Mashable

Before Cindy Pham became a New York Times bestselling author, she spent years building an audience on YouTube as Read With Cindy, where nearly 600,000 subscribers tune in for her thoughtful book commentary. In today's publishing industry, that's the kind of platform many authors dream of, one that can help sell books long before readers crack open the first page.

But Pham has always been wary of turning creativity into a commodity.

She still works full-time as a graphic designer, deliberately keeping writing and content creation separate from the job that pays her bills. It's a choice that gives her the freedom to write slowly, chase ideas that genuinely excite her, and resist the pressure to create for algorithms or sales numbers.

SEE ALSO: BookTok creators share the reading essentials they actually use

That philosophy shapes every part of her career, from the way she approaches YouTube to the way she wrote her debut young adult novel, The Secret World of Briar Rose, a sapphic reimagining of Sleeping Beauty that asks one haunting question: What if Sleeping Beauty didn't want to wake up?

For this edition of Creator Playbook, Pham reflects on balancing three careers, navigating the blurry line between author and influencer, and why she believes the goal isn't representation — it's resonance.

Cindy Pham wants her work to outshine her platform Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Kokila

Mashable: Before nearly a million people followed your book recommendations on YouTube and TikTok, what was your relationship with books and reading growing up?

Cindy Pham: I actually wasn't a big reader growing up. I started reading avidly after I graduated from college, and I think part of it was that no one was telling me I had to read anymore. Once it became something I chose for myself instead of an assignment, I became much more interested in it.

Writing actually came first. I'd been writing since elementary school as a form of escapism. Reading came later, and thankfully, that made my writing a lot better. You're probably not going to become a good writer if you aren't reading a lot of books.

I definitely came to reading later than most people. I missed the Twilight era, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter — which, in retrospect, maybe missing Harry Potter wasn't the worst thing. But once I started a YouTube channel dedicated to talking about books, it made me much more conscious of the stories I was consuming. It helped me understand what I loved, what I didn't, and ultimately the kinds of stories I wanted to write. It was a little backward, but everything came together in the end.

What came first: the YouTube channel or the idea for The Secret World of Briar Rose?

The writing always came first. In elementary school, I'd get obsessed with a video game or TV show and write novelizations of it. In middle school, I wrote fanfiction. By high school, I was writing original fiction, and during my senior year, I wrote the first draft of The Secret World of Briar Rose. Then I went to college and put writing aside to focus on becoming a designer.

After graduation, I started reading a lot more. I was reading so much that I needed somewhere to talk about the books because posting a photo on Instagram just wasn't enough. I wanted to rant about whatever shenanigans had happened in the story, so I started a YouTube channel. Honestly, I thought I'd lose interest after a week or a month. It was just something to do. But people started watching, commenting, and subscribing, and that encouraged me to keep going.

The channel really grew alongside my interests. I've always approached content creation by making videos about whatever I'm genuinely excited about, rather than thinking, I need to make a video about this because it'll perform well. As I became more immersed in books and storytelling, my brain kept returning to that novel I'd written in high school. Only this time, I had a fully developed frontal lobe. I was more socially conscious, more politically conscious, and much more widely read.

The core of the story stayed the same. I'd always wanted to write about depression and suicidal ideation, using Sleeping Beauty as an allegory. But revisiting it as an adult gave me the tools to tell that story with a lot more depth. Reading a lot of books doesn't necessarily make you a better writer. I think it makes you a more purposeful one. It helps you figure out what you actually want from a story instead of chasing whatever the average person thinks makes a good book.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kokila / Penguin Random House The Secret World of Briar Rose $15.59 at Amazon
$21.99 Save $6.40   Get Deal

One thing that really stood out to me is that you still work a full-time job as a graphic designer while writing books and making YouTube videos. A lot of creators wrestle with when, or whether, to quit their day jobs.

I like my job being just a job. It gives me financial security, which means I can write books and make videos because I genuinely enjoy doing them, not because I need them to pay my rent or because I need strangers on the internet to like me to make a living. That balance has been really important for me.

I see similar pressures with full-time creators and full-time authors. When your creative work becomes your entire livelihood, everything feels heavier because it's your whole world. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket, especially living in New York. It becomes harder to enjoy what you're making when it's fully monetized, and you're constantly worrying whether you can live off it.

I'm also a very slow writer. I like to sit with ideas. I like to experience life and let that inform the story. That isn't always compatible with what publishing wants, so I'd rather create on my own timeline than someone else's.

I'm always amazed by someone like Brandon Sanderson, who's somehow writing thousand-page books every other year.

[Laughs.] That's definitely a particular kind of creative personality. I'm the turtle in that race. I like taking my time, and right now I'm also juggling three jobs: designer, content creator, and now author. That's been its own challenge.

One of the biggest buzzwords in the creator economy is authenticity. The creators who build the strongest communities are usually the ones who are the most authentic to themselves. Reading your book, it feels like that same philosophy applies here. This story feels deeply personal — not just because it draws from your experiences, but because it's rooted in the themes and worldview you wanted to explore.

I think there's definitely a lot of overlap. Being a content creator for so many years before becoming a published author helped shape that mindset. It thickened my skin when it comes to public perception, but it also reinforced something I've believed for a long time: I never want my livelihood to depend on whether people like me.

I want to create because I'm genuinely interested in something. If other people connect with it, that's wonderful. If they don't, that's OK too. I don't want validation, or my ability to pay rent, to depend on strangers enjoying my work. That's the attitude I've tried to bring into publishing as well.

