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SAVE $400: As of July 30, the Roborock Qrevo S5V is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a 44% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock Roborock Qrevo S5V $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal

The big news in the world of robot vacuums is that the FCC has banned all foreign-made mobile robots in the U.S. The ban doesn't revoke FCC authorization for previously approved devices, meaning you can continue to buy robot vacuum models already on the market. But that stock will drop, and prices might start to climb as a result.

Robot vacuum deals have never been more important. As of July 30, the Roborock Qrevo S5V has dropped from $899.99 to $499.99 at Amazon. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price for this model.

It's a powerful robot vacuum that uses 12,000Pa HyperForce suction alongside a brushless motor to lift stubborn dirt and pet hair. It also uses optimized airflow to reach awkward areas where dust might gather, such as under furniture or in hard-to-reach corners. The FlexiArm design is also well-suited for this, allowing the mop pads to extend into corners and around furniture.

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The Qrevo S5V also benefits from an all-in-one smart dock. This is where all device maintenance is managed. It automatically recharges, empties dust into a storage bin for up to 10 weeks, washes and dries the mop pads, and refills the water tank for continuous cleaning.

Navigation is also handled automatically, thanks to the LiDAR scanning and structured light sensors. This allows the robot to create maps and avoid obstacles as it moves around your home. And all this can be managed through the Roborock app, where you can schedule cleans, set no-go zones, and adjust settings.

Find this robot vacuum deal at Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 30, the 512GB Samsung P9 Express microSDXC is on sale for $185 at Amazon. That's $14.99 off its full price of $199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung P9 Express microSDXC (512GB) $185 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $14.99   Get Deal

If the Nintendo Switch 2 is your go-to gaming device, it's important you have enough storage space for your games. That's where the Samsung P9 Express microSDXC comes in handy. The 512GB model offers a solid storage boost, and you can even grab it on sale right now at Amazon.

As of July 30, the 512GB Samsung P9 Express card has received a $14.99 discount off its list price, bringing it down to $185. It may not be a massive discount, but considering memory prices continue to climb, it's a deal worth checking out before the price shoots back up.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

Alongside its 512GB of extra storage for your Switch 2, this memory card also boasts quick transfer speeds for booting up your favorite games, with sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s. It also features a Dynamic Thermal Guard that helps reduce overheating, so your games run smoothly and fast.

If extra storage has been on your shopping list, this is a great opportunity to save on the 512GB Samsung P9 Express microSDXC at Amazon.

If you're curious about what else is worth buying for your Nintendo Switch 2, it's also worth checking out our breakdown of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories for more items we recommend grabbing.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $800: As of July 30, the Samsung 77-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series is on sale for $1,397.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,197.99 Save $800.00   Get Deal

Looking for an impressive TV deal to upgrade your living room? Look no further than this latest discount on the Samsung 77-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series. As of July 30, this huge TV is discounted by $800, taking the price down from $2,197.99 to $1,397.99.

If you care about how your TV shows and movies look, this TV is a great choice. It's a 4K TV powered by the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor. This uses 20 AI neural networks to improve both picture and sound, so you're getting the best possible viewing experience. Plus, it benefits from AI-powered 4K upscaling, which helps improve the quality of lower-resolution content.

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The processor also analyzes each scene to optimize brightness and contrast, adjusting picture quality on a scene-by-scene basis. The Pantone-validated color reproduction feature helps to display more accurate colors and natural-looking skin tones, so you'll have a more realistic viewing experience.

And it's not a bulky device that ruins the aesthetic. This Samsung TV features a slim design that's intended to blend into a range of living spaces.

This TV deal is available at Amazon right now.

TL;DR: The Motorola Razr is free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this limited-time promo, simply activate a new line on an Experience More plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Free when you activate a new line on an Experience More plan. Shop Now

We're in the age of foldables. Samsung just dropped a bunch of new foldable devices at Samsung Unpacked, everyone is expecting Apple to do the same at their next event, and Motorola has quietly released some of the best folding phones around.

If you're interested in the latter, T-Mobile has a deal you should carefully consider.

For a limited time, T-Mobile is giving away the new Motorola Razr for free. The best part? You don't need to trade anything in to qualify for this offer. You simply need to activate a new line on T-Mobile's Experience More plan. It's as easy as that.

Of course, T-Mobile isn't handing over the phone without some strings attached. Each month, your statement will display a standard finance charge for the phone, followed by an equal credit that balances that charge. You're essentially signing up for a two-year commitment with the network. If you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to a different plan before the end of the 24-month period, the remaining unpaid balance will become due immediately.

Is the Motorola Razr right for you? The 3.6-inch outer screen is big enough to check notifications, reply to texts, and glance at maps without opening the device. Pair that with a dual 50MP camera setup and a 4,800mAh battery that easily outlasts most compact foldables, and you get a snappy daily driver that actually fits in a front pocket.

Score the new Motorola Razr for free with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Spin Master is launching Hellbreak, a horror-themed trading card game featuring characters from Universal, Blumhouse, AMC, and Lionsgate, including Dracula, The Bride of Frankenstein, and Jaws. It launches fall of 2026 with fully custom card art from more than 43 artists.

Ever wondered who'd win in a fight between Dracula and Jaws? Spin Master's new trading card game, Hellbreak, is here to answer that question.

It's a head-to-head TCG where players pick a monster to lead their deck, then build resources and launch attacks until one player's monster goes down — and this fall, it's bringing together horror characters from multiple major studios into one game.

Universal Products & Experiences is the cornerstone partner, and the first card set already confirms some recognizable names: Dracula, The Bride of Frankenstein, and Steven Spielberg's Jaws. Spin Master has also just added AMC, Blumhouse, and Lionsgate to the lineup, meaning the roster will expand well beyond Universal's horror catalog as more sets roll out.

Credit: Spin Master

Developed with Ghost Galaxy, the first set features fully custom art from more than 43 artists — a lot of original work rather than reused film stills. Blumhouse founder Jason Blum described the collaboration as translating the studio's unsettling style directly into gameplay, calling it "exactly the kind of fan-obsessed play we love."

The first set, Dawn of Terror, comes in a few formats. The 2-Player Starter Set has everything two people need to play, plus exclusive Jaws and Dracula cards to lead each side. Booster Packs give you 13 cards each, with one foil, one borderless, and one rare-or-higher card. There's also a Booster Bundle with 9 packs and some collector extras, or a full Booster Display with 24 packs for anyone going all in.

Dracula vs. Jaws is the kind of matchup horror fans would argue about, and now there's a game to settle it. Hellbreak arrives soon, so keep an eye out for more character reveals in the months ahead.

With nearly 80 percent of Gen Z daters reporting some level of swipe fatigue, according to a Forbes Health survey, and IRL dating experiencing a slow death as fewer people take the risk of asking someone out, what is a single young person supposed to do these days? 

If you're over hookup apps but don't see yourself going to a bar or singles meetup, there are online alternatives that deserve your attention, especially legacy dating sites that predate the swipe phenomenon. Typically, these sites feature more robust communities and more extensive personal bios, both of which make them a welcome alternative to the swipe-based mechanics of the most popular dating apps. 

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for more discreet chats in 2026

One site in particular deserves your attention, probably because it's so easy for younger daters to overlook: AdultFriendFinder. Founded in 1996, AFF has three decades of history, so if you're burned out or striking out on the apps, it's worth a closer look.

Here's a short list of the pros and cons of AFF for Gen Z daters:

Pro: Built-in communities

Modern dating apps can feel very isolating, especially when you're not getting any matches. You may put in hours swiping or liking profiles, carefully taking your time to assess compatibility, only to discover at the end of the week that all your attention hasn't been reciprocated. To call that a bummer is a major understatement … 

Thankfully, there are alternatives to this doom cycle, and AFF cracked this code long ago: spaces where singles can meet in groups, have organic chats, and assess attraction more slowly and carefully, either through words, images, or webcam feeds. 

AdultFriendFinder has a Community tab, prominently displayed on the top-center ribbon, where you can interact with other users in public spaces such as blogs, contests, polls, stories, and interest groups. In addition, there's a Live Action tab where you can either broadcast your own webcam feed in hopes of attracting interested viewers or join someone else's live feed if you happen to catch their eye.

In all these cases, AFF has created pathways to connection that transcend the swipe, making it a great option for Gen Z daters dealing with app burnout.  

Con: Age distribution

One thing that's immediately striking upon logging into AdultFriendFinder is that the site hosts a wide range of ages, from the early 20s to the mid-60s and beyond. AdultFriendFinder has not responded to our requests for specifics about their age demographics, but past estimates have placed the majority demographic somewhere in the 30-38 age range, which means Gen Z, who are still not in their 30s, are not widely represented. 

In one sense, that's a definite con: you'll have a hard time meeting people your age. On the other hand, if you're not opposed to dating cross-generationally — and there's evidence that singles are becoming more open to this — this can work in your favor.

Pro: A site-only dating experience

Because it hosts nudity, AdultFriendFinder has never been allowed to offer an app in either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, and while there is a sneaky workaround for those who really want a phone experience, the truth is that a huge contributing factor to dating app burnout is the omnipresent nature of dating apps. If you can swipe on public transit, in between work sessions, at the gym, or on the toilet, you're never really away from the app. On the other hand, a dating website that requires a computer or tablet to access is a lot less accessible. 

If you can self-diagnose as suffering from swipe fatigue, compartmentalizing your dating life from, well, the entire rest of your existence is a good first step on the journey to recovery. It's also a good way to insist on taking the whole process seriously. It's easy to be casual about an app, especially one you can access anywhere, but navigating a dating site requires time and intention, both of which are the antidotes to the app burnout plaguing Gen Z. 

Con: Paid memberships are a necessity

In general, younger daters spend less on dates these days, so it's no small hurdle to ask them to drop precious cash on a monthly dating app subscription when there are other, totally free alternatives, but AdultFriendFinder offers some enticing, member-only perks, chief among them the ability to actually message people one-on-one. 

If you want to restrict yourself to a free membership, you can totally get away with it in public areas, where it's easiest to start conversations with strangers. But if you do happen to meet someone you vibe with, it will frustrate you that you can't take that conversation private. 

Subscription costs vary by location and the length of your commitment, but expect to pay between $20 and $35 per month for the Gold membership. It's not cheap, sure, but it's also a small sum to conquer swipe fatigue and give you a more community-based dating experience.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

TL;DR: Pick up a 1-year BJ’s Club Card Membership while they’re only $15 (reg. $60).

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ's Wholesale Club 1-Year BJ's Club Membership with BJ's Easy Renewal® (Terms apply.) $15
$60 Save $45   Get Deal

Stretching your budget through the month is hard enough without also factoring in the cost of gas as you burn through a quarter tank just getting you to the stores you have to shop at. If you want a smarter way to shop, try going to BJ’s. Instead of doing a bunch of little trips, you can consolidate all your shopping to one stop, whether you need groceries, clothes, or bulk essentials like paper towels. Right now, a BJ’s Club Card Membership is also only $15 (normally $60).

BJ’s Wholesale Club is a place to shop for family essentials, including fresh foods, produce, deli items, household staples, and more. BJ’s members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices, but that’s not the only reason to shop there. You can also look out for new clothes, seasonal décor, toys, tech, and furniture.

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Tank running low? Fill up on your way out, and don’t forget you could get extra savings through the BJ’s Fuel Saver Program when you buy eligible products in the club. That’s a whole lot easier than making one more stop on top of all your other errands.

You don’t have to shop in-store to use the membership. BJ’s has an app that lets you shop online and choose curbside pickup or same-day delivery when it’s available in your area. You can also add digital coupons directly to your membership card, so the discount applies automatically at checkout.

This deal is for new members only and gives you a code you can redeem directly on BJ's.com to create your membership. Your membership comes with auto-renewal enabled, but you can switch it off in your account settings if you want to control when you re-up.

Give your family a little breathing room this month. Get a 1-year BJ’s Club Card Membership for $15.

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 streamer!

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.

16. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

This sequel to 2023's smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie brings in new characters — including Yoshi, Princess Rosalina, Bowser Jr., and Fox McCloud — for a befuddling adventure across the Nintendo galaxy of IP. While there's technically a plot about Bowser Jr. abducting Rosalina so he and Bowser can build a new domain together, the movie is more interesting in tapping into gamer nostalgia. It functions more as a commercial than a film.

As I wrote in my review, "I don't hate this movie. I hate what it so nakedly stands for. With the rise of the internet and streaming, movie theaters are in a grim battle to keep audiences interested. And despite seeing such heartening box-office successes for original movies like Sinners, Weapons, and KPop Demon Hunters, we're also being served horrendously unoriginal, ugly, and uninspired trash like this. It's not meant to challenge us or thrill us. Movies like this are meant to distract us briefly from the world on fire and then urge us to buy something. It's the worst part of TikTok and Saturday morning cartoons invading theaters masquerading as cinema. Like its predecessor, it may make tons of money, but that won't make it good."* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, and Brie Larson

How to watch: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now streaming on Peacock.

15. The Death of Robin Hood

It's admittedly lazy to critique a film by saying, "But why, though?" And to my credit, I did a full review of Michael Sarnoski's bleak and inexplicable reimagining of The Death of Robin Hood. But weeks since its theatrical release, the performances of Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer don't stand out as much as the echoing "why, though?" of it all. Of all the mythical figures to reimagine, why reinvent Robin Hood as a not a champion for the have-nots and reckoning of the haves, but a selfish, reckless thief and murderer, looking back on his violence with a grudging acceptance?

As I wrote upon its release, "This deeply cynical spin on the legend of Robin Hood has no discernible message beyond some trite platitude of the power of second chances. Despite its star-studded cast, and a powerful blend of hard-hitting sound effects and jolting on-camera violence, The Death of Robin Hood feels politically, spiritually, and emotionally hollow." — K.P.

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe

How to watch: The Death of Robin Hood is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

14. The Devil's Mouth

It's summer! So, 'tis the season to be traumatized by shark movies. Named for a (fictional) cave system in Thailand, The Devil's Mouth plunges into a vacation-gone-wrong tale about a gaggle of post-grad college friends, who find their bright futures threatened by a ravenous sea creature.

Director Jeff Wadlow has previously served up such twisted horror offerings as Imaginary, Fantasy Island, and Cry Wolf. So, adjust your expectations accordingly. Will The Devil's Mouth be on par with Jaws or even Deep Blue Sea? Probably not. But will it be a splashy/thrashy fun time. Probably! — K.P.

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Lana Condor, Nico Hiraga, Gavin Casalegno, Tommi Rose, and Tayme Thapthimthong

How to watch: The Devil's Mouth is now streaming on Prime Video.

13. Snoopy Presents: There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy

Summertime means yard sales, and that's bad news for Charles M. Schulz's beloved doggo, Snoopy. See, amid the bustle, Sally Brown accidentally sold his dog house. This pitches Charlie Brown into a quest to recover the iconic red dog house. And along the way, there'll be life-affirming scenes and heart-warming humor. — K.P.

Starring: Riley Vargas, Terry McGurrin, Rob Tinkler, and Kitai O’Garro

How to watch: Snoopy Presents: There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy premieres on Apple TV on July 31.

12. The Bombing of Pan Am 103

Based on the events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is a docudrama that you might want to avoid if you've got a flight coming up.

Created by Jonathan Lee, this six-part BBC limited series begins with the disaster, which was the deadliest terrorist attack in British history, and follows the transnational investigation into it. Stories of personal grief and the fight for answers and justice are sure to make this show hit hard. — K.P.

Starring: Connor Swindells, Merritt Wever, Patrick J. Adams, and Eddie Marsan

How to watch: The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is now streaming on Netflix.

11. Lollapalooza Livestream

Even if you couldn't snag tickets to Lollapalooza, you can still get into the festival fun by livestreaming select sets from your own home with Hulu and Disney+. This year's festival has something for everyone, whether you want to catch Charli XCX's first festival performance since the release of Music, Fashion, Film; groove along with Grammy–winning Best New Artist Olivia Dean; or rock out with the Smashing Pumpkins. Other headliners include Lorde, John Summit, Jennie, Tate McRae, and the XX, so start planning out your virtual festival itinerary! — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Lollapalooza Livestream begins on Hulu and Disney+ on July 30.

10. Diarra from Detroit, Season 2

Creator and star Diarra Kilpatrick is back with season 2 of Diarra from Detroit, a series that blends neo-noir thrills with side-splitting comedy.

Kilpatrick stars as Diarra Brickland, a schoolteacher with a sharp wit and a bad habit of tumbling into amateur detective shenanigans. In Season 2, she's trying to live her hot girl summer dreams, but instead she gets tangled in a nightmarish triple homicide case. Naturally, this demands her going undercover, pursuing urban legends like "ghetto Goonies," and handling some "it's complicated" relationship issues. — K.P.

Starring: Diarra Kilpatrick, Morris Chestnut, DomiNque Perry, Claudia Logan, Bryan Terrell Clark, Shannon Wallace, Jon Chaffin, and Phylicia Rashad

How to watch: Diarra from Detroit Season 2 debuted on Paramount+ with two episodes on Wednesday, July 29, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through September 9.

9. The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare

It's the quadruple homicide that shocked the nation, and left us with no satisfying answers as to motive. On November 13, 2022, the remains of four University of Idaho students — Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle — were found in a rental house in Moscow, Idaho. The resulting murder investigation would uncover a killer who'd be convicted in 2025. But The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare can't give us the why of it all.

The new doc series speaks to the friends and family of survivors, along with interviews with the police who worked the case and reporters who covered it. Documentarian Skye Borgman, who helmed such Netflix true crime docs as Abducted in Plain Sight and Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, explores the investigation across three episodes. Including interrogation footage with the surviving roommates, this is the deepest dive into the University of Idaho murders I've seen on TV yet. But be warned: Even when you know the facts of the case, this doc will give you chills. — K.P.

How to watch: The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare is now on Netflix.

8. Soulm8te

Soulm8te is being billed as "from the creators of M3GAN," to lure fans of the freaky, funny horror hit. But be warned, aside from "AI femmebot kills people," the films have very little in common.

Co-written and directed by Kate Dolan, Soulm8te centers on a widowed engineer (David Rysdahl) who's tasked to test a prototype for a companion bot (Lily Sullivan). Naturally, he begins messing her code to make her more human, and he turns his life into Fatal Attraction with a robo-twist. Low budget and derivative, Soulm8te will remind you of a lot of better movies, including Species, M3GAN, and Companion, without adding anything interesting to the ongoing AI discourse. But it does offer cheap thrills in terms of onscreen sex and violence. So there's that. — K.P.

Starring: Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl, and Claudia Doumit

How to watch: Soulm8te comes to digital on Aug. 1.

7. The Drama

Between The Drama and Euphoria, it's a big year for Zendaya and disastrous onscreen weddings. One of the buzziest films of 2026 so far, The Drama pairs Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a seemingly perfect engaged couple named Emma and Charlie. In the days leading up to their wedding, the couple — prompted by friends Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie) — confess the worst things they've ever done. Emma's admission leaves jaws dropped, and Charlie in a spiral.

What follows is a harrowing interrogation of Emma and Charlie's relationship and how people perceive it. While Zendaya and Pattinson are tremendous, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko was less impressed with writer/director Kristoffer Borgli's execution, writing in her review (which, fair warning, contains spoilers should you want to go into the film blind), "But much like [Borgli's prior film] Dream Scenario, his actors give more than his undercooked script deserves."* — B.E.

Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates, and Zoë Winters

How to watch: The Drama begins streaming on HBO Max on July 31.

6. Nightborn

In 2022, Finnish filmmaker Hanna Bergholm brought horror fans the unique maternal terror of Hatching. Now, she's back with a sister flick of sorts, Nightborn.

Seidi Haarla stars as a Saga, a married new mom who fears there's something off about her new baby. He's covered in hair, growls at the nearby forest, and can't abide sun on his skin. Plus, he brings out a feral side of Saga that scares her and her befuddled husband (Rupert Grint). A psychological thriller with a folklore edge, Nightborn is a slow-burn offering that's sure to creep out new parents. —K.P.

Starring: Seidi Haarla, Rupert Grint, Pamela Tola, Pirkko Saisio, Rebecca Lacey, and John Thomson

How to watch: Nightborn debuts on Shudder and AMC+ on July 31.

5. Supergirl

After bringing chaotic glee to the end of 2025's Superman, Milly Alcock reprised her role as Clark's hard-partying cousin Kara in director Craig Gillespie's Supergirl.

Based on the comic miniseries Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the story follows the eponymous heroine as she chases down Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts), a multihyphenate of villainy who pillages, rapes, kidnaps, and murders people across space. In tow is a vengeance-seeking girl named Ruthye (Eve Ridley). Plus Aquaman's Jason Momoa is back in the DC Universe, this time as the bounty-hunting anti-hero Lobo.

Critics panned Supergirl. In my review, I wrote, "While I enjoyed myself, I was never really blown away by this superhero movie. I left pleased, but not in awe, not craving a chance to see it again immediately. Still, if Warner Bros. greenlit a sequel, I'd be game to give Kara and her crew another go." — K.P.

Starring: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa

How to watch: Supergirl is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

4. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

One of the best comedies of the 2010s is streaming — for free! — starting this week, so if you missed the boat on this gem when it aired, you now have a chance to right that wrong. 

Created by and starring Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend introduces successful lawyer Rebecca Bunch (Bloom), who uproots her whole life to West Covina, California, after a chance run-in with her old camp boyfriend, Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III). Will her new home and pursuit of Josh finally win her the happiness and fulfillment she seeks? As the show's earworm of a theme song explains, it's actually a lot more nuanced than that, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend proves to be a clever, thoughtful examination of mental health and romantic tropes. Oh, and did I mention the whole thing is a musical? The songs are absolute bangers, smartly parodying everything from show tunes to power ballads to '80s girl-power anthems. They'll get stuck in your head, but you'll be grateful for it. — B.E.

Starring: Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez III, Santino Fontana, Donna Lynne Champlin, Pete Gardner, Vella Lovell, Gabrielle Ruiz, David Hull, Scott Michael Foster, and Skylar Astin

How to watch: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is now streaming on Pluto TV.

3. The Devil Wears Prada 2

The word "iconic" gets thrown around a lot these days. But there's no denying that The Devil Wears Prada movie adaptation was iconic. The fashion had audiences gagging on the eleganza of Andy Sachs' (Anne Hathaway) stylish journey of self-discovery working under the iron fist that was Runway magazine's editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) — herself a thinly veiled Anna Wintour. Who among us hasn't yelled, "Gird your loins!" in a clumsy Stanley Tucci impersonation? Or felt smug about cerulean ever since we first heard that epic monologue?

Twenty years later, this chic sequel picks up with the tables turned. Andy is a successful journalist, while Miranda's reign at Runway is threatened by a current scandal. Will Andy aid her? Or expose her?*

Mashable's Shannon Connellan wrote in her review, "Offering the season's most anticipated collection of high fashion, celebrity cameos, and sweeping statements on modern media, The Devil Wears Prada 2 delivers an expertly tailored sequel, made-to-measure and unmistakably its own brand."* — K.P

Starring: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B. J. Novak, Simone Ashley, and Pauline Chalamet

How to watch: The Devil Wears Prada 2 is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

2. Leviticus

We saw Leviticus after we locked our list of best horror films of 2026 so far around the mid-year mark. But make no mistake, Leviticus is one of the best horror movies of 2026 and maybe the decade.

From my review: "Australian writer/director Adrian Chiarella makes his sensational feature directorial debut with Leviticus, a title that refers to a book of the Bible in which homosexuality is declared an 'abomination.' However, rather than being a film that condemns the queer boys at its center, Leviticus empathizes with their yearning and the terror caused by the parents who should love them. Brewed with equal parts desire and dread, this Australian horror thriller explores how homophobia can be the real monster in the closet."

Be warned, you can rent or buy this one. And I predict you'll want to rewatch. So plan accordingly. — K.P.

SEE ALSO: 'Leviticus' ending explainer: What does it all mean?

Starring: Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, and Mia Wasikowska

How to watch: Leviticus is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

Best of streaming this week: Furious

Our must-see pick for the week is the latest TV series from Elizabeth Meriwether (New Girl and Dying for Sex). Furious centers on the cat-and-mouse dynamic between an FBI agent (Emmy Rossum) and a female serial killer (Lola Petticrew) on a mysterious mission for vengeance.

You can watch the first three episodes now, and dive into our spoiler-rich interviews with Meriwether, Rossum, and Petticrew. And you should, because as I cheered in my review of the whole season, "Meriwether has built a slow-burn thriller where the cop and the killer share a complicated relationship with violence. The murder scenes of men are brutal, but this provides a strange balance to the flood of media where the rape of women is treated like a naughty spectacle. The exploration of trauma and the messiness of healing is thoughtful and thought-provoking. The humor is dark yet humane. And the finale will have you cheering, gasping, and craving more." — K.P.

Starring: Emmy Rossum, Lola Petticrew, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, and Scoot McNairy

How to watch: The first three episodes of Furious are now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. New episodes stream Mondays, with the season finale arriving on Aug. 31.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
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Jane Wickline's sense of humor is a unique flavor of absurdist. Her delivery is devotedly flat. Her perspective is off-kilter with a tendency toward the perverse. Yet her charm is undeniable as she sings about overstaying her welcome at a party or the trouble of falling in love with a psychic. Whether on TikTok, Saturday Night Live, or in her sketch-comedy-musical Dukes opposite collaborator Liva Pierce, her performance style evokes that surreal point at a slumber party where your sleep-deprived brain is giggly, maybe a bit confused, but ultimately blissful.

Her powers are only enhanced when combined with Pierce, so Dukes, now playing at SoHo Playhouse in New York, is a real trip, like in the way you might wonder if someone slipped you an edible beforehand. Thankfully, it's a collective trip, so surrounded by 170+ fellow passengers, you journey through this bizarre tale of friendship, firemen aspirations, and financial despair, buoyed by waves of laughter.

SEE ALSO: Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame' What's Dukes about? Jane Wickline and Liva Pierce star in "Dukes." Credit: Dev Bowman

Written by Wickline and Pierce, Dukes is about two roommates — named Jane and Liva — who hate their jobs and dream of greater things, like finding a missing crystal goose for a handsome reward.

Walking into this show on a Friday night, I was coincidentally carrying with me recent rewatches of two extraordinary buddy comedies, Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. It's with no small measure of delight that I tell you Dukes is well-paired with either.

Wickline and Pierce play clownish versions of themselves, passionate but deeply idiotic. Liva is the Romy, more headstrong and effectively the decision-maker of the two, setting up a double date or instigating a sapphic cucking scene with a willing neighbor. Jane's more the Michele, blithely following her passions for haphazard engineering with little concern for the consequences (like losing her survival job).

But perhaps I'm overemphasizing the plot of Dukes, which is ultimately a framework for ludicrous songs, several of which can be seen on Wickline's TikTok account.

Dukes is at its best in the musical numbers. Jane Wickline and Liva Pierce star in "Dukes." Credit: Dev Bowman

Wickline and Pierce's comic personas offer an intentionally stilted awkwardness, reminiscent of another musical comedy duo, Flight of the Conchords. However, while Dukes has toured across America, its stars haven't locked into a thoroughly engaging through line. The sketches, though funny, can feel flimsy, even episodic. But the songs are solidly hilarious.

As with Flight of the Conchords, these zany tunes spring from the lives of Jane and Liva, offering heightened versions of themselves that are outright ludicrous. For instance, in the opening song where they wish for a "new kind of porn," rather than talking graphic sex, they suggest — with straight faces — innovations like "claymation." And it's supremely silly while also feeling like a sly critique of film-bro snobbery. Such a cheeky critique would tie back to the title, Dukes.

Early on, the pair ponder their dream, to have enough money and power that they could quit their dumb office jobs and focus on their eccentric hobbies. They could live like dukes — not aristocracy, mind you — but dykes who are dudes. The dream.

From there, each comedian takes on a new role, courtesy of some abused Party City wigs. Pierce in a pink wig becomes a femme love interest for a love song, in which Wickline breaks the fourth wall to eye roll to the audience to sensational effect. Later, she'll plop on a blonde monstrosity that looks like a last-minute Halloween costume of Nicole Kidman. In this guise, Wickline plays a "milf" who asks probing questions about gender identity to Liv, her teenage nonbinary babysitter, who was hoping for a May-December hookup, not a buzzkill heart-to-heart.

Jane Wickline plays a "milf" opposite Liva Pierce in "Dukes." Credit: Dev Bowman

Through these scenarios, Wickline and Pierce paint a side-splitting portrait of queer friendship, relishing in the sublimely stupid. The show becomes a celebration of being seen as the oddball you are.

Those who love Wickline's socially awkward appearances on Weekend Update will revel in Dukes, where she is not hemmed in by any expectation to appeal to a commercial audience. In this space, she and Pierce spread their wings and rather than soar, do a chaotic call for weirdos. And it works.

Dukes is running at the SoHo Playhouse.

BTS will not be entering their album ARIRANG for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.

In syndicated Instagram stories shared across all seven members' accounts, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook issued a statement on their decision. Translated from Korean by the Meta-owned platform, each statement reads:

"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language."

Each member then thanked BTS fans, known as ARMY, and "all of you who are always with me," to close the statement.

SEE ALSO: The internet made BTS. 'Arirang' asks what comes next.

The K-pop powerhouse's decision to not put their sixth studio album forward for the Grammys comes a month after the Recording Academy's addition of five new award categories in June, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. This award in particular came under scrutiny from K-pop fans and journalists alike, called out as another example of the Grammys splitting awards when non-white artists and artists who perform in languages other than English dominate the cultural zeitgeist and deservedly take home the gold.

The Grammys' description for Best Asian Pop Music Performance describes the award as one that "recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages." The rules have a few more paragraphs of detail, but essentially, the award groups "Asian pop" into one generalised category, which is separate from major categories like Album of the Year and Record of the Year.

Featured Video For You Girlbossification of AI

Teen Vogue's Ayan Artan placed the Grammys' new Best Asian Pop Music Performance award "as part of a history of gatekeeping non-white artists from major award categories."

"There seems to be a pattern emerging here, and it becomes increasingly difficult to dismiss it the more you pay attention," Artan writes. "It goes like this: A non-white artist breaks into mainstream-music consciousness by delivering a critically acclaimed project and looks likely to win a Grammy in a major category. Soon after, a new category is announced by the Recording Academy to help segregate these artists."

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter wins Album of the Year? The Grammys splits the Best Country Album category into Traditional and Contemporary. In response, social justice advocate Terrell Couch wrote for Essence, "A separate but equal country album category does not broaden the genre’s influence; rather it reflects an ugly truth about America."

Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos wins Album of the Year with a Spanish-language record? The Grammys adds an award for Best Latin Song.

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BTS' ARIRANG landed in March, marking the anticipated return of the K-pop superstars after a four-year hiatus, during which they fulfilled South Korea's mandatory military service and spent time on solo projects. ARIRANG, as well as lead single "SWIM," both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The album was critically heralded. The group's 34-city, 82-show ARIRANG world tour is essentially completely sold out. To say BTS' comeback album is leading mainstream music conversation is an understatement.

And it's BTS' own statements that show just how aware of the Grammys award-splitting the group seems to be: "I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language."

BTS has five Grammy nominations, the first K-pop artists to be nominated, and have performed at the Grammys several times, including the 64th Grammy Awards in 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada, before their hiatus.

BTS perform during the 64th Grammy Awards in April 2022 in Las Vegas. Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

Fans have reacted to BTS' decision with wholehearted support, with ARMY hitting social media with praise.

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Mashable has reached out to the Recording Academy and HYBE, the company that owns BTS' label Big Hit Music, for comment.

On Thursday, Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. issued a statement on BTS' decision, per Variety, saying he was "saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision."

Mason Jr. explained in his statement that "the Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia. The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists. More categories mean more artists’ work is recognized. It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters."

