Mashable

Yahoo Mail and AOL's email service appeared to have crashed on Thursday.

Users reported a "temporary Error: 15" message that kept them from accessing their email through Yahoo or AOL, which are part of the same overall company.

Down Detector showed spikes in user-reported issues starting in the mid-morning for both Yahoo and AOL. Those reports appeared to be going down Thursday afternoon, though it is not clear if the issues are resolved. (Disclosure: Down Detector is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.)

Both Yahoo and AOL acknowledged there appeared to be a problem via identical posts on X.

"We understand some users are currently experiencing difficulties accessing their accounts," the posts read. "We are actively investigating this issue and will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Users online both complained about the email services being down and made jokes about folks still using AOL or Yahoo as their email provider in 2025.

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

This story is developing and will be updated as necessary...

On Thursday, July 24, Apple officially opened the public beta for the hotly anticipated iOS 26 update, along with beta programs for macOS Tahoe, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Interested users with compatible iPhones and Apple devices can sign up to try the new operating systems at the Apple Beta Software Program website.

When Apple hosted its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, the company revealed that one of its biggest redesigns in years would be arriving in the fall with iOS 26. Dubbed Liquid Glass, the new visual design language incorporates transparent elements and new animations for a more modern aesthetic. Liquid Glass will be arriving with the official launch of iOS 26, iPadOS, and macOS Tahoe later this year, but now that the public beta is live, early adopters don't need to wait.

We have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the iOS 26 beta. Previously, Apple made the beta available to users with a developer account, and Mashable has reported previously on some of the initial changes made so far. Those updates include tweaks to the Control Center, which proved polarizing among early testers. Mashable reporters will be testing iOS 26 throughout the year. We'll share more features and updates as we find them.

iOS 26 lets you personalize your display in new ways. Credit: Apple How to sign up for iOS 26 and the other public betas

First, head to the Apple beta website and sign into your Apple account. If you've never signed up for a beta before, you'll also need to enroll your device. Once that's done, Apple says, "You will get a notification when a new beta is available and can install it from Software Update on your iOS device." (On your iPhone, follow this path: Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.)

Remember: We recommend backing up your devices before trying out a new beta. Beta versions of software can have bugs. In fact, that's kind of the point — to find problems before the wide release.

Here's how Apple describes iOS 26:

iOS 26 is a major update that helps you do more with your iPhone, with a new yet instantly familiar design that delivers a more expressive and seamless experience, Apple Intelligence features integrated across the operating system, and meaningful improvements to the things you do every day.

The top features to try after downloading iOS 26

Liquid Glass is the most obvious feature to explore once you've equipped your phone with the iOS 26 preview. In addition to the transparent elements and animations, you can also adjust the transparency settings and personalize the look of app icons on your phone.

If you use Apple Music, you should also check out the new playlist folders, which brings some much-needed organization to the app. That's one of the lesser-known iOS 26 features we're most excited about.

The new mobile OS also debuts some new Apple Intelligence features, including:

• Live translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone

• Shortcuts actions with AI powers

• Reminders, suggestions, and organization powered by Apple Intelligence

• AI-generated news summaries

Unfortunately, the new AI features won't be available to everyone. To support Apple Intelligence, you need to have one of these devices: "iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad and Mac models with M1 and later. You also need to enable Apple Intelligence and use a supported language.

Which iPhones support the iOS 26 beta?

To participate in the iOS 26 beta, you'll need an iPhone 11 or newer device (second-generation and later iPhone SE devices are also eligible).

Is iOS 26 free?

Yes, the public beta for iOS 26 is free to try. The full update will be available as a free upgrade in the fall, although the exact launch date hasn't been announced yet.

UPDATE: Jul. 24, 2025, 4:06 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with additional information about the iOS 26 beta.

TL;DR: Streamline your workflow with instant access to multiple AI tools in one place with 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription for just A$123 (reg. A$834) through 3 August.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription AU$123
AU$834 Save AU$711 Get Deal

Tired of juggling multiple AI tools? 1min.AI brings ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, and more into one easy-to-use platform that lets you take advantage of their individual strengths without the chaos of constantly switching tabs.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan can be yours for only A$123 (reg. A$834).

Put AI to work for you with this handy platform

Overwhelmed by AI? If you’re new to this booming technology field, keeping up with all the various platforms and their individual perks can be tough. That’s where 1min.AI really shines, consolidating them all in one convenient spot. Create images, optimize your website, or get help with text-based tasks on one platform, as 1min.AI takes advantage of platforms like Google AI, Meta AI, Gemini, Mistral, ChatGPT, and more.

This lifetime subscription to the Advanced Business Plan is an excellent option for helping you tackle work tasks. You’ll gain unlimited access to the prompt library, brand voice options, storage, and collaboration features for up to 20 colleagues.

An Advanced Business Plan also includes 4,000,000 monthly credits, which is enough to generate up to 1,112,500 words, create 1,186 images, upscale 741 photos, remove backgrounds from 74 images, transcribe more than 14,000 seconds of audio, and produce up to 37 videos each month.

Need help with SEO? You can research up to 5,933 SEO keywords per month with this plan. And if you need more credits, it’s easy to earn them — just visit the app, leave a review, or refer a friend.

Let AI help you take a load off with 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription, only A$123 (reg. A$834) now through 3 August at 11:59PM PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $28: The Mashable-approved JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones are on sale for just $51.99 (in all colors) as of July 24. That's 35% off their usual sticker price of $79.99.

