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Times are tough for us PC enthusiasts. Nvidia's RTX 50 Super is most likely done for, RAM and SSDs cost a bazillion dollars each, and we're all left to rely on things like Lossless Scaling to get us through the day when new games need newer hardware. I wanted to upgrade my PC a bit this year, but all of that is on hold until the prices calm down. (They will one day, right? ... Right?)

BookCon returned from its hiatus in April 2026. It was a rousing success, quickly selling out tickets and major news breaking at the event, including the announcement of a new Divergent book. By the end of the weekend, 2027 BookCon dates were dropped, but there's an update for next year's convention.

ReedPop, the organizers behind BookCon, just announced that BookCon will now run for three days in 2027. Returning to the Javits Center, BookCon will take place April 9 to 11. The extra day means there will be even more panels, authors, and workshops to attend — and maybe a better chance at snagging tickets.

"The passion of our fans and the storytelling community found at BookCon 2026 was beyond our wildest dreams, and we can’t wait to bring the event back even bigger next year,” said Jenny Martin, Event Director, ReedPop. “Our team has been hard at work reviewing the feedback we received from attendees and partners after this year’s show, and we are excited about the changes and improvements we are bringing to the 2027 event, starting with the expansion to three days of programming, signings, and shopping."

Last year's event welcomed bestselling authors including Rachel Reid, Veronica Roth, Andy Weir, and Rufi Thorpe. While authors for next year's event have yet to be announced, ReedPop is promising an even bigger BookCon.

When I was growing up, there were few words more devastating than "poser."

I still remember getting called one during my freshman year of high school after showing up in a pair of DC skate shoes. It didn't matter that I genuinely liked them. Someone decided I hadn't "earned" them, that I was trying on an identity that wasn't really mine. Two decades later, I still remember how much it stung.

The internet has always had a vocabulary for sniffing out inauthenticity. First, it was "poser." Then came "try-hard," "hipster," and, more recently, "NPC" and "industry plant." Now there's a new favorite: "larper."

SEE ALSO: Chat, are we cooked? A guide to internet slang in 2026.

The word originally referred to people who participate in live-action role-playing (LARP), dressing up as fantasy characters and acting out fictional worlds. But online, "larper" has taken on an entirely different meaning. Today, it's one of the internet's quickest ways to accuse someone of performing an identity instead of living it — someone who watches a single anime and suddenly presents themselves as an expert, a self-proclaimed cinephile who only knows the films everyone else loves, or a creator who adopts an entirely new personality because it's trending online.

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In other words, Gen Z and Gen Alpha didn't invent the idea of calling someone fake. They just gave it a new name.

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

So what is a "larper"?

Originally, a LARPer was exactly what the acronym suggests: someone who participates in live-action role-playing, dressing up as fantasy characters and acting out fictional stories with other participants.

There's nothing inherently negative about the term. For thousands of people, LARP is simply a hobby. It's a chance to touch grass and step into another world for a weekend.

Online, though, the definition has evolved. Calling someone a "larper" rarely has anything to do with fantasy role-playing. Instead, it's become shorthand for someone who's seen as performing an identity rather than genuinely inhabiting it.

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One of the top definitions on Urban Dictionary describes a "larper" as someone who "does something that is way out of their capability but genuinely thinks they can do it," adding, "Dude, stop Larping."

The specifics change, but the accusation stays the same: You're playing a role.

How "larper" escaped fantasy

Like so much internet slang, "larper" didn't suddenly appear out of nowhere. It slowly migrated from one corner of the internet to another.

The term circulated for years in gaming communities and online forums before gradually becoming part of internet slang. By the early 2020s, it was commonly being used to describe people perceived as performing expertise, status, or entire identities — whether in politics, tech, fitness, or fandom spaces.

Eventually, the internet realized the joke worked almost everywhere. Now, almost any identity can become the subject of a "larper" accusation. Spend enough time on X, Twitch, or Reddit, and you'll eventually find someone accusing another fan of larping as a weeb, a lifelong gamer, or a movie buff because they only recently discovered the hobby.

Why "larper" feels different from "poser"

In many ways, "larper" is simply the modern evolution of "poser."

But there's an important difference. Being called a poser usually meant you didn't belong in a particular scene. Maybe you wore the wrong band shirt. Maybe you couldn't name three songs from a band you just discovered. Maybe you bought the skateboard but never learned to ollie.

