Mashable

The Drama has been stirring up drama online since a teaser dropped back in December. A24's dark comedy about a wedding gone awry stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson and promises an unexpected twist. If you've managed to steer clear of spoilers thus far, this isn't your typical "cold feet" romantic comedy. It's darker and heavier.

The best ways to watch 'The Drama' at home: Best non-streaming option Buy or rent 'The Drama' on Prime Video $19.99 or $5.99 Shop Now Best non-streaming option 2 Buy or rent 'The Drama' on Apple TV $19.99 or $5.99 Get Deal Best long-term deal HBO Max (With Ads) $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Best no-ads option HBO Max Standard $184.99/year (save $36.89) Get Deal Best for students HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal Best way to watch for free HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $10.99/month) Get Deal Best bundle deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 42%) Get Deal Best for Verizon customers Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10/month with Verizon myPlan (save $9.98/month) Get Deal Best for Xfinity customers Netflix, Peacock, and HBO Max (with ads) $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $8.97/month) Get Deal

Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama makes you question whether you really know the person you're about to marry. It's done surprisingly well at the theaters, besting Zendaya's 2024 hit Challengers. If you missed it or can't wait to watch it again, here's everything you need to know to watch the actual drama unfold from your couch.

What is The Drama about?

The Drama follows Boston couple Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Pattinson) as they prepare for their wedding. At a food-and-wine tasting event, along with their best friends Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie), they play a game where each person confesses the worst thing they've ever done. While it's all in good fun at first, the game takes a dark turn when Emma admits her truth. Her confession throws the whole wedding and her relationship as a whole into question.

Check out the official trailer for a taste of The Drama:

How to watch The Drama at home Credit: A24

As of July 31, there are a few different ways you can watch The Drama at home: buy it or rent it via digital-on-demand retailers or stream it. We've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

The Drama made its at-home debut via digital-on-demand retailers on May 5, 2026. Originally, you could buy the film for your digital library for $24.99 or rent it for $5 less. Now, you can buy or rent it for much less. Note: If you choose the rental option, you'll get access for 30 days, but only 48 hours once you start watching.

Quick links to buy/rent The Drama on digital:

• Apple TV — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

Stream it on HBO Max

A24 recently renewed its output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, which means new A24 theatrical releases will exclusively stream on HBO Max before anywhere else. Following the same theater-to-streaming schedule as other recently released A24 movies (Marty Supreme, Sorry, Baby, and Bring Her Back), The Drama will make its debut on HBO Max on July 31, 2026.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $10.99 per month. However, there are some ways you can save money on your plan. Check out the best HBO Max streaming deals below.

SEE ALSO: HBO Max and Paramount+ are combining into one streaming service The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max annual subscriptions Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Basic with ads annual subscription $109.99 per year (save $21.89) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Standard annual subscription $184.99 per year (save $36.89) Get Deal

If you're ready to commit to an HBO Max subscription, the best way to save some money is to opt for the annual plan over the monthly plan. While a monthly plan with ads typically costs $10.99 per month, you can get a full year for $109.99, which breaks down the monthly cost to $9.17 (about 16% in savings).

Want to go ad-free? The annual HBO Max Standard or Premium plans will also save you about 16% over their monthly equivalents. Standard subscriptions cost either $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year (which breaks down to $15.42 per month). Premium subscriptions cost $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year (about $19.17 per month). While both are ad-free plans, only the Premium option will unlock 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos, and the ability to download more offline content.

Get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Cricket HBO Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan Get Deal

It may not be the most convenient option, but switching your phone plan to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan for $60 per month will get you HBO Max for free. Once you're a Cricket customer, you can use your provider credentials to log in via the HBO Max app or website.

Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can get an entire year of HBO Max with ads for half the price of a normal subscription. Just use UNiDAYS to prove your student status, and you'll receive a unique discount code that'll drop the price from $10.99 to $5.49 per month. Once the initial 12 months are up, the price will jump back to the full cost unless you cancel.

Best bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 42% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

The Disney+ bundle deal, which includes HBO Max and Hulu, remains one of the best deals in streaming. For just $19.99 per month, you'll get all three streaming libraries with ads, which is about $15 cheaper than paying for each one separately. Prefer an ad-free viewing experience? It'll run you $32.99 per month as opposed to $56.47 for all three. That's up to 42% in savings.

Best for Verizon customers: Get Netflix and HBO Max for $10/month Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max HBO Max and Netflix (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $9.98 per month) Get Deal

If you're a Verizon customer on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan, you can add the Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) to your plan for only $10 per month. A $19.98 per month value, that's essentially like getting one streaming service for free each month. Once you enroll in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Check out Verizon's support page for all the eligibility details, terms, and FAQs.

Best for Xfinity customers: Bundle HBO Max, Peacock, and Netflix and save $10/month Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / Peacock / HBO Max Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium, and HBO Max $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $8.97/month) Get Deal

Xfinity Internet and TV customers can also get in on the bundle action with Xfinity StreamSaver packages. The package with Netflix Standard with ads ($8.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($10.99 per month), and HBO Max Basic with Ads ($10.99 per month) can be added to your existing Xfinity service for only $22 per month. It typically costs $30.97 for all three, so you'll save about $8.97 monthly.

In the online dating world, AdultFriendFinder and Plenty of Fish are the website equivalent of elder statesmen. These OG dating platforms have been hooking people up for literally decades, having both launched over 20 years ago. They predate social media and even the smartphone era. But a good thing never goes out of date. Both sites have stayed relevant, attracting millions of visitors across the globe who all have one thing in common: They're all looking for a connection.

But that's pretty much where the similarities between these sites end. We'd argue that you'll be hard-pressed to find two online dating sites less alike than AFF and Plenty of Fish, in fact. Plenty of Fish is more of a conventional dating site, adopting the smartphone-friendly “yes-or-no” carousel function. AdultFriendFinder, on the other hand, is much spicier — it's basically an X-rated site with a social media platform built in.

But instead of approaching them as either-or alternatives, you can see them as essentially complementary. One offers a personality-focused approach, which is more likely to help you find something more serious and long-term, while the other is sexuality-first. It's built for steamy short-term fun and frolics.

Want to know more? We put these two online dating veterans to the test to find their respective strengths and weaknesses. In other words, keep reading for everything you ever needed to know.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Plenty of Fish Plenty of Fish   Learn More

As dating sites have been around forever, both AdultFriendFinder and Plenty of Fish can absolutely deliver the goods for their users, but it’s interesting to see just how different their respective approaches can be — and, if you're intent on using just one, which site will best suit your dating needs.

