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TL;DR: Learn up to 56 languages for just $34.97 (reg. $119.99) with this lifetime subscription to Qlango Language Learning, now through July 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $34.97
$119.99 Save $85.02 Get Deal

Looking for a language app you’ll actually want to open? Qlango gamifies the learning experience with a unique question-and-answer style format that makes it fun. And right now, you can score a lifetime subscription with access to all 56 languages for just $34.97 (reg. $119.99) through July 20.

This effective app turns language learning into a daily challenge

Gone are the days of boring Spanish lessons in the classroom. These days, there’s an app for that — so you can master a new language from the comfort of your couch. Qlango takes it one step further by actually making the learning process fun.

Qlango uses a unique question-and-answer method that feels more like a game than studying. It makes you think and respond in the target language, whether it’s Mandarin, Swedish, or Thai, and provides hints if you get stuck.

Aside from gamifying your learning routine, Qlango uses a scientifically proven spaced repetition technique that presents words at strategic intervals to help boost your understanding. The app also focuses on 6,679 essential words you’ll actually use and need to know.

You can customize your experience with six different difficulty levels and customized lessons by choosing to work on words and sentences, dictation, translation, sentence formation, or matching. You can also set study goals and work at your own pace, with no daily penalties or strict deadlines.

Master up to 56 languages with this lifetime subscription to Qlango Language Learning, now through July 20.

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TL;DR: Change the way you present data with Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional, now only $14.97 (reg. $249) through June 29.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for Windows $14.97
$249.99 Save $235.02 Get Deal

Still dreading presentations at work? Let Microsoft Visio help you turn complex ideas into clean, professional diagrams that actually make sense — so you can present with clarity and confidence. And right now, you can score a lifetime subscription for just $14.97 (reg. $249.99) through June 29.

Turn complex ideas into clean diagrams with Microsoft Visio

Give your meetings a serious upgrade with Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional. This handy tool lets you elevate the way you present information, so you can stand out in front of colleagues and bosses.

With dozens of pre-made templates, diagrams, and stencils, Microsoft Visio makes it easy to create compelling content. There are more than 250,000 shapes available in their online content ecosystem, all ready to help you tell a memorable story. If you want to make your own, you can draw with your finger or a pen on touch-enabled devices.

Need to save time? You can automatically generate org charts, process maps, floor plans, and more via data from Excel, Exchange, or Microsoft Entra ID. Need help developing ideas? Visio’s brainstorming templates help you work through them in real time.

New users can take advantage of this amazing deal on Microsoft Visio, which includes all of the features from Visio Standard, plus more templates, shapes, and collaboration features. A Microsoft 365 or SharePoint subscription is required to use the software

Bring your ideas to life with this Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional license, now only $14.97 (reg. $249) through June 29.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Make your photos look more professional with The Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle, now $79.99 (reg. $682), the best price on the web.

Opens in a new window Credit: Luminar Neo The Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle $79.99
$682 Save $602.01 Get Deal

You don’t need hours of editing or a background in photography to make your pictures stand out. Luminar Neo is a user-friendly photo editor equipped with AI tools that help your images shine.

Right now, you can get a Stack-exclusive bundle that includes a lifetime license to Luminar Neo, a video training course, and six filter packs for just $79.99 (reg. $682), the best price on the web.

Turn average photos into stunning images with this AI photo editing app

If you want to take your photos to the next level, Luminar Neo is ready to help. Unlike other photo editors, it offers a straightforward interface and powerful tools like masking, layers, and local adjustments. It’s compatible with Windows and Mac, and also serves as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom.

Looking to really transform your pictures? There are also AI-powered tools to help you do things like replace the skies, control lighting, or retouch someone’s skin.

Once you find a look you love, you can utilize multiform presets to easily achieve a consistent look across all your photos with a few clicks.

This bundle also includes a video training course, the Creative Photo Editing Techniques in Luminar Neo Video Course, to help you navigate all the tools. And you’ll have access to six preset filter packs that let you change photos without any manual editing, with options like the Light Reflections Overlay, Frosty Winter LUTs, and Color Harmony LUTs.

Upgrade your photos with The Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle, now for only $79.99 (reg. $682), the best price on the web.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just new-to-streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most-watchable. Whether you're in the mood for drama-rich romance, nail-biting horror, side-splitting comedy, heart-wrenching documentaries, or the most anticipated TV shows of the summer, we've got something just for you.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

10. The Ultimatum: Queer Love, Season 2

The Ultimatum is back, and ready to rock its Pride. Season 2 of The Ultimatum: Queer Love puts gay couples into the heartbreaking pressure cooker of this reality TV series.

Six couples, made up of women and non-binary people, are at their make-or-break moment. Do they marry? Do they split up? To decide, they spend time living with a new partner to see if their lover is the one — or their next ex. "Marry me, or move on." That's the gist. But shacking up on a steamy beach with innuendo-filled activities (pottery!) means things are going to get hot, bothered, and "brutal." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: The Ultimatum: Queer Love, Season 2 is now playing on Netflix.

9. The Woman in the Yard

Director Jaume Collet-Serra's brand of horror has traveled from The Shallows and House of Wax, and now he reveals The Woman in the Yard.

Danielle Deadwyler (Station Eleven, Till) stars as Ramona, a mother of two who is struggling with grief, guilt, and depression in the wake of the death of her husband. And now there's a strange woman wearing a long black veil sitting in her yard. Now, Ramona and her kids live way out in the country in a fixer-upper, so surprise guests aren't common, and this stranger is even... stranger — especially when she ominously proclaims, "Today's the day."

SEE ALSO: 'The Woman in the Yard' review: A baffling mix of horror ideas

While the setup is solid and Deadwyler is committed, the scares in The Woman in the Yard don't hit as hard as one might hope, considering Collet-Serra's reputation. Rather than a physical threat, there's something more supernatural and psychological brewing here. (Think The Babadook.) And the helmer is less skilled at grounding such slippery horror. Still, in the heat of summer, the fear of being trapped at home with a family falling apart over stress could prove scary enough! — K.P.

Starring: Danielle Deadwyler, Okwui Okpokwasili, Peyton Jackson, and Russell Hornsby

How to watch: The Woman in the Yard begins streaming on Peacock on June 27.

8. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

Pete Browngardt makes his feature directorial debut with The Day the Earth Blew Up, a Looney Tunes movie starring Daffy Duck and Porky the Pig.

This is the first fully animated feature-length Looney Tunes movie, so naturally it has a plot that goes big! Inspired by '50s B-movies, Browngardt dreamed up an alien invasion story. Porky and Daffy start out as down-on-their-luck farmers, doing whatever it takes to keep the family farm alive. But when some suspect bubble gum and a UFO crash into their lives, they'll have to go from goofballs to heroes! — K.P.

SEE ALSO: Shelved 'Coyote vs. Acme' will finally get a theatrical release

Starring: Darrick Bachman, Pete Browngardt, Kevin Costello, Andrew Dickman, David Gemmill, Alex Kirwan, Ryan Kramer, Jason Reicher, Michael Ruocco, Johnny Ryan, and Eddie Trigueros

How to watch: The Day the Earth Blew Up will begin streaming on HBO Max June 27.

7. My Mom Jayne

You might know Mariska Hargitay as the epic Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She is also the daughter of the late Jayne Mansfield, a 1960s sex symbol who died young and tragically.

Hargitay was three years old when Mansfield passed. And though she followed in her footsteps by also becoming an actress, Hargitay sought to avoid the exact path her mother had tread. Now, Hargitay makes her feature directorial debut with My Mom Jayne, a documentary that welcomes audiences into her understanding of "the most photographed woman in show business." Where did the persona collide with the personal? What was real? What was Hollywood fiction? There's only one way to learn the truth. Watch. — K.P.

Starring: Mariska Hargitay

How to watch: My Mom Jayne debuts on HBO and HBO Max on June 27 at 8 p.m. ET.

6. Enigma

Celebrate Pride Month with a bit of trans history. LGBTQ+ activist and filmmaker Zackary Drucker explores two captivating icons with the documentary Enigma.

April Ashley was a model, an author, an advocate, and a trailblazer, making headlines and history whether marrying a royal, pursuing her true self, or being made a member of Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). Amanda Lear was a French fashion model, actress, and singer, who refused to accept the world's labels.

SEE ALSO: LGBTQ+ creators come together to discuss living out and loud on the internet

Through interviews and archival footage, Drucker ushers audiences through these women's life stories, shining a light on celebrity, trans experience, and a history that's cruelly repeating. — K.P.

