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Heavy metal lost one of its loudest voices today. Ozzy Osbourne — iconic Black Sabbath frontman, solo artist, and unlikely reality TV star — has died at the age of 76. The BBC confirmed his passing following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

With a career spanning over five decades, Osbourne wasn’t just a rock star — he was a cultural force. From pioneering the sound of British heavy metal to redefining celebrity with the MTV reality show The Osbournes, his influence reached far beyond music. His family confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement released Tuesday, saying he passed away that morning "surrounded by love."

"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning," the statement read. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."

News of his death rippled across social media, with fans, musicians, and celebrities paying tribute. On Instagram, artists like Metallica, Jack White, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tom Morello, Duran Duran, Questlove, Billy Idol, and more shared messages honoring the rock legend.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi posted a tribute on X, writing, "It's just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother."

Many more joined in on X, including, Aerosmith, Korn, Jon Bon Jovi, System of a Down, Pantera, and fans offering condolences and celebrating Osbourne’s lasting impact.

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It seems like Google Messages is getting an exciting new feature or update every few weeks, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. Text messaging is an extremely important communication tool, but if you've ever received a message you didn't want, we have good news. It looks like Google's sensitive content filters are about to get better.

Unix and Linux aren't names you might normally associate with games, but there have been plenty of games that have shaped both platforms over the years. Then and now, programmers like to kick back with games like the rest of us, and they've ended up changing computer history in the process.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) has just hit an incredible price of just $160 on Amazon. This is a massive 47% discount from its usual $300. This means you're saving a whole $140 on a new smartwatch that is only a single generation behind.

We're in the second half of the year already, which is also roughly around the time when the new features we've been seeing on Windows' Insider Program actually roll out to normal people. Microsoft is starting to roll out a bunch of features you might want to check out.

In yet another unsurprising twist, social media users have found a new way to voice their disdain for AI and the tech industry’s obsession with automation — by reviving an old insult: clanker.

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Originally used in the Star Wars prequels as a derogatory term for battle droids, clanker has found new life as a tongue-in-cheek insult aimed at real-world robots and the creeping presence of artificial intelligence. The term, popularized by clone troopers, has become shorthand for mocking tech elites' ambitions of an AI-powered future.

Thanks to the lasting influence of those films on meme culture, the term has been pulled from a galaxy far, far away and dropped squarely into real-world discourse.

Clanker's popularity is also a response to AI-in-everything enthusiasm from evangelists like Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Take Musk's relentless pitching of his humanoid robot, Optimus. Just recently, Musk and Tesla opened a retro-style diner in California — complete with popcorn served by the Optimus robot. Musk has previously claimed that this robot will one day "roam around homes, tackling chores from laundry to lawn care."

That's also not to mention the several attempts by tech startups and giants like Amazon to create humanoid robots to replace service workers.

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As clanker spreads on social media, it’s become a vehicle for a darker kind of humor. People are mock-roleplaying robot racism, spinning up exaggerated posts about anti-clanker sentiment, and how they'd act in a robot-dominated world.

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Of course, there are people who are anti using the "c-word," like one tweet that describes the potential shame they'd feel 50 years from now if they had to tell a robot that "it was a different time."

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It’s satire, mostly. But it also reflects a very real cultural mood: people are facing the constant threat of being replaced by machines, and a future that seems increasingly synthetic, and they’re responding with memes, mockery, and a borrowed bit of sci-fi slang.

There’s a homogeneity to modern phone releases. Companies compete more with specs and software than with creative physical designs. Fortunately, if you want something other than another glass slab, there’s more experimentation going on than you might think!

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Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License $23.99
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Whether you're filling out forms, signing contracts, or reviewing documents, PDFs have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect them. If you're armed with PDF Converter Pro, handling them doesn't have to be a headache.

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PDF Converter Pro takes the frustration out of working with PDFs. This all-in-one tool lets you quickly convert PDFs into formats like Microsoft Word, Excel, HTML, JPG, and more. And if you need to convert them the other way, it's just as easy to turn your files into PDFs in just a few clicks. 

The conversion process is done at an ultra-fast speed, but that doesn't mean the file quality is sacrificed. You'll see high output quality with the integrity of your files remaining intact every time. 

Aside from converting PDFs, PDF Converter Pro includes extra tools that help you work with this pesky file format. Built-in OCR technology helps you extract text from image-based PDFs. And you can also merge, split, or compress PDFs easily. 