Site design

The contrast between the two sites is immediately evident from the aesthetic choices. Plenty of Fish uses softer, pastel colors and a clean, minimalist aesthetic to focus your attention on a single part of the website: your user profile, for example, or the profile of a prospective match. AdultFriendFinder, on the other hand, has a crowded site layout, with ads, live streams, and user-generated content all vying for your attention.

The AFF approach gives you the initial feeling that there’s a lot going on, like you just stumbled into a huge swingers party, while the PoF approach is much less intimidating — though also less exciting. There’s another major difference that’s immediately obvious: AFF is very much an “adult” dating site, with nudity enabled by default in your profile settings, meaning a lot of what you will see on the site is indistinguishable from an X-rated tube site. Plenty of Fish, meanwhile, curates its content much more heavily. There are no NSFW live streams or d-pics.

SEE ALSO: All your Hinge questions, answered

And speaking of that X-rated content: Because AFF allows nudity on its site, it’s ineligible for inclusion on the most popular app stores, so you’re mostly confined to the on-site experience, even on your smartphone, but Plenty of Fish has an app in both the Google Play and Apple App stores, so you can swipe on the go as well. 

By the numbers

While both sites are tight-lipped about their user information, independent reporting from Business of Apps suggests that Plenty of Fish has approximately 10 million active users at any one time, compared to AdultFriendFinder’s two million active users, with both sites having a roughly 60-40 male-female skew in their gender ratio, though more recent reporting suggests AFF may be closer to 65-35 today. 

In either case, there’s no shortage of people for you to discover and talk to, though the farther you live from an urban hub, the more generous you’ll have to be in your search parameters. 

The typical dating profile

Another obvious difference between the two sites is their approach to profile creation. With AFF, you can set up a profile in seconds, with no verification steps and minimal required data entry. Plenty of Fish, on the other hand, asks you a bevy of personal questions, from your level of education and whether or not you own a car to whether your parents are divorced or still together and whether you want kids or not. PoF also requires that you verify the phone number tied to your account using a six-digit verification code, while AFF only requires email verification.

AFF has its share of personal questions as well, but they’re not so much related to your religion or smoking habit as they are to your kinks and sexual preferences. Their popular My Kinks tab allows users to fly their freak flags freely, and then re-incorporates that information into one of their search options, so if, for example, you have a foot fetish, you can search for other people who share your fetish, or they can search you out based on that fetish. 

User experience

One thing you’ll quickly realize when using both sites is that PoF is a lot more generous in what they allow non-paying users to do. With AFF, you can basically only engage with other people in public spaces like the chat rooms and discussion forums. In fact, you can’t so much as view someone’s full profile without purchasing a Gold membership.

With PoF, by contrast, you can actually use the site, view user profiles, like user profiles, and even speak to other singles, all without spending a dime. That being said, a Premium or Prestige membership on Plenty of Fish still represents a massive quality-of-life upgrade, giving you unlimited likes, read receipts on messages, an ad-free site experience, and some pretty cool bonus features like the ability to see who has liked your profile or a Rewind button for when you accidentally skip over a profile that caught your eye. 

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered

From a purely aesthetic perspective, the PoF site is much cleaner and less distracting, even in the way it serves you ads, while the AFF site makes up for its busy design by offering a much wider variety of potential activities, including live streams, chat forums, blogs, and sexy stories.

Success rates

The major difference between the two sites boils down to the users and what they’re looking for online. In general, Plenty of Fish users seem to be more dedicated daters, aspiring to long-term relationships and meaningful connections, while AdultFriendFinder’s users are much more obviously content with short-term connections, whether that’s a sexy chat or livestream, or an in-person meetup. 

In practice, that means that you’ll find AFF a much easier place to start a conversation or find a fling, while PoF users are clearly more selective in who they talk to, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that “success” is easier on one site than another. It also helps that AFF offers more venues for interaction: you can try to message a single person, sure, but you can also search out people who share your hobbies, interests, or kinks and speak to them in a more public context like a forum or a live chat, which removes a lot of the stakes of one-on-one communication. 

On the other hand, if you’re after something more long-term and high-stakes, Plenty of Fish users appear to be much more aware of what they want and what they don’t want in a partner. They’re at a stage of life when they’re taking dating seriously, and PoF caters to this crowd, putting critical life information (are you a smoker? do you have kids?) front and center. 

In other words, you’ll find the most success by being honest with yourself about what you’re looking for and choosing the appropriate dating site. Can you find love on AFF or a fling on PoF? Most definitely. But it will also be an uphill battle, given how the two sites are set up. 

Slight spoilers for I Want Your Sex below.

Partway through Gregg Araki's film I Want Your Sex, the protagonists have a conversation that felt like it could've been lifted from a TikTok comment section. Twenty-something Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) and his boss Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde) debate Gen Z and sex. 

Recent grad Elliot had recently started working for Erika, an esteemed artist. Erika is famous for pushing boundaries, and her art is often sexual. She takes a liking to Elliot, who at the start of the film is in a sexless relationship with his girlfriend, Minerva (Charli XCX).

Soon after this conversation, they begin an illicit BDSM affair — but at this point, the two characters are only steeped in sexual tension.

Erika, who's 14 years older, calls Gen Z uptight and proclaims that they'd rather watch porn and play video games than have sex.

SEE ALSO: Gen Z men are more religious online

Elliot argues that sex is complicated for Gen Z. Nothing feels safe or OK — not making eye contact, and certainly not having sex. Parents and teachers removed them from uncomfortable situations.

Erika doesn't buy it. She calls Gen Z's sex negativity "retro." (Elliot later masturbates to a fantasy of her calling his generation whiny, repressed "weaklings.")

Their conversation isn't much different from what the zeitgeist has been discussing for several years: That Gen Z, apparently, has less sex than in previous generations. While millennials were the first users of dating apps like Tinder and the forerunners of hookup culture, Gen Z is rejecting casual sex. 

But is what Erika is saying true? Is Gen Z repressed? Mashable spoke to experts to find out, and turns out — surprise! — it's more nuanced than that. 

Why is Gen Z having less sex?

While it's not right to brand an entire generation whiny and repressed, there is some truth to what Erika is saying. According to the 2024 General Social Survey by NORC, a nonpartisan research organization at the University of Chicago, 24 percent of people aged 18-29 didn't have sex in the past year, which was twice as many as in 2010.

The GSS data isn't perfect, as Mashable examined when its 2021 report was released, but it coincides with other findings about sexual inactivity in young adults. And researchers are noticing.

"Looking historically at data from prior generations and over time, it is a trend that we're seeing that honestly seems to be plenty significant," said Sara Vasilenko, doctoral program director and associate professor in the Human Development and Family Science department at Syracuse University.

Teen birth rates have also declined in the last 30 years. In 1991, the rate of live births born to mothers aged 15 to 19 was 61.8 per 1,000 births; in 2023, it was 13.1.

