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SAVE $70: As of July 1, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 50% on the list price, and the cheapest it has ever been.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet $69.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you're on the hunt for an affordable tablet ahead of Prime Day deals, we've found the perfect deal that won't break the bank. The Amazon Fire HD 10 is back on sale, but it's now at its lowest-ever price. So there's no need to wait until Prime Day officially kicks off.

As of June 17, you can save $70 at the new price of $69.99. This discount is available on all colorways for the 32GB model (with ads).

SEE ALSO: Our expert loved this robot vacuum, and it's down to a record-low price ahead of Prime Day

For under $70, this tablet really can't go wrong. It has a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display screen, so it's perfect for streaming your favorite shows, reading, and searching the web. Like most Amazon devices, it comes with built-in Alexa for hands-free control and searching. It also has a 5MP front-facing camera so you can video chat, take selfies, or even film TikToks.

Battery life promises to last 13 hours, and memory can be enhanced up to 1 TB expandable storage with a micro-SD card. So it's perfect for both work and play on the go.

Get this great tablet deal before Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

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

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $257.99 (List Price $379.99)

• Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid ANC Headphones (Black) — $63.99 (List Price $79.99)

• iRobot Roomba 105 — $219.99 (List Price $319.99)

Getting back into the dating game in your 40s can feel like a big deal, but a new study shows it might be the best time to look for love. According to the 14th annual Singles in America study — the nation's most comprehensive survey of singles, funded by Match and conducted with The Kinsey Institute — people in their 40s are in their "sexual prime" and are dating with more confidence and clarity than ever before.

The data shows that for this age group, connection is key, with 93 percent saying sexual chemistry is essential for a romantic relationship. "By their 40s, many singles have outgrown the pressure to perform or conform," says Amanda Gesselman, Match's Director of Sex and Relationship Science. "They know what they like, and they're unapologetic about it."

So, if you're ready to find a partner who meets that standard, we've tested the top platforms to find the best dating sites for you.

SEE ALSO: We asked daters what dating in 2025 is like so far How to find a partner in your 40s

So, we’ve established that the over-40 dating pool is far from empty. Your next thought is likely, “OK, great, but where do I even start?" The answer is online dating, and it’s like stepping into a room full of people who are also looking to connect, all from the comfort of your couch.

But before you start downloading, it's worth taking a moment for self-reflection. As Kiana Reeves, Somatic Sex Educator and Chief Education Officer at Foria, recommends, "it’s important to identify the kind of connection you’re looking for before you join any dating sites."

To clarify your goals, Reeves suggests asking yourself a few key questions:

• Are you looking for a casual swipe-through site or something more serious?

• Do you prefer to make the first move?

• Are you looking for a partner who shares your same faith?

• How much time are you realistically willing to devote to making a connection?

Once you have a clearer picture, Reeves recommends "joining a couple [apps] to start out with, so you can feel out what kind of user experience makes the most sense for you." She adds that if you're feeling overwhelmed, it's perfectly fine to just start with one.

The best dating apps for singles over 40

Ready to find love after 40? Or maybe you're just looking for a no-strings-attached fling? We get it, and we're here to help. As dating site experts, we've combed through the best dating sites and best dating apps for people over 40, done the research, and even tried them out ourselves to find the best options for singles like you.

Marvel's Ironheart wrapped filming in Nov. of 2022 and didn't premiere until June of 2025, just under three years later. But for star and world-renowned drag queen Shea Couleé, the delay only helped make the series more relevant.

Millions know Couleé as the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 5, as well as a finalist on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 7. In Ironheart, they swap the Main Stage for the MCU, playing Slug, a gifted hacker and member of the criminal crew that genius inventor Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) joins forces with. The crew's goal? To disrupt the lives of Chicago's wealthiest, along with their business ventures that would harm local communities. For Couleé, the story rang true on both a personal and political level.

SEE ALSO: 'Ironheart' review: Grief and AI collide in Ryan Coogler's Marvel series

"I'm somebody who comes from humble beginnings, and I'm somebody who sees a lot of the unfair distribution of wealth and resources to the same one percent," Couleé told Mashable in a Zoom interview. "I feel like now, especially with our current political climate, it has become more evident how these people take away from the most vulnerable, and it was great to be able to step into this world and play this character that's just sticking it to the man."

They added: "It was so much fun for me because it, in many ways, healed a lot of the frustrations that I have as somebody who exists at multiple intersections of marginalized communities, and it just was really empowering to be able to tell a story where somebody like me could go and get their own reparations from the people who have been oppressing them for so long."

