Blogroll

Despite the ubiquity of iPhones and Android smartphones, some people have tried to resist the pull of the endless scroll by adopting old-school "dumbphones" or modern "minimalist" phones. While it might be fun to go back to the 2000s, I think dumbphones are a dumb idea in 2025.

You're starting a new school year, and you need to get up to scratch. You're wondering what tools are out there or what you're missing. There are thousands, but if you're new to the subject, it's not spelled out in black and white. Here are eight types of tools I know you will need.

This fall, your Apple TV is getting more personal and connected with a sleek new design, stunning aerials, iPhone call alerts, upgraded FaceTime features, and a brand-new Games app. Follow along as we explore everything coming to your screen with the tvOS 26 update.

On Thursday, TikTok announced updates to its Community Guidelines in an effort to make its rules clearer and easier to follow, TikTok's global head of trust and safety, Sandeep Grover, wrote in a blog post. The changes will go into effect on Sept. 13.

The Community Guidelines will now have a top-line summary for each policy. But it's not just the format that will change. According to the blog post, TikTok will introduce new rules for misinformation, consolidate rules for gambling, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, firearms, and other weapons into one policy, refine its bullying policy, and more.

SEE ALSO: Is this TikTok story about falling for a psychiatrist real or engagement bait?

You can compare the current Community Guidelines with the new ones going into effect next month. The general rules for Safety and Civility, Mental and Behavioral Health, Sensitive and Mature Themes, Integrity and Authenticity, Regulated Goods, Services, and Commercial Activities, and Privacy and Security are now plainly on the page.

Previously, the main page only contained a section on Content Moderation, which remains largely the same but with some copy changes. As TechCrunch noted, the soon-to-be-former Content Moderation section said that, "Keeping our platform safe, trustworthy, and vibrant requires balancing creative expression and preventing harm." It will now say, "We want TikTok to be a safe, fun, and creative place for everyone" — removing "trustworthy" from these guidelines.

The section on Misinformation, nestled in Integrity and Authenticity, is mostly the same but with some language edits. For example, the previous guidelines state that unverified information about emergencies is ineligible for the For You Feed; the new ones say the same about "crises and major civic events."

TikTok also changed the Accounts and Features section, which includes rules about features like TikTok LIVE, search, external links, comments, direct messages, and monetization. (You can also compare the current Accounts and Features page with the upcoming one.) TikTok expanded this section, such as explicitly stating what constitutes a violation of its rules.

SEE ALSO: 'Hamilton' TikTok trend goes viral as musical marks 10th anniversary

For example, on the TikTok LIVE section, the guidelines now state that LIVE creators are responsible for anything that happens during sessions, even if it includes third-party tools like voice-to-text. If voice-to-text reads out a harmful comment, the creator is responsible for enabling the tool.

The expansions on what LIVES aren't eligible for the For You Feed include if a session shows "low quality content" like a blank screen, or if there's "potentially distressing material that may cause anxiety or fear, such as scary make-up."

The section on comments was also expanded. TikTok states that comments may be sorted lower if they "don't add to the conversation," like if they include profanity or offensive statements.

Grover said these changes are informed by conversations with creators, experts, and organizations, including the app's regional Advisory Councils. The app has trained human and AI moderators to apply these new rules. Grover specifically states that the app will continue to invest in "modern technologies," including AI, to enforce its policies.

These Community Guidelines edits come shortly after TikTok introduced fact-checking Community Notes and parental blocking features last month.

Transcription tool Otter AI has long had an "assistant" service to transcribe video meetings. "Otter Notetaker" can enter a Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams call and jot down what participants are saying in real-time. Now, a class action lawsuit filed Friday claims Otter's Notetaker doesn't just record people who want the recordings, but also those who haven't subscribed to its services or consented to being recorded.

Not only that, but the suit states that Otter doesn't disclose to those who set up Otter Notetaker that the transcriptions are used to train Otter's automatic speech recognition and machine learning models.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI took away GPT-4o, and these ChatGPT users are not okay

California resident Justin Brewer is filing this lawsuit on behalf of himself and other Californians and Americans, saying Otter intercepted his conversations. The suit claims Otter violates both federal and California law, such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 and the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

The suit states that Brewer doesn't have an Otter account but participated in a Zoom meeting in February where Otter Notetaker was used. He wasn't aware that Otter would obtain and keep that data and wasn't informed that the service would use this data to train its speech recognition and machine learning tools. Brewer didn't consent to this and "had his privacy severely invaded and been exposed to the risk and harmful conditions created by Otter’s violations of federal and California law," the suit reads.