Quick links: Amazon JLab JBuds Lux ANC $51.99 (save $28) Get Deal Best Buy JLab JBuds Lux ANC $51.99 (save $28) Get Deal Walmart JLab JBuds Lux ANC $51.99 (save $28) Get Deal

ICYMI, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC were crowned our new favorite budget headphones at the tail end of June (much to my own approval: I own a pair and love 'em). "They have functional ANC, decent comfort, great sound balance, and a killer battery life, all with a design that doesn't feel overtly budget-friendly," wrote Mashable's Bethany Allard, one of our in-house headphones experts. It also helps that they frequently go on sale for around $50 — like right now.

As of July 24, the JBuds Lux ANC are on sale for just $51.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart — a 35% discount on their $79.99 MSRP. (That deal applies to all four colors, too: Choose from Graphite, Sage, Mauve, or Cloud.) Meanwhile, they're still stuck at full price on the JLab website, which is showing an inflated list price.

Bear in mind that the JBuds Lux ANC have been cheaper before. They were only $29 at Walmart last Black Friday. But this is a decent discount to snag if you don't want to wait until November to see if that all-time low gets matched. (It's also just $4.50 away from their Prime Day price in mid-July for those who missed out.)

Makes me want want neapolitan ice cream real bad. Credit: JLab

During her testing period, Allard's favorite thing about the JBuds Lux ANC was their balanced sound (once she found the right equalizer setting). "Every part of Panic! At The Disco's 'Northern Downpour' shone through, from the vocals, lead guitar, bass, and piano," she said. "For budget headphones, we might expect some muddying through these elements, but the JLab JBuds held up great." She was also impressed by their battery life: They lasted 40 hours on a single charge with their noise cancellation on.

My personal favorite thing about the JBuds Lux ANC is their fit. I have a really hard time finding headphones that don't squeeze my head, and I can wear these comfortably for hours at a time. (They usually come with me to the gym because I don't want to sweat on my nice Bose QuietComfort 45s.) In contrast, Allard found them to be a little tight, so be sure to give them a proper trial before your return period ends to determine how they sit on your head.

Check out Mashable's guide to the best headphones for Allard's full list of pros and cons.

SAVE $70: As of July 24, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (4GB RAM, 64GB SSD) for $149.99, down from its usual price of $219.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 32%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (4GB RAM, 64GB SSD) $149.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $70 Get Deal

If you're ready to add a new tablet to your tech stack, you've got plenty of options. An iPad could serve you well, but if you're looking to remain within the Android ecosystem, a Samsung tablet is a fantastic choice. And right now, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ for a price that almost matches its all-time low.

As of July 24, take $70 off the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ at Amazon. Get it for just $149.99, down from its usual price of $219.99, for a discount of 32%.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets in 2025

This 11-inch tablet is a speedy and slim option that boasts a 1920 x 1200 resolution with a 90Hz refresh rate and 480 nits of brightness. Paired with Dolby Atmos speakers and a Snapdragon 695 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage, you've got a firecracker of a tablet for under $200.

Not only do these specs make this tablet well worth investing in to watch your favorite shows and movies, play games, or get some work done on the go, but it's also a reliable tablet for the older kids in your life who have outgrown the "kiddie" tablets and are ready to move on to something more substantial.

Whatever you plan on using it for, this is a solid deal worth picking up, especially when it's only about $10 above its lowest price ever. Grab one before they're all gone.

Best tech deals

• 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)

SAVE $25: A two-pack of Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers is on sale at Woot for $34.99, down from the list price of $59.99. That's a 42% discount, and a sale price that's better than the lowest ever offered at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tile by Life360 Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker (2 pack) $34.99 at Woot
$59.99 Save $25 Get Deal

Summer travel is still in its prime, and if you're taking off anytime soon, there's an essential you need to pack. Sure, it's smart to toss in extra socks (and don't forget your chargers), but we also recommend packing Bluetooth trackers. If you don't own any yet, or you need a few more, check out this awesome deal at Woot.

As of July 24, a two-pack of Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers is just $34.99 at Woot. That's a 42% discount that takes $25 off the normal price of $59.99. The Woot sale price is lower than any price we've seen at Amazon before, and Amazon currently lists a single Tile Pro for $34.99 which means this deal is basically two for the price of one.

On Mashable's roundup of the best Bluetooth trackers for travel and lost luggage, the Tile Pro earns the spot as the best Apple AirTag alternative. Mashable's review from Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth explains they're even better at finding lost items compared to the ever popular AirTag. "If you’re using them for item finding, then we actually recommend them over Apple AirTags," Beck Werth says. "That’s because they can be used with both iOS and Android devices, come with a user-friendly app, and offer extremely detailed location tracking."

SEE ALSO: The Kindle is my ultimate travel essential — here's why

The overall design is also convenient for attaching a Tile Pro to your keyring, purse, wallet, and plenty of other handy spots. Tile mentions the Pro model comes with a battery that'll last for about a year, so scoring this deal likely means you can use them for summer travel in 2026.

While they're 42% off, snag the two-pack of Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers and travel with the reassurance that you'll always be in the know of your bag's location.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• 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)

More research has been published about AI Overviews' effect on declining publisher traffic, athough Google continues to deny it.

A study from the Pew Research Center found that the appearance of Google's AI-generated summaries at the top of the search page significantly impacted outbound clicks to other websites. A group of 900 U.S. adults participating in the study agreed to share their browsing activity. Here are some of the findings from the Pew study:

• Google users served an AI Overview clicked on links to other websites 8 percent of the time, nearly half as often as users without an AI Overview (15 percent).

