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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

Confidence.

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

TRUST

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Profession.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CRAFT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Frightening.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SCARY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To illegally hunt.

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

POACH

Final Hurdle hint

To speak.

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

UTTER

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

The best back-to-school laptop deals at a glance: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Asus Zenbook 14 (Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $899.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best Chromebook deal Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $379 (save $220) Get Deal

It's been [redacted] years since I've personally geared up for a new semester, but I still get excited for the back-to-school shopping season. That's because part of my job here at Mashable entails hunting down great laptop deals — and after Black Friday, this is the time when I see the best discounts. Many of our favorite laptops for college students are on sale right now, including popular MacBooks.

Even the Apple Store joins the fray. As part of its back-to-school sale, one of its rare direct savings events, every MacBook purchased there through Sept. 30 comes with a $100 discount and a free Apple accessory worth up to $199.

To help you start the semester with the right device, I've compiled a list of the best back-to-school laptop deals on MacBooks, Windows laptops, and Chromebooks, which I'll update throughout the season; the discounts should be plentiful up until Labor Day. Of note: The latest 13-inch MacBook Air is still less than $800 at Amazon; a well-specced Asus laptop has dipped under $1,000; and a lesser configuration of our favorite Chromebook is only $379.

A+ work, everyone.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon and Best Buy
$999 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's new M4 MacBook Air is a Mashable Choice Award winner and one of the easiest laptops to recommend for students. It's gorgeous, powerful, portable, quiet, and priced super competitively. Better yet, it's also been incredibly easy to find on sale. For back-to-school and college shoppers, Amazon and Best Buy have it marked down to $799, beating its Prime Day discount by $50. (The 15-inch version is also $200 off.)

For comparison's sake, the Apple Store is only offering a $100 student discount on both sizes of the M4 MacBook Air. However, it throws in your pick of a free accessory worth up to $199: AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, a Magic Mouse, a Magic Trackpad, or a Magic Keyboard with a numeric keypad. Some shoppers will prefer the $200 straight-up discount from Amazon and Best Buy, but if you go the Apple Store freebie route, you can technically save even more.

More MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $599 $649 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299 $1,599 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,499 $1,899 (save $400)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)

Best Windows laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook 14 (Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $899.99 at Best Buy
$1,299.99 Save $400 Get Deal Why we like it

This 14-inch Asus laptop has incredible specs for the price: You get a nice OLED touchscreen display, a high-end Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 2 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for only $900. That's more than enough power, memory, and storage to get you through four years of college. Plus, at just 0.59 inches thin and 2.82 pounds, it's easy to take on the go.

More Windows laptop deals

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,449.99 (save $350)

• LG gram 17 (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,199.99 $1,699.99 (save $500)

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro, 14-inch (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 512B SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,349.99 (save $300)

2-in-1 laptop deals

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599.99 $949.99 (save $350)

• HP OmniBook X Flip 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $699.99 $1,049.99 (save $350)

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,349.99 (save $250)

• HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,599.99 (save $500)

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,699.99 (save $350)

Gaming laptop deals

• Lenovo Legion 5i (Intel Core i7 14-700HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,559.99 (save $210)

• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (AMD Ryzen 9 270, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,799.99 (save $450)

• Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,799.99 $2,149.99 (save $350)

Best Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $379 at Best Buy
$599 Save $220 Get Deal Why we like it

An upgraded version of this 14-inch Lenovo hybrid is our current favorite Chromebook, combining solid performance with a long battery life. It's a Costco exclusive that's not on sale right now, but Best Buy's lesser variant (which is normally priced the same) is a whopping 37% off. It comes with a downgraded Intel Core i3 CPU and half the storage capacity, but the same great 2-in-1 design featuring a 2K touchscreen.

More Chromebook deals

• Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 (Intel Core 3 N355, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $279 $429 (save $150)

• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $549.99 $749.99 (save $200)

• Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $599 $799 (save $200)

UPDATE: Aug. 13, 2025, 12:40 p.m. EDT This story has been refreshed with the latest back-to-school laptop deals.

With the iPhone 17 set to be released in early September, we're getting a steady stream of Apple rumors, news, and potential leaks — many of which aren't worth writing about. But when Bloomberg's Mark Gurman drops a new update, we pay close attention.

Case in point: The trusted Apple oracle reports today that Apple is planning a major push into the smart home market, with AI-powered smart speakers, security cameras, and, intriguingly, an Apple robot.

Before you let your imagination go too far, we should note that Gurman describes it as a "tabletop robot." Specifically, a tabletop robot that "resembles an iPad mounted on a movable limb."

