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TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Belgian GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Belgian GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

This season of F1 is strange for a number of reasons. The new regulations continue to result in a lot of uncertainty, which can lead to unpredictable racing. That's what we all want as fans, but even though every race has felt like a lottery, we've only had four race winners from two teams this season. That's exactly the sort of thing these new rules were designed to avoid.

What will we see from the Belgian GP? Will Kimi Antonelli recover to claim another victory? Or will Ferrari build on impressive wins at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP and British GP? I'd love to see a driver from another team make the leap. Verstappen and the McLaren duo must be chomping at the bit to claim maximum points.

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Belgian GP?

The Belgian GP is the 10th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps:

• Practice 1 — 7:30-8:30 a.m. ET on July 17

• Practice 1 — 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on July 17

• Practice 1 — 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on July 18

• Qualifying — 10-11 a.m. ET on July 18

• Race — 9 a.m. ET on July 19

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Belgian GP for free

I subscribe to Amazon Prime for the fast shipping, exclusive Prime Day deals, and access to Prime Video. It's this access to Prime Video that becomes all-important for F1 fans.

It is now possible to sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. F1 is exclusive to Apple TV in the U.S., so by accessing this free trial, you can watch select races for free this season. The subscription costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel this renewal at any time. By cancelling ahead of the renewal, you can watch the Belgian GP this weekend without spending anything.

I subscribe to Amazon Prime, so am I really watching for free? It's up for debate, but Amazon Prime does offer a 30-day free trial period if you're new to the service. By signing up for this free trial and then gaining access to Apple TV through Prime Video Channels, you can truly watch select races for free this season.

If you've already used this hack to watch a race this season, there are some alternative workarounds.

My recommendation is to go direct to Apple TV. This popular steaming service comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial.

The best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product. If you're planning on buying something from Apple, you could gain access to Apple TV for a pretty large chunk of this season. You will obviously need to buy something, but if you were already in the market for an upgrade, this method makes a lot of sense.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free in 2026 Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

Samsung is set to capture the tech world's attention next week when it hosts its next big mobile launch event.

The Korean tech giant is hosting a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, and Mashable will be there, reporting live on all of the big announcements. We're fully expecting to see at least five new devices from Samsung, including the latest batch of flagship foldable phones. As per usual with Samsung, these devices haven't been leaking so much as flooding.

So, as we prepare for the big show, here's everything we know (and everything we think we know) about the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event.

When is the next Galaxy Unpacked?

The next Galaxy Unpacked Event takes place on Wednesday, July 22 in London. The livestream will begin promptly at 9 a.m. ET. We expect all the new devices to be available for pre-order immediately after the event.

Mashable will be attending the event and hosting a live blog, so check back next week to unpack all of the day's news with us.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: What's actually new (and what's not) Three new foldables are arriving, including the Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Samsung's new foldable phones typically debut during a summer Galaxy Unpacked event, and Samsung recently confirmed that it will be announcing new details about its next-gen foldables on July 22.

We don't have official confirmation on which devices will be announced, but all reports indicate that three new foldable phones will arrive at Galaxy Unpacked 2026:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (previously known as the Z Fold Wide)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

This is where things get a little confusing. You'd think the Z Fold 8 Ultra would be the new addition to the lineup, but recent reports indicate that the Z Fold 8 is actually a new device this year. Rumors for months have pointed to Samsung releasing a wider foldable this year, and it sounds like that phone will take the Z Fold 8 name, while a true successor to the Z Fold 7 will be called Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The new phones will probably arrive with price increases

Again, we don't have any official details, but it's very likely the successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 will indeed cost more. Most early reports and leaks indicate a price increase of $100, which is in line with the price increases we've seen from Motorola. The global memory crisis has led to price hikes for laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and virtually every product that requires memory, and Samsung probably won't be the exception.

Recently, South Korean outlet SEDaily reported that the starting price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will be $2,099, a $100 price increase over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The same outlet reported the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide model will start at $1,899.99. Finally, according to leaker Lanzuk (as reported by PhoneArena), the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 will likely have a starting price of $1,199, or $100 more than its predecessor.

TL;DR: Thanks to RAMageddon, do not be surprised to see year-over-year price increases for all of the new devices.

A new Z Fold 8 to compete with the iPhone Ultra Fold

Rumors indicate that the new Z Fold 8 will potentially have a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded. With a 4:3 aspect ratio, it will be a book-style foldable. These dimensions are very similar to the rumored design of the still-unannounced foldable iPhone, suggesting Samsung wants to introduce this third foldable as a direct competitor to Apple's upcoming device. It's the latest salvo in the ongoing Apple iPhone vs. Samsung Galaxy battle for smartphone dominance.

Featured Video For You More Folding iPhone Reports and Rumors

The Z Fold 8's rumored specs, via PhoneArena:

• Processor: Snapdragon Elite 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

• Main display: 7.6 inches

• Cover Display: 5.5 inches

• Cameras: 50MP primary lens, 50MP ultra-wide lens, 10MP selfie lens

The new flagship: Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra The Galaxy Z Fold 7 (pictured here) was surprisingly thin and lightweight. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

As mentioned above, we think the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will actually be a successor to last year's Z Fold 7, which we enjoyed testing. This new foldable should have a new chip and a stronger 200MP main camera on the back. Samsung is also said to have done some work to make the crease on the folding display less visible this year. Finally, a Korean news report indicated the Z Fold 8 will be slightly lighter than the Fold 7, which was already impressively thin and lightweight.

At this point, pretty much all of the specs for the upcoming devices have leaked. So, while none of these details are official, we think the Z Fold 8 Ultra will have the following specs, via PhoneArena:

• Processor: Snapdragon Elite 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy

• RAM: 12GB or 16GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

• Main display: 8 inches

• Cover display: 6.5 inches

• Cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto

This week, Samsung revealed that its new foldables (which it didn't mention by name, unfortunately) will feature a new Flex Titanium technology. In short, a titanium-alloy film and a titanium plate will better support the phones' flexible display, creating a more durable device and a less noticeable crease. Samsung said more details will be revealed on July 22.

The new Z Flip 8 will look very familiar Last year's Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 on display. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

If the rumored specs for the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 are correct, this year's flip phone-style foldable will look a lot like the Z Flip 7, but with a better processor and a less visible crease.

Until recently, the rumor mill indicated that the Z Flip 8 would get a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. However, leaker WinFuture (as reported by 9to5Google) claimed that instead, the flip phone will get a new Samsung Exynos 2600 processor.

And here are the rumored specs:

• Processor: Samsung Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• RAM: 12GB

• Main Display: 6.9 inches

• Cover Display: 4.1 inches

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB

• Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP selfie

New Galaxy Watches are also on the way

Samsung usually uses this summer event to showcase its latest smartwatch advancements, and 2026 looks no different. This year, we expect to see two new Samsung watches:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

It's generally accepted that both of these watches will see fairly incremental changes from before. There will surely be new health-tracking features, and some small design changes, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in particular said to incorporate classic numbers on the watch face, a thinner bezel, and better side buttons. Most importantly, for some, it sounds like Samsung is skipping out on a new Galaxy Watch Classic this year. You'll get a base model and a premium model, and that's it, as far as anyone can tell.

Finally, don't forget that Samsung is all-in on artificial intelligence, so we expect major upgrades to the Samsung Health app and the watches' overall health-tracking features.

Could we see Galaxy Glasses make their big debut? The upcoming Galaxy smart glasses as designed by Gentle Monster (left) and Warby Parker (right). Credit: Samsung

Lastly, Samsung's long-awaited smart glasses could also make their debut at Unpacked in July. Most likely called Galaxy Glasses, we expect these specs to work similarly to the ones Meta has been releasing for a few years now. We saw a preview of these specs at Google's recently developers' conference, and we know Samsung is working with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on the designs.

These smart glasses will not include any augmented reality or heads-up display features, focusing instead on on-board cameras and a built-in AI assistant, courtesy of Google Gemini, to provide information about what you're seeing, should you ask. We expect the first generation of these glasses to arrive in 2026, and we're holding out hope that the glasses will get a shoutout or even a proper introduction at the London Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22.

It should be a pretty packed showcase, so stay tuned for all of our coverage as we get closer to Galaxy Unpacked.

Remember: Mashable will be attending the live keynote in London, and we'll have a live blog with real-time updates on all the day's news. Don't miss it!

Based on my extensive hands-on testing and expert input, I’ve picked the best sexting apps to keep your flirtiest, dirtiest chats truly private — whether you're messaging a partner, a hookup, or a verified creator.

Because sometimes the anticipation of a hookup is even hotter than the main event. In my experience, sexting is the ultimate form of digital foreplay. It’s the glue that keeps long-distance relationships from falling apart, the spark that stops long-term couples from feeling like roommates, and — for all you singles out there — the safest way to test sexual chemistry before you ever meet up in person.

If it feels like everyone is sending spicy texts these days, you're not wrong. Some studies show that up to 88 percent of American adults have engaged in sexting at some point in their lives. For many, it's become an essential means of connection, and research shows that sharing intimate pictures can evoke, demonstrate, and reinforce trust.

You can use just about any mainstream dating app, like Tinder, Hinge, and even Hily, to find a potential sexting partner (though I think Pure is probably the best dating app for this). If you're a woman, finding a willing digital playmate is usually as easy as existing. If you're a man, it requires a little more finesse and charm, but it's definitely still possible.

But if you're going to share that side of yourself, you need to know it stays between you and the recipient. Once you've actually found someone who matches your freak, moving that conversation off the dating grid and into a secure app like Signal is the best way to go.

You've heard of safe sex. But what about safe sexting?

Remember: You can't (and shouldn't!) trust your most intimate moments to just any app. As fun as the buildup is, the sad truth is that no one ever knows for sure if their private photos will stay private once they hit send on standard messaging platforms. Sliding into the DMs on a standard social media app might feel like spontaneous fun, but in 2026, your digital footprint is forever. Plus, with Meta cracking down hard this April (wiping out Instagram accounts and posts just for hinting at sexual expression), it's obvious that mainstream platforms are becoming hostile territory for your spicy chats. If you're going to share that side of yourself, you need to know it stays between you and the recipient.

As one of Mashable's dating app experts, I've spent the last three years testing dozens of platforms to find the best sexting apps for the job. My highest priority is always user safety. I also spoke with security expert Gary Orenstein with Bitwarden, who stressed that for sharing intimate content, "privacy features cannot be optional — they’re essential." He recommends looking for apps with three key features: end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot detection.

For years, our number-one recommendation that hit all three of those marks was Confide. But with the app officially shutting down, Signal has become my new gold standard for secure messaging. While its "Screen Security" setting prevents screenshots on your own device, it doesn't prevent someone else from taking a screenshot of your chat on their device. However, its open-source encryption and foolproof disappearing messages still make it one of the safest options for sending nudes.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting

Whether you're looking for an encrypted vault to text your long-term partner, a sex-positive platform to explore new kinks, or a secure space to find someone entirely new, there's a platform out there that won't compromise your privacy. If you believe in safe sex, you should practice safe sexting, too. Here are the apps I trust to get the job done.

Recent updates to this guide:

• Signal (July 2026): Promoted to our No. 1 overall recommendation following the official closure of Confide. Its open-source encryption makes it the gold standard for secure, free sexting.

• Lovense Remote: Added as our top choice for "Group Sexting." It remains the best interactive option for couples and polyamorous groups to sync Bluetooth toys across long distances.

• FetLife: Expanded our analysis of its custom community groups, cementing its spot as the best social network for exploring niche kinks safely.

Why some popular sexting apps didn't make the cut

You've probably seen other "best of" lists recommending apps and platforms that I've intentionally left off. My goal is to recommend secure spaces where you can build genuine, mutual connections without burning through cash or risking your digital privacy.

Here's why a few common names didn't make the cut this month:

• "Paid Operator" platforms (InstaBang, Arousr, SextLocal): Many web-based platforms marketed for fast sexting don't connect you with real local users. Instead, they hire paid "chat operators" who use fantasy scripts specifically designed to keep you replying and draining your wallet per message. While there is a market for paid fantasy, I don't consider it mutual sexting. This guide prioritizes authentic, user-to-user interaction (with the explicit exception of SextPanther, which uses clearly verified, real adult performers).

• Basic Couples Messengers (Between, Paid Vaults): While apps like Between offer private spaces for long-distance couples, they lack the specific, sex-positive interactive features (like integrated toy controls, screenshot blocks, or custom timer countdowns) that make digital foreplay fun. If you want to level up your intimacy, highly interactive platforms like We-Vibe and Lovense are much better options.

TL;DR: Fandango has expanded its free streaming service by introducing guest viewing, so you can now watch thousands of movies and TV shows without creating an account or signing in.

If you've used Fandango before, you probably know it as the place to buy movie tickets or rent digital movies. Now, the company is bringing those services together under one brand while making its free streaming platform much easier to use.

The biggest update is guest viewing. You no longer need to create an account or sign in to start watching free movies and TV shows. Just open the site, pick something to watch, and press play. Fandango has also introduced a new Watch Now option that lets you jump straight into free content with a single click, instead of navigating through multiple menus.

According to Fandango, the strategy is already paying off. The company says monthly active users on its free streaming service have grown more than 300% year-over-year, while viewing hours have increased by more than 200%.

What can you watch for free?

The service now offers more than 3,500 hours of free programming, including hit movies, popular TV series, fan-favorite franchises, and live sports. Like other free streaming platforms, the service is supported by ads, so you don't need a paid subscription to watch.

Do you still need an account?

Only if you want one.

You can now watch free movies and TV shows as a guest, but creating an account still unlocks extras like building a watchlist, syncing your purchases across devices, and accessing movies you've rented or bought through Fandango. If you're simply looking for something free to watch, you can skip the signup process entirely.

Ready to watch? Start streaming free movies and TV shows on Fandango — no account required.

SAVE $1,000: As of July 17, the Roborock Saros Z70 is on sale for $999.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros Z70 $999.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal

Robot vacuums just keep getting smarter and smarter, and that couldn't be truer with the Roborock Saros Z70.

This robot vacuum and mop combo doesn't just pick up dirt and scrub away stains, it can physically move obstacles out of its way with a mechanical robot arm. As you'd expect, a device like this comes with a hefty price tag. Normally priced at $1,999.99 at Amazon, it's not exactly a spur-of-the-moment purchase. However, right now you can save $1,000 on list price.

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So, how exactly does it work? Using dual cameras, LED lighting, and precision sensors, the arm can identify and move objects such as socks with a gentle-grip system and built-in weight sensor. It can pick up items weighing up to 300g, so even lightweight objects like your slippers can be removed from its path.

Aside from this, the Saros Z70 also uses 22,000Pa suction power to remove dust and dirt from all different floor types. It also has a FreeFlow Main Brush and a 0% Hair Tangling Side Brush to help reduce hair wrap. For mopping, it uses 200RPM spinning mops, has 30 adjustable water flow levels, and a built-in water tank to tackle tougher stains. The FlexiArm Riser Side Brush and Mop also help to reach awkward corners and edges. It also has an AdaptiLift Chassis that can adjust to different surfaces and climb thresholds up to 4cm.

This impressive robot vacuum deal is available at Amazon right now, so don't miss out on a $1,000 saving.

SAVE $140: As of July 17, the Segway Navimow i110 is on sale for $789 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Navimow Segway Navimow i110 $789 at Amazon
$929 Save $140   Get Deal

Robot helpers are becoming incredibly popular, and it's no surprise why. Vacuums, pool cleaners, and even garden mowers all make our lives a little bit easier by cutting out some of life's most tedious chores. And with summer being the season for lounging in the garden, robot lawn mowers are definitely worth considering.

As of July 17, Amazon has dropped the price of the Segway Navimow i110 robot lawn mower, dipping from $929 to $789. Nnot only is this a discount of $140 on list price, but it's also the lowest-ever price for this model.

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Setup is streamlined through a smartphone app, so getting going with this device is nice and easy. On the app, you can guide the mower to create virtual boundaries around your lawn. Its AI-assisted Assist Mapping feature can also identify lawn edges and automatically map the working area.

During operation, Navimow uses planned mowing patterns to cut grass systematically, changing direction after completing to reduce visible mowing tracks. When it runs out of battery, it automatically returns to recharge before continuing until the lawn is finished.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

FREE GIFT CARD: Apple is giving away gift cards worth up to $150 in its Back To School sale when purchasing select MacBooks and iPads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Apple Back To School Sale: Free gift card worth up to $150   Get Deal

Apple's Back To School promo is live, giving eligible students, parents, and staff the chance to score a free Apple Gift Card worth up to $150 when purchasing select MacBooks and iPads.

The offer runs from July 16 through Aug. 27, 2026, and is available in Apple Stores and online at the Apple Store for Education. To qualify, you have purchase an eligible device through one of these channels during the promotional period.

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If you buy a MacBook Pro, you'll get the highest gift card value of $150. If you buy a MacBook Air, iPad Air, or iPad Pro, these come with a $100 Apple Gift Card.

This deal is open to current and newly accepted higher education students, higher education faculty and staff, parents purchasing on behalf of college students, and eligible K-12 employees. This includes homeschool teachers, school board members, and qualifying PTA or PTO officers.

However, there are a few restrictions to note. Each eligible customer can only claim one gift card with a qualifying MacBook purchase and one with a qualifying iPad purchase during the offer period. And if you return your device, you'll also need to return the gift card, or its full value will be deducted from your refund if it has already been redeemed. And of course, you'll need to verify your education eligibility before completing your purchase.

Get this Back To School deal at Apple before Aug. 27.

We're not sure why exactly, but we're the midst of a flurry of national food days. Fresh from National French Fry Day and National Hot Dog Day, it's now time to celebrate National Ice Cream Day. We're not in the business of picking favorites, but come on. We'll whisper it quietly, but this is our favorite. Not only is this ice cream we're talking about, but the free deals and limited-time promotions are elite.

Sunday, July 19, is National Ice Cream Day. We're already seeing special offers from Target, Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins, and many more popular retailers. Clear your schedule, because ice cream is on the menu all weekend.

These are our favorite National Ice Cream Day deals in 2026.

Baskin Robbins

From National Ice Cream Day through July 25, rewards members get $5 off orders of $20 or more in-app or online. On July 26, members can score a buy-one-get-one free scoop.

Blue Bell Ice Cream

Grab the limited-time Chocolate Lava Cake flavor in honor of National Ice Cream Month before it sells out.

Blue Bunny

Use DoorDash’s DashMart grocery service to secure a "buy two, save $5 deal" on soft pints and mini swirls through July 26.

Dairy Queen

Rewards members can claim a free Dilly Bar with any purchase of $1 or more in the DQ app from July 13-19.

Dippin' Dots

Score a free mini cup of any flavor at participating locations during a specific two-hour window on National Ice Cream Day (check their online locator to find one near you).

DoorDash

DashPass members get a free Wendy's Frosty with a $20 purchase and a "buy two, save $4" deal on Häagen-Dazs from July 16-22.

Friendly’s

Get a free cone or dish of Friendly’s signature ice cream on July 19. There's no rewards membership or purchase required to qualify.

GoPuff

Grab two pints of Ben & Jerry's for $8, two pints of Halo Top for $10, or 30% off Snickers and Twix Ice Cream Bar packs. FAM members can score select premium pints for just $3.50.

Graeter’s

Use code ICECREAMDAY10 for 10% off online orders from July 17-19. Sweet Rewards members can also grab a $1.56 single-dip sugar cone in-store.

Häagen-Dazs

DashPass member can buy two, save $4 until July 22.

Jeni’s Ice Creams

Visit a scoop shop on July 19 to get a free pour of the signature Fudge Sauce or brand-new Caramel Sauce with any order.

Kilwins

Enter Instagram sweepstakes between July 19-31 for a chance to win "free ice cream for a year" (awarded as a $650 gift card).

Marble Slab Creamery

Loyalty members can redeem a free small ice cream on July 19.

Salt & Straw

Build your own custom pint (three scoops with fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry) for $12.50 from July 17-23, plus earn double loyalty points on July 19.

Stop & Shop

Scan your loyalty card at the in-store Savings Station kiosks from July 17-23 for a chance to win a free 1.5-quart container of store-brand ice cream.

Target

Score a buy one, get one 50% off deal on all ice cream from July 12-18.

Wendy’s

DashPass members can get a free Frosty with $20+ orders until July 22.

We're three episodes into Silo Season 3 now, and the paranoia is real.

But while there are multiple reasons to feel permanently on edge in the silo itself, things are becoming just as nerve-wracking in the flashback timeline. Back in episode 1, Charles (Jessica Brown Findlay) thinks she's being followed when she goes to meet her brother, Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman). Now, two episodes later, we pretty much have confirmation that she was right.

So, what happens in episode 3 with Daniel's investigation into his sister's crash, and what does the mysterious gray-haired man have to do with it?

SEE ALSO: 'Silo' Season 3, episode 2's ending explained: What is Vitamin D+? When does the gray-haired man appear in Silo?

Daniel's investigation into what happened on Charles' mission takes him to a funeral of one of her fellow pilots. After speaking with the deceased pilot's father, Alameda (Joseph Balderrama), he learns that there may be a recording out there of the mission's comms. Towards the end of the conversation, two men appear on the far side of the busy room.

"That's the cap of the Nimitz," Alameda tells Daniel, before going over and shaking hands with the man in uniform.

The other gray-haired man, who is in civilian clothes, keeps glancing across at Daniel — and we've seen him before.

Where have we seen the gray-haired man before?

Eagle-eyed viewers will remember the same man appears back in episode one, when Charles is getting on the subway to meet Daniel.

She pauses just before getting on the train and sees the gray-haired man waiting on the platform. Their eyes meet. She moves down the platform and boards the train, but when she sees him in the neighbouring carriage, she panics and jumps out at the last minute. As the train passes her, she sees that he's still on board, but he doesn't look up.

Back in episode 1, it wasn't clear if Charles was just being paranoid or if she was actually being followed. Now we know the answer.

So, who is the gray-haired man?

First of all, we know who plays him: An actor named Reed Birney, who has previously had recurring roles in House of Cards and American Horror Story. In other words, the guy isn't a nobody. He's an experienced actor, which suggests his character is going to have more to do this season than just a couple of cameos.

Clearly the character isn't a nobody, either. He enters the room alongside a military captain, which suggests he's also a man of importance despite the fact he isn't wearing uniform.

So, someone who isn't in the military but who knows high-ranking members of the military? Could he be CIA or FBI? A well-connected private detective?

Time will tell, but we're guessing this won't be the last time we see his face.

Silo Season 3 is streaming now on Apple TV, with new episodes dropping every Friday.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watched 2000s basketball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

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

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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: World Cup entrants

• Green: Stars of the past

• Blue: Luka

• Purple: Some strings on these

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: First-Timers in 2026 in World Cup

• Green: Nicknames of 2000s Basketball Stars

• Blue: Associated with Luka Doncic

• Purple: Things That Have Strings

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: Sports Edition #662 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• First-Timers in 2026 in World Cup: CAPE VERDE, CURACAO, JORDAN, UZBEKISTAN

• Nicknames of 2000s Basketball Stars: AI, BIG TICKET, STARBURY, T-MAC

• Associated with Luka Doncic: 77, LAKERS, MAVERICKS, SLOVENIA

• Things That Have Strings: BOW, DEPTH CHART, LACROSSE STICK, TENNIS RACKET

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 17, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 17, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 17 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 17 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 17 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

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

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.

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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

Tapered.

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

CONIC

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Unfasten.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

UNZIP

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Beamed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SHONE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Proverb.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ADAGE

Final Hurdle hint

Assortment.

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

ARRAY

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

We're not onto day three of the new lunar cycle, which means the Moon is starting to properly come into view. Over the next few nights it'll become even more visible, and moon gazing will return.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, July 17, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Crescent phase, with just 11% of its surface visible.

Even with binoculars or telescopes, there is simply not enough reflected light tonight to make out any craters, mountains, or any other features on the Moon's surface.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on July 29.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon completes one full cycle around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight different phases along the way, NASA explains. Although the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes as it travels around Earth. This changing angle of illumination is what makes the Moon appear to transform throughout the month, from a thin crescent to a half-lit Moon and eventually a fully illuminated Full Moon, before starting the cycle again.

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. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a mechanic.

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 Pips hints, answers for July 17, 2026 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: The last hoorah

• Green: Fun and games

• Blue: Quartet

• Purple: Auto pieces

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Grand finale

• Green: Seen in an arcade

• Blue: Four groups of four

• Purple: Ending in parts of a car

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 #1132 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Grand finale: EPILOGUE, FAREWELL, LAST DANCE, SWAN SONG

• Seen in an arcade: CRANE GAME, PINBALL, TICKETS, TOKENS

• Four groups of four: CARDINAL DIRECTIONS, CLASSICAL ELEMENTS, SEASONS, SUITS

• Ending in parts of a car: PLOT SPOILER, ROBIN HOOD, SATIRES, TREE TRUNK

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 17, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love game night.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 17, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Categorically speaking

The words are related to quizzes.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a popular board game.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Trivial Pursuit.

NYT Strands word list for July 17

• Entertainment

• Geography

• Trivial Pursuit

• Sports

• Nature

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a law-abiding citizen.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 17, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 17, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Lawful.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

LEGAL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 yesterday's Wordle.

TL;DR: Organize the invoice process once and for all with this lifetime subscription to AI Invoice Maker, on sale now for just $19.99 (reg. $39.99).

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It doesn’t matter if you’re a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner — if you have to handle invoices, you know how time-consuming it can get. AI Invoice Maker simplifies the process, so you can get back to more important things.

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AI Invoice Maker uses AI to create professional invoices in seconds, with no manual formatting required on your end. It can auto-number them to keep your records organized, and even offers nine different templates so you can best match your personal brand.

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Stay on top of client information with a client directory, and easily automate repeat billing when needed. If you frequently bill for items or services, you can also use a catalog to streamline your invoicing.

Once you have your invoice done, send it via email, messaging apps, or other supported sharing platforms.

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Roblox has a whopping 132 million daily active users. But, while Roblox is massively popular among gamers, it's also quite popular among game creators as well. There are millions of user-generated games or experiences on Roblox.

However, it seems like those millions of games and experiences aren't enough.

Roblox has just announced Build, a brand new set of AI tools focused on user game or experience creation.

"Somewhere right now, someone has an idea for a game," Roblox said in its statement announcing Build. "They know exactly what it would feel like to play. They just don’t know how to build it. Today, that changes."

Roblox's Build will launch a test phase on July 28 which will bring a new mobile-first Build tab into the Roblox Studio within Roblox's app. Roblox Studio is well-known among game developers as that's where they currently create Roblox experiences. Build is going to bring new AI tools into the Roblox Studio. These AI tools will be powered by a "broad set" of AI models including Roblox's own proprietary AI models.

Using Build, users will be able to generate environments, characters, visual styles, gameplay mechanics, sound, and more without leaving the Roblox app and without needing to know the technical elements of game development.

Game-makers will be able to provide Build with conversational, natural language prompts in order to develop their games and experiences. From there, they will be able to playtest their game creations and refine the output in order to fix issues, add elements, or continue to customize their game before sharing the final product.

According to Roblox, its AI models are trained on a large set of 3D models and gaming data so that they can generate fully functioning 3D models and scenes of their own.

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"For 20 years, Roblox has been on a mission to remove limits on what gaming is – and what it can be," Roblox founder and CEO David Baszucki said in a statement posted to his X account. "Today, we're introducing Build – a new way for anyone to create a game on Roblox from their phone. And we’re expanding AI-powered tools for developers of every level." 

"We're doing this for one reason: The world needs more play," he continued.

Some Build features, such as the ability to publish games, will only be available to select users in a public alpha stage at launch. For example, users in New Zealand will be part of the initial test phase for publishing Build-created games. Roblox expects to roll Build to more creators and more regions in the coming months.

Roblox also shared that it will be rolling out new AI agents across both Build and Studio that can bug test games, explain game analytics, and help creators experiment with different options to help drive engagement and monetization.

Build will be available for age-checked users 9 and older and published games that go through safety checks will be available to age-checked users 16 and older. Build games for Roblox Kids or Select catalogs will go through an extended review process that all Roblox games must undergo.

The company plans to provide a free base tier of Build to users with paid options for power users in the future.

Roblox has long-ago established itself as a platform over a traditional gaming experience. Some of the most popular games, such as Steal a Brainrot, have been created by Robox's users. The company clearly believes there are even more potential gems out there from creators who don't necessarily have the skillset or knowledge to create them. Roblox is hoping to remove that barrier to entry.

At the same time, however, Roblox is addressing potential issues that Build could bring about in order to avoid controversies like its age-verification system. In its Build announcement, Roblox assures users that AI slop will continue to be filtered out thanks to how its discovery systems are designed. 

"The quality of games on the homepage isn’t changing: If no one plays it—no one can find it," the company said.

OpenAI now wants a place in your browser, on your desk, in your closet, and, for $70, on your local basketball court.

The company behind ChatGPT is selling a branded basketball through Supply Co., its expanding online shop for clothing, collectibles, desk accessories, and limited-edition hardware.

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On its own, the product is an unusual piece of tech-company merchandise. Alongside OpenAI’s growing catalog, it is easier to understand as part of the company’s effort to build recognizable physical products around ChatGPT, Codex, and its research culture.

The $70 ChatGPT basketball is part of “Pause. Play. Prompt.,” a campaign that argues creativity need not remain on a screen. OpenAI describes the ball as a reminder to step away from technology and suggests that good ideas can arrive between pickup games.

But it's also just a functional basketball. The standard Size 7 ball is made entirely of rubber and contains no artificial intelligence, sensors, an internet connection, or any other technology.

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The question on most people's minds — according to social media, at least — is: why is OpenAI selling this in the first place?

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The answer begins with Supply Co., which, according to its home page, "documents the visual culture surrounding intelligent systems."

The brand started as a small merchandise operation for OpenAI employees. According to the company, workers became unusually enthusiastic about collectible cards, graphic hoodies, and blue folding chairs. OpenAI says those objects eventually became “material embodiments of company culture.”

Supply Co.'s next phase is described as a mix of “collaborations, experiments, and physical expressions of research energy,” broad language that leaves room for more than just shirts bearing a corporate logo. The online reaction to the product line is mixed.

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The current shop includes a $40 "Good Research" T-shirt, a $50 ChatGPT long-sleeve shirt, a $100 Codex hoodie, a $40 Blossom hat, and matching $15 socks. Customers can also buy a $45 embroidered tote featuring Bloop, one of OpenAI’s cartoon characters, and a $25 Nalgene bottle covered in pixelated graphics.

For anyone hoping to dress like an especially well-funded graduate student, there is the $175 Research Half Zip. The Portuguese cotton fleece sweater has the word “research” embroidered across its chest and a crisp collar that OpenAI says "reminisces on our days in academia." It lands somewhere between university apparel and a startup office uniform.

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The current selection is relatively restrained compared with its archive. OpenAI has previously produced a rice cooker, dinner plates, a wooden checkerboard, a tape measure, earplugs, a hair claw, a Raspberry Pi kit, a soccer jersey, active shorts, flying discs, folding chairs, and an earlier basketball featuring its Blossom design.

Codex gets its own physical controller

Elsewhere in the same shop, OpenAI is selling a device that links to its actual software.

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Codex Micro is a $230 desktop controller created with Work Louder, a boutique hardware company known for customizable mechanical keyboards and shortcut devices. OpenAI describes it as a “command center for agentic work.”

The controller is built for people using Codex, OpenAI’s coding agent, to manage several tasks at once. Its illuminated Agent Keys indicate whether an agent is thinking, running, waiting, or finished, while a joystick launches common workflows such as reviewing pull requests, debugging errors, and refactoring code.

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Other controls let users accept or reject changes, start a new chat, record spoken instructions, and adjust the amount of reasoning Codex applies to a task. The device connects through Bluetooth or USB-C, works with Mac and Windows computers, and was offered with either clicky or silent mechanical switches before selling out.

Codex Micro is unlikely to become a mainstream consumer product. It is aimed at people who already use AI agents heavily enough to benefit from dedicated physical controls.

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Still, it provides a more concrete example of how OpenAI wants its software to extend beyond an app.

OpenAI also wants to bring ChatGPT into the home

According to a July 14 Bloomberg report, OpenAI is also developing a portable device that reportedly looks like a smart speaker but has no screen. It could answer questions, play media, respond to messages, and control smart-home devices using ChatGPT.

Cameras and sensors would help it understand what is happening around the user, rather than relying only on spoken commands. That would make it similar to an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod, but with more awareness of its surroundings.

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OpenAI has spent heavily on the project. In 2025, it acquired Jony Ive's device startup, io, for about $6.5 billion, and Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, is helping build the product alongside OpenAI researchers, engineers, and former Apple employees.

Those Apple ties are now part of a lawsuit. Apple claims OpenAI used confidential information to speed up its hardware plans, while OpenAI says it has no interest in Apple’s trade secrets. The allegations have not been proven, and the device still has no announced design, price, or release date.

What's clear is that while the company may still live mostly on screens, its products are starting to show up just about everywhere else.

It's not an overstatement to say that BookTok revolutionized the book industry, including everything from the publishing process to marketing and book sales.

And while a huge part of the online community involves creators and audience members sharing their favorite reads, books aren't the only thing BookTokkers are buying. Yes, there are e-readers, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

SEE ALSO: BookTok made reading cool again — but it also turned authors into content creators

That's why we caught up with BookTok creators and book lovers at VidCon's 2026 BookTok Meetup last month to ask about the products they can't read without. They shared everything from speed-reading apps and e-reader accessories to their favorite places to discover their next great read. Check out the full list of BookTok-approved essentials below.

A place to source their next read

BookTokker Ashley Duke immediately called out GoodReads as her favorite place to get a little more information on potential next reads. "You can look at any type of reviews so that you can become a better buyer and not just like what most of us do, where we absolutely judge a book by its cover," she shared. "We're like, 'It looks cool, I'm going to buy it!' And then it's like, 'That was the worst book I've ever read.'"

SEE ALSO: The 15 most popular books of 2026, determined by Goodreads members

Goodreads isn't the only site for finding reviews and keeping track of your books. Kobo owners, in particular, may want to check out Storygraph, which recently launched an integration with the e-reader brand.

Opens in a new window Credit: Goodreads Goodreads   Learn More An ergonomic Kindle upgrade

E-reader users know that, as convenient as the device can be, it can also be more dangerous than you'd expect. "One time, I really thought I broke my nose by the way that it came down," creator Marijose said, the classic experience of dropping your e-reader while reading in bed.

Her favorite solution? The Strapsicle (it's one of our favorites, too). She called out the crossed straps on the back, saying it's basically impossible to drop your e-reader while your hand is strapped in.

Opens in a new window Credit: Strapsicle Strapsicle $19.99
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Patrick Khanna is neither a BookTok creator nor a viewer — he simply loves to read, which is why he stopped by the meetup. It showed with his favorite reading tool: Accelareader. Accelareader is a free online tool that lets users copy and paste text from the site using a feature called "Rapid Serial Visual Presentation." Users can adjust how many words per minute they're aiming to read. Khanna shared that it legitimately helps him read faster.

Opens in a new window Credit: Accelareader Accelareader   Learn More A bookmark with personality

Isaiah, who posts under the handle Zayintune, appreciates a little personality when marking the pages in his books. "Instead of bookmarks, I like to use little crocheted thongs on the book," he said, adding with a laugh, "I only use them for my smut books."

Though you can find these bookmarks on Etsy or Amazon, Isaiah grabs the bookmarks from Downtowne Bookstore in Riverside, California, saying of the store, "They're very POC and LGBT-friendly. They're kind of hidden, as in not a lot of people know about them, so I always like to shout them out."

Opens in a new window Credit: Tifairy Crochet Thong Bookmark $17 at Etsy
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Naturally, e-readers came up when I talked to the group of BookTokkers. Many used Kindle, some shouting out the affordability of the base model, while others preferred the Kindle Paperwhite for its light adjustment and storage (the Paperwhite is also Mashable's favorite Kindle overall). A couple of folks even use the Kindle app on their phone instead of a dedicated e-reader.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon
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Marijose made sure I didn't miss out on one of her most-used accessories: a page-turning remote. "I swear by this," she said, deadly serious. The model she showed me costs less than $20, comes in seven different colors, and can even be used with iPhones and iPads. Kobo users: the Mashable team loves the bespoke Kobo Bluetooth remote.

Opens in a new window Credit: HIGHGO HIGHGO Remote page turner $15.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Convenience in a booklight

E-reader accessories get a lot of love on BookTok, but one of the most OG companions for bookish people is a good book light. Isaiah shared his favorite book light with me: it's a clip-on, less than $10, and rechargeable, so you don't have to mess around with batteries. "It's nice, cheap, easy, and it does the job," he said. And at the end of the day, that's all you need — and a good book, of course.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hionxmga Hionxmga Rechargeable Book Light $9.99 at Amazon
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