Otter's privacy policy states that it trains its AI technology on "de-identified" audio recordings. It also says it gains explicit permission to access the conversation for training, yet the suit claims that Otter Notetaker asks for consent to join and record a meeting from the meeting host (if the host doesn't have an Otter account). It doesn't ask to join the meeting from any other participant, nor does it allow anyone but the meeting host to disable Otter Notetaker, according to the filing.

Mashable has reached out to Otter for comment.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, August 16, 2025:

AcrossSomething to check before a flight

• The answer is Bag.

One road to recovery

• The answer is Rehab.

"The Good Samaritan" or "The Rich Fool"

• The answer is Parable.

"___ now or never"

• The answer is Its.

Angora cat's splendor

• The answer is Fur.

North American frogs that sing in a shrill chorus

• The answer is Peepers.

Sheath or muumuu

• The answer is Dress.

Kit ___ Club ("Cabaret" setting)

• The answer is Kat.

DownWildly out of control

• The answer is Berserk.

"I've got it!"

• The answer is Aha.

Scintillating gossip sesh

• The answer is Gabfest.

Gave three stars, say

• The answer is Rated.

Becomes hazy, as a picture

• The answer is Blurs.

Dot on a domino

• The answer is Pip.

Sounds of indecision

• The answer is Ers.

Tiny source of torment for a storybook princess

• The answer is Pea.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

If there was anything in college that could help you succeed in your courses, and even beyond, it could be learning Linux. Here are the ways that Linux can help you, even if you're not a computer science student.

Buying a used crossover on a budget can feel a bit depressing. As we grow, our lives demand a level of practicality, and this often comes at the cost of fun. However, in the dreariness that is the subcompact crossover segment, there is one used model that grabbed my attention from the moment I took it out on the road.

Another week is in the books, and while big Android news is on the horizon (hello, Pixel 10), there's still exciting stuff happening while we wait. A Chinese company is reviving old BlackBerry Classics with Android, Google Messages has a very weird bug, and T-Mobile launched a budget friendly phone. Much more!

Strap on the backpacks and get ready for a year full of new experiences, new classes, and the dreaded H-word: homework! It can be an overwhelming time, but don't let it fill you with dread. There’s still plenty of time for some comedic entertainment in your academic days.

This was another busy week in tech news, with new hardware from Razer and HyperX, a Linux Mint beta release, another upgrade for Home Assistant, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

If you're using a Linux computer, you may think many games you want to play, especially a vintage classic, is going to require futzing with compatibility layers and other nonsense—if it's playable at all. In reality, right at your fingertips are many fun and free games that emulate the ones you remember.

I have to admit I’m not sold on flip phones. The original Galaxy Z Flip is what first got me excited about foldables, but I didn’t like using it in real life. Since then, I’ve tried several other flip phones from Samsung and Motorola. I’m still not sure if I’m sold, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is trying hard to convince me.

Most guys have a love-hate relationship with dating apps. But between work and life, meeting someone organically can feel nearly impossible. That's the promise of online dating — an unlimited number of meet-cutes right to your phone, no serendipity required.

We get it, though. Dating as a man in 2025 is tough. It's not just the pressure to make or the fear of rejection if you do — it's the endless swiping through fake profiles, scammers, AI-generated thirst traps, bots posing as potential matches, relentless Instagram models trying to lure you into their OnlyFans scam, and matches with impossibly high expectations (yes, the "6-6-6 rule" is a real thing).

But despite the challenges, dating apps do work. One 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that one in 10 partnered adults met their significant other through online dating. The numbers are even higher for young people and the LGBTQ+ community.

Don't get discouraged — plenty of men and women are looking for love, friendship, and lust online. Credit: Zain Awais / Mashable

When asked about their experiences with dating apps, 53 percent of users said they had a positive experience, with 14 percent rating it as "very positive." And there's more good news — 57 percent of guys reported positive experiences and results compared to 48 percent of women. Finding that success is just a matter of choosing the best dating app for your needs.

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know The best dating apps for guys who know what they want

This guide is your cheat sheet for the best dating apps for men in 2025. We've done the research and found the apps that are actually worth your time. Whether you're looking for something casual or something serious, we have a dating app to recommend.

