Mashable

Good news for redditors: plans for paid subreddits are paused for now.

During Reddit's Q2 earnings call, CEO Steve Huffman said the company is "deprioritizing" initiatives to monetize the user economy on the platform, according to Engadget. In a follow-up AMA, Huffman confirmed that this includes paid subreddits. "To stay focused on what matters most, we’re shifting resources away from a few areas, such as work on the user economy," Huffman wrote. "This includes what some have referred to as paid subreddits."

Previously, Huffman had shared plans for subreddits with "exclusive content or private areas" behind a paywall as a revenue-boosting scheme.

But now, Huffman said the social media forum will focus on "strengthening our core product," which includes "making Reddit the go-to place for search." Growing its user base is critical to driving ad revenue, which brought in $465 million last quarter and accounts for the vast majority of its total revenue, according to its earnings report. That's an 84 percent increase from last year.

If you've googled something recently, you've probably noticed Reddit posts showing up a lot more in search results. Reports from last year showed a massive increase in Reddit's search traffic from Google, likely due to a Google algorithm update that began prioritizing posts from discussion forums. So it looks like that trend has continued.

Huffman also said during the earnings call that the company will be focusing more on using its AI-generated Reddit Answers tool to make Reddit its own search engine. To complicate things, Google confirmed to Mashable earlier this year that Reddit Answers uses Google's Gemini model, as part of a partnership that also allows Google to train its AI on Reddit content.

SAVE $350: The Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $899.99. That's a 39% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S5V $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350 Get Deal

Some people love vacuuming. It hangs out in the number one slot on their chores list. Other folks cannot image getting any sort of enjoyment out of the task. If you fall into the second category, a robot vacuum could solve your floor-cleaning blues. As incentive, Amazon has a great deal on a versatile model to start the week off right.

As of Aug. 4, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $549.99, marked down from the standard price of $899.99. That works out to a savings of $350 from a 39% discount. That makes this a record-low price for this model at Amazon.

With 12,000Pa suction power, the Roborock Qrevo S5V aims to leave no mess uncleaned. The vacuum's dual zero-tangle system means you'll be in great shape if you deal with pet hair and the smart obstacle avoidance aims to leave socks where you left them.

SEE ALSO: As an anxious cat mom, I can't recommend a robot vacuum with a livestream camera enough

The Roborock Qrevo S5V is a combo robot vacuum, so it's ready to tackle your mopping chores, too. And as added bonus, the Roborock has self-washing and self-drying of the mop pads with warm air, which means you'll need to get involved way less often.

Like most robot vacuums these days, the Roborock Qrevo S5V comes with a charging dock with automatic emptying. The brand says the dock can store up to seven weeks worth of debris before it'll need some human help to empty it out.

Since we're heading into back-to-school season and everyone's schedules will be packed, let the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum take over the floor care. It's at a record-low price at Amazon just in time for a busy fall season.

SAVE $24: As of Aug. 4, you can grab a four-pack of Tile Mate trackers for only $59.99 at Amazon. That's 29% off the usual cost of $83.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Life360 Tile Mate (4-pack) $59.99 at Amazon
$83.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

If you tend to misplace important items, Bluetooth trackers are a must-have. And if you're an Android user or an Apple user seeking something a little cheaper than AirTags, the Tile Mate is one of our top picks.

As of Aug. 4, you can get a four-pack of Tile Mate trackers at Amazon for only $59.99. That's 29% off the usual cost of $83.99 and — for what it's worth — $20 cheaper than a four-pack of AirTags. That's also a new record-low price for these babies, making them an even better buy.

The Tile Mate was one of the first Bluetooth trackers to hit the market and, after a few upgrades and facelifts, it's still a solid option. While many trackers fit into an Apple, Google, or Samsung-shaped box, Tile has its own network (via the Life360 app) and is device agnostic. Hence, why it's a great choice for both Android and Apple users.

Since its network is a bit less developed than competitors and its Bluetooth range is smaller (only 350 feet), it works better for finding household items than locating lose luggage. Attach them to things like your keys, wallet, remote, or anything else you tend to lose track of at home. Press a button on your phone and you can ring the tracker to locate it. Or, if your phone is the thing that has gone missing, you can press a button on your Tile Mate to ring your phone. The Tile Mate can also trigger a silent alarm with the SOS feature that alerts loved ones you're in danger.

