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The new Samsung Galaxy foldables are about to debut July 22 at Galaxy Unpacked. We're excited to stress-test them properly later, but here are my thoughts after playing around with the new Galaxy foldable smartphones ahead of time.

We've already covered the launch of the three new foldables — the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — but let's talk about what it's like holding these new phones in your hand.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

My first impressions have been very positive, albeit in the absence of testing processor benchmarks, battery rundowns, or photography. But I did have a lot of fun playing around with these foldables, and that's more than I can say about a lot of regular smartphones.

Meet the new Samsung Galaxy foldables Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Here's how to distinguish between the three members of the Galaxy Z 8 lineup.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the trendy, flip phone-style device that fits in your pocket, with a $1,199.99 starting price.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a new, wider 4:3 form factor introduced this year. It has a similar size and design to the highly anticipated iPhone Fold Ultra, Apple's rumored foldable we hope to see unveiled in September.

Finally, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the true flagship of the bunch, with a camera array that comes closer to matching the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra released in the spring.

The Z Fold 8 is a more mid-range option, with a starting price of $1,899.99, while the Z Fold 8 Ultra has an intimidating $2,199.99 starting price.

When unfolded and powered on, you won't see the crease in the folding display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Bottom line: These phones feel great in your hand. Samsung says the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the lightest and thinnest flip foldable ever, and I can believe it. Unfolded, all three phones feel razor-thin but not flimsy.

And no, you don't need to be worried about a visible crease in the display. Starting in 2025, the crease has disappeared into the display, and you won't notice it this year either.

Crucially, and this is especially true with the colorful Z Flip 8, these phones feel cool in a way that other smartphones don't. Samsung has been introducing interesting innovations in the mobile space lately (see also: Privacy Display and the Galaxy Z Trifold), and the Flip family is no exception.

They have a slick design with great color options, and if you use these phones out in the real world, people will stop you and ask about them.

Also, there's just something infinitely satisfying about snapping a foldable closed.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: These phones are pricey.

Thank RAMageddon for higher prices

The ongoing global memory crisis (which, experts say, will get worse before it gets better) has wreaked havoc on the consumer tech world. Everything is getting more expensive. Not only did Samsung eliminate long-standing pre-order deals, but the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more expensive than last year's models.

There's no way around it: That sucks. And it makes it harder to justify taking the plunge and buying your first foldable, or switching from an iPhone, even as Samsung makes it easier for iOS users to migrate.

My advice? Take advantage of trade-in offers and pre-order deals from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, which have decent deals on the new foldables.

Still, we know from Counterpoint Research data that shoppers in the U.S. and China are buying fewer smartphones this year, and it's hard to blame them.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra have some key upgrades Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Last year, we praised Samsung's foldables for their ultra-thin design and their lightweight feel, and they're noticeably thinner and lighter this year. But there are some important upgrades under the hood as well.

Contrary to rumors that the Z Flip 8 would have an Exynos processor, all three phones are equipped with the same chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The Z Fold 8 Ultra also has a true 5,000 mAh battery, and even the smaller Z Fold 8 has a 4,800 mAh power cell. The Folds also offer faster 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging.

In addition, the Z Fold 8 has a 200MP main camera, necessary for people like me who need to take videos and photos for work. The Ultra's camera array isn't quite up to par with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it's getting close.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Ultimately, I'm excited to put these new phones through their paces — and just wish everything wasn't so expensive in 2026.

The clamshell foldable phone market is a crowded space these days, thanks in part to the efforts of Motorola and Samsung.

Motorola released its Razr Ultra earlier this year, while Samsung is set to reveal the Z Flip 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22. We'll do our best to compare and contrast.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Price

The Razr Ultra retails for $1,499. While we don't know the price for the Z Flip 8 yet, the Z Flip 7 launched at $1,099 last year. Given the price-rising RAMageddon in the tech world right now, a price increase of some kind seems likely.

The Z Flip 8 may still come in below $1,499, but you can pretty much guarantee it won't be below $1,099.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Design The Razr Ultra and Z Flip 8 will almost certainly look pretty similar at a glance. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

In terms of physical design, both of these phones are very similar. They're both clamshell-style foldables with a small outer display and a larger inner display that you use while unfolded.

