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Dreame, one of my favorite robot vacuum brands, has really been experimenting with new product categories. I've tested a fancy pet air purifier and a countertop composter alternative from Dreame so far in 2026. But it was the release of a red light mask that piqued my interest the most. Is that not random as hell?

Dreame isn't totally new to the beauty tech industry — two of its hair dryers have made our list of the best Dyson Supersonic dupes. But skincare is a whole other ball game, especially considering how saturated the red light mask market has become in the past year or two. At this point, it would take a lot for any new mask to stand out from the other top red light masks all over the internet.

Behold: The Dreame Chrona. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

But Dreame did manage to make the Chrona mask stand out. And in more ways than one.

What's special about the Dreame Chrona face mask?

The first exciting thing about the Dreame Chrona mask is the fact that it's cordless. Not just cordless in a "you don't need to be plugged into the wall" way, but cordless in a "no remote attached" way. Completely wireless LED face masks are a pretty rare find as it is, and you're even less likely to come across one that's this affordable and still reputable. Both cordless Therabody masks come to mind: The original TheraFace Mask costs $649.99 and the TheraFace Mask Glo costs $379.99.

The Chrona mask weighs less than a pound and can be tucked into my duffle bag. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Since the mask is easy to pack, I was able to keep up with my routine at the beach. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Wired remotes aren't that big of a deal, but I can't say that they don't get in the way if you're not sitting still. I love that I can be productive and do something like fold laundry while wearing the Chrona mask — without worrying about bumping the cord or knocking the pants clip off.

Also huge: The Chrona is one of the only flexible silicone masks that offer blue light. It's much harder to pack a hard shell mask like the Shark CryoGlow, forcing me to go on several trips (including two vacations to Disney World) without my line of defense against surprise pimples.

Red light and blue light are far from your only options

The Dreame Chrona mask has more light colors than any LED face mask I've ever tried.

The Chrona mask in Rejuvenate Mode. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Chrona mask in Restore Mode. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Inside the mask, there are 280 LED bulbs with an irradiance measurement of 40 mW/cm² — well within the optimal range. (Irradiance determines light density, or how much usable light energy is actually reaching your skin per session).

You can use the completely wireless remote to choose a setting, choose from three levels of bulb brightness, and even customize session times of five, 10, and 15 minutes. Five settings target the following skincare concerns:

• Rejuvenate Mode (red at 630nm + near-infrared at 850nm): Boosts collagen production, firms skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and promotes cellular healing

• Calm Mode (blue at 465nm): Inhibits non-hormonal acne by killing surface bacteria

• Brighten Mode (yellow/amber at 590nm): Targets sun damage and revives dull complexions

• Balance Mode (green at 530nm): Neutralizes visible redness and hyperpigmentation

• Restore Mode (full spectrum): Firms, smooths, and brightens through cycles of red, yellow, and green light for all-in-one revitalization

The big metallic circle on the headband also has a button to cycle between settings. On days that I'm planning to do back-to-back sessions, it's clutch to be able to switch between modes without carrying the remote around.

The screen shows how many minutes are left in your session. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Once you know what each color does, you can choose a setting without the remote. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Dreame Chrona battery life

The chrome circle is also the mask's battery. It clicks onto the headband with magnets and can be popped off for easy charging via USB-C. The Dreame Chrona mask has a listed battery life of 60 minutes, which translates into six 10-minute sessions. Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern found the battery to last closer to 45 minutes during her time trying out the mask. The mask comes with a spare battery, so realistically, you could swap them out and get about 90 minutes of battery life before having to recharge.

Chrona mask results: Do all of the settings actually work?

Two months in, the Chrona mask has kept my skin smooth and even-toned. I've been able to use CC cream as foundation and concealer for the entire summer without certain areas begging for extra coverage. Makeup doesn't settle into my forehead fine lines even if I'm sweaty, and dry setting powder gets noticeably less cakey.

I've also barely gotten a zit during this time — a huge win, considering I was getting a new zit every single day before I started testing red light masks two years ago. I also see a slight reduction in the redness on my cheeks.

I had hoped that the Chrona mask would make my post-inflammatory erythema a little less noticeable. There are a few post-pimple sites that've stuck around my chin for months, and they're still pretty dark and red. More consistent use of the Chrona's green light setting might help.