• Users were more likely to end their browsing session after encountering an AI Overview. Users ended their sessions on 26 percent of the pages, compared to 16 percent of pages without the AI summaries.

• Only 1 percent of users encountering an AI Overview clicked on a cited link in the summary.

The study, which was first published in May and republished earlier this week with additional analysis, echoes what publishers have been saying ever since AI Overviews launched last year. The advent of AI-generated summaries gathered from web data has radically upended the need for users to click to sites in Google search results to find the information they need. That the summaries are sometimes wrong or hallucinated is an entirely different can of worms.

Organic search traffic from major news sites including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post has declined according to SimilarWeb data. And smaller, independent sites say the rollout of AI Overviews has forced them to shut down their sites or entirely reinvent their distribution model as a result of declining traffic, according to a Bloomberg report. Other reports from SEO analysts found the presence AI Overviews reduced clicks to sites, compared to traditional search results.

Google leadership has repeatedly refuted these claims, saying they have not seen a change in outbound clicks. "For any individual publisher, there's lots of reasons why something could fluctuate," Robby Stein VP of product for Google Search said in a May interview with Mashable. "We don't really look at specific publishers in that way. We think about it really in the aggregate."

In an interview with The Verge, CEO Sundar Pichai addressed claims of declining traffic, saying "we are sending traffic to a broader source of people. People may be surfacing more content, looking at more content, so someone may individually see less."

In response to the Pew findings, Google told The Register that they believe the study "uses a flawed methodology and skewed queryset that is not representative of Search traffic," before adding "We consistently direct billions of clicks to websites daily and have not observed significant drops in aggregate web traffic as is being suggested."

SAVE $25: As of July 24, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is back down to just $24.99 with code 4KWINFTV. That's 50% off the list price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00 with code 4KWINFTV Get Deal

Life hack: bring your favorite shows and movies with you on your next vacation by grabbing yourself a streaming stick. These compact, portable gadgets can fit in your suitcase, and you won't have to log into a stranger's TV in your Airbnb. Plus, you can pick up exactly where you left off on whatever you're watching. Genius, right? You have plenty of options to choose from, but we recommend grabbing the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K since it's on sale for half price.

As of July 24, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is only $24.99 with code 4KWINFTV. That's not the lowest price on record; that honor goes to the Black Friday 2024 deal, when it dropped all the way down to $21.99. But still, $24.99 matches its recent Prime Day price and is 50% off its list price. We deem that a helluva deal.

SEE ALSO: This stunning 4K Samsung monitor is still at its lowest-ever price at Amazon

While it's not actually our top pick for a streaming device, the Fire TV Stick 4K is a solid budget streamer. For just shy of $25, it gives you easy access to all of your favorite streaming apps. And if you're a big fan of Prime Video, it's definitely the best device for you, as it puts Prime content front and center. It will also highlight all of your recently watched shows in a convenient tab to continue watching without having to cycle through all of the apps.

Feature-wise, the Fire TV Stick 4K is equipped with cinematic 4K Ultra HD, as well as support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and WiFi 6. Its quad-core 1.7 GHz processor delivers faster app starts and more fluid navigation, although we have noticed a bit of lag from time to time. Plus, it allows you to play Xbox games without a console. For only $24.99 (with code 4KWINFTV), that's a pretty solid value.

Best TV deals

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $90.00 (List Price $99.99)

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $329.99

• 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $599.99 (List Price $699.99)

• Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,568.93

• LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV   — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)

What's better than one internet boyfriend in a movie? Two internet boyfriends in a movie! That's the case in The History of Sound, a romantic drama that stars Paul Mescal (Aftersun, All of Us Strangers) and Josh O'Connor (Challengers).

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2025 (so far), and where to watch them

Directed by Oliver Hermanus (Living, Moffie) and based on the short story by Ben Shattuck (who also wrote the screenplay), The History of Sound premiered at 2025's Cannes Film Festival, where it received favorable reviews.

The History of Sound transports viewers to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 1917. There, Kentucky-born singer Lionel Worthing (Mescal) crosses paths with music composing student David White (O'Connor). From their first encounter it's clear they have chemistry — both musical and romantic. The two embark on a relationship, but it's cut short when David is drafted into World War I.

Years later, in 1920, the pair reconnects and travels around Maine. They collect and preserve folk songs for future generations. Years after that, Lionel lives a successful life in Europe, complete with new romantic partners. Yet memories of his time with David constantly draw him back to that Maine trip, and to his great love for him.

The first trailer for The History of Sound teases these different stages of Lionel's life, along with both Mescal and O'Connor singing their share of American folk songs. Separately, each actor has proven themselves as exciting forces to watch, with Mescal earning an Academy Award nomination for his work in Aftersun, and O'Connor taking home an Emmy for his work on The Crown. Watching the pair come together for The History of Sound is sure to be a treat.

The History of Sound hits theater Sept. 12.

A WNBA player who recently reached the echelons of everyday fame says she was just fined $500 for criticizing referees in a TikTok video.

If you follow the WNBA even peripherally, you've probably heard about Sophie Cunningham. She played for the Phoenix Mercury for six years before she was traded to the Indiana Fever. She's since gained popularity among WNBA fans for her on and off the court support for teammate Caitlin Clark. In one viral incident, Cunningham grabbed Connecticut Sun player Jacy Sheldon and shoved her to the ground after Sheldon reportedly poked Clark in the eye earlier in the game. The incident got millions of views on social media, Cunningham's jerseys started selling, and she's since garnered over a million followers on Instagram and TikTok.