"Larper" goes a step further. It doesn't just question whether you belong in a community; it questions whether your entire identity is authentic. That's a particularly powerful accusation in an internet where identity itself has become content.

A particularly powerful accusation in an internet where identity itself has become content.

Platforms don't just encourage us to share what we do. They reward us for becoming instantly recognizable. You're encouraged to cultivate an aesthetic, develop a niche, build a personal brand, and make your personality legible in the span of a few seconds.

The result is feeds full of hyper-specific identities: The person who suddenly becomes a Formula 1 expert after one season of Drive to Survive; the coffee enthusiast who buys a $500 espresso machine and starts lecturing everyone about extraction; the self-described music snob who first heard of a band a month ago but now acts like they've been there since the beginning.

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Some of those identities are completely genuine. But the more polished they become, the more audiences begin looking for evidence that they're just performances. Of course, "larper" isn't always aimed at people who are obviously faking it. Across social media, that skepticism has turned into a kind of gatekeeping, where enthusiasm itself becomes suspect. New fans, beginners, and people discovering a hobby can all find themselves dismissed as "larpers" before they've had the chance to simply enjoy being new.

Featured Video For You How F1 became a global obsession The internet has become obsessed with authenticity

The rise of "larper" says less about fantasy role-playing than it does about the internet itself.

After years of influencer culture, personal branding, carefully curated aesthetics, and now AI-generated content, people have become increasingly skeptical of what they see online. It's no longer enough to ask whether a photo is edited or whether a video is sponsored. The question now is whether the person behind the account is authentic in the first place.

Ironically, that expectation has created a new kind of performance. Creators are no longer rewarded just for looking polished; they're rewarded for looking real. Vulnerability, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and carefully curated "messy" moments have become just as valuable as glossy perfection.

That's what makes "larper" such a potent insult. It's accusing someone of performing authenticity itself. Calling someone a "larper" has become one of the internet's quickest ways of saying, I don't believe the person you're pretending to be.

But aren't we all performing a little?

The problem, of course, is that the internet asks all of us to curate our identities.

Whether you're posting your latest read on Goodreads, documenting marathon training on Strava, sharing concert photos on Instagram, or building a career on LinkedIn, you're making decisions about what to share and what to leave out. Every profile is, to some degree, a performance.

So where does self-presentation end and "larping" begin?

One person's authentic passion is another person's carefully constructed persona.

There's no obvious answer. The line between genuine enthusiasm and performative identity is deeply subjective, shaped as much by who's watching as by what you're posting. One person's authentic passion is another person's carefully constructed persona.

Maybe that's why the word has exploded now. Growing up, being called a poser made me wonder whether I belonged. Being called a "larper" asks a different question altogether: not whether you belong, but whether the version of yourself you've chosen to share was ever real in the first place.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, sign up for our Trending Now and Top Stories newsletters or get Mashable push alerts to discover the internet's most exciting voices. 

For millions of TikTok users, protection from harmful content spirals depended on which side of an experiment they landed on.

A confidential internal document obtained by Bloomberg Aug. 4 found that TikTok excluded 10 percent of its U.S. users from an algorithmic safety update in early 2022. At the time, that would have amounted to roughly 15 million people.

Among them was Chase Nasca, a 16-year-old from Long Island who died by suicide in Feb. 2022.

TikTok’s subsequent review found that Nasca’s account had become trapped in a filter bubble filled with videos about suicide, self-harm, depression, loneliness, and hopelessness. Because he was part of the control group, the report said, TikTok’s strategies for disrupting those repetitive recommendations "did not take effect on this user by design."

Why did TikTok leave millions without the safeguard?

TikTok had already acknowledged that its algorithm could show users too much of the same troubling material back in 2021, when the company announced that it was testing ways to break up repetitive recommendations involving subjects such as extreme dieting, sadness, and breakups. One video might not violate its rules, TikTok explained, but seeing similar videos repeatedly could create a harmful viewing experience.

The company’s solution came with an experiment. By early 2022, TikTok had reportedly introduced the updated recommendation system for 90 percent of its U.S. users while keeping the remaining 10 percent on the older version.

That split allowed TikTok to conduct a backtest, a form of A/B testing that compares what happens when one group receives a feature and another does not. Technology companies regularly use these experiments to test new products and design changes. In this case, however, the feature was intended to protect users from potentially dangerous content.