Did we mention they come in fun colors and not just stark white or black? Grab a four-pack in a rainbow of colors for only $59.99 while you can.

SAVE 25%: As of August 4, you can get the Bluetti Solar Generator (AC180) for $519, down from $699, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount and $180 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Solar Generator (AC180) $519 at Amazon
$699 Save $180 Get Deal

You don’t have to be an apocalyptic prepper to justify investing in a generator. With the unpredictable weather patterns and general uncertainty and fragility of the aging power grid, more and more people are deciding they want some sort of insurance when the power inevitably goes out.

Usually, a good generator will cost you anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, which is why it's always a good idea to jump on these deals when they pop up. As of August 4, you can get the Bluetti Solar Generator (AC180) for $519, down from $699, at Amazon. All you have to do is use the code CLNUK3H9 at checkout. That's a 25% discount and $180 in savings.

The Bluetti (AC180) has a 1152Wh LiFePO4 battery that can be recharged in about an hour using a 1440W AC input. It has a 1800W output and 11 outlets to power multiple devices at once. You can also use the Bluetti App to give it an extra boost to 2700W when you need it.

The built-in MPPT charge controller also means you can hook up a solar panel to recharge when the grid is down and the sun is out. (You can get a full charge in 2.8-3.3 hours.) That way, you're not burning fossil fuels to keep your fridge cold or the lights on.

It doesn't feel like the PlayStation 5's 2020 launch date was that long ago, but a new leak is dragging us into the future of PlayStation, at least potentially.

YouTuber Moore's Law is Dead, who has reported on upcoming technology developments in the past, posted a lengthy video containing several claims about the next generation of PlayStation hardware, which have subsequently spread around the internet. Naturally, there's a big caveat to all of this: The information is coming from a YouTuber who is reporting based on an AMD presentation to Sony that allegedly happened in 2023. Take it with a grain, or maybe several grains, of salt.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo is raising prices for the Switch 1 — are tariffs to blame?

Still, if any of the information in the video is true, it's compelling. According to Moore's Law is Dead, the PlayStation 6 will have roughly three times the 3D rendering power of the PS5 while launching at the same $499 price point. It will play PS4 and PS5 games, continuing a recent commitment to backwards compatibility on Sony's part. According to the leak, the console will launch no earlier than fall 2027.

Interestingly, the leak also claims Sony wants to launch a new gaming handheld alongside the PS6. Per the video, the PS6 handheld will have a touch screen, microphones, an SSD slot, and haptic vibration. Sony is supposedly looking into launching the device at a price point between $400 and $500. That would put it in direct competition with something like the Nintendo Switch 2. If these leaks are accurate, Sony's handheld would be substantially more powerful.

It could also have better specs than the upcoming Xbox handheld, though obviously that doesn't guarantee success at all. I'm old enough to remember the Vita.

Google is pushing advertisers to buy ads in AI mode, according to a report from AdAge. The publication caught onto slides from Google pitching AI Mode ads to potential buyers.

"Be part of our most powerful AI search experience, as customers explore their biggest questions with AI Mode," read one slide in the presentation. "As we apply the power of Generative AI to Search, Ads will continue to play a critical role in helping consumers find helpful information and enabling businesses to be discovered online."

Google reportedly told advertisers that the new ads would come in the form of text and shopping ads with product details within AI Mode chats. The ads would be presented in response to user queries.

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From a mock-up in the presentation, the ads appear in banners under AI search queries, indicated by a "Sponsored" label. The slides describe the AI Mode advertisements as an "experiment."

According to AdAge, Google will roll out ads in AI mode before the fourth quarter. The tech giant told AdAge that they have already started showing more ads in AI mode and have seen "incredible results." In May 2025, Google announced that it was testing these ads, writing in a blog post, "Where relevant, ads may appear below and integrated into AI Mode responses."

Google's revenue from ads was estimated to be $96.5 billion in the fourth quarter of last year alone. So far, advertisements have been rare in AI chatbots like Google Gemini and ChatGPT. But as Google shifts away from traditional search and toward AI search, the company's massive ad inventory could shift as well.

Google has a big head start when it comes to AI search, and so far it has 30 times more traffic than its rivals. Its AI search results surpassed those of rivals like ChatGPT, with 16.5 billion visits in December 2024.