The new products would come with a more conversational, AI version of Siri, which would be able to talk to users and accomplish tasks. According to multiple reports from outlets like the New York Times and Bloomberg, building an AI version of Siri has proven extremely difficult for Apple, which has so far lagged far, far behind in the artificial intelligence race.

As Google, Meta, and OpenAI develop new models and AI-based products, Apple's generative AI offerings are limited to modest Apple Intelligence features on some of its devices. For iOS 26, rather than introducing its own AI model, Apple will be working with OpenAI's new GPT-5 model.

However, as Bloomberg reports, Apple is now "plotting its artificial intelligence comeback," with the tabletop robot slash virtual companion at the center. The new AI-powered smart home devices from Apple could potentially arrive in 2027, Gurman says, citing Apple insiders.

In the smart home space, Apple has had some success with Apple TV streaming devices and its HomePod smart speakers. Still, rival tech companies like Amazon and Google have a much larger presence in this category.

However, Apple could be a formidable competitor in this space thanks to its brand loyalty, widely adopted operating systems, and signature product design. Of course, AI devices also have a rocky history with consumers, and a tabletop robot could be too little, too late in the AI arms race.

Back in February, Google added memories to Gemini that allowed it to remember past conversations. Now, Google has announced a more personalized chat function, which it calls Personal Context. With this function, Gemini will now learn your preferences over time and craft responses based on those preferences. 

"The Gemini app can now reference your past chats to learn your preferences, delivering more personalized responses the more you use it," said Gemini app senior director Michael Siliski in a blog post. 

SEE ALSO: Deep Think is available in the Google Gemini App. How to try it.

In terms of functionality, Gemini will remember if you tell it that you like. Later, when you ask it to come up with ideas for you, it’ll take those preferences into consideration. For example, Google says, if you tell Gemini about your favorite comic book, and then later ask it to help you plan a themed birthday party specific to you, it may recommend that comic book as a theme. It’ll then help come up with themed food and party game ideas. 

It seems to be an iterative improvement on the current memory functions. In the prior iteration, you had to ask Gemini to specifically reference older chats in order for it to access that information (and sometimes, it would be unable to do so). Now, Gemini continuously learns and responds without you having to ask for it directly. The longer you talk to it, the more it’ll learn about you and the better tailored its responses will be. 

The new feature keeps Gemini ahead of Anthropic, which released its own chat memory function a couple of days ago for its Claude chatbot. Claude’s new memory works the way Gemini’s used to, where you have to specifically ask Claude to reference old chats and apply that knowledge to new conversations. 

Google is rolling out Personal Context starting today and expects the full rollout to take a couple of weeks. It’ll only be available in Gemini 2.5 Pro in select countries, with plans to expand it to Gemini 2.5 Flash and other countries in the coming weeks. 

After a rocky hiatus, one of the most beloved sports sim franchises is making its long-awaited comeback: Sports Interactive has officially confirmed Football Manager 26.

SEE ALSO: 'Football Manager 25' canceled not long before it was supposed to come out

The announcement trailer, released Wednesday, keeps specifics close to the chest but does offer a glimpse of in-game match day visuals. This marks the series’ return after Football Manager 25 was abruptly canceled in February following repeated delays that pushed it beyond its traditional November launch window. It was the first time in more than three decades that a Football Manager or Championship Manager entry failed to make its scheduled yearly release.

Sports Interactive cited several factors behind FM25’s cancellation, chief among them the transition to Unreal Engine and the inclusion of women’s football for the first time in franchise history. Pre-cancellation, the studio shared a rough development roadmap for FM25 in blog posts, but early fan reactions to the new look were lukewarm at best.

There’s still no word on a release date for FM26 or whether the UI will stick to its pre-hiatus design. However, the trailer promises a more detailed first look at the new match day experience in the near future.

At the mid-point of Alien: Earth's first episode, the show's protagonist — an android uploaded with the consciousness of a dying child — shakily asks, "If I'm not human, what am I?" By the episode’s end, the "hybrid" known as Wendy (Sydney Chandler) confidently proclaims, "I am human."

Noah Hawley’s new FX series owes much of its style to the original 1979 Alien film, but thanks to its fascinating hybrid storyline, much of its narrative drive is more similar to Alien’s divisive prequels, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, and the crowd-pleasing midquel, Alien: Romulus. With Wendy and her hybrid cohorts, Hawley gets to explore the malleable definition of "human" outside the constraints of a two-hour-long film.

