Blogroll

I'm tired of talking to AI, so I built a system that does the talking for me

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 14:30

The way to use a chatbot is given in the name. They are designed to be used by having two-way conversations with the LLM using natural language. You type something into the chatbot, and it replies. In some cases, continually typing stuff into a chatbot isn't the most efficient way to do things, so I set up a system that does it for me.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Lego Icons French Café has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon — save over $15

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 14:27

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 21, the Lego Icons French Café has hit a new low price of $63.74 at Amazon. That's $16.25 off its full price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons French Café Paris Building Kit (10362) $63.74 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.25   Get Deal

Lego sets can be quite costly, but Amazon is a helpful place to check out for great deals. Even today, the retailer has some nice surprises in store. As of July 21, the charming Lego Icons French Café set has dropped to a new low price of $63.74 at Amazon.

Compared to this Lego set's full price of $79.99, this deal saves you $16.25. At the moment, it has a "limited time deal" tag, so the clock is ticking to pick it up while it's still on sale.

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

In total, it comes with 1,101 pieces that create a classic French bistro, complete with hanging flowerpots, ornate seating, and accessories such as food and crockery to bring the scene together. The double doors at the front also open to reveal a small interior with a seating area, so you can choose whether to keep them open or closed once you're all finished.

It's a set recommended for adults, likely due to its higher piece count, more detailed assembly, and the fact that it's meant for display rather than play. However, younger builders can still get the fun of piecing it together if they want to; they'll just need an older individual around to help out.

This limited-time Lego deal may not last long, so be quick to save on the Lego Icons French Café set 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $44,000 Toyota SUV quietly beats its Lexus twin on fuel economy

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 14:15

Lexus is Toyota's luxury division, but Toyota often builds a Lexus-badged twin to capture buyers who want that extra refinement without the higher sticker price. The Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX mimic that pattern as closely as any two vehicles have. Both are three-row midsize SUVs, both ride on a version of the same platform, and both come from the same Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Princeton, Indiana.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your monitor's HDMI port is a trap—here's why DisplayPort matters

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 14:00

Buying a high-end monitor and then plugging it in with whatever cable came in the box is something most people do without thinking twice. HDMI is everywhere; the port fits, and the picture shows up, so everything seems fine. The problem is that there are plenty of issues that no one talks about. The cable and port you're using matter more than most people realize, and HDMI specifically has some limitations that aren't obvious from the outside.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Windows PC has an expiration date—here's how to find it

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 13:30

Your PC isn't going to switch itself off one day. But the version of Windows sitting on it right now? It has a shelf life. And it's shorter than you'd think. You've probably heard the headlines about Windows 10 riding off into the sunset. This is a bit different.

Categories: IT General, Technology

DeWalt's battery lineup has a compatibility trap most buyers miss

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 13:00

Buying into a tool ecosystem is supposed to mean your gear works together. That's the whole point of sticking with one brand. DeWalt has leaned hard on that idea with FlexVolt. Unfortunately, it does come with a lot of stipulations, and it can feel like a trap if you don't know any better. While I like DeWalt, and they can be budget friendly, I think it could be clearer in its marketing for its batteries.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Our favorite Bose portable speaker is on sale for less than $100 at Amazon — save $30

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:58

SAVE $30: As of July 21, the Bose SoundLink Micro portable speaker (2nd Gen) is on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's $30 off its list price of $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

A portable speaker can really elevate your summertime adventures, though with so many out there to choose from, it can be hard to find a good pick. The Bose SoundLink Micro portable speaker (2nd Gen) is one we have a lot of love for — landing as our favorite Bose speaker in our roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers - and it's even on sale right now at Amazon.

As of July 21, every available color of the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) has been marked down to $99. That's a $30 discount off its original list price of $129, and it even marks the lowest price for a select group of colors: sandstone, petal pink, sunset peach, and twilight blue.

