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SAVE $249.99: As of July 15, the Ruko U11MINI 4K drone is on sale for $269.99 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount on the list price.

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$519.98 Save $249.99   Get Deal

Flying drones can be an expensive hobby, which is why a good deal is always welcome. And right now, there's a great deal at Amazon on the Ruko U11MINI 4K drone.

As of July 15, this model isn't just on sale, but it has an extra $30 off coupon. Normally $519.98, it's already on sale for $299.99. But for a limited time, you'll get it for the coupon price of $269.99. To apply the extra discount, just tick the red box underneath the price, and when you head to the checkout you'll see the additional discount applied. According to camelcamelcamel, this brings the price down to a record low.

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This drone weighs under 249 grams and has a compact foldable design. Not only does this make it travel-friendly, but it also means it's exempt from FAA registration for recreational flying. It has a 48MP camera that captures incredible 8K photos and smooth 4K video. This is supported by a 3-axis brushless gimbal and electronic image stabilization features that help keep footage steady, even if you're filming in difficult conditions.

The battery life promises up to 96 minutes of flight time thanks to the three batteries, plus you'll also get a long-range digital transmission system, and beginner-friendly features like one-button take-off, landing, and automatic return.

This Ruko drone deal is available at Amazon right now.

SAVE $50: As of July 15, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on list price.

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$149.99 Save $50.04   Get Deal

If you're on the lookout for some new earbuds, Amazon has dropped a new deal on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE.

As of July 15, they are under $100 ($99.95), saving you $50 on list price. The catch? Only the gray-colored buds are at this low price. The black earbuds are on sale, but with only a $40 discount.

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These earbuds come with powerful Active Noise Cancellation, helping you block out nearly all distractions. And for when you want to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, Ambient Mode lets you hear enough background noise that you're not completely shut off. The 11mm dynamic driver was recently upgraded to give the sound a punchy bass and clear, detailed audio, and enhanced microphones and noise reduction help keep your calls and voice notes sounding clear.

These Samsung earbuds also benefit from a long-lasting battery, with up to 8.5 hours of listening with ANC activated, rising to 30 hours with the case. Plus, features like hands-free access to Gemini AI, translation features, and Find My Earbuds make these a great choice for almost everyone.

Get this earbuds deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $80: As of July 15, Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are on sale for $369 at Amazon. That's a 18% discount on list price.

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$449 Save $80   Get Deal

If you've been eyeing up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for some time, now could be your time to buy.

As of July 15, the over-ear headphones have dropped in price, knocking $80 off one of the best pairs of noise-cancelling headphones we've tested. Right now, you can buy them for the discounted price of $369 instead of $449. This price is only for the black-colored headphones, but for $30 more you can choose from desert gold, driftwood sand, midnight violet, and white.

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These headphones have been thoroughly tested by the Mashable team, even earning a place on our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones. This is because of Bose’s advanced noise cancellation which helps you block out distractions and focus on whatever you are listening to. Switch between Quiet Mode for maximum noise reduction, Aware Mode when you want to stay connected to your surroundings, or Immersion Mode to combine noise cancellation with Bose Immersive Audio for a more spacious listening experience.

And as the name suggests, these headphones are also designed to be comfortable for long periods of use. They come with plush ear cushions to gently surround your ears, while the refined metal headband helps distribute pressure evenly for a secure and comfortable fit.

Find this headphones deal online at Amazon now.

We've now entered the Waxing Crescent phase of the lunar cycle, which means the Moon will be reappearing over the next few nights.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, July 15, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Crescent phase, with just 1% of its surface visible.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on July 29.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon completes one full cycle around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight different phases along the way, NASA explains. Although the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes as it travels around Earth. This changing angle of illumination is what makes the Moon appear to transform throughout the month, from a thin crescent to a half-lit Moon and eventually a fully illuminated Full Moon, before starting the cycle again.

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

OpenAI is reportedly making a portable, screenless smart speaker intended to act as a household AI companion. It sounds like a cross between an Apple HomePod, a Furby, and spyware.

SEE ALSO: 8 things to know about Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that OpenAI is developing a hardware device powered by its generative AI chatbot ChatGPT. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports that the device will perform various functions already covered by other smart speakers, including controlling smart appliances, playing media, responding to messages, and answering questions. 

However, rather than attempting to offer pure utility, OpenAI's smart speaker will apparently try to endear itself to users with a "personality" as well. Specifically, the device will have moving mechanical parts which it can use to express itself, Bloomberg reporting that it will be designed to feel "humanlike" and "a physical manifestation of OpenAI's ChatGPT."

The device will reportedly actively gather data about users as well, using such means as accessing their emails ostensibly to offer more personalised service. Equipped with cameras and sensors and able to access users' personal information, OpenAI's speaker will reportedly learn their owners' habits and offer assistance without prompting.

We've known that OpenAI has had an eye on moving into physical devices for a while now, with the company announcing last May that it had acquired iPhone designer Jony Ive's startup io. Details leaked to The Wall Street Journal at the time suggested that OpenAI's hardware debut would be a screenless device that could essentially surveil a user and their environment.

"The product will be capable of being fully aware of a user's surroundings and life, will be unobtrusive, able to rest in one's pocket or on one's desk," according to an OpenAI staff meeting recording reported by the Journal. 

Bloomberg's sources now appear to back up this report that OpenAI's devices are being designed with constant surveillance in mind. According to the Journal's report, OpenAI has grand plans to ship 100 million of these devices, and dreams of it becoming "a third core device a person would put on a desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone."

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch Chicago sports.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports 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 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 before 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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Olympian

• Green: Arenas and Stadiums

• Blue: Types of passes

• Purple: Is an animal

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A Summer Olympic Athlete

• Green: Chicago Sporting Venues

• Blue: Can be Preceded by "Pass"

• Purple: Starts with an Animal

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #660 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A Summer Olympic Athlete: FENCER, GYMNAST, ROWER, RUNNER

• Chicago Sporting Venues: SOLDIER, UNITED, WINTRUST, WRIGLEY

• Can be Preceded by "Pass": BREAKUP, INTERFERENCE, PROTECTION, RUSHER

• Starts with an Animal: BULLPEN, CROWD, LAMBEAU, LIONEL MESSI

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

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

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 15, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 15, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 15 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 15 Pips

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 15 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a sports fan.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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 15, 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: It's the law

• Green: Tied up

• Blue: Games

• Purple: Spacious

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: Terms for the legal system

• Green: Things with laces

• Blue: Kinds of sports

• Purple: Words before "Room" to indicate extra space

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 #1130 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Terms for the legal system: BAR, BENCH, COURT, TRIBUNAL

• Things with laces: BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET, FOOTBALL, SHOW

• Kinds of sports: EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER

• Words before "Room" to indicate extra space: BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 15, 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 see the glass half full.

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 15, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Rose-colored glasses

The words are related to attitude.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe positive perspectives.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Pie in the Sky

NYT Strands word list for July 15

• Romantic

• Impractical

• Pie in the Sky

• Quixotic

• Idealistic

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 jokester.

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 15, 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 15, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

"How silly!"

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PSHAW

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.

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

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

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

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

A Christian symbol.

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

CROSS

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An animal.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BRUTE

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Court proceeding.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TRIAL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A demon.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FIEND

Final Hurdle hint

Homosapien.

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

HUMAN

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

Lucky puts its cards on the table too early.

The new Apple TV limited series, starring and executive produced by Anya Taylor-Joy, kicks off with its titular protagonist (Taylor-Joy) on the run from an FBI agent. Sporting a bleached bob and a Caesars Palace jacket, she scrambles through a maze of parked trucks, desperately crawling under wheels and slamming around corners until her fate finally catches up with her. It's a fairly thrilling action sequence, but soon, all too predictably, Lucky flashes back to the fateful hours leading up to this high-octane chase.

SEE ALSO: Everything coming to Apple TV in 2026

The move is an all-too common one in film and TV, meant to give viewers a tantalizing taste of what's to come. Often, though, it feels like titles that use this tactic aren't confident that viewers will buy into their story without the promise of action. With Lucky, that unfortunately proves to be the case. A crime drama bursting with clichés, Lucky works best when its characters are getting out of serious scrapes, and less so when they're actually talking.

What's Lucky about? Anya Taylor-Joy in "Lucky." Credit: Apple TV

As we learn in the first of Lucky's many flashbacks, the woman on the run in the show's opening is Lucky Armstrong, con woman extraordinaire. Together with her husband, Cary (Drew Starkey), she's just pulled off a $10 million heist that should have her set for life. The pair spend a sweet night celebrating in Las Vegas, but by the morning, Lucky wakes to find herself alone, penniless, and at the top of the FBI's most-wanted list.

So begins one of Lucky's most tense sequences. As the FBI descends on Caesars Palace, she must use all her wiles to escape from a seemingly impossible trap. It's an electrifying cat-and-mouse game, following an increasingly desperate Lucky through crowded casino floors and winding hotel rooms.

SEE ALSO: The best TV shows of 2026 (so far), and where to stream them

The Caesars Hotel sequence is just the first of many thrilling set pieces throughout Lucky's run, including shoot-outs, car chases, and one desert-set escape that sees Taylor-Joy channeling the same fierce drive to survive she weaponized so well in 2024's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. In all these scenes, Lucky is operating at her most desperate, which means we get to see her full bag of tricks, learned from her imprisoned father, John (Timothy Olyphant), at work. As she manipulates mark after mark, Taylor-Joy brings an effortless cool to Lucky. Sometimes, though, that cool can be overpowering, and we lose the fear and anger that's driving Lucky in her quest to set things right. (It doesn't help that, even after going through hell, Lucky's bob remains chic as ever, making it hard to buy into the character's gritty struggles.)

Outside of these sequences though, Lucky loses its steam. Its overreliance on flashbacks leads to some extremely on-the-nose moments, like when Lucky pulls a con at a birthday party, all while remembering a conveniently similar job she and her father pulled years ago. Elsewhere, story beats feel oddly familiar. At one point, Lucky pretends to be drunk while meeting a man at a bar, leading to a scene eerily reminiscent of one in Promising Young Woman.

Annette Bening is an ice-cold scene stealer in Lucky. Annette Bening in "Lucky." Credit: Apple TV

Lucky weaves a larger web of crime and shady syndicates that pales in comparison to the more immediate drama of Lucky's smaller cons. However, there's one huge saving grace to that more overarching crime tale, and that's Annette Bening as fearsome mobster Priscilla Masterson.

Always rocking the coolest glasses and coats the show has to offer, Bening's Priscilla takes over every scene she's in with an icy power. At times, she's calculatedly nonchalant, with even her most casual comments oozing with threats. At others, she's a laugh riot thanks to her dry disdain for everyone around her. She makes a great foil for Taylor-Joy's often-harried Lucky, as she's almost always in control. When she's not, it's because she's under the thumb of the menacing Wayne Whittaker (William Fichtner). You can imagine that as Lucky grows older, she could find herself in a similar troubling situation: still living a life of crime, still expected to take the fall.

Lucky hopes to examine how Lucky could get off that path, the one her father set her on when she was a child. Its conclusions and twists along the way are fairly predictable, but it offers up some slick summer fun in the meantime. When you're done, though, Lucky's impact is like that of a good con man: gone before you even know it.

The first two episodes of Lucky premiere July 15 on Apple TV, with a new episode every Wednesday.

It's an open secret in the tech world that Samsung will likely debut the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and new Z Fold Wide at its Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22.

And on Tuesday, the company confirmed in a press release that its next-gen Galaxy foldable devices will debut soon with a new Flex Titanium display structure. In its announcement, Samsung said the new Flex Titanium technology will provide foldable phones with "enhanced durability and reduced crease visibility."

"The new Flex Titanium technology will debut with Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy foldable devices. Further details will be unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked on July 22," the press release stated. The announcement all but confirms the long-rumored focus of the Galaxy Unpacked event, which lines up with Samsung's previous foldable phone launch timeline.

As the name suggests, Flex Titanium uses titanium components to support bending displays.

Specifically, the new hardware tech employs a titanium-alloy film underneath the OLED panel, as well as a titanium plate underneath the film. Samsung said the titanium film sits "below the OLED panel" and offers "20 times greater mechanical stiffness than plastic films while measuring less than 30% the thickness of a human hair, enabling a slimmer display panel." In Samsun said theaddition, the titanium plate supports "the display module from beneath, eliminating air gaps between the module and adhesive for more stable support when unfolded, while retaining the flexibility needed for repeated folding."

The idea is to make phones that can withstand thousands of folds over multiple years, while providing a quality viewing experience for users who don't want to see a big, ugly crease in the middle of the screen. For what it's worth, in the last couple of years, flagship Samsung foldables have mostly fixed the crease problem already, but we're still excited to see how Samsung can alleviate it further.

SEE ALSO: Samsung users report bizarre Galaxy S26 Ultra defect

It hopefully won't be long before we get a real first look at those devices, as the London Unpacked event is just one week away.

Not every week can be a banger of new material on HBO Max, but that's OK. When your back catalog includes some of the best series ever out on television, a quiet week is just an invite to crack open the vault.

TL;DR: Plan and explore kitchen and bathroom renovations in 3D with a lifetime ArchiMaster license for $19.99 (reg. $59.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Richdale Ventures LLC ArchiMaster 3D Kitchen & Bath Software for Windows: Lifetime License $19.99
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Renovation ideas can look great in your head but very different once the cabinets, countertops, and flooring are in the same room. ArchiMaster 3D Kitchen & Bath gives you a means to experiment before committing to a particular layout or wasting money on materials you might night need. A lifetime license for Windows is currently on sale for $19.99 (reg. $59.99), making it a savings of 67%.

This software allows homeowners and DIY renovators build kitchens and bathrooms in 3D without requiring a professional design experience. You can import photos of an existing kitchen or start a new layout from scratch, then test different configurations and see how the pieces work together.

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There are more than 200 cabinet styles to choose from, plus a catalog of appliances and home electronics. A materials library lets you compare options for countertops, flooring, paint, stains, and fabrics, including granite, marble, slate, ceramic tile, and hardwood. You can preview the combination first instead of trying to imagine whether two finishes will work together or not.

Once your design starts taking shape, photorealistic 3D visualization lets you view it from different perspectives. Plus, there’s a VR mode for exploring your plans with compatible hardware, which is useful if staring at a floor plan doesn’t quite help you determine whether the finished space will feel cramped or not. The software works offline after installation, too, so an internet connection isn’t required every time inspiration strikes.

ArchiMaster is ideal for people planning their own kitchen or bathroom updates, whether that means testing a few aesthetic changes or working through a larger remodel. You can create unlimited designs, making it easier to compare ideas before settling on one, and have fun doing it!

The lifetime license includes a free upgrade to ArchiMaster 3D v3, (but future major releases starting with v4 will require a separate purchase). If you want to see your renovation ideas in 3D before making them real, ArchiMaster 3D Kitchen & Bath is currently available for $19.99 (reg. $59.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A group of former Meta employees is suing the company for allegedly using AI systems that unfairly targeted them for layoffs.

The lawsuit alleges that Meta used improperly tested AI-powered assessment tools — including productivity scores, AI token usage tracking, and an internal LLM known as Metamate — that ranked employees for termination ahead of mass layoffs. The metrics used for the ranking unfairly scored employees that missed work or had reduced output expectations because of known medical conditions, maternal leave, and other disability-related terms, the lawsuit alleges.

SEE ALSO: I tried to scrub weight loss content from my FYP. Here's what I learned.

"This is patently untrue. Full stop," wrote Meta spokesperson Andy Stone in a X post responding to the lawsuit's claims. "Workforce management and organizational decisions were and are made by people, not AI."

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The employees say these decisions violate federal and state anti-discrimination laws. They also argue the AI systems weren't properly screened for bias, violating California and New York City laws, specifically.

The 26 plaintiffs were terminated in a round of company-wide layoffs affecting 8,000 employees in May. At the time, Meta cited its ongoing AI investments in its announcement of the reduction in staff.

Remaining employees noted a newly launched employee tracking tool, known as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), intended to train AI models using employee activity. They alleged the tool was collecting more data than initially advertised, prompting concern it was violating European data laws.

The former employees are seeking a preliminary decision from a California federal court that could stall their termination, currently set for July 22, while they privately arbitrate.

We may need to pour one out for OnePlus in the very near future.

German news outlet WinFuture (via PCMag) reports that OnePlus, which has carved out a niche by offering more affordable phones with flagship specs over the years, will soon cease operations in the U.S. and Europe.

The announcement is reportedly expected from Chinese parent company Oppo as soon as this week.

SEE ALSO: Samsung users report bizarre Galaxy S26 Ultra defect

No reason for the cessation of OnePlus has been mentioned. However, messaging around OnePlus, in reporting and in official company statements, has been moving in this direction for months now.

AndroidHeadlines first reported the surprising news back in January, before OnePlus told PCMag back in April it was "evaluating its regional roadmap and product strategy" in North America.

Now it seems that evaluation has concluded.

For Android enthusiasts in the west, this is a real bummer. While the likes of Google and Samsung still produce quality handsets, OnePlus would regularly swoop in and offer phones of a similar quality for under $1,000, with last year's OnePlus 15 being a good example.

Perhaps the brand just never found footing in such a competitive market, and surely RAMageddon didn't help OnePlus's quest to offer semi-affordable devices, but taking away one of the best Android alternatives in the west isn't going to help anybody.

If this is the end, it's been good, OnePlus. Perhaps Oppo can find another way to sell its wares in the U.S. and Europe soon.

Tesla is developing a wheelchair-accessible autonomous vehicle, at least according to a Tesla lobbyist. 

India Herdman, a Tesla senior policy adviser, made the claim on Monday while addressing the D.C. City Council on a proposal to legalize robotaxis in the nation’s capital. Herdman said the wheelchair-carrying vehicle is being developed in Texas, where Tesla is headquartered, but no timetable for production was announced, according to a report in Wired.

SEE ALSO: Robot, take the wheel: What you need to know about autonomous vehicles rolling out across the U.S.

Currently, no autonomous vehicle companies, including industry leader Waymo, offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles. During the same D.C. City Council meeting, Matt Walsh, Waymo's regional head of state and local policy, said the Google-owned company is also working on developing such a vehicle, but has been bedeviled by the challenge of identifying "a platform that is fully wheelchair-accessible while also meeting the unique specifications to retrofit that vehicle with our technology."

Waymo’s newest autonomous car, the Ojai, has accessibility features like grab bars and a flat floor that’s lower to the ground than its typical Jaguar I-Pace cars. Still, the Ojai cannot accommodate a wheelchair. 

Riders in wheelchairs can access vehicles via traditional, human-driven rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber, though the latter company is currently facing a lawsuit from the Justice Department, which accuses it of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by not doing enough to accommodate disabled riders. 

It would be a major coup for Tesla if it were the first company to bring a wheelchair-accessible autonomous vehicle to market, as the Elon Musk-owned company is not yet a leader in the AV space. While Waymo is available in numerous U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, Miami, and Houston, Tesla’s cybercabs are mostly confined to Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Tesla is indicating it takes accessibility seriously, announcing on its website that the company is "building an autonomous future that is accessible to all people. Our Robotaxi vehicles are designed to support various accessibility needs including space for service animals and room to store some wheelchairs and other assistive devices. The Tesla app is currently available in 29 languages, with more being added."

Linux isn't really just one operating system. It's the bones of an operating system, in the form of the Linux kernel, but everything beyond that is up for debate.

Android Auto is all about convenience, and for a long time, that's all I cared about. Google Maps and Waze work well enough that it's easy to ignore what they're doing in the background, right up until you look at the actual data categories they pull from your device. Once you see that list, going back to treating them like neutral tools gets a lot harder to do.