Featured Video For You How 'Alien: Earth' pulls you into the world of 'Alien' in its opening scene

On the show, Wendy is the new version of Marcy, an 11-year-old (played by Florence Bensberg) succumbing to a terminal illness. Prodigy Corp. CEO and trillionaire Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin) convinces Marcy she can live forever by uploading her brain activity into the "body" of a powerful android. After the successful transition of Marcy into Wendy (and Marcy’s off-screen death), Prodigy secretly uploads several more terminal children into androids, who are all physically designed as young adults, but think, reason, and emote as the children they once were. 

Wendy tells her new sibling hybrids that Prodigy needed young brains to create their new forms, as adult noggins wouldn’t fit inside the androids. It’s sci-fi science and narrative necessity that likely dictates this delineation between adults and children, but the attempt to turn neural activity into code isn’t far-fetched. Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk (who bears certain similarities to Kavalier), has been developing implantable brain-computer interfaces for nearly a decade, with the stated goal of helping people with disabilities regain mobility and independence via technology. Last year, Musk announced Neuralink implanted its first brain chip in a human.

SEE ALSO: Where does 'Alien: Earth' sit on the Alien franchise timeline?

"[The chip] enables control of your phone or computer, and through them almost any device, just by thinking," Musk tweeted at the time. "Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs. Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer."

Neuralink's chip implantation on a quadriplegic patient yielded some successful results, but didn't go exactly as planned.

Playing God?

David Ryan Polgar is the founder and president of the nonprofit All Tech Is Human, which works with Silicon Valley companies and organizations on thorny ethical issues. Polgar draws a clear line between what Neuralink is ostensibly pursuing and what Prodigy accomplishes. 

"While there are well-known companies like Neuralink that work on brain-computer interfaces, the process of uploading human consciousness to a synthetic body is still highly speculative,” Polgar tells Mashable. “The vast technical hurdles and ethical dilemmas of uploading human consciousness haven't fully dampened the predictions of futurists, which is why the concept plays out in Alien: Earth as hybrids."

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth': What are the 5 alien species onboard the ship?

Prof. Carlos Gershenson-Garcia, an empire innovation professor at the State University of New York at Binghamton, says tech companies are many years from implanting our souls into robots or computer chips. (Alien: Earth is set nearly 100 years in the future, so they have time to catch up to the show.)

"The main problem is that we still don’t understand what consciousness is, nor how it functions in us and other species," Gershenson-Garcia says. "We assume that our brains have to do something with it, but we don’t know which mechanisms are responsible for it. Is it at the neuronal level? Molecular level? Quantum level? We have no idea. So how could we aim to replicate it in robots?"

If companies like Neuralink do have ambitions to transfer human consciousness, would they collaborate with ethicists and thinkers like Polgar or Gershenson-Garcia, or do it furtively like the fictional Prodigy Corp.? Gershenson-Garcia hopes the former would be true, saying that, irregardless of whatever form they took, "building conscious machines creates moral responsibilities that we might not be ready for."

For Polgar, he is full of questions that sound very similar to ones being raised on Alien: Earth.

"The larger questions that the prospect of uploading human consciousness presents are whether the result is a continuation of the individual's life or a new, altered being, and whether striving to live forever is a worthy pursuit," he says. "Living forever is the ultimate Faustian Bargain, a desire that should never really be pursued or accepted. Paradoxically, the very beauty of life is tied to its fragility. So while uploading consciousness to live forever is the dream of many, it would lead to a dystopian future for all of us."

If you ever wished you could view all of Grindr's original content (like Katya's comedy series Who's the Asshole? and other shows like Daddy Lessons and Host or Travel) without having to venture to the actual website, Grindr's newest feature is for you.

On August 7, Grindr launched "Grindr Presents," an in-app content hub where all of Grindr's original and uncensored content will live. Users can now see so much more than what's on the app's YouTube or Instagram, as the directors intended. Raw and unfiltered. On its blog, Grindr describes the uncensored content as "longer, sharper, and exactly how they were meant to be seen...and heard." There's even a music section where you can listen to Grindr's New Music Frigay Spotify playlist.

All you have to do is open the Grindr app, tap the side tray, enter Grinder Presents, and start browsing. 

According to Grindr, this new feature is part of a bigger shift "making Grindr not just where the gays are, but where the culture is," and, honestly, it's a pretty smart move. Not only will this keep people on the app longer, but it also gives Grindr more control over what its users, viewers, and readers consume by curating content directly within their platform rather than relying on external sites. A win for gay culture, and a win for Grindr.

TL;DR: Streamline your workflow with instant access to multiple AI tools in one place with 1min.AI’s Pro Plan lifetime subscription for just A$46 (reg. A$359).

