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In the creator world, one of the biggest questions surrounding AI has been how creators should disclose to audiences that they're using AI. Platforms like YouTube rolled out AI labels. Companies built watermarking tools. Creators openly debated where ChatGPT fits into their workflow and when its use should be disclosed. The underlying assumption was that audiences wouldn't mind AI so long as they knew it was there.

SEE ALSO: Hank Green apologizes for relying too heavily on ChatGPT

Hank Green's recent apology suggests that assumption may no longer hold.

Although the longtime science creator said ChatGPT didn't write his scripts — and Complexly later clarified it wasn't used to write, edit, or fact-check the video that sparked the controversy — many of Green's viewers are still uncomfortable with the role AI played in his research process. The backlash wasn't really about whether Green disclosed his use of AI. It was that, for some viewers, any use of ChatGPT raised questions about the integrity of the creative process itself.

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Every era of the internet develops its own authenticity tests. At various points, creators have been accused of buying followers, secretly outsourcing content, overusing Photoshop, or faking candid moments for engagement. Generative AI has quickly become the latest measure by which audiences evaluate whether creative work feels "real."

Few internet creators seem better positioned to experiment with artificial intelligence than Green, whose career has been built on helping audiences understand emerging technologies without sensationalizing or dismissing them. If audiences should expect any creator to have firsthand experience with large language models before explaining their capabilities and limitations to millions of viewers, it would seem to be someone like him.

At the same time, Green's audience has always expected that the curiosity behind his work is entirely his own. His Reddit post suggests he believes that, too.

He described how using the chatbot had subtly changed the way he approached research. While AI helped him discover papers and resources more quickly, he wrote, it also prevented him from finding his "own ways into and around a topic."

It's an observation that feels increasingly familiar as generative AI becomes more deeply embedded in creative work. The concern isn't always that AI will fabricate information or replace human creativity altogether. It's that by making the early stages of the creative process frictionless — brainstorming, outlining, searching for sources — it may also change how ideas take shape in the first place.

View on Threads Creators aren't asking for permission to use AI

Despite controversies like this, AI adoption among creators continues to grow.

Adobe's 2026 Creators' Toolkit Report, which surveyed more than 16,000 creators across multiple countries, found that three-quarters of creators now describe AI as either integrated into or essential to their workflow. Nearly nine in 10 said AI had helped grow their business or audience. Yet the same report found that most creators also believe audience expectations around AI disclosure are increasing, underscoring the disconnect between how common these tools have become behind the scenes and how audiences feel about them.

The backlash Green received reflects that gap. Many of the comments in response to his apology didn't accuse him of deception. Instead, they questioned whether AI should have been involved in the research process at all. One Reddit user argued that if the pressure to produce a video meant turning to ChatGPT instead of a human researcher, "we don't need the video." Another described AI as creating the illusion of productivity while merely "pushing the food around on your plate."

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If trust is the currency of the creator economy, some viewers worry AI has the potential to devalue it. Green's comments didn't just prompt scrutiny of his own workflow; they also raised questions about creators more broadly. As one Bluesky user put it, "The thing about Hank Green using AI is not only that it mars his credibility forever, but it has now cast a large, looming shadow of doubt over all my favorite video essayists and their own usage of AI in their research and even writing process."

For years, the creator economy rewarded speed. Platforms favored consistency, algorithms rewarded frequent uploads, and creators often found themselves under pressure to produce more content than ever before. Generative AI arrived promising to make that pace sustainable by summarizing research, organizing ideas, drafting outlines, and handling repetitive tasks that once consumed hours.

Green's response suggests that promise comes with tradeoffs. In his Reddit post, he described the "dopamine" he was getting from interacting with large language models and from doing "more and more and more and more." The technology wasn't simply helping him work faster. It was encouraging him to work differently.

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Green's apology also arrives at a moment when audiences are becoming increasingly vigilant about AI's presence online, sometimes to the point of overcorrection.

