Technology

TL;DR: Tired of the usual bad reality TV or corny dramas? Grow your mind with MagellanTV, the streaming service that only offers engaging, educational documentaries for less than $150 for life.

If your ideal streaming night leans more “ancient civilizations” or calming nature documentaries than reality TV, this might be worth bookmarking. Right now, you can grab a lifetime subscription to MagellanTV, a documentary-only streaming service, for $149.99 — down from the regular price of $999.

MagellanTV focuses entirely on nonfiction content, with a growing library of over 4,000 documentaries across categories like history, science, true crime, nature, and even space exploration. No scripted drama, no talk shows — this streaming platform is all about fact-based storytelling that’s updated weekly.

Unlike free platforms with ad-supported content, MagellanTV is ad-free, and the subscription gives you unlimited streaming on virtually any device (TVs, phones, tablets, laptops — even Amazon Fire and Roku!). You can also download shows for offline viewing, which is a plus if you’re traveling any time soon or want the option to keep watching your documentaries without WiFi.

It’s a niche service, sure, but that’s also the point. If you already know you love well-produced, research-driven documentaries, MagellanTV offers a way to access a deep, curated library without worrying about monthly payments. And with this deal, you’re paying once — and never again.

One caveat: this is a lifetime plan for one user, so no shared profiles or family plans. But at under $150 total (or the cost of about 15 months of Netflix), the math works out quickly if you’re likely to use it regularly.

Want to watch how black holes work or revisit Cold War espionage instead of binging yet another fictional (and corny) drama?

Don’t wait to act on this limited-time offer. Grab your MagellanTV lifetime subscription for just $149.99 (reg. $999) while licenses are still in stock.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: MagellanTV MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service: Lifetime Subscription $149.97
$999 Save $849.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: If you manage teams, deadlines, or even your own ambitious side projects, you’ve probably heard of Microsoft Project. It’s long been one of the more robust tools for project scheduling and task management — and if you’ve been waiting for a good deal, this might be it: you can currently grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Project 2021 Professional for just $9.97 (reg. $249.99).

At its core, Microsoft Project is designed to turn complex projects into clear plans. You start by creating tasks — everything from high-level phases to nitty-gritty steps — and assigning start and end dates. Tasks can be linked with dependencies (for example, Task B can’t start until Task A is done), so you can map out exactly how work flows.

From there, the software generates Gantt charts, which are timeline visualizations that show how your project is progressing over time. You can assign tasks to team members, allocate resources (like budget or hours), and flag anything that’s running late or over budget. Built-in reports let you track everything in real time, so you’re not stuck guessing where things stand.

For solo professionals, it’s a way to stay focused and accountable. For teams, it’s a shared source of truth that keeps everyone aligned on project goals and deadlines. It even integrates with other Microsoft tools like Excel and Teams, and while it’s powerful, the interface is surprisingly approachable once you’ve spent some time in it.

A few things to keep in mind: this deal is for the 2021 Professional edition for Windows only. It doesn’t include updates to future versions or support for macOS. But if you’re on a PC and don’t need cutting-edge features, you’re getting a full-featured project management platform at a fraction of the normal price — no subscription required.

At just under $10 for a lifetime license, it’s one of the more budget-friendly ways to upgrade your workflow (and prevent yourself or your team from overspending or missing deadlines).

Don’t wait to act on this offer. Get your Microsoft Project 2021 lifetime license for PC for just $9.97 while downloads are still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Project 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for Windows $9.97
$249.99 Save $240.02 Get Deal

SAVE $26: As of July 15, this refurbished Amazon Echo Show 5 is on sale for $53.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 33% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 (Refurbished) $53.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $26.00 Get Deal

Looking for a new device to add to your smart home setup? Why not pick up the ideal home hub, the Echo Show 5? This device is basically a smart assistant with a screen, and a perfect all-rounder device from which you can listen to music, make video calls, and even control other smart devices.