SEE ALSO: Shark FacialPro Glow review: The pore de-clogging is legit, but it may not be right for every skin type

It's important to note that my Chrona journey has been more about sustaining the fine line and acne progress from the other red light masks I've been testing throughout the past year or two. I always end up going back to the Shark CryoGlow mask, so its results are my baseline for assessing how well another LED face mask works.

One small complaint, but it's NBD

OK, the Chrona mask's strap placement is a little awkward. It's so high up that it's surely supposed to sit above your ears, but this makes the mask bottom-heavy. I tend to pull the velcro straps as tight as they'll go to prevent the mask from falling down, which does leave light lines on my forehead and nose sometimes.

While I do prefer a double strap situation for a more stable fit, the Chrona mask is still the easiest mask to wear around the house that I've ever tried.

Is the Dreame Chrona mask worth it?

Absolutely. The Dreame Chrona mask is easily the best budget red light mask you'll come across. It offers classic red and blue light settings at science-backed wavelengths, plus yellow and green light settings that could offer your skin even more ways to glow. At $269.99, the Chrona mask is a much more accessible path to at-home red light therapy than the popular Omnilux or CurrentBody masks.

I always say that the best red light face mask to buy is the one that you'll actually wear on a daily basis. The Dreame Chrona mask makes it easy to maintain the consistency that's required to see results. Being so lightweight and truly cordless, the Chrona mask can seamlessly be worn during any of the tasks you normally do at home.

Dreame Chrona Anti-Aging Skincare Mask $224.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $45   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Dreame

Look, we're happy that young Mira (Riley Vinson) made it through her brush with Furious' serial killer (Lola Petticrew) alive. But three men have been felled by this murderess. What compelled her to leave Mira, a witness who saw her unmasked, alive?

Mashable Entertainment Editor asked Petticrew. But before we get to their answer, a bit of context:

In episode 2 of the Elizabeth Meriwether-created crime drama, killer Catherine has taken over the posh high-rise apartment of Oliver Charles (Rob Delaney), a lawyer who was working for her last victim, Caleb Easton. She's got Oliver drugged and trapped in his own home, as she's done at least twice before with other victims. But his daughter Mira catches her by surprise with an unexpected visit.

Over the course of the episode, Catherine bonds with Mira. They eat chicken, talk about boys and dads, and do their hair together — "like twins," as Mira puts it. But after the little girl finds her dad's body, Catherine gets shockingly honest with Mira.

In episode 3, while being interrogated by FBI agent Alice Black (Emmy Rossum), Mira recounts, "My dad had sex with her when she was my age. He paid her."

Meriwether's script doesn't deal in flashbacks. However, by showing Mira, who is clearly a child, as Catherine talks about being abused at the same age, we don't need flashbacks to understand the evil done to her.

Petticrew said of this choice, "I think that sometimes on screen, it feels like we are showing these violent images of things that happen to women and their bodies, and quite often there either isn't a reason. Or we could have done it without it. And often, that's almost the better artistic choice."

They continued, "Having Mira there, and you know, the young actress that played Mira [Vinson] was just so phenomenal. I mean, it was so much better than any flashback ever could have been, to be confronted with the image of her. Those were difficult, challenging scenes, but also intensely rewarding. When you get to work with an actress like that, especially a young one who is so emotionally open and able to pull things [out] of you that you didn't even expect, it's a complete and utter gift."

Why doesn't Catherine kill Mira in Furious?

To this, Petticrew said, "Mira is an innocent, a complete innocent. Mira hasn't done anything wrong."

They added, "Catherine has her own moral standards that, while other people may not understand them, they're there, and Mira is a complete innocent, and therefore [Catherine] has no reason. And she sees herself in her. And when they have that moment, you can see it all over Mira's face, and I think that Mira believes her."

The first three episodes of Furious are now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes every Monday through Aug. 31. 

TL;DR: Instead of paying high-tech prices, get a near-mint refurbished MacBook Air on sale for $199.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2018 (Refurbished) $244.99
$1,199 Save $954.01   Get Deal

If you’ve been tracking tech prices lately, you know how hard it is to find a good price on a computer, even a basic one, for little daily tasks. Rather than dropping a whole paycheck on a brand new Apple computer, more shoppers have started switching to refurbished computers like this MacBook Air. It’s in near-mint condition with a grade-A refurbished rating, and it’s on sale for $199.97 (reg. $1,199).