Unfortunately, writers can't really just disappear into a room and write anymore. So much of publishing is now tied to your public identity. I think that's a shame, even if it's something that's ultimately worked in my favor.

We've written about that at Mashable — the way BookTok and social media have pushed authors to become content creators and marketers. Publishers increasingly want authors to have an online presence, to promote themselves alongside the book. You were already ahead of that curve because you had built a community before publishing.

I think it's a flawed system. Authors shouldn't have to become marketers. The book should be able to speak for itself.

At the same time, I recognize that I benefit from that system while also critiquing it, so I try to make the most of that privilege. One way I do that is by spotlighting other debut authors who don't have the same publisher investment or platform that I do. When The Secret World of Briar Rose debuted at No. 1, I made a point of highlighting other books that released the same day because there are so many incredible authors whose work deserves attention. A bestseller list isn't a pure meritocracy. It's also a reflection of which books publishers are willing to invest in and promote.

There's another downside, too. Because my name is so closely associated with the book, I don't think the novel will ever completely stand on its own. If someone thinks my videos are annoying, they'll probably approach the book with those assumptions. If someone loves my channel, they may expect the book to be a masterpiece before they've even opened it. Neither is really fair to the reader or the writer.

That's why it's so important for me to always come back to my North Star: why I wrote the book in the first place. It can't be about external validation or the credibility of being an author. It has to be about self-expression and writing something that would have mattered to my younger self, not writing for a market or an impossible standard. A lot of this is really about building the mental fortitude to resist the pressure of numbers, sales, and validation. I think creators and authors are fighting a lot of the same battles.

At least publishing gives you a team whose job is to worry about those numbers.

Exactly. [Laughs.] They're the ones who can worry about sales. I'm just here to have fun. The other thing that's been really meaningful is that everyone involved in the creative production of this book is a South or Southeast Asian woman. I'm Vietnamese. My editor is Pakistani. My cover artist is Filipina. My cover designer is Taiwanese. My interior designer is Black and South Asian. The imprint itself focuses on marginalized voices. So when something good happens to the book, it isn't just a win for me. It's a win for everyone who worked on it. Whenever I start getting too self-conscious, I try to think about the ripple effects. It's never just about me.

Maybe you should judge this book by its cover. Credit: Kokila / Penguin Random House

I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I have to say: it's a gorgeous cover.

In this case, I absolutely think people should judge the book by its cover. I was lucky enough to have a lot of creative control over it. I got to put my designer hat back on and be really specific about the direction, even choosing the cover artist. That ended up being one of the most fun creative parts of the whole process.

I read your People essay, which is beautiful, and you describe how public conversations around your book made you more self-conscious about your own identity and queerness. Looking back, do you think the internet made it harder to figure yourself out, or did it ultimately push you to ask questions you might not have otherwise?

I think it's both. The internet helped me become more socially and politically conscious. Honestly, I don't think I would've realized I was queer without it. I was exposed to more queer media and more conversations about identity and diversity, which changed how I understood both myself and the stories I wanted to tell.

Before that, my writing was very heteronormative. It was very colorblind. Becoming more aware of those things changed the way I approached storytelling. I was also the only "straight" person in my friend group for a long time. I met my girlfriend through the book community online, and even before I realized I was queer myself, I was participating in queer culture through friendships and allyship.

At the same time, being perceived publicly comes with its own pressures. Early on, people assumed I was a straight woman writing a queer story, and those conversations made me second-guess myself. I started wondering, What if they're right? What if I'm exploiting something I shouldn't be? I knew why I'd made those creative choices. The queer relationship wasn't there for representation alone — it reinforced the book's themes of escapism and the oppressive forces the characters were trying to escape. But the internet doesn't always leave room for that kind of nuance.

When my girlfriend first confessed her feelings for me, I didn't have an answer right away because I'd spent so much time compartmentalizing that part of myself. Even after we started dating, I worried I was somehow "queerbaiting" her. That's such an internet thought. A normal person who's never been online wouldn't think, "Oh my God, I'm queerbaiting someone." That's something that comes from living inside internet discourse.

Overall, though, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. As I've gotten older, I've become better at separating public speculation from who I actually am. People are always going to make assumptions about you online, but they don't really know you. That's why it's so important for me to have a balanced life and relationships outside the internet.

One thing you wrote that really stayed with me was the idea that your goal wasn't representation so much as resonance. What's the difference?

I completely understand why representation matters. When I see queer stories now — or Vietnamese women in books — that means something to me. But I don't think any marginalized group is a monolith. There's no single story that can represent every queer person or every Asian person. That's why I prefer to think about resonance. I'm not trying to write a story that represents everyone. I'm trying to write something that feels true to me.

If that resonates with another queer person, or another Asian reader, that's incredible. And if someone doesn't necessarily feel represented but still connects with the emotional truth of the story, that's meaningful too. For me, that's the priority. When I'm writing, I start with the character and the themes. Once I understand who this person is and what role they play in the story, then I ask how their identity adds another layer to those themes. I don't usually start with identity and build outward from there. I know other writers do that beautifully, but resonance is the framework that makes the most sense to me.

Looking back now, after more than a decade with this story, how does the finished book differ from the one you first wrote in high school?

It really grew up alongside me. The core idea was always there. I always wanted to write about depression and mental health. But high school Cindy didn't know herself or the world the way I do now. Living life, going through depressive episodes, going to therapy, growing older... all of that gave me the emotional intelligence to write richer characters.