Ironheart tackles pressing modern-day concerns. Shea Couleé and the cast of "Ironheart." Credit: Jalen Marlowe

Discussions of wealth disparity aren't the only pertinent themes on display in Ironheart. Riri's new AI N.A.T.A.L.I.E. (Lyric Ross) looks and acts like her late best friend Natalie, raising questions about AI consciousness and ethics. That conversation hits differently in 2025 than it would have in 2022, with the vast increase in AI tools and usage since then helping Ironheart feel surprisingly current in a fast-moving tech landscape. Even a quick joke about economic inflation carries more weight now than it would have three years ago! It's almost as if Ironheart anticipated the world it would be released into, something that isn't lost on Couleé.

"I feel like it is a reminder for me that everything happens when it's supposed to happen," Couleé said of the show's delayed release. "I am a firm believer in divine timing, and at the time when we wrapped, 2025 felt so far in the future. To see how what we created back then feels more relevant now is affirming that it was meant to come out at this time."

SEE ALSO: Did 'Ironheart' just take a shot at Elon Musk?

But perhaps no element of Ironheart feels as if it's changed more in significance between 2022 and 2025 than the casting of Couleé themself.

In 2022, the casting of a drag performer in one of the largest franchises in the world was already a statement in itself, one of inclusivity and broadening the horizons of drag and LGBTQ representation on screen. But in 2025, as the Trump administration relentlessly attacks the LGBTQ community and Marvel owner Disney pulled a transgender storyline from Pixar series Win or Lose, seeing a drag queen take center stage in the MCU feels downright revolutionary.

Much of that comes down to Couleé's performance, a blend of take-no-prisoners sass, glam, and anarchy that's pure fun to watch. Amid all the armored suit fights and discussions of tech versus magic, Ironheart also delivers six episodes of Couleé bringing their "Black, queer self" to the screen — a process that began by shaping Slug's look.

Shea Couleé directly shaped Slug's appearance in Ironheart. Shea Couleé and the cast of "Ironheart." Credit: Jalen Marlowe

Couleé had quite a bit of input into how Slug would look, starting with what they wore to their Ironheart audition.

"In reading the character, I thought to myself, 'for this audition, I should probably turn a look,'" Couleé recalled.

And turn a look they did, sporting black leather tactical gear and a harness vest that doubled as a purse. (Perfect for the hacker on the go.) That's not far off from what Slug sports for the crew's heists. Nor were the long nails Couleé wore for the audition, which became a Slug signature. After all, if your character is a hacker, they're guaranteed to have close-up shots of their fingers clacking away on a keyboard. Why not add some flair?

Couleé brought in their usual nail artist, Zoe Kosmopoulos (@bbygirlnails) to craft their Ironheart nails, from darker marbled nails to a set dripping with small chains. Couleé also did their own makeup as a way to get more acquainted with the character of Slug, knowing the character would be doing their own makeup within the world of the show.

"The costume department was so open to my opinions and my thoughts and feeling about how the character should dress, and it really became such an incredible collaborative process," Couleé said. "I don't know if a lot of people know, but my background in school was costume design, and so it was really cool to not only get to act and perform on screen, but also have a lot of impact on how the character looked."

SEE ALSO: 9 LGBTQ creators discuss not backing down from Pride

A particularly striking element of Slug's look is their bright green hair. They share that character trait with Marvel Comics' Darkveil, a mutant who was inspired in part by Couleé. Ironheart doesn't confirm whether Slug is actually Darkveil, leaving their future in the MCU open-ended. However, both are drag performers, with Ironheart briefly touching on Slug's drag past in the fictional country of Madripoor.

In a quick flashback, and the only time viewers see Slug in full drag, they sit in a dressing room in an all-purple leather outfit, rocking a Grace Jones–inspired headpiece that covers up all of their hair.

"The trademark for Darkveil is that obvious green hair. We know that Slug has green hair too, but there was a conscious decision to not even show any hair for this flashback, because they wanted to maintain an element of mystery around Slug's drag past," Couleé explained.

(Couleé also mentioned they were "bummed" viewers missed out on seeing the shoes that accompanied the look, a pair of towering 3D-printed Windowsen boots. "They were honestly the coolest part of the whole outfit," they said.)

Shea Couleé brings Chicago drag excellence to Ironheart.

Since Slug is on the run in Ironheart, they no longer do drag. That's a shame, considering we miss out on any kind of Couleé performance. If we were to get one, though, Couleé envisions Slug performing a Doechii song.

"They give me Doechii vibes, just very alt Black girl," Couleé said. (Dare I say, "Alter Ego" is perfect for any character in a superhero show?)

Instead, Couleé imagines Slug visiting Chicago drag shows and fitting into the scene, even if they aren't necessarily performing.

"There is a really great drag and queer community here," Couleé said of Chicago, where they began their drag career and cemented themself as a Chicago legend. Look no further than their hot dog look on Drag Race Season 9 to get a sense of their Chicago pride.

