Mashable

It's nearly iPhone launch time, and we're seeing the usual onslaught of rumors about the new phones, with a dozen new reports appearing every week.

The latest one is the type that we don't like to see, reporting a possible price hike across the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup.

According to Jefferies analyst Edison Lee (via MacRumors), all of the upcoming iPhone 17 models — that's iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max — will see a $50 price increase.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone 17 Pro might come in a surprising shade of orange

The reason for the change, according to the report, is offsetting rising component costs and U.S. tariffs on China. The report also notes that other potential cost pressures from India (where Apple is now manufacturing a big chunk of its iPhones), as well as sector tariffs, are not yet included.

We've heard reports of iPhone 17 being pricier than its predecessor in May. Back then, the Wall Street Journal said Apple was "weighing price increases," while pointing out that the company was not likely to publicly blame any price increases on tariffs.

Apple's iPhone 16 starts at $799, and the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999. If the above report is accurate, the iPhone 17 could start at $849, the iPhone 17 Pro could start at $1,049, while the iPhone 17 Air (if real) is an entirely new model so it's harder to predict its price; we've previously heard that it would start at roughly $899.

Do you need a new laptop? Do you also really, really love tiny blue creatures that wear white Phrygian caps, live in mushroom houses, and stand three apples high? Well, it's your lucky day.

Microsoft has quietly launched the Surface Laptop Smurface Edition, a limited-edition variant of its 13-inch laptop that has four Smurfs laser-etched into its lid. It's a collaboration with the new Smurfs movie, which hit theaters on July 18 — and a puzzling one, to say the least.

The lore implications of the Smurface are certainly interesting. Does the concept of a Copilot+ PC exist in the Smurf universe? Since when do Smurfs prefer Windows? Do Smurfs email? Does the Smurf Village even have WiFi? Mashable has reached out to a Microsoft rep for more details about how the device came to be.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop Smurface Edition (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB UFS) $999.99 at Amazon
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Microsoft initially announced the Smurface through its @surface Instagram account on July 7, then put it up for sale on Amazon the day Smurfs premiered. It's a retailer exclusive, according to some fine print, and only 100 of them are available for purchase. I was able to add 87 to my cart at the time of writing on July 29, so evidently it's already had some takers.

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You can also enter to win a Smurface (sorry, I actually can't believe they named it that) through the Microsoft Rewards program, which doles out points for playing games, making Microsoft Store purchases, and searching on Bing. That sweepstakes ends August 14.

SEE ALSO: The 3 best laptops of 2025 (so far)

The lid design is all that differentiates the Smurface from the standard 13-inch Surface Laptop, which debuted in May. It has an eight-core Snapdragon X Plus processor and a 60Hz touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920 x 1280. Those are slightly worse specs compared to Microsoft's flagship 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7, our favorite Windows laptop, but the smaller version's battery life is rated at a slightly longer 23 hours per charge.

The Smurface comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS storage, and it's priced at $999.99 — the same as its non-Smurfy counterpart. Smurftastic!

On paper, a Naked Gun reboot seemed a bad idea. For one, the three-film franchise spawned from the silly TV series Police Squad relied heavily on the straight-faced buffoonery of Leslie Nielsen, who died 15 years ago. For another, this film series reveled in spoof and parody, a brand of humor that has fallen largely out of fashion since the 2000s-era boom of films like Scary Movie, Not Another Teen Movie, Epic Movie, and so on.

Beyond that, The Naked Gun's premise is potentially problematic: a shoot-first-ask-questions-never cop who doesn't play by the rules and is idiotic, violent, and catastrophic in his pursuit of a criminal. In 1988, when the first film premiered, Nielsen's Frank Drebin played as a much-needed parody to all the action films that regarded such cowboy cops as white-hat heroes. Today, when the discourse on police brutality has grown by leaps and bounds, could such a premise still play?

SEE ALSO: 'The Naked Gun' teaser: Liam Neeson takes over for Leslie Nielsen (and rocks a schoolgirl disguise)

Turns out, yes. Incredibly, 2025's The Naked Gun rivals its predecessors in hilarity, outrageousness, and sharp-shooter precision toward its comedic targets. This is thanks in no small part to Liam Neeson. No stranger to playing cops, Neeson takes on the mantle of detective Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Nielsen’s character. Just as this Frank yearns to make his predecessor proud, Neeson walks confidently in the footsteps of Nielsen, who laid down pitch-perfect parody with Police Squad!, The Naked Gun, and Airplane! However, Neeson isn't tasked with shouldering such lunacy alone. His costar, the Priscilla Presley to his Leslie Nielsen, is Pamela Anderson, who brilliantly channels her legendary sex appeal into a sensual and silly femme fatale.

Together, they are a dream team, sure to make summer audiences scream with laughter. 

The Naked Gun takes aim at tech bros.  Credit: Paramount Pictures

Who better to employ as the comically evil villain of a Naked Gun movie than a billionaire who sells electric cars with a world-conquering agenda? And who better than Danny Huston, master of the menacing smile, to play tech magnate Richard Cane? 

When an engineer turns up dead at the bottom of a cliff in a flashy electric car, Frank and Police Squad, a special department of the LAPD, are on the case. Along the way, Frank meets Beth Davenport, the kind of curvy dame who inspires lusty voiceover narration and gloriously goofy romantic tangents involving a sentient, sex-positive snowman. Beth is the surviving sister of the suspiciously dead man, but also she's a true crime writer. So she feels uniquely suited to help Frank investigate Richard's involvement in her brother's demise. But can love and justice mix? 

Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson are ridiculously funny in The Naked Gun.  Credit: Paramount Pictures

It’s impossible not to compare Neeson’s take on this very familiar character to Nielsen’s. But incredibly, the Northern Irish actor, who has long been an action hero and a dramatic actor, stands up well in the comparison. Just as Nielsen played the silliest jokes with a straight face, Neeson brings the gravitas of years of glowering into this role with a deliriously funny stoicism. 

He speaks in a grumble, which makes his idiotic observations all the more hilarious. And when he occasionally breaks from this paradoxical sternness, it is somehow even funnier. For instance, when Frank misunderstands a social cue, thinking the person who's addressed him is saying his own name is Frank Drebin, the top cop eagerly gasps, "Me too!" And the abrupt change in demeanor is inarguably giggle-inducing.

Props to Lonely Island member Akiva Schaffer, who expertly helms the humor of The Naked Gun. He got Neeson to commit to a big ask. Alongside ludicrous lines, Neeson also embraces physical comedy, some onscreen nudity, and scatalogical humor that could risk eroding his untouchable tough guy persona. Instead, the shaking up of that persona is the special sauce that makes this hit even harder than his comedic cop turns in The Lego Movie and Derry Girls. 