Even when I wasn't actively working on the manuscript, I was still writing it in a way because I was living the experiences that eventually shaped it. The first draft was mostly interested in the personal. As an adult, I realized those personal choices are political, too. If your story is about characters escaping oppressive systems, then asking what it means to ignore politics is itself a political question. Those were ideas I never would've understood as a teenager.

I think of that original manuscript as a seed. Over the years, it just kept growing new branches as I learned more about myself and the world.

I love the central question of the novel: What if Sleeping Beauty didn't want to wake up? Even as a teenager, that's such an emotionally rich question to ask.

Thank you. I also think it's important that YA stories are allowed to be dark. I was a depressed, angsty teenager, and this is exactly the kind of book I would've wanted to read. Before you can get to hope, you have to acknowledge the darkness. Hearing platitudes like "It gets better" never really resonated with me because nothing is guaranteed.

I think it's more honest to say that there are objectively awful things in the world, and we still owe it to ourselves and to each other to stay here and help one another. Holding both of those truths at once is what growth looks like.

Where to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy phones Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Amazon (get a $200 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line) Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at T-Mobile (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in) Pre-Order Here AT&T Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at AT&T (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in) Pre-Order Here Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line) Pre-Order Here

New Samsung phones are here. At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026, three new phones were announced: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The new phones are successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, so if you're ready for a new phone, get ready to preorder these devices.

We've been anticipating the new models for weeks, vetting rumors of what's to come with the latest foldables. Now that we're here, we can finally confirm exactly which models are available and just how much each will cost.

Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra pricing breakdown

Here's the pricing breakdown:

• Galaxy Z Flip 8 (pink, graphite, cream, mint) — starting at $1,199

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 (lavender, graphite, cream, pistachio) — starting at $1,899.99

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (violet shadow, graphite, cream, green shadow) — starting at $2,099.99

Both the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more than last year's models; no surprise in the face of the global memory crisis. All of the new models are up for preorder as of July 22 and will be available Aug. 7.

If you've previously owned the Z Flip and Fold series, the successive models are slightly different. So here's what you need to know about the new Samsung smartphones.

About the Galaxy Z Flip 8 The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. It folds down into a pocket-sized square, flipping open to a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. The display is phenomenal and extremely impressive, the crease of the phone indistinguishable when flipped open. It comes with a dual lens camera with up to 10x zoom and 4K video, filming at 60 fps. It has 12GB of RAM (more than some computers) and either 256GB or 512GB of storage space.

The Z Flip 8 comes in four different colors: pink, graphite, cream, and mint (online only). It starts at $1,199.99.

Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 The dimensions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are suspiciously close to the leaked foldable iPhone. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Apple has yet to release a foldable iPhone, but Samsung has already come out with a phone destined to compete. Rumors were floating about this model, with some thinking it would be called the Galaxy Z Fold Wide. Now we know it's actually the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a new model with a fullscreen ratio of 4:3.

It's a midrange option between the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, with a 5.5-inch folded screen and a 7.6-inch full-size screen. Like the Flip, it has a dual lens camera, but is able to film in up to 8K at 30 fps. You can go for models with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage, or a model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

The Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99. It comes in lavender, graphite, cream, and pistachio (online only).

Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at T-Mobile About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra The successor to the Z Fold 7 is the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you've previously seen or used the Z Fold 7, its successor is the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It's the largest phone among all of Samsung's foldables with a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch full screen. It's the only foldable with a three-lens camera, letting you film in up to 8K with 3x optical and 30x space zoom.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in violet shadow, graphite, cream, and green shadow (online only). It starts at $2,099.99.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile

GET A FREE $200 GIFT CARD: Pre-order the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 for $1,199.99 at Amazon by August 6 and get a $200 gift card for free.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 Unlocked Cell Phone + $200 Gift Card, 256GB Graphite $1,199.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon

Getting a new phone is almost never cheap. But if you're already planning to upgrade to Samsung's latest flip phone, you might as well get paid to do it.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free — how to claim

Right now, if you pre-order the 256GB Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 in Graphite at Amazon for $1,199.99, they'll throw in a $200 Amazon gift card. You just have to place your order by August 6 (its official release date is August 7).

The Z Flip 8 features a 6.7-inch main screen and a 4.1-inch cover screen (which Samsung calls the FlexWindow). It lets you check notifications and send messages without opening your phone. As for the cameras, you get a 50MP wide lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens on the back, plus a 10MP front camera. Thanks to the folding design, you can set it down half-open on a table to take hands-free photos or shoot Super Steady video — no tripod required.

Considering a $200 gift card basically covers your screen protectors, a durable case, and a few other things in your cart, this is a pretty good pre-order bonus.

Oura isn't the only one with a new smart ring. RingConn, a subscription-free alternative, just dropped its Gen 3 smart ring. It measures all the essential biometrics you want in a smart ring, and works around the screen-free design with a new innovation: a vibration motor.

The announcement of the new RingConn Gen 3 also comes the same week as Garmin announced the Cirqa, a tracker that looks noticeably similar to Whoop's health trackers.

About the RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring The new RingConn Gen 3 comes in 10 sizes and five finishes. Credit: RingConn

What sets RingConn apart from fellow smart ring maker Oura is that it is subscription-free, meaning once you buy the ring, there's no recurring cost. The new Gen 3 comes in 10 sizes (6 to 16) and five different finishes, including silver, gold, black, brushed silver, and brushed rose gold.

The new ring claims outstanding battery life, up to 14 days, one of the longest of any fitness tracker we've seen. However, it's a bit shorter if you have vibration turned on. The vibration motor is a new addition to the Gen 3, notifying you of health alerts, sedentary reminders, and low battery.