"There was a lot of concern about adolescent and young adult sexual behavior and high rates of pregnancy" in the 1990s, Vasilenko told Mashable, "and it's been declining since then."

And there's not just one cause.

Data points to differences in how parents raised Gen Z kids versus how older generations were raised. Gen Z, for instance, was less likely to have freedom from supervision. Children's "home range" (the distance between their parents' home and where they can roam unsupervised), outdoor spaces, activities, and companions have all decreased over the last few generations. There was less time with friends in a way that facilitates relationships and dating, which eventually leads to sexual behavior, Vasilenko said.

This coincides with young adults being called "generation stay-at-home," and being less likely to have a driver's license or to drink alcohol. 

Research also suggests that Gen Z spends much more time on social media than other generations, harkening to an adage that's turned into a meme at this point: It's the damn phones. 

"I don't want to say, 'Oh, it's just because Gen Z is on their phone all the time,' but I think it would be undeniable to say that clearly these two things are at least correlated, if not causative," said Carter Sherman, author of The Second Coming and cohost of The Guardian's Stateside with Kai and Carter podcast.

A new working paper published in June 2026 suggests that the iPhone has acted as "birth control."

What there's less data on, Vasilenko said, is the impact of the type of content Gen Z is consuming online. It's possible that sexual attitudes are shaped by online porn, which could also be a substitute for sex. Last year, a LADbible survey found that 70 percent of Gen Z men reported that their first exposure to sex was porn.

But sex worker and sex educator Electra Rayne, who created and directs the sapphic porn site QueerCrush.com (link is NSFW), said, "Porn is this huge scapegoat, and it gets blamed so often for so many things."

Rayne said that criticism of her work, and of porn in generally, often comes from young people. She believes there's a growing puritanical idea that sex and desire are bad. 

"I don't totally know where all of this comes from, but I do think that it is a pretty pervasive idea that is spreading really aggressively," she said, "and I do also think that current legislation really feeds into this," referring to age-verification laws, which typically require one's ID or biometric data to view explicit content. 

Vasilenko also speculated on the impact that algorithms have on our sexual attitudes. Men and women could be served with different types of content about what relationships and sexuality should look like, thus they're being socialized in a way that makes it problematic to have healthy relationships. One algorithm could surface incel and tradwife content, while others show posts related to #MeToo and the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

"If you're socialized in those completely different streams, maybe that's going to impact how you see relationships, how much you want to be in a relationship, what you want that to be, and cause mismatches in people's attitudes," she said. 

The lack of comprehensive sex education could also impact how people feel about sex. In the U.S., only 19 states mandated medically accurate content for any topic as of 2025. 

Less sex effects

We don't yet know all the implications of these shifts, Vasilenko said. And they're not all bad. From an adolescent health perspective, the decline of unintended teen pregnancy is a good thing. 

As the research stands, sexual behaviors might be associated with negative mental health outcomes if it happens in an "off time," meaning not a normative time relative to their peers (i.e., at a very young age). Vasilenko wonders if sexual behavior becomes less developmentally normative, then it will more likely be associated with negative health outcomes for the young people who do have sex.

Young adults are delaying life milestones such as moving out, buying a home, getting married, and having children. This is certainly not just because of phones; it's because of the economy and rising cost of living. But if these events are getting delayed, relationships and sex might shift later, too. 

In defense of Gen Z

Angie Rowntree, sexologist and founder and filmmaker of the adult site Sssh.com, said we should be careful about drawing sweeping conclusions from the statistics. 

There are several questions worth asking before deciding that people are simply less interested in sex, she said: Are young adults lonelier or more stressed? Are they spending more time online and having fewer opportunities to connect face-to-face? Are economic pressures affecting their ability to date, socialize, and form relationships? "All of those factors can influence how frequently people couple up and become intimate," she said.

Gen Z also grew up with the internet, and with it unprecedented access to sexual content — and content about bodies, period. The negative impact of social media on teens' body image is well-documented.

"A lot of people felt like social media had exacerbated their lack of comfort with their bodies," Sherman said about the interviews for her book. 

Then there's the impact of far-right beliefs, which have flourished on social media. "There's a clear effort to make it difficult, if not dangerous, to have sex that is queer, that is unmarried, that is not procreative, and it's that's a really hard reality for Gen Z to be living under," Sherman said. "When we're accusing [Gen Z] of not having enough sex, of doing sex wrong, I'm always like, 'You guys, have you looked at the political environment that they're growing up in?'"

The internet undoubtedly impacts Gen Z's sexuality, but it's not all doom and gloom. A plus is increased knowledge around consent and agency. "Gen Z…seems more willing to question content that feels performative or disconnected from authentic pleasure and human connection," Roundtree said. And social media can be a positive space for LGBTQ youth to find community.

Sherman also said she was routinely surprised by how sexually progressive the Gen Z people she spoke to were. They were more open to what sex and gender could look like, and were more accepting of BDSM and non-monogamy. 

How Gen Z can be sexually free

Along with the positives of the internet, Roundtree acknowledges that talking openly about sex online isn't the same as developing intimacy in real life. Both she and Rayne emphasized the importance of talking about sex to engender freedom.

You can also sexually explore with yourself or your partner. "The more people know about their own anatomy and preferences, the better prepared they are to communicate with a partner," Roundtree said. 

Above all, sexual freedom is personal. It's not measured by how often one has sex, how many sexual partners one has, or whether the sex they have looks as it does online, she continued. You should be free to decide what works for you, without the pressure of cultural labels or societal expectations. 

Another Silo episode, another cliffhanger ending.

In Season 3, episode 4, we finished on the shock realisation that Bernard (Tim Robbins) is still alive, but in episode 5, the tension comes from the flashback storyline instead.

So what happens, and who is this mysterious Per Stensen (Colin Hanks) that's mentioned? Let's unpack what we know.

SEE ALSO: 'Silo' Season 3, episode 1: Have we already met the voice behind the algorithm? What happens at the end of Silo Season 3, episode 5?

Locked in an ever-deepening mystery, Daniel (Ashley Zukerman) and Helen (Jessica Henwick) finish the episode on the road, discussing what Daniel has learned from his former army buddy. We've transcribed the conversation they have prior to their car suddenly gaining a mind of its own:

Daniel: "Who's the number-one advocate for AI control, who also happens to fund the clinic where my sister's trying to rebuild her memory?"

Helen: "Per Stensen."

D: "Wanna take a guess at where Per Stensen was the night of Operation Righteous Vengeance?"

H: "On the Nimitz?"

D: "It's usually based in San Diego, but it's been in Norfolk since it got back from Iran. Sam knows someone on base who's willing to talk to us off the record."