Pro tip: Don't be afraid to experiment. Try out a few different apps and see what works for you. And most importantly, don't get discouraged! Sometimes, the occasional bad date or disappointing flirtation is just the price you pay to meet the match of a lifetime.

Weddings can be a test on your sanity and bank account, but as a product tester, they're also a ripe time for speaker testing. This year, I married my wife at a family home, which was the most beautiful and memorable backdrop for our wedding. However, it also meant that we didn't have the privilege of a venue with included amenities — in other words, we had to bring everything in ourselves. That's how, one day about two months out from the big day, I panicked, remembering we needed a speaker for the ceremony.

Like any experienced host (and product tester), we have a few Bluetooth speakers around the house, but these devices usually support our parties of 10 to 20 — not 150 people. Plus, we needed a party speaker with wireless microphone compatibility to take us from the ceremony to cocktail hour. That's how I stumbled into the new JBL PartyBox 520.

The 520 is the brand's newest and most expensive party speaker that's hefty but remains wireless and portable. From our bachelorette party to our outdoor wedding, the JBL PartyBox 520 kept the good vibes going all weekend long.

The sound is crisp and booming — indoors or outside The JBL PartyBox 520 delivered great sound in the back room of a bar or against the backdrop of my mother-in-law's gardens. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

No matter where we stationed the JBL PartyBox 520, the sound rang out in clear, well-rounded sound. When in the low-ceilinged back room of a bar for our bachelorette party, we could turn up the volume and have it fill up the space without ever feeling tinny or blown out. However, when we didn't have the acoustics of an indoor space, the speaker still delivered smooth sound.

When we used it in the outdoor garden, the sound was beautiful. It worked equally well on older tracks like God Only Knows by the Beach Boys and modern pop like Love You For A Long Time by Maggie Rogers. And even among the crowd of 150 people who were chatting and mingling during cocktail hour, the speaker was still loud enough to hear the music soundtracking the afternoon.

It has adjustable treble, bass, and echo for audiophiles looking for a specific sound, as well as bass boost for any bass enthusiasts. Not to mention, you can pair multiple 520 speakers together with Auracast for even bigger events.

It runs for hours at a time wirelessly — plus it's waterproof

With an outdoor wedding, we knew we needed the fine balance of a wireless speaker, so that we didn't have to lay a power cord that someone might trip on, that was still big enough to fill the space without having blown out sound. The PartyBox 520 checked all of those boxes, quite literally functioning as the biggest Bluetooth speaker I've ever interacted with.

It runs for up to 15 hours when fully charged. While we didn't need the speaker to run for that long, it did give peace of mind that the speaker wouldn't suddenly kick it mid-vows.

Another factor while partying in the outdoors? Rain. The JBL PartyBox 520 has a waterproof rating of IPX4, designating it as splash-proof. Essentially, that means it's not meant to handle full downpour but a light sprinkle might handle it.

In true New England fashion, our beautiful sunny day turned to a light rain shower in just ten minutes, and thanks to the IPX rating, we didn't have to stress about the water.

With wireless mics, it becomes the ultimate karaoke machine Unfortunately if you want to use mics with the JBL PartyBox 520, you'll need to purchase them separately. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

While looking for a wireless wedding speaker, we had one wild card need, the ability to plug in wireless mics to utilize during our ceremony and for karaoke. Luckily, JBL is well-equipped to handle this with their PartyBox mics that seamlessly connect to the brand's PartyBox speakers. Unfortunately, you do have to buy the mics separately.

On the rear of the JBL PartyBox 520 are to auxiliary inputs for a receiver. It's beyond easy to use the mics with the PartyBox as you just plug in the receiver and turn on the mics. The speaker and microphones work together to bring distinct sounds without any annoying feedback. During our ceremony, the crowd could hear our officiant perfectly; no one yelling to turn up the volume.

The best part is that you can even use multiple mics at a time. This was perfect for our joint bachelorette, where we wanted to do karaoke but the bar didn't have a setup. The JBL PartBox 520 was the perfect answer as it was able to play music and project the mics at the same time, allowing for both solos and duets. During our hours of karaoke, the mics and speakers did have occasional moments of sharp feedback, something to be aware of while using the two close together.

My wife and I dueting 'Silver Springs' on the JBL PartyBox 520. A questionable choice ahead of our wedding. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Added lights and sound effects make it a real party All of the JBL PartyBox 520's controls sit on top of the speaker. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

In addition to the mics, the PartyBox 520 has two standout features to pump things up. It comes with a built-in light display that syncs to whatever music you're playing and performs a little light show. If you're not so into the lights or find it distracting for your event, you can also turn off the light feature.