As for Anderson, she spoofs splendidly, particularly with a Naked Gun-style musical performance that involves some of the most confounding scatting in human history. Adding oomph to the relentless onslaught of jokes — that had New York critics (a notoriously hard-to-impress lot!) cackling throughout the film runtime — are solid supporting players Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, CCH Pounder, Liza Koshy, and a barrage of chaotic cameo appearances that I won't spoil here. 

The Naked Gun is back and just what fans will want. Credit: Paramount Pictures

While this Naked Gun offers fewer straight-up parodies than the first three films, it’s nonetheless hysterical. Screenwriters Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand deliver a mix of jokes that ranges from the taboo (like a bit about Bill Cosby’s personal wine stash) to the zany to slyly cerebral wordplay about "manslaughter." With such a variety of punchlines, the hits keep coming, even if not all of them land. Audiences will laugh in theaters like they haven’t in years. This, at long last, is a laugh riot fit to be seen in theaters with a crowd.

SEE ALSO: 10 best summer movies now streaming

The Naked Gun is not only funny, it’s exhilarating because — to quote the parody king "Weird Al" Yankovic (who appears in the original three movies) — it "dare(s) to be stupid." There’s a thrilling bravery in embracing such willfully dumb humor, and doing so in a way that doesn’t punch down. Schaffer and company's keen awareness about who gets to be the butt of the jokes makes The Naked Gun feel modern, even as it keeps in signature bits that could risk feeling dated — like the finale freeze frame — but instead feel timeless.

Simply put, The Naked Gun is back and as silly and stupid as ever. And I can’t think of higher praise than that.

The Naked Gun opens in theaters Aug. 1.

SAVE $200: As of July 30, the 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 is on sale for $799 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 $799 at Amazon
$999 Save $200 Get Deal

Apple's 2025 MacBook Air has seen some incredible deals over the last few months, from Prime Day discounts to the same low price sticking around for longer than you'd expect. But nothing comes close to the new deal that has just dropped. As of July 30, you can get the 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 for under $800. Yep, this MacBook is priced at just $799 for the first time ever.

The deal applies to all colors, so you can choose between starlight, midnight, silver, and sky blue.

SEE ALSO: Is Apple's Liquid Glass too much for you? We've got good news.

This MacBook is powered by Apple's new M4 chip, meaning it's both fast and efficient. It can handle video editing, jumping between apps, and working through heavy multiple-tab workloads. It’s also created with Apple Intelligence, Apple's personal AI system that helps you get more work done in less time.

This model also boasts a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that supports 1 billion colors, so enjoy seriously high-quality pictures at all times. Other standout features include a 12MP Center Stage camera, a three-mic setup, and a four-speaker system with Spatial Audio, so you'll always look your best on work calls. And you get 18 hours of battery life, so you can work on the go without a worry.

Act fast to secure this all-time low price from Amazon.

SAVE OVER $20: As of July 30, Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones are on sale for $37.99 at Amazon. This is $22 off their list price of $59.99 and marks their lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Headphones $37.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $22 Get Deal

Noise-canceling headphones are more often than not a pricy investment. If you're on the hunt for a more budget-friendly option to pick up, the Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones are worth a look, especially now that they sport an excellent discount that's dropped them down to a new low price.

The Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones usually retail for $59.99, but you can score the black headphones with a 37% discount right now.This marks their lowest-ever price, so there's no better time to scoop them up. They're currently listed as a limited-time deal, so this deal may not last for long.

SEE ALSO: We put the top 10 headphones of 2025 to the test

With the Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones you'll experience high-quality sound thanks to 40mm dynamic drivers and hybrid active noise cancelation that can reduce sounds around you by up to 90%. And with BassUp technology, you can bump up the bass in your favorite songs while you listen. On top of that, it boasts a fantastic battery life of up to 70 hours when listening in standard music mode. If you have ANC enabled, it can last up to 50 hours.

If you've been looking for new headphones, this deal on the Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones is well worth taking advantage of. And if you'd prefer to pick up earbuds instead, the Beats Studio Buds + are back to their lowest price since Prime Day right now as well.

One of our favorite reality shows returns to our screens this week, and we couldn't be more excited. The Challenge: Vets and New Threats is back for its 41st season, and this time there's a twist. This season, legendary veterans are paired with fresh-faced rookies, reality stars from other hit shows. We love a dynamic shake-up.

The "new threats" come from shows like Love Island, Too Hot To Handle, and Big Brother, bringing their own skills and experience into the competition. Yeah, we're really excited.

Ready to tune in? We've got all the information you need for the new season.

How to watch 'The Challenge: Vets and New Threats'

The Challenge: Vets and New Threats will premiere at 8 pm ET/PT on Wednesday, July 30. It will be shown on MTV, and will soon follow on MTV's international networks.

Can't catch it live? You can stream The Challenge: Vets and New Threats on Paramount+ anytime.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Shop Now What is 'The Challenge: Vets and New Threats'

The season doesn't officially get underway until July 30, but on July 23, a launch special episode was released which revealed the pairings for the upcoming season. The format will pit returning veterans against reality TV newcomers, with each team made up of one seasoned player and one rookie.

The veteran players, many of whom are Challenge legends, will have to guide their rookie partners through the game's challenges while also navigating historic rivalries.

Missed the launch special episode? Find it on the MTV YouTube.

Who are The Challenge Vets?

This year's returning vets are:

• Michaela Bradshaw, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X and Survivor: Game Changers

• Theo Campbell, Love Island UK

• Derek Chavez, The Real World: Cancun

• Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio, The Real World

• Aneesa Ferreira, The Real World

• Leroy Garrett, The Real World: Las Vegas

• Nany González, The Real World: Las Vegas

• Olivia Kaiser, Love Island USA

• Derrick Kosinski, MTV's Road Rules: X-Treme

• Aviv Melmed, Fresh Meat

• Ashley Mitchell, The Real World: Ex-Plosion

• Nia Moore, The Real World: Portland

• Rogan O'Connor, Ex on the Beach UK

• Cara Maria Sorbello, Fresh Meat

• CT Tamburello, The Real World

• Turbo, Survivor Turkey

Who are The Challenge Threats?

Do you recognize any of the reality stars taking part as this year's "threats"?