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI: Lifetime Subscription AU$46
AU$359 Save AU$313 Get Deal

Tired of juggling multiple AI tools? 1min.AI brings ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, and more into one easy-to-use platform that lets you take advantage of their individual strengths without the chaos of constantly switching tabs. And right now, a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Pro Plan can be yours for only A$46 (reg. A$359).

Put AI to work for you with this handy platform

Overwhelmed by AI? If you’re new to this booming technology field, keeping up with all the various platforms and their individual perks can be tough. That’s where 1min.AI really shines, consolidating them all in one convenient spot. Create images, optimize your website, or get help with text-based tasks on one platform, as 1min.AI takes advantage of platforms like Google AI, Meta AI, Gemini, Mistral, ChatGPT, and more.

This lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan is an excellent option for helping you tackle work tasks. You’ll gain unlimited access to the prompt library, brand voice options, and storage.

This plan also includes 1,000,000 monthly credits, which is enough to generate up to 805,555 words, create 161 images, upscale 241 photos, remove backgrounds from 24 images, transcribe more than 4,000 seconds of audio, and produce up to 12 videos each month.

Need help with SEO? You can research up to 1,933 SEO keywords per month with this plan. And if you need more credits, it’s easy to earn them — just visit the app, leave a review, or refer a friend.

Let AI help you take a load off with 1min.AI’s Pro Plan lifetime subscription, now only A$46 (reg. A$359).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Days after Musk accused the Apple App Store of giving OpenAI preferential treatment over his own xAI products, Apple has issued a pointed response.

In a statement to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple insisted the App Store "is designed to be fair and free of bias," noting that it features “thousands of apps through charts, algorithmic recommendations and curated lists selected by experts using objective criteria” to ensure safe discovery for users and opportunities for developers.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk wants to sue Apple over Grok app store rankings as Sam Altman fires back

Musk’s original post on X claimed Apple’s practices made it "impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store." Apple and OpenAI have had a partnership since 2024. However, Musk's claims were quickly undercut by X's Community Notes, which flagged the fact that several other AI apps — like DeepSeek and Perplexity — have topped the App Store charts.

The exchange spiraled into a public spat between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, with Altman accusing Musk of gaming X’s own algorithm for personal gain. Even Grok, xAI’s chatbot, chimed in.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

For now, Musk hasn’t filed a formal antitrust complaint against Apple (nor has he provided evidence of his claims), though if this feud continues to escalate, that may just be a matter of time.

SAVE $40: As of Aug. 13, the Solo Stove Mesa XL tabletop fire pit is on sale for just $79.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 33% and just a few cents away from its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Solo Stove Mesa XL $79.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $40 Get Deal

Crisp fall air will be rolling in before you know it, which means it's almost cozy campfire season. If you don't have a backyard large enough for a dedicated fire pit, but still want to enjoy the comfort and ambiance of huddling around an open flame, the Solo Stove Mesa XL is the fire pit for you.

As of Aug. 13, the Solo Stove Mesa XL is on sale for only $79.99 instead of its usual $119.99, making it an affordable way to elevate your space’s aesthetic this fall. That's $40 off for 33% in savings, and only a few cents off from its best price ever.

At just 8.6 inches tall and 7 inches wide, the Mesa XL is designed to sit on top of a table and provide up to 3 feet of 360-degree warmth in a small setting. It's functionally the same as the regular-sized Solo Stove models, just a whole lot smaller. And because of its size, it can be tough to find hardwood chunks that fit perfectly inside it. Fortunately, though, the included adapter allows it to burn pellets as well. It also comes with a folding stand and a nylon carrying bag so you can take it with you on the go. It's the ultimate fall accessory.

One thing to note is that while the Solo Stove Mesa XL comes in several color varieties, only the gun metal option is available at Amazon for the $40 discount. Otherwise, you'll have to pay full price.

Sex toys aren’t exactly cheap (well, not the ones I recommend). But there’s a good reason for that — you’re literally putting these gadgets on your most sensitive bits, so there’s a price to pay for quality materials, safety standards, and all the bells and whistles they come with.

At a time when new tariffs are driving up the prices of many goods, the luxe wand vibrator brand Le Wand is making premium pleasure more accessible with its brand-new collection of affordable wands. To make the launch even sweeter, every purchase also comes with a free gift: a four-ounce bottle of Le Wand's Natural Intimate Lube and a four-ounce bottle of their Organic Toy Cleaner (a value of $21.98).