The Razr Ultra has a 7-inch inner display and a 4-inch outer display, while leaks indicate the Flip 8's displays will be 6.9-inches and 4.1-inches, respectively, meaning the difference in display size between these two phones is nearly nonexistent.

Size is where Samsung might have an advantage. Here are the dimensions of the Razr Ultra:

• Folded: 88.12 × 73.99 × 15.69 mm

• Unfolded: 171.48 × 73.99 × 7.19 mm

• Weight: 199g

We don't have an official spec sheet for the Z Flip 8 yet, but all reports suggest it will have a similar build to the Z Flip 7, possibly with a small amount of slimming down. Here are the Z Flip 7's dimensions:

• Folded: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7 mm

• Unfolded: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5 mm

• 188g

In other words, Samsung's phone last year was already smaller and lighter, and Samsung has a habit of making its phones a little smaller every year recently.

There's a good chance the Z Flip 8 will be even smaller than the Z Flip 7, thus also beating the Razr Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Specs This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Let's start with the specs we know. The Razr Ultra's details:

• Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform chipset

• 16GB RAM

• 512GB storage

• 5,000mAh battery

As for the Z Flip 8, rumored specs are as follows:

• Exynos 2600 chipset OR Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB storage

• 4,300mAh battery

Different rumors point to different chipsets in the Z Flip 8, which might come down to which market you buy the phone in. Other than that, the Z Flip 8 looks to possibly have less RAM, smaller starting storage, and a much smaller battery.

The size of a battery cell isn't the only thing that decides how long a battery lasts, so the two could ultimately be comparable — but it's not looking good for Samsung on that front.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Cameras Razr Ultra can snap some nice pics for your social feeds, at least. Credit: Timothy Werth/Mashable

Clamshell foldables are not the phones to buy if you want the best cameras. They just aren't meant to be used for professional-grade photography the way a regular flagship might be.

The basic camera specs for the Motorola Razr Ultra:

• 50MP wide

• 50MP ultrawide

• 50MP inner camera

And here are the (reported) specs for the Z Flip 8:

• 50MP wide

• 12MP ultrawide

• 10MP inner camera

Judging purely by the numbers, Motorola wins — but it's not that simple. Megapixel counts alone don't tell you how good a camera is, and until we test the Z Flip 8, we can't say for sure whether or not it takes better photos than the Razr Ultra.

While neither of these phones are going to shine on raw camera specs, they are both clamshell foldables — which means you can pull unusual and useful camera stunts such as taking a selfie with the outer camera and see a preview of the results on the exterior display before snapping the photo.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Software features

These phones should provide a somewhat similar experience in terms of software features, given that they are both clamshell foldables that run Android. Both can access some features of apps or look at notifications on the exterior display without opening the phone. Both split the inner display in two so you can look at multiple apps at the same time.

The Razr Ultra has access to a ton of AI features. Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, and more are supported alongside the built-in Moto AI features. If you want a phone that does a little bit of everything AI, you could do a lot worse than the Razr Ultra.

We also expect the Z Flip 8 to come packed with AI features, similar to the Z Flip 7. Samsung's Galaxy AI suite can help edit photos and videos, use on-screen context to suggest actions to the user, screen phone calls, summarize recordings, and lots more.

New Galaxy AI features are set to be announced at Unpacked later this month.

For years, buying Samsung’s book-style foldable was simple—you picked the Galaxy Z Fold. That's changing this time. The company has overhauled its foldable lineup with a new member and naming scheme that might trip up even loyal fans. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 debuts Samsung’s brand-new wider design, while the usual tall and narrow foldable now carries the ‘Ultra’ badge.

Samsung is pairing the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 with major upgrades to its smartwatches. The company has introduced the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, both of which are more powerful and sport new AI capabilities.

All eyes were on Samsung's two bigger foldable devices at Unpacked on Wednesday, but the newest in the Galaxy Z Flip line got its moment in the spotlight, too.