Starring: April Ashley, Amanda Lear, Bambi, Dolly Van Doll, and Allanah Starr

How to watch: Enigma is now streaming on Max.

SEE ALSO: 75 best LGBTQ films to stream right now 5. Eric LaRue

Acclaimed actor Michael Shannon takes the helm of Eric LaRue, a powerful drama adapted by Brett Neveu from his moving stage play. Critically heralded character actress Judy Greer steps into the leading lady role as Janice LaRue, a middle-aged mother whose vision of her town, family, and faith is horrifically rattled after her teen son perpetrates a deadly school shooting.

Where Netflix's hit mini-series Adolescence focuses on the immediate aftermath of such violence, Eric LaRue offers more distance. Its characters, including Janice's husband Ron (Alexander Skarsgård), are searching for how to heal, with varying degrees of success.

SEE ALSO: Michael Shannon and Judy Greer on the profound poignancy of 'Eric LaRue'

In her review of Eric LaRue, Belen Edwards cheered, "Shannon and Neveu don't focus on the larger political implications of Eric's crime, nor do they necessarily answer the tough questions Eric LaRue lays out. What they do do, however, is create a painful, intimate, and thought-provoking portrait of a deeply hurting couple. And in assembling such a stellar cast led by the remarkable Greer, they've embodied that portrait onscreen to the fullest." — K.P.

Starring: Judy Greer, Paul Sparks, Alison Pill, Tracy Letts, Annie Parisse, and Alexander Skarsgård

How to watch: Eric LaRue is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

4. Ironheart, Season 1

Marvel's latest series, Ironheart, picks up with genius inventor Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Now back in her hometown of Chicago, Riri finds herself with precious few resources to continue perfecting her own Iron Man-style armored suit. To pick up extra cash, she joins up with criminal Parker "Hood" Robbins (Anthony Ramos), whose magical powers pose a serious threat to her own trust in technology.

SEE ALSO: 'Ironheart' review: Grief and AI collide in Ryan Coogler's Marvel series

Ironheart contains its fair share of bombastic fights and major villain reveals, but its most interesting aspect is Riri's accidental creation of an AI assistant based on her late best friend, Natalie (Lyric Ross). Here, Ironheart examines how Riri uses technology as a method of processing grief. While these ideas could use more focus, they remain the beating heart of an otherwise fairly solid MCU show. As I wrote in my review, "Ironheart still finds ways to craft a heartfelt, complicated relationship between Riri and the best friend she thought she'd lost." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Manny Montana, Matthew Elam, and Anji White

How to watch: Ironheart is now streaming on Disney+.

3. Smoke

As a novelist, Dennis Lehane has inspired such thrilling crime dramas as Mystic River, Shudder Island, and Gone Baby Gone. As a producer, he teamed with Taron Egerton for the critically heralded Apple TV+ series Black Bird. Now, he's back with Egerton and Apple for a mini-series that's inspired by a real string of fires in the Pacific Northwest, seemingly sparked by two different arsonists.

If you've listened to the podcast Firebug, you'll recognize some details. (And podcast host Kary Antholis is credited on Smoke as an episode scribe.) Egerton co-stars with Jurnee Smollett as an arson investigator and a detective who team up to chase down these fire-starters before it's too late. A slow-burn thriller (pardon the pun), Smoke will unfurl its character-based crime thriller over 9 episode. So, it'll heat up all summer long. — K.P.

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, John Leguizamo, Rafe Spall, Greg Kinnear, Ntare Mwine, and Hannah Emily Anderson

How to watch: Smoke premieres on Apple TV+ on June 27.

2. The Bear, Season 4

FX's Emmy–winning dramedy The Bear is back for a fourth season, and it has a lot of work to do if it's going to make up for its underwhelming third season. Chefs Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) are back in the kitchen trying to keep their struggling restaurant afloat, all while dealing with their own intense personal issues, from family ailments to conflicting job offers. With so much turmoil inside and outside of the kitchen, is there any hope for The Bear?

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear' Season 4's biggest problem is time: Full season review

I wish I could say that The Bear overcomes the problems it faced in Season 3: its repetitive blandness, its over-reliance on big-name guest stars, its poor pacing, its hackneyed attempts at recreating the glory days of episodes like "Forks" and "Fishes." Instead, it crashes back into these bad patterns, to the point that not even excellent performances or the occasional meaningful conversation can save it. As I wrote in my review, "The Bear has been spinning its wheels for 10 episodes and 60 whole days, creating the illusion of progress with a lot of sound and fury, but very little payoff. For a show that won't let us forget that 'every second counts,' The Bear commits a cardinal sin: It wastes its own characters' time." — B.E.

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, and Matty Matheson

How to watch: All episodes of The Bear Season 4 are now streaming on Hulu.

1. Squid Game, Season 3

Netflix's biggest series ever comes to a bloody end in Squid Game Season 3. The season picks up in the wake of Gi-hun's (Lee Jung-jae) failed rebellion against the despicable people behind the games. Now a shell of his former self, he must play through the remaining games until their brutal conclusion, which may very well be his death.

Expect many more games, including the show's deadly take on jump rope, this season. But more importantly, expect answers to some of your burning questions from Season 2. How will Gi-hun react when he finds out the Front Man's (Lee Byung-hun) true identity? Will Detective Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) ever find the island where the games take place? And of course, who will survive this round of the games? It all comes down to these last six episodes, so strap in (and maybe prepare for a heart attack or two). — B.E.

Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-Wan, Kang Ha-neul, Wi Ha-joon, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Roh Jae-won, and Jo Yuri

How to watch: Squid Game, Season 3 premieres on Netflix on June 27.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.

TL;DR: Ditch expensive roaming charges with aloSIM Traveler’s Mobile Data Plan, now only $24.97 for $50 in credit.

Opens in a new window Credit: aloSIM aloSIM Traveler's Mobile Data Plan: Pay $24.97 for $50 Credit $24.97
$50 Save $25.03 Get Deal

Whether you’re exploring a new city, trying to get a car, or posting your vacation photos to social media, it’s important to have reliable data when you’re on a trip. aloSIM makes it easy, allowing you to stay connected in over 170 countries, with no roaming fees, no SIM card swapping, and no stress.

Right now, you can get $50 in mobile data from aloSIM for just $24.97.

Download this eSIM before your next trip and stay connected for less

Don’t dip into your travel budget to cover your smartphone’s roaming fees. The aloSIM Traveler’s Mobile Data Plan gives you a downloadable eSIM that can connect to local networks in more than 170 countries, so you can hop online while you’re abroad.

You can download this eSIM card onto both iOS and Android devices and enjoy reliable internet access on a 5G and LTE network. This lets you skip the roaming charges, giving you $50 worth of data for just $24.97.

To take advantage of this plan, you have to be a new customer. You’ll have 12 months to use it after your purchase, and it’s easy to use. Just pick your data package and install the eSIM before your trip. Once your flight lands, you’ll be ready to activate the package and start using the data right away — whether it’s on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Your eSIM never expires, but your data package is only valid for the duration stated when you purchase it. For example, a seven-day package will end after a week. If you need more data, it’s simple to add as you go. Packages start at just $4.50.

This aloSIM deal also includes a free Hushed phone number for the same duration as your data plan, so you can make private voice calls.

Connect easily and affordably abroad with this aloSIM Traveler’s Mobile Data Plan, now $24.97 for $50 of credit.

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As if we all don't order enough Amazon packages on any given day, it's time for Prime Day once again (the shopping event kicks off on July 8). In other words, even more packages are about to pile up on doorsteps all over the world. That leaves us with a glaring issue: How do you recycle all those damn boxes, bubble envelopes, and paper bags?

Given the huge variety in packaging, the answer isn't so clear.

SEE ALSO: Regretting your purchase? Here's how to return Amazon packages in 2025. The reality of Amazon recycling

According to a 2024 report from ocean conservancy organization Oceana, Amazon generated 208 million pounds of plastic packaging waste from U.S. transactions in 2022. Despite a global decline in plastic waste, the number for U.S. shipping saw a 9.6 percent increase. "This amount of plastic, in the form of air pillows, would circle the Earth more than 200 times," the organization says.

Amazon, for what it's worth, does provide guidelines around the topic. U.S. customers whose orders are fulfilled by Amazon can click on any order in the Amazon app and scroll down to the bottom to view recycling or discard instructions. Customers can also ask Alexa or Siri "How do I recycle my Amazon packaging?" and both will direct them to Amazon's guidelines.