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

The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) has an incredibly portable design that's perfect for taking on the go, but don't let that small size fool you into thinking it also has small sound. According to our roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, "Bose made some serious upgrades to the all-new SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), starting with sound quality. Frequency range has been tweaked to provide fuller bass and more clarity. Drums hit harder, while vocals feel more intimate. There’s also less distortion at higher volumes."

On top of that, this little speaker boasts a long-lasting battery that delivers up to 12 hours of playtime. Plus, it's durable, with a waterproof design (rated IP67) and dust-, shock-, and rust-resistant features. So whether you're heading to the beach, the pool, or on a hike, it can handle the adventure.

If you've had your eye on the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), act fast to take advantage of this great deal 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Magic: The Gatherings Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team-Up Box is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $20

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:56

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team-Up Box is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon, down from its $49.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team-Up $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Magic: The Gathering’s TMNT crossover has plenty of products built around opening packs, but Turtle Team-Up makes it so you can have even more trading card fun with your friends. And now Amazon has made that co-operative box cheaper than we’ve ever seen.

As of July 21, the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team-Up Box is available at Amazon for $29.99 — cutting $20 from its $49.99 list price, giving you roughly 40% off the complete multiplayer set. This not only dips well under TCGplayer’s market price of $36.80, but is also the lowest price we’ve ever seen the TMNT-themed MTG box on Amazon, as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel

To be clear, this is not another standard booster box designed for opening packs. Turtle Team-Up is designed for two to four players working together against an automated enemy system, rather than trying to knock one another out. Games are expected to last around 45 minutes, making it an easy fit for a casual Magic night without turning the whole evening into one drawn-out match. 

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Inside are four ready-to-play 60-card decks, with one built around Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, or Michelangelo. The box also includes a 38-card Enemy deck, featuring 11 bosses and 17 Event Cards that steadily raise the pressure as the game progresses. 

You also get four TMNT Play Boosters, each containing 14 cards, so there is still something to crack open once you have tried the preconstructed decks. Four deck boxes, a punch-out counter sheet, and a tutorial booklet round out the package. Wizards says the four Turtle decks collectively contain 29 different new-to-Magic cards, giving existing players more than just a beginner-friendly side mode to explore. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

I use this overlooked Excel function to turn my boring worksheets into lightweight apps

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:30

Excel isn't known for being pretty, but the overlooked IMAGE function changes that. I'd used the IMAGE function before for simple visuals, but I wanted to see how far it could go. So I put it to the test by building a couple of interactive tools, and by the end, my spreadsheets felt more like apps than worksheets.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 21, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:11

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you can keep a secret.

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 21, 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 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A decoy.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

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 S.

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...

SHILL

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for July 21, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:11

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a good writer.

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 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Write there

The words are related to paper.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe writing utensils.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Stationery.

NYT Strands word list for July 21
  • Envelope

  • Letterhead

  • Stationery

  • Notepad

  • File

  • Card

  • Sheet

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 21, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:11

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a theater kid.

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.

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

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 21, 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: Shirts

  • Green: Computer add-ons

  • Blue: Broadway shows

  • Purple: Electronic transmission

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: Kinds of tops

  • Green: Software downloads

  • Blue: Elements of a musical

  • Purple: Tele___

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 #1136 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Kinds of tops: CROP, HALTER, TANK, TUBE

  • Software downloads: APP, DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN

  • Elements of a musical: BOOK, LYRICS, MUSIC, ORCHESTRATION

  • Tele___: GRAM, KENESIS, PROMPTER, VISION

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 21, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lego is giving away free sports car models this month — how to get yours

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:08

TL;DR: Lego Insiders ages 18+ can build and take home a Lego sports car model for free at select Lego Stores on July 25-26. The event is free, but supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lego Insiders have the chance to attend a free event this week.

Select Lego Stores are hosting a free, adults-only sports car-building event where members can build a Lego sports car model and take it home afterward. The make-and-take event is happening on July 25-26, 2026, at participating Lego Stores in the U.S. and Canada.

SEE ALSO: The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile — how to qualify

The Lego Sports Car build event is free for Lego Insiders aged 18+ (it's totally free to sign up). The Lego Sports Car model cannot be purchased and is only available through this event. Before heading out, check your local Lego Store event page to confirm the timing and availability.