There's been talk amongst Fever fans that referees have been too tough on Clark specifically, and Cunningham has been particularly loud in her teammate's defense. She said the league's referees don't adequately protect Clark, who she calls "the star player of the WNBA," from fouls and rough play. Cunningham seemingly pushed that support one step further this week with a TikTok video poking fun at referees, which she says led to a $500 fine.

Despite the fine, the TikTok video is still online.

The video is part of an ongoing trend on TikTok where users sing along to a Sabrina Carpenter song saying, "Stupid! Or is it... slow? Maybe it's... useless?" She voiced the words in a camo matching set with the text "@ some refs" over it. The video has 1.3 million views. The majority of the comments are in support of Cunningham's viewpoint, saying things like "We will pay your fine" and "we all in love with the enforcement," referring to her protection of Clark.

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

In a post on X, Cunningham said: "I got fined $500 for this TikTok 🤣🤣 idk why this is funny to me… like ok 👍🏼 you got it bud! Cause there’s not more important things to be worried about with our league right now".

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

This isn't the only controversy Cunningham is currently navigating. Beyond being Clark's enforcer, which is laden with plenty of its own controversy, she's also been called "MAGA Barbie" for her alleged political leanings. She also commented on the WNBA's expansion plans, in which the league announced it would create teams in Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia in the coming years, saying "I don't know how excited people are to be going to Detroit."

The dust has now settled on news of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert being cancelled, and — with questions remaining over the real reason for the cancellation — the other late night hosts including Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Fallon have all shared their thoughts on the situation.

While most of them posted on social media following the news, others have given lengthier responses in monologues on their own shows. We've rounded up what everyone has said so far below.

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert doubles down on Trump/Epstein coverage, takes a shot at Paramount Jon Stewart

Colbert's friend and former colleague Jon Stewart had a lot to say about the cancellation in his Daily Show monologue on Monday, going after his own parent company (Paramount Global owns both Comedy Central and CBS) over the possible reasons behind the cancellation, emphasising that the company needs the Trump administration's approval for a proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance.

"Look, I understand the corporate fear. I understand the fear that you and your advertisers have $8 billion at stake. But understand this: Truly, the shows that you now seek to cancel, censor and control, a not insignificant portion of that $8 billion value came from those fucking shows. That's what made you that money," Stewart said. "If you believe, as corporations or as networks, you can make yourselves so innocuous that you can serve a gruel so flavorless that you will never again be on the boy king's radar, A) Why will anyone watch you?, and B) You're fucking wrong."

Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel is currently on a two-month vacation from hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but he took some time to post a blunt Instagram story after the news broke.

"Love you Stephen," he wrote. "Fuck you and all your Sheldons, CBS."

Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon posted an Instagram story of his own and briefly addressed the Late Show cancellation as part of his monologue on Monday.

"I'm just as shocked as everyone. Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come," Fallon wrote on Instagram. "I'm sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he's really been a gentleman and a true friend over the years — going back to The Colbert Report, and I'm sure whatever he does next will be just as brilliant."

Meanwhile, during his Monday monologue, Fallon paid tribute to the "years of smart and incredibly hilarious television" Colbert has made on The Late Show.

"Welcome to The Tonight Show! I am your host...well, at least for tonight," Fallon said. "I don't like it. I don't like what's going on one bit. These are crazy times. This morning my dad called and said he's officially a Kimmel guy."

Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers, who was recently on vacation from hosting Late Night, also reacted on Instagram to the news.

“For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person,” Meyers wrote in an Instagram story. “I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I'm excited he can no longer use the excuse that he's 'too busy to hang out' with me."

John Oliver

John Oliver was asked about the Late Show cancellation over the weekend while speaking to journalists at a minor league baseball game, and footage of his response was shared by AP.

"It's very sad," he said. "Obviously I love Stephen, I love his staff, I love that show. It's incredibly sad, but I'm partly excited to see what they're gonna do for the next 10 months. But yeah, it's terrible, terrible news for the world of comedy. Late night shows mean a lot to me, not just 'cuz I work in them, but because even growing up in England I would watch Letterman's show, which of course was Stephen's show, and think about what a glamorous world that was. So to have got to have been on Letterman's show and Stephen's show is always one of the most fun things. So it's very, very very sad news. I look forward to seeing what he's going to do next, because that man will not stop."

David Letterman

Former host of The Late Show David Letterman shared a video on his YouTube channel featuring various clips of himself criticising CBS over the years.

"You can't spell CBS without BS," was the blunt caption.

Best Bluetti power stations at Amazon Best Bluetti for most uses Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $549 (save $250) Get Deal Best Bluetti for additional portable power Bluetti Elite 200 V2 $1,099 (save $600 with checkout code B9UPDXLP) Get Deal Best Bluetti for portability Bluetti AC2A $149.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best bonus Bluetti Bluetti X60 CPAP backup battery $349 (save $150) Get Deal

Your camping packing list includes some obvious items like the tent, sleeping bags, s'mores ingredients, and a first aid kit. But if you're not packing along a portable power station, you're kinda doing it all wrong. A portable power station means you no longer have to worry about dead batteries at the campsite. If your site is off-grid or doesn't have power hookups, packing along a portable power station gives you the ability to power an electric camp stove, plug in vibe-setting fairy lights, and keep your phone charged.

Aside from summer weekends camping, a portable power station is wonderful for outdoor movie nights or bringing along to a neighborhood gathering to power up the party speaker. They're also great to keep at home for appliances during unexpected power outages.