This MacBook comes with a dual-core Intel Core i5 that runs at 1.6GHz and boosts to 3.6GHz. It has 8GB of RAM, enough for browsing, streaming, or light productivity, and the 128GB SSD gives you a good bit of room for apps and files.

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You also get a 13.3-inch Retina display at 2560×1600, so text stays sharp, and photos look right whether you’re on the web or building a slide. Battery life runs up to 12 hours of browsing or playback, so you can leave the charger at home most days. There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports for charging, an external monitor, transfers up to 40 Gb/s, and Touch ID unlocks it with your fingerprint.

This model still updates to macOS Sonoma, so you get the latest features and security patches instead of a laptop stuck on older software.

Grade A refurbished means it shows up in near-mint condition with very minimal to zero scuffing on the case. You also get a wall charger and a 40-day parts-and-labor warranty.

Skip the markup and get a Mac for a smarter price. Pick up a MacBook Air while they’re on sale for $199.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: ARTA combines AI image generation, video creation, avatars, photo editing, and more into one app. Get a one-year Premium subscription for $19.97 (reg. $39.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: AIBY ARTA AI Premium Plan Subscriptions $19.97
$39.99 Save $20.02   Get Deal

AI image generators used to mean typing a prompt and hoping the result looked anything like what you had in mind. Now they’re generating videos, editing selfies, creating professional headshots, and even letting you try on virtual outfits. ARTA puts all of that into one app, and for a limited time, you can grab a 1-year subscription for only $19.97 (reg. $39.99).

Built on AI models including Flux, GPT-4o, and Nano Banana, ARTA can create everything from realistic headshots and social media graphics to stylized artwork, product mockups, and short AI-generated videos. Upload a photo to swap outfits, experiment with different hairstyles, remove distracting objects, or generate an entirely new look without opening a complicated editing program.

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ARTA isn’t just for chasing the latest AI trend, either. You can use it for work, too. Mock up marketing concepts, design presentation graphics, generate blog illustrations, create eye-catching thumbnails, or quickly produce visuals for social posts when stock photos just won’t cut it. With more than 45 art styles and customizable aspect ratios, there’s enough flexibility to create images that fit your project instead of the other way around.

The Premium plan includes 500 credits every week, which refresh automatically for AI images, avatar packs, videos, and edits. Because ARTA works on iPhone, Android, and desktop — and has earned more than 78,000 four-star reviews on the App Store — you can start a project on your phone and finish it wherever it’s most convenient.

Normally $39.99, score a 1-year subscription to ARTA AI for only $19.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Longtime users will already know the benefits of the AdultFriendFinder “Premium Gold Plan,” but for those who have just signed up, there's a lot to learn. The hookup site regularly prompts users to sign up. That doesn't mean you should immediately enter your credit card details. There are definitely benefits to a paid membership, but it's best to know and understand what the Premium Gold Plan actually has to offer.

Not that you have to, of course. Not everyone wants to fork out for an extra feature. Tight budgets are what they are. We get it. You can still have lots of fun playing around with AdultFriendFinder's free version. Just know that there are limits to that freebie fun. And there's a ton of spicy content and quality-of-life stuff when you upgrade.

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

You can test the waters with a one-month membership that will only set you back $35.95. Or you can commit to three months at $26.95 per month. If the trial run goes well, it might be worth committing to a more long-term membership. You can get a one-year membership for just $19.95 per month. It's worth noting, however, that you will need to manually cancel your Gold account after each membership period ends, otherwise the subscription will automatically renew by default. Don't make the age-old mistake of only remembering to cancel once you've seen the money leave your account.

If you're intrigued but want to know more before making a commitment, we've rounded up three perks exclusive to paid users that will help justify the monthly cost:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Discover vastly expanded chatting options

If you’re relying on a free membership, actual chatting options are limited. You can search for individual members based on some limited criteria (Man/Woman/Trans or Couple/Group, for example), and you apply some very limited filters (Online or Near Me), but if you try to click through the profile photo and learn more about the person who has caught your eye, you’re instantly prompted to upgrade your account.

Free members are limited to interacting with others in forums and group chat spaces, which is fun but simultaneously restrictive, since there’s no guarantee the people you chat with actually live anywhere nearby. And while free members can receive regular direct messages from premium users, they will need to upgrade to respond and start a back-and-forth DM convo. 