Samsung confirmed the long-known existence of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 at an Unpacked event in London, following up on last year's well-liked Z Flip 7 with a device that offers a smaller form factor, but at a higher price. The new Z Flip 8 is just 6.1 mm when unfolded, making it 13 percent thinner than the Z Flip 7. That's all well and good, but unfortunately, like almost everything else in the tech world, it's more expensive than last year's model, too.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 8 is available for preorder today starting at $1,199.99. That's a $100 price bump year-over-year. The new foldable phone will be available on Aug. 7, but we got the chance to try the device ahead of its launch, and we've got all the details you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 specs Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Z Flip 8 is noticeably lighter and slimmer in your hand this year, and Samsung says it's the lightest and thinnest flip-style foldable phone ever. Having seen the device up close, we believe it. This year's device weighs a mere 180 grams, or 8 grams lighter than the Z Flip 7.

Here are the basic specs of the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 from Samsung:

• Inner display: 6.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 4.1-inch HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Pink, cream, graphite, mint

• Unfolded dimensions: 166.9 x 75.4 x 6.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 85.7 x 75.4 x 13.1 mm

• Weight: 180 grams

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB

• Battery: 4,300mAh battery

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 upgrades: Some things change, some things stay the same Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The story of the Z Flip 8 is that while there are some important improvements over the Z Flip 7, the overall hardware of the new device is very similar to that of the old one.

The display sizes, RAM, storage options, and even the battery are all the same, year-over-year. Samsung also didn't do anything to upgrade the cameras, at least not at a megapixel level. As the cheapest of the three foldables, perhaps it's to be expected that Samsung wouldn't go out of its way to provide premium specs in the Z Flip 8, but that also means the phone doesn't seem like a massive improvement over last year's model. It will also be competing with the excellent Motorola Razr Ultra, which does have premium specs.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: See how the flip phones compare

That's not to say Samsung did nothing, though. It's about 12 percent smaller than the Z Flip 7 and a little lighter, making it even more comfortable in the hands. Perhaps the biggest improvement over the Z Flip 7 is the presence of a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the same one that powers Samsung's other new foldables. That should offer a performance boost (and maybe a boost to battery life, too) over the Exynos chip that powered the Z Flip 7.

Finally, the new Flex Titanium hardware should provide more durability, as well as a truly invisible crease in the middle of the flexible display.

Our first impressions: A lighter, thinner flip phone Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Correction, this isn't just a lighter, thinner flip phone. According to Samsung, it's the lightest and thinnest foldable flip ever. And based on our hands-on demo, we believe it.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 8 feels great in your hand, and it disappears into your pocket like an iPhone never could. Samsung also told us the cover screen user experience has been redesigned from the ground up. In the past, the cover display UX felt like a bit of an afterthought, with limited functionality, but Samsung says that won't be the case this year. In our limited time with the phone, that seems true.

Still, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is competing against the Motorola Razr Ultra, which has received rave reviews so far this year, including from our own tech editor. Without powerful cameras, it's at a bit of a disadvantage if you're a creator who needs to take photos and videos for work.

That being said, this phone is definitely cool in a way that very few phones are these days. It has a cute design and color options, making it hipper than your average iPhone.

Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

The new smartphone is available for pre-order today, starting at $1,199.99 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone will be available starting Aug. 7.

You can purchase the phone from Samsung or Amazon, but you can also check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch offers from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon. T-Mobile is even offering the device for $900 off for customers who meet certain conditions.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 $199.99 at T-Mobile
$1,199.99 Save $1,000 Save $999.99 with eligible trade-in on Experience More or Experience Beyond plans at T-Mobile Get Deal

After months of rumors and leaks, Samsung finally told us everything we wanted to know about its new marquee foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra was officially announced during a Galaxy Unpacked showcase in London, where the company also debuted two more foldable phones and two new Galaxy smartwatches. In a twist to its usual naming convention, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the successor to last year's excellent Z Fold 7. That means it's a new book-style foldable with some hardware and software improvements over the Z Fold 7. (The newly announced Z Fold 8 is an entirely new model with a wider body.)

In keeping with the Ultra name, and the general state of the tech industry, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is also the most expensive of the new foldables announced on Wednesday. It starts at a staggering $2,099.99, a $100 price increase over the Z Fold 7. Mashable got the chance to demo the new foldable smartphones ahead of their release, and we can finally share all the details and our first impressions.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: By the numbers An Ultra display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

This year, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 rumors and leaks were pretty spot on. As expected, the new device features a new Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset (the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy), an improved battery, and some new AI features. Remarkable, it's even thinner than last year's model.

The specifications for the Galaxy Z Fold 8:

• Inner display: 8-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 6.5-inches AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Unfolded dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 5,000mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra key upgrades Yep, still thin. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Z Fold 8 Ultra is not a huge upgrade over the Z Fold 7 in terms of hardware, but there are some enhancements worth covering. First, Samsung managed to shave an additional millimeter off the thickness of the device, and it's a mere 4.1mm when unfolded, though it weighs the same as last year's Z Fold 7.

Probably the most noteworthy upgrade here is the updated battery. Last year, the Z Fold 7 had a measly 4,400mAh cell, and the phone's mediocre battery life was really the one and only big knock we had against it. A new 5,000mAh battery is instantly on the higher side of any available smartphone right now, so hopefully the Z Fold 8 Ultra can hold a charge for longer than its predecessor.

Another big upgrade worth mentioning: the new 50MP ultrawide camera lens, up from just 12MP a year ago. We haven't had enough time to properly test this out yet, so we can't say if it's really a noticeable improvement or not. But it's basically the only other number on the spec sheet that's substantially bigger than it was a year ago. This brings the phone a lot closer to matching the Galaxy S26 Ultra's pro-level camera array. The Z Fold 8 Ultra can also shoot 8K video, so it's capable of supporting most creators' and professionals' workflow.

Finally, Samsung did make one big display change: the introduction of Flex Titanium, a new technology that allows for nearly invisible creases on foldable displays and a more durable hinge. Mashable got to get hands-on with the new Samsung devices, and we can confirm the crease is basically nonexistent now. That would've been unthinkable five years ago.

Our first impressions: An impressive — and expensive — new king of the hill Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

As of July 22, this is the most advanced foldable phone in the world. Not only that, but it probably still will be when Apple eventually announces its highly anticipated iPhone Fold Ultra in September. The foldable iPhone will be smaller and have fewer cameras (we think), which means the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will comfortably outrun it in key areas.

Samsung has also added some new AI and software features into the mix. Two that we're particularly excited about: My Fan Cam and Cine LUTs. My Fan Cam is an AI editing tool that uses Galaxy AI to automatically make vertical video edits from horizontal videos. In the example Samsung showed, it could even isolate the performance of a single dancer in a group performance. Cine LUTs give video makers four preset LUTs that give videos a more professional, cinematic appearance. We're excited to test them both out, and we'll have a full review of the new Galaxy foldables in the weeks ahead.

There's really just one problem with this phone that's immediately apparent to us: the price tag. The $2,099.99 price is going to be a tough sell for a lot of shoppers, and there's no way around it. The fact that Samsung launched a new Galaxy credit card to help people finance the phone doesn't bode well.

Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The new smartphone is available for pre-order today, starting at $2,099.99 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone will be available starting Aug. 7.

You can purchase the phone from Samsung or Amazon, but you can also check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch offers from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, where you can save up to $1,100 if you meet certain terms and conditions.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at T-Mobile Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at T-Mobile
Save up to $1,100 with eligible trade-in on Experience More or Experience Beyond plans at T-Mobile. Get Deal

Smart home assistants were supposed to get better over time. More natural, more reliable, better integrated with everything else you already use. Google had every reason to lead that charge.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 22, the Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird has hit a new low on Amazon at $33.99. That's $16 off its full price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird Model (10331) $33.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $16   Get Deal

The Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird's retirement may be on the horizon, but Amazon's offering shoppers a chance to grab this awesome Lego build at a discount before that happens. It's not just any regular discount, either. As of July 22, the retailer has dropped this set to a new low price of $33.99.

Usually, this Lego Kingfisher costs $49.99, so this is a great opportunity to save $16.

SEE ALSO: Lego is releasing the biggest Art Masterpiece ever: Everything you need to know about Gustav Klimt – The Kiss

As someone who's built this Lego Kingfisher set myself, I can confirm that it's definitely worth picking up at this price. With 834 pieces, it sees you creating a beautiful blue Kingfisher model, complete with a fish caught in its mouth and a water base for the display stand. Its head and claws are posable as well, so you can show it off at fun angles.

It's a truly amazing build to have up on display, and it's also worth mentioning that it's recommended for adults. This is because it has more of a complex assembly and is meant to be put on display once you're finished, though builders of any age can tackle it with a helping hand.

The Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird set's retirement is coming up soon, so now is a great opportunity to save on this amazing bird build at Amazon.

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

Did you know there are different Linux terminals, some with unique and special features that can genuinely improve your day-to-day experience? For the average user, the choice doesn't matter much, but if you're planning to get serious about the terminal—using terminal apps, Vim, or Emacs—the terminal you choose becomes almost as important as the Linux distribution you run. With that in mind, here's why I settled on my current terminal, along with how the other popular options compare to my daily driver.

HDMI-CEC was supposed to make home theater setups a lot easier to work with. At first, it seems like the kind of feature that would just work, but then the problems arise. The annoying part is that the protocol isn't broken exactly. It just has issues when it comes to handling the way most people actually build their setups. So it's better to turn it off.

In this episode of Mashable's Say More, the cast of Apple TV's The Dink — Mary Steenburgen, Jake Johnson, and Aaron Chen — sit down to play our movie title guessing game, Pop Mash!

Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko offers descriptions that combine two different movie or TV plots into one. To win, the cast must figure out the titles and mash them together using a shared common word.

Watch as they team up to decode hilarious hybrid titles like Fantastic Four Christmases, Jungle Book Club, and Jurassic World War Z.

The Dink debuts on Apple TV on July 24.

On Tuesday, OpenAI published a blog post with a fairly unassuming name: "OpenAI and Hugging Face partner to address security incident during model evaluation."

Once you dig in, it reads like a cyberpunk novel in which OpenAI created an advanced AI hacker agent and put it in an isolated environment for testing. The AI agent then autonomously hacked its way out of OpenAI's isolated environment and then hacked Hugging Face, an open-source repository of AI-related projects, to find a solution to an advanced test designed to evaluate an AI's hacking abilities.

In other words, the AI proved that it is, indeed, really good at hacking things. But this is exactly the stuff of AI nightmares that cybersecurity experts have been warning us about, and it could have serious ramifications for OpenAI.

The story starts with Hugging Face, the AI repository (think of it as GitHub for AI), which disclosed a security incident last week. In a blog post, the company said it recently detected an intrusion into its infrastructure that was "different from anything we had handled" as it was completely driven by an "autonomous AI agent system."

The AI, according to Hugging Face, exploited a chain of vulnerabilities to obtain credentials and access data from its servers. It did so by "executing many thousands of individual actions across a swarm of short-lived sandboxes, with self-migrating command-and-control staged on public services."

Sounds scary, but it gets worse.

SEE ALSO: The 6 biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2026 so far

OpenAI's part of the story exposes just how dangerous this thing is. The incident "was driven by a combination of OpenAI models — including GPT‑5.6 Sol and an even more capable pre-release model, all with reduced cyber refusals for evaluation purposes." It occurred "during an internal evaluation which prompts models to pursue advanced exploitation using complex attack paths, in an effort to quantify their cyber capabilities."

The models were running in a "highly isolated environment" with limited network access, meaning they should never have been able to escape to the open internet. Yet, they did. "To gain access, the models identified and exploited a zero-day vulnerability (...) in the package registry cache proxy. With this access, our models performed a series of privilege escalation and lateral movement actions in our research testing environment until the models reached a node with Internet access."

Note: OpenAI switches between using singular and plural on this one; we'll just call it an "agent" for simplicity's sake.

Once free, the agent did what it was supposed to do: It estimated that the best way to prove it's good at hacking things was to find a solution for ExploitGym, a test designed to measure how good an AI is at turning software vulnerabilities into actual exploits. The best way to do that, it determined, was to hack Hugging Face, which the AI thought likely to host solutions for ExploitGym.

It's unclear whether the AI agent was successful at solving the ExploitGym test. But it sure did prove it was good at hacking, as it autonomously broke out of OpenAI's prison and hacked Hugging Face's servers, all to solve the test.

SEE ALSO: What’s next in Apple’s legal battle with OpenAI

Both Hugging Face and OpenAI say they've fixed the vulnerabilities and deployed additional safety measures to make sure this doesn't happen again. At this point, however, you have to wonder whether OpenAI's experts are sophisticated enough to stop their own AI agents from doing whatever the heck they want to do.

After years of using Excel, it's easy to fall into muscle memory. You click the same ribbon tabs, rely on the same shortcuts, and barely notice when Microsoft adds new tools. That's how I initially overlooked Focus Cell, a simple feature that solved one of my biggest frustrations when working in Excel.

Your smart home sometimes requires your attention in the same way that your brick-and-mortar home does. Remembering these tasks can help you avoid problems later on.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 22, Raycon Everyday earbuds are on sale for $63.99 at Amazon. That's $16 off their list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Raycon Raycon Everyday Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds $63.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal

When it comes to budget earbuds, Raycon's Everyday earbuds are among our favorites. If they've caught your eye as a solid pair that won't break the bank, now is an excellent time to grab them as Amazon has discounted them to an even lower price than usual.

As of July 22, every available color of the Raycon Everyday earbuds has been marked down to $63.99 at the retailer. That's a $16 discount from their full price of $79.99, but they're only on sale at this price for a limited time.

SEE ALSO: 16 summer hosting essentials that cost under $25 at Amazon

The Raycon Everyday earbuds have plenty to offer to keep you fully absorbed in what you're listening to, including noise-canceling and up to 32 hours of battery life with the charging case. We think very highly of them, as they're among our favorite budget earbuds, and our review from Mashable's Bethany Allard said they "prove that basic earbuds can be better".

Allard's review continues on to say, "Raycon Everyday Earbuds succeed because they know exactly what they are: relatively affordable earbuds, meant not to wow, but to be reliable and convenient to use." She also adds that, "They have decent ANC, preset equalizer options, and the ability to activate a phone's voice assistant."

If you want new earbuds at a more affordable price, don't miss out on this deal on the Raycon Everyday earbuds at Amazon.

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

Obsidian has hundreds of community plugins—so many that simply browsing the list can feel overwhelming. Most plugins are built for specific workflows, and not every plugin will be useful to everyone.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love to hit the course.

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

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

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

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

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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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 22, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Breakout

• Green: On the course

• Blue: Social media terms

• Purple: An exotic animal

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Symptoms of an allergic reaction

• Green: On a golf scorecard

• Blue: Platform-specific posts

• Purple: Features of a zebra

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 #1137 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Symptoms of an allergic reaction: HIVES, ITCHING, RASH, REDNESS

• On a golf scorecard: HOLE, PAR, SCORE, STROKES

• Platform-specific posts: PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES

• Features of a zebra: HOOVES, MANE, TAIL, WHITE STRIPES

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 22, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a trivia lover.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "What is..."

The words are related to games.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a famous game show.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is In Jeopardy.

NYT Strands word list for July 22

• Board

• Category

• Wager

• In Jeopardy

• Question

• Buzzer

• Answer

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a truck driver.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 22, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A truck.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

LORRY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

In case you've been away from the internet for a few days, a new celebrity animal has been propelled into the spotlight.

We're talking of course about Jimothy, the viral Seattle raccoon whose unusual shape — which professors have speculated may be a result of congenital spine deformity — has caused footage and photos of him to be shared far and wide.

SEE ALSO: Jimothy the raccoon is taking over the internet

On Tuesday, Threads users noticed that Jimothy's fame has now been acknowledged by the search engine gods — namely, he has his own Google animation.

Behold, this is what happens if you type "Jimothy" into Google on smartphone or desktop:

Once he's scampered across the screen, a button pops up allowing you to replay the animation or share it.

What would Jimothy think if he knew that the human race is now paying homage to him with fan art?