Here’s some more info on Le Wand’s Glow collection:

The Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G, Le Wand Thrust, Le Wand Hither, and Le Wand Lick. Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
Get Deal

The Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G (a mouthful, isn’t it?) is a double-ended wand vibrator that’s made for both clitoral and G-spot stimulation. (Dual-ended wands seem to be the sex toy du jour; both Harry Styles and LELO just released their own versions.) It has a smooth, flat head on one end, a curved ergonomic handle, and a vibrating textured tip on the other. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, rechargeable, and features a super simple three-button control.

If you like rumbly vibrations (there are five vibration speeds, five vibration patterns) and want a toy that’s essentially two-in-one, the Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G might be a good addition to your collection.

Le Wand Thrust, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Thrust + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
Get Deal

If you prefer deep penetration, the Le Wand Thrust is a thrusting rabbit vibrator that’s designed for hands-free penetration and clitoral stimulation simultaneously. The shaft is curved for pinpoint G-spot stimulation, while the extendable arm vibrates and targets the clitoris. (Get ready to experience blended orgasms.)

With five vibration speeds, five vibration patterns, and five thrusting patterns, you can customize your orgasm. The motors are independent, so you can choose to turn one off while you use the other or keep them both on for a more intense climax. And, like the other vibes in this collection, it has a simple, intuitive control panel and is splashproof for some fun in the shower.

Le Wand Hither, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Hither + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
Get Deal

As the name suggests, the Le Wand Hither is a rabbit vibrator that features a “come hither” motion that gives a fingering sensation right where you want it (the G-spot, A-spot, or P-spot for male users). It looks similar to the Thrust, but it’s purple and doesn’t have a thrusting function.

The external arm is designed for clitoral stimulation, and you get to play with a ton of different settings, including five vibration speeds, five vibration patterns, and five stroking intensities. Just like with the Thrust, its independent motors let you customize your pleasure experience. It's also IPX7 waterproof.

Le Wand Lick, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Lick + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
Get Deal

The Le Wand Lick is a more advanced toy that’s designed to mimic oral sex. It looks a little intimidating (I have a vibe very similar to this one, and it took me a while to get used to it), and the suction setting may be a bit intense for some people, but if you’re a fan of direct clitoral stimulation, this toy is worth considering. (You can also use it on your nipples!) There’s a curved shaft for G-spot stimulation on the opposite end, but you’ll probably be so consumed by the tongue-flicking sensation that you won’t even notice it.

If you’re worried about the intensity, the suction cup is conveniently removable, so it’s easy to clean or use without the intense suction. The flexible “tongue” delivers rolling, flicking, and pulsing sensations, while a separate motor provides five distinct vibration intensities. The four-button control design is intuitive, the toy is IPX6 waterproof, and I have to give kudos for their clever copywriting: “A Mouth that only says what the user wants to hear…”

If none of these new toys are the right fit, it's still worth checking out Le Wand's site. They're also offering 30% off select wands and a "buy three, get one free" deal.

SAVE $20.99: As of Aug. 13, get the Beats Solo Buds earbuds for $59 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 26%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Beats Solo Buds $59 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal

Looking for a new way to enjoy your favorite music and podcasts? Or maybe you just want a better, more reliable method of making and receiving voice calls when on the go? A new pair of earbuds is just what the doctor ordered, and you can get one for an excellent deal, thanks to this Amazon discount that knocks the Beats Solo Buds back near their Prime Day sale price.

As of Aug. 13, get the Beats Solo Buds for $59 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's $20.99 off and a discount of 26%.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

These Beats earbuds serve up excellent sound quality, with crisp treble and crunchy bass. They boast up to 18 hours per charge, but if you run out of battery, you can pop them on the charger for just five minutes thanks to Fast Fuel charge to get one more hour of playtime to keep the party going. These buds don't come with a charging case (or noise cancellation), which is something to keep in mind, but they balance that out with their fantastic sound and connectivity.

They're the same kind of quality and build reliability that you can expect from the rest of the Beats lineup, however, and they come in multiple fun colors to liven things up. They're every bit worth their entry price, especially at this discount. If you've been wanting to join Team Beats without breaking the bank, this is the best opportunity to do it.

SAVE $270: The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler (40-liter) is on sale at Amazon for $629.99, down from the normal price of $899.99. That's a 30% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix EverFrost 2 (40-liter) $629.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $270 Get Deal

The secret is out: Anker knows its way around keeping things charged up. The brand makes some of Mashable's favorite charging accessories, all while consistently offering some of the best prices around. The brand is now using its charging expertise to help us out while we're camping, on an extended road trip, or during a power outage. But it might not be in the way you totally expect. Check out this unique Anker offering that's on sale today.