When Oura launched the Oura Ring 5, its slimmer design was the headline, and the RingConn Gen 3 is only slightly bigger. It has a thickness of 2.3mm and a width of 6.8mm, while the Oura Ring 5 is 2.28mm thick and 6.09mm wide.

Take the RingConn Gen 3 with you in the water as its waterproof up to 100m. Credit: RingConn

The Gen 3 now detects blood pressure and sleep apnea, although neither feature is FDA-cleared. It's water-resistant, waterproof up to 100m.

Included with RingConn Gen 3 models is a travel charging case, which provides over 150 days of battery life.

The RingConn Gen 3 starts at $349 (brushed finishes cost $369) and is now available to order from RingConn and Amazon.

RingConn Gen 3 $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at RingConn

Oura isn't the only one with a new smart ring. RingConn, a subscription-free alternative, just dropped its Gen 3 smart ring. It measures all the essential biometrics you want in a smart ring, and works around the screen-free design with a new innovation: a vibration motor.

The announcement of the new RingConn Gen 3 also comes the same week as Garmin announced the Cirqa, a tracker that looks noticeably similar to Whoop's health trackers.

About the RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring The new RingConn Gen 3 comes in 10 sizes and five finishes. Credit: RingConn

What sets RingConn apart from fellow smart ring maker Oura is that it is subscription-free, meaning once you buy the ring, there's no recurring cost. The new Gen 3 comes in 10 sizes (6 to 16) and five different finishes, including silver, gold, black, brushed silver, and brushed rose gold.

The new ring claims outstanding battery life, up to 14 days, one of the longest of any fitness tracker we've seen. However, it's a bit shorter if you have vibration turned on. The vibration motor is a new addition to the Gen 3, notifying you of health alerts, sedentary reminders, and low battery.

When Oura launched the Oura Ring 5, its slimmer design was the headline, and the RingConn Gen 3 is only slightly bigger. It has a thickness of 2.3mm and a width of 6.8mm, while the Oura Ring 5 is 2.28mm thick and 6.09mm wide.

Take the RingConn Gen 3 with you in the water as its waterproof up to 100m. Credit: RingConn

The Gen 3 now detects blood pressure and sleep apnea, although neither feature is FDA-cleared. It's water-resistant, waterproof up to 100m.

Included with RingConn Gen 3 models is a travel charging case, which provides over 150 days of battery life.

The RingConn Gen 3 starts at $349 (brushed finishes cost $369) and is now available to order from RingConn and Amazon.

RingConn Gen 3 $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at RingConn

Oura isn't the only one with a new smart ring. RingConn, a subscription-free alternative, just dropped its Gen 3 smart ring. It measures all the essential biometrics you want in a smart ring, and works around the screen-free design with a new innovation: a vibration motor.

The announcement of the new RingConn Gen 3 also comes the same week as Garmin announced the Cirqa, a tracker that looks noticeably similar to Whoop's health trackers.

About the RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring The new RingConn Gen 3 comes in 10 sizes and five finishes. Credit: RingConn

What sets RingConn apart from fellow smart ring maker Oura is that it is subscription-free, meaning once you buy the ring, there's no recurring cost. The new Gen 3 comes in 10 sizes (6 to 16) and five different finishes, including silver, gold, black, brushed silver, and brushed rose gold.

The new ring claims outstanding battery life, up to 14 days, one of the longest of any fitness tracker we've seen. However, it's a bit shorter if you have vibration turned on. The vibration motor is a new addition to the Gen 3, notifying you of health alerts, sedentary reminders, and low battery.

When Oura launched the Oura Ring 5, its slimmer design was the headline, and the RingConn Gen 3 is only slightly bigger. It has a thickness of 2.3mm and a width of 6.8mm, while the Oura Ring 5 is 2.28mm thick and 6.09mm wide.

Take the RingConn Gen 3 with you in the water as its waterproof up to 100m. Credit: RingConn

The Gen 3 now detects blood pressure and sleep apnea, although neither feature is FDA-cleared. It's water-resistant, waterproof up to 100m.

Included with RingConn Gen 3 models is a travel charging case, which provides over 150 days of battery life.

The RingConn Gen 3 starts at $349 (brushed finishes cost $369) and is now available to order from RingConn and Amazon.

RingConn Gen 3 $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at RingConn

SAVE $800: As of July 24, LG's 83-inch OLED evo AI 4K C6 Series Smart TV is down to $4,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount off its usual $5,299.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 83-inch OLED evo C6 Series Smart TV $4,499.99 at Amazon
$5,299.99 Save $800   Get Deal

LG's 83-inch OLED evo 4K TV just dropped to $4,499.99 at Amazon, a 15% discount that saves you $800. If a bigger screen has been on your radar, this one delivers — 83 inches of OLED, with AI upscaling that cleans up older or lower-res content too.

This TV can get up to 3.2x brighter in the highlights, and since it's OLED, you still get deep, true blacks along with that brightness — over 8.3 million individually lit pixels mean the contrast looks accurate instead of washed out. The processor is fast too, so menus and streaming apps load and respond quickly.

SEE ALSO: The huge LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI TV hits record-low price at Amazon — save $700

For movies, you get Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus a Filmmaker Mode that shows the film the way it was actually shot, without extra picture enhancements added on top. If you game, this TV supports a 165Hz refresh rate, both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, and a 0.1ms response time, so fast-moving games look smooth without lag.

