Technology

In the Venn diagram of tablets and books, our favorite e-readers fall perfectly in the middle. They're thin and portable like a tablet, but without the distraction of the internet. The best Kindles and e-readers stuff thousands of books — a full library, really — into their tiny frame.

And having tested a lot of e-readers for Mashable, I can tell you that Amazon's Kindle lineup comes closest to perfecting the devices. All over the internet, you'll find TikTok users enthusiastically singing the praises of the Kindle. For parents, Kindles are a screen you don't have to feel guilty about. For avid readers, Stuff Your Kindle Day lets you fill up your summer reading list. You can buy remote page-turners so you don't have to hold your Kindle while reading. Even hardcore book collectors have been converted to the Kindle life.

Meet the newest generation of Kindle e-readers Can't decide between the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite? We put them head-to-head.. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable SEE ALSO: I read over 50 books a year. Here are my favorite e-readers.

A lot has changed since the Kindle first debuted in 2007. While it was released just a few months after the first iPhone, the Amazon Kindle has received fewer updates. As of 2025, we're on the 12th generation of Kindles; the latest arrived in October 2024. Every model — the basic Kindle, the Paperwhite, Signature Edition, Scribe, and Kids models — all got upgrades. And unfortunately, the Kindle Oasis, a waterproof model with page-turning buttons, was discontinued.

Kindle's first color e-reader also arrived in late 2024, and it's the only model I haven't tested personally. I'm eager to see how it compares, especially with the Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Libra Colour. In general, color e-readers are a pretty niche product, and the Colorsoft is the most expensive option, which is why you won't find it in this guide.

The latest Kindles are lightweight, easy to use, and compatible with Libby, so you can support your local library (and get free books, of course). Basically, it's hard to make a bad decision in this product category. So, what's the best Kindle for you? Let me help you decide.

How to pick the right Kindle for you:

If you're concerned about buying the newest tech, that's not an issue. There are six updated Kindle models for sale, as well as older editions still in stock.

Before you choose a Kindle, you need to ask one question first: Do you want it to be waterproof? If you prefer reading near a body of water — whether in the bath, by the pool, or at the beach — that immediately narrows down your options. Since the Kindle Oasis is no longer available, you have some other choices. Your waterproof options are the Kindle Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, Colorsoft Signature Edition, and Paperwhite Kids.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition settings screen. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Beyond water resistance, here are a few other features to consider:

• Display size: The basic Kindle has a 6-inch display, while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.

• Storage capacity: Kindles range from 16GB to 32GB of storage capacity.

• Battery life: The new Kindles generally have outstanding batteries. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.

• Writing capability: The Kindle Scribe is the only model that allows you to write with the included stylus. 

The latest Kindles all boast a maximum brightness of 94 nits and a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare, so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity, allowing you to download all the reading material you could ever want. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via the built-in Bluetooth connection.

Not to mention, out of all the e-readers I've tested, Kindles have the best compatibility with Libby. I love the digital platform because I can read for free and support my local library. Some other e-readers require you to download your library e-book to a computer and then upload it to an e-reader, but with Kindles, your e-books are sent straight to your device with a click.

And if you were a die-hard Kindle Oasis fan and are attached to page-turning buttons, you may need to stray from the Kindle line-up. Now, your best bet will be the Kobo Libra Colour.

How to get free e-books on Kindle With just a click, transfer your Libby e-book to your Kindle device. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Your Libby ebook will automatically populate in your Kindle library. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best way to read free e-books on a Kindle is with Libby. Libby allows you to borrow e-books through libraries, and all you is a library card. Through the Libby app, borrow books and then select the 'read with Kindle' option which allows you to send these e-books into your Kindle library.

Another option for finding free e-books is through Stuff Your Kindle events. These are author-driven events that offer limited-time deals on e-books often making them heavily discounted or totally free.

SAVE OVER $1,000: The 85-inch Hisense U8 Mini-LED 4K Smart TV is just $2,197.99 at Amazon — its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Mini-LED 4K UHD Google Smart TV $2,197.99 at Amazon
$3,498 Save $1,300.01 Get Deal

This latest price cut on a massive 4K TV is so big, you’d be forgiven for thinking Prime Day was still live.