Audiences are on alert for any sign of AI

Over the past year, creators, artists, authors, and even hobbyists have found themselves defending work accused of being AI-generated despite insisting it wasn't. On Archive of Our Own (AO3), fanfiction writers have been accused of using ChatGPT for everything from sentence structure to frequent em dashes, prompting moderators and readers to warn against turning AI detection into a form of online vigilantism. Digital artists have similarly found themselves pressured to prove paintings were created by hand after viewers mistook stylistic choices for AI artifacts.

At the same time, audiences have shown little hesitation in criticizing brands and creators that openly embrace generative AI. Coca-Cola's AI-assisted holiday campaign drew criticism for prioritizing technology over artists. Duolingo faced consumer backlash after announcing an "AI-first" strategy that many users interpreted as a move to replace human workers. In gaming, publishers have faced criticism for AI-generated marketing materials, while indie developers have seen games scrutinized for suspected AI-generated assets.

AI has become something of a reputational minefield. Use it, and audiences may question the authenticity of your work. Avoid it, and you may still find yourself defending against accusations that you used it anyway.

Rather than defend that workflow, Green announced he would slow down. He plans to publish fewer videos on @Hankschannel, pause development on two daily online word games, and spend more time creating videos where, as he put it, "the writing was the whole thing."

That decision feels notable, especially as creators across industries wrestle with the same pressures. AI companies often frame large language models as productivity tools, promising to eliminate busywork so people can focus on what matters most. Green's experience points to a more complicated reality. Sometimes the busywork — the rabbit holes, the dead ends, the unexpected paper you stumble across while looking for something else — is part of the creative process itself.

Whether audiences ultimately agree with Green's use of ChatGPT is almost beside the point. His apology illustrates how much the conversation around AI has changed in just a few years. The debate is no longer confined to disclosure or labeling. As generative AI becomes more common behind the scenes, audiences are paying closer attention to where it enters the creative process and where they believe the line should be drawn.

And for creators whose careers depend on trust, that distinction may become one of the defining challenges of the AI era.

Mini PCs are becoming the go-to solution for desktop computing in 2026. Unless you have a very specific need, a mini PC likely will serve you well. I recently found out that my mini PC could be powered over USB—something my full-size desktop never could dream of. Plus, five other overlooked things that I didn't realize a mini PC could do until recently.

A movie date can tell you a lot about a person. For some women who went to see The Odyssey, it may have told them too much.

Since Christopher Nolan's epic arrived in theaters, women have been sharing what happened when their dates encountered Odysseus, the Trojan Horse, and nearly 3 hours of Greek mythology.

The results have included questionable ticket purchases, confidently incorrect movie trivia, and at least one reaction to a plot development that has been public knowledge for roughly 2,700 years.

On Aug. 2, TikTok user @.finfan posted that her boyfriend "gasped when they came out of the Trojan Horse."

"Is he still your bf?" one asked. Another offered a correction: "*Ex boyfriend." Clearly, not all men are as obsessed with the Roman Empire as the internet led us to believe back in 2023.

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Some commenters diagnosed the moment as a prime example of an "intelligence ick," a loss of attraction triggered by something that makes a person question their partner's knowledge or critical thinking.

People don't necessarily mean IQ when they describe an intelligence gap in a relationship. As Vice explained, they’re often responding to differences in curiosity, communication style, emotional awareness, or whether they get each other's references. A 2023 study of more than 3,000 Finnish and Dutch twin-spouse pairs found that partners tended to have similar levels of education. The researchers concluded that educational background and shared social circles both influenced whom people chose as partners.

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Of course, knowing the story of the Trojan Horse is hardly a reliable measure of intelligence. It may simply come down to what someone learned in school or encountered growing up. But when a partner does not recognize something you assumed was common knowledge, that difference can suddenly feel much bigger.

The Trojan Horse was only the start of the ick conversation, though.

One woman said her date confidently told her The Odyssey was directed by James Cameron. Another discovered that her self-described "film bro" did not know what 70mm IMAX was.

Meanwhile, the man onscreen was making some real-life dates look worse. "I fear the bar has been risen when it comes to dating," one creator wrote, referring to Odysseus' (Matt Damon) determination to return to his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), after a decade apart.

SEE ALSO: Are all men obsessed with the Roman Empire? We investigate.

The specificity of these complaints is funny, but they are circulating at a time when many women already feel exhausted by dating.

A 2025 study found that 80 percent of women reported experiencing some level of dating-app burnout, compared with 74 percent of men. Respondents blamed the difficulty of finding a connection, disappointment, rejection, repetitive conversations, and endless swiping.

Still, one ick does not necessarily mean it is time to end the relationship. An awkward comment or missing piece of movie knowledge may be harmless, especially if everything else is going well. Nevertheless, the "ick can also save us a lot of time in simply giving small flags of general incompatibility," writer Kitty Winks wrote for Mashable back in 2023.

Icks can also be influenced by internet dealbreakers — kind of like these. A 2022 study found that 35 percent of respondents had been influenced by icks they encountered online. So before sending a date on his own odyssey home, it may be worth deciding whether the ick is yours or TikTok's.

After setting up my Bambu Lab P2S last week, I set about doing what anyone does with a new toy: thoroughly testing it out. After printing the usual poop-chutes and toolboxes, I recalled something I added to my printing list roughly six months ago. I had no idea it would print so well.

SAVE $49.01: As of August 4, get the 11-inch A16 Apple iPad for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449. That's a discount of 11%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) $399.99 at Amazon
$449 Save $49.01   Get Deal

If you've been looking for a new tablet, an iPad is always a good idea, especially when you can get one for a low price. The 11-inch A16 iPad is back on sale again for an extremely palatable discount, so if you've been biding your time and waiting to get your hands on one, now's your opportunity to do so.

As of August 4, get the 11-inch A16 Apple iPad for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449. That's $49.01 off and a discount of 11%. This price applies to the Silver and Blue colorways only for right now, as the Pink and Yellow options are not similarly discounted.

SEE ALSO: Apple launching its first water-resistant iPad soon

This A16-powered iPad is a fast and responsive model that'll give you smooth, reliable performance. Whether you're gaming, taking photos, editing media, or browsing the internet, it can do all with gusto and zip. Thanks to its Liquid Retina display, it can give you a crisp, colorful picture that's both responsive and comfortable to use. Its 11-inch display gives you sharp detail, and True Tone technology will automatically adjust the screen based on your surroundings.

This model offers USB-C charging and connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, and a lengthy all-day battery life so you can keep using it while on the go. And if you want to give it even more purpose, you can use an Apple Pencil or Apple Magic Keyboard to turn it into a "laptop" of sorts to help you get more done on the go, or just give yourself a more comfortable user experience.

Whatever you decide to use it for, this affordable iPad is a great deal that you'll want to snap up before it's gone -- especially if you know someone with a birthday coming up or if you want to save it for a holiday gift.

Breaking into the top tier of the compact SUV segment has never been easy. Buyers in this class expect practicality, efficiency, modern technology, and strong value, which means even a complete redesign isn't always enough to shake up the established order. Any newcomer hoping to climb the rankings has to prove it can improve on a formula that's already been refined for years.

SAVE $700: The 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED GX9 curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) is on sale at Amazon for $999.99, down from the normal price of $1,699.99. That's a 41% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED GX9 curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) $999.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $700   Get Deal

We can often rationalize getting a little treat here and there. A nice iced coffee, a pastry, or a pizza on Friday night are all small ways to pat yourself on the back. But sometimes, we deserve a bigger treat. If you're a gamer who's in the mood for an excellent upgrade, check out this deal.

As of Aug. 4, the 45-inch LG Ultragear curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) is on sale at Amazon for $999.99, down from the normal price of $1,699.99. That's a 41% discount that takes a major $700 off.

There's something next level about using a curved gaming monitor that also happens to be massive. The LG Ultragear has an 800R curve that pairs well with its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03 millisecond response time. Additionally, it can reach up to 1,300 nits of brightness on the crisp OLED display. LG mentions this is the Ultragear's brightest OLED.

The immersive experience is made even better thanks to the low glare and flicker-free display LG incorporated with this model. You can also use advanced gaming features like black stabilizer to brighten dark scenes and crosshair to enhance precision.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your study setup for under $100 with this rare Sony noise-canceling headphones deal

The multitasking hub is great for both gaming and replying to work emails. There's an HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and USB-C with a 65W power delivery.

Consider gifting yourself a huge treat for once while the 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED GX9 curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) is on sale at Amazon for $999.99.

Microsoft says the WiFi at your hotel might be compromised.

In a post on its Threat Intelligence website (via ABC News), Microsoft warned of a new hacking operation called "CaptiveCrunch," which the company claimed had some ties to Russia.

Starting in May, Microsoft said it had observed a "widespread compromise of Wi-Fi networks at hospitality-related organizations," including WiFi networks at hotels.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Teams users will lose Calendar access in weeks unless they update

The hacking operation works by tricking users to download malicious files via pop-ups that appear when connecting to a hotel WiFi network. Those who are doing this are able to get screenshots and keystrokes, and can even remotely hijack devices if necessary. There are also fake login screens that could give the hackers access to a user's personal email address.

According to Microsoft, the best way to avoid this is to use something more private when traveling, like a mobile hotspot. If that's not an option and you must use hotel WiFi, be on the lookout for any kind of pop-up window that appears after logging into the network. These can appear as Windows Update pop-ups or other kinds of update windows you might normally see on your device, but if they appear right as you've logged into hotel WiFi, they might be up to something.

In other words, if you aren't expecting any kind of update pop-up, maybe avoid any of them that appear.

A quick look at the best back-to-school sales Target Save on backpacks and lunchboxes, school supplies Shop Now Owala Save 20% sitewide Shop Now Best Buy Save up to 50% on Chromebooks and Windows laptops, dorm TVs, headphones, and more Shop Now Pottery Barn Teen Save up to 60% on bedding, organizers and shower caddies, decor, and more Shop Now

Back-to-school season is one of the calendar year's most reliable jump scares. While we grapple with how fast summer went by, back-to-school sales are here to get us excited about the fall.

These deals on school stuff don't just have to be for students heading back to class. Anyone can take advantage of pens and pencils, cute notebooks, nice water bottles, and laptops on sale for a productivity boost heading into the new season.

SEE ALSO: Tech keeps getting more expensive. That's why these 4 cheap laptops are so special.

We're tracking the best back-to-school sales in 2026 below. More retailers are sure to kick off their sales as we wade through August, so be sure to pop back to this list closer to your start date.

School supplies

• Amazon — save up to 50% on mechanical pencils, folders, Sharpies, glue, and more

• Staples — save up to 70% on pens and pencils, notebooks, erasers, pouches, and more, plus 25% off backpacks

• Target — save up to 60% on pencils, notebooks, folders, art supplies, and more

Water bottles and lunch supplies

• Owala — save 20% sitewide

• Target — save 20% on select lunch kits and water bottles

Laptops, tablets, and more tech

• Back Market — save an extra $50 on refurbished tech with code BACK2COOL

• Best Buy — save up to 50% on Chromebooks and Windows laptops, MacBooks, Galaxy tablets, AirPods, monitors, and more

• Lenovo — save up to 34% on laptops like the Yoga 7 or Chromebook Duet, plus up to 51% on wireless mice and keyboards

Dorm gear and organization tools

• Best Buy — save up to $500 on Windows PCs, Roku TVs, compact refrigerators, headphones, and more

• Buffy — save 20% on eco-friendly cooling comforters and sheet sets

• Pottery Barn Teen — save up to 60% on bedding, organizers and shower caddies, decor, and more

• Rugs Direct — save up to 70% sitewide, including washable area rugs

• Skylight — save $100 on the Skylight Calendar

• Target — save up to 40% on storage and organization bins

• Urban Outfitters — save 30% on comforters, decor, lamps, and more dorm essentials

• Walmart — save on small TVs, Keurigs, vacuums, and more

Clothes

• Adidas — save up to 40% on select sneakers and backpacks

• Nike — save 25% on select styles with code DAYONE

• Old Navy — save on all jeans plus get an extra 30% off your purchase with code EXTRA

SAVE $802: The 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV is on sale at Amazon for $1,697.99, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a 32% discount that matches the best price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV $1,697.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $802.00   Get Deal

It feels like a sauna outside, and some of the country is dealing with wildfire smoke. If you're sitting indoors dreaming of the fall chill that we'll experience in a few months, you're in good company. Along with crisp fall temperatures comes new fall shows. If you've been disappointed with your TVs current display, it might be time for an upgrade, and this 85-inch model is on a steep discount.

As of Aug. 4, the 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV is on sale at Amazon for $1,697.99, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a 32% discount for a major savings of $802. This sale price also matches the best deal we've seen at Amazon.

TCL makes some of the best budget-friendly TVs and today's sale price on an 85-inch QLED with impressive specs follows suit. This 2026 model has an mini LED display that focuses on vivid colors and deep blacks. Plus, the thin and bezel-free design give this TV a modern look.

SEE ALSO: Want a bigger TV? Amazon's Ember 75-inch QLED model is $150 off if you act fast.

TCL equipped this model with Google TV and a TSR AI processor for quick loading. Plus, the built-in speaker is designed by Bang & Olufsen. You're also in great shape if you hope to game on the massive 85-inch TV. It comes with 144Hz refresh rate and an auto game mode that gives the lowest input lag possible.

Before fall 2026 shows release, upgraded to the 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV. When you're not watching new shows or movies, it's great for gaming.

I love Jellyfin. Being able to watch my movie collection on any device in my home is great, but I usually end up watching on the main TV for the best experience. I was happy watching Jellyfin this way until a chance purchase made my setup so much better.

The biggest perk of owning a proper Wear OS smartwatch is access to the Google Play Store. Now, as a Samsung Galaxy Watch user, you've probably already installed the usual suspects—Spotify, Google Keep, Google Maps, and the like. However, that's just scratching the surface—there are plenty of great apps waiting to be discovered. Here are four apps that rarely get talked about but are so good that I always install them on my Samsung Galaxy Watch.

TL;DR: Blvck Paris and Pringles have teamed up on a limited-edition, all-black collection featuring hoodies, a baseball jacket, a "break-glass" collectible Pringles can display, and a charm. It's priced $35 to $275, launching Aug. 6 exclusively at Blvck — with the first 2,000 U.S. orders getting a free limited-edition Blvck x Pringles can.

Blvck Paris and Pringles are teaming up for a collab that sounds like it shouldn't work on paper — a minimalist, all-black luxury label and a snack brand known for being loud, colorful, and instantly recognizable. But contrast is exactly what makes it work.

Pringles is a snack you eat when you're not even hungry. It's the "I'll just have a few" that turns into an empty can in 10 minutes. Pairing that energy with Blvck's all-black aesthetic is half the fun of this collab. The limited-edition collection launches Aug. 6 exclusively at Blvck, priced from $35 to $275 and available in sizes XS to 2XL.

Credit: Blvck Paris

The lineup includes the following:

• Teddy Hoodie & Teddy Tee — feature Blvck's signature teddy character surrounded by scattered Pringles chips and co-branded artwork.

• Teddy Baseball Jacket — features an oversized embroidered back graphic that blends Blvck Paris iconography with Pringles-inspired visuals.

• "In Case of Emergency" Plexiglass Collectible — a display piece styled like an emergency break-glass box, enclosing a matte black Pringles can.

• Teddy Charm — a collectible charm reworking Blvck's teddy mascot through a Pringles-inspired design.

Here's the best part: the first 2,000 orders placed during the launch period will receive a free limited-edition matte-black Blvck x Pringles can, loaded with Barbecue-flavored chips, exclusively for U.S. customers, while supplies last.

Credit: Blvck Paris

Get your hands on the Blvck Paris Pringles collection soon so you score the free matte black Pringles before supplies run out.

Apple's new device-leasing program has a strange (on the surface) rule attached to it.

Last week, Apple launched Apple Upgrade, a new Klarna-backed program that allows customers to lease new iPhones, MacBooks, and other devices for a small-ish monthly payment, rather than spending more than $1,000 up front. However, folks quickly noticed something in the fine print: You'll need an account with AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile to lease an iPhone.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

So, while the phones are technically unlocked, you can only activate them with one of the big three mobile carriers.

Cybersecurity analyst John Gruber looked into this and, on his website, Daring Fireball, gave a couple of big reasons as to why that might be the case.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI takes Apple lawsuit to court of public opinion, posts texts

For starters, it's a way to prevent fraud. According to Gruber, the three big carriers do enough risk assessment before letting anyone open an account that Apple can be fairly sure you're not leasing an iPhone for nefarious purposes. Beyond that, though, a former Apple employee wrote into Gruber's site to explain that Apple signs big-money deals with the carriers for prominent placement and other things like this rule. We can't verify the former employee's claims, but the report is interesting.

"Every year, the Carrier Teams at Apple negotiate a deal/program (hundreds of millions of dollars) with each of those Big 3," the reader wrote. "In return for those dollars, Apple will make concessions exactly like this (or similar.)"

Regardless, if you want to lease an iPhone through the Apple Upgrade program, you can't do it with an account on a smaller carrier.

SAVE $200: As of August 4, get the Segway SuperScooter GT3 for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's a discount of 12%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Segway SuperScooter GT3 $1,499.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $200   Get Deal

Looking for a quick and easy way to get around? Cars are expensive, so zoom around your neighborhood and beyond with an electric scooter. Thanks to this deal at Amazon, you can get one for a great price right now without breaking the bank. And you'll also get a fun and easy way to get around that others just might be jealous of.

As of August 4, get the Segway SuperScooter GT3 for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's $200 off and discount of 12%.

SEE ALSO: The best electric scooters to buy

This scooter gets you up to 45 miles of distance per charge, with SegRange technology that helps boost its efficiency by 20%. That means you can have longer rides without having to worry about interruptions. It's also built for more unforgiving conditions, so you can head out in more harsh areas without having to worry about the scooter getting damaged or degrading over time due to the conditions you ride it in.

It uses the SegRide Stability Enhancement System for a smoother, more ordered ride no matter what kind of skill level you are. It also has 11-inch self-sealing tires, dual hydraulic suspension with front double shock absorbers and a real trailing arm for better control over your ride. When it's depleted, it can be charged all the way back up in just under 6 hours, with a 1-hour charge giving you nearly 13 miles of range.

This is a great scooter for someone needing a fast and easy way to get around the neighborhood or on campus, or even a good choice for an older kid to get their start with scooters. Whatever the case may be, it's a great deal either way.

SAVE $335.99: The EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $664, down from the normal price of $999.99. That's a 34% discount that matches the lowest we've spotted at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: zEcoVacs EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower $664 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $335.99   Get Deal

The world has become a better place lately if you don't enjoy mowing the lawn. In the same way we have robot vacuums to clean up messes inside, a robot lawn mower is at-the-ready to keep the grass well manicured. If you're interested but have been turned off by the prices that often go over four figures, check out this deal.

As of Aug. 4, the EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $664, down from the normal price of $999.99. That's a 34% discount that saves yard owners $335.99. The sale price matches the lowest we've spotted at Amazon.

