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TL;DR: Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free when you trade in an eligible device on Experience Beyond with T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Free via 24 monthly bill credits with an eligible trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile. Shop Now

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally jump to a foldable phone, your window to do it for free is rapidly closing.

Samsung’s brand-new Galaxy Z Fold 8 officially hits shelves on Aug 7 — which means this is your absolute last chance to lock in T-Mobile’s wild pre-launch preorder promotion.

Right now, T-Mobile is running the best launch promotion we’ve seen for Samsung's latest flagship: up to $1,900 in bill credits spread over 24 months. If you have an eligible trade-in, that effectively wipes out the entire $1,899.99 price tag. Yes, T-Mobile is giving away the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free.

At nearly $2,000, buying the Z Fold 8 outright is a hard sell. That makes taking advantage of this pre-launch window the smart play.

We really like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. This "redesigned foldable shines as a media powerhouse with a wider, more comfortable display." If you use your mobile device as a handheld workstation, gaming rig, or multi-tasking hub, getting flagship-tier Samsung hardware for free is an absolute steal — provided you're already on (or willing to switch to) T-Mobile's top-tier unlimited network.

Thinking about making the leap to Samsung's latest foldables? You're not alone. These new smartphones "are breaking the company's pre-order records for foldables."

House of the Dragon star James Norton is here to take you on an education tour of the Tumbleton set, and his commentary makes it clear he's significantly more delightful company than the character he plays.

In the video above, Team Green villain Ormund Hightower wanders the streets of a set that he describes as "the most extraordinary I've ever worked on", with the two main takeaways being: 1) the show's crew put an incredible amount of time and effort into building Tumbleton, and 2) James Norton doesn't know if the Westerosi capital city is called King's Landing or Queen's Landing.

His parting words to the camera as he closes the town's large wooden doors? "Don't get stuck, there's about to be a raging war in here."

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TL;DR: AT&T launched the amiGO Jr. Tab 2, a kids' tablet with 5G, an 8.7-inch anti-glare display, a stylus, and 145+ hours of battery life, starting at $4.99/month for 36 months.

Opens in a new window Credit: AT&T AT&T amiGO Jr. Tab 2 Now $4.99/mo (was $6.67/mo) on a 36-month installment plan Get Deal

AT&T is updating its kids' tablet lineup. The company launched the amiGO Jr. Tab 2, an upgraded version of the original amiGO Jr. Tab with enhanced connectivity, a bigger display, and a few other improvements.

The Tab 2's main upgrade is 5G access, meaning the tablet connects directly to AT&T's wireless network instead of relying solely on WiFi — useful for car rides, waiting rooms, or anywhere else a home network isn't in reach. Beyond connectivity, the hardware itself got reworked:

• 8.7-inch anti-glare display — a larger screen than the original amiGO Jr. Tab, with an anti-glare coating meant to cut down on reflections during outdoor or bright-light use

• Stylus pen — included for handwriting, drawing, and more precise on-screen interaction than a fingertip allows

• 145+ hours of battery life — AT&T's stated runtime, which would reduce how often the device needs to be charged during a typical week of use

How the parental controls work

Every amiGO device, including the Tab 2, is managed through the AT&T amiGO companion app on a parent's smartphone (iOS or Android). Through the app, parents can:

• Set screen time limits and daily usage schedules

• Restrict or approve specific apps and websites

• Approve up to 30 contacts their kid is allowed to call, video call, or message

• Monitor the tablet's real-time location and set up "Safe Zone" alerts for arrivals and departures

• Enable "School Mode" to disable non-educational apps and notifications during designated focus periods

The Tab 2 joins the AT&T amiGO Jr. Phone and amiGO Jr. Watch 2, all controlled through the same parent-facing app rather than a mix of separate tools for each device.

Pricing

The Tab 2 normally costs $6.67/month, but AT&T dropped it to $4.99/month on a 36-month payment plan. The plan needs a new line and 0% interest agreement; well-qualified customers pay $0 upfront, with tax due at the time of sale. Buying it outright without a payment plan costs $239.99.

Once kids are ready for a regular phone, parents can switch over to AT&T Secure Family — a family safety app that helps manage screen time, location sharing, content access, and more. It gives parents a simpler way to keep kids safe online as they grow, without relying on a mix of separate apps.

Grab the amiGO Jr. Tab 2 now while it's down to $4.99/month.

Reddit is making changes to its moderation tools, launching its AI-powered Rules Hub to all new subreddits. Moderators are not thrilled.

Announced in a blog post on Wednesday, Reddit is expanding testing of its Rules Hub AI moderation tools to all newly created subreddits. Powered by large language models, Rules Hub has already been tested across more than 700 subreddits, with the company planning to make it widely available across Reddit later in the year.

SEE ALSO: AI is fueling Reddit's spam problem

Significantly, Reddit states that while Rules Hub isn't a replacement for human moderation, it and other systems could eventually replace Automoderator (aka Automod). Integrated into Reddit since 2015, Automod is a bot that helps moderators automate various tasks such as blocking specific keywords or removing probable spam.

"Unlike Automod’s enforcement tools, which depend on exact keyword and pattern matching, Rules Hub uses LLMs to evaluate whether a post or comment matches the intent of a rule," Reddit states. "That allows Rules Hub to better handle nuance, natural language, and edge cases while preserving moderator control."

Expanding on this in a post to the r/modnews subreddit, Reddit admin u/Go_JasonWaterfalls offered the example of "distinguishing between an actual insult and a user quoting a movie or using casual slang." (u/Go_JasonWaterfalls has previously identified themselves as Reddit's VP of Community, a title currently held by Laura Nester.)

"Our goal isn't to force every moderation workflow into an LLM," said u/Go_JasonWaterfalls. "We’re building a broader toolkit (including Rules Hub, Automations, Post & Comment Guidance, some we haven’t thought of yet) to support both intent-based and deterministic workflows. And we want to put all of that into a central place (i.e. a hub). This future is still far away. But it’s the future we’re building toward."

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

Moderators aren't happy with Reddit's plan to sunset Automod

Despite such assertions, Reddit's moderators remain unconvinced. Many reacted to Wednesday's news with alarm, baulking at Rules Hub's introduction and demanding that Automod remain.

"Oh hell nah. We use automod HEAVILY in all of our communities," r/Animesuggest and r/attackontitan mod u/DustyAsh69 commented (emphasis original). "PLEASE stop 'fixing' things that don't need to be fixed."

"Automod is load baring [sic], are you seriously sunsetting automod?" wrote r/piercing and r/bodymods mod u/SampleOfNone. "I'm in the Rules Hub beta, it doesn't even come close to doing what automod can. One of my sub has 8 rules, Rules Hub can only enforce 2…. I love automations, I really do, but it's for guiding the good eggs. I doesn't [sic] stand a chance against the bad eggs."

In response to moderators' concerns, u/Go_JasonWaterfalls conceded that Rules Hub is "not even close" to being able to replace Automod at present, as it doesn't have all the same functionality. Automod will remain in place for now, and nothing is set to change in the immediate future.

"PLEASE stop 'fixing' things that don't need to be fixed." - u/DustyAsh69

Even so, improvement of and eventual migration to Rules Hub remains Reddit's end goal, with u/Go_JasonWaterfalls attempting to reassure mods that the platform "won’t sunset anything until it works for good and bad eggs alike."

"I don’t think you're hearing your moderators," replied r/freesofware mod u/happyxpenguin. "They’re telling you DO NOT SUNSET automod. Period."