Bluetti is one of the leading portable power station brands and they're constantly innovating to bring us new and even more functional options. Plus, Bluetti power stations are often on sale at Amazon. If you've been considering upping your camping set-up or you want reassurance for staying online during a storm, these Bluetti power stations are awesome options.

Best Bluetti power station for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $549 at Amazon
$799 Save $250 Get Deal Why we like it

Offering 1,024Wh of capacity from super long-lasting LFP batteries, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is a great option for your weekend camping trips. It comes with four AC ports, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. Recharging the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is possible via standard AC power, solar, or car charging. If you're going the usual wall-charging route, expect to get back to 80% in a bit over an hour.

In real life applications, the 1,024Wh will recharge your phone about 52 times or a laptop 12 times. You electric camping griddle will keep going for about 1.5 hours, and if you're using it during a power outage at home, expect it to keep your refrigerator cooling for almost eight hours.

It's also worth mentioning the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 weighs just 25 pounds, which makes it a super portable option for use on the job site, while camping, or at home.

Best Bluetti for additional portable power Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 200 V2 $1,099 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $600 use checkout code B9UPDXLP to save $600 Get Deal Why we like it

If 1,024Wh doesn't feel like enough for your needs or your camping adventure will last for several days, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 doubles your power to a total of 2,076Wh. It comes with a similar set-up as the Bluetti Elite 100, offering four AC ports, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. With AC recharging, the Elite 200 V2 can get back up to 80% capacity in just an hour.

Keep in mind the extra battery power comes with extra weigh, and the Elite 200 V2 weighs about 50 pounds. That's still a portable weight that you can take along to the campsite, but you won't want to take this model to a site that requires hiking in.

In real-life terms, the 2,076Wh capacity translates to recharging a phone more than 63 times or a drone almost 22 times. If you feel like using the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 for powering up a projector during backyard for movie nights, you're getting over 7.5 hours of playtime.

Best Bluetti for portability Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti AC2A $149.99 at Amazon
$219 Save $69.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Weighing under eight pounds, the Blutti AC2A wins for portability. The size, ergonomic handle, and lightweight design mean you can carry this portable power station to any situation. It's perfect for shorter camping trips, giving you enough battery to recharge a phone almost eight times or use a slow cooker for almost an hour. Pair this with a solar panel, and you'd be in great shape for longer outdoor adventures. Overall, it offers 204Wh of capacity with six outlets.

A Bluetti honorable mention Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti X60 CPAP backup battery $349 at Amazon
$599 Save $250 Get Deal Why we like it

If you deal with sleep apnea, you know how uncomfortable and restless a night without your CPAP can feel. If you dread power outages since that means your CPAP won't be available, the Bluetti X60 CPAP backup battery is a lifesaver. Compatible with popular models like the ResMed S9, AirSense 10 and 11, and the AirCurve 10, this Bluetti is great for keeping around the house or taking on your next camping adventure. It comes with 614Wh which translates up to 14 nights of powering a CPAP. When it comes time to charge the Bluetti, expect a full charge after about four hours when wall charging.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

• Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $139.99

• Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.95 (List Price $179.99)

• Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $159.99 (List Price $249.99)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $379.95 (List Price $499.99)

• Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $419.99 (List Price $699.99)

New personalization and safety features are coming to ride-share app Lyft, including ways drivers can take control of both the good trips and the bad trips.

Riders who have particularly pleasant rides will now get the option to favorite specific drivers, and the app's algorithm will make an effort to reconnect them with that driver for future rides. On the other end, the company explains, when a driver is favorited they will be notified and unlock priority access to future scheduled ride requests.

And, nearly 13 years after its founding, Lyft riders can now completely block drivers, too, helping them take control of more unpleasant ride experiences.

SEE ALSO: The FDA's new drug-approving AI chatbot is not helping

"Our purpose is to serve and connect — and that starts with safety," Lyft said in a statement on Thursday. "Adding favorite drivers is one part of our ongoing commitment to make Lyft the safest way to get around, while giving you the tools you need to feel secure."

The two personalization features are part of a brand new safety hub, which centralizes safety preferences such as in-vehicle audio recording, PIN verification for drivers, and app check-ins during rides. Users can access favoriting and blocking preferences under the new "Matching" section of the safety hub.

Credit: Lyft

More user control seems to be the focus of ride-share companies in recent months. On July 23, Uber announced its new Women Preferences feature, a setting that will allow women users and drivers to choose same-gender rides. Riders will be able to choose women drivers while scheduling rides or can set an account preference beforehand, and drivers will be able to adjust preferences even during peak ride share hours. The setting is now being piloted in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.

Lyft unveiled a similar feature, Women+ Connect, in 2023, which allowed riders to prioritize matches with women and nonbinary drivers, designed with help from the Human Rights Campaign and sexual assault prevention campaign It's On Us. Both Uber and Lyft recently announced personalized app experiences for older drivers, including simplified interfaces, family tracking, and Medicare payment options.

The new settings will gradually roll out on Lyft in select regions starting today, with a complete U.S. and Canada launch by the end of August.

It's been nine months since Amazon launched its first-ever Kindle with color, nearly 17 years after the very first Kindle made its debut. Now it's bringing the in-color reading experience to the whole family. Amazon officially unveiled its first color Kindle for kids — dubbed the Colorsoft Kids — on Thursday, July 24.