The CEO also maintained that "submitting music in a genre category such as Asian Pop, or Jazz or Country does not exclude an artist from also submitting and being considered in the General Field categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year."

UPDATE: Jul. 30, 2026, 9:46 a.m. GMT Added statement from Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.

The best Apple deals of the week: Best iPad deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 512GB) $1,549.99 (save $149.01) Get Deal Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $2,499 (save $500) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $629.99 (save $269.01) Get Deal Best Apple accessory deal Apple AirTag (2nd Generation), 4-Pack $89 (save $10) Get Deal

The Apple Store's Back to School promo is in full swing right now, meaning college students who buy a new MacBook or iPad direct get a free gift card worth up to $150. It's a pretty good deal when you factor in Apple's usual $100 education discount, too. But if you're ineligible, fret not: There are plenty of other great Apple deals to be had around the web this week.

The best ones I've spotted at third-party retailers are going to premium "prosumer" Apple devices like the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Of particular note, Amazon and Best Buy have a 14-inch MacBook Pro with a 15-core M5 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage listed for $2,499, or a whopping $500 off. For reference, it cost $2,599 before Apple's price hikes earlier this summer, and the Apple Store currently sells it in refurbished condition for $2,539.

SEE ALSO: Apple Upgrade program: Common questions about Apple's new leasing program, answered

If you're working with a particularly tight budget, you might also consider leasing a new Apple device through the all-new Apple Upgrade program, which launched in the U.S. this week. Shoppers can rent a new MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, or iPhone for as little as $11.99 per month for up to 36 months through Klarna. It's a decent short-term solution for cash-strapped folks, but know that you won't automatically own your device at the end of your leasing period. You either have to upgrade it, return it, or pay the difference between your leasing fees and its MSRP to make it officially yours. (In other words, you won't save money in the long run if you plan on buying your rental eventually.)

For actual savings on a new device upfront, check out my exhaustive list of the best Apple deals as of July 30.

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 512GB) $1,549 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $150   Get Deal

The M5 iPad Pro is our top pick for professional creatives and other power users. It's a splurge, to be sure, but it's prettier and pepper than any other tablet on the market. (Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth was wowed by its Tandem OLED display when he tested it.) Amazon's current discount on the 13-inch Space Black model with 512GB of storage almost nullifies Apple's $200 price increase. The Silver version was slightly more expensive at the time of writing, FYI.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple iPad Pro (M5).

More iPad Pro deals

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,139.99 $1,199 (save $59.01)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,327.50 $1,399 (save $71.50)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,424 $1,499 (save $75)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 1TB) — $1,710 $1,799 (save $89)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 1TB) — $1,994 $2,099 (save $105)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 2TB) — $2,181 $2,299 (save $118)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 2TB) — $2,464 $2,599 (save $135)

iPad Air deals

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) — $689 $749 (save $60)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) — $902 $949 (save $47)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $979.99 $1,049 (save $69.01)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,011 $1,049 (save $38)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,196 $1,249 (save $53)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 1TB) — $1,299.94 $1,349 (save $49.06)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,472 $1,549 (save $77)

iPad deals

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $426.99 $449 (save $22.01)

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 256GB) — $522 $549 (save $27)

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 512GB) — $712 $749 (save $37)

iPad mini deals

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFI, 128GB) — $569 $599 (save $30)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFI, 256GB) — $664 $699 (save $35)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFI, 512GB) — $874 $999 (save $25)

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $2,499 at Amazon and Best Buy
$2,999 Save $500   Get Deal

The M5 Pro-powered MacBook Pro is wayyy overkill for the average user, but perfectly suited for the demanding workloads of video editors, graphic designers, and programmers. Spec highlights include a super bright 3K mini-LED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Apple's latest N1 wireless chip, and three Thunderbolt 5/USB-C ports.

More MacBook Pro deals

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,046 $2,199 (save $153)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,259.99 $2,499 (save $239.01)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,799 $3,099 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,799 $2,999 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,399 $3,699 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Pro, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,419 $3,599 (save $180)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $3,599 $4,099 (save $500)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $3,999 $4,399 (save $400)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $4,499 $4,999 (save $500)

MacBook Air deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,299 (save $100)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,349 $1,499 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499 $1,599 (save $100)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,499 $1,699 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,699 $1,799 (save $100)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,499 (save $100)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,699 $1,799 (save $100)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,899 $1,999 (save $100)

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon and Walmart
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

Somehow, the entry-level AirPods are still chilling at their Prime Day price of $99 (or 23% off). Our audio experts were impressed by their excellent sound quality, clear mic, and effortless connectivity with other Apple devices in their testing. They offer up to five hours of listening time on their own; with their charging case, they can last for up to 30 hours away from an outlet.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods 4.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $144.99 $179 (save $34.01)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199.99 $249 (save $49.01)

• Apple AirPods Max — $449 $549 (save $100)

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $629.99 at Best Buy
$899 Save $269.01   Get Deal

Best Buy has the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a premium Black Titanium Milanese Loop on clearance for only $629.99 — that's 30% off its $899 sticker price. Compared to the newer Apple Watch Ultra 3, which costs $244 more with the same wristband, it just has a slightly smaller display, a slightly worse battery life, and one missing feature (Emergency SOS via satellite).

Apple Watch Series 11 deals

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $299.99 $399 (save $99.01)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) — $329.99 $429 (save $99.01)

Apple Watch SE 3 deals

• Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) — $219.99 $249 (save $29.01)

• Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 44mm) — $249.99 $279 (save $29.01)

Apple accessory deals

• Apple AirTag (2nd Generation), 4-Pack — $89 $99 (save $10)

• Apple Pencil Pro — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad (A16) — $224 $249 (save $25)

• Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (11-inch) — $242 $269 (save $27)

Hinge's founder recently left the app to start an AI matchmaking service, but he isn't the only one with that startup idea. Ditto is an AI matchmaker specifically for college students — and it does all the work in iMessage.  

"For the past 20 years, we've connected in primitive ways. We manually scroll. We manually search. We manually swipe," Ditto AI's manifesto reads on its website. "Spending hours trying to find the right people — because all we have are static and dead profiles."

"But now, everything changes," Ditto promises.

SEE ALSO: Shared a Claude conversation? Google may have seen it.

Ditto was founded by Eric Liu and Allen Wang, two University of California, Berkeley students who dropped out around four years ago to create a new consumer product, Liu said in an interview with Mashable.