According to Bloomberg, TikTok wanted to see whether breaking up filter bubbles would affect daily active users and other important engagement measurements. The company’s internal report described the choice as a "delicate balance" between user safety and its ability to measure the effect on those metrics.

TikTok told Bloomberg that the experiment was intended to confirm whether its safety changes were working. The company said it has since refined its testing practices, although it did not explain what those changes were.

What did TikTok find when it examined Nasca's feed?

TikTok did not review Nasca’s viewing history immediately after his death. The company began looking into his account more than a year later, after Bloomberg contacted it back in March 2023 for an investigation into how the platform affected young users.

Once TikTok reconstructed his feed, the scale of the recommendations became clear. The company analyzed 7,563 videos served to Nasca during the final two weeks of his life. According to Bloomberg, 73 percent shared themes involving mental health struggles, suicide awareness, loneliness, relationships, or sadness.

Many of the videos did not violate TikTok’s rules individually, but together they created exactly the kind of repetitive pattern the company’s safeguard was designed to interrupt. Nearly 10 percent did violate policies against content that promotes or normalizes suicide and self-harm, and Nasca continued receiving suicide-related videos during the final hours of his life.

TikTok concluded that his account had fallen into a filter bubble and recommended shrinking the control group from 10 percent to less than 1 percent. That would still have left at least 1.8 million U.S. users without the safeguard, according to the report. Its teams also proposed limiting participation to seven days instead of the previous six months-to-one year.

What did TikTok tell Congress?

TikTok completed the 2023 internal review just as the company was preparing to publicly defend its safety record. Two weeks later, CEO Shou Chew appeared before Congress to answer questions about the platform’s data practices and its effect on children.

Nasca’s parents watched from the gallery as lawmakers played examples of videos that had appeared on their son’s account. Chew told lawmakers, "safety and wellness — in particular for teens — is a core priority for TikTok." He also said the company had "a commitment to transparency."

The questions continued after the hearing. In its May 2023 written responses, TikTok acknowledged using A/B tests to evaluate strategies intended to break up filter bubbles involving suicide and self-harm content.

When lawmakers asked TikTok to list every case in which algorithmic A/B testing had harmed users, the company did not identify any. Instead, it wrote that "the safety of the TikTok community is of the utmost importance" and described how its Community Guidelines applied during testing. It did not mention Nasca or the experiment identified in its internal review.

Elsewhere in its answers, the company wrote, "TikTok does not believe that use of the platform has caused users to commit suicide."

Responding to Bloomberg’s latest reporting, TikTok said it was "deeply committed to the safety and well-being of users," particularly teenagers. "Our hearts break for any family that experienced a tragic loss," the company added, pointing to its detection systems, enforcement teams, and continued investment in trust and safety.

The findings add to TikTok’s mounting legal pressure

The disclosure comes as courts are beginning to test whether social platforms can be held responsible for design choices that allegedly harm young users. Thousands of lawsuits are moving through state and federal courts, while TikTok recently settled three cases shortly before they were scheduled for trial.

Nasca’s family is also appealing the dismissal of its wrongful death lawsuit against TikTok. The newly reported document is currently under court seal, leaving open questions about whether it could eventually become part of that case or other litigation involving the company’s recommendation system.

The consequences could stretch beyond any one lawsuit. As lawmakers, regulators, and courts take a closer look at how platforms protect young users, TikTok’s internal review offers a rare glimpse into how the company weighed safety against the metrics that keep people scrolling.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

I've gotten a lot of use out of open source projects over the years. Eventually, I decided I wanted to give back. What can you do though when you've never coded an app or have money to contribute? It turns out, a lot.

Blank rows are one of those Excel problems that seem like they should have a simple solution. But removing them safely isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. I tested six approaches to find out which ones have hidden problems, and which ones I would actually trust with important data. By the end, only three made the cut.

When an Android phone starts to feel sluggish, a factory reset is often the first solution people think of. While restoring your phone to its factory settings might sound like the easiest way to restore its performance, it's far from the silver bullet you might think it is.

TL;DR: Now through Aug. 16, you can get up to 32% off DELTA power stations and solar bundles.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow Save on EcoFlow Delta 3 Series Get up to 32% off Get Deal

If your local grid is unreliable at best (living on the East Coast, I've learned to never trust the grid), or if you're just trying to get ahead of hurricane season, EcoFlow is running a sale on its DELTA line of power stations, solar panels, and home backup bundles.