For those looking to get into the DJ-ing spirit, the JBL PartyBox 520 comes with three built-in sound effects. Are they particularly useful? No. Are they extremely fun to press while you're having a good time and feeling silly? Oh, yeah.

Even with the wheels, it's a heavy lift Wife pictured for scale. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

When you think of a Bluetooth speaker, you're probably thinking of an ultra-portable device that you can move around your home or even toss in a bag to take to your next party. While the PartyBox 520 is a wireless Bluetooth speaker, it is not that. This speaker is a big boy. At 30 inches tall, it's large and stands on its own. But more than its physical size, it's extremely heavy at 64.8 lbs..

Luckily, it does come on wheels with a handle, sort of like a suitcase. It moves easily on smooth surfaces; however, when pushing it over grass or rougher terrain, it tends to stick, and you really feel its weight.

Plus, if you're trying to transport it from place to place, it's a big lift and might not be feasible for the average person.

The price makes it an investment

Another hindrance with the PartyBox 520 is its price. At $879.95, it's quite the investment. If you're just looking for a big Bluetooth speaker, I think there are more affordable options. However, if you're looking for a party speaker that essentially functions as a sound system, it's a great investment.

Is the JBL PartyBox 520 worth it? Is the JBL PartyBox 520 worth it? Depends on what you're looking for. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you want to seriously invest in a sound system for your parties, the JBL PartyBox 520 is a great investment, and the best party speaker I've tested to date. It has a dazzling light show that syncs to music and the ability to use mics with it. Not to mention, it delivers really stellar sound with adjustable bass, treble, and echo.

However, if you don't need anything as heavy-duty, there are cheaper and more portable options like the JBL PartyBox 320, which has similar dimensions to the 520 but only weighs 36 pounds instead of 64.

Scientists have discovered a peculiar supernova that may have resulted from a star's misguided attempt to swallow a black hole.

The new case, soon to be published in The Astrophysical Journal, supports the idea that massive stars don't just explode when they get old. Dramatic space collisions may trigger at least some of these fatal blasts, too. 

To find the exotic supernova, dubbed SN 2023zkd, astronomers used a new artificial intelligence algorithm tied to a Slack bot to scan for unusual explosions in real time. Called the Light curve Anomaly Identification and Similarity Search, the tool's prompt notification gave them enough of a lead to plan and execute large telescope observations before the explosion faded out. 

Scientists have used classic AI methods like this for decades to help sift through heaps of data, said V. Ashley Villar, an assistant professor of astronomy at Harvard, especially in the age of robotic telescopes, which spot thousands of flickering lights nightly. But nowadays, generative AI, which can learn from data, is becoming increasingly helpful, said Villar, an author of the paper. 

"Our research group has embraced these new technologies to help us in our daily tasks: classifying stellar explosions, inferring physical properties of stars quickly, and even identifying exciting new systems like 2023zkd," she told Mashable. "We do this by carefully integrating our astrophysical knowledge and sanity-checking responses from AI systems."

SEE ALSO: A star may have survived partial black hole spaghettification

The explosion, about 730 million light-years away from Earth, was first detected in July 2023 by the Zwicky Transient Facility, a robotic telescope partly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation in California.

What made this event unusual was that it didn't have just one burst of light, but two, spaced about eight months apart. And that wasn't the only surprise. After digging through the archives, researchers found that the source had been gradually increasing in brightness before it detonated. That kind of ramp-up to a supernova is not the status quo, the researchers said.

Half a century ago, black holes were an idea on paper that even leading scientists doubted. Now they’re firmly established in astronomy. The most common type, stellar black holes, form when a massive star ends its life in a supernova, collapsing its remaining material into a dense, compact object, from which no light escapes.

Unlike planets or stars, black holes don't have a surface. Instead, they’re surrounded by an "event horizon," the ultimate point of no return, where anything crossing it is trapped forever by gravity.

Scientists think a star's attempt to swallow a black hole triggered a strange supernova, according to a new study by the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and MIT. Credit: Melissa Weiss / CfA illustration What makes it a weird supernova

It's possible the black hole ravaged the star before it could blast apart. If that were the case, the black hole might have reeled in the stellar material, causing the debris to smash into surrounding gas, which then sparked a supernova emission. 