The OLED Care feature is built to help protect the screen's picture quality over time, and the TV runs on webOS, LG's smart TV platform, which now includes Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot for AI-assisted searching and streaming.

83 inches of pure OLED confidence — grab LG's evo 4K C6 Series Smart TV on Amazon before it goes back to full price.

SAVE $800: As of July 24, LG's 83-inch OLED evo AI 4K C6 Series Smart TV is down to $4,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount off its usual $5,299.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 83-inch OLED evo C6 Series Smart TV $4,499.99 at Amazon
$5,299.99 Save $800   Get Deal

LG's 83-inch OLED evo 4K TV just dropped to $4,499.99 at Amazon, a 15% discount that saves you $800. If a bigger screen has been on your radar, this one delivers — 83 inches of OLED, with AI upscaling that cleans up older or lower-res content too.

This TV can get up to 3.2x brighter in the highlights, and since it's OLED, you still get deep, true blacks along with that brightness — over 8.3 million individually lit pixels mean the contrast looks accurate instead of washed out. The processor is fast too, so menus and streaming apps load and respond quickly.

SEE ALSO: The huge LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI TV hits record-low price at Amazon — save $700

For movies, you get Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus a Filmmaker Mode that shows the film the way it was actually shot, without extra picture enhancements added on top. If you game, this TV supports a 165Hz refresh rate, both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, and a 0.1ms response time, so fast-moving games look smooth without lag.

The OLED Care feature is built to help protect the screen's picture quality over time, and the TV runs on webOS, LG's smart TV platform, which now includes Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot for AI-assisted searching and streaming.

83 inches of pure OLED confidence — grab LG's evo 4K C6 Series Smart TV on Amazon before it goes back to full price.

SAVE $800: As of July 24, LG's 83-inch OLED evo AI 4K C6 Series Smart TV is down to $4,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount off its usual $5,299.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 83-inch OLED evo C6 Series Smart TV $4,499.99 at Amazon
$5,299.99 Save $800   Get Deal

LG's 83-inch OLED evo 4K TV just dropped to $4,499.99 at Amazon, a 15% discount that saves you $800. If a bigger screen has been on your radar, this one delivers — 83 inches of OLED, with AI upscaling that cleans up older or lower-res content too.

This TV can get up to 3.2x brighter in the highlights, and since it's OLED, you still get deep, true blacks along with that brightness — over 8.3 million individually lit pixels mean the contrast looks accurate instead of washed out. The processor is fast too, so menus and streaming apps load and respond quickly.

SEE ALSO: The huge LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI TV hits record-low price at Amazon — save $700

For movies, you get Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus a Filmmaker Mode that shows the film the way it was actually shot, without extra picture enhancements added on top. If you game, this TV supports a 165Hz refresh rate, both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, and a 0.1ms response time, so fast-moving games look smooth without lag.

The OLED Care feature is built to help protect the screen's picture quality over time, and the TV runs on webOS, LG's smart TV platform, which now includes Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot for AI-assisted searching and streaming.

83 inches of pure OLED confidence — grab LG's evo 4K C6 Series Smart TV on Amazon before it goes back to full price.

Folding phones have a pricing problem — but Apple may answer that with a new leasing program. CNET’s Bridget Carey explains how challenges around Apple’s folding iPhone remind her of the criticism of Apple’s first iPhone 19 years ago.

Folding phones have a pricing problem — but Apple may answer that with a new leasing program. CNET’s Bridget Carey explains how challenges around Apple’s folding iPhone remind her of the criticism of Apple’s first iPhone 19 years ago.

Folding phones have a pricing problem — but Apple may answer that with a new leasing program. CNET’s Bridget Carey explains how challenges around Apple’s folding iPhone remind her of the criticism of Apple’s first iPhone 19 years ago.

Facebook's got a new way to stop scammers on its platform: A "Verified" badge that every real human can get for free.

In a blog post published Friday, Facebook explained that the primary reason for the move is AI, which "makes it easier to generate content, profiles, and messages."

To make it easier to tell which is which, Facebook Verified is a badge that any user can obtain by going through the process of recording a short video selfie. Facebook then checks whether it matches your existing profile photos, which should take just a few minutes.

There are a few caveats, though. The badge is available for users 18 years and older who are in good standing with the company's Community Standards, which means they should not be flagged for fraud, scams, and deceptive practices, and should exhibit no evidence for inauthentic behavior (check out Meta's policy on that here).

Also, the badge is not available for Pages or ProMode accounts.

At first, the badge will only show in places where "it matters most," which means Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Profile. Facebook says it'll add badges in Feed posts "over time."

SEE ALSO: Instagram is coming for creepy Meta glasses videos

The Facebook Verified program will be rolled out in phases starting in "select markets," but Facebook plans to expand it globally.

One of the key points of Facebook Verified is that it's free. In 2023, Facebook's parent Meta introduced "Meta Verified," a paid subscription bundle that included verification, similar to the post-Elon Musk checkmark on X.

Facebook's got a new way to stop scammers on its platform: A "Verified" badge that every real human can get for free.

In a blog post published Friday, Facebook explained that the primary reason for the move is AI, which "makes it easier to generate content, profiles, and messages."

To make it easier to tell which is which, Facebook Verified is a badge that any user can obtain by going through the process of recording a short video selfie. Facebook then checks whether it matches your existing profile photos, which should take just a few minutes.

There are a few caveats, though. The badge is available for users 18 years and older who are in good standing with the company's Community Standards, which means they should not be flagged for fraud, scams, and deceptive practices, and should exhibit no evidence for inauthentic behavior (check out Meta's policy on that here).