SEE ALSO: I tried the Jackery FridgeGuard portable power station: It's both functional and pretty

Through Aug. 16, you can save on standalone units and disaster prep bundles via Amazon and EcoFlow's website. The high-capacity DELTA Pro is down to $1,899 (a 32% discount), while the DELTA 3 Ultra is on sale for $1,399. Bonus: If you spend over $900, you'll automatically get a free 20W charger.

If you miss the sale window (from indecisiveness or whatever), Amazon is keeping a separate batch of hurricane season deals live through Aug. 24. During that time, you can get the DELTA 3 Classic for $469 or the DELTA 3 Max for $899, and they'll throw in a free 160W solar panel if you spend over $1,500.

Waiting until the forecast looks bad is usually the worst time to buy emergency gear, so it's worth checking these out now.

SAVE $100: As of August 5, the 50-inch TCL QM6K Mini-LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $599.99. That's a discount of 17%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon TCL 50-inch QM6K Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $499.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $100   Get Deal

If you've been thinking about snagging a new TV, now's the time to do so. While we're still deep in the throes of summer, the fall TV slate is on its way, as well as plenty of sporting events and more that you'll want to catch. Be ready with a great, refreshed TV that you can save some serious cash on ahead of time. We've found one for you that you won't want to pass up at Amazon.

As of August 5, the 50-inch TCL QM6K Mini-LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $599.99. That's $100 off and a discount of 17%.

SEE ALSO: Best 65-inch+ TVs for watching in dark and bright rooms

This 50-inch TV comes packing thousands of tiny LED bulbs to serve up a crisp, bright picture that you'll love watching. Each one of the LEDs can brighten and dim independently, giving you a precision picture for deeper shades of black and brighter hues that pop. It's more awe-inspiring than a regular LED TV or non-mini-LED QLED TV, and you'll really be able to appreciate the color and brightness when watching. Plus, it works to eliminate the shadows in darker scenes of whatever you're watching, which should be a plus for most.

With its 144Hz native refresh rate and Game Accelerator 288 VRR features, this TV is also perfect for gaming sessions. It'll cut down on blur and improve the motion you see in your favorite titles as well as action movies and sports. That's another great reason to pick one up before it's time to watch football later in the year. You'll be primed and ready for every game.

If you're ready to go ahead and lock in with a new TV that looks, sounds, and just plain feels great, this one is an absolute steal for the price.

There was a golden age, maybe fifteen years ago, when setting up RAID 5 felt like the single smartest thing you could do with a stack of hard drives. Great capacity, one-drive protection, dirt cheap. What's not to love?

Electronic Arts has told debt investors it plans to cut $700 million in annual costs, including $170 million tied to "organizational efficiencies," as the company completes its $55 billion sale to a Saudi-led group. Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier, citing the company's disclosures, interpreted that phrase bluntly in a Bluesky post: "In other words: mass layoffs."

EA officially goes private tonight, meaning: - EA will no longer trade on the NASDAQ for the first time in 36 years - All stockholders of EA (including many employees) will receive $210/share - EA will take on $18 billion (!) in debt, putting it on the hook to pay ~$1.8 billion/year in interest

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) August 4, 2026 at 7:19 PM

EA's annual Ebitda is around $1.5 billion, which should be enough to service the interest payments. But the publisher has told debt investors that it will cut $700 million in annual costs including $170 million in "organizational efficiencies," per Bloomberg. In other words: mass layoffs

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) August 4, 2026 at 7:34 PM

The sale, finalized on Aug. 4, hands control of the gaming giant to a group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the investment firm Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. Per the BBC, not only does the deal end EA's 36-year run as a publicly-traded company, but it also ranks as the largest leveraged buyout in history.

Under the deal's terms, all EA stockholders, including many employees, will be paid $210 per share, Schreier wrote. To close the transaction, PIF borrowed $20 billion from JPMorgan on top of the $36 billion it had already committed, with EA itself taking on the resulting debt, according to the BBC. Schreier put the total debt load at $18 billion, which he estimated would cost the company roughly $1.8 billion a year in interest.

He noted EA's annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization sit around $1.5 billion — enough, he said, to cover the interest payments, though the planned cost cuts suggest the company is looking to build in a further cushion.

The BBC reported similar concerns from industry watchers about what the debt load could mean for the company. Schreier told the outlet the pressure could lead to "mass layoffs, more aggressive monetization, and other big cost-cutting measures." In that same BBC report, Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of the Game Business, said the buyout structure pointed toward "a very hands-on approach from the investment group," adding that private equity firms tend to be aggressive managers.

Some in the industry also raised questions about the deal's effect on EA's creative direction. Shams Jorjani, chief executive of Arrowhead Game Studios, told the BBC he was hopeful the new ownership wouldn't push EA toward "more sequels, more mega-franchises" at the expense of its broader catalog.

The sale has also drawn scrutiny over Saudi Arabia's human rights record. Consensual same-sex conduct can be punished by death or flogging under interpretations of Sharia law in the kingdom, prompting concern among fans of EA titles like The Sims, which features LGBT+ relationships.

The advocacy group Players Alliance HQ has urged gamers to petition politicians over the deal, warning on its website that PIF's majority ownership could lead to themes around "free speech, gender," and other issues being "reduced or fully censored." PIF is controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose government has been held responsible by several human rights organizations and news outlets for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

At the deal's initial announcement, EA chief executive Andrew Wilson, who is staying on, said the company intended to "create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come."

Mashable readers' favorite deals this week Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop $1,199.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal 85-inch TCL Class QM8L Series $2,997.99 at Amazon (save $1,002) Get Deal DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo $2,495 at Amazon (save $404) Get Deal Samsung Internal SSD 990 2TB $369.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution — Pitch Black Booster Bundle $54.95 at Amazon Shop Now

Everything feels too expensive these days. Leave the house and somehow at least $100 vanishes. Since it's more expensive to exist in our modern world than it was just a few years ago, it's worth seeking out the best deals.

Every week, the Mashable shopping team gets to work to find the best products at the best sale prices that we feel are worth the money. If you've been searching for deals online this week, these are the top five that Mashable readers are snatching up.

A worthy robot vacuum and mop Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop $1,199.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $300   Get Deal Why we like it

Earlier this week, the FCC announced a ban on all robot vacuums made outside of the U.S. The good news is this ban doesn't apply to models the FCC has already given approval to, and it won't impact the functions of your current robot vacuum. But in case you're looking for a new model, it might be wise to snag one sooner rather than later. Roborock makes some of our favorite robot vacuums, and the Qrevo CurvX is ready to both vacuum and mop your floors. Plus, it's on sale for $300 off.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock RockNeo Q110H robot lawn mower just landed at Amazon, and it's on sale for just 1 week

Coming with 22,000Pa and an ultra-slim design, the Roborock has hot water mopping and drying and a zero-tangle brush. If you're no longer in the mood to spend precious hours each week cleaning the floors, this Roborock deal is one to jump on.

A huge TV upgrade Opens in a new window Credit: TCL 85-inch TCL Class QM8L Series $2,997.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,002   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the mood for a genuinely giant treat that you can enjoy every single day, consider the 85-inch TCL Class QM8L Series TV. In terms of home entertainment upgrades, an 85-inch TV ranks pretty high. This TCL is a 2026 model that also happens to be excellent for gaming thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate.

In addition to the sale price that saves over $1,000, Amazon is tossing in free delivery and unpacking. That means the delivery crew will unbox the TV in the room of your choice and take the packaging materials and box away when they leave.

A drone bundle to become an expert Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo $2,495 at Amazon
$2,899 Save $404   Get Deal Why we like it

For those in the mood to become an expert drone pilot, the worthy DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo is over $400 off at Amazon right now. Going with a combo deal means you get all the pro accessories like the DJI RC 2, extra batteries, spare propellers, a shoulder bag, a charging hub, and even more. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone is a top-tier model that can capture 6K footage in HDR. Plus, it has features that make it great for flying in low-light conditions.

A storage solution with a hefty discount Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Internal SSD 990 (2TB) $369.99 at Amazon
$529.99 Save $160   Get Deal Why we like it

The global memory shortage isn't supposed to get better anytime soon. That means today's deals on an SSD might be the best we can get for a while to come. If your laptop or desktop could use a 2TB upgrade, the Samsung 990 is on sale for under $370 at Amazon.

Espeically useful for gamers, the Samsung SSD comes with 7,250MB per second read and 6,450MB per second sequential speeds.

An in-stock Pokémon expansion Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution — Pitch Black Booster Bundle $54 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

Coming with six booster packs, the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution — Pitch Black Booster Bundle is an optimal way to expand your collection. If you've been considering diving into the Chaos Rising expansion, the Pitch Black booster bundle is a solid path.

Luxury SUVs have built their reputations on comfort. They glide over rough roads, keep road noise to a minimum, and make long journeys feel effortless. The catch is that buying one often means paying luxury-car maintenance bills once the warranty runs out.

A bunch of researchers let AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic loose in a testing environment, and the results were a little spooky.

The United Kingdom's AI Security Institute released a report (via Engadget) detailing some incidents in which the models actually acted outside their testing parameters and hacked into external organizations in late July. In one incident, an AI agent attempted to insert malevolent code into a GitHub project using social engineering tactics. The AI looked into the project's owners and generated fake accounts with which it tried to get the code approved. Once denied, it created a new identity for itself to try again.

That's not all. The researchers say the AI models also contacted real people with what were essentially phishing attempts, with files asking the recipient to run evil code. Interestingly, the AISI said it did not explicitly tell the agents to be deceitful to humans; rather, the AI decided to take these extreme measures when they had difficulties accomplishing certain tasks. However, the organization stressed that there is no evidence that agents would ever act this way outside of a testing environment at this time.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI takes Apple lawsuit to court of public opinion, posts texts

Anthropic, for its part, shared a post on X thanking the institute for its efforts, while also defending its technology.

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"The prompts in the evaluation did not impose any specific restrictions on how the internet should be used. This and the removal of safeguards meant that the models were tested under 'deliberately permissive conditions' that are not representative of any of our production models. Note that there was no evidence here of an escape from a secure environment."

Recently, both OpenAI and Anthropic have reported instances in which new models did escape secure environments during testing. In a particularly notable incident, an unreleased OpenAI model hacked the Hugging Face repository.

While the behavior exhibited by the models is definitely concerning, all of these incidents have one thing in common: They were part of hacking tests, in which the models were prompted to act outside their usual safeguards, ultimately turning to tried-and-true hacking methods pioneered by — who else? — humans. These sorts of social engineering hacking strategies are things humans do all the time, so maybe we could stand to look in the mirror for a minute here.

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

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.

If you just picked up your first budget TV, you might have noticed it probably doesn't look great the first time you turn it on. I had a similar problem with a budget TV I purchased a while ago (it was a small Hitachi and absolutely a budget model). But I found a few settings that improved the image, which I've used across several TVs since then.

Google is about to announce new Android flagship phones. And if you'd like to know what they're launching ahead of time, we've gathered all of our reporting on the upcoming phone into one place. With one week left before the Made By Google launch event on Aug. 12, new Pixel 11 Pro leaks are coming in fast.

This year, as with last year, we expect four new phones:

• Pixel 11

• Pixel 11 Pro

• Pixel 11 Pro XL

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Let's focus on the Pixel 11 Pro for now, as it's going to be the more premium model. What does Google have up its sleeve this year with the Pro-grade Pixel phone?

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Release date, price, and that Amazon leak

As previously stated, Google is going to officially unveil all of these phones at an event in New York City on Aug. 12. Mashable will be attending the launch event — Jimmy Fallon hosted last year's event, you may remember — and we'll be reporting live. Presumably, as with past years, the phones will be on store shelves and in customers' hands just a couple of weeks afterward.

Thanks to RAMageddon, everyone is bracing for price increases with every major tech product, and rightfully so. Google has not yet told us the prices of these phones, but a recent and fairly extensive Amazon leak that seemed legitimate enough pointed to a $1,099 starting price for the Pixel 11 Pro. That would be a $100 price increase over the Pixel 10 Pro. Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro XL (the XL model is usually basically the same phone, but bigger) is said to start at $1,299, another $100 price hike year-over-year.

Android Headlines also leaked what it claims are the full specs and price points for the Pixel 11 series. That report corroborates the $1,099 price for the Pixel 11 Pro and the $1,299 price for the Pro XL.

Speaking of that Amazon leak: 9to5Google spotted draft Amazon listings for the Pixel 11 lineup, revealing a lot of early details:

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

The listings could include placeholder information, but the overall gist looks legit.

What is Pixel Glow HiLight?

We don't expect any massive design changes this year. Google has helped keep expectations low by actually posting a short video that shows the phone, weeks before the Aug. 12 event.

One thing that stood out, however, is the presence of a small, colored light in the camera bar that wasn't there on the Pixel 10 Pro. This is rumored to be part of a new "Pixel Glow" system that will use colored lights to convey basic phone notifications while the Pixel is lying down on its face. If you want to know that someone texted you even though you're focusing on something else and would rather not look at the screen, that's what this is for.

Recently, 9to5Google reported that this glow indicator will actually be called "HiLight." The rainbow-hued LED panel features prominently in teasers so far, and we'll have all the details soon.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Design and colors

Ultimately, the short teaser video doesn't show much, but it does reveal one more fact: The Pixel 11 Pro's basic design hasn't changed much from last year. It still has a horizontal, oval-shaped camera bar on the back, and is still otherwise a normal-looking smartphone.

As for colors, leaks suggest the options this year will be:

• Olive

• Obsidian

• Canyon

• Fog

Those don't sound like the most vibrant colors in the world, but that sort of thing has become par for the course for "Pro" smartphones in recent years. If the Amazon leak spotted by 9to5Google proves true, the Pixel 11 will have more interesting color options, at least.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Rumored specs

Based on the Amazon listings, the Android Headlines report, and another leak on Telegram from an account called MysticLeaks, here is the best data we have about the Pixel 11 Pro's specs prior to the unveiling:

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2856x1280 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• 3,600 nits peak brightness

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB storage

• 1TB storage on Pixel 11 Pro XL

• 4,850mAh battery

The only real differences between the regular Pro and the XL, as far as leaks are concerned, are the display and battery size. Those same sources suggest a 6.9-inch display and a 5,115mAh battery on the XL, but everything else should be the same. That's how Google has done it in the past, too.

Believe it or not, those specs actually contain at least one notable downgrade from the Pixel 10 Pro. Previously, Pixel Pro devices only came with 16GB RAM. So if Google is offering a 12GB variant, that would be a somewhat significant change. It's possible and perhaps even likely that the 12GB models will be tied to lower amounts of storage.

If you want 16GB of RAM, you may need to shell out for a 512GB or 1TB model (only available on Pro XL) this year.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: What about the cameras?

Last but not least, the Pixel Pro phones always have better camera specs than the base models. It's one of the main reasons to get the Pro, even though Google did start including a telephoto lens on the base model recently.

Last year, the Pixel 10 Pro had a 50MP main lens, with matching 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. According to Android Headlines, the megapixel counts this year are the same. However, lately we've heard rumors of a new 120x digital zoom feature, but that remains unconfirmed.

Speaking of downgrades, though, the big Amazon leak suggested the Pixel 10 Pro will have a 13MP selfie camera, while the Android Headlines report claims 42MP. After the 48MP front camera on the Pixel 10 Pro, that would be an unpleasant surprise. We'll see if that actually pans out, or if these leaks are wrong.

Mashable will be reporting live from the Made By Google event on Aug. 12. So check back then for all confirmed Pixel 11 Pro details and news.

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SAVE $119: As of Aug. 5, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo is on sale at Amazon for $299.99. That's nearly 30% off its usual $419 price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo $299.99 at Amazon
$419 Save $119.01   Get Deal

Members of the Roomba fan club who want to upgrade their robot vacuum should check out this deal on the Roomba Plus 405 Combo. While the FCC's robot vacuum ban in the U.S. doesn't revoke authorization for previously approved devices, it may result in low stock and, therefore, higher prices. In other words, save those dollars while you can.

As of Aug. 5, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo is on sale at Amazon for only $299.99, down from $419. That's a savings of 28% or $119. That also matches the lowest price we've seen on this model.

While Mashable's resident robot vacuum tester Leah Stodart is not a huge fan of iRobot's devices, she has tested and approves of the Roomba Plus 405 Combo. It's a mid-range robot vacuum mop combo, which means it can vacuum your home, mop your floors, then wash and dry its own mopping pads. It lacks small obstacle avoidance tech, which is a bummer, but it does offer consistently solid smart mapping, fantastic edge cleaning from dual spinning mopping pads, and a docking station that continuously refreshes your mopping pads for four weeks and auto-empties debris for 75 days. We wouldn't recommend it if you have a ton of small toys and cables laying around, but for everyone else, the lack of small obstacle avoidance shouldn't be a huge dealbreaker.

There are plenty of robot vacuum mop combo devices on the market in 2026, but finding a model for under $300 that'll actually get the job done isn't easy. At only $299.99, the Roomba Plus 405 Combo is kind of a steal.

Being able to control your smart home with your voice can be very useful in the right circumstances. If you're a Home Assistant user, you can buy ready-made smart speakers or build your own. However, if you have an Android phone, there's also another option.

While it may still be hot and steamy outside, the crisp autumn breeze isn't too far away. That means Over the Garden Wall season is creeping up on us.

It's been a dozen years since the beloved Cartoon Network miniseries from Patrick McHale made its debut, but every spooky season, we make our return to The Unknown like clockwork. And it seems we're not alone, as Funko has decided it's the perfect time to unveil its brand new line of adorable Pop! figures inspired by fan favorites from Over the Garden Wall. Mashable has the exclusive first look at the brand's first-ever batch of these curious characters.

Let's take a look at the "transformative, dark elements of the fall season come to life" in the five-figure Over The Garden Wall Funko Pop! Animation collection.

Half-brothers Wirt and Gregory The Wirt figurine features his signature hat and cloak, as well as Beatrice the bluebird. Credit: Funko Greg's adorable figurine can be seen with his tea-kettle hat, carrying his frog and a rock (of course). Credit: Funko

First up in the collection, of course, is Over The Garden Wall's lead duo: Wirt and his little half-brother Gregory. The Wirt figurine stands around 5.2 inches tall, and he wears his navy blue cloak and signature Pilgrim's hat. Perched on his left hand, of course, is Beatrice the no-nonsense bluebird.

As for plump young Gregory, he stands just 4.6 inches tall and is depicted in his tea-kettle hat with a brown satchel. In his left hand, you'll find his beloved frog of many names; in his right, you'll find a rock (of course).

The Woodsman Credit: Funko

Much cuter than the actual character, The Woodsman Funko Pop! figure stands just 5.4 inches tall and captures his serious and reserved nature. He wears a gray hat and trench coat and wields an axe in his right hand for chopping down Edelwood trees. In his left hand, he holds the Dark Lantern.

A glow-in-the-dark Beast with two variants Left: The miniature figurine of The Beast is much cuter than the real thing. Credit: Funko Right: Its bright blue eyes glow in the dark. Credit: Funko Left: There’s a 1 in 6 chance that you may find the chase variant instead of the usual dark variant. Credit: Funko Right: Like the dark figure, the chase variant also glows in the dark. Credit: Funko

The mysterious Beast, aka He Who Haunts the Woods, is a shadowy, tree-like monster who haunts The Unknown. So, naturally, he's a little spooky — even in adorable Funko Pop! form. It comes in two variants: the typical dark, silhouette figurine and the chase variant. Chase variants will be shipped at random, but there's about a one in six chance you'll receive one. Both variants stand 5.4 inches tall and feature white eyes that glow bright blue in the dark.

The pumpkin-headed Enoch Credit: Funko

Perhaps the most adorable of the bunch, the pumpkin-headed Enoch Pop! figurine stands 5.5 inches tall and features a round smile and green ribbon-clad body. He's undoubtedly the perfect addition to your Halloween decor this coming spooky season.

Few animated projects balance whimsy with a menacing darkness quite like Over the Garden Wall. And Funko's new collection does an excellent job of depicting those paradoxical traits. Of course, in true Funko Pop! nature, the figurines are much cuter than their corresponding animated characters. Each of the five figurines, including the special Beast variant, retails for $14.99 a pop.

Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Shop the entire 'Over the Garden Wall' Funko Pop! collection   Shop Now

FREE PASTRY: PB Rewards members can get a free pastry with the purchase of any campfire-inspired menu item on Monday, Aug. 10.

Call me basic, call me indulgent, but I love Paris Baguette — I used to go to the Dumbo location all the time to get the baked potato soup and a Dreamsicle treat, and I have zero regrets. If you're lucky enough to live near a location right now, they've got a fun little deal coming up that will get you a free pastry.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks is bringing back the Unicorn Frappuccino (but only for one weekend)

On National S'mores Day (Monday, Aug. 10), Paris Baguette is giving PB Rewards members a free pastry with the purchase of any s'mores menu item. It's free to join, but I fear you will have to download the app (I know, another app) to get the full experience.

The seasonal menu includes a marshmallow-filled S'mores Supreme Croissant, a chocolate-drizzled S'mores Belgian Waffle, and a S'mores Chocolate Marshmallow Layer Cake. If you'd rather drink your dessert, they also have a rich Iced S'mores Latte and a frozen S'mores Frappe.

Just be sure to download the app and sign up before you order on Monday so you can get your free pastry.