But the simplest explanation for what happened is that a massive helium-rich star was in a close orbit with a companion black hole, each perhaps 10 times more massive than the sun. When they began to merge, the event triggered the supernova, according to The Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and MIT, who led the study as part of the Young Supernova Experiment. That project is a sky survey to catch the explosions immediately after their onset. 

The AI tool flagged the event months before its most unusual behavior, said Alexander Gagliano, another author of the upcoming paper. 

"Both the star and the black hole 'feel' one another's gravitational pull. In one sense, the black hole is 'swallowed' by the hot gas of the star, which is sloshing around the system," Gagliano told Mashable. "But in another sense, the black hole is responsible for the ultimate destruction of the star." 

How artificial intelligence tools helped

Here's how the LAISS AI tool worked: Each supernova source is broken down by its features, such as its color, duration, and peak brightness, as well as by its host galaxy's characteristics. Those components go into a database for an algorithm to review for events that are statistically abnormal. 

About half of the supernovas it flags are genuinely weird. Another roughly 25 percent turn out to be active supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, which are not what the researchers are looking for. Though the tool turns up a lot of events they don't want, it at least narrows them down to a more manageable list for further vetting, said Gagliano, an Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions fellow.  

That being said, the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which scientists expect will exponentially increase the number of supernova detections, will require even more creative and selective solutions for sorting through the data. 

"More recently, we've been moving to more 'modern' AI methods to extract less interpretable but more flexible features from images of the supernova galaxies," Villar said. 

Fun fact: The LAISS tool also has the capability to find and group similar supernovas. To do this, it relies on ANNOY, an open-source Spotify algorithm — except instead of recommending songs with similar vibes, it suggests astronomical events. 

Now you might be wondering: When a massive star goes supernova, it typically collapses into a black hole. But what happens when a star goes supernova because of its interaction with a black hole? 

"A larger black hole is what remains," Gagliano said.

The rise of vibe coding is based on the promise of services like GPT-5: that in the future, you won’t have to know how to program at all in order to “create” software — you’ll just need to know how to communicate your software ideas in plain old English. The AI will do all the programming and debugging for you.

The ultimate goal: “software on demand,” or any kind of app, website, or visualization you can dream up, whenever you want it. But how close are we? If you’re totally new to coding and don’t want to learn how to code yourself, should you expect to get something usable? I set out to try some of the bigger consumer AI services to see how they perform. In short, I'm looking for the best vibe coding tools for beginners, not more advanced tools like Cursor or Windsurf.

For these tests, I used GPT-5, Claude 4.1 Opus, and Grok 4 (Expert). 

How I tested vibe coding

To see how well each of the different AI services performed when it came to coding, I asked each service to create a web-based game, a web-based productivity service, and an iOS app.

Just like when I tested the best AI image generators, I used the same prompts to test each model. Here are the vibe coding prompts I used:

• Make a 2D browser game where you control a spaceship with the arrow keys and shoot lasers with the spacebar. Asteroids should spawn randomly and drift across the screen. If a laser hits an asteroid, it explodes and your score goes up. If the spaceship hits an asteroid, the game ends and shows the final score. 

• Make a web-based to-do app that lets me add things to my list, view items as a list or in a calendar, and lets me add information like a time it needs to be completed (not just a date). Also, add a random quote generator that shows a different random inspirational quote each time I press a button.

• Create a complete iOS app for tracking personal fitness goals, where users can log daily workouts and view progress charts. The app should include a home screen showing a list of logged workouts with details like date, type, duration, and calories burned, plus options to add new entries, edit or delete existing ones, and search or filter by date or workout type.

My prompts test different kinds of software and services, as well as different kinds of information. The AI will need to build some kind of physics framework for the game, for example, and either find a pre-set list of quotes, or call an API to find quotes, in the productivity app.

I’m certainly no expert coder. I do have some basic web-development knowledge and can find my way around HTML and CSS files just fine, but that’s about where my experience in programming ends. I certainly won’t be able to assess how these services perform when it comes to code efficiency. I’m judging the end product based on how well those services follow my prompts. 

I've included links to the game and webpages these vibe coding tools created, but I won't ask you to download the app. You'll just have to take my word for it.