As of July 18, the 85-inch Hisense U8 Mini-LED ULED 4K Google Smart TV (the 2025 model) is down to $2,197.99 at Amazon — that’s 37% off its original price of $3,498, and one of the best deals we’ve seen on a premium big-screen set this year. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, that’s its lowest price yet. In terms of size and specs, this TV brings serious firepower. 

SEE ALSO: The best budget TVs for gaming, according to the experts

With Mini-LED Pro backlighting, up to 5,000 local dimming zones, and a blisteringly bright 5,000 nits peak, picture contrast and detail are dialled up to much higher levels compared to standard LED TVs — due to the much higher amount of LEDs at a smaller size. 

The near-cinematic quality is great for bingeing blockbusters like Superman or Jurassic World Rebirth on home release, or tuning into any late-night football matches. The QLED panel supports over a billion colors, while the Anti-Reflection Pro screen means nothing washes out your view, even in bright rooms.

Gamers shouldn’t feel left out either. With a native 165Hz refresh rate, VRR up to 288, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, this TV is ready for smooth, responsive play on current-gen console games like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Donkey Kong Bananza. There's even a built-in Game Bar to tweak your settings on the fly.

The sound is just as impressive: a 4.1.2-channel system with eight built-in speakers, including up-firing drivers, aims to bring Dolby Atmos audio to life without the need for a separate soundbar.

Google TV is baked in as well, so you can stream, search, and customise your content hub with ease — which is great if you’re a smart TV-streaming purist who doesn’t like to use consoles or dedicated Blu-ray players.

If you want an even bigger display than 85 inches, you can save nearly $500 on this massive 100-inch Hisense TV, also at Amazon.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

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

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

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 Friday, July 18, 2025:

AcrossAppropriate word that can precede 7-/8-Across and 3-/10-Down

• The answer is Half.

Remy's brother in "Ratatouille"

• The answer is Emile.

Missouri's postal abbreviation

• The answer is MO.

Light switch position

• The answer is On.

Done for laughs

• The answer is In fun.

Richard of "Pretty Woman"

• The answer is Gere.

DownPrefix that means 1-Across

• The answer is Half.

In the midst of

• The answer is Among.

Super Bowl that featured a 28-3 comeback win by the Patriots

• The answer is LI.

Baker's powder

• The answer is Flour

Dated feminine suffix

• The answer is Enne.

Iron, on the periodic table

• The answer is Fe.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE $30: As of July 18, the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) is on sale for $99 at Amazon. This deal saves you 23% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30 Get Deal

The Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) is back on sale at Amazon, this time for $30 off. As of July 18, it's now priced at $99 — an absolute steal. So why this version over other Apple Pencil models?

This Apple stylus is noticeably better in design than the previous iteration, especially for those who love to sketch, take notes, or use their iPad for lots of heavy editing. The stylus has a magnetic attachment, so it's nice and easy to both store and charge. Double-tap gestures let you switch tools effortlessly, and performance-wise, it’s incredibly responsive with near-zero lag.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: Shop MacBook Air, AirPods, iPads, and more

Whether you’re drawing fine lines, shading, or jotting down fast notes, it feels almost the same as writing with a real pen or pencil. And unlike the 1st Gen, these smart features make the 2nd Gen much more seamless to use day to day.

The Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) is compatible with the following iPad models: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation); iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation); iPad Air (4th and 5th generation); and iPad mini (6th generation).

Get this deal from Amazon now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

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

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

Late Show host Stephen Colbert made a shocking announcement on Thursday, revealing that the long-running talk show had been axed after more than 30 years on air. The news comes mere days after Colbert accused CBS' parent company Paramount of paying a "big fat bribe" to President Donald Trump.

"Next year will be our last season," said Colbert to his audience's dismay. "The network will be ending The Late Show in May."

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert takes aim at Trump/Paramount settlement as a 'big fat bribe'

The Late Show's first iteration premiered in 1993, with renowned host David Letterman behind the desk for 22 years. Colbert took the reins following Letterman's 2015 retirement and quickly made it his own, scoring multiple Emmy nominations in the decade since. The Late Show regularly tops the Nielsen ratings, outstripping competing talk shows, and it attracted over 2.4 million viewers across 41 episodes in Q2 alone this year. As such, few in his audience likely expected the popular show's untimely demise.

"It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of 'The Late Show' on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away." - Stephen Colbert

Colbert's announcement of The Late Show's cancellation on Thursday sparked a loud round of booing, to which the host responded that he shares such sentiments. The unhappy news is apparently still fresh to him, with Colbert stating that he'd just found out the previous night.