H: "What changed his mind?"

D: "I'm guessing Charlotte. Just knowing what she means to me. I know Sam. We didn't just play in a band together. We got shot at together, and I've rarely heard him this scared."

H: "Okay, you think all this has to do with AI though?"

D: "I don't know... but the other carrier groups that night sent out 20, 30 sorties, and the Nimitz sends out one? With four planes equipped with pre-digital comms, and then suddenly—"

He never gets to finish the sentence, because at that point the car swerves — and then begins driving itself.

Who is Per Stensen?

We've actually heard the name before. Prior to Season 3's launch, Apple shared a promo in the form of a 20-minute livestream that mentioned the character in a brief news story. The video is now private, but the news clip spoke about him being a billionaire who'd purchased a large parcel of land in Georgia. We also know that he's played by Colin Hanks — a big enough name that he'll likely feature prominently in what's to come.

Based on the exchange Daniel and Helen have above, the implication seems to be that he could be a figure behind the curtain, pulling the strings. But what's his involvement, exactly?

Is Stensen the person employing the mysterious gray-haired man following Daniel and Helen? What's he got to do with what happened on Charles' mission? And does the fact that the promo talks about him purchasing land in Georgia mean that he could actually have something to do with the silo's origin story?

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

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

A tropical fruit.

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

GUAVA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Done to guitar strings.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 31, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STRUM

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The sea.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 31 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 31, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

OCEAN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To crease.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CRIMP

Final Hurdle hint

Benefit.

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

AVAIL

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 Moon is now entering the next stage of its cycle after reaching its Full Moon phase, gradually losing some of its illumination each night as we begin to head towards the New Moon. Keep reading to see what you can still spot on its surface tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, July 31, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Gibbous phase, with 97% of its surface visible.

Without visual aids, tonight you should still be able to see the Mare Tranquillitatis, Copernicus Crater, and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars will help you see the Alphonsus Crater, Endymion Crater, and the Clavius Crater. Finally, a telescope will help you see all this plus the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Rupes Altai.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon goes through a complete cycle of eight phases roughly every 29.5 days. As it travels around Earth, the angle between the Sun, Earth and Moon constantly changes, meaning we see different amounts of the Moon's sunlit side. This is what causes the familiar progression from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the cycle repeats.

The eight phases are:

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.

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 31, 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 31, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 31 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 31 Pips

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 31 Pips

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

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: How to finish a drive

• Green: Both hands out

• Blue: Meet the Robinsons

• Purple: Sounds like a WR

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: How's a Football Drive Ends

• Green: Reach (For A Ball)

• Blue: Robinsons

• Purple: Homophones of NFL WRs

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 #676 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• How's a Football Drive Ends: FIELD GOAL, PUNT, TOUCHDOWN, TURNOVER

• Reach (For A Ball): DIVE, EXTENDED, LAY OUT, LUNGE

• Robinsons: BROOKS, JACKIE, MITCHELL, TRUCK

• Homophones of NFL WRs: JUDY, LAM, MORE, NEIGHBORS

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.

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

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.

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: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 31, 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: To build

• Green: Popular gaming characters

• Blue: Healthy snacks

• Purple: Glad

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: Construct

• Green: Super Mario figures

• Blue: Fruits plus starting letter

• Purple: Starting with merriments

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 #1146 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Construct: FASHION, MODEL, MODE, SHAPE

• Super Mario figures: DINOSAUR, MUSHROOM, PLUMBER, PRINCESS

• Fruits plus starting letter: DAPPLE, JDATE, SLIME, SPEAR

• Starting with merriments: CHEERIOS, FUNGUS, GLEEK, JOYSTICK

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 31, 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 it's your birthday season.

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 31, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Summer sign

The words are related to astrology.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe astrological traits.

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 Leo the Lion.

NYT Strands word list for July 31

• Bossy

• Loyal

• Generous

• Bold

• Dramatic

• Leo the Lion

• Charming

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 love a nice accessory.

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 31, 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 31, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Handbag.

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 P.

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...

PURSE

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.

Apple held its Q3 2026 earnings call on Thursday, marking Tim Cook's final outing as CEO at such events before he transitions to the role of executive chairman. Unsurprisingly, Cook took the opportunity to reiterate his confidence in his successor John Ternus, Apple's current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.

SEE ALSO: Tim Cook bows out with a very Tim Cook keynote

"This will be my final earnings call, and John will lead these calls going forward," Cook said at the end of Thursday's call. "The transition is going seamlessly, and I am beyond excited for John to step into his new role and lead Apple into its next era.

"He is truly one of a kind, and there is no better person to take the helm of the company. As I said, I couldn't be more confident in his leadership, in our executive team, and in the extraordinary people at Apple, who are determined to enrich the lives of our users all over the world. We have a bright future ahead, and I truly have never been more optimistic. So, thank you all."

Cook announced that he would be stepping down as Apple's CEO earlier this year, with the transition to take place on Sept. 1. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 that same month, which would be a significant debut for Ternus as CEO. The company's annual iPhone announcements are its biggest event of the year, with the 2026 release shaping up to be a public test of fire for Ternus.

As such, Apple has been making efforts to reinforce the company's faith in its incoming CEO to ensure a smooth transition. Appearing together at Apple TV's Ted Lasso Season 4 premiere on Monday, Cook and Ternus emphasised that the transition was going "great."

"John is the perfect person for this role, and the whole thing has just been great," Cook told Deadline. "We really wanted this transition to be the best because Apple deserves the best, and both of us are really doing that, and it feels fantastic." 

For his part, Ternus expressed excitement at the opportunity to lead Apple, though he demurred when asked what his first first act as CEO will be. Instead, he simply stated that people would "have to wait and see."

Ternus appears unlikely to make any wild changes once he takes the reins at Apple, with the tech giant working to portray him and Cook as perfectly in sync. As such, the start of his tenure as CEO is expected to be a steady, stable continuation of Cook's work.

Such messaging even went so far as having Cook and Ternus dressed in apparently identical navy suits at the Ted Lasso premiere, complete with matching "Believe" pins on their lapels. 

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Apple's incoming CEO remained silent for the majority of Thursday's earnings call, leaving Cook to lead the proceedings. He did respond to a direct question on Apple's position amongst competition from upcoming AI-enabled devices, with companies such as OpenAI and SpaceX currently developing their own hardware. However, Ternus shied away from specifics, prefacing his comments by stating that he "would just reiterate what Tim said." 

"There is so much opportunity for us with everything that's happening in this space, and we're just really focused on our plans and very excited about it," said Ternus.

Regardless of what those plans turn out to be, Ternus appears set up for success. Apple's Q3 earnings call reported $109.4 billion in quarterly revenue —  an increase of 16 percent year over year. Of this, $54.3 billion came from iPhones alone. Overall, Apple hauled in a net quarterly profit of $29.8 billion.