Vibe-coding a Web-based game The game created by Claude. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper

See Play the results:

• ChatGPT

• Claude

• Grok

All three services were able to create a working web game, with slightly different mechanics and additional touches. ChatGPT and Grok offered a game that included asteroids flying in from all directions and the ability to rotate the ship. Claude went for a Space Invaders-type set-up, with asteroids only entering from the top of the screen, and the ship pointed at the top. 

Still, Claude’s approach was the best-looking. There were bright, retro colors, a background with stars, and a cool movement trail behind the user. ChatGPT came in close second, and while there weren’t stars in the background or a sense of movement, I liked its minimalistic approach, which highlighted explosions. Grok’s game looked the worst — and played the worst — the design was boring and the asteroids were just gray circles.

The game created by Grok 4. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper The game created by ChatGPT. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper

In the end I preferred the overall look of Claude’s game, but the functionality of ChatGPT’s. 

Winners: ChatGPT, Claude

Vibe-coding a Web-based app The app created by ChatGPT. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper

See the results:

• ChatGPT

• Claude

• Grok

All three services were able to create a productivity app that allowed the user to see the tasks on a calendar, and to see inspirational quotes with the press of a button. The basic interface was similar across all three of the services, too. They all opened to a list view by default, offering fields to type in a task and an option to select a date and time for the task.

However, the apps differed greatly in appearance. Grok was the most basic, once again. Its app looked like a Word document, with a few buttons and fields to enter text. Once again, ChatGPT was a significant step up in look, but not as flashy as Claude. It gave the inspirational quote a different background color, while Claude gave the whole interface a different color and used emoji to highlight times and dates.

The Grok productivity app. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper The Claude productivity app. Yes, that's a quote from Nelson Mandela. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper

Differences in functionality were even greater. Grok's app was basically unusable; once a task was created, there was no way to remove it or check it off. Claude included a “delete” button next to tasks in the list view; clicking on a task in the calendar view generated a prompt asking if you wanted to delete a task.

ChatGPT, however, was the most functional in key areas. In the list view, it included a checkbox to mark a task as completed, along with a separate button to delete a task, and even a button to edit a task. It also included a “Notes” field for each task, allowing users to add more than just the task name and its due date. All of which for a much better to-do list, even if it wasn’t the flashiest. 

Winner: ChatGPT

Vibe-coding an iOS app

This one was…a little more challenging.

Why? Well, Claude is the only service that actually generated a working iOS app. Both ChatGPT and Grok created apps that failed to run in Apple's Xcode. The app that Claude created ran fine.

That said, Claude didn’t really go the extra mile.

The iOS productivity app created by Claude. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper The iOS productivity app created by Claude. Credit: Screenshot: Christian de Looper

Claude's app allowed me to enter workouts, then displayed them in a list view, allowing me to filter based on workout type, time they were logged, and so on. But it didn’t calculate calories burned for me (I had to enter that information just like I entered workout types and how long I worked out for). And its “progress” chart was just a bar graph that showed how many calories I burned during different workout types. There was no way to create or view goals.

To actually run an app on your iPhone that isn’t from the App Store, you have to jump through some hoops. This isn’t something beginners can do in a minute or two; they'd be better off sticking to web-based AI coding for now. 

Winner: Claude

The state of vibe coding

Two things are clear. Firstly, AI services are getting very good at helping non-coders or beginner coders create apps, services, and games. Secondly, we cannot yet dream up any piece of software and expect an AI service to spit out a flawless, working product. I don’t think we’re very far off, however.

App creation takes a little more than just generating a downloadable file. if you’re not interested in troubleshooting or learning any basics, I’d steer clear from trying to create actual iOS or Android apps. Web-only apps are preferable.

So what should you use to code if you’re a beginner? Well, if all you want to do is experiment with web apps and little games, both ChatGPT and Claude work well. Excluding the app creation test, ChatGPT performed better. OpenAI’s GPT-5, being free to all, is easier to access than Claude Opus 4.1 — and for those who subscribe to each service’s respective $20-per-month plan, OpenAI imposes fewer limits. Still, don’t expect sub-par coding from Claude.

And to be fair to Grok, you’ll still likely get working websites if you use it — they’ll just be basic, boring, and may not stick as closely to your prompts. As with Grok Imagine, xAI has a long way to go to catch up with its rivals.

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

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is just $14.97 for a limited time — upgrade your PC with enhanced speed, security, and multitasking features today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03 Get Deal

If your PC feels like it’s moving through molasses, it might not be your hardware — it could be your operating system holding you back. A quick upgrade can work wonders, and right now you can get Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97 (MSRP: $199) for a limited time.