SEE ALSO: 3 AdultFriendFinder red flags — how to avoid scams on AFF

Gold members, on the other hand, get more. They can send and respond to private messages, enter webcam shows, and speak to the host for free. They can also create a Friends list that will make regular contact much easier. This unlocks access to AFF’s instant messenger, too, for real-time convos. 

Unlock AdultFriendFinder’s even naughtier side

One quick visit to the homepage and you'll see that nudity filters are turned off by default. But hey, that's what AdultFriendFinder is all about. It proudly platforms and encourages sexual content. But free members only get a basic look. With a premium membership, for example, you have access to better quality photos, videos, and streams, so those tiny thumbnails and grainy, low-res webcam feeds — you know, the ones that look like they’re being downloaded straight from the ‘90s — will suddenly come to life in stunning (not to mention steeamy) HD. 

But more than that, Gold members can also view and comment on nude photos and videos on profiles that the uploader has restricted to paying members. And while standard members are allowed to watch member webcams, they can only watch one at a time. Gold members, meanwhile, can open multiple streams at once. 

Finally, Gold members can access AdultFriendFinder’s Sex Academy, a massive resource for anyone who wants to learn more about sex and sexual health, and discover new techniques to improve their skills between the sheets. Topics range from the basics — 101 skills like how to correctly put on a condom — to more advanced stuff such as oral sex techniques. Everything's covered in a way that's easy to follow and — in the case of practical sex skills — easy to replicate in real life.

Refine your search for the perfect match

We know that free members can’t really interact with their searches, but we still have to admit it's frustrating to discover how limited the basic search function is, especially when you consider how much information users voluntarily provide about themselves.

Of course, it's no surprise that paid members get a far better experience. Signing up for a membership unlocks a more refined search that includes not just basics like gender, sexual orientation, and an age and distance range (Straight, Bisexual, Bicurious, Gay, and Prefer Not To Say are all options), but also marital status, ethnicity, and body type (Average, Slim/Petite, Athletic, Ample, A Little Extra Padding, and BBW/BBM are the options here).

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder vs. Snapchat: Which is better for sexting?

Paid members can get super specific in AFF's self-explanatory My Kinks section. Fill this out to let other users know exactly what you're into — there's no shame or judgment on AFF. This will help to attract like-minded people and give you the ability to search through other users who share the same kinks. The list is pretty exhaustive and extremely kink-friendly.

Paid members can also build up a friends list, helping to track their favorite people and chat partners. That makes it easy to slip back into a steamy conversation or keep up with a particular streamer’s schedule. 

If you’re after a naughtier online dating experience, something that prioritizes kinky fun and taboo-busting chats that other sites keep hidden behind innuendo and self-censorship, AdultFriendFinder’s paid membership experience is very much worth exploring. 

SAVE $90: As of July 28, the Amazon Ember 50-inch 4 Series is on sale for $309.99. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 50-inch 4 Series TV $309.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $90   Get Deal

If you’re looking to upgrade your home streaming setup without spending a fortune, this latest deal on the Amazon Ember 50-inch 4 Series is definitely worth checking out.

As of July 28, this TV is down to $309.99 from $399.99, saving you $90. This price is for the newest edition of this TV, so you'll benefit from new Fire TV features like personalized recommendations and an upgraded, modern design. With this TV, you'll be able to watch all your favorite shows and movies in 4K Ultra HD resolution, with HDR10+ support and improved brightness. It's also powered by a new quad-core processor and WiFi 6 support, so the TV will run fast and smooth, loading apps and streaming without buffering.

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The TV also comes with an Alexa voice remote. This lets you search for content, launch apps, and control compatible smart home devices using just your voice. Plus, you'll get access to all the major streaming platforms at the touch of a button (or by using your voice). Enjoy streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, and more, plus lots of free ad-supported options.

It's also designed to blend seamlessly into your space, thanks to its Omnisense technology. Using built-in sensors, the TV can detect when someone enters the room, allowing it to wake the display either to show selected artwork or to resume viewing straight away.

This TV deal is available on Amazon right now.

SAVE $29.99: As of July 28, the Holy Stone HS600 is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's an 11% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Holy Stone Holy Stone HS600 $249.99 at Amazon
$279.98 Save $29.99   Get Deal

Capturing footage from above used to require lots of expensive equipment, but consumer drones have made aerial photography much more accessible. And nowadays, drones don't have to break the bank. Models like the Holy Stone HS600 make aerial footage much more affordable.