Google inserting ads into its AI search tools is just the beginning. Spending on AI-powered search advertising is projected to reach nearly $29 billion by 2029, according to Reuters.

In May, Match Group (the dating app conglomerate that owns Tinder, Hinge, and others) acquired HER, a dating app for queer women, nonbinary, and trans sapphics.

While things have been relatively quiet on the surface since the buy-out, HER did roll out a new feature this summer called "Feelings." It's akin to a status update, designed to help users communicate more confidently and honestly upfront, and — as the name suggests — share how they're feeling.

SEE ALSO: Summer lovin': Here are the best dating apps for lesbians

"Feelings" are tags you can add to your profile to let potential matches know what you're looking for or what kind of mood you're in. You can also add a short note next to your "Feeling" tag to elaborate a little more.

Once you set a "Feeling," it'll show up on your profile, Meet (the app's discovery feature), matches, and chats. This way, all bases are covered, and there's no way someone else can pretend you're blindsiding them with your intentions. "Feelings" disappear in 48 hours to help you keep things fresh.

Credit: HER

Using the "Feelings" feature is pretty simple. All you have to do is go to your profile page, and you should see a "How are you feeling?" prompt at the top. Tap it and browse your options. Examples include "Just talking," "Go on a date," "Flirty," and "Hook up." You can choose up to three and add a line of text, if you'd like. Then just click "update my Feelings."

If you see a "Feeling" tag that you relate to on someone else's profile, you can even tap a little plus sign (+) to add it to your own.

At the end of the day, the goal is to have better conversations with less anxiety. No more wondering if the other person is looking for something casual when you’re on the hunt for a life partner, or vice versa.

SAVE $350: As of Aug. 4, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (unlocked, 256GB) is down to just $949.99 at Amazon — a new best-ever price. That knocks 27% off the list price of $1,299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Unlocked, 256GB) $949.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $350 Get Deal

TIme to upgrade your phone? Now's a great time if you're an Android user, as one of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy lineup is down to an all-time low price.

As of Aug. 4, you can pick up an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with 256GB of storage for just $949.99 at Amazon. That's a $350 price drop from its usual $1,299.99 and a new best price ever for the titanium gray model. If you prefer titanium black or titanium silverblue (yes, that's the actual name), those models are also on sale for a new low of $999.99.

Here's the thing. If you're already rocking an S24 model, it's probably not worth the upgrade to the S25 Ultra. However, if you're sporting a really old handset and just need to catch up with the times, it's a great pick. A 2025 release, the Galaxy S5 Ultra has a lot to offer — too much, even (in the realm of AI). A nearly 27-hour battery life keeps you from being tethered to an outlet, even when you're watching endless TikTok videos. The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is hella powerful for the zippiest navigation. "Things that seem like they should be hardware-intensive, such as AI features, seem to run without much of a fuss," Mashable's reviewer writes. It also packs a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget and plenty of other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, and new curved edges and a lighter build.

Snagging the S25 Ultra at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. It also won't be carrier-locked if you want to travel abroad and connect to a new network. Of course, it's also a lot cheaper. Upgrade while it's down to a new record-low of $949.99.

SAVE 56%: The Renpho Elis 1 smart scale is on sale at Amazon for $19.98, down from the list price at Renpho of $44.99. That's a savings of $25.01.

Opens in a new window Credit: Renpho Renpho Elis 1 smart scale $19.98 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $25.01 Get Deal

Not everyone likes to weigh themselves and that's more than fair. Weight is but a single indication of health. Old-school traditional bathroom scales only read out one number — the overall weight. Sure, that's awesome when checking that your luggage isn't overweight before a big trip, but otherwise this number can be pretty useless. The Renpho smart scale, however, goes way beyond offering a single number, and it's on a huge sale at Amazon.

As of Aug. 4, the Renpho Elis 1 smart scale is on sale at Amazon for $19.98, marked down from the list price of $44.99. That's a savings of $25.01 from a massive 56% discount. Today's sale price comes within $2 of the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Renpho Elis 1 smart scale offers tons of health insight, in addition to overall weight. The scale is designed to measure body fat, muscle mass, metabolic age, BMI, and more. Together, these metrics can offer a much more holistic view of health compared to weight alone.