Sure, it’s a free sports car, but the real win is leaving the store with a build you made and a fun Lego memory attached. Check the Lego Store event page for more details.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hollywood wants the internet’s next horror hit

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 12:00

Hollywood’s next major horror franchise may already be hiding somewhere in your YouTube recommendations. Or at least studios seem to think so.

It's official: three more internet horror creations are heading to the big screen as creator-led movies continue to spark competitive bidding wars across Hollywood.

On July 2, United Artists, Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, and Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film rights to The Mandela Catalogue following an 11-studio auction. The announcement came one day after Warner Bros. won a five-studio bidding war for Siren Head, the viral monster created by artist Trevor Henderson. Less than two weeks later, Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios announced V/H/S: SCP, a 2027 movie that will bring the massive, fan-built SCP Foundation horror universe into the V/H/S found-footage franchise.

These back-to-back deals are the latest evidence of a broader hunt underway across Hollywood. After the enormous box-office success of Backrooms and Obsession, studios are searching YouTube, Reddit, and other online communities for horror concepts that already have recognizable worlds, committed audiences, and creators who have proved they can make compelling work without traditional studio backing.

From viral horror to studio bidding wars This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Kister was 17 when he began making The Mandela Catalogue in 2021 using basic editing tools and footage filmed around his home. The YouTube series follows a Wisconsin county terrorized by entities called Alternates, creatures that psychologically torment people before assuming their identities. The analog horror series has since become one of YouTube’s most popular, drawing over 100 million views.

But audiences do more than watch these stories. They decode clues, organize timelines, debate theories, and help expand the mythology. That same participation transformed Trevor Henderson's Siren Head from a single 2018 illustration into an internet phenomenon.

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

Fans carried the towering, siren-headed creature into animations, games, short films, stories, Roblox, and Minecraft. Shutter Authority's Siren Head videos have accrued hundreds of millions of views (his first video has more than 241 million views). By the time Warner Bros. acquired the film rights, it had already become an internet urban legend far larger than Henderson’s original post.

Hollywood is also looking toward online worlds for inspiration — The SCP Foundation began in 2008 as a collaborative fiction wiki where writers document paranormal creatures, objects, and events. The planned theatrical anthology V/H/S: SCP, produced by Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, will turn that community-built archive into a feature film scheduled for 2027.

Each property arrives at the studio system with similar advantages: recognizable imagery, extensive mythology, active fandoms, and creators who already understand their audiences better than anyone else.

The box-office hits behind the rush

Interest isn't happening in isolation. In May, Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker Kane Parsons, opened to more than $81 million domestically. As of July 20, it has earned approximately $384 million worldwide at the box office against a reported $10 million production budget.

The film provided the clearest proof yet that a horror world developed largely through internet culture could attract a mainstream theatrical audience. The Backrooms started with an anonymous image of an empty yellow room posted to 4chan in 2019. The concept spread across Reddit, online wikis, games, and collaborative fiction until Parsons, then 16, released his 9-minute YouTube video The Backrooms (Found Footage).

Within weeks, the video racked up tens of millions of views. Parsons then expanded it into a larger series exploring disappearances, scientific experiments, and an organization's attempts to study and map the mysterious space — all before it became a feature film.

Obsession demonstrated a similar version of the same opportunity. While the movie was not adapted from a preexisting internet mythology, its 26-year-old writer-director, Curry Barker, developed his audience and filmmaking style through online projects, including the horror short The Chair and Milk & Serial, a found-footage feature made for about $800 and released on YouTube.

Made for approximately $750,000, Obsession has since grossed more than $428 million worldwide. Barker has completed another movie for Blumhouse and is now attached to direct A24’s reimagining of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

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

Together, the films expanded Hollywood’s understanding of what an online creator could bring into a studio — all in 1 summer.

Hollywood wants the filmmaker, not only the followers

These creators arrive with built-in audiences, but that is only one part of their appeal.