"It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of The Late Show on CBS," Colbert continued. "I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away."

Despite the sudden cancellation, Colbert still thanked CBS as well as his audience and the 200 people who work on the show.

"We get to do this show for each other every day all day, and I've had the pleasure and the responsibility of sharing what we do every day with you in front of this camera for the last 10 years," said Colbert. "And let me tell you, it is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it. And it's a job that I'm looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months."

CBS claims 'Late Show' cancellation unrelated to Colbert's criticism

CBS issued a statement on Thursday night following Colbert's announcement, in which it confirmed its decision to end The Late Show.

"This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," wrote CBS executives. "It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount."

Said "other matters" appears to reference the recent lawsuit Trump filed against Paramount in October. In it, Trump alleged that Paramount had deceptively edited a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris to be favourable to her ahead of the November presidential election. Paramount agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle the suit earlier this month, a decision that has been lambasted by First Amendment and press freedom advocates.

Colbert has also been vocally critical of this settlement, labelling it a "big fat bribe" on Monday and stating that Paramount itself called the lawsuit "completely without merit." He further noted that Paramount has been trying to secure the Trump administration's approval of its proposed merger with Skydance Media — an effort that likely wouldn't be helped by an ongoing lawsuit with the president.

The Skydance-Paramount merger is yet to be approved by the FCC. However, on Wednesday, Trump appeared to support the merger and praised Skydance CEO David Ellison when speaking to reporters, the same day Colbert was informed of The Late Show's cancellation. The president then immediately began speaking about his lawsuit with Paramount.

Colbert has been a prominent critic of Trump for years, and on Monday acknowledged speculation that he may be pressured to lay off the president should Paramount's merger with Skydance go through. It now looks as though this won't be a concern any longer.

Of course, not everyone is buying CBS' explanation, particularly in light of Colbert's recent comments and The Late Show's steady success with viewers.

"CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery," Senator Elizabeth Warren posted to X. "America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons."

"Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled," wrote Senator Adam Schiff. "If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better."

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on July 14-18. Something Strange, hosted by Indie Author Central, is offering science fiction and dystopia books for Kindle e-readers for free or $0.99.

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back with a bang for fans of science fiction and dystopia books. Something Strange, hosted by Indie Author Central, is offering books from these popular genres for free. And the books that you download are yours to keep forever.

This is your chance to give your library a serious boost without spending anything.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Something Strange takes place from July 14-18. Unlike a lot of Stuff Your Kindle Days that take place over 24 hours, this event runs for five days. That gives you time to properly peruse the options and find exactly what you love to read.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone.

Which e-books are free?

Finding all of these free science fiction and dystopia books is straightforward thanks to the helpful hub page on Indie Author Central. Everything is nicely presented with filters so you can head directly to the books you actually want to download.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so don't hold back.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.96 Save $35.97 Get Deal Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Prices start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months at a time. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.

TL;DR: Skoove Premium Piano Lessons uses advanced AI to give you curated virtual piano lessons, and right now a lifetime subscription can be yours for just $149.99 (reg. $299). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99
$299.99 Save $150 Get Deal

Whether you've dabbled in lessons as a kid or never sat on a piano bench, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons can help you master the keys from the comfort of home. All you'll need is a tablet, a keyboard, and this AI-powered app. 

Right now, you can save 50% on a lifetime subscription and keep honing your craft for life for just $149.99 (reg. $299). 

Learn piano on your lunch break

Skoove offers AI-powered piano lessons that let you tickle the ivories in your spare time. That means even people with the busiest schedules can pencil in time to pound the keys and elevate their skills, with Skoove providing curated feedback and useful resources as you learn. 

These virtual piano lessons only require a piano or keyboard and your tablet, so you don't need to buy anything else to get started. And this lifetime subscription lets you work at your own pace.

You'll get access to 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos, but don't think you'll just be sitting back and repeating after the video. Thanks to AI, you play and Skoove listens, recognizing your notes and offering real-time feedback so you can continuously improve. 

Learn what you love, thanks to Skoove's wide range of genres. Practice playing with tunes from Adele or John Legend, or go old school and work on some Bach or Beethoven. Monthly updates bring new song choices, so you never have to worry about running out of material. 

While learning from the AI is interactive, there's also backup if needed. If you ever get stumped, Skoove's music instructors are available for one-on-one support. 