You're in luck if you have a yard that measures about a quarter of an acre or you only want to mow that size per session. The EcoVacs Goat 01000 can handle mowing the lawn at a height between 1.2 and 3.2 inches. It can also navigate on hills that have a 45% slope. Plus, it has an IPX6 waterproof rating, so it'll be just fine sitting outside in the rain.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum is down to its lowest-ever price — save $210 at Amazon

The EcoVacs Goat 01000 has a narrow body, making it possible to mow in spaces that are as tight as 2.3 feet wide. Its 3D obstacle avoidance technology works all day, even in dark conditions, making it no issue to send the mower out at dusk.

From the EcoVacs app, you'll be able to set the desired height, mowing areas, and mowing schedule. In addition to the convenience, EcoVacs mentions the Goat 01000 only reaches 57 decibels, compared to 65 to 100 from a standard push mower.

If you've been seeing robot lawn mowers in the neighborhood but decided they were too spendy, consider today's deal on the EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower. The 34% discount at Amazon brings this model down to $664. Since this matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon, today is a great time to make the upgrade.

For years, the default storage recommendation has been to buy a NAS. Run out of space? Buy a NAS. Want better backups? Buy a NAS. Thinking about organizing your photos? Buy a NAS! Somewhere along the way, the idea that everyone needs a miniature storage server became accepted wisdom.

In July, Apple filed a blockbuster lawsuit against OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, accusing the company of hiring former Apple employees and improperly gaining confidential information.

Now, OpenAI is striking back against Apple, but not just in court. On Aug. 3, OpenAI posted a public blog post denying many of Apple's claims. The post also includes recreations of texts and copies of emails that OpenAI says directly contradict some of the facts presented in the lawsuit.

In effect, OpenAI is moving this fight into the court of public opinion — and bringing receipts.

As a result, this complex legal drama is now playing out in the open, giving the public an inside look at how lawsuits like this are handled behind the scenes.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

OpenAI's blog post, "Apple is getting this wrong," contains some not-so-subtle digs at Apple's legal counsel, which OpenAI says initially contacted the wrong person at OpenAI and misrepresented their conversations in legal filings.

Apple had claimed that they contacted OpenAI in February and that we didn’t respond. They now admit that their outside lawyers emailed the wrong person after confusing two Asian last names—only after we brought this to their attention. Apple also claimed they had a discussion with our General Counsel, which they now concede never happened. But they again hide the fact that they never raised the specific allegations in this lawsuit at that time, and that they in fact told us that they were “resolving any issues.

That email is included in Apple's legal filings. Now, OpenAI has posted a back-and-forth with Apple's outside legal counsel, detailing the confusion.

The blog post also states, somewhat passive-aggressively, "We wish Apple had raised these issues with us before they filed their lawsuit and would have been happy to clarify all of this with them. We have taken the allegations in the lawsuit seriously and offered to work with Apple to resolve this. Instead, they’re trying to change their narrative, including by making vague accusations about other former employees, and will likely keep repeating this tactic."

The background on Apple Inc. v. Liu

Apple filed its lawsuit, Apple Inc. v. Liu, on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Apple's lawsuit named both OpenAI’s commercial and nonprofit entities, as well as its hardware company io Products, former iPhone engineer, Chang Liu, and OpenAI Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan, who worked at Apple for 24 years before joining OpenAI.

“This case is about Apple’s former employees stealing Apple’s trade secrets for the benefit of OpenAI,” Apple said in the complaint.

In the ongoing AI arms race, Big Tech companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic have spent tens of billions of dollars poaching talent from each other. Last year, Meta was reportedly offering signing bonuses of up to $100 million.

Because employees typically sign ironclad non-disclosure agreements when starting a role, they are forbidden from sharing a company's trade secrets after moving to a rival company.