But David Pinsky, a senior plastics campaigner at Greenpeace, doesn't think this information's very useful.

"While it is helpful to provide information, Amazon is continuing to place the burden on customers to manage its enormous packaging footprint. As U.S. and global recycling markets collapse, the truth is that very few plastics are still recyclable and, even if they are collected for recycling, most are not recycled. It's time for Amazon to ditch all single-use packaging and transition to reuse and refill systems," Pinsky, who works to make large companies reduce their single-plastic use, wrote in an email.

Large corporations like Amazon need to take responsibility by eliminating throwaway packaging and switching to reuse and refill systems, Pinsky explained.

In a December 2022 blog post, Amazon acknowledged this disparity: "Although the plastic packaging Amazon uses today is recyclable, it generally requires our customers to take the materials from their homes to store drop-off locations. As a company that obsesses about our customers, we recognize it's not the easiest customer experience."

What Amazon is doing for the planet

Amazon does offer a program called Frustration-Free Packaging, which includes products designed to ship in their own packaging without the need for additional Amazon mailers or boxes. According to Amazon, "products in 'Frustration-Free Packaging' offer more sustainable packaging that is right-sized, reduces damages, is made of recyclable packaging materials, and is easier to open." It is also made of 100 percent curbside recyclable materials. And the option is working, to some extent. Since 2015, Amazon has reduced the weight of outbound packaging by 38 percent and eliminated more than 1.5 million tons of packaging material, thanks to programs such as Frustration-Free Packaging.

"In the midst of a rapid increase in customer orders throughout the pandemic, we continued to take steps to reduce single-use plastics in our outbound packaging," the company wrote.

In 2019, Amazon debuted its fully recyclable paper padded mailer. The company had shipped more than 200 million new mailers to customers as of mid-2020 and replaced nearly 70 percent of its mixed material bubble mailers by 2021, offering the same recyclability as Amazon's cardboard box but taking up less space in the recycle bin, says an Amazon spokesperson.

The company also debuted its "Less Packaging, More Smiles" campaign in 2020 as a way to use less packaging materials in its shipments while helping customers repurpose boxes before recycling. For example, you can reuse Amazon cardboard boxes in fun ways — like to build a rocket, fort, or car for your cat or dog — all via a QR code on the box that provides instructions.

In 2021, the company attempted to address the plastic-film concerns and redesigned many of these plastic products to be more sustainable, increasing the recycled content of plastic film bags from 25 percent to 50 percent, and from 15 percent to over 40 percent for its plastic padded bags. The improvements are expected to eliminate more than 25,000 metric tons of new plastic each year moving forward, according to the company. In March 2022, the company also announced its partnership with the BOTTLE consortium, a U.S. Department of Energy research initiative to reduce plastic pollution, to design new modes of plastic chemical upcycling.

The company encourages customers to shop with Amazon Day Delivery in mind to take advantage of flexible options for when and how packages arrive. "On top of making deliveries work for their personal schedule, choosing Amazon Day is a great way to combine multiple orders into one delivery, potentially reducing the amount of packaging they receive. On average, Amazon Day uses 30 percent fewer boxes and Amazon Day users saved 136 million boxes in 2022," Amazon explained.

But these sustainability efforts might not be going far enough. As the Washington Post reported, in an effort to pack more shipments into delivery planes and trucks, Amazon is using more small plastic mailers rather than cardboard boxes.

SEE ALSO: The 2025 guide to recycling electronics, beauty empties, and clothing The long road to plastic-free Prime

Many of the plastic mailers it uses (like its regular and bubble-lined plastic bags) include plastic film.

In its latest report, Oceana estimated that up to 22 million pounds of such plastic packaging waste would end up in the world’s waterways and seas, noting that plastic film is the most common form of marine plastic litter in nearshore ocean areas and the deadliest to marine life.

Amazon notes on its website that some cities have curbside recycling programs for film, and if your city doesn't, Amazon utilizes a directory to find a drop-off location that will take compatible plastic film, wrap, and bags. However, Pinsky says this website isn't exhaustive because it doesn't include a list of complete options for some areas.

There also aren't that many cities with recycling programs that accept plastic film, says Darby Hoover, a senior resource specialist who works on plastic waste issues at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental advocacy organization. When it comes to recycling centers, even if they do accept plastic film, it can be hard, if not impossible, to process, as they often get caught in the center's machinery, a spokesperson from the recycling, landfill, and compost operator Recology wrote in an email.

To avoid this problem, Recology workers try to manually remove loose plastic film before it enters the machinery, but this doesn't always work. "Amazon packages represent a challenging new packaging trend," a Recology spokesperson explained.

Pinsky still suggests conducting your own research to find drop-off locations and asking your supermarket if they recycle plastic film.

And then there's the paper address label. If it's a self-adhesive label, it's probably not recyclable, Hoover says. "It's pretty upsetting to see Amazon has gone in this direction by putting more single-use plastics on the market," Pinsky says.

Although online shopping has become the de-facto way of living, it shouldn't just be the customer's responsibility to figure out how to recycle. Companies need to step up too, Hoover says.

How to recycle Amazon's packaging

Whether you're expecting to splurge on Amazon Prime Day or are interested for everyday orders, here's how you can do your part to recycle all of Amazon's packaging.

1. Paper padded envelope mailer Amazon's paper padded envelope mailer. Credit: Amazon

Amazon says these paper padded mailers are recyclable, just like cardboard boxes and other paper items.

Paper products should be accepted by most curbside recycling programs, says Pinsky.

2. Bubble-lined plastic bag and plastic bag Amazon's bubble-lined plastic bag. Credit: Amazon Amazon's plastic bag. Credit: Amazon

Some cities offer curbside recycling, Amazon writes on its website. If your city doesn't, Amazon suggests using a directory where you can enter your ZIP code to find a drop-off location that accepts plastic film, which these bags contain.

Still, it's questionable if some drop-off locations will accept bubble-lined plastic bags, Pinsky says. Hoover advises people to check drop-off centers' websites to see what they can recycle.

3. Cardboard box and cardboard folder Amazon's cardboard box. Credit: Amazon Amazon's cardboard folder. Credit: Amazon

Cardboard boxes and folders can be recycled in most curbside recycling, Amazon states on its website. It also says to remove any tape before recycling.

Still, you should check with your local government to see what is recyclable and learn how and if you're supposed to prepare these materials in a particular way, Hoover says.

For example, New York City advises people to flatten cardboard boxes and then tie them together with strong twine before setting them out for recycling.

You can also use your cardboard boxes to start composting.

4. Paper Envelope Amazon's paper envelope. Credit: Amazon

Amazon says its paper envelopes are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs.

5. Give Back Box partnership (for cardboard boxes) Give your Amazon cardboard box another life by donating your stuff with it. Credit: Amazon

If you have an extra box lying around, you can also give it a second life. Just fill a box with items you wish to donate, print out a label for free, and ship it at no cost to you through UPS, FedEx, or USPS. Your old things will be re-homed to charities through Amazon's partnership with Give Back Box, and you can write off the donation on your taxes.

6. Packing paper Amazon's brown packing paper. Credit: Amazon

Packing paper is recyclable through most curbside recycling programs, according to Amazon.

7. Air pillow Amazon's air pillow. Credit: Amazon

Amazon suggests you either recycle its air pillows curbside, if possible, or find a drop-off location that accepts them. Like Amazon's plastic bags, air pillows contain plastic film, which means the packaging is harder to recycle.

When you are able to recycle them, Hoover suggests first popping the air out of the pillow and then bringing it to a drop-off location.

8. Bubble-lined paper mailer Amazon's bubble-lined paper mailer. Credit: Amazon

Paper mailers with air bubble padding are not recyclable and should be put in the trash, Amazon says on its website, though also suggests checking with your local recycling program for more details.

Pinsky, for his part, advises throwing out these mailers.

9. Reusable gift bags Amazon's reusable gift bags. Credit: Amazon

As you've probably guessed by the name, Amazon encourages you to reuse these gift bags. But once they're no longer presentable, you'll have to chuck them in the garbage bin. Amazon says it is "currently transitioning to gift bags made of 100 percent recycled material that will replace this version."

Pinsky advises avoiding these gift bags altogether. Most of the bags will end up in landfills, incinerators, and the environment.

Instead, he says, "get creative with other ways to share gifts that don’t require single-use plastic bags, paper, or other materials."

10. Amazon Fresh paper bag Credit: Amazon

Since they're paper, Amazon Fresh paper bags are recyclable through most curbside recycling programs.