Ready to join over one million people already mastering piano with Skoove?

Get a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $149.99 (reg. $299) right here. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Samoa vs. Scotland for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We know that everyone is counting down the days until the first Lions vs. Australia game, but there are some really interesting international fixtures taking place elsewhere. And for the players who didn't make the Lions tour, this is a chance for retribution.

Samoa vs. Scotland is the first game taking place this weekend, and it looks set to be explosive.

If you want to watch Samoa vs. Scotland for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Samoa vs. Scotland?

Samoa vs. Scotland starts at 8:35 a.m. BST on July 18. This fixture takes place at Eden Park.

How to watch Samoa vs. Scotland for free

Samoa vs. Scotland is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Samoa vs. Scotland for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Samoa vs. Scotland before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch Samoa vs. Scotland for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spain are the favorites to win the Women's Euro 2025, but next they face a tricky matchup with the hosts. On paper, Spain should win this one comfortably and book a spot in the semi finals. But you can never count out the host nation.

If you want to watch Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Switzerland?

Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on July 18. This fixture takes place at the Wankdorf Stadium.

How to watch Spain vs. Switzerland for free

Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Spain vs. Switzerland (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for streaming sport?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To encourage.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

CHEER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Showy.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GAUDY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Assertive.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PUSHY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A human.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WIGHT

Final Hurdle hint

Cruel.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

HARSH

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

Here we are again. Another wave of price hikes on our subscriptions is landing. Yesterday, it was Google's Nest Aware subscriptions, which saw a pretty significant price jump. And if you thought that meant hikes were coming to streaming services, turns out you were right—and Peacock is getting the party started.

As Mashable's Tech Editor, I have way too many charging cables, power blocks, and USB-C blocks in my apartment. But there aren't many that I actually like to use. While most chargers are simply necessary evils, only one of these products has earned permanent status in my bedside AC outlet.

The Charger, from under-the-radar brand Counterpart, solves the biggest problem with most USB-C wall chargers — it features a retractable cable that snakes up inside the device when it's not in use. That means no annoying cable cluttering up your desk, countertops, or bedroom. It's one of those ingenious product innovations that makes you wonder, "Why aren't all chargers like this?"

Opens in a new window Credit: Counterpart The Charger, 35W USB-C Wall Charger $44 at Counterpart
Shop Now

You have to be pretty confident in your charger to name it The Charger. And I think it's worthy of the name. Because on top of its innovative design, this puck-shaped charger also looks attractive, which isn't something I can say about any other charging product I own. (And, again, there are so many).

This 35W USB-C charger features a retractable four-foot ribbon cable. When not in use, simply press a button on the front of the device, and the cable retracts like a tape measure. As you can see in my video review, it's immensely satisfying. And as a GaN charger, it offers more efficient charging than the average device. While you can find some chargers with retractable cables for cars, this is one of the only options for the home.

Yes, the $44 price tag may give you pause, but it's well worth it for a product that's attractive, functional, and comes with a two-year warranty. These chargers also make great gifts, especially if you're looking for stocking stuffers or under-$50 gift ideas.

The Charger comes in five different color options and can be purchased at the Counterpart online store.

Pornhub stopped operating in France last month in anticipation of the country's age-verification law going into effect. When the law was suspended weeks later, Pornhub restored itself in France. Now, Pornhub has blocked itself once again.

France's age-verification law requires porn sites to install a third-party system to check visitors' ages. This system must also be "double-blind," meaning the porn site doesn't know the visitor's age, and the verification system doesn't know which site they are accessing.

SEE ALSO: Do age-verification laws work? Not according to this study.

On June 16, the Administrative Court of Paris suspended the law, citing EU regulations. On July 15, the Council of State, the top French court, annulled the suspension. That same day, Aylo (which owns Pornhub and other adult sites like YouPorn and Redtube) released a statement that it will again stop operating in France.

"While important questions about the implementation of the law in France are still being considered, we maintain that French citizens deserve regulation that will prevent children from accessing adult content and that can be effectively enforced," Aylo states. "They also deserve that their privacy and sensitive data be protected. Again, we believe the current approach faces significant challenges in achieving these important goals."

The company goes on to state that verifying one's age every time one visits a site doesn't protect minors but instead endangers privacy through potential data breaches. It also said these laws put children at risk by driving them to websites that don't comply with the laws.