As of Aug. 13, the Anker Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler (40-liter) is on sale at Amazon for $629.99, down from the standard price of $899.99. That works out to a 30% discount and a major savings of $270. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station offers you plenty of power while you're out camping or during a power outage, but what about keeping food chilled? For that, turn to the Anker Solix EverFrost 2, an electric cooler that can keep food chilled without the soggy mess of using ice. With its one included battery, Anker says this'll keep food chilled for 52 hours. Buy an additional battery for the cooler, and you're looking at 4.3 days of cooling power. Image how that can change your next camping trip.

The 40-liter capacity has room for 63 cans, and in fast cool mode, it can go from 77 degrees down to 32 in just 15 minutes. After that, switch to Smart Mode or Eco Mode for more energy-efficient options. You can do so by using the Anker app on your smartphone, and that means you don't need to be physically near the cooler to make adjustments.

SEE ALSO: The Bluetti Apex 300 is it an all-time low at Amazon — power your whole home for less

The retractable handle and durable wheels make this electric cooler easier to roll around the campsite. Plus, the handle can serve as a small side table for drinks or food prep. Keep the Solix EverFrost charged up while at home too, and you can transfer the milk and other perishables from the fridge to the eclectic cooler in case of a power outage.

When it comes time to recharge the Anker Solix EverFrost, you can do so with solar panels, standard wall power, a car outlet, and even USB-C.

Instead of chowing down on instant ramen and oatmeal at the campsite during your next adventure, pack along the Anker Solix EverFrost 2 and keep fresh foods chilled for days with zero ice mess. The 40-liter model is on sale at Amazon for a record-low price of $629.99.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 13, the Sonos Move 2 Bluetooth speaker is down to $349 at Amazon. That's a 22% price drop from its list price of $449.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Move 2 $349 at Amazon
$449 Save $100 Get Deal

President Donald Trump's tariff policies are causing price hikes in the tech world, and the latest victim is one of our favorite audio brands, Sonos. If you have a Sonos speaker on your wishlist, now's the time to get it — especially since a few of them are actually on sale, including our favorite home Bluetooth speaker, the Move 2.

As of Aug. 13, the Sonos Move 2 is down to just $349 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Sonos.com (have your pick!). While not quite its lowest price on record, that's still a 22% discount, or $100 in savings, from its list price of $449.

SEE ALSO: Snag the Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker for $40 off at Amazon

The Move 2 is technically a portable Bluetooth speaker, but at over six pounds, you may not want to pack it on a hike or beach trip. We like it more as a home speaker that's easy to move from one room to another, or even a more stationary tailgate or camping speaker. Despite its weight, however, we're major fans. What it lacks in the portability department, it more than makes up for with its fantastic stereo sound, 24-hour battery life, and dynamic smart features. It's also an added bonus that it looks pretty dang sleek and comes in black, white, and olive colorways.

In a nutshell, Mashable's reviewer Stan Schroeder writes, "This speaker is one of the best in class, and the quality of sound it produces is reason enough to consider it."

Sonos products are only going to get pricier, so save $100 on the Sonos Move 2 while you can.

A court rejected this week Elon Musk's effort to dismiss OpenAI's claims of harassment. It represents just the latest development in a complicated battle between Musk and OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company run by Sam Altman.

The long and short of it: The fight between the tech bros will continue apace. Nothing has been decided in the case, but, as Reuters reported, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk has to face harassment claims from OpenAI, which accuses the xAI chief of engaging in a years-long campaign to harm the AI company.

Musk helped start OpenAI and previously served on its board, but later resigned and started xAI, a rival artificial intelligence company.

In her decision, the judge seemed to be annoyed with both Musk and OpenAI, accusing them of gamesmanship. “The gamesmanship of both sides is obvious, as each flip flops,” Gonzalez Rogers wrote, according to Bloomberg.

The drama has played out on social media and in courtrooms. Musk sued OpenAI for breach of contract after it transitioned to a for-profit corporate structure, and he has also repeatedly challenged OpenAI and Altman on X. Altman's OpenAI countersued and, on Tuesday, the judge ruled there were enough grounds for the harassment claims to move forward.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk wants to sue Apple over Grok app store rankings as Sam Altman fires back

This is just one of many current feuds among tech overlords. On Monday night, Musk threatened to sue Apple, alleging (sans evidence) that the tech giant suppressed the app store ranking of xAI's Grok app in order to protect — you guessed it — OpenAI. Meta and OpenAI, meanwhile, remain locked in a battle for AI supremacy, with Meta's chief Mark Zuckerberg shelling out wheelbarrows of cash to poach talent.