And as of July 15, Amazon has a refurbished "like new" model reduced to $53.99. And don't feel wary about the refurbished stamp, Amazon says that all "like new" devices are "refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new and come with the same limited warranty as a new device." So, you're fully protected.

SEE ALSO: Forget the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8. The Galaxy Watch 7 is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The Echo Show 5 comes with built-in Alexa, the ability to watch Netflix shows, and it even has video chat capabilities. The design is neat and nifty, with a screen size of just 5.5 inches, so it is perfect for looking at the weather, recipes, or the time at a glance, without taking up too much space in your home. Because no one wants a clunky device ruining the aesthetic.

It can stream music and is compatible with the most popular streaming apps, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Deezer. This model even benefits from a deeper bass and clearer vocals for a more advanced listening experience.

Not to mention, the Echo Show 5 is eco-friendly, featuring fabric made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn and an aluminum body crafted from 100% recycled materials.

Upgrade your smart home now with this great refurbished deal at Amazon.

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)

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 15 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: What Simone Biles might use

• Green: To kick out

• Blue: Recent thrillers

• Purple: They share a first half

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Gymnastics apparatus

• Green: Force to leave

• Blue: Horror movies from 2022

• Purple: Horse___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #765 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Gymnastics apparatus: BARS, BEAM, RINGS, VAULT

• Force to leave: BOOT, BOUNCE, EJECT, REMOVE

• Horror movies from 2022: NOPE, PEARL, SCREAM, SMILE

• Horse___: FEATHERS, PLAY, POWER, SHOE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 15

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

When Tesla kicked off its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, last month, it started with a reported 10-20 cars and a fairly small geofenced area in South Austin.

Now, that area has grown, and its shape is a not very subtle message to Tesla's competitors.

As revealed on Monday by Tesla's official Robotaxi account on X, the new area where Tesla's Robotaxis operate is shaped like a giant penis.

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To make absolutely sure everyone's in on the joke, Tesla CEO Elon Musk chimed in with a reply: "Bigger, longer, and uncut," he wrote. Tesla's Robotaxi account on X shared the image of the new area with the caption: "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."

One would think that Tesla has to be pretty careful about how it expands the Robotaxi service, given that its fleet of Model Ys which are self-navigating the city have been spotted making numerous apparent traffic violations. In that sense, the fact that the company was able to expand the service in this (seemingly careless) way can be viewed as a positive development — or perhaps Musk is willing to risk it all to make a giant penis joke.

Waymo's service area in Austin is not, I repeat, is not shaped like a penis. Credit: Alphabet

For comparison, Alphabet's Waymo covers a roughly equal, but far less penile-shaped area of Austin.

SEE ALSO: Tesla's Robotaxis keep screwing up. There's now a list of incidents.

Musk recently announced the Robotaxi project's expansion in Austin, and added that the Robotaxi service may expand to the Bay Area "in a month or two." We shudder to think which shape the Robotaxi geofenced area may take over there.

SAVE $65: As of July 15, the Renpho Shiatsu Foot Massager is on sale for $84.93 at Amazon. That's a 43% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: RENPHO Renpho Foot Massager $84.93 at Amazon
$149.97 Save $65.04 Get Deal

Few things scream self-care quite like a home foot massager, and as of July 15, you can get a great model at a heavy discount. The Renpho foot massager is back at its lowest-ever price, so there's no better time to treat yourself. Right now, it's priced at $84.93 ($65 off).

It even made the pick for our top foot massagers, so we definitely think this deal is worth considering.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy Smart Scale C20 is on sale for under $40 at Amazon

This machine uses a combination of rotating balls, rolling sticks, and gentle heat to mimic the feel of a deep shiatsu massage, perfect for relaxing after a long day on your feet. With different kneading and air compression levels, it’s easy to adjust to your preference. And if mobility restrictions are an issue, the remote-controlled panel means there’s no need to bend down to turn it on.

It can quickly heat up to 131°F, so you can feel a quick release of muscle tension and improve your circulation. It’s FSA and HSA eligible, too.