As of July 28, this drone is on sale for its best-ever price, bringing the cost down to just $249.99.

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This drone has a 4K camera with a dual-axis gimbal and electronic image stabilization to help you capture smooth, high-quality footage. It's equipped with a Sony sensor and brushless motors, so it's designed to deliver stable flight performance while still recording 4K video at 30 fps.

It also has integrated FAA-compliant Remote ID, removing the need for an additional Remote ID module. Plus, it weighs just 541g and comes with a carrying case, meaning the HS600 is a great choice for portability and travel.

And if this is your first drone, the HS600 comes packed with beginner-friendly features like Follow Mode and Waypoint Mode, allowing you to create flight paths or automatically track subjects while you focus on capturing footage.

This drone deal is available at Amazon right now, but only for a limited time.

SAVE $60: As of July 28, the Beelink SER5 Mini PC is on sale for $389 at Amazon. That's 13% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beelink Beelink SER5 Mini PC $389 at Amazon
$449 Save $60   Get Deal

Mini PCs have become a popular choice for anyone who wants a compact setup without sacrificing performance. And if you've been looking for the right model to add to your space, the Beelink SER5 Mini PC is on sale at Amazon.

As of July 28, this model is reduced by $60, taking the price down from $449 to $389. This price is for the SER5 16G/480G/5500U size, but there are discounts on smaller models too.

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This compact Beelink desktop computer is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor with six cores and 12 threads, delivering up to 4.0 GHz for everyday multitasking.

It delivers impressive graphics thanks to the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics with a 7-core GPU running at 1800MHz, supporting tasks such as 4K video playback, gaming, and creative applications. It also supports dual-display setups, allowing you to connect two screens for a larger office setup.

It also includes a range of connectivity options, including a 2.5G LAN port, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, three USB 3.2 ports, a USB 2.0 port, HDMI, USB-C with data and video support, an audio jack, and a DC power port.

This mini PC deal is available at Amazon right now.

TL;DR: Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free when you trade in an eligible device on Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans with T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Free via 24 monthly bill credits with an eligible trade-in on Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans at T-Mobile. Shop Now

Samsung Unpacked officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it carries a hefty $1,899.99 list price. Buying it outright is a massive investment, but there is a crafty hack you should know about.

Carrier pre-order windows are traditionally the best time to bypass upfront hardware costs. T-Mobile's opening promotion offers up to $1,900 in bill credits over 24 months. If you have an eligible flagship to trade in, this completely cancels out the phone's upfront cost — making it the most aggressive launch offer we've seen for these new foldables.

How to get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free

Getting the maximum trade-in value on the Fold 8 requires some simple steps:

• To unlock the full $1,900 credit ceiling, you must trade in an eligible high-end device (such as a Galaxy Z Fold 6/7, S25 Ultra, or iPhone Pro Max) in good condition.

• You must be on, or switch to, T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans.

You will still need to pay local state sales tax on the full $1,899.99 retail price upfront at checkout, plus T-Mobile’s standard $35 connection charge.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you are already on (or planning to switch to) T-Mobile's top-tier unlimited plans, taking advantage of a $1,900 trade-in credit to get a brand-new $1,899 flagship for free is an absolute no-brainer. Just remember that you're locking into a 24-month service commitment.

If you cancel your line early, the remaining unpaid hardware balance becomes due immediately.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

What a toilet does.

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

FLUSH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Deepness.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DEPTH

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Wifi equipment.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MODEM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A machine.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ROBOT

Final Hurdle hint

Robot.

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

DROID

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched football.

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.

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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.

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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: 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: Type of football roles

• Green: Ways to hit a tennis ball

• Blue: Extra points

• Purple: Sounds like a number

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Football Positions

• Green: Tennis Shot Descriptions

• Blue: Worth Two Points/Runs

• Purple: Ends in a Number

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 #673 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Football Positions: GUARD, LINEBACKER, RUNNING BACK, TIGHT END

• Tennis Shot Descriptions: BACKHAND, DROP, SLICE, SMASH

• Worth Two Points/Runs: 2-RUN HR, LAYUP, SAFETY, WRESTLING REVERSAL

• Ends in a Number: CONINE, END ZONE, HEAVYWEIGHT, WITTEN

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 28, 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 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 28 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

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

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

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 28 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 28 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love fruit.

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 28, 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: Guide

• Green: America's fruit

• Blue: New kicks

• Purple: Same front to back

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: Command

• Green: How do you like them apples

• Blue: Shoe brands starting with "C"

• Purple: Starting with palindromic names

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 #1143 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Command: CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD, LEAD

• How do you like them apples: EMPIRE, FUJI, GALA, HONEYCRISP

• Shoe brands starting with "C": CAMPER, CLARKS, CONVERSE, CROCS

• Starting with palindromic names: ANNAPOLIS, BOBSLED, EVEREST, OTTOMAN

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 28, 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're complete.

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 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Leave nothing out

The words are related to amounts.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe wholeness.

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 Its All There.

NYT Strands word list for July 28

• Complete

• Entire

• Its All There

• Undivided

• Total

• Whole Full

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 good listener.

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 28, 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 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Sound navigation.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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 S.

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...

SONAR

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.

In case you haven't heard, T-Mobile's mobile network appeared to go down for a lot of users on Monday afternoon.

Users in the United States reported a widespread outage, with mobile service in particular being disrupted, and some users reported they were stuck in "SOS mode," which can happen if service is interrupted. As usual, customers took to social media apps like X and Reddit to vent their frustrations, sometimes directly at T-Mobile itself.

On X, one user reported being stranded and unable to order a Lyft home (though, apparently, still able to post to X), while another said they were seeing a long line at their local T-Mobile store. Over on Reddit, a post about the outage has already collected more than 5,500 comments, with users trading rumors about the possible cause and potential fixes.

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As a reminder: The person running a brand's social media help line typically can't fix the outage.

As of this writing, "T-Mobile" was trending on X, and search terms such as "Is t mobile down" and "t mobile outage" were trending on Google Search.

Mashable reached out to T-Mobile with questions about the outage, which the brand still hasn't acknowledged. We'll update this story if we receive more information.

This is a developing story...

Elon Musk has just taken one more step towards turning X into "the everything app."

On Monday, Musk's social media platform X announced the launch of a new service on the platform called X Money. 

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What is X Money? The new service on X basically provides banking and financial services for paying X Premium and Premium+ subscribers right within the app. X Money includes peer-to-peer payments and money transfers within the X platform, as well as a deposit account. Users will also receive "the X card," a physical Visa debit card for ATM withdrawals and in-person transactions.

According to the announcement post, X Money users will be able to conduct a variety of everyday transactions directly within X, just as they would with any other bank account. Some core functions of X Money include:

• Sending wire transfers

• Mailing checks

• Paying bills

• Paycheck direct deposit

• Send and receive money to anyone on X

X also says that users can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

Elon Musk's gets one step closer to his "everything app" with the launch of X Money. Credit: X

Premium+ subscribers on X are immediately eligible for 6% APY, whereas X Premium subscribers can also reach that rate after meeting Qualifying Direct Deposit requirements. 

X Money's Visa Debit Card, which the service is calling the X Card, will provide 3% cash back on eligible purchases and no-fee cash withdrawals at any ATM worldwide. X Card supports digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay as well.

Deposit accounts are held with X Money partner Cross River Bank, Member FDIC and insured up to $250,000.

Musk has long planned to launch an X Money-type service within the X app. The owner of the social media platform certainly has experience in the industry. Before X was a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Musk ran a payment services company called X that later merged with PayPal in the early dot-com era. Musk has long had a goal of creating a true "everything app," according to biographers and other sources.

Musk previously claimed that it would "blow his mind" if his social media company didn't launch financial services within X by the end of 2024. X Money went through an initial test phase earlier this year and is now rolling out to a subset of its user base in the U.S. with plans to further expand in the near future.

At this point, anyone who leaves the house risks ending up in the background of someone else's video. Phones have made filming strangers routine, while Meta glasses have made some cameras nearly impossible to spot. Once that footage reaches TikTok, a brief encounter can land in front of millions of viewers — and the people in the video might never know.

But every so often, the camera appears to catch something more salacious: a possible affair. It’s less common than the usual viral fodder...though it happens more often than it probably should.

SEE ALSO: When did it become OK to film strangers in public?

On July 23, TikTok creator Jay Guapõ, who boasts 3.5 million followers, posted a video showing a man and woman kissing near Central Park West and West 63rd Street. Guapõ approaches them while continuing to record.

"Get a room. There's kids around," he tells them.

The video received more than 2 million views within its first several days. As it spread, commenters began searching for the couple's identities, examining their body language, and speculating about why they seemed so uncomfortable being recorded, besides the obvious.