In addition to the Kindle Colorsoft Kids, Amazon also revealed a lower-priced 16 GB Kindle Colorsoft model. While the Colorsoft Signature Edition (the original, which launched in Oct. 2024) features 32GB and retails for $279.99, the new 16GB model will retail for $249.99. Otherwise, it's the same device.

The new Kindle Colorsoft Kids is priced at $269.99 and comes with two cover options. Customers who purchase the new Kindle will also get 12 months of Amazon Kids+. While we haven't tested the new e-reader yet, it's a strong contender to become the best Kindle for young readers.

Meet the first-ever kids' Kindle with a color display

The new Kindle Colorsoft Kids is a seven-inch, waterproof e-reader with an illustrated cover and a glare-free display that supports a full spectrum of color. That means, for the first time, kids can view book covers, comics, and graphic novels in vivid color. Black and white illustrations just don't hit the same. Amazon said that in 2024, "kids who read graphic novels and comics spent 46% more total reading time compared to the average Kindle Kids reader." So this could be a real game-changer for young readers. And considering there's no distracting notifications, apps, videos, games, or messaging, it's screen time parents can actually feel good about.

Just like the adult version, the Colorsoft Kids also features an eight-week battery life, adjustable warm light, no lockscreen ads, and a fully waterproof body. It also includes helpful tools for young readers like Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise to learn new words, the OpenDyslexic font, and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows them to listen along to audiobooks with headphones.

Credit: Kindle

Like most of Amazon's kid-friendly devices, the Colorsoft Kids will also come with a two-year worry-free guarantee and the Amazon Parent Dashboard. This gives parents some peace of mind, allowing them to manage their child's content, review reading activity, and even set bedtimes. Unlike the adult Kindles, it also includes a cover to personalize and protect your little one's new device. Kids can choose between the Fantasy River or Starlight Reading covers.

The Starlight Reading cover features a gorgeous and vibrant nighttime scene. Credit: Kindle Get even more out of Amazon Kids+

As with other Amazon Kindles for kids, the Colorsoft Kids comes with one year of Amazon Kids+. The kid-friendly subscription service includes thousands of books and audiobooks for young readers, and this summer, even more books are set to be added. The existing library already includes popular titles like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Keeper of the Lost Cities, but Amazon is adding every graphic novel and chapter book from the Artemis Fowl series, over 30 books from the Big Nate series, more Percy Jackson books, and the entire Storm Runner and Aru Shah series.

Where to buy the Kindle Colorsoft Kids

The Kindle Colorosft Kids is officially available as of July 24 at Amazon. It will eventually pop up on other retailers like Best Buy and Target, but at the time of launch, your only option is Amazon. It retails for $269.99, just $10 shy of the adult version's list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Colorsoft Kids $269.99 at Amazon
Get Deal

Gaming platforms like Steam and Itch.io are deindexing and removing adult-only, NSFW games, following concerns from payment processors and pressure from the organization Collective Shout.

Itch.io creator Leaf Corcoran said that the platform has "deindexed" NSFW content from its browse and search pages, explaining the circumstances in a blog post. The move came after scrutiny from the platform's payment processors, with Corcoran saying that their ability to process payments is "critical" for Itch.io's creators.

The move also comes after pressure from Collective Shout, an Australian organization that has a history of campaigning against NSFW content available on gaming marketplaces. The organization called on companies like Visa and Mastercard to stop processing payments for adult-themed games containing disturbing themes.

Itch.io will now conduct a comprehensive audit of the games available within its marketplace. New compliance measures will be introduced and some pages will be permanently removed. Creators were not given any warning before the changes.

SEE ALSO: 1 in 5 new video games on Steam now uses generative AI, report says

"We understand this action is sudden and disruptive, and we are truly sorry for the frustration and confusion caused by this change," reads the post.

Steam purged its platform of NSFW content last week, also due to payment processing partners like Visa and Mastercard. The gaming marketplace said it will now "[disallow] games that violate the rules and standards set forth by payment processors and card networks, or internet network providers." Mashable has reached out to Visa and Mastercard for comment.

SEE ALSO: What is Itch.io? This oddball indie games store is a vital source of creativity.

On X, users condemned this censorship, criticizing the new rules implemented by both Itch.io and Steam, and likening the situation to Tumblr banning porn back in 2018.

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

Banks have varying rules against NSFW content, previously refusing services to the likes of OnlyFans over concerns of "reputational risk."

It's getting to the point where I'm not sure there even needs to be a Made by Google event in late August anymore.

That event will largely focus on the Pixel 10 series of phones, the details of which have been leaking to a concerning degree in recent weeks. This most recent leak comes directly from Google, as Android Authority noticed a promotional banner image in the Play Store that seems to just straight up show all four models of Pixel 10 that we expect to see on Aug. 20: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

SEE ALSO: Is Google Home another victim of ensh*ttification? Redditors discuss, Google responds.

The image doesn't contain specs or pricing info, necessarily, so it's not a full leak. But we can at least see the phones and know for certain that there are four of them. Android Authority has the full high-res render if you want to check it out, but basically, they look a lot like last year's Pixel 9 phones. Most of them are in boring colors, save for one, which is in a nice blue hue. There was a part of me that thought maybe the Pixel 9a would be a preview for a new Pixel design language, but that seems to not be the case, at least not this year.

In fairness to Google, there will probably be more shown at Made by Google than just phones. We also expect to see a new Pixel Watch and perhaps new Pixel Buds, as well. Everything will become certain and the leaks will stop on Aug. 20.