If you want to see a classic Marvel credits scene after Spider-Man: Brand New Day, you'll have to wait. And wait. And wait some more.

SEE ALSO: Spider-Man: Brand New Day' review: More like 'Déjà Vu'?

That's because the film ditches the now-expected mid-credits scene entirely. It only includes one quick teaser at the very end of the credits. I mean the very end, after even the production company logos. That's only a few seconds after most Marvel end-credits scenes roll, but it's such a switch-up from the norm that you might not think to wait for it.

If you're not planning on sticking around that long but want to know what you missed, or if you just want to understand what the teaser is really saying, you've come to the right place.

What happens in Spider-Man: Brand New Day's end-credit scene?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day's end-credit scene shows the display screen of Spidey Tracker, created by Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon). It reveals that Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is no longer on Earth. In fact, he's somewhere in outer space.

Then, we get the message that Spider-Man will return. Of course he will! But how?

What does the Spider-Man: Brand New Day end-credit scene mean?

Marvel has yet to announce a new Spider-Man film, but there are two major upcoming films where Peter could show up. The first is this year's Avengers: Doomsday, and the second is 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars. The former serves as Doctor Doom's (Robert Downey Jr.'s) introduction to the MCU, while the latter will wrap up the Multiverse Saga that began with WandaVision in 2021.

Holland is not in the extensive cast list announced for Doomsday, although that certainly doesn't mean you can't expect a surprise appearance. Plus, outer space would be a natural place for him to wind up in these films, either through multiversal shenanigans or traveling to new planets. For example, Secret Wars is highly likely to introduce the comics' Battleworld, a planet made up of several realities that have all been smashed together. That could very well be the site of Spider-Man's next appearance, and would fit in perfectly with the information Spidey Tracker gives us in Spider-Man: Brand New Day's post-credit scene. That's a pretty solid tease for Peter's next move, but until Doomsday, we're still swinging into the unknown.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now in theaters.

Tim Cook hosted his final quarterly earnings call as Apple's CEO Thursday evening, and it ended on a positive note: Apple beat Wall Street analysts' revenue estimates. But it appears to have done so via a one-time windfall: an estimated $2.19 billion in tariff refunds.

"Company gross margin was 50.1 percent, including a favorable impact of approximately 2 percentage points from tariff refunds," the company announced in a press release. "Diluted earnings per share was $2.02, up 29 percent year over year, and included a favorable impact of $0.11 from tariff refunds."

The $2.19 billion figure is an estimate based on the company's reported total revenue of $109.4 billion.

SEE ALSO: Apple could still release new Apple Home Pods, a folding iPhone, and OLED MacBooks this year

Apple's stock dropped following its revenue report. The one-time tariff rebate artificially inflated the company's gross margin. Without it, the company failed to beat analysts' expectations, per CNBC.

President Trump aggressively pursued global tariffs after he returned to the White House, resulting in a shock to the global economic system and a wave of price increases on consumer tech products.

However, in February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration lacked the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), striking down Trump's signature economic policy.

As a result, many companies — like Apple — became eligible for refunds for the tariff fees levied against them.

Apple was one target of the Trump administration's tariffs, and that's not speculation. The president expressed a desire for the iPhone to be manufactured domestically (which most experts agreed was not technically possible); at one point, Trump threatened Apple specifically with 25 percent tariffs in a Truth Social post.

Apple wasn't the only company that faced tariff costs in the billions. But in the end, the company recouped billions.

Previously, Apple disclosed that it paid more than $3.3 billion in tariff fees. During the Q2 2026 earnings call, Cook said any tariff refunds would be reinvested in the U.S.

Major telehealth giant Hims & Hers is the latest target of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) crackdown on consumer data privacy, following a years-long investigation into whether or not the company was selling sensitive customer health data.

In a new filing issued July 29 by the agency, joined by the states of Utah and California, the federal watchdog has formally accused the direct-to-consumer health company of sharing patient information with advertisers and tech giants like Meta and Snap. The FTC claims Hims & Hers provided the companies with lists of customer names, as well as information on their site behavior, despite pledging to protect customer data privacy. Such disclosures violate FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, the FTC argues.

SEE ALSO: Using ChatGPT Health? Read this first.

The lawsuit also alleges the platform "deceives users about its billing and cancellation practices," including making it difficult to cancel subscriptions and mischaracterizing the process for prescription charges for new patients. Specifically, the FTC claims the company misleads users into believing they will not be charged for prescriptions before consulting with a physician. In practice, the lawsuit claims, many customers are asked to provide billing information and charged for prescription plans shortly after filling out intake forms, and without first reviewing the medications.

In 2024, the FTC instituted new "Click to Cancel" rules mandating sellers utilize simple cancellation processes that allow customers to terminate charges in just one click. Many companies, primarily telecom giants, pushed back on Click to Cancel mandates, citing concerns that the agency was overextending its powers. The FTC was forced to vacate the ruling by a U.S. Appeals Court last year.

Hims & Hers has faced scrutiny from lawmakers and major pharmaceutical companies. The platform faced threats of a lawsuit following what some alleged were misleading claims made in a 2025 Super Bowl ad criticizing the profit motivations of GLP-1 manufacturers. It has also been accused of running a gray market for weight loss medications using non-FDA approved manufacturing processes. The company itself has staked billions in the sale of weight loss products marketed as affordable, direct-to-consumer alternatives to mainstream GLP-1 medications.

In a press release responding to the lawsuit, Hims & Hers argued the FTC was disregarding evidence unearthed during its investigation and ignoring existing state laws and industry standards to specifically target the San Francisco-based company. "This is not enforcement grounded in consumer protection; it is an effort to generate headlines at our expense," the company wrote.

TL;DR: flowkey teaches piano through interactive lessons, instant feedback, and more than 1,000 songs. Get five years of access for $79.99 (reg. $899).

Opens in a new window Credit: Flowkey flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription) $79.99
$899 Save $819.01   Get Deal

Learning piano used to mean weekly lessons, a stack of intimidating sheet music, and finding time in your schedule to make both happen. Now all you need is a keyboard, a phone or laptop, and a little consistency. Oh, and an app. flowkey teaches piano through interactive lessons and real songs, and it’s $79.99 (reg. $899) for five years.

Rather than throwing you into music theory from day one, which can feel overwhelming for beginners, flowkey focuses on playing. The app listens as you perform and provides instant feedback, so you know when you’ve hit the right notes — and when you haven’t. Features like Wait Mode, which won’t move on until you play the correct note, along with slow-motion playback and looping, make it easier to work through tricky passages without feeling rushed.