Also, the badge is not available for Pages or ProMode accounts.

At first, the badge will only show in places where "it matters most," which means Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Profile. Facebook says it'll add badges in Feed posts "over time."

SEE ALSO: Instagram is coming for creepy Meta glasses videos

The Facebook Verified program will be rolled out in phases starting in "select markets," but Facebook plans to expand it globally.

One of the key points of Facebook Verified is that it's free. In 2023, Facebook's parent Meta introduced "Meta Verified," a paid subscription bundle that included verification, similar to the post-Elon Musk checkmark on X.

Facebook's got a new way to stop scammers on its platform: A "Verified" badge that every real human can get for free.

In a blog post published Friday, Facebook explained that the primary reason for the move is AI, which "makes it easier to generate content, profiles, and messages."

To make it easier to tell which is which, Facebook Verified is a badge that any user can obtain by going through the process of recording a short video selfie. Facebook then checks whether it matches your existing profile photos, which should take just a few minutes.

There are a few caveats, though. The badge is available for users 18 years and older who are in good standing with the company's Community Standards, which means they should not be flagged for fraud, scams, and deceptive practices, and should exhibit no evidence for inauthentic behavior (check out Meta's policy on that here).

Also, the badge is not available for Pages or ProMode accounts.

At first, the badge will only show in places where "it matters most," which means Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Profile. Facebook says it'll add badges in Feed posts "over time."

SEE ALSO: Instagram is coming for creepy Meta glasses videos

The Facebook Verified program will be rolled out in phases starting in "select markets," but Facebook plans to expand it globally.

One of the key points of Facebook Verified is that it's free. In 2023, Facebook's parent Meta introduced "Meta Verified," a paid subscription bundle that included verification, similar to the post-Elon Musk checkmark on X.

Sleek sex toy brand LELO is riding the red light therapy craze with the Mona Spectra, a "red light intimate wellness massager."

In dermatology, red light therapy has been studied for uses like skin rejuvenation, acne, hair growth, and wound healing, dermatologist Shoshana Marmon told Mashable over email. Marmon is an assistant professor of dermatology and director of clinical research at New York Medical College and chair of the American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Menopause and Women’s Health in Dermatology within AAD's Division of Science and Quality.

SEE ALSO: These Pokémoan sex toys are actually kind of cute — shop the limited first-edition drop

She wrote, "Some studies are promising, particularly for modest improvements in wrinkles and collagen production, but the results depend on the wavelength, dose, and device being used."

You've probably seen red light in the form of masks that take up someone's whole face. There are also wands and panels on the market — and now, vibrators.

The Mona Spectra is an internal toy meant to stimulate the G-spot (an area inside the vagina part of the clitorial network known to cause intense orgasms if triggered a certain way), and it's the latest addition to LELO's Mona line of G-spot vibrators. But it's the first to include red light in the wand, which, according to the product page, "stimulates collagen and elastin production, supports tissue elasticity, natural lubrication and sensitivity."

The LED light also emits thermal energy, which helps increase blood flow, the page states. "The result is a gentle yet powerful activation of your body's own renewal processes, which enhance both intimate wellness and sensation from within."

(The product can also emit blue light, which LELO states has an anti-inflammatory function, and green light, which the company states has a calming effect on the skin and may help with hyperpigmentation.)

Regarding red light, Marmon wrote that LELO's claims seem to go beyond what has been studied. The limited vaginal research has involved postmenopausal women with a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM, which is a condition caused by declining estrogen. GSM can lead to vaginal dryness, burning, pain with sex, and urinary symptoms, Marmon wrote.

"A few studies suggest that red-light therapy may improve some GSM symptoms or measurements of vaginal health," Marmon wrote. "However, most studies have been small, lacked a placebo group or focused on urinary incontinence. The research has not established that red light improves sexual sensitivity, and it has not been meaningfully studied in healthy women without GSM."

There's limited research on red light therapy in this area, and there's no strong evidence that a toy like the Mona Spectra improves lubrication, tissue elasticity, or sexual sensitivity.

LELO, meanwhile, told Mashable that the efficacy of red light technology is supported by a substantial body of well-documented scientific research. "Although evidence regarding its utility for chronic pain management and athletic recovery remains inconclusive or mixed, empirical data substantiates its application in several key areas," the company said, including specific wavelengths and near-infrared light that stimulate the production of collagen and fibroblasts (which makes collagen).

Like Marmon, LELO also acknowledged that research suggests red light therapy helps with acne and hair loss.

LELO clarified that the Mona Spectra isn't a medical device, and no medical claims have been made. The toy's development is based on the research from reputable institutions, the company's internal research and development department, and comprehensive testing throughout all primary phases of product engineering. 

This was all done to ensure product safety — and, according to the AAD, red light therapy use is safe in the short term.

The company is overseeing customer experience through studies, such as one currently underway in Spain. 

"Consequently, the LELO Mona Spectra is designed strictly as a wellness and pleasure device, integrating the advantages of red light technology to enhance intimate well-being via a non-hormonal, non-invasive methodology," LELO told Mashable. 

The benefits of the Mona Spectra haven't been proven, Marmon said. But, like early adopters of red light therapy masks, there might be those out there who want to be the first to try it out. LELO's Mona Spectra is available on its website for $299.

Sleek sex toy brand LELO is riding the red light therapy craze with the Mona Spectra, a "red light intimate wellness massager."

