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Getting ready for a productive semester of study? Back-to-school season is looming, which means getting back into the study groove after a summer break. As you prepare your handy study tools and apps, you may be missing out on something important.

TL;DR: Streamline your workflow with instant access to multiple AI tools in one place with 1min.AI’s Pro Plan lifetime subscription for just A$46 (reg. A$359).

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI: Lifetime Subscription AU$46
AU$359 Save AU$313 Get Deal

Tired of juggling multiple AI tools? 1min.AI brings ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, and more into one easy-to-use platform that lets you take advantage of their individual strengths without the chaos of constantly switching tabs. And right now, a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Pro Plan can be yours for only A$46 (reg. A$359).

Put AI to work for you with this handy platform

Overwhelmed by AI? If you’re new to this booming technology field, keeping up with all the various platforms and their individual perks can be tough. That’s where 1min.AI really shines, consolidating them all in one convenient spot. Create images, optimize your website, or get help with text-based tasks on one platform, as 1min.AI takes advantage of platforms like Google AI, Meta AI, Gemini, Mistral, ChatGPT, and more.

This lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan is an excellent option for helping you tackle work tasks. You’ll gain unlimited access to the prompt library, brand voice options, and storage.

This plan also includes 1,000,000 monthly credits, which is enough to generate up to 805,555 words, create 161 images, upscale 241 photos, remove backgrounds from 24 images, transcribe more than 4,000 seconds of audio, and produce up to 12 videos each month.

Need help with SEO? You can research up to 1,933 SEO keywords per month with this plan. And if you need more credits, it’s easy to earn them — just visit the app, leave a review, or refer a friend.

Let AI help you take a load off with 1min.AI’s Pro Plan lifetime subscription, now only A$46 (reg. A$359).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Microsoft just announced new feature for Python in Excel that lets you analyze images in your spreadsheets. You no longer need outside tools—you can manipulate, analyze, and pull information from images directly in Microsoft Excel on Windows, Mac, and the web.

Days after Musk accused the Apple App Store of giving OpenAI preferential treatment over his own xAI products, Apple has issued a pointed response.

In a statement to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple insisted the App Store "is designed to be fair and free of bias," noting that it features “thousands of apps through charts, algorithmic recommendations and curated lists selected by experts using objective criteria” to ensure safe discovery for users and opportunities for developers.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk wants to sue Apple over Grok app store rankings as Sam Altman fires back

Musk’s original post on X claimed Apple’s practices made it "impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store." Apple and OpenAI have had a partnership since 2024. However, Musk's claims were quickly undercut by X's Community Notes, which flagged the fact that several other AI apps — like DeepSeek and Perplexity — have topped the App Store charts.

The exchange spiraled into a public spat between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, with Altman accusing Musk of gaming X’s own algorithm for personal gain. Even Grok, xAI’s chatbot, chimed in.

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For now, Musk hasn’t filed a formal antitrust complaint against Apple (nor has he provided evidence of his claims), though if this feud continues to escalate, that may just be a matter of time.

Whether you're an avowed AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) or just trying to buy a young person in your life a gift, you might balk at the price tags that go with some LEGO sets these days. Aren't these just meant to be cheap (and educational) plastic toys?

SAVE $40: As of Aug. 13, the Solo Stove Mesa XL tabletop fire pit is on sale for just $79.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 33% and just a few cents away from its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Solo Stove Mesa XL $79.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $40 Get Deal

Crisp fall air will be rolling in before you know it, which means it's almost cozy campfire season. If you don't have a backyard large enough for a dedicated fire pit, but still want to enjoy the comfort and ambiance of huddling around an open flame, the Solo Stove Mesa XL is the fire pit for you.

As of Aug. 13, the Solo Stove Mesa XL is on sale for only $79.99 instead of its usual $119.99, making it an affordable way to elevate your space’s aesthetic this fall. That's $40 off for 33% in savings, and only a few cents off from its best price ever.