When I interviewed Backrooms producer Kori Adelson for Vanity Fair in May, she emphasized the filmmaking ability in Parsons' YouTube work that transferred well into blockbuster directing.

"His work is so singular and evocative," Adelson said. "And in terms of his technical skill set? It was more advanced than most experienced filmmakers."

Parsons built the original series in Blender, and those digital models became blueprints for the movie’s 30,000-square-foot set. Because he could adjust the designs himself, Parsons could show the production team exactly how each space should look.

Plus, because these creators have spent years watching audiences respond to their work, they understand what a movie adaptation needs to preserve.

"I sort of have made a contract with the audience, and I like to do everything I possibly can to hold myself accountable to that…regardless if we’re medium hopping," he told me back in May.

Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chair Mike De Luca has compared that fan connection to an unusually long development process. "By the time you get to the movie, they've had a billion test screenings," he said during the Producers Guild of America's conference.

It also helps explain why creators like Parsons and Kister are being trusted to direct their adaptations rather than simply selling the rights and stepping aside.

The internet has become a proving ground for horror

This path hasn't been completely untrodden.

Back in 2023, Australian twins Danny and Michael Philippou made the leap from YouTube to theaters with Talk to Me. Before directing the horror hit, the pair had spent years creating chaotic horror-comedy videos, elaborate fight scenes, and practical-effects-heavy stunts for their RackaRacka channel. Their filmmaking experience translated: Made for about $4.5 million, Talk to Me earned nearly $100 million worldwide.

Mark Fischbach, better known online as Markiplier, followed a similar path with Iron Lung. He financed, directed, and distributed the video game adaptation himself, turning a budget of only a few million dollars into more than $51 million at the global box office.

Now, more filmmakers are lining up behind them. Dylan Clark is developing his viral YouTube short Portrait of God into a Universal feature produced by Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi, while Sam Evenson is directing a feature-length adaptation of his short Mora for Neon.

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

YouTube is not the only place where Hollywood is finding horror stories with built-in online audiences. Reddit’s r/NoSleep has long served as a testing ground for writers who present fictional stories as firsthand accounts, including Elias Witherow's Tommy Taffy series about a seemingly human figure who forces his way into families and takes control of their homes.

That story is now becoming The Third Parent, a feature adaptation scheduled to hit theaters on Jan. 22, 2027, with David Michaels writing and directing and Crispin Glover starring as Tommy.

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

Hollywood is always searching for the next big thing, and its next major horror franchise may still begin with a single creepy image or a teenager editing footage in a bedroom. The difference is that studios are now paying attention much earlier — and increasingly trusting the original creator to bring that idea to the big screen.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 is on sale at Amazon — save close to $10

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 11:56

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 is on sale at Amazon for $50.87, down from its $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 $50.87 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $9.12   Get Deal

It turns out that Pokémon’s second First Partner Illustration Collection has already fallen a long way from its early preorder price, and Amazon is actually now pushing the partner-inspired box much closer to the $50 mark.

As of July 21, the Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 is available on Amazon for as low as $50.87. This cuts $9.12 from its $59.99 list price, giving keen trading card collectors a 15% discount on the complete box.

You should know, however, this lower-priced listing is sold and shipped by third-party seller Collectors Expedition rather than Amazon directly — with free delivery currently scheduled for July 27-28. That said, this still comes with Amazon’s usual 30-day refund or replacement window, which gives buyers some protection if the box arrives damaged or with another issue.

On the other hand, Walmart and TCGplayer are offering even lower prices, which is not unusual compared to Amazon in the Pokémon TCG market these days. For instance, Walmart has the collection listed for $41.99, while TCGplayer has unopened copies starting at $40.71 with shipping included. That undercuts the current market price of $40.73.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

That being said, $50.87 is a far more reasonable Amazon price than the $94.79 preorder listing we spotted back in June.

Series 2 continues the collection’s 30th-anniversary theme by focusing on first partner Pokémon from Johto, Unova, and Galar. That means Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble make up the nine possible illustration rare-style promo cards.

