z Fold 7? The battery life.

At first glance, the 4,400mAh cell size didn’t stand out to me because that’s pretty normal for smartphones, and there are other factors at play, like power efficiency, that make the size of the cell not a great indicator of total battery life. Still, maybe I should’ve been more wary. In performing Mashable's standard battery testing (which involved playing a video in HD on the inner display at 50 percent brightness until the phone died), I got about 20 hours of life out of the Z Fold 7. Obviously, normal use that doesn’t involve a full day of video playback will probably squeeze some more juice out of it. It’s not a uselessly small battery by any means, but for a $2,000 phone, you’d like to have some more life on a single charge.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 worth it?

Battery quibbles aside, this is a really good foldable phone. I think if you can make the price work for you (via trade-in or otherwise) and you think the form factor would benefit you in any way, you might have found your next phone.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 is my favorite Samsung foldable yet almost entirely on the back of its extreme thinness and solid performance. Its software features aren’t really anything to write home about, but we live in the age of diminishing returns, so that’s to be expected at this point. It wins in enough other areas that this could be a nice everyday device for years to come, assuming there aren’t any long-term technical problems that wouldn’t show up in a launch window review.

Where to buy the new Galaxy Z Fold 7

Both Amazon and Samsung have pre-order offers available, as of this writing. The phone will officially ship on July 25.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, 512GB, Unlocked + $300 Amazon Gift Card $1,999.99 at Amazon
$2,419.99 Save $420.00 Shop at Amazon Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, 512GB, Unlocked $1,999.99 at Samsung
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Anker looked at a can of soda and said, “Yeah, we can make a mini projector that’s the same size.” With its compact size, weight of about two pounds, and impressive display quality, the 1080p Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser mini projector has earned a permanent place in my travel bag. That is, once I take it down from using it as my everyday TV. Not only does the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser offer a projection of up to 120 inches, but it also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker with damn fine sound quality.

What’s to love about the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser

Anker has become one of the more reliable brands if you’re in search of affordable tech that doesn’t completely suck. The Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds are Mashable’s choice for the best budget earbuds, the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 are the best sleep earbuds we tested, and the Anker 735 Nano charger is one of Mashable's tech editor’s secret weapons. So when we started testing the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser mini projector, we were not at all surprised to be wowed.

If you’re interested in a super portable mini projector that impresses with image and sound quality, while also doubling as a Bluetooth speaker, you’ve landed on the right review. Anker succeeded in creating a travel-friendly projector that weighs a bit over two pounds and displays via a laser light source to give us 300 ANSI Lumens of brightness in 1080p HD resolution. 

Nothing beats an outdoor movie night. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

When testing the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector, I used it inside and outside with an Elite Screens Yard Master Plus. I also used it at my in-laws' house on a window shade, on a slightly textured wall at an Airbnb, and on a completely white, smooth wall in another. Of course, the Elite Screens was the best option, but the other makeshift screens worked just fine, and I think you’d still be in for a great outdoor movie night if you used a white sheet.

For those interested, here are some noteworthy details of the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser mini projector:

Specs:

• Size: 6.7 inches tall x 3.3 inches diameter

• Weight: 2.1 pounds

• Rated brightness: 300 ANSI lumens

• Native resolution: 1920 x 1080

• Engine type: DLP

• Inputs and interface: HDMI, USB-C

• Battery life: 2.5 hours movie playback mode; 10 hours Bluetooth speaker mode (52Wh battery)

• Warranty: 1 year

Autofocus starts the show

After you’ve powered the Capsule 3 Laser on, it takes off on an automatic journey to find the best focus and keystone. For those unfamiliar with projector function, keystone correction ensures your screen is a standard rectangular shape. It corrects for distortions that are likely to happen if the projector is misaligned from your projection surface, like if it’s not set in the center or it’s tilting slightly toward the ceiling. Before you’ve gone into the Google TV menu, the Anker Nebula takes off on its own show to get the focus on keystone correct.

A small but mighty beast of a projector. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

To be honest, it’s something I never tire of watching. There’s an undeniable gratification that comes from the projector finding the perfect focus. But if you’re less smitten with this show, go ahead and leave the room to grab the popcorn. This process can take a few seconds. The Nebula doesn’t need assistance or intervention to get this right about 99 percent of the time. Should it mess up this process, or the projector needs to be moved mid-show, there’s a front-and-center button on the included remote that’ll redo the process. I’ve never needed to initiate a third attempt at perfect focus in my testing.

A soda can with ridiculous image quality

There’s no use in buying a projector if you’re going to be unhappy with the image quality, and that’s really the number one reason why we love the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser. Given it’s the size of a can of cola, the image it can project is seriously impressive. Its native resolution is 1920 x 1080. It's capable of projecting a display of up to 120 inches, which is a great way to impress your friends during a backyard movie night. 

A bit larger than a can of soda. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable A nod to the remote

The Nebula Anker Capsule 3 Laser comes with its own sleek remote control. It has your standard buttons like power, volume controls, mute, and quick access to YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video. There’s also a single button to send the projector into auto focus and keystone mode. Like the projector itself, the remote’s compact and pretty much unnoticeable in weight when you pack it into your weekend bag.

The remote, however, really shines (literally) in its ability to illuminate when it senses a slight bump or touch. That means you won’t have to memorize the buttons' locations because they light up in a dark room. 

Crank the tunes

Just like the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser impressed in image quality, the sound from the built-in speaker is solid. The inclusion of an 8W Dolby Digital speaker in the mini projector makes this a one-man show, and you won’t need to connect to your home’s stereo system or bring along a Bluetooth speaker. But it also has a 3.5mm stereo output should you wish to physically connect to an external sound system.

In addition to providing the soundtrack for your movies and shows, the Capsule 3 Laser can function as a Bluetooth speaker, without a display. This makes it a great device to pack along for camping or a weekend away since it’s a two-for-one, serving as both a projector and speaker.

A trip across the Pacific with the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser

Product testing has no borders, so I packed the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector with me to Japan because why not? Since it only weighs two pounds and has a compact shape, it was pretty easy to add to my backpack. I studied the Airbnb photos and knew I would have the perfect white wall to finally watch Shogun during my trip. I also just had to rewatch some episodes of the incredible Tokyo Vice (shame on HBO for canceling this series) because when in Rome. On nights when I was too tired to keep walking the neighborhoods in Tokyo, using the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser was a dream.

Get in bitches, we're going to Japan. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

I pack light — as in my one carry-on backpack comes in at under 20 pounds, including all of my tech and my laptop. Committing to packing an extra two pounds was actually kind of a big deal for me, but I didn’t regret it for an instant. Traveling with the projector with built-in Google TV meant I was still logged into my personal accounts on all streaming platforms. I didn’t have to log in on the Airbnb TV and then set a reminder to myself to log out before I checked out. It was all there and loaded up. I also utilized the projector as a Bluetooth speaker every morning while getting ready for the day. Plus, the Capsule 3’s USB-C charging means I didn’t have to pack a separate adapter or cable. I used my phone/laptop charger, the Anker 737 GaNPrime charger.

A must-have for outdoor movie nights or living the apartment life

This portability makes me think the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser could be awesome if you live in a compact apartment and don’t feel like getting a traditional TV. Those can be a pain to move with not to mention a concern for taking damage. You also don’t need to deal with putting holes in the wall that would be necessary if you went the mounted TV route.

SEE ALSO: Best 55-inch and under TVs for your bedroom, the kids' room, or your apartment

Of course, a shining point of a portable projector is the ability to take it outside for an epic backyard movie night. The built-in battery can last for up to 2.5 hours, which means you’ll make it through at least one film or two animated Disney hits (go tropical with a double feature of Moana and Lilo and Stitch). Keep in mind you’ll need a projector screen of some sort to make this movie night happen.