"To the French government and [France's communication regulator] Arcom we ask, how many minors have been protected in the six weeks since this law came into effect?" the statement says. "Provide the data on how this reduced access to age-inappropriate content."

These are the same concerns free speech advocates have expressed to Mashable: that age-verification sites won't work, are easily circumvented with VPNs, and have internet privacy and security concerns. In terms of the former, Proton VPN saw a 1,000 percent increase in sign-ups in France in the 30 minutes following the initial block.

Aylo advocates for device-level filters to prevent minors from accessing these websites.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for similar laws. Pornhub has blocked itself in most states with such a law. The UK's own age-verification law goes into effect on July 25, and Pornhub will comply and operate within the region.

How do you unwind when you’ve had a rough day? Some people like to turn their brains off and watch YouTube videos until they get sleepy. Others turn to old episodes of comfort food television that never fail to make them feel better.

Even if you're not sold on robotic vacuum cleaners, manual vacuuming still doesn't have to feel like a chore. Dare I say that the best cordless vacuums should ideally toe the line of fun? The sense of satisfaction that stems from visible pet hair pickup and crisp carpet lines, the lightweight freedom of sweeping wherever you want with one hand — our dopamine receptors can't resist.

I trust robot vacuums, but I trust myself more

Whether you should get a robot vacuum or a cordless vacuum boils down to one question: How picky are you about cleaning?

Everyone can probably acknowledge the appeal of not lifting a finger to clean their floors. But to some, that convenience may not be worth the cringe sparked by watching a robot vacuum ignore a crumb or eat a phone charger. Despite notable upgrades in navigational smarts and overall cleaning performance over the past half decade, even the best robot vacuums of 2025 can't match the precision of a cordless stick vacuum operated by, you know, an actual human with a brain.

Stick vacuums also just have the physical advantage in a lot of tricky spots. If you'd like to keep up with couch cushions, car seats, stairs, or the dusty abyss lying behind every door, a cordless vacuum is the only option with that flexibility.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

But to be real, your willingness to do all the cleaning yourself also matters — if you dread manual vacuuming so much that you'll just put off doing it, your floors might actually be cleaner with a robot vacuum. I personally have both at the ready at all times and can argue for the value and practicality on either side, depending on the situation. And while I wouldn't want to completely live without the convenience robot vacuums provide when I'm frazzled, I haven't been able to shake the reflex to reach for a cordless stick vacuum in more cases than not.

After testing multiple top vacuum cleaners in my own apartment, I've settled on the select few that I'd recommend to anyone who asks. Here are the best cordless vacuums to buy in 2025 based on cleaning performance, vacuum maintenance, handheld flexibility, and more.

Other cordless vacuums I've tested

I've tested several other vacuum cleaners that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Shark Detect Pro with auto-empty station and LG All-in-One Cord Zero with auto-empty station, were a top recommendation at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck.

There are also a few Dyson vacuums from years past that still garner substantial search interest, but that I no longer think are worth your money compared to what else is out there. The Dyson V8 and (seemingly discontinued) Dyson V10 that my parents have lying around have a tendency to push large debris like cat food and rocks around, and leave behind a layer of pet hair on many dark rugs. While these Dysons may have been powerhouses in the late 2010s, $300 could get you a more powerful option — maybe even automatic emptying, like with the Shark Detect Pro I just mentioned. The only upside would be that Dyson includes the motorized hair screw tool with the V8 and V10.

I also bumped the Dyson V15 Detect Submarine out of the list. The Roborock 2-in-1 cordless mop that took its place just offers a more seamless mopping system all around. The swappable wet roller head that turns the V15 Detect into a "mop" completely cuts off airflow to the dust bin of the vacuum, meaning there's no real wet suction going on. During my testing, this just pushed liquid around instead of soaking up spills, which then led to a soggy manual cleaning process that was super prone to leaks and weird smells. It just required way too much maintenance by hand, compared to the self-cleaning features of the Roborock F25 Ace Combo.

I also test robot vacuums. Are they as powerful?

I also test a ton of robot vacuums at home, and have found that cordless vacuums are generally tougher on elusive debris like pet hair or fine powders, especially when they've been pressed down into rug fibers.