If you're working with sensitive information, PDF Converter Pro offers password protection and the ability to lock and unlock your files. Want a little more security? They also allow for encryption. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A major shakeup happened today in the world of popular virtual avatars. Ironmouse, one of the most recognizable VTubers in the space, left American talent agency VShojo, alleging that it withheld payments to her and a charity she supports with the revenue from her content on Twitch and YouTube.

For those who aren't watching VTubers, this won't mean too much. But while the world of VTubing is a relatively new phenomenon, these streamers gained traction around the time of the pandemic, burgeoning into a full-fledged industry. Here's everything you need to know.

What is VTubing?

VTubing is a type of live-streaming hosted by virtual and customized avatars, presented in 2D or 3D form. These fictional characters connect with their audiences just as other creators do, but their real identities and faces are concealed behind animated personas.

VTubers have gained popularity across streaming platforms on a global scale, building on the long-held success of virtual avatars in Asia and becoming increasingly prominent in the West. Now, there are a slew of talent agencies dedicated to VTubers, including Japan's NIJISANJI and Hololive Production.

This subgenre of streaming first grew during the pandemic, as people sought new content and, presumably, had more time on their hands to peruse the internet. On Twitch, viewership of VTubing content swelled by 350% between January and August 2022. For one thing, VTubers are original characters, bringing an edge to traditional streaming. VTubing brings together a blend of anime, pop culture, and streaming culture, attracting a variety of fans.

What is VShojo?

VShojo is a prominent VTuber talent agency, created by a team that includes a former member of the founding team behind Twitch. The agency, which started in 2020, signed Ironmouse, Veibae, AmaLee, Projekt Melody, and other popular streamers.

According to VShojo, their mission is to "help VTubers turn their passion into a profession through dedicated management, tech innovations, collaboration, and support."

Who is Ironmouse?

Ironmouse is a Puerto Rican VTuber and, as Rolling Stone describes, "a virtual demon queen who briefly overtook popular creator Kai Cenat as the most subscribed streamer on Twitch." She was one of the first major talents signed by VShojo.

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In a video posted to YouTube yesterday, Ironmouse declared she's leaving VShojo. Fans left messages of support in the comments. The creator said she's been instructed by her attorney to not reveal the whole story. "For now, I just need to let you know that I will no longer be a part of VShojo," she said. "As of right now, I am an independent VTuber."

Popular VTuber and Twitch creator Ironmouse rocked her fans by announcing this week that she'd left VShojo, a talent group she co-founded just five years ago. On her way out, Ironmouse levied some serious, if not substantiated, allegations.

It's a major story for one of the world's most popular VTubers — someone who uses a virtual avatar to stream.

"With the information that I currently have, I believe that I am owed a significant amount of funds, which I have not been paid," Ironmouse said in a YouTube video announcing the split the VShojo. "And most importantly — the thing that hurts me the most — is that the Immune Deficiency Foundation, which is the most important charity to me and also the reason I am here today, is owed over $500,000 from VShojo."

The details thus far are scarce, which seems to be a legal strategy from Ironmouse.

"I really want to tell you everything but unfortunately, right now, I have been instructed by my attorney to wait for more of the legal procedure to unfold," she said in the video.

Ironmouse did allege in the video that VShojo did not donate money from a subathon that was earmarked for the Immune Deficiency Foundation. Other creators have come to Ironmouse's defense, as Sports Illustrated's Esports vertical noted.

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It's not yet clear where the story goes from here, but the fallout will certainly continue to grow with the departure of someone as popular as Ironmouse.

Mozilla Firefox receives major updates roughly every four weeks, giving the web browser a steady stream of bug fixes, new features, and security enhancements. Firefox 141 is now rolling out with tab group improvements, new address bar shortcuts, and more.

It's been a while since most manufacturers stopped including power bricks with mobile devices. Whether or not it's good for the environment, it gives you the freedom to choose a phone charger that's most suitable for your needs.

Threads is growing fast, but creators still need better tools to thrive — so Meta is rolling out improved analytics by enhancing Insights to help them understand what’s working and why.

"We want Threads to be the best place for sharing perspectives that open conversations," a Meta spokesperson told Mashable. "We've heard from creators that they'd like more guidance on how to be successful on Threads, so we're continuously improving Insights to help them understand what content generates vibrant discussions in their communities."