Couleé being cast in Ironheart is one of the show's many Chicago-specific details. Others include Nancy's Pizza boxes (although Couleé says Slug is "a Lou Malnati's stan") and the brief flash of the State Street Preacher, a downtown Chicago mainstay, featured in an early sequence when Riri flies home. "The real Chicagoans, they know what's up," Couleé said of the moment.

But more than that, Ironheart showcases Chicago-based talent, like Ross, who plays N.A.T.A.L.I.E.; Matthew Elam, who plays Riri's friend and neighbor Xavier; and Anji White, who plays Riri's mother, Ronnie.

Couleé actually attended Chicago's Columbia College alongside White. In 2010, they costumed a show she was in: George C. Wolfe's The Colored Museum.

"It was so full circle when I walked onto set in Atlanta the first day and saw [White's] headshot up there," Couleé recalled. "I was like, 'No way. Girl, we have come so far, from that tiny little black box theater at Columbia College to now being on a Marvel series.'"

Couleé hopes this is only the beginning for Slug, saying, "Not many details have been given to me because they're very tight-lipped, but I am hopeful that we can see a really fun and interesting evolution for this character, and the possibility that there could be more to them than what we see."

Still, despite the uncertainty, Couleé has one definite wish for Slug's future: more fights.

"I would love to see Slug get their hands dirty and kick some ass. Slug hangs back and lets everyone get their hands dirty, which I understand because, girl, if you're going to be getting these nails done, you don't want to mess that up," Couleé laughed. "But you know, you can use your feet! A little roundhouse kick won't hurt nobody."

The first three episodes of Ironheart are now streaming on Disney+. The final three premiere July 1 at 9 p.m. ET.

Talent poaching doesn't often go viral, but this story has all the right ingredients: Meta, OpenAI, and $100 million signing bonuses.

Meta has been aggressively pursuing AI talent from top labs, mostly OpenAI, in an effort to get a leg up on its competition. The details of the developing story are so dramatic and foreign to the rest of the world that it's become stranger-than-fiction fodder for the internet watching it unfold in real time.

How the Meta poaching frenzy began

In case you haven't been following the saga, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is frustrated with his company's progress in the quest for AI supremacy. Earlier this month, reports surfaced of Zuckerberg personally recruiting talent for a superintelligence group to accelerate Meta's AI research and development efforts. This included snagging Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang to lead the team, which seemed to have stung OpenAI particularly badly, since it has had a longstanding partnership with Scale AI. OpenAI (and Google) reportedly cut ties with Scale AI after the Meta acquihire.

Meta's AI recruitment also included enticing OpenAI researchers with $100 million signing bonuses, according to CEO Sam Altman on a podcast interview with his brother, Jack Altman. Sam didn't seem phased: "I'm really happy that at least so far none of our best people have decided to take [Meta] up on that." Then, Altman and OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap took the offensive during a live show of the New York Times podcast, Hard Fork — the two execs were asked if they think Zuckerberg actually believes in superintelligence or whether he's just saying that as a recruiting tactic, with Lightcap responding, "I think [Zuckerberg] believes he's super intelligent." Days later, the Wall Street Journal would report that Meta had successfully poached three OpenAI staffers from its Zurich office.

It was all jokes for OpenAI, until it wasn't

Up until this point, Zuckerberg and Altman have had a Real Housewives kind of rivalry, or should we say Zuckerberg has a rivalry with Altman, who has publicly regarded the whole thing as kind of a joke. When it was reported that Meta was planning to develop a standalone app to compete with ChatGPT, Altman cheekily responded by posting, "ok fine maybe we'll do a social app." From the outside, it's all very high school.

But that was then. This week, things looked different for OpenAI. On Monday, an internal memo from Zuckerberg reported by Bloomberg revealed the scope of Meta's aggressive recruiting tactics. Based on the memo, Meta has gained 11 hires for his superintelligence team from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, including four employees from OpenAI.

An internal memo from within OpenAI (via Wired) painted a picture of a company in crisis. Chief Research Officer Mark Chen told staffers that the executive team was "working around the clock to talk to those with offers," and trying to retain talent. "[W]e’ve been more proactive than ever before, we’re recalibrating comp, and we’re scoping out creative ways to recognize and reward top talent," added Chen.

The situation is so intense that OpenAI is reportedly giving employees next week off to recharge from the grueling workload and pace, while leadership tries to get things under control.

Meta's aggressive poaching has gripped the AI corner of the internet

While two billionaire CEOs battle for top talent with outrageous financial incentives, the internet is doing its thing.