• Jake Cornish, Love Island UK and Love Island All Stars

• Ben Davis, Boxer

• Leonardo Dionicio, Love Island USA

• Izzy Fairthorne, Too Hot Too Handle

• Will Gagnon, Are You The One

• Justin Hinsley, Cheer

• Cedric Hodges, Big Brother 26

• Yeremi Hykel, The Amazing Race 35

• Blue Kim, Big Brother 25

• America Lopez, Big Brother 25

• Adrienne Naylor, Married At First Sight UK

• Sydney Segal, Survivor 41

• Leka Sodade, Canada's Ultimate Challenge

• Dee Valladares, Survivor 45

• Gabe Wai, Former WWE talent

• Tay Wilcoxson, Big Brother Australia 15

Five years ago, 21-year-old Zoe found herself needing an outlet.

The then-recent UCLA grad was working as an accountant, a career she'd opted for because of its stability — though she describes herself as a creative kid, she also admits, she was " scared of becoming a starving artist." When the pandemic hit and she no longer needed to commute in LA traffic, she decided to start spending her free time making YouTube videos.

" It was just a space for me to breathe," she told Mashable. "I had no background in video creation whatsoever."

SEE ALSO: Who is VidCon really for? 3 takeaways that reveal the creator economy's future.

That space to breathe evolved into a full-time career with the now 26-year-old's channel, ZoeUnlimited, which has 3.42 million subscribers at the time of writing. Over the years, she's evolved her channel from lifestyle content to marketing studies on everything from Billie Eilish to Glossier.

Credit: Cole Kan/Mashable; Image Credit: Getty Images/ Zoe Unlimited's Instagram

We caught up with Zoe at VidCon 2025 to hear about how she navigated the corporate-to-creative career change and everything she's learned along the way.

Do you remember when you first realized your content was taking off?

I always had a delusional mindset where I was going to make it, like even when I was getting 100 or 200 views on YouTube. I was like, "Yeah, I'm gonna get to 500K [subscribers] by the end of the year." I did not, but I did reach around 100K.

Since the very start, even though I didn't see the results coming in, I was so grateful for every single new subscriber, new view. I had a little YouTube journal where I was like, "Today I gained like two subscribers, and then I'm working on this video, and I'm having fun with it."

Do you ever go back and read those old entries?

 Yeah. Especially during the harder times, where I'm like, "Oh, this video flopped, am I incompetent as a creator?" And I'm like, "Remember the times that you were just enjoying all these small moments? "

How did you decide to make the jump from corporate to full-time content creation?

So,  I worked in both marketing and tech — I pivoted from finance to tech marketing. At the time, I was very fortunate and grateful that I was able to learn from the experience of actually doing the marketing itself. I really loved doing both corporate and content at the same time because I was learning different skills. It was at a point where I no longer felt like I was learning the things that I wanted to learn, that I was like, OK, I think it's time to double down on content.

How many years into your content journey was that?

Three years.

So you were balancing both for quite a while.

Oh yeah. I lived a Hannah Montana life.

Did you deal with burnout during that time?

Definitely. I would say burnout usually does not stem from the workload. It stems from losing touch with a purpose. I think I felt the most burnout when my channel was, quote unquote, successfully rising.

But I couldn't feel any joy about that. All the metrics I thought I was going to be so happy about didn't bring any joy to me. On top of that, I was getting a lot of backlash online, where people misunderstood my intentions. So that really hurt. I think that hurt more because I felt disconnected from the community.

I had to really get in touch with myself and be like, "Why am I creating?" And I think the why can change, but I have to be brutally honest. And sometimes, at one point, I was like, "Oh. It's because I was chasing after vanity metrics." I was letting my self-worth be so tied up with how much people like me or accept me online. And I was like, that is not why this journey began in the first place. I had to be so confrontational with my ego, and that's not an easy thing to do, but I definitely needed an ego check and to reground myself and tune in with where my curiosity lies again.

How have you navigated the evolution of your content over the past five years?

 I love letting my curiosity guide me. I love sharing my growth journey online with this community of growth-minded people, especially Gen Z and millennial women. But if I'm tackling a certain thing and growing in a specific area, I want to share that. My interest might evolve over time, or the things I want to share might evolve over time. So I just let that lead me.

Right now, I'm trying to bring more people into the world of pop culture, beauty, and fashion through the lens of marketing by making business more tangible, fun, and less intimidating for women because my audience is mostly women. I come from a business background, but sometimes I still get scared of things. If I'm scared, then how much of this could intimidate and limit so much of my audience?

What were some of the biggest learning curves you went through as you grew your channel?

 Hiring. I ran a one-woman show for two and a half years while working full-time, like nine-to-nines. I don't know how I did it — I think it's just that I never really viewed it as work, I was just having fun.

But still, my time was at like full capacity. And I wish that I learned it's OK to let go of creative control because if you train people right, they will eventually outgrow you and your style, and that's the best feeling of accomplishment — to train someone to edit better than me in my style and to work together collaboratively.

 That's something that I've heard other creators say, that hiring an editor can be so daunting because it's like letting go of your baby.

 Exactly. Also, when working in social media, you always have that kind of risk mentality that this could all go away. Should I be investing in this? Should I be spending money and pouring it out?

Do you have any tips for creators seeking management for the first time?

 Don't lock yourself in. Trust, but verify. They have to show the receipts, show the records — it can't just be talk, like everybody can talk, right? They're always like, "We're gonna take you there. We wanna do this and that with you." OK, but have you done it? Do you have the credentials? Do you have the record and experience to do that?

And do you have the record and experience in helping someone like me, as a creator, the type of creator I am, to go where I wanna go? So cater it to yourself there. You're hiring someone to help you. My initial mistake was that I felt like, "Oh my God, am I bothering my manager?" I'm so grateful this big management company took me on; I felt like not enough. I don't think it was the right type of dynamic.

 What advice would you give to an aspiring creator?

 I would say don't quit your job yet. Having a good financial foundation is so crucial because I don't think anything is sustainable, like creating, just from a money perspective. I did it when I wasn't making a cent on YouTube. In fact, someone would've had to pay me — probably a lot — to stop making cringy videos. So if you're doing it for money, you're not gonna have a very long career in the content space. You have to genuinely be making things you would make whether or not there is money on the table.

And I would say create a structural system. Have a schedule to block in times that you could squeeze any time in the week to create content. It's doable. The only limit really is your own belief.

Are there any other creators out there whom you draw inspiration from?

 I'd love to give a shout-out to my best friend, Alivia D'Andrea. She has impeccable taste and visuals, and phenomenal storytelling. She really inspires me. I'd been watching her along with the other YouTube girlies, like Emma Chamberlain and BestDressed. These three really inspired me before I even started creating.

 Alivia and I met through Instagram DM and became best friends. I'm seriously so grateful for how she's in my life. She saw the photo of me in front of my VidCon sign, and she's like, "I'm getting so emotional," and she's always celebrating my wins with me and always there for me.  I'm actually getting emotional talking about this.

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So she has a new series coming out called "The Dating Diaries," after her "Glow Up Diaries," which is like iconic and started the Glow Up movement on YouTube.

SAVE $900: As of July 30, Woot is offering a 55-inch Samsung OLED S85D Smart TV (Factory Reconditioned) for $799.99. Normally this TV is listed for $1,699.99, so you're saving $900.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung OLED S85D Smart TV (Factory Reconditioned) $799.99 at Woot
$1,699.99 Save $900 Get Deal

If you've been looking for a TV upgrade, Woot — an Amazon-owned online retailer — has quite an exciting selection of TVs to look through right now. A highlight is this 55-inch Samsung OLED S85D Smart TV that's down to $799.99.

Usually this TV retails for $1,699.99 at Samsung, so you're saving $900 with this deal. Factory Reconditioned means that it's "returned, inspected, and restored to fully working condition by the original manufacturer or a certified partner," according to Woot. It also comes with a Samsung Warranty. And while this model of TV is available to buy via third parties from places like Amazon, the 55-inch model is actually out of stock on Samsung's website, so now is a great opportunity to scoop it up for less.

SEE ALSO: The 55-inch Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is back down to its Prime Day sale price

This Samsung TV offers vibrant colors and contrast — alongside high-quality, crisp details — thanks to its OLED display and 4K resolution. Top it off with built-in Dolby Atmos and your ears are in for just as much of a treat when you pop in a movie or settle in to binge-watch a show. And speaking of the latter, since it's a smart TV, you can have all of your favorite streaming apps in one convenient location.

This Woot deal only lasts for a limited time (it says there's a month left on it, or until it's sold out) so now's your chance to get the 55-inch Samsung OLED S85D Smart TV for under $1,000.

Looking for more great TV deals? Over at Amazon you can also save on the 55-inch Samsung Frame TV right now.

Try as he might, Donald Trump cannot escape from the Epstein story — and when he or anyone else tries to defend him, it only makes things worse.

"When asked yesterday about the release of the Epstein files at an event in Ohio, Vice President JD Vance said that President Trump has been 'incredibly transparent about that stuff,'" says Seth Meyers in the Late Night clip above. "And I agree: We can absolutely see right through him."

Meyers goes on to talk about Trump being asked whether or not he rushed to finish an EU trade deal as a way to get past the Epstein story at a press conference in Scotland.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure all the conspiracy theorists and MAGA will stop talking about Epstein now that there's a new trade deal," says Meyers. "'So you think Trump is on the list, or what?' 'Who cares? We can get cheaper sardines from Portugal!'"

SAVE $20: The Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro is on sale for $79 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20 Get Deal

Immediately after Nothing launched the CMF Watch 3 Pro, it was being hailed as a strong contender for the best budget smartwatch and fitness tracker of the year. And shoppers seemed to agree. The prospect of an AI-powered smartwatch for under $100 was obviously too much to ignore, because these smartwatches sold fast and stock vanished just like that.

The CMF Watch 3 Pro has only been out of stock at Amazon for a few days, but those days will have been incredibly painful for anyone looking to invest. We've been keeping a keen eye on stock, and we're delighted to see the CMF Watch 3 Pro make a triumphant return in ash grey, dark grey, and orange. Everyone has their own taste, but that orange model sure does look good.

SEE ALSO: The Fitbit Charge 6 is lacking a key feature, and I just can't get over it

And we're equally pleased to see that the sale price remains intact. Nothing lists the retail price at $99 and offers a $20 discount, and Amazon has matched that record-low price in all colorways. The last thing we want you to do is panic and make a purchase without properly considering your options, but if you've already decided to buy this impressive watch, we recommend acting fast to avoid another out-of-stock situation.

The CMF Watch 3 Pro offers enough features to double as a fitness tracker. Andrew Freshwater, Head of Smart Products Marketing at Nothing, says it's designed to be the "perfect starting point for anyone beginning their health and fitness journey."

This smartwatch also has direct ChatGPT integration. Using natural voice prompts, wearers can ask the AI chatbot questions, set reminders, record voice notes, and perform other tasks with simple voice prompts. It can even act as a voice recorder, automatically transcribing conversations or notes.

We still need to give the CMF Watch 3 Pro the full review treatment, but it looks like it offers a lot of value at list price. And for just $79, it sounds like an absolute steal.

Over-ear headphones are everyone's usual go-to solution for blocking out the world. And listen, I get it. You couldn't pry my Sony WH-1000XM4s out of my cold dead hands. But honestly, as much as I love them, carrying around a clunky pair of headphones when I'm on the go is not ideal. I want a pair of headphones to tuck in my pocket that will still block out noise. That's the promise of the best noise-cancelling earbuds.

Every top brand has its own take on ANC earbuds, each with a unique style and a plethora of features. Since you can't possibly try all the latest earbuds, I've taken on the task of reviewing the best ANC earbuds for you.

What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds? Not all earbuds are created equal — some are far more comfortable than others. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

While there are plenty of audio brands that provide good sound quality and noise cancellation, audio leaders Bose and Sony are in a league of their own. Not only do they offer phenomenal ANC, but they also make music and podcasts sound better. On a good pair of headphones, "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter sounds even catchier, somehow.

Earbuds usually aren't as comfortable as over-the-ear headphones. I know this well, as I've found many pairs of earbuds that just plain don't fit in my ear. Others are downright uncomfortable. Once again, Bose offers the most comfortable headphones and earbuds. However, Bose and Sony aren't the only brands out there. That's why I set out to test the best the market offers and see what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds.

How do noise-cancelling earbuds work? Noise-cancelling earbuds are small enough to slip in your pocket. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

All noise-cancelling headphones, including earbuds, have some passive noise cancellation. While over-the-ear headphones naturally block out noise by wrapping around the ears, earbuds don't block sound as effectively. Instead of covering your ears, wireless earbuds deliver sound directly into the ear canal to drown out other noises. They rely more on active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce environmental noise.

ANC is an electronic process within the headphones. Internal microphones listen to your surroundings and then invert the sound, effectively canceling it. Sometimes, with noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, you'll hear a slight buzzing or humming in the background, and that's the ANC at work. The best ANC earbuds shouldn't have this buzzing, however.

Apple might be shaking things up a little when it comes to iPhone colors this year.

Leaker Sonny Dickson just shared dummy units of Apple's entire upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, and one color stands out in a big way.

Dickson's "color dummies" mostly follow what we've heard so far, with most of the colors being fairly subdued, as is traditional Apple iPhone fashion. But the iPhone 17 Pro and the 17 Pro Max are shown in a bold, orange color.