If you're truly trying to grow as a content creator or influencer, you want to know what works for you and what doesn't. Enter: updated Threads Insights, which are intended to make it easier for users to see how their posts perform and where their content was discovered — key insights for users trying to create communities and fuel enough growth to create a social media career.

new Insights on Threads Credit: Meta / Threads SEE ALSO: 6 ways to measure your metrics as a creator

Now, Threads users can tap "Metrics" within the Insights dashboard to see stats like engagement by likes, replies, quotes, and reposts. If you tap "Followers," you can dive deeper into your followers' geographic and demographic data. You’ll also be able to track post performance over time, whether it has the long shelf life of a viral joke or fades quickly like a live posting of an event. You can also see where the content was discovered — Instagram, Facebook, or directly in the Threads app.

Threads is already catching up to X in daily users, with 115.1 million daily active users on the platform's iOS and Android apps in June 2025, according to data from market intelligence provider Similarweb (as reported by TechCrunch). In comparison, X had 132 million daily active users during the same time period.

Of course, Threads had a bit of a leg up when it came to attracting users — the app's ecosystem was born on Instagram, so users had a built-in community, and creating an account was simple. But according to the platform, more than a third of daily Threads users now follow mostly different accounts on Threads than on Instagram.

"We’re doing more to make Threads the best place for sharing fresh perspectives, and continuing to help creators build and grow their communities on Threads," a Meta blog post reads.

TL;DR: Scan anything, anywhere, with a lifetime subscription to iScanner, now A$38 (reg. A$308) with code SCAN through 7 September.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription AU$38
AU$308 Save AU$270 with code SCAN Get Deal

Raise your hand if you've ever had to rush to the library to print something. If most of us don't have the space for clunky printers, chances are we also don't keep a scanner at home. That's what iScanner is for.

This iOS app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a handy little scanner that works for basically any document type. It's also only A$38 (reg. A$308) for a lifetime subscription. 

No more wasted desk space

Even if you're one of the few with a physical scanner still in your presence, you can now clear some counter space thanks to iScanner. And while you're at it, you can throw away that dusty old filing cabinet, too. 

iScanner is the number one US-based scanning and document management tool, letting you knock items off your to-do list from anywhere. Need to save a receipt for taxes? Do you have a contract you need to digitize? You can scan any document using just the phone on your iOS device. 

Students, entrepreneurs, educators, and stay-at-home moms alike will all find endless uses for a scanner in your pocket. The AI-powered tools ensure your documents' borders are detected and automatically adjusted while also straightening scan pages and ditching curves and skews. 

Thanks to AI, you can also use iScanner to help you solve complicated math problems.  Or put its OCR technology to the test and let it help you decipher text in up to 20 languages.

Once things are scanned, the app becomes a full PDF editor and file manager. Edit your scans, including signing them, adding text, or autofilling them with custom templates. Then, use the file manager's folder via drag and drop to keep them safe and organized.

Scanning something confidential? You can also protect files and folders by locking them with a PIN. 

Use code SCAN by 7 September at 11:59 p.m. PT to get an iScanner lifetime subscription on sale for A$38. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $70: As of July 22, Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus is down to just $179.99 instead of $249.99. That's 28% in savings and just $5 shy of its all-time low Prime Day price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $179.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $70 Get Deal

Although Mashable's favorite soundbars could run you upwards of $999, a soundbar doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. If you opt for something a bit more simplistic, like Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus, you'll pay less than $200.

As of July 22, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus is back on sale. Regularly $249.99, it's down to just $179.99 at Amazon — just $5 more than its all-time low price from Prime Day earlier this month. That's 28% in savings.

A major step up from the basic Fire TV Soundbar, the Soundbar Plus is a 3.1-channel, all-in-one soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume. It packs three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers that pump out sound in every direction. It also offers precise tuning, a customizable dialogue-enhancing setting, a wide frequency range, and four preset listening modes — movie, music, sports, and night — making for more cinematic viewing sessions at home, whether you're watching the latest theatrical hits or streaming the big game.

As our friends at ZDNet (owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) wrote in their review, "It's an excellent choice if you're seeking to enhance your audio experience without the complexity of a high-end system."

No matter how much money you drop, adding a soundbar to your setup is always going to improve your audio experience. If you're seeking something light on your wallet, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a good bet — especially while it's on sale for just $5 shy of its best-ever price.

SAVE $500: As of July 22, get an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra at Best Buy for $799.99. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $799.99 at Best Buy
$1,299.99 Save $500 Get Deal

In the market to bring home a new smartphone? If you're firmly Team Android and plan on staying that way, you can rarely go wrong with a Galaxy device. And if you don't want to pay full price for one of the latest and greatest iterations, you've still got options. Case in point: a Best Buy discount on an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra that saves you a full $500 off the phone, and in multiple hues at that.

As of July 22, get an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra at Best Buy for $799.99. That's $500 off the regular price of $1,299.99 and a discount of 38%. This price applies to all three colorways: Titanium Violet, Titanium Black, and Titanium Gray.

SEE ALSO: Last chance: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and get a free storage upgrade and $200 gift card

This is an excellent phone for the price. According to Mashable's Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon, it's the "best Android phone around." Gedeon praised the device for its lengthy battery life and chat translation tools in her review, as well as the S Pen included with the device itself: "It can, indeed, 'read' my chicken scratch," she wrote.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, it boasts a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with 3120 x 1440 resolution, a 12MP front-facing camera and rear-facing 200MP camera array as well as a 5000mAh battery.

If you're ready to try a new phone, this is a deal you'll want to grab while it's still around, especially if you don't mind grabbing the previous model. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Best tech deals

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

AI is everywhere today, with several models all touted as being extremely capable and helpful. For me, that means having AI do research on complex topics, saving me hours every day. But I have access to several models, and I can't help but wonder: which one is worth your trust?

SAVE $79.01: The Anker Solix C300 portable power station is on sale for $219.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $299. That's a 26% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C300 portable power station $219.99 at Amazon
$299 Save $79.01 Get Deal

Going out into the great outdoors used to mean disconnecting from the rest of the world. For some, that was a blessing, but others would much prefer to stay in touch. If that's you, check out this great deal at Amazon today.

As of July 22, the Anker Solix C300 portable power station is just $219.99 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $299. That works out to a savings of $79.01 from a 26% discount.

Taking a portable power station on your next road trip or camping adventure is a truly smart idea. Think of these as massive extra batteries that will keep your campsite powered up. The Solix C300 is a great option if you're looking to keep your cell phones going, the string lights on, and use the projector at night.

SEE ALSO: Bluetti’s beastly AC200L power station is down to its record-low price on Amazon

The Anker Solix C300 gives you 288Wh of power which means you'll be able to recharge a phone almost 20 times or a portable speaker about six times if you're taking this model camping. If you're using at home when the power goes out, you'll be able to use a CPAP machine for five hours.

When it comes time to recharge the C300 portable power station, it'll take under one hour with a wall outlet. Since it weighs about six pounds, the C300 is a extra portable and you'll be able to easily carry it around the campsite or from room to room during a power outage at home.

While it's on sale for under $220, snag the Anker Solix C300 portable power station from Amazon. The next time to power goes out, you'll be set for staying in touch.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

While the fancy new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is the first watch running Wear OS 6 and Samsung's One UI 8 update, those with last year's Galaxy Watch Ultra are in for a treat. Ahead of schedule, Samsung just announced that One UI 8 is rolling out today to the Watch Ultra.

SAVE UP TO 75%: As of July 22, Walmart is holding a huge sale on all things plants. Save on live indoor and outdoor plants, plant stands, drainage pots, garden beds, and even grow lamps.

Opens in a new window Credit: House Plant Dropship Live plants and planters at Walmart save up to 75% Shop Now

It happens every summer: "This is the year I'm finally going to be a plant person." (Hydrangea envy is a very real human emotion.) Walmart's current plant sale is a good place to start: As of July 22, you can save up to 75% on a ton of live plants, planters, plant stands, outdoor gardening gear, and even some grow lamps.

SEE ALSO: The Plantaform smart indoor garden uses NASA tech to grow plants with fog

The plant sale has 25 pages to click through, so you're bound to find something you need — whether you're a beginner just looking for a single easy philodendron, someone looking to decorate the porch of the home they just moved into, or a veteran green thumb adding yet another wooden flower bed to the garden. Maybe it's your sign to get that Bonsai tree you've been wanting since your days of decorating homes in The Sims. The sale is also a good opportunity to stock up on supplemental plant supplies like drainage pots, self-watering plates, or grass seed.