Each box contains one special pack with three of those nine promos, so completing the full set will require more than one collection unless you trade for the cards you are missing. You also get two standard Pokémon TCG booster packs (shown in the product imagery as Perfect Order and Chaos Rising) plus a sticker sheet featuring the first partner Pokémon.

If you’re after any of the single starter cards in particular — including Totodile, Cyndaquill, and Chikorita — you can buy the individual cards from the whole Partner Illustration Collection right now on TCGplayer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Kimmel guest host Colman Domingo reacts to Trump getting booed at World Cup

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 11:55

Jimmy Kimmel's latest guest host is a real gem, with Colman Domingo taking over from Ike Barinholtz and Tiffany Haddish this week.

The Oscar-nominee kicked off Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday with a look back at the FIFA 2026 World Cup final, from the first-ever halftime show to the commentators getting celebrity names wrong to the crowds booing President Donald Trump.

"How long before he claims FIFA is Antifa?" joked Domingo.

Fellow late-night show host Seth Meyers also showed a montage of clips in which the president was booed at the final, with Trump's approval rating currently at an all-time low. As Mashable's Amanda Yeo notes, "Sports fans haven't been shy about letting Trump know how they feel either, booing him at multiple events across his second presidential term. These included the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, 2025 US Open men's final, an NFL game last November, the NBA finals last month, and finally the recent World Cup final."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Regularly over $1,500, the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop is $700 off right now at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 11:53

SAVE $700: As of July 21, the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's $700 off its list price of $1,599.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros 10R Robot Vacuum and Mop $899.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $700   Get Deal

Roborock's Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop is a model that Mashable's Leah Stodart called "a wickedly well-rounded robot vacuum that would be a totally satisfactory upgrade in a lot of homes, especially ones with a lot of hard floors" in her review. If you've been thinking about splashing out on a robot vacuum, now is a great time to buy because Amazon has slashed $700 off its price tag.

As of July 21, this has dropped the Roborock Saros 10R's price from $1,599.99 to $899.99, making for 44% in overall savings. That's not all, though. It's also just $15 away from its lowest-ever price from Prime Day this year.

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

With the help of 22,000Pa HyperForce suction and dual spinning mops — paired with the StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 for avoiding objects and mapping your home's floor plan — the Roborock Saros 10R can clean up a variety of surfaces. It even features a FlexiArm Riser side brush and mop for cleaning corners, and its slim 3.14-inch height allows it to easily reach under furniture or tighter spaces for a deep clean.

In our review, Stodart highlights: "Given its ultra-slim build, exceptional corner cleaning, and precise navigational features, there aren't many spots the Roborock Saros 10R can't clean. This well-rounded reliability gives it an edge over many other premium vacs."

With that kind of praise, why not grab the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop while it's still on sale? Don't miss out on this great deal 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jon Stewart blasts Trumps lingering World Cup final photo

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 11:21

Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup victory was celebrated with a traditional trophy hoist on Sunday, a ritual "shared really only by the players," as The Daily Show's Jon Stewart points out in the video above.

The thing is, it wasn't just shared by the victors, with U.S. President Donald Trump lingering onstage after presenting Spain with their prize, and posing for the team photo alongside controversial FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

"What the f*** are you doing on the stage? It's for the players!" screamed Stewart in his monologue on Monday night. "Why must everything be tainted by the overinflated ego of Cankles Muldoon? Why?"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Siri AI Swayed This AI Assistant Hater

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 11:19

The iPhone's virtual assistant got a glow-up with iOS 27 and finally lives up to Apple's 2011 promise. In my early testing, Siri is just here to get things done.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker is a great value with plenty of power

Mashable - Tue, 07/21/2026 - 11:11

Whoop has made its way to the front of a crowded field of health trackers. With brand ambassadors like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Niall Horan, it's become a tracker for elite athletes and celebrities. But what about the everyman?