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This is in contrast with previous leaks which claimed the iPhone 17 Pro's new color will be copper, or at least a cross between copper and orange. Frankly, it's also in contrast with every iPhone Pro color so far, so take this leak with a grain of salt.

It's fun to dream, however, of Apple finally choosing a slightly more colorful shade of...any color, really, for one of its iPhone Pro models.

The other colors on offer for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are black, white, and blue.

The iPhone 17 Air is shown in black, white, beige (gold?), and light blue, while the iPhone 17 can be seen in black, iPhone, light blue, and pink.

SEE ALSO: Take this iPhone 17 camera 'leak' with a bucket of salt

If I had to guess, I'd say these colors are a good way off from what Apple is really going to show in September; regardless of the color choices, Apple's actual devices always look a bit sparklier and nicer than these dummy units we keep seeing ahead of launches.

Apple will likely launch the iPhone 17 lineup in September; until then, nothing is official.

The AI browser wars hath begun, which fighter will you choose?

Of course, you could always opt for a traditional, static browser, free of AI chatbots and agentic AI features. But tech companies are banking on AI-powered web browsers replacing the likes of Chrome and Safari.

The generative AI boom has already ushered us into a new paradigm for search. More and more, users turn to chatbots like ChatGPT instead of the traditional search engine. So, if search is changing, why are companies developing AI browsers?

Platformer's Casey Newton summed it up well in a May newsletter:

Search and browsers are two sides of the same coin. When you search for something on the web, you see your results in a browser. That's what made Chrome such a great investment for Google. Its innovative omnibox address bar, which would go on to become the industry standard, encouraged you to search more than ever. And as Chrome gained market share, Google leveraged its influence to make the world increasingly Google-shaped: easy to index, to search, and to serve ads against.

Today, a new generation of companies are coming to the same conclusion that Google did a generation ago: if you're really serious about search, you should build a browser.

Meanwhile, Google may be forced to sell off Chrome as part of an antitrust ruling, putting its dominance under threat. New tech companies are jockeying for the top spot in the coming AI browser era, guided by the premise that browsers powered by AI can do so much more than just navigate users to a webpage.

What are AI browsers?

Imagine a browser that acts as your research assistant, plans trips, sends emails, and schedules meetings. As AI models become more advanced, they're capable of autonomously handling more complex tasks on your behalf. For tech companies, the browser is the perfect medium for realizing this vision.

Several nascent AI browsers can already perform some of these tasks, and we think a rumored browser from OpenAI is on the way.

For now, here are the top AI browsers you can try today, with details about pricing, availability, and features.

1. Dia from The Browser Company Credit: The Browser Company

Last year, The Browser Company launched an AI browser called Arc. Then, it pivoted and started building Dia, a new browser with even more AI features. For now, only macOS users can try the beta.

Dia's sidebar chatbot is the hub for its AI features, including summarizing pages, turning lengthy emails into action-items, and helping with writing and editing. Dia also maintains awareness across your tabs for comparison shopping and research assistance. Mashable's sibling site ZDNet tried Dia, and even though it's not able to make purchases yet, the site said the browser was very impressive. For the privacy-minded, user data is encrypted and stored locally on your device. Chat data is encrypted and sent to a third party search engine, Dia servers, or partner servers, which don't store the data.

Availability: A beta version of Dia is available for Arc members; non-members can sign up for the waitlist. Dia requires macOS Sonoma and up with M1 chips or later. For this beta, Windows users are out luck.

2. Perplexity Comet

Perplexity Comet launched a few weeks ago to much fanfare, especially since Perplexity's CEO Aravind Srinivas said the reason they built the browser was to collect your data. "That’s kind of one of the other reasons we wanted to build a browser, is we want to get data even outside the app to better understand you," said Srinivas on the TBPN podcast in April. "We plan to use all the context to build a better user profile and, maybe you know, through our discover feed we could show some ads there," he continued.

Indeed, according to Comet's privacy policy, it collects a lot of data. That includes browsing data, interactions with the Perplexity chatbot, and payment information and passwords — if you choose to save them to your Comet profile.

All this data goes into making Comet highly personalized. I recently tried Comet for myself, and my experience was very mixed. Comet's AI assistant can research and add items to your shopping cart, automatically organize tabs, and even schedule events and send emails with email integration, again, with mixed results. It also has awareness across all of your tabs and voice mode. When prompted with "take control of my browser," Comet can make purchases and book reservations.

Availability: Comet is available for Perplexity Max subscribers ($200 a month) or by selection from the waitlist. It's available for macOS and Windows.

3. Neon and Aria from Opera AI Introducing the Opera Neon browser. Credit: Opera

Opera announced its agentic browser Neon with a truly surreal marketing campaign. Access is invite-only and there's a waitlist to sign up. But it's described as a "browser designed to understand your intent, assist with tasks, and take actions."

Meanwhile, Opera's existing browser Aria comes with AI features that aren't as autonomous. Aria has a pop-up chatbot that can summarize and generate text, create images, and automatically organize tabs. With the Explore Topic feature, you can right click on a highlighted word or term and get an explanation in the chat. It also has text-to-speech mode for reading content out loud. The contents of your tabs for automated organization are stored locally on your device.

Because it's widely available for free, Aria is one of the top AI browsers to explore if you're curious about the technology and don't have the patience for waitlists.

Availability: Aria is publicly available and free to download on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.

4. Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft just entered the AI browser war with something called Copilot Mode for Edge, announced on July 28. Copilot Mode is launching as an opt-in experiment that currently offers contextual awareness across open tabs, voice mode, and a pop-up chatbot that can answer questions about the page you're on. Microsoft says its launching the ability to book reservations and browser history memory soon so Copilot can pick up where you left off with various searches.

As with other AI browsers, all this personalization comes at the cost of your privacy. Microsoft says the memory feature can be turned off, will require explicit permission to access search history and passwords, and "there will always be clear, visual cues on your browser when Copilot is viewing or listening."

Availability: Copilot Mode is free as an opt-in experiment for Edge on Windows and Mac, but only for a limited time. Learn more and opt in at Microsoft.

5. Brave Leo AI browser Credit: Brave

Brave is known for its privacy protections, which extends to its Leo AI app (relatively, since LLMs still need a lot of your data to function properly). Leo AI doesn't collect IP addresses or retain personal data, and it sends your request through anonymized servers and discards responses after they're generated. Activate Leo AI from the icon next to the search bar or sidebar for AI-generated summaries, or chat with it by asking questions about what's on the page. It also has text generation, translation, and on iOS, voice-to-text.