Updated on July 24 at 9:30 a.m. ET — Mashable's Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth originally tried the beta version of the Google Shopping "Try it on" feature in May, back when it first became available for testing. And as of this writing, Google is launching the feature to all users in the United States on desktop and mobile devices. You can try this digital Clueless closet for yourself within Google Shopping now — just click on an apparel product and look for the "Try it on" button.

At Google I/O 2025, the tech company announced a ton of new AI features, and one of the most interesting is a virtual clothing try-on tool.

The Google Shopping "Try it on" feature lets users upload a photo of themselves and then virtually try on clothes, basically the IRL version of the Clueless closet millennials have been dreaming about since 1995. Or, as Mashable Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel put it, "Google's latest shopping feature makes Cher Horowitz’s computerized closet a reality."

Almost as soon as the feature was released, users started trying to "jailbreak" the tool, which is becoming a fun little tradition for tech writers every time a new AI model or tool is released. On Friday, The Atlantic reported that "Google’s new AI shopping tool appears eager to give J.D. Vance breasts." Hilarious, right? What's less hilarious — the same tool will also generate breasts for photos of underage users, again per The Atlantic.

I decided to give the "Try it on" feature a test spin, and I'll explore the good, the bad, and the mortifying below. As a shopping tool, I have to say I'm impressed.

How to use Google's "Try it on" AI shopping tool

The virtual try-on feature is one of the free AI tools released by Google this week, and users can sign up to participate now. Officially, this product is part of Google Labs, where users can test experimental AI tools. Signing up is simple:

1. Sign in to your Google account

2. Head to Search Labs and click to turn the experiment on

3. Take a full-body picture of yourself and upload it

4. Navigate to Google Shopping and click a product you want to "try on"

5. Look for the "Try it on" button over the product image

The "Try it on" button appears over the product image. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Google As a fashion tool, Google's "Try it on" feature really works

Purely as a tool for trying on clothes, the new virtual try-on experience is pretty damn impressive. The tool uses a custom image generation model trained for fashion, per Google.

I'm always skeptical of new AI tools until I've tried them myself. I also care about my own personal style and consider myself up-to-date on men's fashion trends, so I wasn't sure what to expect here. However, the tool does work as advertised. In a flashy I/O presentation, Google showed models seamlessly trying on one outfit after the next, and while the actual tool is a little slower (it takes about 15 seconds to generate an image), the actual product experience is very similar to the demo.

To show you what I mean, let's compare some selfies I recently took on a trip to Banana Republic here in New York City to the AI photos generated by Google for the same clothes. For reference, here's the original photo I uploaded (and remember that I'm a Tech Editor, not a fashion model):

The photo I used to virtually try on clothes. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

In this first photo, I'm wearing a blue cashmere polo, and the AI image looks more or less like the real one taken in the Banana Republic dressing room:

Trying on a blue polo... Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable And here's how Google imagined the same shirt. AI-generated image. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

I found the AI shopping tool came pretty close to capturing the overall fit and style of the shirts. It even changed my pants and shoes to better match the product. If anything, the virtual try-on tool errs on the side of making me slimmer than I am IRL.

I ended up buying this one. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable AI-generated image. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Yeah, I bought this one, too. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable AI-generated image. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

In this photo, Google added a necklace around my neck that I would never wear in real life, and the AI-generated shirt is a little more slim-cut than it's supposed to be, but in general the overall style is accurate.

I decided this isn't my style. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Neither is the imaginary necklace, watch, and matching white sneakers. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

While the images are generating, you see a message that says: "AI images may include mistakes. Fit and appearance won't be exact."

But for an experimental tool, it's surprisingly on point. People have been hoping for a tool like this for decades, and thanks to the age of artificial intelligence, we finally have one.

Of course, not all of the mistakes made by this tool are so flattering...

Google also removed my shirt and imagined my chest hair

Here's where things get interesting. In The Atlantic piece I mentioned before, the authors found that if you asked the tool to generate an image of a revealing dress or top, it would sometimes generate or augment breasts in the original photo. This is particularly likely to happen with women's clothing, for reasons that should be obvious.

When I used this tool with a pink midi dress, the results were mortifyingly accurate. I bet that's pretty much exactly what I would look like wearing that particular low-cut midi dress.

I'll spare you from the actual image, but to imagine me in the dress, Google had to digitally remove most of my shirt and picture me with chest hair. Again, I'm surprised by how accurate the results were. Now, when I "tried on" a pink women's sweater, Google did give me some extra padding in the breast section, but I've also been open about the fact that that's not entirely Google's fault in my case. Thankfully, this feature was not available for lingerie.

What can be done about these problems by Google? I'm not sure. Men have every right to wear cute pink midi dresses, and Google can hardly prohibit users from choosing cross-gender clothing. I wouldn't be surprised if Google eventually removes the tool from any product that shows too much skin. While The Atlantic criticizes Google for altering images of them when they were underage, they were the ones who uploaded the images, and in violation of Google's own safety policies. And I suspect the offending results would also be the same with almost any AI image generator.

In a statement to Mashable, a Google spokesperson said, "We have strong protections, including blocking sensitive apparel categories and preventing the upload of images of clearly identifiable minors. As with all image generation, it won’t always get it right, and we’ll continue to improve the experience in Labs.”

Could people abuse the virtual try-on tool to cyberbully their peers or create deepfakes of celebrities? Theoretically, yes. But that's a problem inherent to AI in general, not this specific tool.

In its safety guidelines for this product, Google bans two categories of images, in addition to its general AI content guidelines:

• "Adult-oriented content, child sexual abuse imagery, non-consensual sexual content, and sexually explicit content."

