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Not everyone is a flavored lube person (I have to be in the mood myself, like once a year maybe), but if you are, there's a brand-new flavor on the market that's giving major George Costanza vibes. (Seriously, go watch the "Pastrami" scene from Seinfeld and you'll see what I'm talking about).

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

Earlier this month, LubeLife released a limited-edition Pickle Flavored Lubricant for $12.99. It’s a water-based, sugar-free formula that swaps out the usual fake-strawberry sweetness for a tangy, savory dill profile. (Remember the Good Head Numbing Strawberry Throat Spray at Spencers? This is the exact opposite of that.)

They sent me a mailer (with a very on-theme pickle vibrator) before it launched, and if I'm being honest, when I opened it, I felt like I was sniffing some kind of sandwich dressing. The scent is straight, unfiltered vinegar. I give them props for authenticity, but I couldn't imagine going down on someone with this in my mouth. I'd probably choke, but to each their own. (I'm not here to ick someone's yum!)

If you have a strong stomach and want to add a savory twist to your bedroom routine, LubeLife's Pickle Flavored Lubricant is water-based, non-sticky, and condom-compatible.

LubeLife Pickle Flavored Lubricant $12.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon

While most households are still going to be fine with Gigabit Ethernet, as broadband speeds climb and local devices start needing more LAN performance, it's clear the time for faster wired networking in your home is coming sooner rather than later.

Best Apple Deals this week, at a glance Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max chip, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,999 (Save $400) Get Deal Best iPad Deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 512GB, WiFi+Cellular) $749 (Save $300) Get Deal Best AirPods Deal Apple AirPods Max $429 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal

With price increases in place at Apple, we're hyper-focused on finding the very best deals from the brand. Since we're in between sale events, still months away from the next Prime Day and Black Friday, we're looking for any opportunity to save.

This week, we patrolled for the best deals, and surprisingly, Best Buy had a real bounty compared to Amazon. While there are still a few gems at Amazon, the real showstoppers are at Best Buy where current and previous generation models are on sale, savings you hundreds of dollars.

So if you're looking for the best price in the sea of price increases, here are the best Apple deals as of July 13.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max chip, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,999 at Best Buy
$3,399 Save $400   Get Deal

There are a ton of MacBooks on sale at Best Buy right now, particularly on MacBook Pro models. Unfortunately, we didn't find any savings on the affordable MacBook Neo and Air laptops, however, we did find a great deal on an M4 MacBook Pro.

Right now, grab a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip for $400 off. That brings it down to $2,999 from its $3,399 list price. This model has a ton of power, too, with 36GB RAM and 1TB SSD, making it a prime laptop for both gamers and creatives.

More MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro chip, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max chip, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $4,499 $4,999 (save $500)

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 512GB, WiFi+Cellular) $749 at Best Buy
$1,049 Save $300   Get Deal

An iPad is a travel essential when you need a source of entertainment on the go. Unfortunately, iPads also got a price hike along with most Apple products, so if you're look to get more for your money, turn to Best Buys deals.

Right now, you can get the previous iPad Air generation that comes with an M3 chip for a discounted price. The 11-inch iPad comes with 512GB of storage and even has cellular capabilities, but it comes unlocked so you can take it to the mobile carrier of your choice. Usually $1,049, it's now $300 off, bringing it down to just $749.

More iPad deals

• Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $427 $449 (save $22)

• Apple iPad Air (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi+Cellular) —$499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) with Logitech keyboard — $648.99 $798.99 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $709 $749 (save $40)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 256GB, WiFi) — $849 $899 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 1TB, WiFi+Cellular) — $1,049 $1,449 (save $400)

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $429 at Best Buy
$549 Save $120   Get Deal

With the AirPods Max 2 here, the previous generation is still available and even more heavily discounted. Right now, grab the Apple AirPods Max for just $429, saving you $120. Apple's over-the-ear headphones have easy connectivity to iOS devices with noise-cancellation to block out your surroundings and spend more time focusing on music. There are few differences between the AirPods Max and the second generation, so you're not missing much between generations, especially if you want to prioritize savings.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 without ANC — $99 $129 (save $30) 23%

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $148.99 $179 (save $30.01) 17%

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50) 20%

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $497 $549 (save $52)

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal

With all the price increases, it's refreshing to see a product maintaining its price. The Apple Watch Series 11 still has a list price of $399, but luckily, it's down to $299. That saves you $100 for 20% off. Admittedly, this isn't the smartwatches lowest price ever—that would be $279, which it dipped down to during Prime Day. However, $299 is still a great value, especially as we're in between big shopping events.