"We are both pretty outgoing people, and we see a lot of gaps in the current dating apps," he said. These gaps are apparent in the manifesto: "No more wasted hours. No more missed connections. No more 'what ifs.'"

Liu reiterated that dating apps are primitive, and he's sure there'll be a new platform in the next five years, and that the whole social landscape will be very different a decade from now. "All the existing platforms are by no means efficient at all," he told Mashable. In ten years, however, people will be able to make a new connection in hours, not weeks. If you're free for dinner tonight, an agent can set it up, he said.

Traditional dating apps have too many layers and too much churn, making an eventual date unlikely, he explained. "Users don't need to you know swipe left and right to find a mutual match, and they don't need to repetitively introduce themselves, make small talk, and arrange dates."

Ditto offers something different, and the founders aren't shy about it. "I dropped out of Berkeley with Eric Liu to kill Tinder with AI," Wang posted on LinkedIn last year. But Ditto still has marketing tricks in the mix, too, like flyers on college campuses and yacht parties.

How Ditto AI works

According to Ditto's website, users submit "preferences" by midnight on Wednesday morning, and then later that evening, Ditto will send a match. From there, you schedule a date. (Users must be verified college students.)

When asked about how Ditto learns a user's preferences, Liu said the answer is complicated. "I believe we reinvented a lot more than just the technology," he said. "We actually also have to spend a lot of time on the user experience, because it's drastically different." Ditto works within one's iMessage, not a separate app. 

Credit: Ditto Credit: Ditto

The site's FAQ states that Ditto pairs one student with another by analyzing their profiles and comparing preferences. Apparently, "this process employs rigorous computation and simulation to provide the best insights for curating a successful date."

Ditto leverages the reasoning abilities of LLMs and an agentic system that includes insights from experts in analysis, matchmaking, scheduling, and more, according to the site. 

Liu said that pre-filled profiles from users (like those used by traditional dating apps) have nothing to do with predicting chemistry. Instead, more important data is people's feedback from the dates, which is why they want to speed up the process. The more dates, the more data. 

Credit: Ditto

If a user signs up on Tuesday, they can get a date the next day. "That's pretty much unimaginable on traditional apps," he said. Though if you've been on Tinder or Feeld, you've likely met someone who's down to meet that night — and that is even more true on an app like Grindr.

There are people on Ditto who have gone on 20 dates, and the AI is trained based on that data. It's also trained on user conversations with the matchmaker, user interactions with each other, and feedback for how the date went.

On Ditto's website, it looks like there's a facial scan component as well. "I'd say definitely facial features, physical appearances are part of our algorithm," Liu said. (There's also a "bodycount detector" on the website, which Liu said one of the interns made, and that it's not part of Ditto's product. It requires a "facial scan," and much like the viral Check Her Body Count site, has an unsavory taste to it.)

Do AI matchmakers work?

The site also claims it has a 65 percent success rate, which is based on how many matches go on dates. "The match-to-date ratio on our platform is much higher than on other platforms," he said. 

In testimonials he sent to Mashable, users praised the quality of matches and the ease of getting them.

"Talking or chatting with Ditto through messages [has] also been easy. It's been good so far," said Adriana, a University of Southern California student. 

"It's a different thing. It's also easier. There's less friction for me," said Noah, a student at Berkeley. He initially thought it was confusing when cofounder Allen [Wang] explained it to me, "But it's easier than that app, because then it's like, okay, download this app to make an account, to do all this. I don't really want to do all of that."

And the company is doing something right, as it raised over $9 million earlier this year, according to Business Insider.

On Reddit, however, Ditto's reviews aren't so positive. Complaints include the company "spamming" campuses with fliers, that it's a "scam," and that it permits advertisers to track user data.

But it seems like, much like LLMs themselves, that AI matchmakers aren't going away. In addition to Ditto, there's Sitch AI (Mashable interviewed its founder last year), Amata, and Keeper. (And, of course, Overtone from Hinge founder Justin McLeod — which is launching later this year.) 

Major dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have also integrated AI features into the app, such as Tinder's AI matchmaker Chemistry and Hinge's AI Convo Starters feature. Bumble is eliminating its swipe feature and ushering in a more AI-forward experience by the end of 2026.

And just as Tinder and Bumble are leaning into in-person events despite utilizing the latest technology, though, so is Ditto, in the form of yacht parties. 

Credit: Ditto

"The team is just like super excited to be able to create these in real-life events and see people making new friends or like finding finding more loves during during these events," he said. As of this writing, Ditto is hiring a "Chief Yacht Officer." Duties include planning 10 yacht parties across the U.S. and designing the event flow "to facilitate fun and meaningful blind-date connections between Ditto users."

They're also great marketing campaigns. In addition to yacht parties, Ditto also has run clubs, reading clubs, and walking clubs in San Francisco. 

Given technological advancement and changes in social culture, Liu believes Ditto is the next thing. According to him, it's about time the next generation of social media — a lower-effort, higher-efficiency social network — is born. 

"We are almost there," he said.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned all foreign-made mobile robots from the country — including robot vacuums. This means that people in the U.S. won't be able to get new robot vacuums from brands such as Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and Samsung.

SEE ALSO: The FCC bans all routers made outside the U.S.

On Tuesday, the FCC announced that it has added "advanced robotic devices" made outside the U.S. to its Covered List. This list documents communications equipment and services that the U.S. government believes pose an "unacceptable risk" to national security. Products on the Covered List are prohibited from receiving FCC equipment authorisation, which is mandatory for most electronic devices imported or sold within the country. 

As such, this update means that foreign-manufactured advanced robotic devices cannot be imported or sold in the U.S. The FCC's announcement specifically mentioned limbed robots such as humanoids and quadrupeds, leaving no doubt that tech such as XPENG's humanoid IRON robot and Unitree's Go2 Pro Robot Dog will be barred from the country. 

However, robot vacuums also neatly fit within the ban's scope. As cited by the FCC, the National Security Determination defines "advanced robotic devices" as:

A mechanical mobile device, including autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robots, and quadrupeds, that – 

i. Is capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, or movement on the ground;

ii. Operates at a distance from a human operator or supervisor based on commands or in response to sensor data or any combination thereof; and 

iii. The combined weight of the device and, if applicable, ground station or docking station is over 4.4lbs; and 

iv. Contains a component falling within each of the below subparagraphs: 

i. a sensor capable of perceiving its environment; 

ii. a component that is capable of providing network connectivity (wired or wireless, including Bluetooth/WiFi, cellular, or satellite) with connection speeds of at least 200 kbps in either direction; and 

iii. software running either locally or remotely, including firmware and AI or machine-learning model weights, that controls the robot’s autonomous navigation or movement perception, data collection, or remote command-and-control

Such features are integral to robot vacuums' operations, which require them to independently navigate areas in order to clean them. The FCC has since confirmed that the U.S. ban does include robot vacuums, as reported by The Verge. 

Mashable has reached out to Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and Samsung. At the time of writing only Roborock has responded, and they declined to comment.

The National Security Determination also specifically referred to an incident involving a robot vacuum when outlining the U.S. government's concerns. Earlier this year, a software engineer accidentally hacked his DJI Romo robot vacuum and gained access to video, audio, and map data from thousands of devices across the world. (DJI devices have already been barred from the U.S. for some time, the government having classified it as a "'Chinese military company.")

Security vulnerabilities such as this aren't exclusive to foreign-made devices, and aren't necessarily an indication of sinister intentions. U.S. companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Uber have all experienced their own safety and security incidents as well. No technology is infallible, regardless of where it was made or who it was made by. Even so, the U.S. government considers such incidents in foreign technology as demonstrative of a national security threat.

"The networked capabilities of advanced robotic systems create extensive vulnerabilities and vectors for attacks that can manipulate the data and physical operation of the advanced robotic system," the National Security Determination reads. "Relying on foreign-produced advanced robotic devices presents unacceptable supply chain and cybersecurity vulnerabilities."

Fortunately, the U.S. robot vacuum ban won't force you to throw out your current device. The FCC states that consumers are still allowed to use devices they already own, so there's no need to rush out to look for a replacement. The ban doesn't revoke FCC authorisation from previously approved devices either, meaning those in the U.S. can continue to buy and sell robot vacuum models that are already in the market. 

However, new robot vacuums that have not yet received FCC authorisation are now barred from entering the country, leaving U.S. consumers with older models and significantly fewer options. The vast majority of robot vacuums are made outside the U.S., with the top five manufacturers based in China. Combined, these five companies held almost 70 percent of the global robot vacuum market share as of 2025. 

In comparison, the U.S. has practically no robot vacuum companies. While Roomba maker iRobot was founded in California, the company filed for bankruptcy last year and was acquired by Chinese robotics company Picea.

The Department of War (DOW) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are authorised to grant exemptions to the U.S. robotics ban upon conducting a national security assessment. However, the FCC does not list any at time of writing.

Earlier this year, the FCC banned all foreign-made consumer-level WiFi routers, also labelling them a danger to national security. The vast majority of routers are manufactured outside the U.S., including those from trusted brands such as TP-Link, ASUS, and Netgear.

HUD — named the best new hookup app by Mashable — and sex toy site Girls Get Off partnered to release the Pleasure Census, an anonymous survey of over 2,100 participants from 63 countries.

While not a nationally representative sample (68 percent of respondents are female), the survey says a lot about where daters are at today, especially in terms of desire. Namely, how big a role performance and body image play in young adults' sex lives.

SEE ALSO: What to do when body image is affecting your sex life

Critics like to call Gen Z a "sexless" generation due to various reports of declining sexual activity over the years, but what the Pleasure Census found is that 73 percent say concerns about their appearance make it harder to enjoy sex or pleasure. Forty-four percent of respondents overall said this, too, so while it's not just a Gen Z issue, it is more pervasive among them.

Credit: The Pleasure Census

Over half (54 percent) of Gen Z respondents have caught themselves "performing" — during solo pleasure. That number jumps up to 70 percent overall, and an additional 15 percent say they're not sure if they do. This is a phenomenon known as spectatoring, or focusing on yourself from a third-party perspective rather than on your (or your partner's) sensations.

Credit: The Pleasure Census

It doesn't help that talking openly about sex is also a challenge for many of the respondents: 50 percent are only somewhat comfortable telling a partner what they want. For 38 percent, sex was rarely discussed growing up, and for 35 percent, it was framed negatively or not spoken about at all. For 16 percent, it was discussed openly — but awkwardly — and a mere 10 percent said it was talked about openly and positively.

SEE ALSO: We asked a doctor about that new red light sex toy

Most people learned about sex from personal experience (60 percent), and 17 percent from online content. What about formal sex education? A measly one percent. (In the U.S., only 19 states mandate medically accurate information for any sex ed topic as of last year.)

Credit: The Pleasure Census

All this led the researchers to suggest that pleasure is self-taught, the orgasm gap is a conversation gap, and that honesty is the hardest act. Despite all the fraught feelings towards sex, 80 percent of participants want to have more of it. While this knowledge won't solve all the sexual hangups, self-awareness is the first step.

The Full Moon may have passed, but the Moon is still shining brightly in the night sky. Here's what you can spot on its surface as it begins to move into its next phase/

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, July 30, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Gibbous phase, with 100% of its surface visible.

Without visual aids, tonight you should still be able to see the Mare Tranquillitatis, Copernicus Crater, and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars will help you see the Gassendi Crater, Mare Frigoris, and the Clavius Crater. Finally, a telescope will help you see all this plus the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon goes through a complete cycle of eight phases roughly every 29.5 days. As it travels around Earth, the angle between the Sun, Earth and Moon constantly changes, meaning we see different amounts of the Moon's sunlit side. This is what causes the familiar progression from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the cycle repeats.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

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Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 30, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 30, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 30 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 30 Pips

Number (15): Everything in this purple space must add up to 15. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this purple space must add up to 15. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 30 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever played hockey.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Team graphic

• Green: Basketball team

• Blue: Stick makers

• Purple: G___

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A Team's Symbol

• Green: NBA Teams, Informally

• Blue: Hockey Stick Manufacturers

• Purple: What "G" Might Mean

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #675 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A Team's Symbol: BADGE, CREST, EMBLEM, LOGO

• NBA Teams, Informally: CLIPS, GRIZZ, MAVS, WOLVES

• Hockey Stick Manufacturers: BAUER, CCM, SHER-WOOD, WARRIOR

• What "G" Might Mean: GAMES, GATORADE, GOALTENDER, GUARD

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you always do what's right.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 30, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Righteous

• Green: Games

• Blue: "I'm on a boat!"

• Purple: Exact

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Virtuous

• Green: Activities with multiple balls

• Blue: Cruise lines

• Purple: On the ___, to mean "precise"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1145 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Virtuous: FAIR, GOOD, JUST, RIGHT

• Activities with multiple balls: BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING, POOL

• Cruise lines: CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, VIKING

• On the ___, to mean "precise": DOT, MARK, MONEY, NOSE

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 30, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.