Availability: Free version with lower usage limits, or Brave Leo AI Premium ($20 a month) with more models, higher usage limits, and early access to new features. On macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.

6. DuckDuckGo's Duck.ai Credit: DuckDuckGO

Duck Duck Go is another privacy-focused browser that keeps privacy in mind with its Duck.ai chatbot. While it's not a true AI browser, you can think of it as an AI-enhanced browser, and one that prioritizes privacy.

Duck.ai lets you choose between multiple chatbots from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Mistral. Within the browser, you can search in chat mode or traditional search mode, which shows AI-generated summaries at the top of the page, or turn it off altogether. DuckDuckGo also says it honors publisher sites that use anti-scraping code robots.txt, which prevents sites from appearing in AI-generated summaries. This something that other AI companies reportedly bypass.

DuckDuckGO says it proxies Duck.ai chats by removing users' IP addresses, anonymizes queries, stores chats locally on device instead of cloud servers, and does use chat data for AI model training.

Availability: Duck.ai is free with a daily limit on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. DuckDuckGo is exploring a paid subscription for higher limits. Try it at DuckDuckGO.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 30 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 teach

• Green: A way

• Blue: They contain numbers

• Purple: Things you play

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Instruct

• Green: Means

• Blue: Starting with Greek numerical prefixes

• Purple: Anagram of musical instruments

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 #780 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Instruct: COACH, DIRECT, GUIDE, TRAIN

• Means: INSTRUMENT, MEDIUM, ORGAN, VEHICLE

• Starting with Greek numerical prefixes: DIOXIDE, MONORAIL, TETRACYCLINE, TRIANGLE

• Anagram of musical instruments: ABUT, BULGE, GROAN, VOILA

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 30

Are you also playing NYT 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 today's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 30 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 30 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: You've got that right!

The words are politics-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are American privileges.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Constitution.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 30

• Life

• Liberty

• Vote

• Constitution

• Speech

• Assembly

• Counsel

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 today's Strands.

SAVE OVER $300: As of July 30, the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $297.99 at Amazon. This is 50% off its list price of $599.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum $297.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $301.01 Get Deal

If you're feeling overwhelmed with a busy summer schedule and looking for a little cleaning help at home, a robot vacuum can help you stay on top of things. Thankfully, there are some great deals available right now. This discount on the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum is one of our favorites we've come across recently, saving you 50% on list price.

This discount has dropped the price of the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum from $599 to $297.99. It's also incredibly close to its lowest-ever price of $294.99, so why not grab it now if it has been on your radar?

SEE ALSO: I've tested 25+ robot vacuums. Here are 6 I'd actually recommend buying in 2025.

Boasting powerful suction and a deep clean thanks to its Matrix Clean system, which takes multiple passes over your floor to suck up all the dirt and debris, the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum will get a thorough clean done on both carpets and hard floors. It's able to map out your home as well with the help of 360° LiDAR vision, so it can clean without running into any obstacles.

It even has a bagless, self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days of mess, so you can go a couple of months without even thinking about it as it cleans. If this is the robot vacuum you've been looking for, now's your chance to grab the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum for 50% off.

This isn't the only robot vacuum deal we've comes across, though. Right now you can also score some great deals on the Roborock Q5 Max+ and the Lefant M3 robot vacuum.

SAVE $269: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is marked down to $180.99 at Best Buy, dropping this smartwatch from its usual $449.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic $180.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $269 Get Deal

A premium Samsung smartwatch has had one of the most impressive price drops we’ve seen lately among wearables. As of July 30, Best Buy has the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm, LTE) on clearance for just $180.99 — a steep $269 discount that undercuts nearly every other retailer right now.

This deal is for the LTE-enabled stainless steel version, giving you the freedom to make calls, send texts, stream music, and access notifications without being tethered to your phone (service plan required). It’s the perfect pick for anyone who loves the timeless design of a traditional watch but wants the smarts of Samsung’s latest wearable tech.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic’s rotating bezel makes navigating apps effortless, while its durable crystal glass and sleek 43mm build keeps it looking sharp for any occasion. 

SEE ALSO: We tested the top fitness trackers of 2025: See our favorite wearables and smart rings

Under the hood, you’re getting a powerful suite of health and fitness tools: automatic workout detection, tracking for 90+ exercises, personalised heart rate zones for optimised training, and advanced sleep coaching that can even detect snoring and guide you toward better rest.

There’s also continuous heart rhythm monitoring, a bioelectrical impedance sensor for body composition readings (BMI, muscle mass, body water, and more), and seamless connectivity across Galaxy devices. Swap out the included fabric band in seconds for a new look thanks to Samsung’s easy one-click system.

When we first reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 at launch back in late 2023, we were already impressed with all the features you get, whilst still being cheaper than competitors even then (like the Google Pixel watches). While its battery life doesn’t raise the bar, and some pushy automatic alerts can be annoying, the $181 price tag definitely helps see past them.

If you like to keep up with the latest and greatest fitness tech, check out the best fitness trackers in 2025 from various brands, like Apple and Fitbit. In the event you’re unsure what’s right for you, be sure to also take a look at our list of the best smartwatches for all wrist types, so you get the ideal fit.

SAVE $40: Beats Studio Buds + are down to $129.95 at Amazon (regularly $169.95). That’s 24% off and their best price since Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds + $129.95 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $40 Get Deal

Now’s your chance to snag some top Beats earbuds for less. As of July 30, the Beats Studio Buds + are available for $129.95 on Amazon, shaving $40 off the usual $169.95 list price. That’s the lowest price these buds have hit since July’s Prime Day sale, and it applies across all four colour options: cosmic silver, black/gold, ivory, and transparent.

Beats didn’t just refresh their design with the Buds +. They offer an overhauled listening experience. Powered by a custom acoustic platform, these earbuds promise to deliver rich, detailed sound whether you’re streaming music, binging a podcast, or hopping on a call. With two listening modes — Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency — you decide how much of the outside world makes it through, tailoring the soundscape to your surroundings.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: MacBooks, AirPods, and more

Battery life is another strong point here. You’ll get up to 36 hours of total listening time with the included pocket-sized charging case, meaning fewer top-ups throughout the week. The buds are designed to fit more ears comfortably, thanks to four different silicone tip sizes, helping create a secure seal for better bass and noise isolation.

Connectivity is seamless, too. Whether you’re on an iPhone or Android device, the Studio Buds + offer one-touch pairing, reliable Class 1 Bluetooth, and spatial audio support for an immersive, surround-like sound. Plus, the three upgraded microphones keep your voice loud and clear on calls, while the IPX4 rating means you can take them to the gym or out in the rain without worry.