At just 8.6 inches tall and 7 inches wide, the Mesa XL is designed to sit on top of a table and provide up to 3 feet of 360-degree warmth in a small setting. It's functionally the same as the regular-sized Solo Stove models, just a whole lot smaller. And because of its size, it can be tough to find hardwood chunks that fit perfectly inside it. Fortunately, though, the included adapter allows it to burn pellets as well. It also comes with a folding stand and a nylon carrying bag so you can take it with you on the go. It's the ultimate fall accessory.

One thing to note is that while the Solo Stove Mesa XL comes in several color varieties, only the gun metal option is available at Amazon for the $40 discount. Otherwise, you'll have to pay full price.

Sex toys aren’t exactly cheap (well, not the ones I recommend). But there’s a good reason for that — you’re literally putting these gadgets on your most sensitive bits, so there’s a price to pay for quality materials, safety standards, and all the bells and whistles they come with.

At a time when new tariffs are driving up the prices of many goods, the luxe wand vibrator brand Le Wand is making premium pleasure more accessible with its brand-new collection of affordable wands. To make the launch even sweeter, every purchase also comes with a free gift: a four-ounce bottle of Le Wand's Natural Intimate Lube and a four-ounce bottle of their Organic Toy Cleaner (a value of $21.98).

Here’s some more info on Le Wand’s Glow collection:

The Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G, Le Wand Thrust, Le Wand Hither, and Le Wand Lick. Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
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The Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G (a mouthful, isn’t it?) is a double-ended wand vibrator that’s made for both clitoral and G-spot stimulation. (Dual-ended wands seem to be the sex toy du jour; both Harry Styles and LELO just released their own versions.) It has a smooth, flat head on one end, a curved ergonomic handle, and a vibrating textured tip on the other. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, rechargeable, and features a super simple three-button control.

If you like rumbly vibrations (there are five vibration speeds, five vibration patterns) and want a toy that’s essentially two-in-one, the Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G might be a good addition to your collection.

Le Wand Thrust, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Thrust + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
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If you prefer deep penetration, the Le Wand Thrust is a thrusting rabbit vibrator that’s designed for hands-free penetration and clitoral stimulation simultaneously. The shaft is curved for pinpoint G-spot stimulation, while the extendable arm vibrates and targets the clitoris. (Get ready to experience blended orgasms.)

With five vibration speeds, five vibration patterns, and five thrusting patterns, you can customize your orgasm. The motors are independent, so you can choose to turn one off while you use the other or keep them both on for a more intense climax. And, like the other vibes in this collection, it has a simple, intuitive control panel and is splashproof for some fun in the shower.

Le Wand Hither, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Hither + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
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As the name suggests, the Le Wand Hither is a rabbit vibrator that features a “come hither” motion that gives a fingering sensation right where you want it (the G-spot, A-spot, or P-spot for male users). It looks similar to the Thrust, but it’s purple and doesn’t have a thrusting function.

The external arm is designed for clitoral stimulation, and you get to play with a ton of different settings, including five vibration speeds, five vibration patterns, and five stroking intensities. Just like with the Thrust, its independent motors let you customize your pleasure experience. It's also IPX7 waterproof.

Le Wand Lick, $99.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Lick + Free Gift $99.99 at Le Wand
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The Le Wand Lick is a more advanced toy that’s designed to mimic oral sex. It looks a little intimidating (I have a vibe very similar to this one, and it took me a while to get used to it), and the suction setting may be a bit intense for some people, but if you’re a fan of direct clitoral stimulation, this toy is worth considering. (You can also use it on your nipples!) There’s a curved shaft for G-spot stimulation on the opposite end, but you’ll probably be so consumed by the tongue-flicking sensation that you won’t even notice it.

If you’re worried about the intensity, the suction cup is conveniently removable, so it’s easy to clean or use without the intense suction. The flexible “tongue” delivers rolling, flicking, and pulsing sensations, while a separate motor provides five distinct vibration intensities. The four-button control design is intuitive, the toy is IPX6 waterproof, and I have to give kudos for their clever copywriting: “A Mouth that only says what the user wants to hear…”

If none of these new toys are the right fit, it's still worth checking out Le Wand's site. They're also offering 30% off select wands and a "buy three, get one free" deal.

PowerToys just dropped its latest update, version 0.93, and it's full of great changes. The big improvement is that the dashboard has a redesigned Command Palette that looks so much better, but many of the tools are now faster and better than before.