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By July 25, both social media users and the New York Post had identified the lovebirds as Nathaniel Cullerton, 45, and Kelsey Borenzweig, 29, attorneys at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. According to the company's website, Cullerton is a partner in Wachtell's litigation department, while Borenzweig is an associate in the same department. Neither has publicly confirmed the nature of their relationship, and the video does not establish that either person was having an affair.

The Daily Mail initially reported that Cullerton was married and that Borenzweig had recently been in a relationship; however, the outlet later cited a source who said Borenzweig and her reported partner had separated. Nevertheless, viewers are skeptical.

"Most obvious affair ever," one person wrote.

"That’s definitely her boss," another speculated.

The internet had already begun treating the kiss like the Coldplay concert scandal's unofficial sequel. For those who need a refresher, in July 2025, former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s chief people officer, Kristin Cabot, were shown embracing on a stadium screen during a Coldplay concert. Once they realized they were on camera, they ducked out of view.

Footage of their reaction spread like wildfire across social media, amassing over 130 million views. Viewers identified the individuals, and both executives resigned from Astronomer after the video spread. Cabot later filed for divorce, although she has said she and her husband were already separated when the concert took place.

The Central Park video appeared to offer the internet a similar mystery to investigate, while reopening the debate over whether strangers can be turned into content simply because they are in public.

The video has revived a familiar privacy debate

While some viewers focused on whether the lawyers were having an affair, others questioned why Guapõ had filmed two strangers kissing in the first place.

"This is creepy, this not an episode of Cheaters," one TikTok user commented.

"It is morally wrong to film strangers just living their lives outside," another argued. "This? Just two people kissing. Idgaf if they are lawyers, working together, cheating, whatever."

Others saw it differently. One commenter argued that people making out in public "low-key want others to see," while another wrote, "Don’t cheat and we have the right to record in public."

The disagreement soon expanded beyond this particular couple. "We are living in a surveillance state," one user wrote. "Forget about the government, your neighbor is already doing it."

Another blamed the incentives created by social media, arguing that an "attention economy" rewarding views encourages people to point cameras at strangers in the hope of capturing something scandalous.

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That argument has followed social media, specifically TikTok, for years. Videos featuring strangers are now common across the platform, from street interviews and pickup attempts to public pranks and staged acts of kindness. The people who appear in them do not always know they are being filmed or understand how the footage will be presented, especially as smart glasses and other wearable cameras make recording increasingly difficult to notice.

Increased discretion has fueled the rise of pickup, prank, and "troll" accounts that film unsuspecting people. Creators have secretly recorded attempts to get women's phone numbers in gyms, airports, bars, and stores, while others have targeted shoppers and service workers with deliberately uncomfortable pranks. In February, one woman said a man posted smart-glasses footage of himself asking for her number even though she had refused permission for it to be shared.

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The same week the Central Park video went viral, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the platform would remove smart-glasses videos showing people being harassed or taken advantage of.

"We don’t want people to be surreptitiously taking videos of other people and harassing them and then posting them on our platform," Mosseri reportedly said in an Instagram Story.

Instagram also deactivated two pickup artist accounts that used smart glasses to film women in public with more than 1 million followers.

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The Central Park video may not involve the explicit harassment that Instagram's policy targets, but it raises the same underlying concern: a stranger can be filmed without meaningfully agreeing to become content, then identified and judged by millions of people who have only a few seconds of footage to work with.

A new report accuses TikTok of failing to appropriately moderate a growing "gray market" for GLP-1 weight loss drugs as they continue to surge in popularity.

The content analysis, conducted by gender justice nonprofit UltraViolet, pinpointed hundreds of TikTok accounts promoting unregulated GLP-1 drugs, including GLP-1 alternatives advertised as "research-grade." Accounts often directed users off the platform to purchase drugs on WhatsApp, Discord, and Telegram.

Content about the pharmaceuticals, including the non-FDA approved retatrutide, was easily accessible to users with and without TikTok accounts before and after TikTok's ownership transition in early 2026, the organization found. In addition, the platform's Discover page automatically generated related searches suggesting the sale and purchase of GLP-1s.

SEE ALSO: GLP-1s are inescapable online. Here's why that's a problem.