Reddit has had a rocky relationship with its unpaid moderators in recent years. In 2023, CEO Steve Huffman likened them to "landed gentry", earning widespread ire from many mods who felt their hard work was being taken for granted. Moderators guide subreddits, which includes setting and enforcing rules, deleting spam or off-topic posts, and acting on reports.

This occurred amidst moderator-led protests against Reddit's widely derided decision to begin charging developers for access to its application programming interface (API), which had been free since its introduction. In response to these protests, Reddit threatened to remove mods unless they backed down. Unsurprisingly, the company's subsequent attempts to make nice were met with disbelief and derision. 

Judging from reactions to this week's news, moderators' faith in the company appears to remain on shaky ground. (Reddit stated on Wednesday that it will gradually restrict new requests for access to its API, and require third-party apps to migrate to its Developer Platform.)

Featured Video For You Girlbossification of AI Reddit to also tackle "abusive" scraping of users' data

In addition to rolling out Rules Hub more broadly, Reddit further announced that it will be making more changes to prevent "abusive" scraping of users' data. However, this doesn't mean users' posts won't be used to train AI at all. Though Reddit barred search engines from crawling its platform for free in 2024, it also struck $60 million deals allowing Google and OpenAI to use redditors' data to train their AI algorithms.

Reddit also stated that it will make changes intended to encourage new users and help them make successful posts. Currently, some subreddits remove comments and posts from new accounts, or from ones that haven't accumulated many upvotes across their various contributions (a function that Automod is capable of executing). Though this system counters issues such as spam or people creating new accounts to evade bans, Reddit states that it also presents an obstacle to new users attempting to join a subreddit for the first time. As such, the platform is looking at implementing alternative solutions.

"Over time, our goal is to improve Reddit’s systems and moderation tools so communities can rely less on things like karma and account age, which prevent many first time users from successfully posting in a community, and more on stronger abuse prevention built into the systems they use," Reddit's blog post states.

Exactly how Reddit intends to do this is unclear, but it seems likely that AI will be involved.

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FREE $200 GIFT CARD: As of Aug. 6, Amazon is still bundling a $200 gift card with preorders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 (unlocked, 256GB). This offer ends after Aug. 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 + $200 Gift Card   Pre-order Here

Announced at the most recent Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung's brand new Galaxy Z Flip 8 phone is gearing up to launch on Aug. 7. If you're hoping to secure a preorder before launch, Amazon's still bundling a free $200 gift card when you pre-order, but not for much longer.

Today is the last day to take advantage of this awesome offer before it's gone for good. Now is the time to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 and get a $200 Amazon gift card. You'll also receive an email about the gift card's availability after the phone has shipped.

That's not all, either. Amazon's store page says that you can even get an extra $200 when you trade in an eligible device. According to the terms and conditions, this offer is valid only through Aug. 6, and the maximum benefit you can receive is $200. To see your trade-in value, there's a "Trade-in and save" option on the page that lets you get an estimate.

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

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 offers a fun FlexWindow for checking notifications on the cover screen while your phone is closed, and you can set it up to take hands-free photos. We recently went hands-on with Samsung's new foldable device, alongside the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth highlighted that, "Crucially, and this is especially true with the colorful Z Flip 8, these phones feel cool in a way that other smartphones don't."

He also notes: "They're noticeably thinner and lighter this year. But there are some important upgrades under the hood as well." A big one being, "Contrary to rumors that the Z Flip 8 would have an Exynos processor, all three phones are equipped with the same chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy." Plus, it features a 4,300mAh battery to get you through long days.

Again, this deal ends after today, so be quick to score a $200 gift card with preorders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 at Amazon.

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SAVE $61: As of Aug. 6, Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are on sale for $168.99 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A30 $168.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $61   Get Deal

Getting a good night’s sleep can be easier said than done, especially when noise and distractions get in the way. This is where the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds come in.

These sleep earbuds are designed to help create a more peaceful bedtime routine, and even better, they’re on sale. As of Aug. 6, they are down to $168.99, saving you $61 on the list price.

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These aren’t like normal earbuds. No, they’re designed to support a quieter night’s sleep by combining noise reduction with adaptive snore-masking technology, which detects snoring sounds in real-time and plays masking audio to help cover them. Our reviewer even called these the best sleep buds available.

They weigh just 3 grams each, so you don’t need to worry about them being uncomfortable through the night. Plus, the compact silicone earbuds feature a 3D ergonomic design that sits flush in the ear to reduce pressure, making them suitable for side sleepers. 

They also include access to Sleep Stories from Calm, along with a range of sounds, including AI Brainwave Audio and white noise. The earbuds provide 8–10 hours of playback per charge, with up to five nights of use when paired with the charging case. Through the app, you’ll also be able to track sleep duration, sleeping positions, and snoring patterns, with daily reports that give you insights into sleep habits.

Get this sleep earbuds deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $80: As of Aug. 6, the Roborock Q7 M5 is on sale for $149.98 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q7 M5 $149.98 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $80.01   Get Deal

Robot vacuums have become one of the most popular smart home upgrades, and it’s easy to see why. They handle the everyday mess you’d usually have to deal with yourself. So if you've been looking for a deal that makes a purchase even more worthwhile, this Roborock Q7 M5 discount could be the perfect excuse to switch.

As of Aug. 6, it's reduced by $80, bringing the price down to just $149.98. And for under $150, it's by no means a basic machine. In fact, this robot also mops your floors and deals with pet hair.

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It uses a 10,000Pa HyperForce suction to vacuum dust and dirt, while the Dual Anti-Tangle Design combines a JawScrapers Comb main brush with a tangle-free side brush to help reduce hair build-up. The mop is detachable, allowing the robot to vacuum and mop simultaneously, and an electronically controlled water tank offers three adjustable water flow levels for different floor types.

Navigation is handled by precise LiDAR, which scans your home to create maps and plan efficient cleaning routes. Once this is done, you can use the Roborock app to schedule cleans, adjust suction and water levels, and set no-go zones.

Upgrade your smart home with this robot vacuum deal now.

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Aug. 5-8. Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering free books in a variety of subgenres.

We're not in the habit of complaining about free giveaways, but if there is one thing that bothers us about Stuff Your Kindle Days, it's that they sometimes come and go in the blink of an eye. We need time to prepare. We need to properly assess our options and lovingly handpick the books that speak to us. 24-hour events rob us of this opportunity.

Fortunately, the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is a much more relaxed affair.

Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering free books across a variety of subgenres until Aug.8. Everything that you download is yours to keep forever, so you really can stock up ahead of the colder winter months on the horizon.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the 2026 Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Stuff Your E-Reader takes place from Aug. 5-8. This four-day giveaway provides participants with the chance to really dig into everything on offer.

Which books are free?

Stuff Your E-Reader is an all-genre book blast, so there really is something for everyone. There's a helpful hub page with everything neatly organized. You can filter by price (free or $0.99), platform (Kindle or Kobo), representation, and genre. There are 30+ genres to pick from, including fantasy, thriller, romance, gothic, and erotica.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $109.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Why we like it

These popular e-readers let you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase for a limited time.

SAVE $131: As of Aug. 6, the Hisense 55-inch E6 Cinema Series is on sale for $298.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-inch E6 Cinema Series $298.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $131   Get Deal

If you're thinking about upgrading your TV, the Hisense 55-inch E6 Cinema Series is currently on sale at Amazon. The retailer has reduced the price by $131, bringing this model down from its usual list price of $429.99 to $298.88. And it's not the only option on sale. If you want a larger or smaller size, there is a range of screen sizes currently discounted.