11. Paper ice cream pouch Credit: Amazon

Paper envelopes, including the insulation inside, are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs and also can be used again if clean and dry.

12. Amazon Fresh water bottle Amazon Fresh water bottle. Credit: Amazon

This is just a water bottle and can be recycled in most curbside recycling programs. Amazon states on its website that these water bottles are used to cool items like food, but you can also drink the water, so don't let it go to waste.

13. Produce bag Amazon's produce bag. Credit: Amazon

Again, because the product has plastic film it may be tricky to recycle because the film often gets stuck in recycling centers' machinery. Amazon says some cities offer curbside recycling for its produce bag, but when not available, you can "use designated store drop-off locations where plastic film is accepted."

It's worth checking where you can recycle it first. Amazon provides a website to find a drop-off location to do so, but you should do your own research and ask your supermarket if they accept the film, says Pinsky.

14. Bottom board and paper insulation Credit: Amazon Amazon's paper insulation. Credit: Amazon

Both products are made of 100 percent cardboard. As such, Amazon says you can recycle both in your curbside recycling program.

SAVE $105: As of June 26, the Amazon eero 6+ router is on sale for $194.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon eero 6+ $194.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $105 Get Deal

Prime Day discounts are on the horizon, but Amazon has a great deal live right now for anyone fed up with slow, laggy internet. As of June 26, the Amazon eero 6+ mesh router system is at its lowest price this year, now priced at $194.99. This deal saves you $105 on list price.

This deal is specific to the three-pack bundle, but you can find great deals across all packages, excluding the four-pack option.

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals: Shop, watch, or wait?

The eero 6+ is an exceptional router system that offers gigabit WiFi speeds at an affordable price. It is backward-compatible with older eero devices, making it flexible for all home setups. It also benefits from an extra boost with the 160 MHz radio channel, so your whole house has a strong connection.

But how does it work? A mesh WiFi system is the perfect way to eliminate dead spots in your home, and is ideal for when you need the WiFi to reach a long way from the router, or through very thick walls. The setup includes a main router and extra nodes (satellites) placed around your home. They work together to provide reliable WiFi coverage all over your home.

Grab this great deal before the Prime Day rush.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

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• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

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TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

It is not possible to navigate the online world with total freedom. There are content restrictions and blockades in every corner of the web, and that very much includes adult content.

Porn comes with a lot of restrictions — the reasons for which are clear — but there's really nothing wrong with visiting your favorite sites at an entirely appropriate moment. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like Xnxx from any network and location.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

Unblock porn sites like Xnxx by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Xnxx

4. Visit Xnxx

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee.)

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launch day has come and gone, and those lucky enough to get a console are already happily playing Mario Kart World and other launch titles.

Starting on June 5, gamers could finally purchase the Switch 2 console for $449.99 and the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle for $499.99 — if you could find it in stock, that is. Well, after weeks with precious few supply drops, we finally had an official Switch 2 restock alert to share.

Starting Wednesday, June 25 at 9 p.m. ET, Walmart had both the Switch 2 and Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle in stock. Walmart+ shoppers had an hour head start, and typically, consoles sold out before the hour was up. This might be a good time to sign up for a free Walmart+ trial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Switch 2 console Check prices at Walmart Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle Check prices at Walmart Shop Now

Where else can you buy the Switch 2 online? As of this writing, it's out of stock at all of the official retailers, but you can always check the product listing pages and smash that refresh button like you're playing Super Smash Bros. for the first time.

Every way to buy the Switch 2 online Credit: Nintendo

Check for Switch 2 restocks at the My Nintendo Store and via Nintendo online retailers:

• Buy the Switch 2 at Nintendo

• Buy the Switch 2 at Walmart — Unavailable

• Buy the Switch 2 at GameStop — Check stock in stores

• Buy the Switch 2 at Best Buy — Check stock in stores

• But the Switch 2 at Costco — Unavailable

• Buy the Switch 2 at Target — Unavailable

• Staples — Check stock in stores

To avoid hoarding and reselling, Nintendo and retailers are limiting orders per person. That means you'll need to make an account to successfully place an order. We also recommend reviewing our tips for tracking restocks, and in the meantime, try all the links below.

Place an order with Nintendo

You can't simply go to the My Nintendo Store and buy the Switch 2. To order the Switch 2, you need to log in with an active, paid Nintendo Switch Online account. Once you do that, you can choose either a Switch 2 standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle and then hit the confirm button to "register your interest" in ordering a Switch 2.

Now for the weird stuff. Only Switch Online members who have paid for at least 12 months of service and registered at least 50 hours of gameplay on their Switch consoles can purchase through Nintendo. In other words, you better be a true Switch gamer if you want to buy the Switch 2 this way. If you're eligible and follow these steps, watch your email for an invitation link.

Buy the Switch 2 at Nintendo: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Learn More Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499 Learn More How to order Switch 2 at Walmart

Unlike Nintendo, purchasing the Switch 2 online at Walmart is pretty simple. Technically, Walmart shoppers have been able to preorder Switch 2 consoles on Walmart's website since midnight ET on April 24. In reality, the console has been sold out consistently, with only intermittent supply available from third-party sellers. Our advice? Go to the Walmart Switch 2 listing a few times a day and smash that refresh button, but be wary of price gougers.

We'll update this article as soon as we find Switch 2 consoles in stock at Walmart (or anywhere). Walmart also sells a lot of Switch 2 launch titles and accessories.

Buy the Switch 2 at Walmart: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 at Target

Target stores opened as usual on launch day, and according to a press release, Switch 2 hopefuls were directed to a "designated queuing location" near the entrance. Target workers reportedly gave out reservation tickets to a lucky few. Buyers were whisked off to the electronics department, where they could finally purchase either the Switch 2 or a Switch 2 bundle.

Buy the Switch 2 at Target: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 at GameStop

GameStop is the one retailer of the four listed here that's doing things a little bit differently. If you were lucky enough to get a GameStop preorder, you could pick up your console at midnight on June 5. GameStop stores also hosted midnight launch events (though supplies were limited), and gamers can go to GameStop locations to participate in a "Transfer and Trade," where they trade in their original Switch and transfer data to the new console.

You can also try your luck online or sign up to get updates when new inventory becomes available. You can also buy Switch 2 games and accessories at GameStop, including those all-important MicroSD Express cards.

Buy the Switch 2 at GameStop: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 consoles at Best Buy

Best Buy joined GameStop in hosting Switch 2 midnight launch parties, but the tents and lawn chairs have been packed away by now. If you weren't one of the chosen ones who got a console at these events, you'll have to rely on the Best Buy website. So far, we haven't seen any inventory available, unfortunately.

As a “high-demand item,” Best Buy customers have to follow specific steps to buy a Switch 2 online:

• Create a My Best Buy account and sign in

• Confirm your location

• Add the item to your cart

• Follow the on-screen prompts and check for available inventory

• If you get a Switch 2 console in your cart, you’ll have 10 minutes to complete the purchase

Buy the Switch 2 at Best Buy: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now Can you buy the Switch 2 at Amazon?

You'll notice there's one major retailer conspicuously missing so far — Amazon. That's because Amazon is not an official Nintendo retailer, so any Switch 2 consoles you find there are likely listed by resellers of dubious legitimacy. However, Amazon shoppers can preorder some Switch 2 titles ahead of the launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion Limited Edition $99.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma Standard Edition $69.99 at Amazon
Shop Now How to buy the Switch 2 at Staples

As we noted in our Switch 2 preorder guide, select Staples stores will sell the Switch 2 on a first-come, first-served basis starting June 5. Most Staples locations open at 8 a.m., but we recommend showing up bright and early. Staples will also be selling an unnamed Switch 2 game bundle, and we know it's not the standard Mario Kart World bundle. As with other retailers, Switch 2 consoles are currently listed as "Out of stock" at the Staples online store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 at Staples
Learn More How to buy the Switch 2 at Costco

Are you a Costco member? Then you may be able to secure your Switch 2 at the mega-retailer, which has been one of the few retailers with actual inventory available on June 5. Costco members can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle online starting June 5, though there's a limit of one console per membership (every seven days). As of this writing, the console and Mario Kart bundle are both sold out.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costco Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 at Costco
Learn More Popular Switch 2 accessories

If you want to console yourself by stocking up on Switch 2 accessories, chargers, and cameras, these products are much easier to "Add to cart."

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Hori Piranha Plant Camera $59 at Walmart
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller $84.99 at Target
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 (256GB) $59.99 at Target
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip $39.99 at Nintendo
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo GameCube Controller $64.99 at Nintendo
Shop Now Why is the Switch 2 so hard to find in stock?