To put things in perspective, soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo was paid 80 million pounds to sign with Real Madrid in 2009, the largest transfer deal ever at the time. Posters on X compared that amount to Altman's claims of $100 million signing bonuses for his former AI staffers heading to Meta (one of the new Meta employees publicly disputes that number).

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Even if $100 million is an overstatement, the tech industry is looking more and more like the professional sports world to many.

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Others on Twitter are gobsmacked at the very lucrative AI brain race.

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...and the rumors of Zuckerberg's intense and expensive efforts at bringing the brightest AI minds to Menlo Park.

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

The Bullet Cluster, named for its distinctive shape, has long been considered a smoking gun for the existence of dark matter in space. 

(Sorry, couldn't resist the pun.) 

But the James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, has now traced that hidden material with unprecedented precision. In new images, such as the one displayed at the top of this story, scientists have obtained the most detailed information yet on the notorious cosmic collision between two massive groups of galaxies, 3.8 billion light-years away in the Carina constellation. 

What makes this cluster famous isn’t the violence of it all. It’s that the crash stripped the visible matter, such as hot gas, from the dark matter, a mysterious-yet-abundant substance that doesn't shine or interact with light. This unseen material stealthily shapes galaxies. 

"Webb’s images dramatically improve what we can measure in this scene — including pinpointing the position of invisible particles known as dark matter," said Kyle Finner, a Caltech scientist involved in the research, in a statement.

SEE ALSO: Rubin Observatory's first images flaunt millions of galaxies. Take a look. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

With Webb, astronomers have discovered thousands of previously unknown faint and distant galaxies and used the data to map the region’s total weight.

Long ago when the two galaxy groups slammed into each other at ultra high speeds, the visible gas clouds slowed down and got dragged behind, while the dark matter kept going. This separation was partly captured in earlier images by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, but the latest Webb data reveals more subtle details.

In the new study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, researchers combined measurements of strong and weak "gravitational lensing" to create a high-resolution mass map. 

When a massive object like a galaxy cluster sits in the foreground of a more distant galaxy, it bends and magnifies the background light in a process called gravitational lensing. NASA often uses the analogy of a bowling ball placed on a foam mattress or trampoline to illustrate how the fabric of spacetime bends: Light that would otherwise travel straight curves as it passes through the warped spacetime. The natural phenomenon creates a magnifying glass in the sky, allowing scientists to then see even more distant objects than would ordinarily be possible. 

The new map doesn't assume that light and mass must go hand in hand — a crucial consideration because dark matter doesn't shine. It instead tracks how the background galaxies appear warped. 

A new James Webb Space Telescope study of the Bullet Cluster has revealed unprecedented detail that could help scientists trace dark matter. Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustration

To understand gravitational lensing and dark matter, James Jee, a professor at Yonsei University, says to think of a pond filled with clear water and pebbles. The water, in this case, is dark matter, and the pebbles are background galaxies.

"You cannot see the 'water' unless there is wind, which causes ripples," he said. "Those ripples distort the shapes of the pebbles below, causing the water to act like a lens." 

The real surprise was seeing a faint trail of mass extending from the subcluster — a possible "bridge" of material that could tell a deeper story about the cluster’s past. In that trail, researchers also found what’s called intracluster light — stars that have been stripped from their home galaxies and now drift freely, bound only by the cluster’s gravity. 

These stars seem to follow the dark matter closely. The researchers found the light and mass were aligned within just about 20,000 light-years. This means wandering stars could give scientists a new way to map invisible matter in future galaxy collisions.

The findings hint that the Bullet Cluster’s history may be messier than scientists thought. Rather than a simple two-object collision, the evidence points to a more complex chain of events, with other previous smashups. And even with all this new detail, researchers still haven’t captured the whole picture — Webb’s field of view only includes the "head of the giant," as one scientist put it. 

"Webb’s initial images allow us to extrapolate how heavy the whole 'giant' is," Jee said, "but we’ll need future observations of the giant’s whole 'body' for precise measurements."

TL;DR: Enjoy the suite of Microsoft Office apps and some courses to learn how to make the most out of them with this Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and free Microsoft Training Bundle for $39.97 (reg. $239.99) through July 15.

As Summer Fridays roll around, we could all use a little productivity boost. Give yourself an easy one with eight helpful apps from Microsoft Office. Right now, you can get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021, plus a Microsoft Training Bundle for just $39.97 (reg. $239.99) through July 15.

Upgrade your daily workflow with classic Microsoft tools and pro-level training

Get some help tackling both personal and professional tasks with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license. It’s packed with eight apps ready to transform your workflow — including some classic tools that have been around since the ’80s.

Take advantage of old classics like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and newer additions like Access, Teams, OneNote, and Publisher. They all combine to offer help on everything from drafting a budget to answering work emails.