In dermatology, red light therapy has been studied for uses like skin rejuvenation, acne, hair growth, and wound healing, dermatologist Shoshana Marmon told Mashable over email. Marmon is an assistant professor of dermatology and director of clinical research at New York Medical College and chair of the American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Menopause and Women’s Health in Dermatology within AAD's Division of Science and Quality.

SEE ALSO: These Pokémoan sex toys are actually kind of cute — shop the limited first-edition drop

She wrote, "Some studies are promising, particularly for modest improvements in wrinkles and collagen production, but the results depend on the wavelength, dose, and device being used."

You've probably seen red light in the form of masks that take up someone's whole face. There are also wands and panels on the market — and now, vibrators.

The Mona Spectra is an internal toy meant to stimulate the G-spot (an area inside the vagina part of the clitorial network known to cause intense orgasms if triggered a certain way), and it's the latest addition to LELO's Mona line of G-spot vibrators. But it's the first to include red light in the wand, which, according to the product page, "stimulates collagen and elastin production, supports tissue elasticity, natural lubrication and sensitivity."

The LED light also emits thermal energy, which helps increase blood flow, the page states. "The result is a gentle yet powerful activation of your body's own renewal processes, which enhance both intimate wellness and sensation from within."

(The product can also emit blue light, which LELO states has an anti-inflammatory function, and green light, which the company states has a calming effect on the skin and may help with hyperpigmentation.)

Regarding red light, Marmon wrote that LELO's claims seem to go beyond what has been studied. The limited vaginal research has involved postmenopausal women with a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM, which is a condition caused by declining estrogen. GSM can lead to vaginal dryness, burning, pain with sex, and urinary symptoms, Marmon wrote.

"A few studies suggest that red-light therapy may improve some GSM symptoms or measurements of vaginal health," Marmon wrote. "However, most studies have been small, lacked a placebo group or focused on urinary incontinence. The research has not established that red light improves sexual sensitivity, and it has not been meaningfully studied in healthy women without GSM."

There's limited research on red light therapy in this area, and there's no strong evidence that a toy like the Mona Spectra improves lubrication, tissue elasticity, or sexual sensitivity.

LELO, meanwhile, told Mashable that the efficacy of red light technology is supported by a substantial body of well-documented scientific research. "Although evidence regarding its utility for chronic pain management and athletic recovery remains inconclusive or mixed, empirical data substantiates its application in several key areas," the company said, including specific wavelengths and near-infrared light that stimulate the production of collagen and fibroblasts (which makes collagen).

Like Marmon, LELO also acknowledged that research suggests red light therapy helps with acne and hair loss.

LELO clarified that the Mona Spectra isn't a medical device, and no medical claims have been made. The toy's development is based on the research from reputable institutions, the company's internal research and development department, and comprehensive testing throughout all primary phases of product engineering. 

This was all done to ensure product safety — and, according to the AAD, red light therapy use is safe in the short term.

The company is overseeing customer experience through studies, such as one currently underway in Spain. 

"Consequently, the LELO Mona Spectra is designed strictly as a wellness and pleasure device, integrating the advantages of red light technology to enhance intimate well-being via a non-hormonal, non-invasive methodology," LELO told Mashable. 

The benefits of the Mona Spectra haven't been proven, Marmon said. But, like early adopters of red light therapy masks, there might be those out there who want to be the first to try it out. LELO's Mona Spectra is available on its website for $299.

Sleek sex toy brand LELO is riding the red light therapy craze with the Mona Spectra, a "red light intimate wellness massager."

In dermatology, red light therapy has been studied for uses like skin rejuvenation, acne, hair growth, and wound healing, dermatologist Shoshana Marmon told Mashable over email. Marmon is an assistant professor of dermatology and director of clinical research at New York Medical College and chair of the American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Menopause and Women’s Health in Dermatology within AAD's Division of Science and Quality.

SEE ALSO: These Pokémoan sex toys are actually kind of cute — shop the limited first-edition drop

She wrote, "Some studies are promising, particularly for modest improvements in wrinkles and collagen production, but the results depend on the wavelength, dose, and device being used."

You've probably seen red light in the form of masks that take up someone's whole face. There are also wands and panels on the market — and now, vibrators.

The Mona Spectra is an internal toy meant to stimulate the G-spot (an area inside the vagina part of the clitorial network known to cause intense orgasms if triggered a certain way), and it's the latest addition to LELO's Mona line of G-spot vibrators. But it's the first to include red light in the wand, which, according to the product page, "stimulates collagen and elastin production, supports tissue elasticity, natural lubrication and sensitivity."

The LED light also emits thermal energy, which helps increase blood flow, the page states. "The result is a gentle yet powerful activation of your body's own renewal processes, which enhance both intimate wellness and sensation from within."

(The product can also emit blue light, which LELO states has an anti-inflammatory function, and green light, which the company states has a calming effect on the skin and may help with hyperpigmentation.)

Regarding red light, Marmon wrote that LELO's claims seem to go beyond what has been studied. The limited vaginal research has involved postmenopausal women with a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM, which is a condition caused by declining estrogen. GSM can lead to vaginal dryness, burning, pain with sex, and urinary symptoms, Marmon wrote.

"A few studies suggest that red-light therapy may improve some GSM symptoms or measurements of vaginal health," Marmon wrote. "However, most studies have been small, lacked a placebo group or focused on urinary incontinence. The research has not established that red light improves sexual sensitivity, and it has not been meaningfully studied in healthy women without GSM."