For anyone seeking a feature-packed alternative to pricier buds, this deal is hard to beat. At $129.95, the Beats Studio Buds + deliver premium sound, versatile noise control, and sleek looks — all at their lowest price in weeks.

If you’re after more audio options, check out our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones. In the event you’re shopping specifically for Apple earbuds, the Apple AirPods 4 are still on sale for $99 at Walmart.

SAVE $230: Score the Lefant M330 Pro LiDAR Robot Vacuum and Mop for just $139.99 at Amazon — that’s 62% off and its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lefant Lefant M330 Pro LiDAR Robot Vacuum and Mop $139.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $230 Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to let a robot take over the vacuuming and mopping duties, this Lefant M330 Pro deal might be the push you need.

As of July 30, Amazon has dropped the price of the Lefant M330 Pro LiDAR robot vacuum and mop to just $139.99, a massive 62% discount from its usual $369.99 price tag. According to camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest-ever price for this model.

What makes the M330 Pro worth grabbing is the dToF LiDAR navigation system that smartly scans your space, plans efficient routes, and avoids unnecessary passes — meaning faster, more thorough cleaning sessions. It’s also slim enough (95mm) to slip under furniture and has advanced PSD obstacle detection, so cords, toys, and even nighttime cleaning sessions won’t cause chaos.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 25+ robot vacuums. Here are 6 I'd actually recommend buying in 2025.

This 2-in-1 vacuum and mop combo is pet-friendly, with a tangle-free suction port to keep hair from clogging and a roomy 450ml visible dustbin that lets you know exactly when to empty it. It intelligently detects carpets, avoiding them in mop mode while cranking up suction power in vacuum mode for a deeper clean.

You can also customise everything in the Lefant app, from no-go zones to cleaning schedules, and it’s fully compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and dual-band WiFi for hands-free control. With up to 150 minutes of runtime, it can tackle large areas on a single charge.

At just under $140, this is one of those rare times when smart, LiDAR-powered cleaning tech slips into budget-friendly territory. But like all Amazon flash deals, this one won’t stick around forever — grab it now before it climbs back to full price.

For more picks, check out Mashable’s guide to the best tested robot vacuums or our list of the best vacuum cleaners in 2025, which includes cordless stick options too.

It's been a busy 2025 so far, with new product drops almost every week. We've seen launches from new and exciting brands like the UK-based startup Nothing, as well as updates to flagship products like the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda and Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

The biggest product release of this year is easily the Nintendo Switch 2, a long-awaited update on the brand's handheld console. It was difficult to get your hands on one at first, but now that we're a few months in, Switch 2 units are finally becoming available at most retailers.

And that can be the hard part about new releases. Stock may be limited at launch and take a few months to become widely available. With such frequent drops, it's easy to lose sight of all the new products that have come on the scene — so we're keeping a running list of them in one place. Here are all of the hottest new releases of 2025 so far.

Nintendo Switch 2 The Nintendo Switch 2 is a Mashable Choice Award winner. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Launched on June 5, the Nintendo Switch 2 has taken the gaming world by storm. It's brought new iterations of our favorite games, like the chaotic but delightful Mario Kart World, and delivered a much-needed update to Nintendo's handheld console.

Since it hit the market, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been frequently in and out of stock. Now that we're nearly two months into its release, it's finally available with more consistency.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Best Buy
Shop Now Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x The Dyson Airwrap Co-anda is the brand's most advanced multi-styler — and also its most expensive. Credit: Dyson

Another beloved product to get an update this year is the Dyson Airwrap. The latest model, called the Co-anda 2x, comes with a brand new motor which delivers twice the air pressure (hence the name), new attachments for straight/wavy or curly/coiled hair types, as well as a higher price point of $699.99, more expensive than some of Dyson's vacuums.

It's limited in stock, currently unavailable at Dyson. However, it is available for purchase at Sephora.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x for straight to wavy hair $699 at Sephora
Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones The Sony WH-1000XM6 come in black, midnight blue, and platinum silver. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Sony boasted a big release in May when the brand dropped the WH-1000XM6 headphones. They're a worthy upgrade to the Sony WH-1000XM5s, delivering phenomenal noise-cancellation, stellar sound, and a comfortable fit. Having been out for several months now, they're widely available for purchase and priced at $448.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones $448 at Amazon
Shop Now Framework Laptop 12 The Framework Laptop 12 DIY Edition comes black, sage, bubblegum, lavender, and gray. Pre-built models just come in black. Credit: Framework

Announced in February, Framework's first modular, repairable convertible features a touchscreen with stylus support and some fun chassis colors (if you opt for the DIY Edition). Its 13th-generation Intel Core processor is quite outdated, so it's "best suited to education and other lower-power fleet scenarios, rather than home-office or professional use," wrote our sister site, PCMag.

The Framework Laptop 12 is now on its 10th batch of preorders, which is set to begin shipping in Q3. The DIY Edition starts at $549, while a pre-built model pre-loaded with Windows will run you $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Framework Framework Laptop 12 DIY Edition Starting at $549 Pre-order Here Backbone Pro The Backbone Pro is a mobile controller that doubles as a regular controller. Credit: Backbone

Backbone calls its latest controller an "all-in-one gaming system designed to unify your gaming experience." It's got a more ergonomic design, fully remappable buttons, and a new Wireless Mode that lets the user connect it to different devices via Bluetooth. (That includes gaming consoles, laptops, and VR headsets.) Unlike the original Backbone One, it works with way more than just your phone.

The Backbone Pro retails for $169.99 on the Backbone website and at Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Backbone Backbone Pro $169.99 at Best Buy
Shop Now Petal Smart Nature Camera The Petal was a Kickstarter hit earlier this year. Credit: Bird Buddy

From the makers of the Bird Buddy comes the Petal, a 12MP smart nature camera that can identify more than 2,000 species of birds, bugs, and plants. It also has a companion app that can create "BBC Earth–style mini documentaries" using AI, according to a press release. It launched on Kickstarter in late April alongside some modular habitat systems called Wonder Blocks and quickly crushed its funding goal.

The Petal doesn't start shipping until mid-2026, but in the meantime, you can still back it on Kickstarter to lock in one of the first units.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bird Buddy Petal Smart Nature Camera $142 at Kickstarter
Pre-order Here Microsoft's 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro These are convertible, pared-down versions of Microsoft's flagship laptop. Credit: Microsoft

This May, Microsoft debuted a 13-inch Surface Laptop and a 12-inch Surface Pro convertible. They're cheaper, more compact versions of the company's flagship devices that feature less powerful Snapdragon X Plus processors and worse displays, but more battery life. They also come in fun new ocean and violet colorways.