More Apple Watch deals

• Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) — $219 $249 (save $30)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)

iPhone deals

• Apple iPhone 16e (128GB, Unlocked) — $539.99 $599.99 (save $60)

• Apple iPhone Air (256GB, Unlocked) — $949.99 $999.99 (save $50)

Apple Accessory deals

• Apple MagSage Charger — $39.99 $49 (save $9.01)

• Apple Pencil USB-C — $71 $79 (save $8)

• Apple Pencil Pro — $99 $129 (save $30)

The wait is finally over: The winning couple of Love Island USA Season 8 has been revealed, and it's a pair that fans have been rooting for.

SEE ALSO: ‘Love Island USA’ reveals the final four couples competing for first place

Season 8, Episode 35 marked the season finale of Love Island USA, with the four remaining couples (Melanie and Sincere, Kayda and Zach, Aniya and Carl, and Trinity and Bryce) each enjoying a romantic date before finding out which duo would be going home with the $100,000 grand prize. The couples had a chance to reflect upon their relationships throughout Season 8, including their first meetings, their ups and downs, and their futures outside of the villa. 

Before the reveal, the Islanders also enjoyed special shoutouts from celebrities Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Alex Warren, Ciara, Jordin Sparks, Sombr, Kesha, Druski, and Kehlani, filled with plenty of french fry references to tie everything together.

Trinity and Bryce for the win

Finally, host Ariana Madix joined the Islanders to reveal the winners of this season: none other than Trinity and Bryce, also known as "Brinity" in the Love Island fandom.

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Despite having mixed opinions about the final four couples, fans seemed to be pleased that Brinity was the winning couple, with many X users saying that the pair deserved the win after their connection stood the test of challenges, dozens of bombshells, and a few days spent away from each other during Casa Amor.

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As one of the few pairs who were coupled up in Episode 1 and chose to stay loyal during a recoupling, the two had one of the longest journeys together in the villa. They said "I love you" to each other for the first time on their final date, a candlelit dinner followed by a Fijian fire dance performance, and fans were here for all of it.

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America voted for the villa's 'Princess and Prince' Aniya and Carl in second place, Melanie and Sincere in third, and Kayda and Zach in fourth place for favorite couple.

Melanie and Sincere enjoyed massages and made brick oven pizzas during their final date, while Kayda and Zach were taken on a boat ride to an outdoor luncheon (about which Reddit had thoughts). (Viewers also were reminded, during finale conversations and a memory reel, of 'Paradise Cove,' where Kayda took Zach and Bryce early in the season, leading to a spike in search interest in the term this week.)

Aniya and Carl's dinner date, in a secluded wood surrounded by flowers, candles and string lights, was a fan favorite. Production gave them a fairytale-inspired book commemorating their journey together in the villa, from their first meeting in Casa Amor to Aniya's heartbreak and Aniya and Carl's much-celebrated reunion.

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Many viewers also celebrated this season finale's Black representation. For the first time in Love Island history, all four women in the final couples were Black. 

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There was one aspect of the finale that did give viewers pause: Unlike other Love Island season finales, the winners were not given a choice between splitting the $100,000 prize evenly, or having one person keep the entire $100,000 to themselves; they were simply awarded the prize together, to be split evenly. Some viewers felt that it left out the final test of loyalty for the couple.

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We're excited to see what the future has in store for Trinity, Bryce, Aniya, Carl, Melanie, Sincere, Kayda, Zach, and all the other Islanders of Love Island USA Season 8. As for Brinity, the future is looking pretty bright, with Bryce saying that he's going to teach Trinity how to surf in Los Angeles (and possibly get her in a wetsuit). 

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How to watch 'Love Island' Season 8 reunion

While we won't be seeing the Season 8 Islanders of Love Island USA on our TV screens every day for now, we can expect to see them together one more time during the Season 8 reunion episode — which is scheduled to air 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT Monday, August 31 on Peacock. You can sign up here to watch.

Job losses spurred by the AI boom are growing, and a group of economists is now sounding the alarm that it's going to get worse.

A new group called We Must Act Now released an open letter on Monday, warning about "AI's transformation of the economy." The open letter is signed by more than 200 economists, and signees currently include sixteen Nobel Laureates, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and the chief economists of both OpenAI and Anthropic.

The open letter urges tech leaders and policymakers to take urgent action and address the impacts AI will have on the economy now and in the future.

"AI may become radically more powerful over the next 10 years," reads the first bullet point of the open letter.

"This could drive an unprecedented transformation of our economy, larger than the Industrial Revolution, but unfolding over a vastly shorter time frame," the open letter continues. "It could bring risks, including large-scale job displacement, as well as opportunities such as major gains in living standards."

We Must Act Now's statement concludes with a call to action for leaders of both government bodies and the tech industry.

"Economists, policymakers and technology leaders must act now to understand the economics of transformative AI and to build the incentives, guardrails, and institutions needed to steer AI in a direction that complements humans and benefits society," reads the letter.

A report released at the end of last year found that there were 50,000 jobs lost due to AI in 2025, and this year, Amazon, Atlassian, Block, Fiverr, Meta, Pinterest, and Snap have all announced layoffs related to AI. As the technology develops, AI-related job cuts are likely to accelerate, too. A survey from May 2026 found that 99 percent of executives among the 12,000 respondents said that they expected AI "to lead to at least some headcount reduction in the next two years."

Some politicians are already working on the problem. California Governor Gavin Newsom took action shortly after Meta laid off 8,000 employees, citing its AI push. Last month, Newsom shared that the state will be tracking AI job losses and revealed California's AI-Unemployment Tracker.

However, the economists who signed on to the We Must Act Now letter would clearly like to see more.

“AI capabilities are advancing far faster than our understanding of the economic implications," said economist Erik Brynjolfsson, who organized the group alongside economists Ajay Agrawal, Tom Cunningham, and Anton Korinek. "In that gap lie the greatest opportunities of our era. We must act now to guide AI to complement humans rather than simply imitate them — and to generate prosperity for the many, not just the few."

Still on the fence about whether Ormund Hightower (James Norton) is a good guy or a bad guy in House of the Dragon?

Season 3, episode 4 director Claire Kilner is here to convince you it's very much the latter. In HBO's "Inside the Episode" clip above, Kilner describes Hightower's relationship with Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as "abusive".

"Daeron and Ormund's relationship is really dysfunctional and horrible to watch, but brilliant and fun to direct," Kilner says. "Because it's a really abusive relationship. Daeron has only known the love that he's known from Ormund that isn't love at all. Daeron is in Ormund's thrall, but doesn't really understand it or know it, and Ormund is a great manipulator and knows when to give love and when to give punishment. He's an evil man."

That doesn't bode well for what the Hightower Lord has planned for the rest of Season 3.

SAVE 38%: As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings.

Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Eufy

If you're looking for a robo-vac-mop combo that gets the job done without costing you an arm and a leg, you need to check out the Eufy C28. Mashable's Senior Shopping Reporter, Leah Stodart, says it's the most affordable roller mop on the market, and right now it's even cheaper.

SEE ALSO: The new Eufy C28 is the most budget-friendly roller mop robot vacuum. I tried it against the top 2 in its class.

As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings. This isn't the lowest price we've seen for this hybrid robo vac, but it's damn near close. According to CamelCamelCamel, it was $449.99 on June 23.

This combo unit features an 11-inch HydroJet roller brush that spins nine times per second while 24 water ports constantly douse it with fresh water, and a built-in scraper squeegees the gross wastewater into a separate tank, so you're never cleaning with dirty water. For carpets, its 15,000 Pa suction power is strong enough to lift stubborn pet debris like catnip and crumbs (Leah really put it through its paces!), and it features an anti-tangle rubber brush roll that can handle strands up to 30 cm long.

"The Eufy C28 gets bonus points for its slow, deliberate vacuuming when spot cleaning the tricky area where a rug changes to hardwood — its crumb pickup around rug edges has actually been more reliable than premium Roborock and Dreame models," she writes.

The base is also super hands-off. It handles about 95 percent of the maintenance for you — it automatically dumps the dustbin, washes the roller, and dries it with hot air so a sour smell doesn't rot in the corner of your room.

The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have dominated the compact SUV segment for years. They've earned their reputations through strong reliability, impressive resale values, and the kind of everyday practicality that keeps them at the top of buyers' shopping lists.

SAVE $192.45: The Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti FridgePower portable power station $806.55 at Bluetti
$999 Save $192.45 enter code MASHABLE5OFF at checkout Get Deal

Not that a power outage is ever espeically convenient, but there are some times when it's much more worrying. Somehow, the storm patterns know when we've just done a giant grocery-store haul, and sends a giant storm right after that threatens to knock out power. Instead of worrying, consider this upgrade.

As of July 13, the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount that takes $192.45 off the price.

We have tons of options when it comes to portable power stations. Some are excellent for camping, like the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2, while others are designed for larger power backup. But if your number one concern is keeping the refrigerator cooling, the Bluetti FridgePower is your model.

SEE ALSO: Survive RAMageddon with the best microSD, SSD, and hard drive deals this week

The FridgePower comes with 2,016Wh of battery capacity. Depending on how much energy your fridge uses, it'll keep it online for at least 20 hours, according to Bluetti. It can handle a surge of up to 3,600W and it's especially thin, measuring under three inches thick.

Place the Bluetti FridgePower on top of your fridge or mount it to the wall next to your fridge, and you'll have plenty of backup power for the next outage. You'll plug your refrigerator into the FridgePower and the power station into the wall. If grid power cuts out, the Bluetti automatically takes over.

Before the Mashable exclusive code expires, snag the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station on sale at Bluetti for $806.55. Be sure to use code MASHABLE5OFF at checkout to get the best price.

SAVE UP TO $65: It's your last chance to get 40% off any annual HBO Max subscription. Through July 15, new and returning subscribers can knock the cost of the HBO Max Basic tier (with ads) down from $109.99 to $78.99, the Standard (no ads) tier down from $184.99 to $132.99, and the Premium tier (no ads + 4K) down from $229.99 to $164.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max 40% off all annual subscriptions Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max (Prime Video add-on) 40% off all annual subscriptions Get Deal

HBO Max really surprised me during Prime Day last month with the best streaming deal of the year (so far). If you haven't locked in your discount yet, you still have a couple more days to do so before it disappears.

New and returning subscribers can score all annual HBO Max subscriptions for 40% off through July 15. And yes, that includes ad-free tiers. Typically HBO Max annual subscriptions cost $109.99 for the Basic with ads tier, $184.99 for Standard (no ads), and $229.99 for Premium (no ads + 4K). With this limited time discount, however, those costs drop to just $78.99, $132.99, or $164.99, respectively.

That means the ad-free Standard tier (the mid-tier option) is only $11 per month if you break it down — the same price as the Basic tier with ads costs on a regular day.

You can sign up through HBO Max directly or through Prime Video if you're a Prime member. Opting for the Prime Video add-on means you'll be billed directly through your Amazon account and the HBO Max catalog will live within your Prime Video library. After you choose your tier on Prime Video, the landing page will let you select the annual plan instead for 40% off.

Despite the impending HBO Max and Paramount+ merger situation, Paramount CEO David Ellison says HBO Max will continue to operate with independence. But that doesn't mean pricing won't change. This deal ensures you lock in a full year of streaming at an ultra low cost, regardless of any price hikes that hit in the next 12 months.

Just remember to sign up ASAP, as the deal is fleeting.

Last week's list of new streaming movies included a tearful Oscar winner, a Stephen King adaptation, and a twisted crime thriller. As for this week, my top selection is one of the most-talked-about movies of 2026, which finally makes its streaming debut. I have a feeling this horror movie could set viewership records for Peacock.

A power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery FridgeGuard $549.99 at Costco
$699.99 Save $150   Shop Now The Jackery FridgeGuard specs

Jackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.

A shockingly thin design. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.

Connect two together for up to 30 hours of cooling time. Credit: Jackery

Once you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.

Simply plug the FridgeGuard into the wall and the fridge into the Jackery, and you're set. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.

• Capacity: 1,024Wh

• Output: 800W, peak 1600W

• UPS: 10 milliseconds

• Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches

• Weight: 23 pounds

• Warranty: 5 years

• Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)

How to buy the Jackery FridgeGuard

For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $549.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.

A power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery FridgeGuard $549.99 at Costco
$699.99 Save $150   Shop Now The Jackery FridgeGuard specs

Jackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.

A shockingly thin design. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.

Connect two together for up to 30 hours of cooling time. Credit: Jackery

Once you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.

Simply plug the FridgeGuard into the wall and the fridge into the Jackery, and you're set. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.

• Capacity: 1,024Wh

• Output: 800W, peak 1600W

• UPS: 10 milliseconds

• Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches

• Weight: 23 pounds

• Warranty: 5 years

• Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)

How to buy the Jackery FridgeGuard

For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $549.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.

Tom Cruise has taken a break from driving motorcycles off cliffs and piloting fighter jets to post on TikTok.

The actor's account, @tomcruise, first went live in March of 2021, after a series of Cruise deepfakes by Belgian VFX special Chris Ume went viral. Since then, he's racked up 1.8 million followers, but he has yet to actually post anything until now.

Since Sunday, Cruise has posted three TikToks. But if you're looking for a Cruise GRWM or a dance tutorial for his sick Tropic Thunder moves, you're out of luck. For now, Cruise's account is strictly promotional, with all three TikToks highlighting the trailer for Cruise's upcoming film Digger.

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (The Revenant, Birdman), Digger is a satirical dark comedy about the world's most powerful man, Digger Rockwell (Cruise, unrecognizable under tons of prosthetics). He's on a mission to save humanity from the very disaster he's unleashed. Based on the trailer, that disaster involves climate catastrophe, with a side of nuclear war.

Film pundits are already heralding Digger as Cruise's best shot at an Oscar in decades. His last nomination came in 2000, for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, although he did receive an Academy Honorary Award in 2026. Iñárritu did prove to be the lucky charm for Leonardo DiCaprio, who won his first (and so far only) Academy Award for his role in The Revenant, so perhaps Cruise is hoping for a similar route to Oscar gold.

Apparently, that route also involves getting the word out about Digger on TikTok, so be prepared for a more social media-forward press blitz from Cruise in the months to come.

Digger hits theaters Oct. 2.

MAKE FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS: AT&T customers can make free international calls on remaining World Cup match games to the countries playing that day. Make calls on July 14, 15, 18, and 19 to playing countries between midnight and 11:59 p.m. at no cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: AT&T Free international calls to countries playing World Cup matches   Learn More

The World Cup has been excellent this year. We've all falling in love with a Norwegian Viking, got teary as the British crowd sang "Hey Jude" to Bellingham, and we all now know where Cabo Verde is on a map. The 2026 World Cup has made the globe feel smaller, and if you're an AT&T customer, you have even more opportunity to connect.

On remaining World Cup match days, AT&T is offering customers the ability to make free internationals calls to the countries playing that day, anytime between midnight and 11:59 p.m. on match day. That looks like the following schedule:

• July 14: Make free calls to Spain and France

• July 15: Make free calls to England and Argentina

• Jul8 18: Make free calls to countries playing in the third-place match

• July 19: Make free calls to countries playing in the final match

You don't need to enter any kind of promo code to get the free calls. Simply make calls to the eligible countries and your bill won't reflect any additional charges. The only requirement is being an existing AT&T Mobility postpaid voice customer. Calls must originate in the U.S.

This deal is on top of A&T's support of those lucky enough to be attending a match this summer. Turbo Live by AT&T is available at select venues and gives fans a VIP connection to support live streaming, social posts, or getting important texts out immediately.

If you're an AT&T customer, be sure to take advantage of this free international calls deal on remaining World Cup match days.

Nextcloud's reputation as a Dropbox alternative is so persistent that many homelab guides never get past file sync. That's a shame, because file storage is probably the least interesting thing it does. Nextcloud can replace most of the stack you get in a homelab, and it's worth trying out if you've never considered it.

How Rust, Lean, Aeneas, and AI agents are helping scale formal verification for production cryptographic algorithms At a glance

• SymCrypt develops new verified cryptography using Rust, Aeneas, and Lean to provide higher security assurance.
• We prove that their code safely and correctly implements standard algorithms, notably for post-quantum cryptography.
• We are releasing verified code, specs, properties, and proofs initially for SHA-3 and ML-KEM. 
• Aeneas allows verifying a large subset of Rust code and provides efficient automation in Lean to support the proof effort.
• Agents allow scaling automation by writing proofs that are independently-verifiable.

Introduction and motivation for formal verification

Cryptographic code sits at the foundation of modern computing. It protects operating systems, cloud services, firmware, messaging systems, and the protocols that connect them. Small mistakes can have outsized consequences: a single arithmetic slip, missing bounds check, or incorrect state transition can undermine the security of an otherwise sound design.

Testing and auditing remain essential, but they are not enough on their own. Cryptographic implementations are often optimized, constant-time, architecture-specific, and deliberately low level. The code that ships rarely looks like the clean algorithm in a standard: it contains reductions, bit manipulations, SIMD intrinsics, carefully shaped loops, and portability layers for many environments.

Formal verification addresses this gap by deploying machine-checked proofs instead of relying on testing alone. Rather than merely checking that the code usually behaves correctly, verification implements a precise mathematical specification for all inputs that satisfy the stated preconditions.

In June last year, Microsoft announced we would formally verify new algorithms written in Rust in SymCrypt, the cryptographic provider used across products and services including Windows and Azure. New cryptographic implementations are being written in safe Rust, then verified in the Lean (opens in new tab) formal proof framework using the Aeneas (opens in new tab) toolchain. This applies in particular to post-quantum cryptography, which require fast secure implementations of complex algorithms. This combination gives us two layers of assurance: Rust rules out broad classes of memory-safety bugs, while Lean proofs establish functional correctness against formal specifications derived from standards.

The result is a new verification methodology for production cryptography: verify code as developers write it, preserve performance-oriented implementation choices, and make the proof process scalable enough to keep up with an evolving codebase.

Figure 1. Agents (stochastic, in blue) and tools (algorithmic, in green) for software verification. Human effort focuses on reviewing formalization of standards and main properties. Agents write proofs and intermediate properties. Compilation, code extraction, and proof verification are deterministic, not agentic. Status of verification in SymCrypt

We have open sourced a SymCrypt branch (opens in new tab) that includes formal specifications and proofs. This public branch makes the proof artifacts available alongside the Rust algorithm implementations they validate, showing how the methodology applies to production cryptographic code. SymCrypt is not a standalone research prototype; it is Microsoft’s open-source cryptographic library used across products and services including Windows and Azure Linux.

This first release includes complete proofs for the Rust ML-KEM and SHA3 code that is being used in insiders builds of Windows today. SymCrypt is extending the same Rust, Lean, and Aeneas-based workflow to more Rust-native algorithms and integrating them into production versions for Windows and Linux, including for instance verified Rust code for, e.g., AES-GCM, FrodoKEM, and ML-DSA. The rest of this post uses this SymCrypt work as a concrete example, starting with how public standards become executable Lean specifications.

Turning standards into formal Lean specifications

The first step is to formalize what the algorithm is supposed to do. For cryptographic primitives, the source of truth is usually a public standard: a NIST specification, an IETF RFC, or another carefully reviewed algorithm description.

In our approach, the Lean specification is designed to stay close to the standard. When the standard describes a loop, an array update, or a mathematical operation, the Lean model follows the same structure wherever possible. This syntactic proximity matters: it makes the formal specification easier to audit because reviewers can compare the standard and the Lean side by side.

Lean also lets us write executable specifications. That means we can run the formal model against official test vectors to catch transcription errors, off-by-one mistakes, or misunderstandings of the standard. For algorithms such as ML-KEM, we can go further and prove high-level mathematical properties, such as showing that the formal model of the number-theoretic transform corresponds to the intended operation over the relevant polynomial ring.

A representative example is the number-theoretic transform (NTT) from ML-KEM. The standard describes the algorithm as an in-place transformation over 256 coefficients modulo q, with three nested loops that update pairs of coefficients using successive powers of the constant ζ (= 17).

Here is a direct translation of the NIST standard in Lean, trying to stick as close as possible to the original syntax:

The Lean version deliberately mirrors the structure of the standard: the same loop nest, the same zeta selection, and the same coefficient updates, allowing easy line-by-line human review. At the same time, it is executable and uses mathematical types, so it can be tested against known vectors and connected to higher-level theorems about the NTT’s algebraic meaning. In summary, the Lean specification is a concise, executable, mathematically meaningful model that tracks the standard closely enough to be reviewed by cryptographers and proof engineers alike.

Connecting the formal specification to the code

Once the specification is formalized, the next challenge is to connect it to the implementation. We do not ask developers to rewrite production cryptographic code in a verification-oriented language, nor do we generate code that product teams must then own. Instead, we verify the Rust code that engineers write, exactly as they write it.

Aeneas makes this possible by translating Rust’s mid-level representation into a pure Lean model. Rust’s ownership and borrowing discipline are crucial here. They let Aeneas safely eliminate much of the reasoning about pointer aliasing, liveness, and mutation that makes verification of C-style code so expensive.

For example, a Rust function that updates an array in place becomes, in Lean, a function that explicitly takes and returns a functional array. Mutable borrows are translated into value transformations. This preserves the behaviour that matters while presenting proof engineers with a functional model that is far easier to reason about.

Once in Lean, the function can be equipped with a theorem that states that it refines a formal specification. In other words, for every input satisfying the required bounds and well-formedness conditions, the implementation function returns the same mathematical result as the standard-derived Lean specification.

This style keeps responsibilities cleanly separated. Software engineers continue to write idiomatic, performant Rust. Verification engineers work against generated Lean models and prove theorems about them. The Rust code and the proofs live side by side, but the proof burden does not shape the code into something unnatural.

Going back to the NTT example, its Rust implementation is a function fn ntt(&mut [u16; 256]) that uses a mutable borrow to update an array in-place. The Lean translation purifies it into a function ntt : Array U16 256#usize → Result (Array U16 256#usize) that directly outputs the updated array, while wrapping it into a Result type to explicitly capture the fact that Rust functions may panic.

In this case, the theorem states that, if the array satisfies a well-formedness invariant (ensuring it represents a valid polynomial), then running the Rust model ntt returns the well-formed representation of the result of the mathematical specification Spec.ntt, modulo conversion from low-level arrays to high-level polynomials.

Scaling this to every function in real cryptographic code required substantial automation. Lean’s extensibility lets us build a gradient of automation with tactics for symbolic execution, arithmetic, arrays, and bit-vector reasoning. The experience becomes closer to debugging: automation handles the routine proof obligations, while engineers can inspect and refine the proof when a goal does not close automatically.

Supporting intrinsics and multiple architectures

Production cryptography cannot ignore hardware. SymCrypt must run across environments ranging from embedded and kernel contexts to cloud services. It also needs to take advantage of platform-specific instructions when they are available, including SIMD intrinsics and architecture-specific optimized paths.

A verification story that only works for a portable reference implementation is therefore incomplete. We need to verify the code that actually ships: dispatch logic, optimized routines, and target-specific variants included.

The code below is adapted from the ntt_layer  function that is internally used by the NTT. This function is compiled differently for x86-64 and aarch64, allowing dynamic dispatch to target-specific or portable implementations. On x86-64, it checks the availability of SSE2 instructions, while on aarch64 it checks for Neon.

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As rustc’s output is inherently target specific, our toolchain compiles the code several times, one per compilation target for which verification is required, before merging the corresponding models. In effect, this merge operation turns the static dispatch permitted by the cfg attributes in the Rust code into a first layer of dynamic dispatch between x86-64 and aarch64 in the Lean model. Following what the Rust code does, these target specific models then themselves dynamically dispatch to the models of the XMM, Neon, and generic implementations.

Intrinsics require a slightly different treatment. Some low-level wrappers, especially those that manipulate raw pointers or expose platform instructions, are modelled by small, carefully reviewed Lean specifications. Others can be modelled using Rust code, which can be tested against hardware reference documentation, then translated and verified. The surrounding safe Rust code is then verified against those models. This keeps the trusted surface narrow while preserving the performance benefits of hardware acceleration.

The important point is that verification does not require giving up optimization. The methodology is designed to preserve the complexities of production code – including intrinsics, dispatch, and platform-specific implementations – while still proving a single, auditable correctness statement.

Reflecting formal guarantees to the code developer

Formal verification only scales in an engineering organization if developers can understand what has been proved. It is not enough for a proof to exist in a repository; the guarantee must be visible, reviewable, and synchronized to the code that engineers maintain.

To support this, we expose verification results through automatically generated dashboards. These dashboards summarize theorems in developer-facing terms: preconditions, postconditions, covered functions, trusted models, and remaining assumptions. Engineers do not need to open Lean to see what has been verified. For instance, below is the page displayed by the dashboard for our ntt function.

Figure 2. Dashboard page for the theorem that shows the Rust function mlkem.ntt correctly implements the NTT specified in the NIST standard.

The specification clearly presents the theorem statement included in the Lean formal development: it separates the function input and preconditions from the post-condition by putting them above a horizontal line, and use fully qualified names with links to navigate to Rust and Lean definitions.

This feedback loop is especially useful for reviewing assumptions around intrinsics, target-specific code, and boundary conditions. A cryptographic developer can for example check whether the theorem fully captures what they expect their code to guarantee, and notice a formal statement is too weak, or a precondition is wrong.

The dashboards also aligns verification with continuous development. As Rust code changes, Lean models and proofs can be regenerated and replayed. When a proof breaks, that failure becomes a signal: either the implementation changed in a way that needs a proof update, or the change has exposed a real discrepancy with the specification.

This turns formal verification from a one-time research artifact into part of the engineering workflow.

Agentic proofs

The final ingredient is automation beyond traditional tactics: AI agents. Lean is well suited to this because proofs are machine-checked by a small trusted kernel. An agent may propose a proof script, but Lean independently verifies whether the proof is valid.

We use agents in two places. First, they help translate standards into Lean specifications. Because the resulting specification is executable, aligned to the original standard, tested against official vectors, supported by mathematical theorems, and much simpler than an implementation, it can be thoroughly audited even when an agent helped draft it.

Second, agents help write and maintain proofs. With the right libraries, tactics, examples, and documentation, agents can handle large amounts of proof work: unfolding generated models, applying specifications for helper functions, discharging arithmetic obligations, and repairing proofs after refactors.

This is particularly powerful because the Rust code and Lean proofs are separated. Agents do not need to annotate or modify the production Rust implementation to make a proof go through. They operate on the proof side, and the result is accepted only if Lean validates it and the final theorem states the desired guarantee without introducing unreviewed assumptions.

In practice, this changes the economics of verification. Work that previously required months of specialist effort can be accelerated dramatically. The proof engineer’s role shifts from writing every proof by hand to designing specifications, curating automation, reviewing theorem statements, and steering agents to complete their proofs.

Conclusion

Verified cryptography has often faced a difficult trade-off: the strongest guarantees came from specialized toolchains, generated code, and workflows that were hard for product teams to adopt. Rust, Lean, Aeneas, and agentic proof automation let us revisit that tradeoff.

By verifying Rust as written, deriving auditable specifications from standards, supporting optimized multi-architecture implementations, and reflecting proof results back to developers, formal verification can become part of normal cryptographic engineering rather than an after-the-fact research exercise.

That is the long-term promise: cryptographic code that remains fast, portable, maintainable, and developer-owned, while carrying machine-checked evidence that it implements the standards it is meant to realize.

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The post Verifying Rust cryptography in SymCrypt, from standards to code appeared first on Microsoft Research.

Samsung's sequel to the Galaxy Z Trifold could get preempted by a new mobile device with a rollable OLED panel. According to a new report from SamMobile, the company's rumored slideable phone could reach the market before the Galaxy Z TriFold 2, the company's highly anticipated follow-up to last year's tri-folding device.

The company has reportedly continued development on a second-generation TriFold, but a new claim from leaker Lanzuk suggests that phone could face delays. At the same time, Lanzuk claims development of Samsung's first slideable phone has picked up pace, potentially moving its release date earlier than expected.

SEE ALSO: Samsung working on phone with rollable screen, report claims

The slideable device is expected to use a rollable OLED panel from Samsung Display, the company's display manufacturing arm, which has shown off several slideable and rollable screen concepts in recent years, according to SamMobile.

While foldable phones have a hinge that allows a flexible display to bend in the middle, rollable devices have an even more flexible display that can roll into the interior of the device like a scroll.

Earlier reporting had pointed to an early 2028 launch for the rollable, but the new report suggests the device could now arrive as soon as 2027, ahead of the TriFold 2. SamMobile cautioned that such timelines are subject to change, noting that Samsung's plans "could change and products can be delayed or even canceled for a variety of reasons."

Per SamMobile's report, sources within Samsung's supply chain indicate that the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 is being developed with an upgraded hinge designed to make the device thinner and lighter than its 309-gram predecessor by standardizing component thicknesses. However, the leaker says "recent issues such as costs" could be the reason behind pushing back the phone's launch beyond its original timeline.

One of Google's new phones just leaked, but only a little bit.

Leaker Mystic Leaks (per 9to5google) shared a render on Telegram that allegedly shows the back of the new Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The render looks a lot like last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but there are some key differences, including a new Pine colorway. Rumor has it that color will also be available for the new Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL.

Google has already said that it will hold a big announcement event on Aug. 12, where all of the new Pixel phones will presumably be announced. That announcement showed a partial look at a phone in a gold/copper colorway.

SEE ALSO: Google announces the date for the Pixel 11 launch This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

One other noteworthy difference in the render is that the camera bar on the back appears to be substantially downsized from last year.

The camera flash module has also been repositioned to the upper left corner of the camera bar. Some are theorizing that it will be used for a new "Pixel Glow" system, which will use light and color to notify you of important happenings while your phone is lying face-down, and that this system will exist across multiple new Pixel devices.

Interestingly, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't seem to be fully adopting the all-black camera bar that the regular Pixel 11 phones are expected to have, based on renders shared by Android Headlines earlier this year. Mystic Leaks shared a list of alleged specs for all of the phones on Telegram back in May, and little of it is especially surprising. Expect a new Tensor G6 chip to power the devices, alongside the usual camera and battery upgrades we get every year.

We should get confirmation on all of these rumors on Aug. 12.

SAVE $280: As of July 13, the HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop is down to $449.99 at Amazon, dropping from its typical $729.99 price for a 38% discount.

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If you’ve been waiting for a budget-friendly big-screen laptop, this might be the drop to watch. The HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop is now at its lowest price since launching in early 2026, down to $449.99 at Amazon from its typical $729.99 price. That’s a $280 discount, or 38% off for a Windows 11 PC with a roomy 17.3-inch display.

The HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch laptop is aimed at anyone who wants a big screen without spending a fortune. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 processor with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, giving you enough power for browsing, streaming, working in multiple tabs, and handling lighter creative tasks. The Full HD IPS display keeps images sharp with wide viewing angles, so the screen stays clear even when you’re not looking at it straight on.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best battery-life laptops of 2026. This HP OmniBook shocked me.

For entertainment and casual editing, the laptop uses AMD Radeon 610M graphics to handle streaming and visual tasks without feeling sluggish. HP rates it for up to 14 hours and 15 minutes of battery life, and Fast Charge can get it from 0% to 50% in around 45 minutes when you need a quick boost.

The OmniBook 3 also comes with an FHD webcam with HDR that helps balance lighting during calls, plus AI noise reduction that focuses on your voice while cutting down background distractions. You also get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Windows 11 Home, and a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to Microsoft’s AI assistant.

Grab the HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop on Amazon while this deal is still this easy on your wallet.