There's limited research on red light therapy in this area, and there's no strong evidence that a toy like the Mona Spectra improves lubrication, tissue elasticity, or sexual sensitivity.

LELO, meanwhile, told Mashable that the efficacy of red light technology is supported by a substantial body of well-documented scientific research. "Although evidence regarding its utility for chronic pain management and athletic recovery remains inconclusive or mixed, empirical data substantiates its application in several key areas," the company said, including specific wavelengths and near-infrared light that stimulate the production of collagen and fibroblasts (which makes collagen).

Like Marmon, LELO also acknowledged that research suggests red light therapy helps with acne and hair loss.

LELO clarified that the Mona Spectra isn't a medical device, and no medical claims have been made. The toy's development is based on the research from reputable institutions, the company's internal research and development department, and comprehensive testing throughout all primary phases of product engineering. 

This was all done to ensure product safety — and, according to the AAD, red light therapy use is safe in the short term.

The company is overseeing customer experience through studies, such as one currently underway in Spain. 

"Consequently, the LELO Mona Spectra is designed strictly as a wellness and pleasure device, integrating the advantages of red light technology to enhance intimate well-being via a non-hormonal, non-invasive methodology," LELO told Mashable. 

The benefits of the Mona Spectra haven't been proven, Marmon said. But, like early adopters of red light therapy masks, there might be those out there who want to be the first to try it out. LELO's Mona Spectra is available on its website for $299.

TL;DR: Becky G has partnered with Patrón on a limited-edition Our Rainwater Collection for National Tequila Day, including a $60 Patrón Silver bottle (available starting today, only 350 made) and a $42.99 Patrón Silver collectible tin, both containing 750ml bottles of tequila. The collab supports Patrón's funding of 200 rainwater-harvesting systems in Jalisco, Mexico, in partnership with the nonprofit Isla Urbana.

Becky G has partnered with Patrón for National Tequila Day, and it's a pretty personal collab. She's been name-dropping the brand in her recent single Patrona, and now helped design two limited-edition products with them. There's a $60 Patrón Silver bottle (only 350 exist, dropping today) and a $42.99 Patrón Silver tin, both containing 750ml bottles of tequila.

The design itself has plenty of meaning behind it — both products lean into blue and green tones meant to represent water. Patrón is funding 200 rainwater-harvesting systems across Jalisco, Mexico, in partnership with the nonprofit Isla Urbana, and the collection is a nod to that partnership. As the campaign puts it, "every drop counts."

SEE ALSO: Matthew McConaughey launches margarita ice cream for National Tequila Day

Jalisco holds real significance for Becky G since it's tied to her family's roots. In her own words: "It's where Patrón is made and where all four of my abuelitos are from. Working with Patrón on Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition Patrón Silver gave us an opportunity to celebrate that connection, while helping shine a light on something incredibly important."

Credit: Patrón

The $60 Silver bottle is available to pre-order starting July 24. It's the same Patrón Silver we know and love — crystal clear, with fruit and citrus notes, a smooth, slightly sweet taste, and a light pepper finish (40% ABV, 750ml) — just in Becky G's custom bottle design, complete with a custom cork and wearable scarf.

The tin, meanwhile, is available at spirits retailers nationwide and on Reservebar for $42.99 while supplies last. It's got the same tequila inside with the same taste profile, ABV, and bottle size — but in a differently designed package themed around the Isla Urbana collab.

Credit: Patrón

Every drop counts, but this drop won't last — grab the limited-edition Our Rainwater Collection before it's gone.

TL;DR: Becky G has partnered with Patrón on a limited-edition Our Rainwater Collection for National Tequila Day, including a $60 Patrón Silver bottle (available starting today, only 350 made) and a $42.99 Patrón Silver collectible tin, both containing 750ml bottles of tequila. The collab supports Patrón's funding of 200 rainwater-harvesting systems in Jalisco, Mexico, in partnership with the nonprofit Isla Urbana.

Becky G has partnered with Patrón for National Tequila Day, and it's a pretty personal collab. She's been name-dropping the brand in her recent single Patrona, and now helped design two limited-edition products with them. There's a $60 Patrón Silver bottle (only 350 exist, dropping today) and a $42.99 Patrón Silver tin, both containing 750ml bottles of tequila.

The design itself has plenty of meaning behind it — both products lean into blue and green tones meant to represent water. Patrón is funding 200 rainwater-harvesting systems across Jalisco, Mexico, in partnership with the nonprofit Isla Urbana, and the collection is a nod to that partnership. As the campaign puts it, "every drop counts."

SEE ALSO: Matthew McConaughey launches margarita ice cream for National Tequila Day

Jalisco holds real significance for Becky G since it's tied to her family's roots. In her own words: "It's where Patrón is made and where all four of my abuelitos are from. Working with Patrón on Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition Patrón Silver gave us an opportunity to celebrate that connection, while helping shine a light on something incredibly important."

Credit: Patrón

The $60 Silver bottle is available to pre-order starting July 24. It's the same Patrón Silver we know and love — crystal clear, with fruit and citrus notes, a smooth, slightly sweet taste, and a light pepper finish (40% ABV, 750ml) — just in Becky G's custom bottle design, complete with a custom cork and wearable scarf.

The tin, meanwhile, is available at spirits retailers nationwide and on Reservebar for $42.99 while supplies last. It's got the same tequila inside with the same taste profile, ABV, and bottle size — but in a differently designed package themed around the Isla Urbana collab.

Credit: Patrón

Every drop counts, but this drop won't last — grab the limited-edition Our Rainwater Collection before it's gone.