The 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro start at $899.99 and $799.99, respectively, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. (Note that the Surface Pro's keyboard, stylus, and charger are all sold separately.) They're currently in stock at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Microsoft Store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Pro, 12-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $799.99 at Best Buy
Shop Now Dell 14 and 16 Premium Dell replaced its XPS line with these new releases Credit: Dell / Mashable Composite

Dell killed off its popular XPS series laptops at the start of 2025 and released these Premium machines as their replacements in late June. (They sport the same gapless, minimalist design, which most people either love or hate.) Both models start with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD, and you can upgrade them with OLED displays and Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics. Notably, neither model is a Copilot+ PC, so they don't support Windows AI features like Recall and Microsoft Paint's Cocreator image generator.

The 14.5-inch Dell 14 Premium starts at $1,649.99, while the 16.3-inch Dell 16 Premium starts at $1,799.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell 14 Premium (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,649.99 at Dell
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell 16 Premium (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, Intel Arc Graphics 140T, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,799.99 at Dell
Shop Now Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 This is the best battery life of any Chromebook Plus. Credit: Lenovo / Mashable Composite

Lenovo's newest 14-inch Chromebook Plus has a snazzy Kompanio Ultra 910 processor that makes it capable of handling more onboard AI tasks, including two exclusive software features: a "smart grouping" tab-sorting tool and an AI image editor for the Gallery app. At up to 17 hours per charge, it's also the longest-lasting Chromebook Plus on the market.

The $649.99 base configuration is currently sold out on Lenovo's website, but a restock is imminent. In the meantime, you can snag a model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS storage at Best Buy for $749.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 (MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910, 16GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $749 at Best Buy
Shop Now Amazon Colorsoft (16 GB) and Amazon Colorsoft Kids The new Kindle Colorsoft comes with less storage and a slightly more attainable price tag. Credit: Amazon

Amazon made a surprise July drop, offering two additional Kindle Colorsoft models. The Colorsoft line of Kindles is Amazon's collection of color e-readers, which first launched last fall with the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, a 32GB e-reader with a steep price tag of $279.99.

In July 2025, Amazon released a more basic Kindle Colorsoft, with just 16 GB of storage. However, like the Paperwhite, it has adjustable warmth and brightness and is waterproof. The new Colorsoft also comes with a more affordable price tag of $249.99. Amazon also released the Kindle Colorsoft Kids, allowing young readers to enjoy their books in full color.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16 GB) $249.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids $269.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro Nothing's new smartwatch brings ChatGPT to your wrist. Credit: Nothing

The brand Nothing upped the smartwatch game with its July 2025 release of the CMF Watch 3 Pro. Like many smartwatches, it offers GPS tracking, heart and blood oxygen sensors, stress tracking, and 130 activity modes. But it takes things to the next level with its ChatGPT integration.

The device has integrated ChatGPT so users can ask questions, set reminders, and perform other tasks with its help.

The Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro was available for purchase at launch; however, it is now out of stock, with more units hopefully becoming available soon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $99 at Amazon
Shop Now Anker Nano chargers The new Anker Nano chargers provide more flexibility Credit: Anker

On July 28, Anker dropped three new products in its Nano lineup. Now available for purchase are the Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, 100W), Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 45W), and Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, 20W, MagGo). The new devices offer faster and more convenient charging at home and on the go.

All three devices are now available for purchase at Anker now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, 100W) $89.99 at Anker
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 45W) $59.99 at Anker
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, 20W, MagGo) $54.99 at Anker
Shop Now Lego Super Mario Game Boy The Lego Game Boy comes with swappable Game Paks. Credit: Lego

Lego had us thinking about holiday shopping in July with the debut of its Lego Super Mario Game Boy set. While you can't actually play games on it, this Lego set is a recreation of the 1989 Nintendo gaming console. The 421-piece set also includes interchangeable game cartridges and corresponding screens so you can bask in the nostalgia.

It's available for preorder now with shipments expected to go out October 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Game Boy $59.99 at Amazon
Pre-order Here Nothing Headphone (1) Some of the best battery life for the price. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Another pair of headphones to hit the market in 2025 is the Nothing Headphone (1). They're the first over-the-ear headphones from the brand — hence the name — and deliver some pretty good performance for a debut model.

Priced at $299, they have a transparent, futuristic design and adjustable ANC, a rare feature since the discontinuation of the Bose 700s.

The Nothing Headphone (1) are available for purchase now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (1) $299 at Amazon
Shop Now Samsung Watch 8 The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 now has a circular watch face. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Samsung debuted a new watch at the brand's Unpacked event. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 features a new circular watch face, similar to that of the existing Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. It's the brand's thinnest watch and jam-packed with AI features that help maximize your fitness goals. While it isn't equipped with ChatGPT like the Nothing smartwatch, it does feature Google Wear OS 6 and Gemini.

It became available on July 25, and costs $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $349.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip 7 The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 were unveiled at Samsung Unpacked 2025. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 phones also made their debut at Samsung Unpacked. The new Z Fold 7 is slimmer than its predecessor and comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor alongside its eight-inch AMOLED screen.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Flip 7 has Samsung's Exynos 2500 processor, which doesn't quite measure up to the Snapdragon. However, the new Flip model has a bigger cover screen, now covering the full surface. Samsung also released a more affordable Flip, the Flip 7 FE, which starts at $959.99.

Both phones are available for purchase now. The Z Fold 7 starts at $2,119.99, and the Z Flip 7 starts at $1,189.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 7 Fold 7 $2,119.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Z Flip 7 $1,189.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Nothing Phone (3) The Nothing Phone (3) is available in black and white. Credit: Nothing

The UK-based startup, Nothing, has had a big year of releases with its smartwatches and headphones. However, it also brought the release of Nothing's third smartphone. It features the brand's signature transparent, futuristic design, and inside, has the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. It comes in two iterations, one with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, or one with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

It's available for purchase now on Nothing's website and Amazon for $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Phone (3) $799 at Amazon
Shop Now Five-Foot LED Skelly's Cat Skelly got some new friends. Credit: The Home Depot

The Home Depot's viral 12-foot skeleton got a pet cat this year. Announced on July 29 as part of the retailer's 2025 Halloween collection, the five-foot-long prop features light-up eyes, a posable mouth, and an on/off timer.

It'll be available for purchase online and on the Home Depot app starting August 4, before arriving in stores around Labor Day. But be warned: It'll probably sell out fast. A Home Depot rep told Mashable that the company got a lot of requests for this one.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 5-Foot LED Skelly's Cat $199 at The Home Depot
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