Many of the posts specifically targeted women or used photos of real and AI-generated women on account profiles, according to UltraViolet. A large portion of off-market GLP-1 content used harmful messaging about weight loss and appearance, included sexual imagery, or made false claims about women's health, according to the researchers.

UltraViolet reported 202 accounts to the platform for violating Community Guidelines. On average, around one-third of them were removed.

"The volume and accessibility of this content — and the way this content is surfaced and recommended by TikTok’s curation features — suggest the issue is widespread, persistent, and TikTok is not doing enough to stop it," UltraViolet writes.

The organization surveyed the platform in two phases, one prior to TikTok's transition in ownership in late 2025 and one shortly after it was turned over to an American board of investors in early 2026. The analysis notes TikTok updated its Community Guidelines in line with the new ownership before the first phase of the study. The platform also edited its Terms of Service in January.

TikTok's Community Guidelines don't prohibit the discussion or mention of GLP-1 products. The platform also allows pharmaceutical advertising in line with regional laws.

However, the platform prohibits showing or promoting disordered eating or dangerous weight loss behaviors, as well as ads and sponsored posts that are "marketed for weight loss, weight gain, fat reduction, detox, appetite suppressants, or that promote unsafe mental health behaviors." This includes "products that use 'Glucagon-like peptide (GLP), 'GLP-1,' or similar terms in the product title or branding," the company's advertising guidelines state. The policy does not apply to products marketed to support those taking GLP-1 drugs.

In addition, the platform doesn't allow "trading, marketing, or providing access to regulated, prohibited, or high-risk goods and services," or directing users to third-party platforms to acquire such goods. Previously, TikTok explicitly cited both black and gray markets as prohibited "unofficial markets."

"We’ve seen this movie before: Tech oligarchs gain control of huge swaths of the internet and shape the content and ads we see for their own political and financial gain at the cost of user safety and the public good," said UltraViolet campaign director Jenna Sherman. “The twist this time is that we are in an unprecedented age of sophisticated algorithms, groundbreaking weight loss medications, and unhealthy weight-loss obsession. Altogether, it’s a disaster.” 

As of publication, TikTok declined to provide Mashable with an official response to UltraViolet's report.

Last week, Novo Nordisk, makers of Wegovy and Ozempic, filed a lawsuit against competitor Eli Lilly, makers of Zepbound and Mounjaro, accusing the pharmaceutical giant of deceptively marketing its drugs. In the first half of 2025, the two companies spent a total of $700 million marketing their drugs.

Many social media users have reported feeling inundated by GLP-1 advertisements, including those who are in active eating disorder recovery and those who have attempted to block posts about GLP-1s and weight management from their feeds.

The information contained in this article is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional with questions about a medical or health issue.

Updated at 3:06 p.m. CT: Shortly after the publication of this article, Xbox Support posted an update on X, apologizing to users for the long wait for a fix. "Things are slowly improving, though players worldwide may still experience failures launching games, along with potential sign-in and purchase issues," the post reads.

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Microsoft's Xbox is currently experiencing widespread service disruption. The tech giant's games division has confirmed outages affecting multiple parts of its online ecosystem, according to VGC.

As of this writing, Xbox's own status page lists "major outage" conditions across four services: Account & Profile, Games & Gaming, Store & Subscriptions, and Apps & Mobile.

The Account & Profile status warns that users may be unable to sign in, may get disconnected mid-session, or may lose access to features that require sign-in, including most games, apps, and social features. The Store & Subscriptions page notes that some games may not appear in the Store, while the Apps & Mobile status flags problems launching apps.

All four services list the issue as identified, with a fix still pending.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft cuts 3,200 Xbox jobs, spins off four studios in major layoffs

Data from outage-tracking site Downdetector shows the bulk of user complaints center on launching games, which accounts for 65 percent of reported problems, followed by gameplay issues at 13 percent and server connection problems at 12 percent.

The official Xbox Support account acknowledged the issue on Sunday morning, stating that engineers were "actively working to mitigate" errors affecting sign-in, game libraries, and game launches, and pointed users to its status page for updates.

Team Xbox then posted a follow-up update at 2:03 PM EST, stating "our teams are focused on multiple investigation angles and remain hard at work. Thanks for your patience while teams keep working — we'll share more details as they become available."

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The outage comes just a week after PlayStation Network suffered its own multi-hour outage, which VGC reported began shortly after the open beta launch for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, leaving PS5 owners locked out of PSN and any games requiring a sign-in.