Cordless stick vacuums are generally more powerful than robot vacuums. The upright design is optimal for airflow and has the real estate to house larger motors and more complex cyclone systems that create extra force on top of suction power alone. A robot vacuum's motor can't exceed the three or four-inch clearance that the vac needs to scoot its whole body under furniture. The motor of an upright vacuum typically lives completely separately from the vacuum head and roller brush and is thus under fewer constraints.

Physics aside, you could argue that a cordless vacuum is less likely to leave debris behind because a person is actively assessing where the suction needs to be focused. This includes tricky spots that aren't even on a robot vacuum's radar, like staircases or cars.

There are some one-to-one comparisons where a robot vacuum could be as powerful or more powerful than a stick vacuum. For instance, I've tested both the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and Roborock F25 Ace cordless vacuum, and both offer 20,000 Pa suction power. But robot vacuums with that kind of power typically reside in the $1,000+ category, while it's much more affordable to hit that number with a stick vacuum. Even with identical stats on paper, the cordless vacuum would probably have a higher pickup rate over time just because the person operating it can see when more passes are necessary.

We love tiny PCs. But a lot of them are on the weaker side specwise, and that's understandable—there's not a lot of space inside to put high-end parts, and even if there was, thermals are also an issue. This one, however, doesn't seem to skimp on anything.

Did you know Apple's CarPlay will let you make anything — and I mean truly anything — the sound that plays when you start up your car? Well, TikTok found out, and now it's a quickly spreading trend.

It has almost become competitive at this point: How weird, funny, or esoteric can you make your start-up sound?

It's become a trend to start your car and begin filming as it slowly loads, then plays the sound. (The custom sound is played only when your phone connects to CarPlay, so that builds a natural bit of tension as the audience waits for the reveal.) Here are just a few we've spotted on TikTok.

This person used the race sound from Nintendo's Mario Kart.

This person gets greeted by Taylor Swift.

This driver gets a little motivation from the internet's new favorite character, Chit.

This person has a sound from the classic film Billy Madison.

This driver recycles an old meme sound.

It's a funny, silly trend that brings a little bit of whimsy each time you start up your car. I live in New York City and don't have a car, but if I did, I'd probably choose something from the Tim Robinson/I Think You Should Leave/Conner O'Malley extended universe.

Still, if you want to set up your own sound via CarPlay, we can show you how.

How to change your CarPlay start-up sound like the TikTok trend

Per usual, TikTok itself is very helpful for this trend. This post from @cronloya does a really good job of breaking it down step-by-step.

Here's another quick tutorial from @JimKirkVO on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

I was able to recreate the process, though I could not test it out in my non-existent car. But here's how you do it, in seven steps.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone

Step 1: Go to the Shortcuts app.

It should already be installed on your iPhone.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 2: Create a CarPlay automation.

Navigate to the "automation" tab at the bottom of the screen, click "new automation," then scroll down and select CarPlay.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone / Mashable

Step 3: Select "run immediately."

Then hit "next."

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 4: Create a "new blank automation" and navigate to "files."

You may need to hit the button for "add action" to find the files tab, depending on your iOS.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 5: Select "file," then click the blue "file" to pick your sound.

You need to select "file" within the "files" tab... then click the blue word "file" to actually pick the sound. A bit confusing, but you've got this.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone / Mashable

Step 6: Select your sound from within your files.

Once you see the file is uploaded, hit the "done" button. (For some reason, the only sound I could find on my phone was The Rock telling someone it doesn't matter what their name is.)

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 7: Click into the automation, search for "play sound," and select that automation.

You'll have to search for "play sound" to find it. Once you click that option, hit done and your custom sound is complete.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Now, you'll need to download a sound file — an MP3, most likely — to do this trick. Luckily, Mashable has some tutorials on how to do just that. Typically speaking, you can also Google a popular sound and find a downloadable version.

So, with just a little bit of effort, you can add a pinch of whimsy to your daily commute.

The Trump administration has struck an agreement to hand over the personal data of 79 million Medicaid users, part of the President's effort to "crack down" on undocumented communities across the country.

In documents obtained exclusively by the Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) agreed to provide demographic and location data to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, including names, addresses, and ethnicities, in order to more efficiently track down undocumented individuals living in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: 988's crisis services for LGBTQ youth are now silent

"ICE will use the CMS data to allow ICE to receive identity and location information on aliens identified by ICE," the agreement reads. In response to the Associated Press, Health and Human Services assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, said the two agencies "are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans."