SEE ALSO: Home gym starter kit: Everything you need to work out from home

The Renpho smart scale is suitable for those who weigh 400 pounds or less, and there are even settings to get accurate weight readouts on pets and babies. Plus, the Renpho Health app can sync to Apple Health and Samsung Health, so you can access app metrics on your fitness tracker or phone.

If you're looking for better insights into overall health, the Renpho Elis 1 smart scale gives you so much more than just weight. You'll get deep metrics that can help with tracking fitness goals much better than by weight alone. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the scale is on sale for only $19.98. Snag it while it's 56% off and you'll be in great shape for keeping tabs on fall health and fitness goals.

Microsoft is pushing Copilot AI on Bing users who search for rival AI chatbots, according to a new report from Windows Latest.

Users who search for the likes of Open AI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude will see Copilot banners popping up, prompting users to ask Microsoft's AI service their queries and later opening the Copilot website with results. The banner reads "Your Copilot is here."

Microsoft is pushing users to use its AI chatbot. Credit: Screenshot / Bing.

The results for Copilot are prominent, displayed right at the top of the search results of AI competitors.

"Effortlessly ask questions, generate images, and handle tasks with Copilot, your reliable companion," reads the result on Bing.com. And per Windows Latest, the Copilot promotion is subtly labeled as an advertisement, with fine print that reads, "promoted by Microsoft."

Microsoft isn't alone in leading users to its own AI. Google, for example, similarly promotes Gemini and AI search on its platform via pop-ups.

Microsoft recently entered the AI browser space, introducing Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge, its AI-powered browser.

SAVE 40%: As of August 4, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $29.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and $20 in savings.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

If you weren’t able to snag the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K during Prime Day, you’ve got a second chance.

As of August 4, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $29.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and $20 in savings. But you'd better hurry — Amazon's marked this as a "limited-time deal."

With an Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can stream millions of movies and shows (including free content and live channels) on your favorite apps, like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. It's not just for watching shows, either. If you’re into gaming but don’t have a console, you can use it to play Xbox games with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

This little device also seriously upgrades your viewing experience. It supports WiFi 6, Ultra HD 4K with Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. Plus, it comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, so you can search for content, launch apps, and even control your smart home devices just by asking.

Spike Lee's remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime thriller High to Low had Cannes Film Festival abuzz in May. And now, with the film set for cinemas and streaming, A24 and Apple have dropped an impeccable new trailer.

Written by Alan Fox and Lee, Highest 2 Lowest sees Denzel Washington reunite with the Malcolm X director, playing New York music mogul David King. (Kurosawa's film revolved around Tokyo shoe company executive Kingo Gondo, played by Toshiro Mifune.) When a personal ransom plot suddenly emerges, the city's iconic skyline and subways take on a sinister form as King scrambles to negotiate.

Jeffrey Wright plays King's driver, best friend, and closest confidante, Paul. A$AP Rocky stars as Yung Felon, an aspiring rapper trying to catch the ear of the music titan, and Ilfenesh Hadera plays David's wife, Pam.

Lee's crew is also an all-star lineup, with longtime collaborators editor Barry Alexander Brown and composer Howard Drossin, The Get Down editor Allyson C. Johnson, frequent Washington producer Todd Black, and Darren Aronofsky's go-to cinematographer Matthew Libatique.

Highest 2 Lowest hits cinemas Aug. 15 before streaming on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5.

Worried that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 can't withstand a lot of folding and unfolding? A Korean YouTuber is here to alleviate those fears — or make them worse, depending on how his experiment ends.

The tech-it YouTube channel is currently running a livestream in which one of the hosts is attempting to fold the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a whopping 200,000 times to see how it holds up.

One would imagine that performing this would be easier using specialized equipment, but the streamer is actually manually folding and unfolding the phone, which is...impressive?

A caption in the video stream claims that the feat is performed manually to make the experiment "similar to the actual usage environment." Our wrists hurt just looking at it, though.

As of this writing, the fold count is currently just under 150,000, so it'll certainly take a day or two to finish the test. In the video caption, the streamers said they "plan to do 40,000-50,000 folds per day."

SEE ALSO: The iPhone Fold could be cheaper than we expected

As for the device used in the video, it appears to work perfectly fine at this point, with no visible damage.

It's worth noting that Samsung Display officially rates the display used in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as capable of surviving 500,000 folds, so this experiment isn't really bringing it close to its limits. Perhaps there's room for stretching the original goal a bit further?