Simply put, it's a matter of demand far outpacing supply, though tariffs definitely didn't help.

Since opening for preorder on April 24, the Switch 2 has been sold out pretty much everywhere, like the PS5 before it. In fact, so many gamers tried to place preorders on April 24 that they immediately crashed the GameStop, Target, and Walmart websites. That's left many Switch fans wondering how to buy the Switch 2 online. So, if you aren't buying a Switch 2 in person, keep checking this page for the latest stock updates on Switch 2 launch day and beyond.

Still want more information? Read our full Switch 2 review Mashable reporter Alex Perry plays the Switch 2 at a Nintendo event. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Mashable reporter Alex Perry was lucky enough to play the Switch 2 ahead of its launch. "I think it’s awesome," Perry wrote in his Switch 2 early review. "Most of the games I’ve played have been impressive in one way or another, and the hardware is a clear improvement over the first Switch. It’s not perfect, but nothing is."

After spending more time with the console, Perry also wrote an in-depth review of the Switch 2 for Mashable.

Put simply, the Switch 2 is full of so many thoughtful little considerations that I’ve frequently found myself amazed at how often it just works...The Nintendo Switch 2 is great. This is a fabulous console/handheld hybrid with hugely improved system software, much beefier horsepower for playing games, and a more premium form factor that doesn’t succumb to the same bulk as its handheld PC counterparts.

Perry also praised the social features as truly game-changing for Nintendo.

While you wait for your console to arrive, read all about the Switch 2 launch titles we're most excited to play. And if you still haven't secured an order, keep checking this page for updates — and good luck!

UPDATE: Jun. 25, 2025, 3:15 p.m. EDT We've updated this page with information about an imminent Switch 2 restock for Walmart+ members.

Last week, the Trump Organization announced the Trump Mobile wireless service as well as the T1, a gold-plated, Trump-branded smartphone that it claimed would be made in America. Many were doubtful of such assertions, including Mashable's own tech reporters, as it's no secret that the U.S. lacks the infrastructure to manufacture many critical smartphone components.

After just 10 days, Trump Mobile is already softening its language regarding exactly where the T1 will be manufactured.

SEE ALSO: The 'made-in-America' Trump Mobile phone sure looks like a made-in-China phone

As first spotted by The Verge, the T1 phone's listing on the Trump Mobile website has been quietly updated to remove all references to the device being made in America. While earlier this week it described the T1 as "proudly made in America," as of June 25, the page merely states that the phone has an "American-proud design."

Below this, Trump Mobile's previous claim that the T1 is "proudly made right here in the USA" has been replaced with the much more ambiguous statement that "it’s brought to life right here in the USA," declaring that there are "American hands behind every device."

Left: Trump Mobile's T1 Phone listing on June 23. Right: The same listing on June 25. Credit: Mashable

Such changes are also reflected on the Trump Mobile homepage, which previously encouraged people to pre-order the "MADE IN THE USA" T1 phone (emphasis original) and stated that it would be available from September. While the homepage does still encourage users to order a T1, it no longer claims that the device is made in the U.S., and the delivery date has been removed altogether. 

Top: A banner on the Trump Mobile homepage on June 17. Bottom: The same banner on June 25. Credit: Mashable

The T1's advertised manufacturing location isn't all that's changed either. The phone's specs have also been slightly tweaked, downgrading its previously advertised 6.8-inch punch hole AMOLED screen to 6.25 inches. Its previously listed 12GB of RAM has been entirely removed as well, with no further information added to replace it.

Exactly what an "American-proud design" entails is unclear; however it seems reasonable to conclude that the T1 will not be made in America in light of these changes to its webpage. Even the claim of "American hands behind every device" could merely mean that people in the U.S. handle the phone at some point before it reaches customers. 

Trump Mobile's T1 smartphone has an American flag etched on its back. Credit: Trump Mobile

Despite this, Trump Mobile is reportedly maintaining that the T1 will indeed be made in the U.S., though it has not addressed the change in language on its website. 

"The T1 phones are proudly being made in America," a Trump Mobile spokesperson said in a statement to Ars Technica. "Speculation to the contrary is simply inaccurate. We're excited to launch the phones later this year."

It would be unsurprising for Trump Mobile to walk back its promises of a U.S.-made smartphone. Analysts have determined that an iPhone manufactured in the U.S. would have a potential retail price of up to $3,000, six times the T1's $499 price tag.

Mashable has reached out to Trump Mobile for comment.

Contains spoilers for The Bear Season 4.

In one of the early scenes of The Bear Season 4, chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) watches the time-loop classic Groundhog Day.

"What would you do if you were stuck in one place?" Bill Murray's weatherman Phil Connor asks while Carmy looks on. "And every day was exactly the same, and nothing you did mattered?"

It's a sentiment that resonates with Carmy, who spent much of The Bear's underwhelming Season 3 trapped in a self-destructive loop of his own. He hyper-fixated on his professional traumas in toxic kitchens, his breakup with Claire (Molly Gordon), his dysfunctional family, and of course, the ever-present grief of losing his brother Mikey (Jon Bernthal). As if that wasn't enough, The Bear received a middling review in the Chicago Tribune — basically a death knell for the restaurant. After all that, it's easy to feel, like Groundhog Day's Phil, that nothing he does matters.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025 (so far), and where to stream them

Still, the review is the kick in the chef's whites Carmy needs to take steps towards self-improvement, with much of Season 4 focusing on him trying to make things right with Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Claire, and more.

Unfortunately, while Carmy looks to learn from his mistakes, The Bear finds itself in a Groundhog Day-style time loop all of its own. That's because Season 4 falls right back into the pitfalls of Season 3 — and then some. Worst of all is a lack of general urgency, one that's at odds with this season's ticking-clock structure.

The Bear Season 4's biggest problem is that damn clock. Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in "The Bear." Credit: FX

In Season 4, episode 1, Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) and his numbers guy, "Computer" (Brian Koppelman), bring a large countdown clock into The Bear's kitchen. It's set for 1,440 hours, or 60 days. That amount of time represents the restaurant's parachute as it loses money. By the time it reaches zero, The Bear will have to stop operations. (Unless it gets a Michelin star, which might be enough to turn things around.)

In theory, the clock serves as both a doomsday countdown and a motivator for The Bear's staff to get it together. In reality, though, it becomes evidence of The Bear's ridiculously frustrating pacing problem, which has carried over from Season 3.

To recap: In Season 3, episode 2, Carmy tells Sydney she needs to sign a partnership agreement to make her an official restaurant partner. By the end of Season 3, she had yet to sign said agreement. In Season 3, episode 7, Sydney received a job offer from former Ever chef Adam (Adam Shapiro). Just like with the partnership agreement, Sydney did not give Adam a response by the end of Season 3.

SEE ALSO: Did you catch the Michelin star man in 'The Bear' Season 4? We did.

These are huge plot points, with the potential for changing up the entire course of The Bear. You'd think they'd be a major focal point early on in Season 4, right? Right?

Wrong! It takes almost all of Season 4 for Sydney to get back to Adam, and it flat-out takes the entirety of Season 4 for her and Carmy to discuss the partnership agreement. It's already aggravating enough as a viewer to be strung along for this long, even if you're binge-watching The Bear all the way through. But the clock makes this aggravation so much worse, because it tells you exactly how much time it's taken Sydney to come to these decisions. You're telling me it takes her just under 60 days — more, when counting Season 3! — to make these important, time-sensitive career moves? I'm willing to suspend my disbelief to a certain extent, but for a TV show that has frequently been praised for its realistic depictions of restaurant work, Adam and Carmy giving Sydney this much time to decide rings false.

The timing problems even extend to smaller details that poke holes in the otherwise lived-in, grounded environment The Bear has built. For example, it takes Carmy 46 days to hold Sugar's (Abby Elliott) baby for the first time. 46! Sure, the Berzattos are dysfunctional, but not dysfunctional enough that they wouldn't go visit their newborn niece who lives in the same city. Elsewhere, Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) only starts coaching servers Neil Fak (Matty Matheson) and Gary (Corey Hendrix) on how to properly walk through the restaurant on the clock's final day. Why wasn't this a restaurant priority beforehand?

Missteps like this make it clear The Bear is losing sight of the details — ironic, given Carmy and his staff's pursuit of culinary perfection, where every component matters. But on a broader level, this season's egregious timeline proves that The Bear is just punting its most crucial confrontations further down the line. Unfortunately, it can't find much else of substance to sustain it in the meantime.

The Bear Season 4 gives its most interesting supporting characters nothing to do. Ayo Edebiri and Liza Colón-Zayas in "The Bear." Credit: FX

What else does The Bear's staff have cooking this season, you may ask? Not much.

Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) spends two months trying to plate pasta in under three minutes. So much for the spotlight she got in Season 3's "Napkins." Meanwhile, Marcus (Lionel Boyce) sells his mother's house then considers reconnecting with his father. Do we get a deeper sense of his grief, or actually meet his father? No, like so much of The Bear's most fascinating threads, that's a problem for next season.

The same goes Ebraheim's (Edwin Lee Gibson) intriguing plotline this season, which sees him examining the idea of franchising The Beef. But once again, that's something The Bear kicks into the undefined future.

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear' Season 4 fails Tina

Instead, we're treated to more of the Fak family, who work fine in small doses but are absolute menaces in the larger roles they've been granted season over season. As The Bear continues to veer further into straight drama as opposed to the comedy it originally billed itself as, the show hopes these bumbling brothers and their penchant for overlapping talking and bad side hustles can bring some levity to the show. But crosstalk and yelling do not a comedy make, and The Bear's most obvious attempts to remind us it can be funny won't make you laugh as much as make you need an Advil.

The Bear actually wrings its funniest moments from small frustrations, like Richie realizing a profound voicemail he's leaving has been cut off, or Tina texting Sydney, "mama this pasta is killing me." Here, we get shades of the very funny, very human comedy that buoyed Season 1 and much of Season 2, but they're few and far between.

The Bear Season 4's big standalone episodes are a mixed bag. Jeremy Allen White in "The Bear." Credit: FX

Every season of The Bear features episodes that play with the show's formula, from Season 1's one-take "Review" to Season 2's nightmarish Christmas flashback "Fishes." The series has found particular success with character-centric episodes, too, like the Marcus-focused "Honeydew," the Richie-focused "Forks," and the Tina-focused "Napkins." In Season 4, The Bear tries to recreate the success of these kinds of episodes, just as it did in Season 3. But it leaves us only with diminishing returns.

The strongest of the bunch is episode 4, written by Edebiri and Boyce and directed by Janicza Bravo. Here, Sydney's trip to get her hair done leads her to bond with her hairdresser Chantel's (Danielle Deadwyler) daughter TJ (Arion King). TJ's middle school friend troubles become a lens through which Sydney examines her career dilemma, giving us some much-needed insight into a decision-making process that has so far been shrouded in mystery or flat-out abandoned. Of course, what would have made the episode stronger is seeing it have a faster impact on her choice — which, again, takes 60 days to make! — but it's overall a welcome window into Sydney's life beyond The Bear. Bonus points for the scene in which Sydney and TJ make Hamburger Helper together, a cooking sequence reminiscent of Sydney's Season 2 omelette-making montage, both centered around elevating simple dishes and cooking for people you care about. The show could afford to have more like it.

If episode 4 feels like a sister episode to "Honeydew," "Forks," and "Napkins," then Season 4, episode 7 feels like an attempt to create a cheerful companion to "Fishes." In this 69-minute monster, the entire Berzatto clan attends Richie's ex Tiff's (Gillian Jacobs) wedding to Frank (Josh Hartnett). Thankfully, no forks go flying and no cars crash into living rooms. Unfortunately, though, the show veers far, far from that stress, instead crafting an overly saccharine love fest that doubles as a showcase of The Bear's biggest (and, frankly, most distracting) guest stars.

There are high highs, like a poignant discussion between Carmy and Lee (Bob Odenkirk) about Mikey, or Richie and Frank's panic about their father/stepfather dynamic. But mostly, it's an episode of low lows, including more unfunny Fak drama and an interminable sequence involving everyone hiding under a table. Much of the dialogue in the latter sounds like a bunch of platitudes hurled back and forth. That problem extends across the rest of the season, to the point that some characters, like Claire or new hire Jessica (Sarah Ramos), sound like self-help books in human form.

The season's last Very Special Episode is its finale, a tightly contained argument in the back alley behind The Bear, where Carmy, Sydney, and Richie finally let loose about all their grievances. It's cathartic and gripping and gritty — everything The Bear has been missing for the past two seasons. As excellent as it is, it's also deeply frustrating. These issues should have come to a head long, long ago. Instead, The Bear has been spinning its wheels for 10 episodes and 60 whole days, creating the illusion of progress with a lot of sound and fury, but very little payoff.

For a show that won't let us forget that "every second counts," The Bear commits a cardinal sin: It wastes its own characters' time.

All episodes of The Bear Season 4 are now streaming on Hulu.

TL;DR: Enjoy dependable, secure, and private data storage with a 1TB lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage, now just £88 with code KOOFR.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £87.86
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This trusted cloud storage option started back in 2013. It offers a lifetime subscription option that doesn't require monthly payments. Get 1TB of storage for life for a low one-time price, allowing you to house 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD video, or 6.5 million PDF files. 

If you're already established with another service, Koofr offers unmatched accessibility. Easily access your files from Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive — making Koofr your all-in-one cloud storage hub. 

Aside from making things easier and cheaper, Koofr offers unique features like the Koofr Duplicate Finder. It helps you find and remove duplicate files, saving you time and space on your account.

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Let Koofr Cloud Storage save you money monthly with this 1TB lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage, now just £87.86 with code KOOFR.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To throw out.

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

EXPEL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A Spanish cousin.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 26, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PRIMO

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To reallow.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 26, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

UNBAN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Detects distance

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

RADAR

Final Hurdle hint

A base of eight.

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

OCTAL

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

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Cordless vacuums are sometimes pegged as inferior, but here's the truth: Cordless vacuum cleaners have reached a new level. Thanks to ever-developing tech, they’re more powerful, more convenient, and longer-lasting than ever before. And they stack up pretty well against their corded, clunkier, upright counterparts.

So, who can argue with the convenience of a cordless vacuum? No plugging and unplugging — and plugging and unplugging again — as you clean different rooms. And no struggling to chase down pet hair or dust bunnies hiding in the trickiest, hardest-to-reach spots of your home. Plus, they’re easier to store away.

The best stick models are also just fun (yes, really) to use. Some transform into handheld vacs with one easy click. It's enough to make cleaning a chore that you actually look forward to. Or at least, make it less of a pain.

What are the benefits of a cordless vacuum?

We’ve already mentioned the big ones. A cordless vacuum is generally more convenient — easier to store, lighter to carry around the hone, and more dexterous. They can reach overhead spots with little effort and often come with useful attachments too.

The other thing worth noting is that they’re often best suited to smaller homes and spaces, or homes with less carpets. That’s because the capacity is generally smaller and the lighter handling makes it easy to whizz around the place in no time. That doesn’t mean they’re only for small homes, of course. Some cordless models have a bigger capacity. If you need more, look out for vacuums that have around a 1-litre capacity.

Is Dyson the best cordless vacuum brand?

In a word, yes. Or, more precisely, Dyson is the standard — the standard that other manufacturers try to match or beat. That doesn’t mean that Dyson is the only name in town. Oh no. Shark, Vax, and Samsung are all solid choices with lots of features. We’ve included examples from each of those brands in the list below.

How long does a cordless vacuum battery last?

This is one important feature to consider. Average battery power will last around 40 minutes and top-end batteries max out at 60 minutes. Be warned, however: That’s usually when the cordless vac is on its lowest power setting. When on the highest power setting — in other words, when the vacuum is doing its hardest sucking — around 20 minutes from a single charge is average.

Some models come with two batteries, so you can swap them mid-clean and save waiting for the vacuum to recharge. Something to bear in mind is that these cordless vacuums can take a surprisingly long time to recharge — anything up to an hour.

What should you consider when shopping for cordless vacuums?

As well as good battery power, there are other things that cordless vacuums might include:

LED lights — Some cordless vacuums have mini headlights so you don’t miss dirt.

Digital display — Look out for vacuums that give you real-time information on battery power and other vitals.

Attachment tools — Crevice tools, brushes, pet hair tools, or even mini mop heads are among the extra attachments you might find.

Charging stand — These can be wall mounted or free standing, allowing you to dock and safely store the vacuum while it charges.

You should also keep price and storage in mind, but these features are a good place to start when searching for cordless vacuum cleaners.

What is the best cordless vacuum?

We get it, that’s a lot of information to keep in mind when researching and choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner. To make it easier, we’ve done the hard work of searching the internet and sucking up all the relevant information on your behalf. All you need to do is read on and choose one that suits you and your home.

These are the best cordless vacuum cleaners in 2025.

Walmart will have Nintendo Switch 2 consoles in stock on Wednesday night, but you'll need to clear one hurdle first before attempting to get one.

Before we get into that, though, some necessary context: The Switch 2 has been a runaway success, breaking Nintendo's own hardware sales record in the first four days it was on store shelves. Alas, because this is just how these things go, it hasn't been easy for everyone who wants a Switch 2 to get a Switch 2. That's why these retailer restocks are important.

Walmart announced the restock on the Switch 2 product listing page:

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Walmart

As I mentioned earlier, there's a step you can and should take to increase your chances of getting a Switch 2 from Walmart on Wednesday night. Starting at 9 p.m. ET, Walmart+ members get an hour's head start to purchase Switch 2 units. Walmart is selling both the Switch 2 console itself and the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle, which gives you discounted access to Mario Kart World. It's possible you'll be able to get one without signing up for Walmart+, but we fully expect Walmart to sell out in the early-access hour.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Walmart
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 at Walmart
Shop Now How much is Walmart+?

Walmart+ is either $12.95/mo or $98/year, but there is a free 30-day trial you can sign up for. Theoretically, you can start the free trial, buy a Switch 2 using the one-hour head start, and then just cancel the free trial once your Switch 2 arrives, before you're charged for another month.

SEE ALSO: I spent $10 on 'Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour' and got way more than I was expecting

That said...Walmart's anti-Prime Day sale is coming up, starting on July 8. If you want, you can hang onto your membership until then and sweep up some sweet deals, and then cancel it. The world is your oyster.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ Free Trial Shop Now

Good luck getting a Switch 2, friends.

T-Mobile and Starlink finally set a date. T-Mobile's long-awaited partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink service is currently in beta testing, but it will officially launch on July 23 — and at a surprisingly low cost.

At a press conference this week, T-Mobile announced that T-Satellite, the satellite-to-mobile service, will soon be commercially available nationwide. And to entice customers, T-Mobile will offer satellite texting to T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T customers with compatible Android and iOS devices for just $10 a month. Michael Kan, a senior reporter at our sister site, PCMag, got a chance to test the service in the middle of nowhere.

Historically, the telecom company has lagged behind rivals like Verizon and AT&T in terms of mobile coverage. But it believes it's found a competitive edge in the Starlink partnership, which provides connectivity via satellite instead of cell towers. T-Mobile says this will extend coverage into "more than 500,000 square miles of U.S. territory," including dead zones that cell towers can't reach.

"With T-Satellite, T-Mobile is the first and only wireless provider in the U.S. with a satellite-to-mobile network that automatically connects to most smartphones made in the last four years, with no special equipment or setup required," a press release stated.

Satellite-enabled messaging begins July 23

Starting on July 23, both iOS and Android users with T-Satellite will be able to send SMS text messages by satellite. Android users will also get MMS, picturing messaging, and short audio clips, with iOS support "to follow."

Then, beginning on Oct. 1, T-Satellite will introduce data-based service, letting users access select apps by satellite. T-Mobile said it anticipates "satellite enabled apps from AccuWeather, AllTrails, Apple, Google, WhatsApp and X," with more to come in the future.

The service will also include 911 emergency texting via satellite, and later this year, 911 texting will be available to everyone with a compatible phone, including non-subscribers and customers using a different carrier.

The free beta program with text support (no calls) launched in January, and T-Mobile eventually expanded access to the service to include Verizon and AT&T customers as well. T-Mobile says it now has 1.8 million users enrolled in the program.

How much will T-Satellite cost?

If you're on a select T-Mobile plan, you'll be able to access T-Satellite at no additional cost. The T-Mobile Starlink service is included in the T-Mobile Experience Beyond subscription, which costs about $100 a month for one phone line. (Depending on how you look at it, that makes T-Satellite free — free at a cost of $100 a month.)

However, T-Mobile users on other plans (and Verizon and AT&T customers) can subscribe to the service for just $10 a month. Initially, when the beta program was announced, T-Mobile charged customers $15 a month as an add-on, and Verizon and AT&T customers $20 a month.

Happy texting, wherever you are.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launch day has come and gone, and those lucky enough to get a console are already happily playing Mario Kart World and other launch titles.

Starting on June 5, gamers could finally purchase the Switch 2 console for $449.99 and the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle for $499.99 — if you could find it in stock, that is. Well, after weeks with precious few supply drops, we finally have an official Switch 2 restock alert to share.

Starting Wednesday, June 25 at 9 p.m. ET, Walmart will have both the Switch 2 and Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle in stock. There is a small catch, however. Walmart+ shoppers will have an hour head start, and we will be shocked if the consoles don't sell out before the hour is up. So, this would be a good time to sign up for a free Walmart+ trial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Switch 2 console Check prices at Walmart Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499 at Walmart
Shop Now

Where else can you buy the Switch 2 online? As of this writing, it's out of stock at all of the official retailers, but you can always check the product listing pages and smash that refresh button like you're playing Super Smash Bros. for the first time.

Every way to buy the Switch 2 online Credit: Nintendo

Check for Switch 2 restocks at the My Nintendo Store and via Nintendo online retailers:

• Buy the Switch 2 at Nintendo

• Buy the Switch 2 at Walmart — Restock scheduled for June 25

• Buy the Switch 2 at GameStop — Check stock in stores

• Buy the Switch 2 at Best Buy — Check stock in stores

• But the Switch 2 at Costco — Unavailable

• Buy the Switch 2 at Target — Unavailable

• Staples — Check stock in stores

To avoid hoarding and reselling, Nintendo and retailers are limiting orders per person. That means you'll need to make an account to successfully place an order. We also recommend reviewing our tips for tracking restocks, and in the meantime, try all the links below.

Place an order with Nintendo

You can't simply go to the My Nintendo Store and buy the Switch 2. To order the Switch 2, you need to log in with an active, paid Nintendo Switch Online account. Once you do that, you can choose either a Switch 2 standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle and then hit the confirm button to "register your interest" in ordering a Switch 2.

Now for the weird stuff. Only Switch Online members who have paid for at least 12 months of service and registered at least 50 hours of gameplay on their Switch consoles can purchase through Nintendo. In other words, you better be a true Switch gamer if you want to buy the Switch 2 this way. If you're eligible and follow these steps, watch your email for an invitation link.

Buy the Switch 2 at Nintendo: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Learn More Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499 Learn More How to order Switch 2 at Walmart

Unlike Nintendo, purchasing the Switch 2 online at Walmart is pretty simple. Technically, Walmart shoppers have been able to preorder Switch 2 consoles on Walmart's website since midnight ET on April 24. In reality, the console has been sold out consistently, with only intermittent supply available from third-party sellers. Our advice? Go to the Walmart Switch 2 listing a few times a day and smash that refresh button, but be wary of price gougers.

We'll update this article as soon as we find Switch 2 consoles in stock at Walmart (or anywhere). Walmart also sells a lot of Switch 2 launch titles and accessories.

Buy the Switch 2 at Walmart: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 at Target

Target stores opened as usual on launch day, and according to a press release, Switch 2 hopefuls were directed to a "designated queuing location" near the entrance. Target workers reportedly gave out reservation tickets to a lucky few. Buyers were whisked off to the electronics department, where they could finally purchase either the Switch 2 or a Switch 2 bundle.

Buy the Switch 2 at Target: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 at GameStop

GameStop is the one retailer of the four listed here that's doing things a little bit differently. If you were lucky enough to get a GameStop preorder, you could pick up your console at midnight on June 5. GameStop stores also hosted midnight launch events (though supplies were limited), and gamers can go to GameStop locations to participate in a "Transfer and Trade," where they trade in their original Switch and transfer data to the new console.

You can also try your luck online or sign up to get updates when new inventory becomes available. You can also buy Switch 2 games and accessories at GameStop, including those all-important MicroSD Express cards.

Buy the Switch 2 at GameStop: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 consoles at Best Buy

Best Buy joined GameStop in hosting Switch 2 midnight launch parties, but the tents and lawn chairs have been packed away by now. If you weren't one of the chosen ones who got a console at these events, you'll have to rely on the Best Buy website. So far, we haven't seen any inventory available, unfortunately.

As a “high-demand item,” Best Buy customers have to follow specific steps to buy a Switch 2 online:

• Create a My Best Buy account and sign in

• Confirm your location

• Add the item to your cart

• Follow the on-screen prompts and check for available inventory

• If you get a Switch 2 console in your cart, you’ll have 10 minutes to complete the purchase

Buy the Switch 2 at Best Buy: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now Can you buy the Switch 2 at Amazon?