Whoop has two devices in its lineup, the Whoop MG and the Whoop 5.0. While the 5.0 is technically the more basic of the two, it's anything but. This unsuspecting wristband provides a bounty of data on sleep, physical performance, and recovery. I tried the Whoop 5.0 out, wearing it round the clock, to see what this health tracker is all about.

Whoop 5.0 at a glance The Whoop 5.0 unlocks to slide onto your wrist. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Whoop 5.0 brings advanced metrics to the brand's most affordable membership tiers, One and Peak. The device accompanies the first two Whoop membership tiers, which offer plenty of health insights for the average person, including health span and stress insights. Plus, some users — including myself — think it's a far better value than the Whoop MG. The Whoop 5.0 provides a lot of data, which may be overwhelming for the average user, and it also suffers from processing delays.

The Whoop 5.0 remains the most comfortable fitness tracker The Whoop 5.0 has an extremely low profile, more so than most watches. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Whoop 5 is a smart fitness band that sits on your wrist to measure biometrics. It doesn't have a screen or watch face; instead, it operates and delivers health data through the Whoop app.

Having previously tested the Whoop 4.0, I knew the Whoop 5.0 would be comfortable. Between generations, it's maintained the same design, except the 5.0 is 7 percent smaller. What that means is a slightly slimmer profile that remains lightweight.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring 5 arrives, and it’s 40 percent smaller than Ring 4

It's easy to forget the Whoop 5.0 is on your wrist. The included knit bands are comfortable, allowing your movement to flow without restriction. Plus, the device is out of the way enough that it won't bother you when you're sleeping or bending your wrist during training. While wearing it to sleep, I've never woken up with a sore or stiff wrist. Speaking of sleeping, the Whoop 5.0 includes a haptic alarm that gently vibrates to wake you up, which I have to say, is the most pleasant way to be woken up.

The Whoop 5.0's charger slides onto the device so you don't have to take off the health tracker. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The charger slides on the device so you never need to take it off, but I wouldn't recommend that. It's designed to be worn around the clock, including in the shower. However, when the band gets wet, it feels waterlogged, and keeping it on makes it take longer to dry, which, in my experience, was a miserable sensation. Word to the wise: don't wear it while washing the dishes.

It's for people who love data In the Whoop app, dig into all the biometrics collected by the 5.0. Credit: Screenshots courtesy of Whoop

If you're looking for health data, including all the graphs you could ever dream of, the Whoop was made for you. Compared to other health-tracking apps I've used, like Apple's built-in health apps and Oura, which deliver straightforward, easy-to-digest data in an aesthetically pleasing app, Whoop's app focuses on the hardcore numbers.

The app is pretty plain, with three primary metrics at the top. Sleep, recovery, and strain data are front and center with health and stress monitors below (for those with a Peak membership). You can dig into specific measurements and view graphs tracking past measurements to see your gains.

Admittedly, it can be a lot to make sense of, especially for the average user who might just want to know their step count and sleep quality. But if you're not sure what to make of your heart rate variability and how that relates to your health, Whoop has a built-in coach.

Need some guidance? Whoop's got AI for that. Talk through adjustments to your routine with the Whoop Coach. Credit: Screenshots courtesy of Whoop

One of the best improvements in Whoop's app doesn't actually have much to do with the Whoop 5.0 specifically, but with the app. Now, Whoop Coach, which is still in beta in the app, helps you make sense of all the data.

The AI-driven feature processes all your data, making suggestions and starting a conversation with you about training adjustments based on your sleep and recovery scores. Since I'm not an elite athlete trying to dig into my biometrics every day, the Whoop Coach was far more accessible in deciphering what my scores meant and how to respond to them.

Performance is a mixed bag

The data provided by the Whoop 5.0 is accurate. The sleep score reflected how I was feeling. When I was only getting a few hours of sleep a night, my Whoop warned me to take it easy during the day, but after a full eight hours, it encouraged me to push it further in my workouts.

Whoop claims the longest battery life of any fitness tracker at almost any price, at 14 days. While my device didn't make it a full two weeks, I was able to go a full week without sliding on the charger.