It seems no matter where you look these days, the tech companies are feuding. It feels safe to assume we can expect more of the same for the foreseeable future.

SAVE 25%: The Dreame AirStyle Pro is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, down from the normal price of $399.99. That's a savings of $100.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame AirStyle Pro $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100 Get Deal

If you're using an old-school hair dryer, you're missing out on some of the best beauty tech advancements in years. Hair dryer and stylers have made massive improvements recently. Unfortunately, some of the best modern hair dryers come with hefty prices, but that's not the case thanks to this deal at Amazon.

As of Aug. 13, the Dreame AirStyle Pro is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, marked down from the normal price of $399.99. That's a savings of $100, or a 25% discount.

If we're talking about fancy hair dryers, the Dyson Airwrap is bound to come up. Yes, it's a great option, but it comes with a steep price tag of $599.99 for the model that comes with attachments and accessories. However, some Airwrap dupes come in at a fraction of the price and are very much worth considering. The Dreame AirStyle Pro takes direct aim at the Airwrap, looking incredibly similar and coming with attachments that aim to be close to identical. Plus, Dreame just launched three new beauty gadgets that all appear to be dupes of the most popular hair care items.

SEE ALSO: The new Dyson Airwrap comes with updated attachments and tech

The Dreame AirStyle Pro comes with seven styling attachments that all connect magnetically to the styling base. It focuses on offering fast drying time thanks to Dreame's JetAirflow technology. Attachments include inward curl, outward curl, smoothing brush, volumizing brush, fast dryer, and plenty more. Plus the styling handle and all attachments fit into the included carrying case.

The styling handle gives you access to three temperature levels, a cool-shot finishing option, and three levels of airflow. The pop-out function on the bottom of the handle makes it easy to clean any trapped dust and the cord is designed to never tangle.

While we're in back to school season, upgrade your hair dryer to a modern model that comes with plenty of attachments. The Dreame AirStyle Pro is on sale at Amazon for $299.99 today, which saves you $100 compared to the normal price. That savings can then be used on restocking your favorite hair care products before we head into the dry winter season.

SAVE $499.96: As of Aug. 13, get the JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar for $699.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,199.95. That's a discount of 42%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon JBL Bar 9.1 $699.99 at Amazon
$1,199.95 Save $499.96 Get Deal

Want a reliable way to enhance your home audio without breaking the bank? A soundbar is the way to go, especially if it's one from a brand like JBL. This high-quality soundbar is one that can add some oomph to any setup without requiring you to pony up the amount of a full sound system. And it's available for a great price right now at Amazon.

As of Aug. 13, get the JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar for $699.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,199.95. That's $499.96 off and a discount of 42%.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 favorite expert-tested soundbars to upgrade your TV setup

This soundbar boasts 820W of system power and true surround sound, made possible by the included and detachable wireless speakers. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X out of the box, which should make it a good prospect for anyone looking to secure those features at an affordable price. Additionally, this set comes with a wireless subwoofer to level up the bass in your favorite shows and movies.

But it's more than just a way to enhance your TV's audio. It also comes with a built-in Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support, so you can send music or media to it as well via Bluetooth, and connect it with ultra HD 4K pass-through and Dolby Vision for a better, more theatrical experience overall, no matter what you're enjoying with your entertainment setup.

Fall is just around the corner, and that means new shows, sports, and get-togethers with friends and family. Be ready with great sound that fills the room, and save some cash while you're at it.

Yes, it's true: Samsung has launched the first-ever gaming monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate.

Announced at CES early this year, Samsung's groundbreaking Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor is now officially available to add to your cart starting Aug. 13. It comes in just one size, 27 inches, and retails for $999.99. If you're looking for a potential way to gain a winning edge strictly from device performance, it doesn't get any faster than 500Hz.

Samsung Odyssey G6 gaming monitor specs Credit: Samsung

The Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor is the first of its kind. Previously, OLED gaming monitor technology hadn't reached the refresh rate performance heights of IPS monitors, making IPS the panel of choice for most gamers. But the Odyssey G6 is here to change that. With a borderline outrageous 500Hz refresh rate, it's built for those "who demand peak performance across long gaming sessions." Although, as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) pointed out, most people probably won't notice a huge difference beyond the 240Hz mark (at least on a laptop).

Besides the inconceivably speedy refresh rate, it features a QHD resolution (2,560 x 1440) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultra-fast 0.03ms response time, a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, two HDMI 2.1 ports and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port, and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync. Its QD-OLED panel is also Pantone Validated and utilizes Samsung’s Glare Free technology to minimize reflections.

Where to buy the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor SAMSUNG Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor $999.99 Shop Now BEST BUY Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor $999.99 Shop Now Amazon Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor $999.99 Shop Now

Aside from the Odyssey OLED G6, Samsung also launched the 37-inch Odyssey G7 and 40-inch Odyssey G7 monitors. The 37-inch monitor features a 4K curved 16:9 VA panel with a typical brightness of 350 nits and a 165Hz refresh rate, while the 40-inch model features an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio with the same brightness, a 180Hz refresh rate, split screen capabilities for side-by-side gameplay, and content management capabilities. These models are available today at Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy for $899.99 and $1,199.99, respectively.

After a rocky GPT-5 launch, GPT-4o is officially back for paying ChatGPT subscribers. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also promised users to give them a warning before taking away GPT-4o again.

On Tuesday, Altman posted the change on X, announcing that legacy models, GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, o3, and o4-mini would be available in the dropdown menu for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. As of this writing, the 4o model is available in the dropdown menu under "Legacy Models."

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In addition, paying users can toggle on "Show additional models" in Settings to choose from GPT-5 Thinking mini, GPT-4.1, o3, and o4-mini. ChatGPT Pro users also get access to GPT-4.5, but only this subscription tier gets access, because "it cost a lot of GPUs," said Altman in the post.

Paying ChatGPT users now get access to legacy models, after GPT-5 backlash. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / OpenAI

OpenAI brought back these models after the GPT-5 launch abruptly replaced legacy models, fueling backlash from disgruntled users. GPT-5 was designed to be a unified model that could automatically recognize when to apply more computing or "thinking" power based on the complexity of the prompt. Previously, ChatGPT users could choose which model to use, depending on the complexity of the task. For instance, reasoning models like o3 and o4-mini are better for more complex or open-ended prompts, whereas traditional models like GPT-4o are better for faster, more straightforward conversations.

When GPT-5 started rolling out, many users were outraged to discover their preferred model had disappeared. This transition may have gone smoother if users liked GPT-5 better, but many felt like GPT-4o had a warmth and personality that GPT-5 lacked.

Users on Reddit called GPT-5 a "disaster," "horrible," and "absolute garbage." The tumultuous rollout was compounded by the fact that ChatGPT's "autoswitcher" — which automatically recognizes when to use a reasoning model or not — went down, according to Altman. This was apparently part of the reason why GPT-5 wasn't quite the seamless, more intelligent chatbot that was promised. OpenAI swiftly responded last week, with Altman sharing on Reddit and X that they would bring back GPT-4o for paying users.

In addition to bringing back legacy models, users can now choose "Auto" for GPT-5, which automatically detects when to use reasoning or "thinking," or they can manually select this by choosing "Fast" or "Thinking."

In yesterday's post, Altman addressed the sense of betrayal many users felt when they lost GPT-4o access without warning.

"If we ever do deprecate it, we will give plenty of notice," he said. Altman also added that the OpenAI team is "working on an update to GPT-5’s personality which should feel warmer than the current personality but not as annoying (to most users) as GPT-4o," referring to the wide range of preferences users have for chatbot personalities. "One learning for us from the past few days is we really just need to get to a world with more per-user customization of model personality," he added.

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.

FX's Alien: Earth does more than pay homage to Ridley Scott's 1979 original — creator, writer, and director Noah Hawley got hold of the actual set blueprints.

Mashable sat down with Hawley, executive producer David W. Zucker, and the cast of Alien: Earth to unpack the first TV series in the Alien franchise.

Set in 2120, Alien: Earth takes place just two years before Alien, in 2122. The series' opening scene might be set on the Weyland-Yutani spaceship USCSS Maginot, but it feels like we're right back on the Nostromo, the ship where Sigourney Weaver's Ripley first encountered the dreaded Xenomorph.

"We got the prints from the Nostromo, and we built the ship to match. Our cryochamber is bigger, our comms room is bigger, for story reasons," Hawley told Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan. "But the mess hall is exactly the same down to the props. The bridge is exactly the same down to the props."

SEE ALSO: How to watch the entire 'Alien' franchise — from the 1979 classic to the new 'Alien: Earth' series

Hawley said that most of the Alien: Earth cast and crew had similar reactions when walking onto set.

"To walk onto those sets for the first time is to be transported back to your childhood, and then you turn around and you watch everybody who walks onto those sets feel exactly the same way. I think that adds the authenticity of the feeling."

Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX with two episodes, then weekly on Tuesdays.