You'll notice there's one major retailer conspicuously missing so far — Amazon. That's because Amazon is not an official Nintendo retailer, so any Switch 2 consoles you find there are likely listed by resellers of dubious legitimacy. However, Amazon shoppers can preorder some Switch 2 titles ahead of the launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion Limited Edition $99.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma Standard Edition $69.99 at Amazon
Shop Now How to buy the Switch 2 at Staples

As we noted in our Switch 2 preorder guide, select Staples stores will sell the Switch 2 on a first-come, first-served basis starting June 5. Most Staples locations open at 8 a.m., but we recommend showing up bright and early. Staples will also be selling an unnamed Switch 2 game bundle, and we know it's not the standard Mario Kart World bundle. As with other retailers, Switch 2 consoles are currently listed as "Out of stock" at the Staples online store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 at Staples
Learn More How to buy the Switch 2 at Costco

Are you a Costco member? Then you may be able to secure your Switch 2 at the mega-retailer, which has been one of the few retailers with actual inventory available on June 5. Costco members can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle online starting June 5, though there's a limit of one console per membership (every seven days). As of this writing, the console and Mario Kart bundle are both sold out.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costco Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 at Costco
Learn More Popular Switch 2 accessories

If you want to console yourself by stocking up on Switch 2 accessories, chargers, and cameras, these products are much easier to "Add to cart."

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Hori Piranha Plant Camera $59 at Walmart
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller $84.99 at Target
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 (256GB) $59.99 at Target
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip $39.99 at Nintendo
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo GameCube Controller $64.99 at Nintendo
Shop Now Why is the Switch 2 so hard to find in stock?

Simply put, it's a matter of demand far outpacing supply, though tariffs definitely didn't help.

Since opening for preorder on April 24, the Switch 2 has been sold out pretty much everywhere, like the PS5 before it. In fact, so many gamers tried to place preorders on April 24 that they immediately crashed the GameStop, Target, and Walmart websites. That's left many Switch fans wondering how to buy the Switch 2 online. So, if you aren't buying a Switch 2 in person, keep checking this page for the latest stock updates on Switch 2 launch day and beyond.

Still want more information? Read our full Switch 2 review Mashable reporter Alex Perry plays the Switch 2 at a Nintendo event. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Mashable reporter Alex Perry was lucky enough to play the Switch 2 ahead of its launch. "I think it’s awesome," Perry wrote in his Switch 2 early review. "Most of the games I’ve played have been impressive in one way or another, and the hardware is a clear improvement over the first Switch. It’s not perfect, but nothing is."

After spending more time with the console, Perry also wrote an in-depth review of the Switch 2 for Mashable.

Put simply, the Switch 2 is full of so many thoughtful little considerations that I’ve frequently found myself amazed at how often it just works...The Nintendo Switch 2 is great. This is a fabulous console/handheld hybrid with hugely improved system software, much beefier horsepower for playing games, and a more premium form factor that doesn’t succumb to the same bulk as its handheld PC counterparts.

Perry also praised the social features as truly game-changing for Nintendo.

While you wait for your console to arrive, read all about the Switch 2 launch titles we're most excited to play. And if you still haven't secured an order, keep checking this page for updates — and good luck!

UPDATE: Jun. 25, 2025, 3:15 p.m. EDT We've updated this page with information about an imminent Switch 2 restock for Walmart+ members.

AI-generated resumes are flooding the job market, forcing employers to use their own AI screening tools in return.

According to a report from the New York Times, LinkedIn saw a 45 percent increase in applications submitted through the platform in the past year — an average of 11,000 applications per minute. Generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, in addition to LinkedIn's own AI tools for tailoring job applications, is a major contributing factor to the surge of applications overwhelming recruiters. On top of that, dozens of AI resume apps promise to build resumes or even automate the job application process entirely.

SEE ALSO: Learn to code, they said: AI is already erasing some entry-level coding jobs

A quick search returns endless results on tips for using AI to edit or entirely write resumes. Such tactics include asking ChatGPT to tailor a resume to a specific job description or to generate text that highlights your skills in a way that stands out to recruiters.

Reddit

Ironically, using ChatGPT to make your application "stand out" is actually making resumes look "suspiciously similar," according to recruiters who spoke to the Times. And those recruiters are having an increasingly difficult time finding candidates that are genuinely and uniquely qualified.

In response, employers are also increasingly using AI tools to screen applications, creating a kind of "arms race," as the report described. In October, LinkedIn introduced a tool aptly called Hiring Assistant to help recruiters automate some of the hiring process, such as writing job descriptions and finding candidates that best match the qualifications.

The Times report details how companies like Chipotle have significantly reduced hiring time by using chatbots to screen candidates. Of course, candidates could also be using their own AI agents to respond to recruiters. "We end up with an AI versus AI type of situation," Hung Lee, author of a recruiting newsletter, told the publication.

In a way, automating the job search with AI is an evolution of the same song and dance applicants and recruiters have always done. Candidates have always tried to get their resumes to the top of the pile by using keywords and highlighting particular skills to get past the initial screening phase. And even before the generative AI era, recruiters relied on software that could automatically screen candidates' applications.

Now, they're using AI tools to offload the tedious work.

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.

Cybersecurity researchers at Kaspersky have uncovered a new and dangerous malware strain, which they believe has been active since at least Feb. 2024.

Dubbed SparkKitty, the malware is part of the broader SparkCat family — a line of Trojan horse programs designed to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users. Kaspersky first discovered the original SparkCat malware in Jan. 2025, noting that it had already made its way onto both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

SEE ALSO: Scammers tricked TikTok users into downloading malware with AI videos

Like many trojans, these malicious apps disguise themselves as legitimate software. In the crypto world, this can be especially risky. The researchers say that one such Android app, SOEX, posed as a messaging platform with cryptocurrency trading features. They say it racked up more than 10,000 downloads on Google Play before being flagged. Kaspersky researchers found a similar app on the iOS app store, as well as modified versions of the TikTok app posing as the real thing.

SparkKitty is specifically engineered to access users’ photo libraries. The reasoning being that many crypto users screenshot their recovery phrases — which are needed to restore access to their wallets — and store them in their camera rolls. By extracting these images, attackers can potentially gain full access to victims’ crypto accounts.

Malware like SparkKitty is built to scan for images that could be valuable to attackers. However, unlike its more targeted predecessor, SparkCat, SparkKitty isn’t especially selective — it scoops up a broad range of images and sends them back to the attackers, regardless of content, according to a detailed report on Secure List by Kapersky.

While the primary concern remains the theft of crypto wallet recovery phrases, broader access to users’ photo libraries opens the door to other risks, including potential extortion using sensitive or private images. That said, there appears to be no evidence that the stolen images have been used for blackmail or similar schemes.

Kaspersky reports that the malware campaign has primarily targeted users in Southeast Asia and China. Most of the infected apps were disguised as Chinese gambling games, TikTok clones, and adult entertainment apps, all tailored to users in those regions.

TL;DR: Get hands-on hacking lessons from the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle on sale for A$53 through 20 July.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aleksa Tamburkovski The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle AU$53
AU$1,686 Save AU$1,633 Get Deal

Some tech skills you can learn on your own. Others, like ethical hacking, are a little harder to practice without a controlled environment. That's why it's nice when you find something like the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle. This set of 18 courses takes you from beginner to expert in everything from basic hacking to penetration testing, Burp Suite, and BitNinja, and it's on sale for A$53 (for now).

Ethical hacking classes

A big part of what makes this bundle valuable is the range of practical hacking lessons. You won’t just read about ethical hacking concepts. You’ll get to actually practice them. The courses guide you through setting up your own hacking environment with tools like Virtual Box and Kali Linux, learning to identify vulnerabilities, and even building your own tools for penetration testing. This practical, project-based approach helps make sure you’re not just memorizing theories, but actively learning by doing.

You’ll also get a solid understanding of how to approach real-life scenarios, whether it’s using Python to build penetration testing tools, working with Burp Suite for advanced web testing, or diving into Metasploit to exploit vulnerabilities and practice post-exploitation techniques.

The bug bounty training also gives you the chance to learn how ethical hackers make money by legally identifying and reporting flaws to major companies like Facebook and Google. If you're looking for a solid side hustle, that's the way to go.

Through 20 July at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle on sale for A$53.

StackSocial prices subject to change.