For maintenance, the roomy foot chambers are lined with removable, washable cloth covers to keep them clean.

Sounds dreamy, right? Get it at Amazon right 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)

SAVE $130: As of July 15, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale for $199.99 on Amazon. That's a 39% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $199.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $130 Get Deal

You know what happens when a new device is launched? The older models go on sale. Fresh from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 announcement, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is back on sale at Amazon. And this time it's at its lowest-ever price. As of July 15, you can save $130 with the new price of $199.99.

This version of the Samsung Galaxy Watch benefits from Galaxy AI. This includes starting your day with a personalized Energy Score, a stat based on what you did the day before, how you slept, and how much activity you've done. It includes all the usual data you'd expect from a smartwatch, such as sleep monitoring, fitness levels, and heart rate tracking, but at a much more advanced level.

SEE ALSO: Pre-ordering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8? Here's how to get a free $50 Amazon gift card.

With sleep tracking, this watch can signal whether you may be suffering from sleep apnea. While you sleep, the watch tracks your breathing patterns and oxygen levels, using AI to identify issues that may indicate episodes of sleep apnea. Galaxy AI also improves the fitness tracking too, using your previous workout data to give you an idea of how you are progressing. Whether you're running, cycling, swimming, or whatever else, the Galaxy Watch 7 will give you great stats and insights.

Get it now while it's at its lowest-ever price.

Reddit has announced it will begin verifying the ages of users in the UK, responding to a new law coming into effect this month.

"[T]he UK Online Safety Act has new requirements to implement additional measures to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate content," Reddit's chief legal officer Ben Lee aka u/traceroo posted to r/RedditSafety on Monday. "So, starting July 14 in the UK, we will begin collecting and verifying your age before you can view certain mature content."

SEE ALSO: Pornhub to comply with UK's upcoming age verification law

Initially passed in 2023, the UK Online Safety Act requires all platforms that host certain restricted content to establish an age verification system by July 24. While many users turn to Reddit for primarily family-friendly matters, the platform also has a substantial collection of NSFW subreddits which would fall under the UK's new legislation.

As such, Reddit has partnered with Persona, a third-party age verification provider. Users in the UK who wish to access restricted content will need to upload either a selfie or their government ID, which Persona will use to verify that they are over 18. Users who don't pass this check will not be able to access such content, including that which is sexually explicit.

Reddit has stressed that this system is only to verify users' age, and it has no interest in your identity. Lee further stated that Persona won't know what subreddits you visit, and has promised it won't keep users' uploaded images more than seven days. Even so, having to upload their driver's license to access adult material will no doubt make many Reddit users uncomfortable. 

"Reddit will not have access to the uploaded photo, and Reddit will only store your verification status along with the birthdate you provided so you won’t have to re-enter it each time you try to access restricted content," wrote Lee (emphasis original). "Your birthdate is never visible to other users or advertisers, and is used to support safety features and age-appropriate experiences on Reddit."

While Reddit is only introducing Persona's age verification for users in the UK, it's also making changes in other regions. Lee also announced that the platform is introducing the option for users to provide their birthdate to "optimize your Reddit experience." Specifically, Reddit states that this will enable them to tailor content and ads depending upon a user's age.

Lee further hinted at upcoming updates intended to confirm whether a user is an actual human or an AI bot, stating that there will be "more to come about that later."

"We're carefully watching how the law evolves," they wrote. "No specific timeline. And we continue to advocate for alternative approaches that don’t require platforms to ask for id's."

Age verification laws spark digital privacy concerns

Lee also indicated that Reddit may be pushing back against such age verification laws as they are currently formulated. 

"Is Reddit just watching or is it fighting against such legislation?" asked user u/shiruken. "On a related note, why can't the digital wallets on smartphones enable age/identity verification for apps and services? They have your digital ID, why can't they offer endpoints for getting the owner's age and some kind of unique identifier?"