Rest easy knowing this 2021 edition offers more than newer versions — offering eight apps compared to just five in the 2025 version. And unlike Microsoft 365, there are no monthly subscription fees.

This license comes with a complimentary Microsoft Training Bundle, featuring six informative courses from LearningWhilePracticing. They offer a hands-on approach, letting you immediately apply your skills to real-world projects.

You’ll get to learn more about Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint in the from ZERO to ADVANCED course series, with two additional classes specifically tackling Excel.

Get things done this summer with this Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and free Microsoft Training Bundle for $39.97 (reg. $239.99) through July 15.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + FREE Microsoft Training Bundle $39.97
$239.99 Save $200.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Learn piano for life with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, now only $119.99 (reg. $299.99) with code SAVE20 through July 20.

These days, you don’t need a classroom or a strict schedule to learn piano. Skoove Premium Piano Lessons lets you learn on your own terms, right from the comfort of your own home. All you need is the Skoove app, a keyboard, and a phone, tablet, or laptop.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $119.99 (reg. $299.99) with code SAVE20 through July 20.

Enjoy piano lessons that work around your schedule

If you’ve ever wanted to pick up an instrument, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons lets you fit it into your busy schedule. There are no specific times or appointments to make — just grab your keyboard, open the app, and start playing. It’s ready to school total newbies and skilled pianists alike.

Over one million people are taking advantage of Skoove’s flexibility. There are more than 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos in the app, and thanks to the power of AI, Skoove can listen to your playing and recognize your notes. It provides real-time feedback, and if you have any issues, there are music instructors available for more guidance.

You get to learn piano using music you actually like — from pop songs by Adele to classical tunes from Beethoven. And monthly updates ensure you never run out of fresh music to play.

Keep improving your piano skills for life with this lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, now just $119.99 (reg. $299.99) with code SAVE20 through July 20.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $119.99
$299.99 Save $180 Get Deal

TL;DR: Online creators can turn their link-in-bio page into a moneymaker with this lifetime subscription to Pushbio, the Complete Creator Toolkit, for only $39.99 (reg. $147.99).

Want to start making money online? Whether you’re an aspiring influencer or an online business owner, Pushbio helps you create a captivating, revenue-generating link-in-bio page. And right now, a lifetime subscription to this complete creator toolkit can be yours for just $39.99 (reg. $147.99).

Monetize your content with this powerful link-in-bio toolkit

It’s time to improve your online presence. Let Pushbio build you a beautiful link-in-bio page, complete with your own domain, embed content from more than 20 platforms, and start selling digital products or services. Pushbio takes no commission and supports payment setup via Stripe, PayPal, and more.

Pushbio isn’t just for link-in-bio pages — it’s a full-featured hub for creators. It can help you send newsletters, promotions, and updates, create social media content, share files, and even design a virtual business card. It also includes email collection to help you get leads and build a mailing list, and retargeting pixels to track your users and improve your ad targeting.

This lifetime subscription to Pushbio not only helps you make money online, but it could also save you money. This all-in-one platform can replace multiple monthly tools like Linktree, Bitly, Mailchimp, Canva, Calendly, and more, helping you cut costs while growing your brand.

Top creators around the world are already counting on Pushbio to help them build eye-catching bio pages, make money off their content, and connect with other brands. Follow in their footsteps and grow your digital footprint with this all-in-one service.

Grow your online brand with help from this lifetime subscription to Pushbio, the Complete Creator Toolkit, now only $39.99 (reg. $147.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pushbio Pushbio - Complete Creator Toolkit: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$147.99 Save $108 Get Deal

TL;DR: SwiftScan VIP gives you all the power of a desktop scanner from your phone. For just $41.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30, scan, edit, and organize your documents for life.

If your office still has a giant, clunky scanner from 2012, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. For just $41.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30, you can get lifetime access to SwiftScan VIP — a mobile app that turns your phone into a document-scanning hustler.

With SwiftScan, you can scan anything: receipts, contracts, whiteboards, even that mystery form your kid brings home from school. Simply hold your phone over the paper, and SwiftScan automatically detects the edges, crops it, optimizes the lighting, and voilà — you get high-quality PDF or JPEG, ready to save or share.

Need to add notes, redact info, sign a doc, or merge multiple pages? No problem. SwiftScan comes equipped with powerful PDF editing tools that work seamlessly. And it integrates with your favorite cloud storage apps — Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, iCloud, OneDrive — so your files go wherever you go.

It’s ideal for freelancers, business owners, students, or anyone who wants to stay organized without lugging around a giant scanner. Whether you’re in a tiny NYC apartment or a suburban home office, SwiftScan just makes sense.

So go ahead—replace that dusty hardware with a tool you’ll actually use.

SwiftScan VIP is fast, reliable, and surprisingly fun — plus, it’s just $41.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30 through July 20.

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Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $41.99
$199.99 Save $158 Get Deal

SAVE $802: As of July 1, the Panasonic Z85 Series TV is on sale for $997.99 at Amazon. That's a 45% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Panasonic Panasonic Z85 Series TV $997.99 at mazon
$1,799.99 Save $802 Get Deal

Prime Day deals are the perfect excuse to upgrade your TV, whether it's the move to something smarter, a bigger screen, or going all in on a new surround sound setup. But with a week still to go until the deals officially kick off, you'll be pleased to know Amazon already has an incredible TV deal available right now.

As of July 1, the 65-inch Panasonic Z85 Series is down to its lowest-ever price. Now at just $997.99, this deal saves you over $800 on list price.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is dropping way better early Prime Day TV deals than years prior

Stats-wise, this TV has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and features a core OLED panel and the HCX Pro AI Processor MKII. It supports multiple HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby Vision IQ use intelligent sensing to alter the picture quality based on the brightness of your room.

For amazing sound quality, it boasts Theater Surround Pro with Dolby Atmos, a built-in subwoofer, and clear dialogue output. And if you're a gamer, the Game Mode Extreme function supports features like HDMI 2.1, a 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC. It also comes with a built-in Game Control Board to make it easier to adjust gaming settings.

Sold yet? Grab this pre-Prime Day deal at Amazon now.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

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

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $257.99 (List Price $379.99)

• Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid ANC Headphones (Black) — $63.99 (List Price $79.99)

• iRobot Roomba 105 — $219.99 (List Price $319.99)

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Canadian clubs

• Green: Northern goldrush

• Blue: Prior Canadian clubs

• Purple: Northern stars

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Toronto Pro Teams

• Green: Sports in which Canada has the most Olympic gold medals

• Blue: Former Canadian Pro Teams

• Purple: Famous Canadian athletes

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #280 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Toronto Pro Teams - BLUE JAYS, MAPLE LEAFS, RAPTORS, SCEPTRES

• Sports in which Canada has the most Olympic gold medals - BREAKING, CURLING, FREESTYLE SKIING, ICE HOCKEY

• Former Canadian Pro Teams - EXPOS, GRIZZLIES, MAROONS, NORDIQUES

• Famous Canadian athletes - DAVIES, MCDAVID, NASH, SINCLAIR

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

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

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

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

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, July 1, 2025:

AcrossSomething to walk

• The answer is Dog.

Something to jog

• The answer is Memory.

More wicked

• The answer is Eviler.

Picture you always keep on you?

• The answer is Tattoo.

Insect studied by a myrmecologist

• The answer is Ant.

DownNincompoop

• The answer is Dolt.

Ingredient in cookies 'n cream ice cream

• The answer is Oreo.

Greek sandwich

• The answer is Gyro.

Zuckerberg's company

• The answer is Meta.

___ Williams (bourbon brand)

• The answer is Evan.

Piece of baseball equipment

• The answer is Mitt.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE $50: As of July 1, the 3i G10+ Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's an 11% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: 3i 3i G10+ Robot Vacuum and Mop $399.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Prime Day kicks off in just under a week, and we can't wait for the discounts to start rolling in. But if you're like us and you're a little impatient, why not check out some of Amazon's early Prime Day deals? Like this latest deal to drop on the 3i G10+ Robot Vacuum and Mop.

As of July 1, this impressive device is $50 off and is now available for just $399.99. That's the lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: Every iPad model is on sale ahead of Prime Day

If you're not convinced by this brand, you should check out what our reviewer thought (hint: the words "high-level experience" appear). One of its most notable features is its onboard debris compression system. Where other robot vacuums return to a docking station and offload their collected trash, this model has no need for that. It stores up to 1 litre of compacted debris before it needs to be emptied.

It delivers 18,000 Pa of suction and uses a floating roller brush to stay in close contact with the floor for deep cleaning. Our reviewer noted that this makes it one of the most powerful robot vacuums on the market right now, up there with the most expensive models.

The built-in DirtScan uses AI and LED lighting to detect dirt and automatically adjusts the suction, water flow, and cleaning methods. And on carpets, the G10+ lifts its mop, boosts suction for low-pile rugs, avoids high-pile carpets, and can do multiple cleaning passes when needed.

For ease of use, all these features can be controlled through the 3i App, including scheduling, no-go zones, and saving maps. It also works with voice commands through Google Assistant or Alexa.