In its lawsuit, Apple accuses OpenAI of conspiring with former Apple employees to benefit from its trade secrets. However, OpenAI denies these claims, and the new blog post includes numerous exchanges between Apple employees and Chang Liu that the AI company says directly contradict Apple's suit.

"Apple accuses Chang Liu of accessing Apple confidential information after leaving the company, but only now admits that Apple employees reached out to him and asked for his help to locate this information (you can read the messages here⁠)."

It's hard to imagine Apple, a famously tight-lipped company, posting a public blog post about the lawsuit the way OpenAI has. That ability to speak directly to users, and not solely relying on lawyers, could give OpenAI an edge in the battle of public opinion, even if the suit is ultimately decided in court or in a settlement.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

SAVE $750: As of August 4, get the AIPER Scuba X1 pool robot for $749.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1499.99. That's a discount of 50%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon AIPER Scuba X1 pool robot $749.99 at Amazon
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If you have a pool, you already know that its upkeep can be time-consuming and pricey. Why not have at least one of the pool-cleaning steps you've got to handle outsourced to a friendly robot? You can do just that while saving some serious cash thanks to this Amazon deal, which ensures you don't have to worry about cleaning out your pool ever again.

As of August 4, get the AIPER Scuba X1 pool robot for $749.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1499.99. That's $750 off and a discount of 50%.

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

This pool robot is all about making your life easier. It uses powerful 6,600 GPH suction and dual jets, so as soon as you power it on, it's collecting sand, pebbles, and algae from your pool thanks to its effortless cleaning system. It also uses advanced multi-layer filtration to capture the tiniest of debris, so no matter what you've got lurking in your pool water, this pool robot can filter it out with an ultra-fine filter.

It uses WaveLine 2.0 technology to reach 2 inches above your pool's waterline and offers 60 sections of horizontal cleaning with each wave. And it stays up to date with over the air enhancements that are done automatically. That means all you really have to worry about is keeping it charged with its wireless charging dock and deploying it when you're ready to have a sparkling pool. It can handle the rest.

If you're ready to have a cleaner pool, now's the time to invest in one of these robots before summer starts to slip away.

TL;DR: Marshall's Stockwell III portable Bluetooth speaker has officially launched, priced at $249.99. It offers 40+ hours of playtime, true 360-degree Marshall sound, IP55 dust and water resistance, and doubles as a charging bank for other devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Stockwell III $249.99 at Marshall
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Marshall's Stockwell III officially launches on Aug. 4.

We first wrote about the announcement back in June, when Marshall confirmed it would keep the price at $249.99 despite adding solid upgrades over the previous generation. Now it's finally available at Marshall and Costco.

The main upgrade here is that the battery life has doubled — Marshall bumped it from 20 hours to 40+ hours, and it charges over USB-C, with a 30W PD charger getting you a full recharge in under 3 hours (or 7 hours of playtime from just a 20-minute quick charge). Water and dust resistance also improves, going from IPX4 on the previous model to IP55, so it can handle much more than the occasional splash.

SEE ALSO: Marshall’s new Billie Joe Armstrong amp is built for Green Day nostalgia: Price, release date, and more

Sound-wise, it keeps Marshall's True Stereophonic 360-degree audio, powered by a 3-inch woofer and two 1.75-inch wide-band drivers, and backed by a 65W amp for the woofer.

Bethany Allard, who covered the announcement back in June, pointed out that the previous Stockwell II earned praise from PCMag for its "rich bass and bright highs" — so the sound quality here was already solid, even before this upgrade.

Another cool detail: the battery is swappable — instead of tossing the speaker once the battery wears down, you can replace it yourself, along with the front and back grilles, silicone sleeve, and carrying strap. That's not something you see often with Bluetooth speakers, most of which are basically disposable once a part fails.

Credit: Marshall

It's got tactile, amp-inspired controls on top, including a new M-button for jumping straight to your saved presets, plus Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast support and multipoint connectivity for pairing with more than one device.

It's available now for $249.99 on Marshall and Costco.