"Gee, it's as if you were listening in on my conversations with regulators…" responded Lee.

As it stands, the UK Online Safety Act requires individual websites to collect users' information and verify their age, leaving it up to the platforms to ensure they comply with the law. Free speech and digital privacy experts have expressed serious concerns regarding such age verification requirements, stating that they're ineffective, unenforceable, and present considerable privacy risks.

In contrast, a device-based system would store verification of a user's age on their phone, tablet, computer, or on their device manufacturer's network. Such devices would have pre-installed blocks on restricted websites, which would only be lifted once the user's age has been verified. 

Adult content platform Pornhub has argued for device-based age verification systems for several years, claiming that it will allow for more consistent enforcement. Pornhub's parent company Aylo has agreed to verify UK users' ages in compliance with the new law, though it hasn't yet disclosed what information it will gather in order to do so. Aylo has already blocked multiple U.S. states due to their age verification laws.

Governments across the globe have paid considerable attention to online age verification in recent years. Australia is set to introduce age checks for people who use search engines while logged in to Google or Microsoft accounts, with the new requirements coming into effect from the end of this year. However, while experts agree that children should not access material that is inappropriate for their age, significant misgivings remain regarding the effectiveness of such age verification laws.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only $14.97 (reg. $199) before codes sell out.

If you haven't heard already, Microsoft has officially announced the countdown clock on Windows 10. Are you still running your PC on this dated operating system? Now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade your device's performance, because the latest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, is now less than $15 until the end of today. However, codes are limited.

With these Windows 11 Pro keys, you can completely revamp two compatible PCs, whether they're your personal or work computers. For starters, you'll enjoy a refreshed user interface that's been designed to be intuitive and aesthetically pleasing with rounded corners.

This updated operating system provides more than just an improved navigation experience. New productivity tools like snap layouts, easy redocking, and improved voice typing can help you complete personal and professional tasks, and you'll even have a more powerful search experience to get you further.

Digital safety is paramount for anyone online, which is why Windows 11 Pro is outfitted with enhanced security measures like Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and more for greater peace of mind as you browse, stream, or game. And speaking of gaming, this operating system is designed to improve PC gaming graphics with DirectX12 Ultimate.

Since this is the Pro version of Windows 11, you'll additionally get remote work-friendly features, such as remote desktop access for viewing files and running programs from your mobile device. There's also Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for extra professional usage.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03 Get Deal

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

Elvis' blue shoes.

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

SUEDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Where Jesus died.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 15, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CROSS

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A savage.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 15, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BRUTE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An experiment.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 15 Hurdle Word 4 answer

TRIAL

Final Hurdle hint

A devil.

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

FIEND

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

Ever wonder why the moon looks different every night? Well, that's because of a thing called the lunar cycle.

This is a recurring series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days (according to NASA), and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. The moon is always there, but what we see on Earth changes depending on how much it is lit up.

See what's happening tonight, July 15.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, July 15, the moon phase is still in Waning Gibbous. The moon will be 77% visible to us tonight, NASA's Daily Moon Observation tells us.

It's day 20 of the lunar cycle, and here's what you'll be able to see when you look up. Without any visual aids, enjoy sights of the Oceanus Procellarum, the Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Vaporum. With binoculars, you'll also spot the Clavius Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Humorum.

With a telescope, you'll see all this and more, including the Apollo 14, Rima Hyginus, and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, NASA tells us, caused by the angles between the sun, moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Nebraska with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

More than a third of U.S. states still have restrictions in place for online adult content, meaning millions of potential users are locked out of their favorite sites after Pornhub responded to the introduction of age verification laws with a ban. That's frustrating for users, but there's a simple workaround that everyone should know about.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Nebraska, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Nebraska

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Pornhub for free in Nebraska with ExpressVPN.

One week before Dropout released Season 7, episode 8 of Game Changer, show host and Dropout CEO Sam Reich took to social media to deliver an intriguing PSA about how to get the most out of the episode.