Grab this great robot vacuum deal from Amazon now.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

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

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $257.99 (List Price $379.99)

• Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid ANC Headphones (Black) — $63.99 (List Price $79.99)

• iRobot Roomba 105 — $219.99 (List Price $319.99)

Elon Musk may soon launch his own political party. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has announced his intention to form the "America Party" if President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passes, continuing to rail against what he calls "insane spending."

SEE ALSO: No, Elon Musk can't run for U.S. Vice President

"If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day," Musk posted to X on Monday. "Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE."

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Previously a close ally of Trump, Musk has had a dramatic falling out with the U.S. president in recent weeks. The billionaire left his position as de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the end of May and publicly criticised Trump's budget bill, with the two feuding on social media since. Musk even accused Trump of being "in the Epstein files," though he later said that he regretted his posts. Time will tell whether he regrets these ones as well.

"It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country — the PORKY PIG PARTY!!" Musk wrote. "Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people."

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According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a non-partisan organisation which analyses federal budgets, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could potentially add $5 trillion to the country's debt within the next decade. The similarly non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has offered a slightly more optimistic analysis, however it still predicts the act could increase U.S. debt by approximately $3.3 trillion.

Trump has been pushing for his proposed budget to be passed prior to July 4. Though voting on the bill has commenced, as of writing the Senate has not yet passed the legislation and is continuing to vote on amendments.

"Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!" Musk posted on Monday. "And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth."

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Despite his threats, Musk has a lengthy history of making pledges he's been unable to keep. Musk initially promised that DOGE would reduce government spending by at least $2 trillion, however subsequently revised this goal down to $150 billion within three months of Trump's inauguration. Instead, DOGE has primarily thrown U.S. government agencies into turmoil, laying off over 280,000 workers and even working to entirely dismantle some agencies.

Of course, DOGE also demonstrated that forming an organisation is a much simpler task than actually delivering on its promises. The richest man in the world is already talking about soliciting funds for an election campaign, despite having a net worth of over $400 billion.

Musk also ran a poll on X asking, "Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?" The poll garnered approximately 5.6 million responses, with around 80 percent responding in the affirmative.

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"VOX POPULI, VOX DEI," Musk posted when sharing the results (emphasis original). 

"Vox populi, vox dei" is a Latin phrase meaning "the voice of the people [is] the voice of God." Musk has previously used it when running other polls, though the results don't appear to have any real impact on his actions. The phrase is actually an abbreviation of the full quotation: "Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit." Translated: "And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness."

If Musk does establish a new U.S. political party, he will technically be unable to run for president himself. Under Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution, a person must be "a natural born Citizen" in order to be eligible for the office of president. As Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, this disqualifies him as a candidate. Even so, it wouldn't be surprising if he attempted to use a proxy or find some other other way around this.

When uncertainty hits, it’s tempting to start making cuts. But indiscriminate subtraction can backfire, making systems brittle, reducing visibility, and draining long-term value from your business. Before making any cut, apply this triple test: Will it improve efficiency, build resilience, and elevate prominence? If the answer is no, rethink it. If the answer is yes, […]

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TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only $14.97 (reg. $199) before codes sell out.

If you haven't heard already, Microsoft has officially announced the countdown clock on Windows 10. Are you still running your PC on this dated operating system? Now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade your device's performance, because the latest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, is now less than $15 until the end of today. However, codes are limited.

With these Windows 11 Pro keys, you can completely revamp two compatible PCs, whether they're your personal or work computers. For starters, you'll enjoy a refreshed user interface that's been designed to be intuitive and aesthetically pleasing with rounded corners.

This updated operating system provides more than just an improved navigation experience. New productivity tools like snap layouts, easy redocking, and improved voice typing can help you complete personal and professional tasks, and you'll even have a more powerful search experience to get you further.

Digital safety is paramount for anyone online, which is why Windows 11 Pro is outfitted with enhanced security measures like Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and more for greater peace of mind as you browse, stream, or game. And speaking of gaming, this operating system is designed to improve PC gaming graphics with DirectX12 Ultimate.

Since this is the Pro version of Windows 11, you'll additionally get remote work-friendly features, such as remote desktop access for viewing files and running programs from your mobile device. There's also Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for extra professional usage.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03 Get Deal

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Humble.

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

LOWLY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To foreshadow.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

AUGUR

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To get rid of.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ERASE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A pointed weapon.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 1 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SPEAR

Final Hurdle hint

Lotion.

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

CREAM

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

It might seem like the humble printer is obsolete in this paperless age. But the printer remains an office essential. There are times when only a physical document will do. For example, it's bad form to turn up to an interview and show your prospective employer a copy of your CV on your phone. Contracts and other important official documents should need to be printed. That's just a fact of the professional world.

And let’s be honest: Copies of your favourite photos and posters are far superior to digital versions. That slideshow on your laptop or desktop might have hundreds of your best snaps on a never-ending loop, but it can't possibly compare to flicking through actual photos. There are times when you simply must have a printout.