Hi-QLED Color technology and HDR support work together on this TV to provide a high-quality viewing experience for everything you watch. It also benefits from both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a more cinematic feel, plus the Filmmaker Mode adjusts settings to preserve the original aspect ratio, frame rate, color, and audio.

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For smart features, the TV uses Fire TV OS, giving you easy access to your favorite apps, live channels, and entertainment in one place. It also comes with Alexa voice control, so you can quickly find movies, shows, and more hands-free. It also has additional smart features that make watching easier and better, like the AI Light Sensor, which adjusts brightness based on the room.

Get this deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 6, the Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for $299 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal

If an Apple Watch upgrade has been on your wishlist, now's a good time to buy. Amazon has slashed $100 off the Apple Watch Series 11, dropping it from $399 to $299. It's also one of our favorite fitness-focused smartwatches, so you're getting a highly-rated watch at a much better price.

Designed with durability in mind, the Apple Watch Series 11 features a scratch-resistant display and supports fast charging. Its battery can last up to 24 hours, making it suitable for everything from everyday wear to endurance training. It also includes safety features such as fall detection and crash detection, which can notify emergency services and your emergency contacts when needed.

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You'll also have access to detailed workout data, from heart rate zones to training load, plus guided workouts to help structure your training. A 50-meter water-resistance rating means you can wear it while swimming or taking part in other water sports. There are even features designed to track and monitor health metrics, like high or low heart rate and potential blood pressure concerns.

Get this Apple Watch deal from Amazon now.

Over the course of a few months (with some breaks in between), I tested sleep earbuds and earplugs ranging from $50 to $250 to see which are actually worth the money and whether it's worth getting earbuds just for sleep. I'm a dedicated side sleeper, somewhat restless, and have two cats — so conditions for testing are ideal.

As a note, we no longer recommend the original Ozlo Sleepbuds as they've been discontinued, and prior to their discontinuation, did not have the feature set to support their high price point. That said, the latest release from the brand — the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 — is worth a look. Though expensive, they do offer comprehensive sleep data and a streamlined experience that could be worth the investment for some.

SEE ALSO: Dodow review: A simple sleep gadget that's best for back sleepers The best earbuds for sleeping

Below, I pulled four of the best sleep earbuds on the market. Between the overall best, budget, and earplug picks, there's a wide range of price points, but as with any product, the most expensive of the bunch isn't necessarily the best overall. With that in mind, I highlighted where each earbud excelled, whether that be in comfort, noise cancellation, or ease of use, to help you pick the best sleep earbud possible.

How are sleep earbuds different than normal earbuds?

A confession: I used to wear AirPods nearly every night to sleep. More accurately, I used to wear a single AirPod so I could actually sleep on my side.

After testing earbuds designed for sleeping, I can tell you that everyday earbuds don't match up to the sleep earbud experience. For starters, standard earbuds aren't designed to be worn while you're lying on your side, so they often stick out of your ears and put hard plastic in contact with your ear. Not to mention, earbuds typically cap out at six to seven hours of battery life per charge, so if you're getting at least eight hours of sleep, you run the risk of interrupting it with the sound of your earbuds powering off.

Sleep earbuds, like the Soundcore A20 ones pictured in the middle, have a much thinner profile than traditional earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Sleep earbuds, on the other hand, can offer white noise options, better battery life, and significantly more comfort (that actually allows you to wear more than one earbud at a time). The pairs I tested came without microphones and with touch controls that worked but were less sensitive than traditional earbuds, so you can lie on your side without activating them. When I initially tested options for this guide, there weren't really any with active noise cancellation, but that has since changed thanks to the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds' release in August 2025, and the Sleep A30 Special release in January 2026. Still, you'd be surprised at how well passive noise cancellation, a good fit, and white noise work.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more Is it safe to wear earbuds to sleep every night?

First and foremost, it's important to consider that sleep earbuds aren't the only way to approach nighttime noises that might be keeping you up.

I consulted Dr. Ashley Kita, an otolaryngologist and assistant professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA, to discuss any risks associated with wearing earbuds all night. While she didn't warn against using earbuds, she suggested that if what's keeping you up is a partner's snoring, you start looking for solutions there.

SEE ALSO: Loop earplugs are actually worth it — here's how to choose the right pair

"If you're doing all of this to avoid a partner who is snoring, sometimes gently encouraging that person to investigate why they're snoring is kind of an important consideration," Kita said. "Because we find that obstructive sleep apnea is really underdiagnosed, and snoring, for some people, is the only sign of it."

If, however, what's keeping you up is less in your control, then you do want to be aware of three main aspects of using earbuds all night: proper hygiene, safe noise levels, and your ear comfort.

Proper hygiene

When I started testing these earbuds, I realized I was now wearing earbuds uninterrupted for longer than I typically would in the course of a day, even as someone who tests headphones for a living. When I asked Dr. Kita how that wear time might raise someone's risk for infection, she drew a comparison to the wear time of hearing aids:

"Many individuals wear hearing aids for longer hours during the day than they sleep at night," she said. And yet, folks who wear hearing aids don't often have ear infections, though long wear times may increase their risk.

SEE ALSO: How to set up Hearing Aid mode on your AirPods

With the long wear times, Kita said the main concern she could anticipate was wax buildup since the natural path for wax to exit the ear canal would be blocked. However, she said it's not necessarily a cause for concern, as wax can typically exit the ear canal at other points during the day when you're not wearing earbuds (or blocking your ear canal in any other way).

As for any heightened infection risk, Kita shared that it can increase when there's greater wax buildup that can then trap bacteria. She recommended cleaning the buds with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton pad after each use, if possible. (One of the brands we tested, Ozlo, recommends a weekly cleaning.) With all that said, someone's risk for infection really comes down to personal susceptibility — some people are more prone to ear infections than others. If you fall into that category, being more proactive about cleaning your earbuds is a good practice.

Noise levels

Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common type of hearing loss (behind age-related hearing loss), so it's important to be aware of the level of noise you expose yourself to. Kita pointed me in the direction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) chart for how long people can be exposed to certain decibel levels safely.

In its FAQ, Ozlo also cites OSHA's recommendation, as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommendations, which top out at 90 decibels and 85 decibels for eight hours, respectively. In general, though, Kita said the less noise, the better, recommending that you always try to use the lowest volume possible.

SEE ALSO: Video game industry makes it easier to find accessible games for disabled players

"While I don't necessarily love the idea of extra noise when you're not even conscious to appreciate it, if it's the thing that's keeping you asleep or letting you sleep, it just comes in this category of risks and benefits," Kita said. "Just make sure that it's quiet enough, then it really isn't that much different than using a white noise machine on your nightstand."

Comfort

Earbuds fitting comfortably is important for you to be able to fall asleep, but also for your ear health.

"Everyone's ear canal is shaped differently," Kita said. "And so something that might be really comfortable for your ears might really cause my ears to ache."

In other words, giving yourself earbuds-induced earaches every night can actually impact your ear health. If one of the below recommendations really isn't sitting right, even with adjustments to the ear tip sizes, don't be afraid to return them.

Other sleep earbuds we tested

At the end of the initial testing period, the one product that didn't make the cut was the 1More Sleeping Earbuds Z30, which, at $89.99, were the least expensive earbuds I tested. While significantly cheaper than the earbuds that did make the cut, their battery life, app features, and fit didn't quite match up to the other options on my list. However, if you're looking for very barebones low-profile earbuds (and don't mind hearing them die in the early hours of the morning), these aren't a bad option under $100.

1More Sleeping Earbuds Z30 $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

In keeping up with my value criteria, I decided to ultimately pull the original Ozlo Sleepbuds as our best upgrade pick. After their price jumped up from $299 to $349 — far outpricing our existing picks (and most premium standard ANC earbuds, for that matter) — I determined their features didn't justify their price tag. These earbuds are actually now discontinued — I only mention the original Sleepbuds because they earned plenty of praise across the internet, so if you've been looking for sleep earbuds, you've likely come across them. In their place, Ozlo made the much improved (and cheaper) Sleepbuds 2, which have earned a spot on our guide (for the reasons mentioned above).

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Pricing and specs Left: The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Right: The Apple MacBook Neo. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Apple raised its MacBook prices in June 2026 because of the global memory chip shortage, aka RAMageddon. (The AI boom has driven up the cost of components like memory and SSD storage.) For its part, the M5 MacBook Air is now $200 more expensive than it was at launch. The 13-inch base model costs $1,299, while the 15-inch version now starts at $1,499. The Apple Store's education discount knocks $100 off for college students, their parents, and school staff.

Both sizes of the M5 MacBook Air are kitted with the following specs:

• Processor: M5 chip with a 10-core CPU and an 8-core or 10-core GPU

• Memory: 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB RAM

• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB SSD

• Display: 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display

The M5 MacBook Airs have double the starting storage of their predecessors — 512GB instead of 256GB. Their 4TB storage option is also new for this generation.

SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer

The MacBook Neo saw a $100 price hike because of RAMageddon this summer. It now starts at $699 with 256GB of storage. An upgraded model with double the storage and Touch ID costs $799. Once again, students and educators can save $100 by buying direct.

The MacBook Neo is available in one size with the following specs:

• Processor: A18 Pro chip with 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU

• Memory: 8GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD

• Display: 13-inch Liquid Retina display

The MacBook Neo's specs are more "iPad in spirit," to quote Mashable's Stan Schroeder. It starts with half the memory and storage of the MacBook Air, and that RAM isn't upgradable. It also runs on a pared-down iPhone chip. (The 2024 iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max had an A18 Pro chip with one extra GPU core.) Overall, it's much less customizable and future-proof than the Air.

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Performance

We use Primate Labs' Geekbench CPU test to measure laptops' performance. This test produces two different scores: The single-core score reflects how fast a laptop feels in simple tasks like web browsing and word processing. The multi-core score shows how fast the laptop can run more demanding workloads like content creation. The higher these scores, the better.

The MacBook Air outperforms the Neo (as expected). Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The M5 MacBook Air is astonishingly fast for a mid-range laptop, earning a single-core score of 4,025 and a multi-core score of 16,099. In the former case, it has almost no real competition except for some newer Windows laptops that run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite series chips (and even then, it's slightly better). In multi-core scenarios, the M5 Air performs on par with premium PCs and gaming laptops that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars more. It has more oomph than most people probably need on a regular basis, realistically.

The M5 MacBook Air (pictured here in midnight) is the most powerful ultraportable on the market. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The MacBook Neo is equally impressive for what it is. Its Geekbench single-core score came in at 3,484, which is amazing for two reasons. One, it still beats most of the Windows laptops we've tried in the past two years, including some that cost over $2,000. Secondly, it rivals the single-core score of the M4 MacBook Air, which was 3,778. That means the Neo feels just as snappy as last year's mid-tier MacBook when you're not working it too hard.

The Neo earned a multi-core score of 8,770, which puts it on par with the M1 MacBook Air (8,783) from 2020. It's slightly faster than the two nicest Chromebooks we've tried: Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 (7,680) and the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (7,187), which both have MediaTek's Kompanio Ultra 910 chip.

The MacBook Neo's single-core performance rivals that of last year's M4 MacBook Air. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Compared to the M5 MacBook Air, the Neo is 13 percent slower in single-core tasks and 46 percent slower in multi-core ones. They should feel equally peppy in practice, but the Air has a much higher performance ceiling to run more demanding apps. Its higher RAM capacity also makes it vastly better for multitasking; a dozen Chrome tabs won't make it sluggish.

I'll add that the MacBook Neo is fanless, so it should run as quietly as a MacBook Air, if not nearly as fast.

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Battery life

We test laptops' stamina by having them loop a 1080p video at 50 percent volume and brightness until they die. The MacBook Air lasted 17 hours and 40 minutes in this benchmark, or almost three hours longer than the MacBook Neo, which held out for 14 hours and 50 minutes. That's a short battery life for a MacBook, but a good one for a budget laptop: The sub-$1,000 Windows PCs and Chromebooks we've tested in recent years have a median battery life of just 10.5 hours.

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Design Interesting MacBook colors! Finally! Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air look pretty similar — both have a flat, fully aluminum chassis with rounded edges — but there are a few key design differences between them. For two, the Neo has larger bezels surrounding its display and lacks a webcam notch. It also comes in different colors, including a flashy new yellow hue called "citrus":

• MacBook Neo colors: Silver, indigo, blush, and citrus

• MacBook Air colors: Silver, starlight, midnight, and sky blue

The MacBook Neo is slightly thicker and smaller than the 13-inch Air, but they both weigh the same:

• MacBook Neo: 11.71 x 8.12 x 0.5 inches, 2.7 pounds

• 13-inch MacBook Air: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches, 2.7 pounds

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Display Left: The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Right: The Apple MacBook Neo. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Neo and the smaller MacBook Air are both classified as 13-inch laptops, but the Air's display is a little bigger than that. It's like how Microsoft has a 13-inch Surface Laptop and a 13.8-inch Surface Laptop.

The MacBook Neo's display has a 2,408 x 1,506 resolution and an anti-reflective coating, while the 13-inch MacBook Air's display has a sharper 2,560 x 1,664 resolution and a glossy finish. The MacBook Air supports a broader color gamut on top of Apple's True Tone display technology, which adjusts its picture based on ambient lighting. This means colors look more lifelike on it.

Both MacBooks' displays have a 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness.

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Keyboard and trackpad The MacBook Neo's keyboard lacks backlighting. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air both have a full-sized Magic Keyboard. Touch ID comes standard on the Air, but if you want it on the Neo, you have to upgrade to the $799 model with 512GB of storage. The MacBook Air's keyboard has backlighting; the MacBook Neo's does not.

The MacBook Air has a Force Touch trackpad with haptic feedback, gesture controls, and input sensitivity. (It can perform different actions based on how hard you press.) The MacBook Neo has a clickier mechanical Multi-Touch trackpad with no haptics.

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Audio

Music and movies should sound better on the MacBook Air: It has four speakers to the Neo's two. However, both models support Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. The Neo just lacks dynamic head tracking support with AirPods.

The MacBook Neo has a dual-mic array, while the MacBook Air has a three-mic array.

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Webcam Left: The MacBook Air has a webcam notch... Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Right: ... but the Neo doesn't. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Air has a fantastic 12MP webcam that supports Center Stage, a tool that keeps you centered in frame, as well as Desk View, a feature that produces an overhead shot of your desktop. As mentioned above, it's housed in an (ugly) webcam notch that juts down into the top of the screen.

The MacBook Neo has a 1080p webcam, so its picture is going to look fuzzier, but it's located within the display's upper bezel. No notch!

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Connectivity Left: The MacBook Air has a dedicated MagSafe 3 charging port... Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Right: ... but the Neo doesn't. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Both new MacBooks have two USB-C ports on the upper-left sides of their bases (near their hinges), but with the Neo, you miss out on Thunderbolt 4 for faster data transfer speeds. Both models charge through those ports, though the Air has an extra dedicated MagSafe 3 charging port that frees them up for other peripherals.

One of the Neo's USB-C ports can support a 4K external monitor while its own display is active. Conversely, the Air has open-lid support for two 4K monitors or one 8K monitor over either of its USB-C ports.

The MacBook Neo has an audio jack on the left side of its base near its trackpad. The MacBook Air's audio jack is located on the opposite side, and it has added support for high-impedance headphones.

The Neo and the Air both support Bluetooth 6, the latest Bluetooth standard, but their WiFi standards differ. The Air supports WiFi 7, the newest, fastest WiFi standard, while the Neo supports older WiFi 6E tech.

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): Which model is better for you? Left: The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Right: The Apple MacBook Neo. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Neo is technically a "worse" laptop than the M5 MacBook Air in almost every way, but it's also geared toward a very different kind of user. As someone in the r/technology subreddit observed: "If you even understand the difference between 8 vs 16 GB of RAM, you're not the target" for the Neo. (This echoes the broader Chromebook vs. laptop debate.)

In the Neo, Apple skimps on specs so it can offer its signature premium build quality and slick, reliable operating system at a lower price point. It's effectively a MacBook "SE" in all but name. It's the ideal choice for casual users who don't need a ton of power, like K-12 students and people who were already using their iPads as laptops. I could also see existing MacBook Air and Pro owners buying a Neo as a secondary laptop for travel.

The M5 MacBook Air will veer into "overkill" territory for those folks, but others will find its versatile performance, higher-end components, and extra future-proofing worth the $500 upcharge. I actually think it's the best MacBook for most people, including business professionals and college students.

As a final note, I'll just mention that both MacBooks are a pretty great value compared to their respective competition — even after Apple's pesky price hikes. For more insights and analysis, read our full MacBook Neo review and M5 MacBook Air review.

Shop Apple's MacBook Neo and Air: Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $699 Shop Now Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799 Shop Now Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 Shop Now Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,499 Shop Now

We just played our first game of peekaboo with NASA's Perseverance rover as it gazed out at space.

Look closely at this sequence of images. The Mars rover, perched on the rim of Jezero Crater, captured our blue marble rolling behind Phobos, one of Mars' two moons, on July 2. 

Those tiny specks aren't your keyboard crumbs clinging to the computer screen. They're actually us and the crescent of a potato-shaped moon. Earth starts as a bright dot in the upper left of the sky, glides diagonally down, and then vanishes as Phobos slides past in the opposite direction.

If you're not typically impressed by a picture of a single bright pixel, consider this: It's the first time in human history that we've seen Earth disappear behind another world from the surface of another planet.

SEE ALSO: When AI hallucinates aliens: Some think NASA should be nervous

In the sequence, Earth and Phobos line up in the third frame. Astronomers call this kind of event an occultation — when a larger-appearing object fully blocks something behind it from the observer's point of view. 

That's technically different from an eclipse because one object completely blocks another from view, instead of simply passing into its shadow or covering it in a way that looks like an eclipse. When a smaller-appearing object crosses the face of a larger one without concealing it completely, astronomers call that a transit, though sometimes when Phobos or Mars' other moon, Deimos, crosses in front of the sun, they're informally called solar eclipses. 

Perseverance watches Earth slip behind Phobos over a period of 40 seconds, according to NASA, on July 2, 2026. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS / SSI

Mark Lemmon, a co-investigator of the rover's Mastcam-Z instrument, planned the historic observation and assembled the composite. The entire sequence unfolded over a period of 40 seconds, according to NASA's image annotations. 

"Phobos crosses the Martian sky three times a day, and Earth is visible for months at a stretch," said Lemmon, based at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, in a statement, "but catching one directly behind the other takes planning and a little luck."

Despite being about 17 miles wide, Phobos is visible from the Martian surface. The lumpy-bumpy moon orbits just 4,850 miles from the Red Planet, so to Perseverance, Phobos looks pretty darn big — about one-third the apparent width of our much larger moon looming in the sky above Earth. 

From the rover's vantage point, Earth is nothing more than a glint of light. When the images were taken, our planet sat about 195 million miles away.

And just like that, our cosmic ships passed in the night. 

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. Alley Cats

"I didn’t laugh once." Critics don't have much praise for Ricky Gervais' new Netflix animation comedy series, Alley Cats. Following a group of stray cats through various shenanigans, the series sees the "be offended if you want" comedian once criticized for "anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes," voicing feline protagonist Gus. Considering the dreadful sneak peek Netflix gave viewers, don't expect comedy gold. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, and Diane Morgan

How to watch: Alley Cats begins streaming on Netflix on Aug. 7.

15. The Last House

French filmmaker Louis Leterrier is known for helming action films like The Incredible Hulk, The Transporter, and Fast X. So, what can we expect from The Last House?

Well, it begins like a family drama. Greta Lee, and Wagner Moura star as a married couple, gearing up to head out for get a Christmas tree with their two kids. But the house has other ideas. It won't let them go. They can't open doors or windows, or even break the latter to escape. And neither can their neighbors.

What's going on? That's the mystery at this movie's core. But be warned, it's bleak stuff. And if you're not into reminiscing about how the COVID lockdown could have been worse, you might want to pick another house to watch. —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Greta Lee, Wagner Moura, Riley Chung, and Emma Ho

How to watch: The Last House debuts on Netflix on Aug. 7.

14. Monsters of God

Eric Goode is back again with another true-crime series that all about animal lovers, who take their devotion to strange extremes.

Goode previously brought to streaming Tiger King and Chimp Crazy, which both centered on animal collectors, who at best were eccentric, at worst were criminals, endangering the lives of others' — including the animals in their care. Now, Goode's got a new nest of kooky characters with Monsters of God, which focuses on exotic reptile smuggling.

But don't be fooled by the flashy trailer and it's hard rock soundtrack. I've seen the first two eps of this doc series. And while I'll grudgingly admit that Tiger King and Chimp Crazy are as addictive as they are problematic, this one is chiefly boring. —K.P.

How to watch: Monsters of God is now streaming on HBO Max.

13. The Strangers: Chapter 2

Director Renny Harlin returns with another grisly entry in The Strangers franchise. The premise is creepy: masked strangers break into a cabin to torture and kill its inhabitants.

Well, traumatized Maya (Madelaine Petsch) survived her first brush with this terrible trio of home invaders. And here's round 2, where she'll seek to uncover the why of it all. But "does there have to be a why?" If audiences are turning up or tuning in, not really. Nihilism is pretty much the point for this horror series. -K.P.

Starring: Madelaine Petsch, Gabriel Basso, Froy Gutierrez, Ema Horvath, and Ella Bruccoleri

How to watch: The Strangers: Chapter 2 debuts on HBO Max on Aug. 7.

12. Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks

HBO's long-running Hard Knocks series has delved into the lives of NFL players, coaches, staff, and their families for decades, and this season, it's finally the Seattle Seahawks' in focus. Though they said no to to the show in 2013, the reigning Super Bowl champions are front and centre in the documentary series, including head coach Mike Macdonald. — S.C.

How to watch: Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks is now streaming on HBO Max.

11. Let’s Marry Harry

Harry Jowsey has careened from Too Hot to Handle to Perfect Match and now gets his own Netflix dating competition series with Let’s Marry Harry. Executive produced by Call Her Daddy‘s Alex Cooper through her production company Unwell, the Bachelor-style series sees Jowsey looking for long-term love among 20 potential fiancées, asking advice from his friends Amanda Kloots, Georgia Hassarati, and Sonny Henty. And no, this is not the same as the 2014 dating show I Wanna Marry Harry, which involved a fake Prince Harry and a whole lot of question marks. — S.C.

How to watch: Let’s Marry Harry is now streaming on Netflix.

10. LifeHACK

After scoring good reviews out of SXSW, LifeHack is now coming to digital.

Four tech-savvy teenagers team up to low-key steal from bitcoin wallets in a clever phishing scam. And they're making bank with no one noticing — until the estranged daughter of one of their victims threatens to expose them. In exchange for her silence, she wants them to pull off their biggest cyber heist yet — against her estranged father, a tech billionaire.

Critically heralded, topical, and enticing, will you give LifeHACK a go? — K.P.

Starring: Georgie Farmer, Yasmin Finney, Roman Hayeck-Green, James Scholz, Jessica Reynolds, and Charlie Creed-Miles

How to watch: LifeHACK is now available for rent or purchase on digital.

9. My Life With The Walter Boys, Season 3

Things are tense with the Walter Boys, with the return of show-runner and creator Melanie Halsall's dramatic series, based on Ali Novak's novel. Nikki Rodriguez returns as Jackie, who's been torn between brothers Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Alex (Ashby Gentry). Everyone's still reeling from the My Life With The Walter Boys Season 2 finale, when confessions of love were finally made and said declarations were very much overheard. However, the confrontation was interrupted with an emergency, so in Season 3, we're looking at some real chats. Especially as Elliot (Naveen Paddock) just rocked up, interning for Jackie's Uncle Richard (Alex Quijano). Rodeos, race cars, and relationship drama abound. — S.C.

Starring: Nikki Rodriguez, Noah LaLonde, Ashby Gentry, and Alisha Newton

How to watch: My Life With The Walter Boys, Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.

8. The Yeti

Directed and written by Gene Gallerano and William Pisciotta, The Yeti offers some chills that'll help you cut through the summer heat. And you can probably guess at what it's about.

Set in Alaskan territory in 1947, this paranormal period piece centers on a rescue mission with family ties. When heralded explorers Merriell Sunday Sr. and Hollis Bannister go missing, their grown children children will set forth to find them. But what they find instead is a mighty cryptid with a big capability for violence. — K.P.

Starring: Brittany Allen, Eric Nelsen, Jim Cummings, Christina Bennett Lind, Linc Hand, William Sadler, and Corbin Bernsen

How to watch: The Yeti begins streaming on Shudder on Aug. 7.

7. Sterling Point

Created by Megan Park (My Old Ass), Sterling Point is Prime Video's new fish-out-of-water-coming-of-age tale with young romance and family drama in spades. We meet Annie Jacobson (Ella Rubin), a 17-year-old New Yorker who spent her summer focused on college applications. Annie's twin brother Connor (Keen Ruffalo) is unlike his sister (though they're both deadpan as hell), namely spending his summer in various flings. News arrives that Annie and Connor's estranged grandfather Gordon has died, though the twins haven't seen him since their adoptive mother died. Their inheritance? A collection of handwritten letters and cards, hidden from the twins. Oh, and property, on a small island in Canada named Sterling Point. Family truths and new chapters await there for Annie, as she meets a tight-knit community who knew Gordon well, while she never did. — S.C.

Starring: Ella Rubin, Amélie Hoeferle, Jay Duplass, Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie, Keen Ruffalo, Bo Bragason, and Daniel Quinn-Toye

How to watch: Sterling Point is now streaming on Prime Video.

6. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Pt. 2

Gabriel García Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, one of the great literary feats of the 20th century, saw its first adaptation in 2024, a series that charted the classic story's first 50 years — the Colombian author never sold the rights for a film adaptation; his family estate worked with Netflix to develop the 16-episode, Spanish-language TV series. Now, the second part is here, with 7 episodes set to hit the streamer this week, and a feature-length finale coming at the end of August.

Based on the 1967 masterpiece and adapted by writer and playwright José Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries), the series follows seven generations of the Buendía family. It's all set in the town of Macondo, a fictional town based on Aracataca, García Márquez’s hometown, founded by José Arcadio Buendía (Diego Vásquez) and Úrsula Iguarán (Marleyda Soto). What follows is decades of history, both personal and political. — S.C.

Starring: Claudio Cataño, Diego Vásquez, Marleyda Soto, Viña Machado, Loren Sofía, Janer Villarreal, Akima, Moreno Borja, and Ruggero Pasquarelli

How to watch: One Hundred Years of Solitude, Pt. 2 is now streaming on Netflix, with the finale set for Aug. 26.

5. The Shards

Ryan Murphy meets Bret Easton Ellis in FX's The Shards, and the results are as lavish and bloody as you'd expect. Based on Ellis's 2023 novel of the same name, the series is a fictionalized retelling of Bret's (Igby Rigney) senior year of high school. It's Los Angeles, 1981, and Bret and his friends are charging towards adulthood through a haze of sex, drugs, and parties. However, the arrival of new student Robert Mallory (Homer Gere) threatens to upset the equilibrium of their tight-knit group, as does the rise of a serial killer known as the Trawler.

What follows is bloody and ridiculous, in true Murphy fashion. If you're craving a stylized (if silly) summer thrill ride with great '80s needle drops, this will surely sate your thirst. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Igby Rigney, Homer Gere, Graham Campbell, Hayes Warner, Wes Bentley, and Kaia Gerber

How to watch: The Shards is now streaming on Hulu.

4. Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour

Icons of music and movies collide in this supersized concert film, as Billie Eilish teams up with James Cameron to bring her sold-out Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to movie theaters — and now to streaming.

The film offers up a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Eilish's life on tour, as well as electrifying footage of her performances, all captured in 3D. Whether you want to hear more about Eilish's creative process (she co-directed the film with Cameron) or just headbang along to "bad guy," Hit Me Hard and Soft promises to be "The Greatest" treat for the superstar's fans this summer.* — B.E.

Starring: Billie Eilish, James Cameron, and Finneas O'Connell

How to watch: Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour is now streaming on Paramount+.

3. You, Me & Tuscany

Seeking a summery, sweet romantic comedy? Then you'll love You, Me & Tuscany.

Marry Me director Kat Coiro pairs Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in an enemies to lover plot set amid the fragrant vineyards of Italy. She's an American and aspiring chef, who has no money, no prospects, and a broken heart because of her mother's death. He's a cranky Tuscan local, who loves a good sandwich and his family. So, when she pulls a While You Were Sleeping, pretending to be engaged to his brother, he's suspicious. But whatever the white lie between them, they can't resist the romance blossoming under the Tuscan sun.

SEE ALSO: 'You, Me and Tuscany' review: Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page deliver a radiant, feel-good rom-com

In my review, I cheered, "You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache."

Starring: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, and Marco Calvani

How to watch: You, Me & Tuscany debuts on Peacock on Aug. 7.

2. Maddie's Secret

Comedian John Early makes his directorial debut in this campy love letter to melodrama. Early stars as Maddie Ralph, a rising food influencer with a troubling secret. Studded with comedians and performed with a disarming adoration for this misunderstood subgenre, Maddie's Secret is funny and surprisingly touching.

As I wrote in my review out of the Toronto International Film Festival, "John Early is brilliant and sly with Maddie's Secret. Remarkably, as a first-time feature director and star, Early manages the balance of comedy, drama, and empathy with aplomb."* — K.P.

Starring: John Early, Kate Berlant, Eric Rahill, Kristen Johnston, Claudia O'Doherty, Conner O'Malley, Vanessa Bayer, and Chris Bauer

How to watch: Maddie's Secret is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

Best of streaming this week: Ted Lasso, Season 4

Three years after its third and supposedly final season, Ted Lasso is back for another round, this time with Ted (Jason Sudeikis) coaching Richmond's new women's team. Ted's not the only familiar face returning. Expect to see more of Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift) as well.

While I was initially skeptical about more Ted Lasso, especially after its lackluster third season, the first four episodes of Season 4 won me over. Its focus on women's sports breathes new life into the series, recapturing some of the Season 1 magic that came with Ted getting to know everyone at Richmond. As I wrote in my review, "the joy the show builds around the Lady Greyhounds made my eyes misty, in much the same way that seeing a young girl in a WNBA or NWSL jersey does. It's awesome to watch incredible athletes break barriers, to see people build a long-lasting love of women's sports, and to highlight both these great things on a show as big as Ted Lasso." — B.E.

Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, Juno Temple, Sarah Niles, Anthony Head, Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernández, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, and James Lance

How to watch: Ted Lasso, Season 4 debuts on Apple TV on Aug. 5.

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

TL;DR: Live stream the Bundesliga for free on CazéTV, AbemaTV, and BBC iPlayer. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Soon enough, there is going to be a lot of football on the calendar. Fans quite simply don't have time to watch everything, but if you're making tough decisions about what to include on your watch list, the Bundesliga should be a priority. Is it the single best league in Europe in terms of overall quality? Probably not, but it's got a strong argument for being the most entertaining.

The big question every season is whether any team can compete with Bayern Munich for the title. Competing with a side stacked with elite talent like Olise, Kane, and Díaz is not easy, but the likes of Dortmund and RB Leipzig always have a chance.

If you want to watch the Bundesliga for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Bundesliga?

The Bundesliga is Germany's leading professional men's soccer league. It features 18 clubs competing across 34 matchdays, including heavyweight teams like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

The defending champions are Bayern Munich.

When is the Bundesliga?

The 2026/27 Bundesliga season runs from Aug. 28 to May 22.

How to watch the Bundesliga for free

The Bundesliga is available to live stream for free on a number of streaming platforms:

• Brazil — CazéTV (up to two live matches per week)

• Japan — AbemaTV (two live matches per week)

• UK — BBC iPlayer (select Friday evening fixtures)

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Bundesliga from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the Bundesliga by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil, Japan, or the UK

4. Visit CazéTV, AbemaTV, or BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Bundesliga fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the Bundesliga without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams all season, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Bundesliga?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 80% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Bundesliga for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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PDFs have a habit of turning simple tasks into extra work. Whether you’re editing a contract, converting a report to Word, or extracting text from a scanned document, switching between multiple tools gets old fast. AcePDF Converter & Editor brings those features together in one application with a lifetime license.

The software handles both PDF conversion and editing, making it easy to convert files to and from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images, HTML, and text while preserving layouts, graphics, and hyperlinks. Built-in batch conversion also helps speed up larger projects.

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One of its most useful features is OCR (optical character recognition). Instead of treating scanned PDFs as static images, AcePDF can recognize text so you can edit, search, or reuse content without starting from scratch. It also lets you create and fill PDF forms, annotate documents, add watermarks, compress large files, and password-protect sensitive information.

Document organization is just as straightforward. You can merge multiple PDFs, split files into separate pages, rotate pages, extract images, or unlock password-protected documents you already own. The latest version now offers full feature support on both Windows and Mac, making it easier to work across platforms.

AcePDF has also earned 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, reflecting positive feedback from users looking for an all-in-one PDF solution.

If you work with PDFs regularly, replacing multiple utilities with a single lifetime license can simplify your workflow and eliminate another recurring software subscription.

Get lifetime access to AcePDF Converter & Editor for a one-time $29.99 (reg. $99.99) while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get five years of memoryOS for $149.99 (reg. $749.95) and learn scientifically backed memory techniques.

Opens in a new window Credit: memoryOS memoryOS Expert Plan: 5-Year Subscription $149.99
$749.95 Save $599.96   Get Deal

Forgetting names, passwords, or key details can be frustrating, but remembering more isn’t always about trying harder. The memoryOS Expert Plan: 5-Year Subscription is designed to help users strengthen memory using proven techniques instead of simple brain games, and it’s currently on sale for $149.99 (reg. $749.95).

Unlike many memory apps that focus on quick puzzles or daily challenges, memoryOS teaches methods used for centuries. At the heart of the platform is the Memory Palace technique, also known as the Method of Loci, which helps organize information in a way that’s easier for your brain to store and retrieve. The app combines that approach with spaced repetition, gamified lessons, and interactive virtual Mind Palaces to make learning feel more engaging than boring and repetitive.

memoryOS focuses on long-term recall rather t

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han short-term practice. The platform also includes guidance inspired by a World Memory Champion, helping users gradually build stronger memorization habits through structured lessons instead of expecting results overnight.

The skills users will learn can be integral in a wide range of situations. Students can use the techniques while preparing for exams; professionals can remember presentations, names, or certification material; and lifelong learners can retain new information with greater confidence. Even everyday tasks like recalling little but important details can become a less stressful with consistent practice.

According to memoryOS, more than 100,000 users have used the platform, with participants seeing an average 70 percent improvement in memory recall. While individual results will vary, the emphasis on established memorization techniques gives it a different focus than many traditional brain-training apps.

If you’d like to spend less time trying to remember and more time actually recalling important information, the memoryOS Expert Plan: 5-Year Subscription is available for $149.99 (reg. $749.95).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In the year 2026, flirting IRL is just a small part of getting your game on. Indeed, going up to someone you like in a bar or club feels decidedly old school. These days, it's much more about online exchanges — whether text- or photo-based — usually conducted on smartphones. Quick fingers do the work that chat-up lines used to. Now we call it sexting.

It's hard to get exact data on how many people do the digital flirting thing, but check out this DirtySnapchat subreddit: it boasts over one million members and nearly 130,000 weekly visitors. Those are serious numbers, people.

Of course, as sexting has become more popular, the tech world has thrown up lots of new ways to engage in it. There are adult-based websites and flirty dating apps — not to mention clever in-between options where suggestive text messages and steamy photos are all part of the fun. Some platforms also let you escalate your text and photo exchanges to live video chat. 

If you want to know more, we've compared and contrasted two of the most popular places for sexting: AdultFriendFinder and Snapchat. They sit at opposite ends of the social media spectrum, but both offer stacks of fun features for flirting via text, photos, and videos — and both have clever built-in protections to keep everything safe and discreet.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Snapchat Snapchat   Learn More The benefits of AdultFriendFinder for sextingFinding a partner

The major plus point of AdultFriendFinder is its readymade community of open-minded kinksters and horned-up singletons who are all looking for online fun.

Unlike with Snapchat, which is more of a general, multi-purpose messaging platform, AFF users sign up with the specific aim of "adult" fun. You'll see this immediately: AFF profiles include wild (NSFW) photos and an explicit list of kinks, turn-ons, and fetishes. 

And it's not just individual users looking for a good time. AFF also hosts communities and groups, most of which are centered on specific kinks, whether you're into threesomes, bondage, pegging, or erotic storytelling. And that really is just the tip of the fetish iceberg on AFF. The only limit is your sexy imagination. Whatever you're into, there's almost certainly someone on AFF who shares your desires. 