He suggested viewers follow three rules. First, watch the episode as close to its premiere date as possible. Second, if you aren't able to watch it as soon as possible, it's best to stay off of Game Changer's social media channels. Third, if you can watch it live, he encouraged you to interact with Game Changer's social media as much as possible. What could this warning mean, and what did social media have to do with this upcoming episode?

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025 (so far), and where to stream them

Turns out, everything. The episode, titled "Fool's Gold," takes the game to social media and encourages audience interaction in a way no Game Changer episode has done before.

In "Fool's Gold," contestants Mike Trapp, Rekha Shankar, and Jordan Myrick each have $10,000 that they can use to fund video pitches by fellow Dropout cast members. These videos will end up on Game Changer's social media channels. By the end of the month, the contestant whose videos have racked up the most views will be declared the winner. All they have to do is figure out which pitch has the potential to go most viral.

Credit: Jill Petracek

The concept works on multiple levels. On a Game Changer front, it's a comedic riff on Shark Tank, one that delivers ridiculous concepts ranging from a breast milk taste test (pitched by Lily Du and Isabella Roland) to a man peeling glue off his entire body (pitched by Paul Robalino). The episode also doubles as the perfect Game Changer marketing campaign. Dropout's primary marketing strategy is social media clips, so the entire episode has been reverse-engineered to market the show.

"Whenever we're brainstorming for Game Changer, I'm looking for ideas that are not only original but also elegant in their simplicity," Reich told Mashable over e-mail. "This idea appealed to me because it basically strips down the job we do as Dropout development every day to its bare essence: coming up with ideas that are going to translate both to long-form on Dropout and short-form on social media as a means of marketing the platform. Really, the episode is just me being a good delegator!"

"Fool's Gold" also offers an insight into Dropout's cast's understanding of virality. They know sex sells, which is why Persephone Valentine pitches a Dropout cast car wash. They also know they can replicate a prior success, which is why Roland pitches a parade of animated buttholes — a follow-up on her already-viral request from Season 4's "Sam Says" episode. And finally, they know that drama always wins big on the internet. That's why Vic Michaelis' pitch for a "Why I Left Dropout" video from Dropout fan-favorite Brennan Lee Mulligan gets funded by every contestant, along with Reich himself.

SEE ALSO: Inside 'Game Changer,' the internet's favorite game show

Of course, the players' opinions on virality are only half the battle to winning "Fool's Gold." The other half is entirely dependent on the viewers, who, if they abide by Reich's guidelines for viewing the episode, will be able to "play" along live as "Fool's Gold" airs. Then, over the course of the next month, viewers will be able to keep affecting the episode's outcome. Could we see concentrated efforts to influence social media algorithms and get one video more views than others?

"Fool's Gold" is the most a Game Changer episode has interacted with its fanbase, but it's far from the only one to do so. Multiple Season 7 episodes have made fans a part of the game. "Crowd Control" cast Dropout fans as the audience for comedians Jeff Arcuri, Gianmarco Soresi, and Josh Johnson. One of the challenges for the Season 7 premiere, "One Year Later," involved creating the most profitable piece of Dropout merchandise, something fans only realized while watching the episode. Either unknowingly or knowingly, Game Changer is bringing its fans into the game, and, according to Reich, that's a testament to Dropout's relationship with its fandom.

"Game Changer pulls from basically every available resource in order to remain fun and surprising — the players' significant others, their families, the crew, the studio, etc. — so it should be no surprise that now Dropout fans are getting in the mix," Reich explained. "Brennan makes this observation in another upcoming episode: For the most part, the fans can be trusted to be funny, which is pretty unique to Dropout as far as fandoms are concerned."

SEE ALSO: Brennan Lee Mulligan on 'Dimension 20: Cloudward, Ho!' and bringing steampunk to the dome

In terms of the logistics of getting fans involved in the episode, Game Changer released each social clip created for "Fool's Gold" as they aired. That way they could avoid fans posting the clips ahead of them, therefore "upsetting the experiment," as Reich put it. Hence Reich's PSA from the week prior.

"For this episode, our social channels are more spoilerific more quickly than ever before," Reich said. "That said, the audience can also 'participate' by engaging with the clips they want to see win. So the message [of the PSA] is sort of, 'Don't engage until you've seen the episode; then engage to your heart's content!'"

Credit: Jill Petracek

In addition to its fan involvement, "Fool's Gold" marks a new step in Game Changer's experimentation with its own form. This season has played with time scales and delays in games before. "You-lympics" saw contestants competing with themselves from four days prior, while "One Year Later" gave contestants an entire year to complete a list of challenges. With "Fool's Gold," though, Game Changer extends past the episode's production and into the future, a fascinating — and exciting — shift for a show whose only constant is change.

These shifts in timeline have created bold new opportunities for Game Changer, not just behind the camera, but in front of it, too. "The greatest reward has been watching my players spread their wings creatively when given the opportunity," Reich said of the show's experiments with time. "After all, by virtue of Dropout championing mostly unscripted content for the last handful of years, they haven't had the opportunity to write or shoot anything on location. Episodes like this and 'One Year Later' prove that they aren't just brilliant off the cuff; they're brilliant premeditatedly too. Of course, by doing this, we're making my (patient and diligent) production and post team's lives much more difficult."

Now that the dust has cleared and "Fool's Gold" is finally out, the question remains: Which pitch does Reich think will go most viral and take the crown?

"Here, the real battle is between the Game Changer meta (in which case my money is on 'Dimension 20: On a Bus') and non-Game Changer meta (in which case my money is on 'Project Snake Skin')," Reich said. "But the truth is that social media is always gambling, and I just don't know."

Speaking of "Dimension 20: On a Bus," is there a chance we'd ever see more of Katie Marovitch's Dimension 20 campaign with Mulligan, Aabria Iyengar, Jasmine Bhullar, and Matthew Mercer? (Or "Mark," as Marovitch calls him?)

According to Reich, "I'm in if Mark Mercer is!"

Season 7 of Game Changer is now streaming on Dropout, with new episodes every other Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

On paper, video games should be more successful than ever before. Gaming is now a massively profitable industry, the technology behind new games is constantly improving, and the sheer breadth and quality of new releases is greater than it's ever been. And yet, the industry has never been in a more dire state.

There are some accessories for the PlayStation 5 that everyone can agree are useful—like the official DualSense Charging Station. Others are less popular, like the PlayStation VR 2, but it has a clear purpose. However, how many people do you know that have actually bought the PS5's Media Remote? Well, count me among them now!

TL;DR: Youbooks is a unique AI tool that combines AI models to write your book how you want it, and it’s only A$74 for life.

If you’ve ever thought about writing a book but got stuck on where to start, Youbooks can help get you over that hurdle. This AI-powered platform helps transform your ideas into professional-quality non-fiction books, and right now, you can get a lifetime subscription for just A$74 (reg. A$825).

AI can write your book

What makes Youbooks stand from other AI tools is its use of multiple AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama, to craft well-rounded and coherent content. You can create massive manuscripts of up to 300,000 words, so whether you’re a content creator, educator, or entrepreneur, Youbooks gives you a solid way to bring your ideas to life.

You can even upload your own research, documents, or notes to steer the AI in the right direction and make sure the final product reflects your voice and expertise. Plus, Youbooks taps into real-time web research to pull in current facts and stats, keeping your book accurate and up to date.

You also have a lot of flexibility when it comes to style. You can set the tone and writing style you want, and once your book is ready, you own it completely. You’re free to publish, sell, or share it however you like.

With 150,000 monthly credits included (and the option to stack codes for more), there’s plenty of room to create.

It’s now only A$74 to get a Youbooks lifetime subscription, but it won’t stay that way.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Youbooks Youbooks - AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription AU$74
AU$825 Save AU$751 Get Deal

Customizable (and often convoluted) beverages have long been a staple at Starbucks, but the coffee chain announced a novel way to access them and even invent some of your own.