Fortunately, there's still lots of choice out there from top manufacturers such as Canon, Epson, and HP. You really are spoilt for choice if you know what you're looking for. But before you purchase a printer and start sending those all important documents, here's some useful information to get you started.

What are the different types of home printer?

It generally comes down to inkjet, ink tank, and laser printers. Inkjet printers, as the name suggests, use ink cartridges to print documents. Ink tank printers, which are probably more cost effective, have a ink reservoir that you top up, rather than using cartridges. And laser printers use laser beams to flash the image or text to be printed on the page, which is then coated by toner. (Always be mindful of the incurring costs of ink cartridges or toner.) Laser printers produce sharper edges and crisper images. If you’re going to print lots of text documents with few colours, a two-cartridge printer is fine. Consider a laser printer though for professional-grade printouts.

How big are home printers?

Also consider the dimensions and weight of a printer. You need to select a device with your home in mind. Even though that powerful printer with a lengthy list of features is attractive, the fact that it wouldn't fit through your front door cannot be ignored. Make sure you measure up before adding a printer to your home office. Luckily, printers come in all shapes and sizes — there are even printers that fit in your hand.

How do printers connect?

You can do it the old-fashioned way and simply connect your computer and printer via a cable. Some printers use a network, which means lots of computers are connected at once — either wired or wirelessly. That’s obviously common in offices. But in this increasingly wireless world, you’ll find many printers use WiFi or Bluetooth. Printing from a computer or device couldn’t be easier.

What is the best printer brand?

Most of the names that you'll come across when searching for a printer are pretty established. The likes of Canon, Epson, and Hewlett Packard will be well-known to basically everyone, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't look elsewhere.

Smaller brands like Kyocera are also really popular with consumers, and even though you might not be that familiar with the name, the fact that these guys specialise in printers is a bonus. The good thing is that you've got options. There is nothing worse that one brand having a monopoly on a certain type of product.

What is the best home printer?

We've lined up some of the very best examples of compact, portable, and desktop printers, and while we can't tell you which model will work best for your office and printing needs, we do recommend all the names on this list.

These are the best home printers in 2025.

TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office Pro 2021 at just A$61 (reg. A$337) and enjoy lifetime access to essential productivity tools.

Grab Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows at just A$61 (reg. A$337) and enjoy lifetime access to essential productivity tools.

What you get with your purchase

• One-time purchase, lifetime access — no monthly fees, just essential Office apps

• Includes must-have tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Teams, and Publisher

• Designed for Windows users — perfect for work, school, and personal projects

• Boost productivity with reliable tools for documents, data management, and communication

• Quick and easy setup that allows you to download it instantly and activate with your product key

• No hidden fees — pay once and use Microsoft Office Professional 2021 forever

Skip the subscription headache — don’t miss this deal and get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for A$61. Sale ends July 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License AU$61
AU$337 Save AU$276 Get Deal

TL;DR: Enjoy serious data security at an affordable price with a lifetime subscription to the Internxt Cloud Storage 10TB plan for A$421 through July 15. 

Are you tired of hitting the storage limits on free cloud storage services like Dropbox? If you're looking for somewhere dependable and secure to keep your precious data, Internxt is an excellent option. It's an open-source platform with end-to-end encryption so that you can trust your files will remain safe and private. 

Right now, you can bypass expensive monthly fees and secure a lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage's generous 10TB plan is available for just A$421 (reg. A$4,449) through July 15.

This cloud storage service truly values your privacy

Get serious about securing your important data with Internxt. They make privacy their top concern, so you can rest easy knowing your files are safe and the platform values transparency with its users. 

Though you may not have thought about it, traditional cloud storage providers can monetize user data with targeted advertising and data sharing. There's also the worry of data breaches or surveillance with these bigger companies. 

This is where Internxt shines — you don't have to worry about your data being accessed. They offer end-to-end encryption. That means data will be encrypted on the sender's device and only decrypted for the receiver, so not even Internxt can access it. 

Internxt also has an open-source policy. That means their code is publicly available, offering total transparency to users. They're also GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliant, which means they adhere to strict European laws that protect user privacy and data security.

Like the popular cloud storage options, Internxt offers cross-platform compatibility and easy integration across devices and operating systems. And unlike the competitors with monthly or yearly subscriptions, this lifetime subscription won't cost you a penny more after purchase. 

Enjoy a massive amount of storage with a service that prioritizes privacy with this lifetime subscription to the Internxt Cloud Storage 10TB plan for A$421 (reg. A$4,449) through July 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan AU$421
AU$4,449 Save AU$4,028 Get Deal