Often I'd wake up to check my sleep score and find that the Whoop app was missing data. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Whoop

What I was most disappointed in about the Whoop was its data-loading time in the app. If you close the Whoop app, it immediately prompts you to reopen it to keep the data updated, which definitely drained my phone's battery.

Even when I was keeping the app open consistently, the Whoop 5.0 was slow to load data, especially in the morning. Often, I'd wake up ready to see my sleep data, to find that the Whoop was missing data from the previous eight hours. After refreshing the app several times, the data finally appeared, but it became frustrating how frequently this happened.

Overrides Apple Watch activity

While testing the Whoop, I simultaneously wore my Apple Watch to compare data and track my workouts in real-time. I synced my Whoop with Apple Health, and a curious problem arose. Whoop data overrode all my Apple Fitness data. Suddenly, my calorie count after my typical activities was far lower than expected.

The Whoop 5.0 has more conservative calorie counts than my Apple Watch. Normally, after my morning walk, my Apple Watch shows I've burned around 400 active calories, but with the Whoop 5.0, it shows only around 200. Both programs use the same weight, heart rate, and step count data, so it raises the question of which is more accurate, and unfortunately, I can't ask my all-knowing body for that exact number.

Whoop 5.0 encompasses two membership tiers

Whoop has three membership tiers: One, Peak, and Life. One and Peak use the Whoop 5.0 while the Life tier comes with the Whoop MG. One is the most basic tier ($199 per year), but its data is far more than basic. It includes 24/7 biometric monitoring, along with sleep, strain, and recovery data. It also provides insights into automatic activity detection, step tracking, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal strain, VO2 Max estimates, and heart rate zones.

With Peak membership ($239 per year), you get all of that plus longevity data. That includes Healthspan, which tracks your Whoop age and your aging page. Plus, Peak features stress and health monitors that analyze signals from your heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels.

What's nice about the Whoop 5.0 is that you can upgrade from One to Peak at any time using the same device. Membership is charged annually, so you can pick the right tier for you without swapping out devices.

What's missing from the Whoop 5.0

Technically, the Whoop 5.0 is the brand's most basic fitness tracker. The more advanced option is the Whoop MG, which stands for medical grade. The Whoop MG is part of the most expensive membership, the Life tier, which costs $359. It includes everything in the Peak membership tier, plus blood pressure insights and AFIB detection. If both of those are non-negotiable for you, depending on your health concerns, then the Whoop 5.0 won't suit you.

However, browsing the Whoop community on Reddit, most users say the MG isn't worth the price for those two features and prefer the Peak membership and the Whoop 5.0.

It's cheaper than that other fitness tracker — at first

Because of Whoop's peculiar pricing structure, it's deceivingly cheap. With other fitness trackers like Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and Fitbit, you buy the device outright and use it freely, or maybe pay a small membership fee. But since you're buying a membership with Whoop and getting the device with it, the pricing is different.

An Oura Ring 5 starts at $399, plus an annual $69.99 membership fee, for a total of $468.99 in the first year. The mid-tier Whoop membership, Peak, is $239 annually. The Whoop remains cheaper after two years of use, but after three years of paying $239, it's more expensive than an Oura Ring plus three years of membership.

However, if you don't want to deal with any membership fees, that's where an Apple Watch or a Fitbit comes in.

Should you buy the Whoop 5.0? Should the Whoop 5.0 accompany you on your workouts? Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Yes, the Whoop 5.0 is a great fitness tracker, best suited for individuals focused on the strain and recovery of daily life and workouts. It provides bountiful data and a Whoop Coach to help you make sense of the data. Its low-profile, stretchy knit band makes it extremely comfortable to wear all the time.

If you want training data during your workouts, you'll need another fitness tracker in addition to the 5.0, as it's screen-free. Not to mention, while the overall data is fairly accurate, the app's processing speed is frequently slow.

But for $239, or the more affordable $199 membership option, the Whoop 5.0 is a solid health tracker.

Whoop 5.0 $239 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at WHOOP
Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker