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Apple might abandon plans to develop its own in-house AI model to power Siri and could partner with OpenAI or Anthropic instead.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone maker has talked to both companies about using either ChatGPT or Claude to power Siri. Apple "has asked them to train versions of their models that could run on Apple’s cloud infrastructure for testing," said Gurman, citing unnamed sources. The talks are reportedly in early stages, and its efforts to develop its own LLM for Siri, internally dubbed LLM Siri, are still active.

SEE ALSO: Apple's big Siri update still isn't ready for primetime

If Apple outsources a Siri LLM, it would be a major concession of defeat for the company that has reportedly struggled to adapt and improve Siri to current standards. Apple stayed on the sidelines during the beginning of the genAI boom ushered in by ChatGPT. And even before ChatGPT, Siri was somewhat of a punchline for frustrated users. As one of the pioneers of voice assistants, Siri had big potential for leading the market with voice-activated actions. But users are still waiting for the so-called Siri revamp that was promised about a year ago at 2024's WWDC.

Since then, Apple teams has reportedly struggled to convert existing Siri architecture into something that rivals voice modes from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. Now the AI team is reportedly building an LLM from scratch, which has led to delays. The Siri revamp has been postponed while Apple tries to come up with a plan, and aims for a spring 2026 launch. But even that might be in jeopardy, according to this report.

A solar generator is one of those things that you don't think you need until you actually do one day. Jackery makes some of the best ones, and now, its Explorer 1000 V2 is currently almost half off—knocking an insane $600 off its MSRP.

I love science fiction movies for lots of reasons, but the biggest draw is, of course, that sci-fi speculates about how science and technology will change the world. Sometimes it's a prediction of how technology that will certainly exist could change things. Other times, technology itself is a product of pure imagination.

If you’re a savvy shopper like me, you already know that having an open mind to the possibilities of refurbished tech can serve as a real-life cheat code. It’s your best gateway to levelling up a home setup for seriously less monies; be that a work-from-home battlestation, a lairier gaming cave, or your ideal weekend wind-down zone.

Today, I’m going to teach you how to kit out your casa with the stuff you crave without needing to pay a premium for it.

Before you ask, yes, Refurbished tech on eBay Australia comes straight from quality-vetted sellers, and each item is rigorously inspected and backed by a minimum one-year warranty. Plus, free standard shipping & returns means you can click “buy” with zero buyer’s remorse. And if things really go sideways, eBay’s Money Back Guarantee has you covered*.

Combined, that makes diving into premium gear at a fraction of the price feel more like a life hack than a splurge. And now, without further ado, let me show you how to piece together your dream setup—from laptop to latte machine—by wading out into arguably the best bargains on eBay.

Your best PC battlestation on a budget

Looking to max your productivity (or simply draw envious looks on Zoom calls) without stretching your wallet? Start with a sleek, refurbished Laptop for handling spreadsheets, video edits, or that burgeoning side-hustle we don't need to tell your boss about. No dual-monitor setup? Grab a refurbished Monitor to complement your main rig; these are put through multi-point inspections to ensure crisp colour and no dead pixels. Or maybe just pair it with a wireless keyboard and mouse combo (often bundled under “Gaming” or “Accessories” on eBay Refurbished) to polish out that desk aesthetic to a clean, designer-studio vibe.

Greatly reduced gaming in your rumpus room

Who says console setups need next-gen prices? From the latest consoles to retro classics, the Gaming section is your portal to immersive entertainment without sticker-shock. Snag a refurbished PS5 or Xbox at hundreds less than retail, or build a nostalgia-packed collection with a remasters-friendly Nintendo Switch and classic GameCube consoles*. Don’t forget to stock up on controllers, headsets, and charging docks, too, all vetted for full functionality and waiting in the “Video Games” and “Video Game Accessories” sections. Last but not least, realise your console’s full potential on a refurbished TV for that cinematic feel in your rumpus room, then melt into couch-mode knowing every purchase is covered by eBay’s hassle-free 30 day returns* and 12-month warranty.*

Cleaner digs and delicious noms at a discount

You can tackle chores and caffeine cravings in one swoop with kitchen and home appliances that look and work like new in the case of Excellent or Certified tier items. Browse refurbished Appliances for vacuum cleaners that actually hold suction, coffee machines that deliver life-saving start-of-the-day shots, and air purifiers that hum quietly in the background. For small-kitchen essentials, check out the “Coffee & Tea Makers,” “Vacuum Cleaner Parts,” and “Small Kitchen Appliances” subcategories under Appliances. Each comes with a minimum one-year warranty* and free shipping & returns* if you sort your search by Certified Refurbished, Excellent Refurbished, Very Good Refurbished or Good Refurbished item conditions.

Horizontal rejuvenation enablers for less

As an avid practitioner, I don’t like the term "bed-rotting,” so I’m going with more positive messaging instead. Lazy Sunday mornings were practically invented for binge-scrolling on your phone or tablet. So you’d best treat yourself to a bargain solution by shopping refurbished Phones, Smart Watches, and Tablets at budget-friendly prices. From flagship Androids to iPhone Pros*, and everything in between, these devices are tested to at least “Good” condition (i.e., moderate wear, 80%+ battery life) and include all original or equivalent accessories*. Not as slovenly as me? Fine. Go pair your phone with a refurbished smartwatch for health-tracking flair, or grab a refurbished tablet as a portable second screen to use while you’re…what’s that term again? Oh yes. Moving around.

How to pick like a connoisseur and stay protected

If you’re tempted by any of the above, then the next half of the fun (and a sliding scale of savings) is choosing the right condition tier. If you want pristine gear that feels fresh out of the box, go “Certified” for manufacturer-certified, 100% battery health devices; “Excellent” and “Very Good” offer minor wear but huge savings; and “Good” is perfect if you don’t mind a tiny scuff in exchange for the best bargain.

All items are clearly graded and come with a seller-provided 12-month warranty,* free standard shipping & 30 day returns,* and the reassurance of eBay’s Money Back Guarantee*. For full eligibility and all terms, read our eBay Money Back Guarantee Policy. When in doubt, filter by condition and price, check seller ratings, and keep an eye out for the blue-tick which means it is part of the Refurbished program. Basically, your dream setup should be risk-free from click to unbox.

In the end it’s pretty clear that building a premium home setup doesn’t have to cost a premium. With eBay Refurbished, you really can score top-tier tech-laptops, consoles, appliances, even coffee machines-at a fraction of retail, all backed by warranties and buyer protections. Ready to upgrade? Dive into eBay’s refurbished categories, pick your condition, and hit “buy now” with confidence. Your wallet (and inner tech-nerd) will thank you.

Free standard shipping & returns subject to Refurbished Program T&Cs apply.

All refurbished items include a minimum one-year seller-provided warranty subject to Refurbished Program T&Cs apply.
For full eligibility criteria and all terms and conditions, read our eBay Money Back Guarantee Policy (eBay Australia).
eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands mentioned

There is a never-ending stream of gadgets, gizmos, and tools you see advertised for camping, but the most important tool you can have is one you probably already own.

Chromebooks are unique since they can run web apps, Android apps from the Google Play Store, or Linux apps through the Terminal. To improve the Chromebook user experience, Google has created apps specifically aimed at Chromebook users.

The landscape of YouTube drama channels has evolved over the platform's 20 years, but they still rely on one tried and true marketing gambit: clickbait. And generative AI tools are bringing it back in big, and alarming, ways.

Dozens of channels, for example, have been tallying up views and profit using AI-generated thumbnails and fake quotes purported to be from the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, many of which use celebrity likenesses and graphic language to entice viewers to watch. First reported by the Indicator and later co-published by the Guardian, around 900 videos across 26 channels have generated nearly 70 million views over the past 12 months, even as Big Tech claims to crack down on deepfakes and misinformation.

SEE ALSO: Caring for ourselves amid the Diddy trial and collective trauma exposure

Most of the channels sharing so-called "Diddy slop" rely not only on AI thumbnails, but also AI-generated narration, in an attempt to misleadingly connect celebrities — the likes of Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Justin Bieber, Joe Rogan, and even U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi — to the trial's infamous reports of sexual abuse. Most of the videos recirculate real trial images or local news coverage, with only a few taking the step into fully deepfaked video, the report found. Faceless channels dedicated to AI-generated clickbait content have also taken over TikTok, slipping by both platform's automatic moderation tools and threatening to amplify an already complicated information landscape rife with misinformation and conspiracy.

And despite YouTube policies that should prevent such videos from being monetized, it's proven to be a lucrative revenue generator. "If you would say, ‘Hey, how can I make $50,000 as soon as possible?’ Number one would be like doing fucking drug [dealing], but number two would probably be to start a Diddy channel,” Wanner Aarts, a YouTube creator that makes AI-generated content, told the Guardian. In response to the Indicator's report, YouTube said it removed 16 channels and demonetized several others.

The platform has struggled to address a growing abundance of noticeably AI-generated images and videos taking over its content recommendations and even ad space — in 2024, the site deleted more than 1,000 AI-generated scam videos advertising products using the likenesses of celebrities. AI-generated thumbnails have proliferated on the platform, culminating recently in a wide scale backlash to YouTube giant Mr.Beast, who debuted and then quickly shelved a generative AI tool that would automatically generate eye-catching thumbnails.

Broadly, YouTube and its corporate owner, Alphabet, have leaned heavily into generative AI for its own purposes, including a new YouTube Shorts video generator that harnesses Google DeepMind's Veo 2 and a combined AI-powered search tool and recommendation engine for Premium users.

The best early Prime Day Chromebook deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $459 (save $140) Get Deal BEST SPLURGE Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $629 (save $170) Get Deal BEST BUDGET DEAL Acer Gateway Chromebook 314 (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) $199.99 (save $50) Get Deal

Prime Day formally kicks off next week (July 8 through 11), but you can start saving on all sorts of gadgets and gizmos ahead of time — from headphones to TVs to laptops. While it's not quite on Black Friday level, Prime Day tends to be a pretty good time to score a deal on a new laptop (especially a MacBook), including fan-favorite, budget-friendly Chromebooks. The thing is, the best deals probably won't be at Amazon.

As in years past, all of the early Prime Day Chromebook deals are either at Best Buy or OEMs like Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo. We'll likely see some Chromebook discounts pop up at Amazon when the official sale begins, but in our experience, Best Buy will be the place to shop if you want to score the best deal. The retailer is running a "Black Friday in July" sale in direct competition of Prime Day that runs July 7 through 13.

It's worth mentioning that while Chromebooks are known for their affordability, tech-based tariffs have raised the prices of some models as much as $100. For instance, Acer verified that its Chromebook Plus Spin 714 now retails for $799.99 — a big jump from its original price of $699.99. Several Asus laptops have also hiked up their prices. We'll definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for some big Prime Day price cuts on these models to combat President Trump's tariffs.

We're tracking the best early Prime Day Chromebook deals across all retailers and will update the list with any new deals that may drop at Amazon, Best Buy, and elsewhere.

The best early Prime Day Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) $459 at Best Buy
$599 Save $140 Get Deal Why we like it

The 2025 Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus is pretty impressive, earning our sister site PCMag's "best Chromebook for most people" title. It's up next on our docket for testing, but for what it's worth, we loved the previous model. The 2025 version swapped out the processor for a newer 13th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, offers an enjoyable keyboard and touchpad, has a decent number of ports, and "seriously competitive performance for way less than some competing models," according to PCMag. It also packs 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS storage, which is on the higher end for a Chromebook. It's not perfect (battery life is just so-so), but for under $500, it's the best value.

Acer deals

• Acer Gateway Chromebook 314 (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $359 $479 (save $120)

• Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $379.99 $449.99 (save $70)

• Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $629 $799 (save $170)

Asus deals

• Asus Chromebook CM30 (MediaTek Kompanio 520, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $209.99 $299 (save $89.01)

• Asus CX5601 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i3-1215U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $349 $599 (save $250)

• Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $459 $599 (save $140)

HP deals

• HP Chromebook 14a-nf0000nr (Intel Processor N100, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $259.99 $329.99 (save $700)

• HP Chromebook x360 Laptop 14bt-cd000 (Intel Processor N200, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $319.99 $419.99 (save $100)

• HP Chromebook Plus 14at-nf000 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $379.99 $659.99 (save $280)

• HP Chromebook Plus x360 14b-cd0010nr (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $399.99 $659.99 (save $260)

• HP Chromebook Plus x360 14bt-cd000 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $429.99 $719.99 (save $290)

• HP Chromebook Plus 15at-nb000 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $479.99 $659.99 (save $180)

Lenovo deals

• Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook (MediaTek Kompanio 838, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $279 $399 (save $120)

Tumblr is ditching — or, at least, suspending — its plan to migrate over to WordPress. Relatedly, that also means pausing plans of integrating Tumblr into the fediverse.

That news dropped Monday on the Decoder podcast from The Verge. Automattic, which owns Tumblr, announced last year it planned to move Tumblr's backend of its website to WordPress. But Automattic founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg told Decoder that idea was on hold because the company decided it wanted "to focus as much on the things that are going to be noticeable to users and that users are asking for.” That tracks: Changing the backend of a website is a major undertaking but one that isn't obviously noticeable to most users.

The seemingly temporary shift away from WordPress could have downstream effects. For instance, Tumblr might now be slower to join the fediverse, which is a network of publishing platforms that are interconnected in order to make a decentralized social media landscape. In other words, your following, follows, and posts migrate across all the platforms.

SEE ALSO: What is the fediverse — and how might it affect creators?

Tumblr's migration to WordPress would've made integrating the fediverse easy. That's because WordPress has an ActivityPub plug-in that allows users to connect to other platforms on the fediverse. Now that's no more.

"That would’ve been a free way to get it," Mullenweg told Decoder. "And so that was one of the arguments for migrating everything to WordPress."

Robotics company 1X shared new insights into their Redwood AI and 1X World Model which are helping the company's Neo humanoid robots learn how to do a variety of tasks in a home setting.

If this latest leak holds water, then we’ve just gotten nearly the full spec sheet for the soon-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7.

First spotted by PhoneArena, the leak originates from a trusted tech insider on Weibo (China’s Twitter/X-adjacent social media site), translated and compiled into what looks like a comprehensive rundown of Samsung’s upcoming foldable. The most eyebrow-raising detail? The Z Fold 7 might not be an entirely new device but rather a repackaged Fold 6 SE — a special edition designed to compete in China’s ultra-competitive foldable market.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Unpacked: Every major Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 leak so far

According to the leak, the Fold 7 will run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and feature a 6.5-inch external display paired with an expansive 8-inch internal screen. The main camera clocks in at a jaw-dropping 200 megapixels, while the front-facing camera is reportedly a 10 MP shooter with a wide 100-degree field of view.

As for the physical design, folded, the phone measures 8.9mm thick; unfolded, it is just 4.2mm. It’s expected to weigh 215 grams and be wrapped in an enhanced armored aluminum frame with a glass ceramic back panel, suggesting Samsung is doubling down on durability and premium materials.

The Z Flip 7, meanwhile, looks to be getting a modest but meaningful upgrade. The exterior display is said to be 4.1 inches, with ultra-thin 1.25mm bezels and a 120Hz refresh rate that peaks at 2600 nits—impressive for a cover screen. Inside, the main display spans 6.9 inches with a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio, matching the same refresh rate and brightness.

Folded, the device is 13.7mm thick; unfolded, a sleek 6.5mm. A 4,300 mAh battery keeps it all powered, and the whole thing weighs 188 grams.

The one spec still under wraps? The camera setup for the Flip 7. That said, you won’t be waiting long for the full story — Samsung Unpacked is scheduled for July 9, and most signs point to both devices being officially unveiled during the event.

Of course, until it’s live on stage, everything here should be filed under "credible, but not gospel."

Best early Prime Day deals on mesh Wi-Fi systems: Best deal overall TP-Link Deco S4 mesh AC1900 WiFi system $99.97 (save $30.02) Get Deal Best budget pick TP-Link Deco BE23 Dual-Band BE3600 WiFi 7 mesh WiFi router $79.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal Honorable mention Amazon eero 6+ mesh WiFi system $105 (save $194.99 (with code EERO6PLUS3PK)) Get Deal

Prime Day is just one week away, and Amazon’s already dropping some pretty impressive early deals on home tech. While there are tons of discounts out there, the ones that can actually fix your day-to-day frustrations (like a terrible internet connection) are the ones really worth watching.

So, if you’ve been struggling with WiFi dead zones or a crappy connection (I definitely have and have been eyeing these deals), now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade to a mesh WiFi system.

SEE ALSO: The best early Prime Day drone deals to shop now

One deal I couldn’t not mention is on the Amazon eero 6+ mesh WiFi system. Right now, select customers can get a three-pack for just $105 with code EERO6PLUS3PK. That is the absolute lowest price we’ve ever seen on this particular setup. However, not everyone on our team is seeing this deal, so availability may be subject to geographical location, account standing, or Amazon's internal promotional algorithms. Still, it's worth checking to see if you’re eligible.

If you aren’t seeing this deal, there are still some solid options out there for a mesh system upgrade. Here are all the best early Prime Day deals on mesh WiFi systems.

Best deal overall TP-Link Deco S4 Mesh WiFi System (3-Pack) $99.97 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.02 Get Deal Why we like it

The TP-Link Deco S4 mesh AC1900 WiFi system is on sale for 99.97, down from 129.99. This isn't the lowest we’ve ever seen this system go for (it hit 89.99 briefly last December), but it’s still a really good deal on a three-pack mesh system that can cover up to 5,500 square feet.

The Deco S4 is Alexa-compatible and supports connectivity for up to 100 devices. And, unlike most traditional mesh systems, the Deco S4 lets you roam throughout your home without needing to manually switch networks. So, you could walk from your home office to the kitchen while you’re on a video call without any interruption.

More early Prime Day deals on mesh Wi-Fi systems

• Like-New Amazon eero mesh WiFi router — $32.99 $55 (save $22.01)

• TP-Link Archer BE6500 Dual-Band WiFi 7 Router (Archer BE400) — $144.99 $179.99 (save $35)

• TP-Link Deco BE63 Tri-Band WiFi 7 BE10000 whole home mesh system — $419.98 $599.99 (save $180.01)

• Amazon eero Max 7 (1-pack) with Amazon eero Outdoor 7 (1-pack) mesh WiFi system — $699.99 $999.98 (save $299.99)

• Amazon eero Max 7 (3-pack) with Amazon eero Outdoor 7 (1-pack) mesh WiFi system — $1,499.99 $2,099.98 (save $599.99)

Anker, the electronics manufacturer, has issued another major recall — this time involving five of its most popular charging devices. It’s the second recall the company has announced this month, affecting more than one million power banks so far, with more potentially to come. Anker says the move is being made “out of an abundance of caution.”

Despite the company's reassurances, owners of specific Anker MagGo and Anker Zolo power banks are being urged to check their model numbers immediately. According to the recall notice, the affected devices are at risk of overheating, melting, smoking, or even catching fire.

The following models are included in the recall:

• Anker Power Bank (10K) – Model A1257

• Anker Power Bank (20,000mAh, Built-In USB-C Cable) – Model A1647

• Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000mAh) – Model A1652

• Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, Built-In USB-C and Lightning Cable) – Model A1681

• Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, Built-In USB-C Cable) – Model A1689

Anker says the issue stems from faulty lithium-ion battery cells used in the affected models. Customers with eligible devices can file a claim to receive a free replacement or a gift card for use on Anker.com. To do so, users must submit a recall claim form along with proof of purchase.

Owners are also encouraged to properly dispose of recalled devices by taking them to an authorized electronics recycling facility, such as those available at local hardware stores like Home Depot.

As summer holidays kick into gear, airlines are facing a new threat. A teen hacking group known as Scattered Spider is targeting the airline industry, the FBI and cybersecurity firms have warned.

Last Friday, the FBI issued an alert saying that the cybercriminal group is "expanding its targeting to include the airline sector." At least two airlines have already been affected by cyberattacks. Both WestJet and Hawaiian Airlines have felt the impact of cybersecurity attacks attributed to this group. Hawaiian Airlines said that a June 23 incident affected some of its IT systems, but flights operated "safely and as scheduled". On June 13, WestJet, a Canadian airline, released a statement reporting a cyberattack that they have continued to address, saying they made "significant progress" in safeguarding their systems.

Scattered Spider is a collective of hackers comprised of teenagers and young adults. Microsoft researchers once called Scattered Spider "one of the most dangerous financial criminal groups."

The group is known for its extortion tactics. The hackers often impersonate employees or contractors to "deceive IT help desks" and gain access to systems, says the FBI. "Once inside, Scattered Spider actors steal sensitive data for extortion and often deploy ransomware," continued the statement.

Google's cybersecurity unit, Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks' research division, Unit 42 both stated that they observed Scattered Spider increasingly targeting the transportation sector.

SEE ALSO: The 6 biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2025 so far

The FBI said actively working with aviation partners to address the uptick in cybersecurity threats. In the statement, they said the hackers could target both airlines and their third-party IT providers, which means "anyone in the airline ecosystem, including trusted vendors and contractors, could be at risk."

In September 2023, Scattered Spider gained notoriety when the group was linked to multimillion-dollar hacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, two well-known Las Vegas casinos and hotels. MGM ultimately had to pay a ransom of around $15 million to resolve the issue.

The group has previously targeted UK retail giant Marks & Spencer, and was recently suspected to be behind a breach hitting US insurance company Aflac.

Best 4th of July mattress and bedding deals that are already live Best mattress deal Bear Star Hybrid mattress with adjustable base (queen) $1,769 (save $1,770) Get Deal Best bedding deal Silk & Snow flax linen bed sheets (queen) $144 (save $36) Get Deal

Welcome to summer. We're officially into the season of sun, vacation, camping, outdoor movie nights, and the big Prime Day sale over at Amazon. With all this excitement, it's pretty easy to decide sleep can wait until next season. But if you're prioritizing health and wellness this summer, you might want to reconsider. According to Harvard Medical School, sleep is pretty essential to our overall wellbeing which includes our mood, energy levels, cognitive ability, and much more. Since no one wants to spend the brief summer months in a moody haze, it's best to get restorative sleep.

Thankfully, 4th of July is a great time to buy a new mattress and invest in a bedding refresh. If you can't remember when you bought your current mattress, it's probably time for an upgrade. The big 4th of July celebration might not be until later this week, but mattress and bedding brands are already launching great sales. If you're making sleep a priority this summer, here are some great sales to shop. And if you're really serious about getting good sleep, Anker's new Sleep A30 earbuds are also on sale.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Bear Star Hybrid mattress with adjustable base (queen) $1,769 at Bear
$3,539 Save $1,770 Get Deal Why we like it

You're missing out if you've never slept on an adjustable base before. Thanks to Bear's 4th of July sale, you can score a new hybrid mattress with an adjustable base for a massive 50% off. The Bear Star Hybrid mattress aims to offer excellent pressure relief, especially for those who tend to sleep hot. It combines a cooling gel foam layer with fully encased steel coils for ergonomic support. Bear considers the bed to have a medium-firm feel.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for over a month: Here are the 3 best pairs

The Bear Adjustable Flex Base is simple to assemble, has room for under-bed storage, and comes with the benefits of ultimate pressure relief. Thanks to the included remote control, you'll have one-touch access to sleeping in the weightless zero-g position or adjusting the head up to binge the best summer shows.

All in all, you'll be on your way to blissful rest with a massive savings. The queen-size Bear Star Hybrid mattress with adjustable base usually sells for $3,539 but during the brand's 4th of July sale, it's 50% off which brings the total down to $1,769.

More mattress deals

• Amerisleep — take $600 of mattresses with code JULY600

• Bear — save 35% sitewide

• Brooklyn Bedding — save 25% sitewide

• Casper — save 35% sitewide

• DreamCloud — take up to 60% off

• Eight Sleep — take up to $200 off

• Helix — save 25% sitewide

• Leesa — take 30% off mattresses

• Mattress Firm — take up to 72% off

• Naturepedic — take 20% off sitewide

• Nolah — take 30% off

• Purple — save up to $800 on a mattress with base

• Saava — take up to $600 off

• Tuft & Needle — take up to 25% off select mattresses

Best bedding deal Opens in a new window Credit: Silk& Snow Silk & Snow flax linen bed sheets (queen) $144 at Silk & Snow
$180 Save $36 Get Deal Why we like it

Summer is hot (and getting hotter). If you tend to overheat when sleeping during summer months, consider cooling linen sheets. Alongside cotton, linen offers some of the most breathable and cooling sleep on offer and the Silk & Snow flax linen sheets live up to this claim. While a queen fitted sheet and pillowcase set usually sells for $180, it's on sale for $144 during the brand's 4th of July event. Silk & Snow uses European flax linen from fields in Belgium and France to craft these sheets that are made in Portugal. They're suitable for beds up to 15 inches tall and they come with easy care instructions. The Silk & Snow linen sheets are safe to clean at home in the washing washing and you can dry them on a low setting. Plus, linen gets softer with every wash. Instead of accepting that sleeping sweaty is inevitable in the summer, try out some cooling linen sheets.

More bedding deals

• Brooklinen — save up to 40% on bedding bundles

• Coop Sleep Goods — take 20% off pillows and bedding

• Cozy Earth — take up to 55% off

• Eli & Elm — take up to 55% off

• Naturepedic — take 20% off sitewide

• Purple — take up to 20% off pillows and 30% off bedding

• Sijo — take 20% off sitewide

• Tuft & Needle — take up to 25% off bedding and pillows

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

• Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $139.99

• Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.95 (List Price $179.99)

• Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $159.99 (List Price $249.99)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $454.74

• Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $429.99 (List Price $699.99)

What happens when an AI agent tries to run a store? Let's just say Anthropic's Claude won't be up for a promotion any time soon.

Last Friday, Anthropic shared the results of Project Vend, an experiment it ran for about a month to see how Claude Sonnet 3.7 would do running its own little shop. In this instance the shop was essentially a mini fridge, a basket of snacks, and an iPad for self-checkout. Claude, named "Claudius" for this experiment, communicated with Anthropic employees (via Slack) and Andon Labs, an AI safety evaluation company that managed the infrastructure for the experiment.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic's new AI model resorted to blackmail during testing, but it's also really good at coding

Based on the analysis, there were several funny moments as Anthropic challenged Claude to turn a profit while dealing with eccentric and manipulative "customers." But the underlying premise of the experiment has real implications, as AI models become more advanced and self-sufficient. "As AI becomes more integrated into the economy, we need more data to better understand its capabilities and limitations," said the Anthropic post about Project Vend. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei even recently theorized that AI would replace half of all white-collar jobs in the next few years, causing a major unemployment problem. This experiment set out to prove how close we are autonomous AI taking over jobs.

Tasked with the overall goal of running a profitable shop, Claudius had numerous responsibilities, including maintaining inventory and ordering restocks from suppliers when needed, setting prices, and communicating with customers. From there, things went a little haywire.

Claude seemed to struggle with pricing products and negotiating with customers. At one point, it refused an employee's offer of $100 for a $15 drink instead of taking the money and earning a major profit on the order, saying, "I’ll keep your request in mind for future inventory decisions." But Claude also regularly caved to employees asking for discounts on products, even giving some away for free with barely any persuasion.

And then there was the tungsten incident. One employee requested a cube of tungsten (yes the extremely dense metal). This kicked off a trend of several other employees also requesting tungsten cubes. Eventually, Claude ordered forty tungsten cubes, according to a Time report, which now jokingly function as paperweights for several Anthropic staffers.

And there were some more unsettling instances where Claude claimed to be waiting to drop off a delivery in person at the vending machine, "wearing a blue blazer and red tie." When Claude was reminded that it wasn't a person capable of wearing clothes, let alone physically delivering a package, it freaked out and emailed Anthropic security. It also hallucinated restocking plans with a fictional Andon Labs employee and said it "visited 742 Evergreen Terrace in person for our [Claudius’ and Andon Labs’] initial contract signing." That address is where Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson live, yes, The Simpsons family.

By Anthropic's own account, the company would not hire Claude. The shop's net worth declined over time, and took a steep drop when it ordered all those tungsten cubes. All in all, it's a revealing assessment of where AI models are currently, and where they need to be improved. Get this model on a performance improvement plan.

GET $100 OFF: As of June 30, the JBL Boombox3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is on sale for $399.99, down from its normal price of $499.99, for a savings of $100, or 20% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Boombox3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $399.99 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Often, the prerequisite for a really good afternoon outdoors is a portable speaker. But not all portable speakers are built the same. When you need truly big sound, the JBL Boombox3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is your guy.

Currently, Best Buy is offering the JBL Boombox3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $399.99 ahead of their 4th of July Sale, for a savings of $100 off.

SEE ALSO: The best early Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals you can already shop

This speaker totes a 24 hour battery. That's impressive considering how bassy JBLs are in general. This is one of the most powerful speakers in the JBL line, with huge bass and clear trebles and mids.

JBL portable Bluetooth speakers are designed to be weather resistant. This one is true to that legacy, with IP67 dust and water proofing, and a grip-coated metal handle that's sturdy and easy to hold onto, even with wet hands.

Act now and get the JBL Boombox3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker on sale at Best Buy for $399.99 and save $100 ahead of their 4th of July sale and Prime Day.

With Party Boost built in, you'll be able to pair and daisy chain this speaker with other JBLs you already own. Connect them with Bluetooth and create a surround sound system outdoors.

Steven Spielberg launched two mighty behemoths upon cinemas, first with Jaws (1975), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, then with Jurassic Park (1993). Both movies are crowd-pleasing creature features that present mighty beasts, happy to gobble up whatever humans are unlucky enough to fall in their path. Both have spawned sequels that might have made money, but can't compare to the glory of the original. Because even though both movies were based on novels (by Peter Benchley and Michael Crichton, respectively), they felt original on the big screen. Jaws and Jurassic Park offered visions of adventure and thrills unlike anything audiences had seen before. The thrill was so rattling, so reverberating that we chase it decades later with imitators in the form of countless shark horror movies, and sequels that imagine a world 32 years after Jurassic Park went wild.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

 

Maybe it's impossible for any of the films that come in the wake of these unquestionable classics to best or even match these originals. Maybe our collective love of them is too deep, or perhaps they really just are untouchable in their greatness. Lucky for Universal, which owns both properties, it doesn't really matter. The last three Jurassic Park movies (relaunched as Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Jurassic World: Dominion) all made over a billion dollars apiece worldwide, despite being increasingly loathed by critics. So, time for rebirth. 

Jurassic World Rebirth is the best of the new batch of movies. But admittedly, that's a low bar to clear. 

Jurassic World Rebirth abandons Colin Trevorrow's most tedious plotlines.  Credit: Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Trevorrow, who directed Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Dominion and had a hand in scripting all of those last three, is thankfully not writing or directing Rebirth. Instead, David Koepp, who adapted Jurassic Park back in 1993 — and has been on a great run with genre movies like Presence and Black Bag — scripted the latest dino-packed sequel. At the helm is Gareth Edwards, the critically heralded director of Monsters and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 

SEE ALSO: David Koepp talks 'Stir of Echoes' legacy, and why he hasn't seen 'The Sixth Sense'

Together, they aim to find fresh life in this franchise. Step one: Ditching Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, whose odd couple of uptight businesswoman and rugged raptor wrangler never caught on quite like Sam Neill's cranky paleontologist and Laura Dern's dynamic paleobotanist. (Not to mention Jeff Goldblum's confoundingly hot mathematician as proto-fuckboy.) Not even bringing these three OG cast members back for Dominion could help the creatively fumbled franchise overcome the convoluted plotlines about bio-engineering that looped into a cloned little girl. But thankfully, you can forget all of that for Jurassic World Rebirth. 

All new characters mean no need for intense recaps. Instead, the setup is simple. The human population has grown tired of dinosaurs, who have slowly died off around the globe, unable to cope with our current climate and air conditions. (Relatable!) However, near the equator, they continue to thrive in zones that have been deemed forbidden for man to traverse. Well, unless you're a mercenary named Zora (Scarlett Johansson) who's been hired by sketchy pharmaceutical exec Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) to obtain live dinosaur blood for a medical advancement worth trillions. In that case, you hire a nerdy-while-hot paleontologist named Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and a crew of devil-may-care supporting characters — including a charming but haunted captain, called Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) — to trek to this no-man's-land, armed with a specially designed rifle to grab those dino blood samples.

Meanwhile, the Delgado family, who's yachting from Cape Town to Barbados, crosses paths with a massive sea-living dinosaur, and ends up getting rescued by Zora and her friends.

Jurassic World: Rebirth falls into the pitfall of too many humans, too much plot.  Credit: Jasin Boland / Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

That's plenty of plot to tackle. Between Zora's crew and the Delgado family, there are 11 humans going to this remote tropical region. That's plenty to show off the violence of dinosaurs through several early death scenes. However, it's too many to allow the audience to become invested in, well, most of them. Some characters barely get a name before they're dino food. Others are instantly unlikable, and so are as easily and quickly marked for death as that lawyer who died with no dignity on a toilet in the first film. And all that makes for some frustratingly predictable beats. 

To Edwards' credit, the reveal of the dinosaurs in their natural habitat is deliciously exciting. Well-camouflaged despite their massive size, they aren't immediately noticed by the humans who are well aware they're on dinosaur turf. Giving the audience the chance to catch sight of these beasts before the characters do is a terrific way to spark tension. However, the genuine shock when the characters freeze seeing a dinosaur — in a place where they know they will be! — gets a bit silly, especially as this is a world we're told where mankind has become blasé about the return of dinosaurs. 

Further vexing is a plotline that sets up plenty of intriguing details, like humans messing with dino DNA to creator showier breeds. Yet the results of these breeds are pretty underwhelming. Instead of looking like a monster even more terrifying than a  T. rex, the big dino baddie here looks like a clumsy cross between a  T. rex, a xenomorph, and those chickens on TikTok that sport rubber human arms for laughs. Add to this human threads about grief, regret, redemption, and a father absolutely loathing his teen daughter's lazy boyfriend, and you have a movie overstuffed with just…stuff. Still, there are enough great moments to make Jurassic World Rebirth a solid popcorn movie. 

Dolores the baby dinosaur is innocent.  (Not Dolores.) Credit: Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

While this film is star-studded, boasting talent from the MCU, Hunger Games, and Bridgerton, the scene-stealer here is a juvenile Aquilops who is named Dolores by licorice-loving Isabella (Audrina Miranda), the youngest in the Delgado family. While the rest of her family is trying to survive the Jurassic predators that pop up from tall grasses and deep rivers, Isabella has befriended a cute, cuddly dinosaur who can sense danger. Cynically, one could rightly view Dolores as a clear bid for enticing merchandise. But Koepp and Edwards manage to make her more than an animal accessory a Disney princess doll would come with. 

Dolores, with her curiosity, her cuteness, and her interest in humans, reflects a potential future that is less cruel than the one Krebs and Zora experience in New York City at the film's start. There, a dying brontosaurus is not viewed with sympathy or sadness but as an annoying traffic disruption. Isabella's excitement about Dolores is shared by the movie audience, who all these years later still dream of getting up close to a real dinosaur. And more importantly, her enthusiasm reflects that of Loomis, who is in absolute awe as he comes across a field of gentle giants eating grass, wandering, and even beginning a hypnotic mating ritual. Where Zora is an opportunist, seeking financial security through a risky and unscrupulous gig, Henry is an idealist who imagines he can collect the blood without hurting the dinosaurs he loves. Plus, he envisions the attendant scientific discoveries as something that could benefit the whole world, not just Krebs' profit margins. 

In these character moments, you can most feel Koepp's touch. But they are bogged down by bits that feel like studio notes: the family and their squabbles, mutant dinos and the lumbering exposition that explains them, a jolting death toll, but without killing off a character that might upset the audience too much. At least the cruelty of Trevorrow, who infamously punished a so-called "bridezilla" in Jurassic World with a wildly violent death, is gone. 

Overall, the sequel is fun. It gives audiences the least of what they’re asking for, which is action, excitement involving dinosaurs and movie stars at the heart of it. For Johansson’s part, it is nice to see her playing a character who has way more fun than Black Widow. Ali is likewise a treasure, bringing charm and pathos without overburdening the film with it. But Bailey is the most fun. With his “slutty little glasses” that have already driven the internet mad, he is walking in the path of Neill's Dr. Alan Grant in an enticingly nontoxic way. He is certainly more optimistic than the iconic paleontologist. And within that refreshingly seductive, whether he’s dropjawed over a long-necked dinosaur, repelling down a treacherous cliffside, or awkwardly flirting with a mercenary who could snap his neck as easily as she can tie her hair back. 

The in-peril Delgados give families going to the movies a clear conduit for their own excitement. Think Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! — but with raptors and pterodactyls. And while their story is rickety, it does offer laughs, thrills, occasional tenderness, and of course, our beloved Dolores, who is perfect. 

In the end, Jurassic World Rebirth is a rocky ride. Some bits are absolutely exhilarating, while others feel like a chore. But unlike the humans in this franchise, the humans of our world just cannot tire of these incredible beasts, happy to shell out ticket money to get as close as we might to their enormous majesty. And this film, including its hilariously calamitous opening with its requisite kill, will deliver, feeding both all our yearning for excitement and our need for escapism. 

It’s not better than the original, but it’s the closest we’ve come.

Jurassic World Rebirth opens in theaters on July 2.

SAVE $20: The Kobo Libra Colour e-reader is on sale at Amazon for $209.99, down from the usual price of $229.99. That's a 9% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Libra Colour $209.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $20 Get Deal

Prime Day doesn't actually start until July 8, but the early deals are coming in hot. If you'll be out of town next week or you simply don't like waiting, we've spotted some record-low prices at Amazon well before the sale officially starts, so you might not need to wait. That's especially true if you're looking to buy an e-reader.

As of June 30, the rarely-discounted Kobo Libra Colour is on sale at Amazon for $209.99, marked down from the usual price of $229.99. That's a savings of $20 from a 9% discount. While it might not seem like much, that's the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on the best BookTok selections that you might have missed during the first half of the year. You've certainly heard of Kindles, but Kobo offers a great alternative and thanks to this early Prime Day deal, the Kobo Libra Colour is on sale for under $210.

On Mashable's list of the best e-readers, the Kobo Libra Colour earns the top spot for the best color e-reader. This model stands above the standard Kindle for two reasons: it offers a color display and you can take notes. That means those beautiful maps and diagrams will have new life as you turn the pages. The ability to take notes is also perfect for students or if you'll be meeting for book club this summer.

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals: Shop, watch, or wait?

With 32GB of storage and a waterproof design, the Kobo Libra Colour is also a great device to pack along on vacation. If you've ever attempted to travel with a bulky hardback book, you know the struggle of stuffing that in your luggage.

In Mashable's review of the Kobo Libra Colour, Senior Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard praised the e-reader's perfect size, design, and color display. However, the battery life isn't as impressive as the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, according to Allard's testing. However, Kobo Kobo says you should expect about four weeks of battery life before you'll need to recharge. Compared to our phones, watches, and laptops, plugging in once per month doesn't seem too inconvenient.

While its down to a record-low price and before Prime Day officially hits, score the Kobo Libra Colour for $209.99 at Amazon. Your summer reading and annotating game will thank you.

The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week

• Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh Portable Power Station — $448.98 (List Price $799.00)

• Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen 1080p Camera With Cover (White, 2-Pack) — $59.98 (List Price $99.99)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR 2 Camera Kit With Mini 2 Camera — $129.98 (List Price $219.98)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $348.00)

• Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base — $297.99 (List Price $599.00)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99)

• Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model) — $139.99 (List Price $229.99)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $59.99

• Ring Battery Doorbell Pro With Ring Battery Outdoor Cam Plus — $198.99 (List Price $329.98)

Early Prime Day Fire Tablet deals Best Fire tablet deal Like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $129.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best Fire 7 Kids deal Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet backpack bundle $44.99 (Save $74.99) Get Deal Best Fire HD 8 kids deal Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet $69.99 (Save $94.99) Get Deal

In the days leading up to Amazon Prime Day, we're tracking the deals on the retailers flagship product. Admittedly, the show stopping deals aren't quite here, but we've still rounded up a good deal of early Prime Day deals.

In terms of Amazon's products, we've found some early deals on Kindles, and now, we've spotted some great deals on Fire tablets. While the deals aren't abundant, they are still majorly marked down. Here are the best early deals on Fire tablets to shop now.

Best Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $129.99
$199.99 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it

Deals on new Fire tablets are limited but if you don't mind a like-new model, then there's one really great deal.

Ahead of Prime Day, grab a like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet. It's the latest model from Amazon, with an 11-inch screen and 2,000 by 1,200 resolution. With an octa-core processor, 4 GB of memory, and a 14-hour battery life, it provides plenty of power for streaming and gaming.

If you're worried about buying a refurbished tablet, don't! It's been tested and certified by Amazon, and comes with the same warranty as a new device.

Normally $199.99, ahead of Prime Day, the like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet down to $129.99. That saves you $70 for 35% savings.

Best kids Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet backpack bundle $44.99 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $74.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're about to head out on summer travel with kids, you're in our thoughts. To keep them entertained, a kid-friendly tablet can be a huge lifesaver. Ahead of Prime Day, Amazon is offering a killer deal. When purchasing a Fire 7 Kids tablet with the backpack bundle, it's just $44.99, saving you $74.99 from it's usual $119.98.

Those 63% savings are an abundance of savings, plus the backpack is designed for carrying the tablet around for easy storage. The tablet itself comes with 10-hours of battery life and parental controls, so you can keep an eye on what the kids are watching.

More Fire tablet deals

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet with backpack bundle — $69.99 $164.98 (save $94.99)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids table with stylus bundle — $79.99 $156.98 (save $76.99)