Starbucks customers who use the company's app — reportedly over 31 million people — can now use it to order off the "secret menu," the Seattle-based coffee chain just announced. The secret menu is not as clandestine as it sounds; it's really just customized drinks that put a new spin on the company's lattes, fraps, iced coffees, teas, and lemonades. Besides collecting stars that eventually accrue into free beverages, app users can access the secret menu on the "offers" tab and order directly from it. The first "secret" offerings include a "Cookies on top" cold brew, a "Dragonfruit glow-up" lemonade refresher, a "Lemon, tea & pearls" iced tea, and a "Just add white mocha" iced shaken espresso.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks is shutting down its NFT rewards program

The company stated that the app offerings were inspired by their Not-So-Secret Menu broadcast channel on Instagram. Accessible via Starbucks' Insta bio, the not-so-secret menu channel teases customized drinks (e.g., iced black tea with brown sugar syrup) and other specials.

The secret menu offerings on the app will be updated periodically, and the company is enticing fans to create their own customizable beverages for it. Starbucks is launching a Secret Menu Contest "to celebrate the incredible creativity and passion our customers and partners (employees) bring to Starbucks every day," accepting submissions for customized drinks from July 14 to July 20. Four finalists for best drink will be chosen, and their creations sold on the app from August 18-25; fans will choose the favorite from August 18-20. The finalists will each snag $5,000, while the winner will take home another $25,000. Pumpkin spice tea latte with a shot of mango lemonade, anyone?

One of my main complaints about Windows 11 is that it comes with a lot of bloatware. While there is no certainty as to when Microsoft will stop or even limit the number of bloatware apps included with Windows 11, they are now offering a way to remove most of these apps during a new installation.

Cybersecurity issues are a fact of life in our digital age. Some threats are more concerning, while others aren’t nearly as big of a deal as some make them out to be. On today's menu, we'll talk about Rowhammer, a known exploit that affects dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). Specifically, a variant called GPUHammer that alters graphics cards with GDDR6 memory. 

According to new research from the University of Toronto, GPUHammer is the first Rowhammer variant that affects GPUs (graphics processing units) specifically. The research shows that GPUHammer can flip bits on GDDR6 memory, which can cause all sorts of issues, including leaking personal data and affecting the GPU’s ability to perform some workflows. As an example, the researchers say that flipping even one bit can reduce the accuracy of deep neural network models from 80 percent to 0.1 percent, and that accuracy degrades further when more bits are flipped. Since Nvidia GPUs are so popular with data centers and workstation computers, that means this vulnerability could impact many businesses. 

SEE ALSO: Everything Revealed at Nvidia's 2025 Computex Press Conference in 19 Minutes

Nvidia released a security notice about the exploit. Fortunately, the fix is pretty simple. All anyone needs to do is enable System-Level ECC, or error correcting code. This simple setting creates a redundancy in the bits so if one gets flipped, the system can automatically correct it before anything goes wrong. 

Should I be worried about GPUHammer?

In short, no. Nvidia and the researchers agree that this only seems to be affecting workstation and data center GPUs. The researchers even attempted this exploit on an Nvidia RTX 3080 and were unable to get it to work. So, for us plebeians, everything is okay. In addition, BleepingComputer notes that the exploit requires conditions generally not seen in consumer-level computers anyway, so even if consumer GPUs could be exploited, there's very low risk of that actually happening. 

If you own a business that uses Nvidia workstation or data center GPUs, then you’ll want to check out the list of affected GPUs. If yours is on it, follow Nvidia's guide for enabling GPU ECC. Once it's enabled, everything should be back to normal.

Like many geeks my age, I've felt the need for the warm glow of a CRT display in my life again, and I'm now up to three of these glass sirens, calling me back to my childhood. This has been great for video games, but what about old standard definition TV shows?