This is not the projector for daytime soaps

If your main viewing times occur during bright hours in the afternoon and you don’t have room-darkening curtains, the Nebula Anker 3 Laser is probably not the right match. The 300 ANSI lumens are impressive, especially given the projector’s tiny size and affordable price, but it’s not the greatest in bright conditions. You’ll lose details of the image to the point of losing the plot. 

The Anker Nebula’s lumens are really designed for dark viewing either at night or in a room that can achieve relative darkness.

It takes a smidge of patience to get going

While I’m personally wonderstruck by the automatic focus and keystone process, getting the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser to the stage of being ready to play your chosen show or movie takes a bit of patience. The focus process, paired with the fairly slow initial loading of Google TV, means you can forget the snacks, go get them, and come back to a projector that’s just become ready for your selection. I didn’t find this a deal breaker in any sense, but it does perhaps indicate low RAM for Google TV to run at a zippy speed.

You’ll want to accessorize (sold separately)

The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser comes with the projector itself, a USB-C charging cable, an adapter, and the lovable remote, but no stand. It does, however, have a standard threaded mount on the bottom so you can purchase a stand or mount separately. Of course, the projector works just fine without a base, but it’s a worthwhile upgrade to have. Plus, the small size of the projector can actually be a negative in terms of avoiding knocking it over.

I travel with the compact Nebula Projector Foldable Stand, which does the job. At home, I much prefer the adjustable Nebula three-foot floor stand that keeps cords tucked away. When car camping or using the projector in the backyard, the Nebula Capsule Power Bank Tripod is awesome since it’s a portable size and offers an extra two hours of battery life. But since the power bank tripod weighs as much as the projector itself, I wouldn’t recommend this option for travel.

You’ll likely also want some form of carrying case. Since the Nebula Capsule is roughly the size of a can of soda, I may have used a neoprene wine koozie in a pinch on one trip.

If you want accessories like a stand or tripod, you can save some money by bundling them together when buying from Anker’s website.

Laser vs. non-laser

Anker makes a non-laser version of the Nebula Capsule 3, which is simply called the Nebula Capsule 3 mini projector. It’s less expensive, slightly smaller and lighter, but you lose the image quality that comes from a laser projector. It’s still ready to offer you a terrific movie night, and it’s travel-friendly, but it’s just slightly less pretty when it comes to the display. It’s also slightly dimmer, coming in at 200 lumens instead of the 300 lumens on the laser version. Again, this isn’t the right projector if you'll be watching during the day or in a bright room.

The Nebula Capsule 3 mini projector (left) compared to the size of the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser mini projector (right). Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

The standard Capsule 3, however, comes with one benefit I prefer significantly over the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser. The standard Nebula Capsule 3 has a USB-A port in addition to the USB-C and HDMI. The Laser version omits the USB-A port. Since both versions of the projector charge via the one USB-C port, you cannot use this port to view media. You’ll need a dongle if you hope to both charge the projector and use the USB-C port for a media library with the Capsule Laser 3. That’s not a huge deal, and you can grab an Anker USB-C hub to remedy this port situation for under $25 at Amazon.

Is the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser worth it?

At full price, the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser costs $749.99 at the time of this review, but it goes on sale often at Amazon for about $600. For that price, the Capsule 3 Laser offers an incredible value for a portable projector that comes with impressive image quality in 1080p resolution. There’s also the added benefit that it can serve as a portable Bluetooth speaker. If you’re taking this on a camping trip, to a weekend cabin getaway, or on vacation, that eliminates the need to pack a separate speaker. The Google TV addition also means you won’t have to log into your accounts on the TV at the Airbnb. It also charges via USB-C, which is something you’re probably already packing, so you won’t need to pack an extra cable or adapter. 

With the built-in battery, you can watch at least one movie on the projector before you need to find a power source. But if you’re using it as a Bluetooth speaker, you can get up to eight hours of listening time before a recharge.

Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser mini projector $579.98 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $170.01 See It