Windows 11 Pro is designed with today’s users in mind, combining a sleek, modern interface with the kind of productivity tools and security features you’d expect from Microsoft’s flagship OS. Whether you’re a multitasker juggling multiple desktops, a creative who thrives on touchscreen interactions, or a professional who needs advanced security, Windows 11 Pro has you covered.

Here’s some of what makes the upgrade worth it:

• Seamless interface: Clean, intuitive design for easier navigation.

• Improved multitasking: Snap layouts, redocking, and multiple desktops to keep you organized.

• Advanced security: TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, BitLocker, and biometric logins keep your data safe.

• Better gaming: DirectX 12 Ultimate for stunning visuals and smoother performance.

• AI-powered Copilot: Summarize pages, adjust settings, and generate content without leaving your workflow.

This one-time purchase comes with a lifetime license so you can skip subscription fees and enjoy continuous use without worrying about renewals. Just make sure your device meets the Windows 11 requirements before purchasing, and redeem your license within 30 days.

For the cost of a couple of coffees, you can make your PC faster, safer, and a whole lot more enjoyable to use.

Get Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97 (MSRP: $199) while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Protect up to 9 family devices from ads, malware, and unsafe content with the AdGuard Family Plan — just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN through September 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02 with code FAMPLAN Get Deal

The internet is a great place for learning, connecting, and streaming funny cat videos — but it’s also full of pop-ups, trackers, and content you’d rather your kids not see. The AdGuard Family Plan solves all of that in one simple setup. You can lock in lifetime protection for just $15.97 (MSRP: $169.99) when you use code FAMPLAN at checkout.

With AdGuard, you’ll get:

• Unmatched ad blocking – No more intrusive banners, autoplay video ads, or distracting pop-ups.

• Privacy protection – Keeps trackers and data harvesters from collecting your information.

• Malware defense – Blocks harmful sites before they can do damage.

• Parental controls – Filters out inappropriate content and ensures kids can browse safely.

It’s designed to work across up to nine devices, so your family’s laptops, tablets, and phones can all be covered. Whether you’re streaming, working, or doing homework, AdGuard keeps things smooth and safe.

Setup is quick, the interface is user-friendly, and because it works on both desktop and mobile, you can use it anywhere — whether you’re at home or on vacation. And unlike subscriptions that keep charging you forever, this is a one-time purchase for lifetime access.

Just remember: this deal is for new users only, and you’ll need to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase. Once it’s set up, your family’s online safety is one less thing to worry about — forever.

Pick up lifetime access to AdGuard’s Family Plan for $15.97 (MSRP: $169.99) when you order through September 7 with code FAMPLAN.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: 13 American Sign Language courses, 39 hours of content, lifetime access — all for $14.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One American Sign Language Bundle $14.97
$104 Save $89.03 Get Deal

Whether you want to better connect with the Deaf community, boost your resume, or simply learn a beautiful new language, The All-in-One American Sign Language Bundle makes it easy — and affordable — to get started.

For just $14.97 (MSRP: $104), you’ll gain lifetime access to 13 courses covering everything from the alphabet and everyday phrases to nuanced emotions and family conversations.

This bundle is a great fit for:

• Educators looking to make classrooms more inclusive.

• Healthcare workers wanting to improve patient communication.

• Parents and family members of Deaf or hard-of-hearing children.

• Anyone curious about mastering ASL at their own pace.

Here’s a look at just a few of the courses you’ll get:

• American Sign Language: Beginner:
  Learn the alphabet, finger-spelling, colors, animals, foods, family signs, and key phrases — plus demonstrate a short story in ASL with confidence.

• ASL: Family & Adjectives with Q/A:
  Master 24 family-related signs, pronouns, and adjectives. Build mini-dialogues like “She’s my beautiful aunt” while using correct ASL grammar.

• ASL: “How Are You?” + 30 Emotions:
  Ask and answer “How are you?” in multiple ways, while expanding your vocabulary with 30 emotion signs and practicing realistic dialogues.

With 39 hours of hands-on lessons and a self-paced format, you can pick up ASL whenever it fits your schedule. The more you practice, the more fluent — and confident — you’ll become.

Now’s an ideal time to start signing your way into a whole new world of communication.

Get lifetime access to the All-in-One American Sign Language Bundle while it’s just $14.97 (MSRP: $104) through September 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.