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Once you’ve got the basics down, there’s plenty to keep you busy. The Classic plan includes more than 1,000 classical and public-domain pieces, with arrangements for beginner, intermediate, advanced, and pro players. You’ll find works by Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Bach, Debussy, Brahms, Liszt, and other classical composers, while lessons cover fundamentals like reading sheet music, playing with both hands, chords, rhythm, and technique.

Because your subscription works across computers, tablets, and phones, it’s easy to fit in practice whenever you find a few minutes to spare. Whether you’re learning your first scales, dusting off piano skills from childhood, or finally tackling a piece you’ve always wanted to play, flowkey offers a structured way to keep making progress without having to schedule weekly lessons.

Formerly $899, you can grab a 5-year subscription to flowkey for just $79.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Google's next big event, Made By Google, is just a few weeks away. But, if you can't wait to see what the tech giant has in store, Google has just dropped a little teaser regarding the new Pixel 11 Pro.

As part of its Ask More of Your Phone campaign, Google's Pixel 11 Pro sneak peek lists a slew of Google's suite of online products like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search, and Gemini. The narrator than hints that the viewer should perhaps go with a Google Pixel phone as well.

The teaser then displays Google's upcoming Pixel 11 Pro device with a strong focus on the rear of the device, specifically a glowing multi-colored circle next to the camera lenses.

This appears to be Google's introduction of the rumored Pixel Glow indicator.

It's not yet entirely clear what the glow indicator does. It appears to be a small reactive LED display located within the Pixel camera bar.

Reports have suggested that the glow indicator could react with different colors in order to provide visual notifications to the user. It's possible that the colored lights react differently to certain contacts or specific apps.

We'll find out more about the Pixel 11 lineup of Google smartphones, including the Pixel 11 Pro and the glow indicator, on August 12 during the Made By Google event.

If you have spent the past two weeks refreshing theater listings for an IMAX 70mm ticket to The Odyssey, your persistence may finally pay off.

IMAX has extended Christopher Nolan's blockbuster in the coveted format through Sept. 16, nearly a month beyond its previous Aug. 19 end date. New screenings appeared on IMAX's website Thursday July 30, although the additional dates did not exactly eliminate the competition. The AMC app placed moviegoers in a digital queue as tickets were released.

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The problem is partly one of supply. Only 25 theaters in the United States and 41 worldwide can project the physical IMAX 70mm reels used for the movie. Other theaters offer digital IMAX screenings, but those versions may be cropped depending on the auditorium rather than displaying the full, towering image captured by the cameras.

That distinction matters more for The Odyssey than it does for most blockbusters. Nolan's retelling of Homer's epic — starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway — is the first feature film shot entirely using IMAX film cameras.

Previous movies typically used the bulky, extremely loud cameras for action sequences before returning to another format for dialogue-heavy scenes. As a result, their aspect ratios could change throughout the movie. The Odyssey fills the screen from top to bottom for its entire 173-minute runtime.

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Moviegoers have treated the screenings accordingly. The first tickets went on sale a full year before the movie's July 17 release, and some theaters sold out weeks of showings in advance. Locations eventually added screenings at hours generally reserved for airport departures, including 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., to squeeze more viewers into the limited number of auditoriums.

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All of that demand is turning the format into a large piece of the movie's success. By July 26, IMAX screenings had generated more than $140 million worldwide in ticket sales, accounting for over 20 percent of the movie’s then-$652 million global total. That's especially notable given that IMAX locations represent less than 1 percent of its screens.

By July 30, The Odyssey had passed $700 million globally after just 12 days in theaters, already becoming the fourth highest-grossing movie of the year.

Its second-week ticket sales declined only 27 percent from its domestic opening weekend. Major studio releases more commonly fall between 50 and 70 percent, making the unusually small drop another indication that people are continuing to book tickets and possibly returning for repeat viewings.

Nolan has been here before. IMAX extended the 70mm run of Oppenheimer twice in 2023, and the movie later returned to the format as its awards campaign gathered momentum. Given the reviews and box-office performance of The Odyssey, it could eventually follow a similar path.

For now, fans have one more month to catch the movie in Nolan's preferred format, though finding an available seat may remain an odyssey of its own.

Did you know that the next time you drive across town, a camera you barely notice could record where your car goes?

Known as Flock cameras, the small black devices sit beside roads, near intersections, and at the entrances to neighborhoods and parking lots, collecting information about every vehicle that passes.

Flock Safety says its network now includes more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states and operates in more than 6,000 communities. Police departments, businesses, schools, and homeowners associations use the cameras, which can turn a passing car into a searchable record containing its license plate, location, color, model, and even details such as bumper stickers or dents.

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The company's rise has been fast. Founded in Atlanta in 2017 by Garrett Langley, Matt Feury, and Paige Todd, the company raised $275 million last year at a $7.5 billion valuation. Although it is best known for license plate readers, Flock also sells broader surveillance systems and is developing first-responder drones following its acquisition of Aerodome.

As that network has grown, so has the backlash. Cities are canceling contracts, police officers have been accused of using the system for personal reasons, and protesters have painted, burned, and cut down cameras across the country — and encouraged others to do the same.

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So, what exactly are Flock cameras, and why do some people want them gone?

How do Flock cameras work?

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers, commonly known as ALPRs. Unlike red-light or speed cameras, they are generally not waiting for a driver to commit a specific traffic violation, but rather photograph passing vehicles and convert what they see into data that can be searched later.

Each record can include a car’s license plate, location, make, model, color, body type, and the time it passed the camera. Flock’s software can also recognize individual features of the car, creating what amounts to a “vehicle fingerprint.”

Police officers can search for a particular plate or enter a broader description, such as a blue Toyota with a bumper sticker. They can also add vehicles connected to stolen-car reports, missing people, or criminal investigations to a “hotlist.”

If a camera detects a possible match, the system sends an alert with the vehicle's location. A police department can also allow other participating departments to search its camera data. In some states, that can mean searching across much of the country.

Flock says its cameras take individual images rather than continuously tracking a vehicle, and its default policy is to delete license plate data after 30 days — although the actual retention period can vary based on local laws and an agency’s agreement.

SEE ALSO: How 3 very different people use AI chatbots Why do police use Flock cameras?

Some police departments say the technology can produce investigative leads and solve crimes. If a child is reported missing, for example, officers can enter the plate of the vehicle involved and receive an alert when it passes a camera. The same process can help police locate stolen cars, follow fleeing suspects, or determine where a vehicle traveled before or after a crime.

On July 30, North Carolina authorities said Flock cameras helped track a vehicle connected to a child abduction case. Police arrested a woman in Charlotte on July 29, and the child was taken into protective custody.

That same week, police in Alabama credited a Flock camera with helping establish the direction traveled by two missing senior citizens. Officers combined that information with a community tip and assistance from OnStar to locate the couple safely.

Flock says its network has supported more than 1 million investigations and helped locate more than 10,000 missing people in 2025.

So why are Flock cameras controversial? This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The concern starts with the amount of information being collected about people who are not suspected of committing a crime. When a single camera records one moment on a public road, a network of thousands can capture the same vehicle at different times and locations.

Some industry critics argue that ALPR data can reveal when drivers visit sensitive places, including health centers, protests, and places of worship. The organization has also argued that police should obtain a warrant before searching large ALPR databases, although the Supreme Court has not decided whether historical ALPR searches require one. Flock adamantly disputes the description of its system as mass surveillance.

Data sharing has also pulled Flock into the immigration enforcement debate. In May 2025, 404 Media reviewed search logs showing more than 4,000 Flock lookups that local and state police conducted at the request of federal officials, as an informal favor, or for potentially immigration-related purposes. A Feb. 2026 investigation by The 74 also found that outside police departments searched cameras owned by a Texas school district, including queries that officials said were performed to assist the Department of Homeland Security.

Flock also responded to that claim, stating that it has no contract with ICE and that the agency cannot directly access its cameras or data.

Then there is the possibility of personal misuse. The Institute for Justice has collected 28 reported cases in which officers allegedly used license plate readers to follow partners, former partners, colleagues, or other romantic interests.

On July 29, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrested Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Seth Elliot and charged him with illegally accessing a government computer. Investigators allege that Elliot used Flock and a state criminal-justice database to run an unauthorized search of a North Carolina license plate for a non-law-enforcement purpose.

The cameras can also make mistakes. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

In June 2026, The Drive editor Joel Feder was test-driving a Range Rover with a New Jersey manufacturer plate when four Minnesota police cars surrounded him and his wife in a parking lot. Police had been receiving Flock alerts because a different plate with a similar code had been reported lost in California.

Flock acknowledges in its official policy that license plate translations can occasionally be incomplete or inaccurate. CEO Garrett Langley later said departments need a clearer process for challenging and correcting inaccurate hotlist entries.

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Disagreement has also spilled into neighborhoods. More than 80 municipalities have ended or declined to renew Flock agreements, while states including Washington have adopted new restrictions on how license plate data can be collected, searched, and shared. Residents of Marinette, Wisconsin, are pressing their city to do the same — a coalition is now circulating a petition calling for its Flock contract to be canceled outright.

Some communities are also dealing with people damaging the cameras themselves. There have been 33 incidents across 23 states in which people damaged or destroyed Flock cameras in apparent protest against surveillance. Cameras have been covered in paint, cut down, burned, obstructed, and struck with vehicles.

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Online, some X users are tracking where Flock cameras appear, which models are being installed, and what direction they face. One user finds the company to be "laying the infrastructure for a mass surveillance network in America."

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For communities considering Flock cameras, the decision now involves weighing their use in investigations against concerns about privacy, access, and oversight.

AI companies have spent years pulling training material from the internet. Now, as more of the web fills with AI-generated writing, some are looking for text in a place largely untouched by chatbots: used-book shelves.

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Until July 28, ISBNdb, a company that operates an online book database, advertised its ability to source as many as 1 million physical books per order for AI developers. The since-deleted page offered books “tailored to your LLM training needs,” according to 404 Media, including older, specialized, rare, and out-of-print titles gathered from used bookstores and other catalogs.

The company also promised confidentiality. Its marketing materials advertised a “strict NDA on every engagement” and said clients’ identities, strategies, and acquisition targets would not be disclosed. That secrecy attracted attention because converting physical books into AI training data can involve destructive scanning: cutting off their bindings, feeding the loose pages through industrial scanners, and discarding or recycling the originals.

By July 28, ISBNdb had removed the sourcing page and its promise of an NDA. The company said the service had been part of “exploring demand” and that it had “chosen to pivot away from that direction," in a news update.

Still, ISBNdb’s brief sales pitch offered a glimpse into a book-buying operation that one major AI developer has already carried out on a much larger scale. Federal court records show that Anthropic purchased and scanned millions of physical books, while used-book sellers in the United States and Europe have recently reported unusual bulk orders for obscure and out-of-print titles.

The reports have opened several practical questions: Why have older books become so valuable to AI developers, how widespread is destructive scanning, and what happens to the originals once their pages become training data?

Why AI companies are hunting for old books

Older books offer something that has become surprisingly difficult to guarantee online: writing produced entirely by humans.

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Large language models are trained on enormous quantities of text collected from websites, articles, books, code repositories, and other digital sources. Since generative AI tools became widely available, however, the internet has filled with machine-written summaries, product listings, social posts, and articles.

That creates a problem for developers assembling new training datasets. If a model is trained too heavily on material produced by earlier models, it can begin reinforcing their mistakes while losing some of the variety and less common information contained in the original human data. Researchers call the process “model collapse.”

A physical book printed before the current AI boom offers a relatively clean alternative. Unlike a webpage that may have been quietly generated or rewritten by a chatbot, an older book provides a more dependable record of human writing. Books are also edited, structured, and often contain specialized information that cannot easily be found elsewhere online.

ISBNdb leaned heavily on those qualities in its sales pitch.

“Books represent curated, peer-reviewed, domain-specific human knowledge, structured in a way no web crawl can replicate,” the company wrote. “Dense, edited, authoritative.”

ISBNdb also emphasized that many potentially useful titles had never been fully digitized. Its marketing effectively presented the pre-chatbot bookshelf as a reserve of human-created training material that had yet to be mixed with AI output.

That demand did not appear out of nowhere. It follows a much longer effort to turn printed books into searchable digital information.

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People have been converting books into digital files for decades. Project Gutenberg began creating electronic versions of public-domain works in 1971 and now offers more than 75,000 free ebooks.

The industrial-scale version arrived with Google Books in 2004. Working with libraries and publishers, Google scanned books and made their contents searchable online. By 2019, the company said it had assembled a collection of more than 40 million books in over 400 languages.

Those scans also helped form HathiTrust, a digital repository created by research libraries in 2008 to preserve their collections and make as much of the material publicly accessible as copyright law allowed.

The project prompted an earlier version of today’s copyright fight. Authors sued Google for scanning copyrighted books without permission, but a federal appeals court ruled in 2015 that the project qualified as fair use. The court found that creating a searchable index and displaying limited snippets gave the books a new purpose without providing readers with a replacement for the originals.

Other digitization programs have emphasized preservation and access. The Internet Archive, for example, says it has digitized more than 25 million books since 2006 using nondestructive scanning designed to keep the bound volumes intact.

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But converting a book into data does not necessarily make it publicly accessible. That distinction concerned Charlie D. Becker, a second-generation bookseller whose family runs Becker’s Books in Houston. His store recently received a single order for 70 obscure titles, including a 1995 guide to metropolitan Denver and manuals explaining how to use WordPerfect in 1991.

After investigating, Becker suspected the buyer was using an algorithm to find underpriced books and relist them on Amazon, rather than acquiring them for AI training. Most of the titles were either unavailable on Amazon or listed there for as much as 20 times his store’s price, and the shipments appeared to be going to Fulfillment by Amazon preparation companies.

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Still, Becker said an obscure book can be especially easy to lose because few people consider it worth preserving. Books that fail to sell through Amazon’s fulfillment system may eventually be liquidated, while some titles have little more than scattered listings across private databases to prove they existed.

“Everyone assumes the internet preserved everything,” Becker wrote in a longer account of the orders. “It didn’t.”

Anthropic has already scanned millions of books

The buyers behind the recent bookstore orders remain unclear. The destructive scanning process, however, is no longer hypothetical.

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In 2024, Anthropic hired Tom Turvey, a former Google executive who had worked on partnerships for the Google Books project. According to a June 2025 federal court ruling, Turvey was tasked with helping the company obtain “all the books in the world” for an internal research library.

Turvey initially contacted publishers about licensing their books, but those conversations did not continue. His team then approached major book distributors and retailers about purchasing print copies in bulk.

Anthropic ultimately spent millions of dollars acquiring millions of physical books, many of them used. Service providers removed the books from their bindings, cut their pages to the appropriate size, and fed them through scanners. The searchable PDF files went into Anthropic’s internal library. The paper originals were discarded.

Engineers could then select groups of those books for inclusion in datasets used to train the large language models behind Claude.

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That process became central to a legal battle over how Anthropic obtained its training material. In June 2025, U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that the company’s use of books to train Claude was transformative and qualified as fair use under the specific circumstances of the case.

Alsup also found that converting legally purchased print books into digital files could qualify as fair use because Anthropic destroyed each physical copy and replaced it with one internal digital copy. In other words, the company did not keep both versions.

The ruling did not give AI companies blanket permission to copy any book they could find. Alsup drew a sharp distinction between the print books Anthropic had legally purchased and the more than 7 million pirated books the company had downloaded and stored in a permanent digital library. Purchasing physical copies of some titles later did not erase the original piracy, he found.

That distinction eventually became expensive. On July 20, a federal judge approved Anthropic’s $1.5 billion settlement with authors and publishers, resolving claims involving approximately 482,000 pirated books. Eligible rights holders are expected to receive about $3,000 per title, according to Reuters.

For some authors, the payment does not resolve the larger disagreement. Charles Graeber, one of the case’s original plaintiffs, told NPR that he was proud authors had secured a substantial settlement, but said the case had cost him more than two years of time, travel, and professional opportunities.

Fellow plaintiff Andrea Bartz questioned a system that allows companies to train commercial models on legally purchased books without negotiating separate licenses with the people who wrote them.

“The algorithm is being used to essentially try to put us out of a job,” she told NPR.

Anthropic has maintained that training AI models on books is protected by fair use. The court’s ruling nevertheless helps explain why physical books may be especially attractive to developers: A lawfully purchased copy gives the company a much stronger legal position than a file downloaded from a pirate library.

Destroying the original may be a legally useful distinction. For many readers, it is also the most unsettling part of the story.

Who is buying all these books?

Anthropic’s operation is documented in court records. The source of the more recent bookstore orders is harder to pin down.

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One bookseller specializing in uncommon and low-circulation titles told 404 Media that his weekly sales jumped from roughly 20 books during a good week to several hundred after the orders began arriving in April.

The requested titles did not appear to share a subject, author, genre, or language. They did, however, all have International Standard Book Numbers, or ISBNs, leading the seller to suspect that they had been selected through a book database.

The surge was financially helpful and allowed him to clear inventory that might otherwise have remained unsold. He was less enthusiastic about where the books might be going.

“I don’t like the end-use, and I don’t like that uncommon books are being pulped,” he said.

Booksellers in Europe have reported similarly broad requests. An antiquarian bookseller in the Netherlands received a list of approximately 3,000 English-language books organized by ISBN, ranging from an academic study of Irish folklore to a technical book about laser shock peening.

There is no public confirmation that every unusual bulk order came from an AI company or that every book purchased through these orders was destroyed. There is also no evidence that developers are intentionally hunting for the final surviving copies of rare titles.

The uncertainty itself is part of the concern. A company purchasing from a massive ISBN list could sweep up uncommon or out-of-print editions without first checking how many physical copies remain.

Why the story struck a nerve

Once the reports reached social media, they were accompanied by an unsettling visual: a cutting blade moving inch by inch through a book’s spine. Comparisons to Fahrenheit 451 and the Library of Alexandria followed quickly.

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Book destruction carries a particular weight because it has historically represented more than the loss of paper. The 1933 Nazi book burnings targeted works deemed “un-German,” including books by Jewish, pacifist, and left-wing writers. The act became an enduring symbol of censorship and the suppression of ideas, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

That symbolism is central to Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s 1953 novel about a society where books are outlawed and burned. Bradbury said his warning extended beyond government censorship to television reducing knowledge to digestible fragments and eroding interest in reading. Users have also invoked the Library of Alexandria, another enduring symbol of lost knowledge, although historians believe it declined gradually through political upheaval, reduced support, neglect, and repeated damage rather than disappearing in one catastrophic fire.

Elon Musk joined the conversation on July 27. He wrote on X that he had asked the SpaceXAI team to preserve rare books in a library and scan them “the hard way,” without removing their spines.

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As the discussion spread, users resurfaced a 2011 Cracked article about libraries, universities, and retailers destroying unwanted books years before the current AI boom.

That history has informed a less alarmed response. Some users argued that the books shown in warehouses appeared to be ordinary, unwanted inventory rather than irreplaceable artifacts. If a book would otherwise be recycled without being read again, they asked, could scanning it first preserve something that would have been lost?

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AI adds a complication. The text may survive, but inside a private company’s research library rather than a public archive. A forgotten manual or travel guide may have little resale value, yet still contain exactly what an AI developer wants: edited human writing created before the flood of chatbot output.

That has led authors and publishers to argue that they should have more control over how their work is used, especially when it is helping companies build commercial products. AI developers, meanwhile, continue to argue that training a model is a transformative use of the material rather than a replacement for the original books.

ISBNdb has removed its sourcing page, but the demand behind it remains. The web’s AI problem has sent developers back to the bookshelf. The next chapter will depend on whether they can extract what they need without leaving those shelves any emptier.