Indeed, if your sexting journey is a solo one to start off, AFF will help you find a partner in no time, whereas finding a like-minded chat partner through Snapchat alone can be harder. 

Identity verification

A major strength of AdultFriendFinder is its robust identity verification service, ConfirmID. While it isn't mandatory, you can opt not to talk to anyone who hasn't undergone the process. To get verified, users have to provide a scan of a government-issued ID and agree to have their face scanned via webcam to confirm that the person doing the scan is the same person featured in the ID. 

Once you're verified, a blue checkmark will appear next to your profile photo, letting others know you're verified. If you only want to talk to other verified users, stick to profiles that feature the blue checkmark, and you're golden.

SEE ALSO: Is Adult Friend Finder safe to use? What a cybersecurity expert says.

On Snapchat, by contrast, verification is as simple as confirming that the email associated with the account really belongs to you, which might be an effective deterrent against bots but doesn't do anything against catfishing scams. 

Sex Academy

What if you're new to sexting and want to pick up some tips or learn some of the lingo before you dive in? An often-overlooked aspect of the AdultFriendFinder universe is what is known as their "sex academy," the constellation of resources, including learning materials and erotic stories, that can help you acquaint yourself with the ins and outs of sexting before you ever speak to a real partner. 

This is an unbelievably useful tool because, over time, sexters evolved their own shorthand language — not to mention suggestive emoji use! — to get their points across faster and not break the sexual tension with long, delayed texting. 

The benefits of Snapchat for sextingFree to use

Snapchat is free to download and use, and although there is a premium subscription option (Snapchat+), it's not really necessary or even particularly beneficial for sexting. Contrast this with AdultFriendFinder, which restricts one-on-one conversations to paying members, and you can easily see why Snapchat gets the edge here. 

Because it's free to use, it's also much more widely adopted than AFF, which means it's extremely common for people to exchange Snapchat IDs, or even for singles to include them in their dating profiles.

Disappearing messages

Another huge benefit of Snapchat is that, by design, all messages sent through the service are time-restricted. Everything you write or send will eventually disappear, not only from the chat history but from Snapchat's servers.

But some caveats do need to be mentioned here:

• “Disappearing” does not mean “never stored.”

• Anything sent digitally can potentially persist through screenshots, screen recording, device backups, or hacked accounts.

• Even if Snapchat deletes its copy, the recipient may still have one.

So from a privacy perspective, the safest assumption is: if you send a nude on any platform, there is always some possibility it could continue to exist somewhere beyond your control.

SEE ALSO: A history of nudes, from sculptures to Snapchat

That means if you're shy, concerned about your privacy, or just feel more comfortable being naughty when you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing there won't be a (digital) paper trail, Snapchat is probably the most secure option out there. 

That said, Snapchat's official Community Guidelines take a strong stand against "sharing, promoting, or distributing sexually explicit content and conduct," so while such behaviors are actively encouraged on AdultFriendFinder, they are discouraged on Snapchat. The truth, though, is that, in practice, private consensual exchanges between adults are extremely common on the app and are generally not proactively policed unless:

• Someone reports it.

• AI moderation flags it.

• It appears exploitative/commercial.

• It involves minors/non-consensual content.

Screenshot protection

One of the perils of sexting, especially if you're doing it with strangers or people you've only recently met, is that exchanging nude photos or videos can be risky — bad actors can save or share your photos without your consent, or even use them to blackmail you, a practice known as "sextortion."

But if you're concerned about someone secretly screenshotting or even using a screen recording tool to record your naughty sessions, Snapchat offers a robust notification software that will alert you right away if someone takes a screenshot or starts a screen recording, and it's comprehensive enough to even pick up on many third-party tools that can do these things. 

It isn't perfect, so you do still need to exercise caution when you're being frisky with people you don't fully know or trust. At a minimum, you should verify that the person you're chatting with is who they claim to be, preferably over a video call, and you should never share sexually explicit content with someone you don't know and trust, especially if those images or videos can be used to identify you.

The bottom line? Both AFF and Snapchat offer fun platforms for engaging in some sexy texting, but the former is probably a more attractive option if you don't already have a sexting partner, and the latter is a fantastic platform for getting more intimate with someone you already know.

Which is the best MacBook to buy right now?

As of August 2026, I think the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air is the best MacBook for most people. It's a sleek, future-proofed ultraportable with the right amount of premium features and more than enough muscle for everyday multitasking, including occasional content creation. It's the ideal daily driver.

You might also consider the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, which is slightly cheaper and more portable. I think it's the best MacBook for college students.

SEE ALSO: RAMageddon is reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage

The MacBook Neo is my top pick for budget shoppers, casual users, and younger students. It's not nearly as fast or as fancy as the latest MacBook Air, but it's a good performer for its price point, and it's just as well-made as any other MacBook. If your typical workload involves bopping between some Chrome tabs and an app or two, look no further.

If you want the nicest features and enough sustained power for photo editing, video rendering, AI work, and occasional gaming, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is your best bet. It one-ups the Air with better thermal management, more ports, more base storage, a smoother display, and a longer battery life. Just come prepared to spend at least $500 more.

Recent updates to this guide

In August 2026, I updated this guide to reflect Apple's newly increased MacBook prices. I also added the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air as a new pick for college students.

In May 2026, I added the results of our battery life testing for the M5 MacBook Air. It was able to loop a video for 17 hours and 40 minutes before dying.

The latest MacBook news

Apple raised its MacBook prices in June 2026 because of the ongoing global memory crunch, aka "RAMageddon." The MacBook Air has gotten $200 pricier since launch, while the Neo is now $100 more expensive. The MacBook Pro costs anywhere from $300 to $500 more, depending on the configuration.

RAMageddon is also reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage. According to Bloomberg's Apple expert, Mark Gurman, "Retail store sources say Apple is struggling to keep the laptop in stock and that shipments of new units are more constrained than they can ever recall." At the time of writing, the MacBook Air was on backorder for two to six weeks in Apple's online store.

If you don't mind the possible shipping delay, Apple's back-to-school promotion is now live through Aug. 27, and it earns you a free gift card worth up to $150 when you buy a new MacBook Air or Pro. The offer is open to college students, their parents, and school faculty.

You can also now rent your MacBook instead of buying it. The new Klarna-powered Apple Upgrade program lets you lease a new MacBook Air or Pro for up to 36 months (starting at $24.99 per month). Once your term is up, you can either return your loaner, swap it for a newer model, or buy it outright.

What's on deck

Bloomberg's Gurman reports that Apple is working on several new MacBooks, including a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen, an entry-level M6 MacBook Pro, a redesigned MacBook Air, and a second-generation MacBook Neo with more RAM and color options. The OLED MacBook Pro could arrive as soon as this October.

TL;DR: The Motorola Razr is available for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this offer, 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

Samsung and Apple dominate the smartphone news cycle, but Motorola has quietly built one of the most practical foldables on the market. And better yet, you can pick up this popular phone for free right now.

T-Mobile is giving away the new Motorola Razr for free, with no trade-in required, when you activate a new line on its Experience More plan. The total cost is covered via 24 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the two-year mark, you’ll owe the remaining balance on the phone’s full retail price.

If you’re already planning to add a line, getting a high-end foldable without trading in your current device is easily one of the best mobile carrier deals live right now.

The Motorola Razr offers a 3.6-inch external display that's big enough to reply to Slack messages, check Google Maps, and sort through emails without flipping the phone open. Under the hood, the 4,800mAh battery outlasts most compact foldables on the market, and the 50MP main camera sensor handles quick WFH video calls and casual shots with ease.

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