• "Inappropriate content such as dangerous, derogatory, or shocking."

Again, you can try out this tool at Google Search Labs.

PREORDER NOW: As of July 24, you can reserve the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle at Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart for $499.99.

Where to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' bundle: Best Buy Nintendo Switch 2 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' bundle $499.99 Pre-Order Here GameStop Nintendo Switch 2 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' bundle $499.99 Pre-Order Here Target Nintendo Switch 2 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' bundle $499.99 Pre-Order Here Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' bundle $499.99 Pre-Order Here

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been notoriously hard to find since it launched earlier this year. And while we’ve been keeping our eye out for restocks (the Mario Kart World bundle is still available for shipping at Target), a new special-edition bundle has just surfaced.

As of July 24, you can preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle at Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart for $499.99. The bundle (which includes the console itself, dock, and a full download of Pokémon Legends: Z-A) is expected to ship on its release date of October 16, 2025.

SEE ALSO: My favorite Nintendo Switch 2 accessory is the Belkin charging case

The Switch 2 features a larger, 7.9-inch 1080p screen and can output video to a TV at up to 4K resolution. The redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers now snap into place with magnetic connectors.

There's also a new software feature called GameChat that lets you voice chat, share your screen, and video chat with friends using a compatible camera. This feature will be free for all users until March 31, 2026, after which you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to use it.

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you’ll return to Lumiose City, but it’s been enhanced for the Switch 2 with improved resolution and frame rates. You'll start your adventure by choosing Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as your first partner Pokémon. And, for the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, you can catch, battle, and even Mega Evolve all in real time, making the action more dynamic than ever. You can also test your skills against other trainers in the Z-A Royale to prove you’re the strongest in town.

The animatronic nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza has become legend in the trailer for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

Director Emma Tammi is back with a sequel to her 2023 film (the highest grossing horror film of that year, and Blumhouse's best opening weekend ever). Based on Scott Cawthon's game series, the film sees the cursed, animatronic-filled lair of a pizzeria a sort of dark tourism spot, with the tale of the first film inspiring the first ever Fazfest. What could possibly go wrong?

Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail are back as former Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza security guard Mike and cop Vanessa, who survived the first film and haven't quite told Mike's sister Abby (Piper Rubio) what really went down with haunted animatronic fiends Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. Trying to reach her friends on the radio, Abby hears the creepy voices Mike and Vanessa thought long defeated. Yep, they're baaaaaack.

Matthew Lillard reprises his role from the first film, with his Scream co-star Skeet Ulrich joining for the sequel (Billy and Stu reunited!). Theodus Crane is also back, with new cast additions including Jurassic Park/Seinfeld legend Wayne Knight, Shadow and Bone's Freddy Carter, and Annabelle Comes Home's Mckenna Grace.

Here's how to watch the first Five Nights at Freddy's film, but just know Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Five Nights At Freddy's gets so bogged down in a soggy plotline about dream theory, guilt, and child custody that it forgets to be entertaining." Maybe the sequel will be better?

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 hits cinemas Dec. 2.

Today, Google announced a new AI shopping feature that can suggest outfits and home decor ideas, plus connect users with products that look similar to its recommendations. The feature will be available to U.S. users within the Google AI Mode search experience this fall.

The feature is an expansion of Google's "Vision Match" tool, which previously only worked on singular garments. Users could describe a piece of clothing in Search, and the feature would generate images of the garment based on the prompt before finding shoppable items that resembled it. Now, Vision Match will soon be able to devise entire outfit suggestions and room design ideas.

Tag yourself, I'm "Boho Chic Gardenista." Credit: Google / Mashable composite

"Our Vision Match technology will generate a range of visual options for your query and use the 50 billion products in the Shopping Graph to show product listings or visual matches we think you’ll like," said Danielle Buckley, Google's Director of Product, Consumer Shopping, in a company blog post.

SEE ALSO: I tried Google's new 'Try it on' AI shopping tool. I'm equally impressed and mortified.

Interior design, in particular, is already a popular use case for AI image generation; dedicated tools like VisualizeAI and RoomsGPT exist for that specific purpose. Unlike those tools, Google's Vision Match won't be able to produce ideas based on uploaded images — just text prompts. But its real-life buying recommendations should streamline the process of turning a concept into reality. (Notably, Vision Match's new capabilities will also be completely free to use.)

The news comes alongside Google's formal launch of the Clueless-esque "try it on" tool it first announced at Google I/O in May. (It's now available to all U.S. users on mobile and desktop.) To use it, simply tap the "try it on" icon on Google's product listings for shirts, pants, or dresses and upload a full-length photo of yourself. Google's AI will then show you how the garment might look on you. Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth was "equally impressed and mortified" by its results when he tested the beta version of the tool this spring.

Google's "try it on" feature turns you into a virtual mannequin. Credit: Google / Mashable composite

Google has also timed its Vision Match upgrade with a useful update to its price alerts feature. U.S. users can now pick their preferred size, color, and/or budget when they start tracking a product's price. (Waiting to buy some Puma Ballet Speedcats until they're at least 20% off? Google can flag you when the moment strikes.)

Google's price alerts tool makes it easer to snag good deals on products you're coveting. Credit: Google

"The Shopping Graph has products and prices from all across the web — so we’ll let you know when there’s an offer that meets your criteria," Buckley wrote in the blog post. "No more constantly checking to see if that bag you’re eyeing is finally at the right price for you or forgetting to come back to a product you loved!"