Officials have contended that the Medicaid data will be used as a cost-cutting measure to reduce health care costs. But, according to data from the U.S. Commission on Sentencing, more than 90 percent of individuals who commit entitlement fraud are U.S. citizens, and undocumented individuals are only able to enroll in emergency health insurance coverage, not standard policies.

The move to collect information on undocumented individuals through government agencies, anticipated by activists and experts, is fast becoming the largest effort to consolidate Americans' personal data. According to the agreement, officials cannot download any personal data from CMS's databases indefinitely. Instead, officials will be able to access information from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until September 9.

In June, the administration attempted a mass data seizure of personal health information from citizens in states that allow undocumented residents to enroll in state-funded health care. State officials have since sued the administration for illegally exposing the personal information of residents, arguing that the move would have a "chilling" effect on those seeking medical attention and creating a culture of fear.

"By turning over some of our most sensitive healthcare data to ICE, Health and Human Services has fundamentally betrayed the trust of almost 80 million people. This jaw-dropping development proves that the Administration’s claim of using this information to prevent fraud is a Trojan horse that instead will primarily advance their goal of deporting millions of people," said Elizabeth Laird, director of equity in civic technology for the Center for Democracy and Technology.

"Over 90 percent of entitlement fraud is committed by U.S. citizens, underscoring the false pretense of sharing this information with ICE. The results of this decision will be devastating. It will sink trust in government even lower, force individuals to choose between life-saving care and turning over data to immigration authorities, and erode the quality and effectiveness of government services,” Laird said.

The Trump administration's One Big, Beautiful Bill, which Trump signed into law on July 4, includes a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding over the next 10 years — a move that will affect an estimated 11 million Americans and hundreds of rural hospitals. It strikes $186 billion from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, which benefits 5 million adults and children. And it allocates another $108 billion to immigration enforcement initiatives, including continued construction of a southern border wall, new immigrant detention centers, and logistic operations in the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.

Sadly, you can't buy the motivation to get your butt in the gym. And fitness wearables alone won't make you healthier. But a great fitness tracker can help light a fire under your behind and motivate you to take more than 500 steps in a day. And hey, that's not nothing!

The conversation around fitness has changed quite a bit over the past few years (as made clear by Every Fashion Brand Ever releasing an athleisure line). We can thank the self-care revolution for this one. Actively monitoring your fitness, sleep, and overall health metrics isn't just for athletes or people training for marathons. It's a building block of wellness that people are baking into their daily groove, just like keeping up with a skincare routine or eating vegetables.

Whether you splurge on an Equinox membership or rely on home fitness and smart home gyms, the best fitness trackers do so much more than count steps and monitor your heart rate. The Apple Watch Series 10 lets you connect to a whole host of fitness apps, while also queuing up your Spotify workout playlist. Then there's the classic Fitbit, which keeps you focused on the most important metrics. And more recently, smart rings like the Samsung Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring give you round-the-clock health monitoring.

What do we love about fitness trackers? Comparing the Oura Ring 4 and Whoop fitness trackers. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

We tested a lot of different wearables for this guide, and a lot of Mashable team members use these devices on a daily basis.

When it comes to exercise, we think they're the next best thing to having a personal trainer — they suggest workouts, track your heart rate, and let you know when it's time for a breather — all on your own time. Whether your preferred form of exercise is the gym, a long run, a few laps in the pool, a 10-minute workout on YouTube, or a casual walk around the neighborhood, it'll be there to record all of your PRs and motivate you with new challenges.

Some of the metrics available in the Oura app. Credit: Oura app We found the Whoop home page was a touch cluttered compared to Oura. Credit: Whoop app

In our testing, we found that the best fitness trackers don't just track your workout, but also help you optimize the rest of your day. Trackers that monitor your sleep (sometimes going as deep as times spent in each stage of sleep), body temperature, and blood-oxygen levels offer deep insights into your health. They'll even give you a heads up if you've been exercising too hard.

So, which fitness trackers do we rely on in our daily lives? You'll find our favorites below, but you can also see how popular products like the Apple Watch Series 10, Oura Ring 4, and Fitbit Charge 6 compare to each other.

In addition to the authors listed above, Mashable contributors such as Sam Stone, Kimberly Gedeon, and Samantha Mangino tested fitness trackers for this guide.

Razer has just released its Pokémon Collection in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. This comes after the popular debut of this same line in Asia, complete with a mechanical gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, and mousepad.