SAVE $20.99: As of Aug. 13, get the Beats Solo Buds earbuds for $59 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 26%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Beats Solo Buds $59 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal

Looking for a new way to enjoy your favorite music and podcasts? Or maybe you just want a better, more reliable method of making and receiving voice calls when on the go? A new pair of earbuds is just what the doctor ordered, and you can get one for an excellent deal, thanks to this Amazon discount that knocks the Beats Solo Buds back near their Prime Day sale price.

As of Aug. 13, get the Beats Solo Buds for $59 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's $20.99 off and a discount of 26%.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

These Beats earbuds serve up excellent sound quality, with crisp treble and crunchy bass. They boast up to 18 hours per charge, but if you run out of battery, you can pop them on the charger for just five minutes thanks to Fast Fuel charge to get one more hour of playtime to keep the party going. These buds don't come with a charging case (or noise cancellation), which is something to keep in mind, but they balance that out with their fantastic sound and connectivity.

They're the same kind of quality and build reliability that you can expect from the rest of the Beats lineup, however, and they come in multiple fun colors to liven things up. They're every bit worth their entry price, especially at this discount. If you've been wanting to join Team Beats without breaking the bank, this is the best opportunity to do it.

SAVE $270: The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler (40-liter) is on sale at Amazon for $629.99, down from the normal price of $899.99. That's a 30% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix EverFrost 2 (40-liter) $629.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $270 Get Deal

The secret is out: Anker knows its way around keeping things charged up. The brand makes some of Mashable's favorite charging accessories, all while consistently offering some of the best prices around. The brand is now using its charging expertise to help us out while we're camping, on an extended road trip, or during a power outage. But it might not be in the way you totally expect. Check out this unique Anker offering that's on sale today.

As of Aug. 13, the Anker Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler (40-liter) is on sale at Amazon for $629.99, down from the standard price of $899.99. That works out to a 30% discount and a major savings of $270. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station offers you plenty of power while you're out camping or during a power outage, but what about keeping food chilled? For that, turn to the Anker Solix EverFrost 2, an electric cooler that can keep food chilled without the soggy mess of using ice. With its one included battery, Anker says this'll keep food chilled for 52 hours. Buy an additional battery for the cooler, and you're looking at 4.3 days of cooling power. Image how that can change your next camping trip.

The 40-liter capacity has room for 63 cans, and in fast cool mode, it can go from 77 degrees down to 32 in just 15 minutes. After that, switch to Smart Mode or Eco Mode for more energy-efficient options. You can do so by using the Anker app on your smartphone, and that means you don't need to be physically near the cooler to make adjustments.

SEE ALSO: The Bluetti Apex 300 is it an all-time low at Amazon — power your whole home for less

The retractable handle and durable wheels make this electric cooler easier to roll around the campsite. Plus, the handle can serve as a small side table for drinks or food prep. Keep the Solix EverFrost charged up while at home too, and you can transfer the milk and other perishables from the fridge to the eclectic cooler in case of a power outage.

When it comes time to recharge the Anker Solix EverFrost, you can do so with solar panels, standard wall power, a car outlet, and even USB-C.

Instead of chowing down on instant ramen and oatmeal at the campsite during your next adventure, pack along the Anker Solix EverFrost 2 and keep fresh foods chilled for days with zero ice mess. The 40-liter model is on sale at Amazon for a record-low price of $629.99.

If you're a student returning to school this fall, it can be a stressful and chaotic period, with new projects, disorganized course notes, fresh deadlines, and a full inbox. However, making the most of the Microsoft 365 tools at your disposal will make getting back into the swing of things a breeze.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 13, the Sonos Move 2 Bluetooth speaker is down to $349 at Amazon. That's a 22% price drop from its list price of $449.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Move 2 $349 at Amazon
$449 Save $100 Get Deal

President Donald Trump's tariff policies are causing price hikes in the tech world, and the latest victim is one of our favorite audio brands, Sonos. If you have a Sonos speaker on your wishlist, now's the time to get it — especially since a few of them are actually on sale, including our favorite home Bluetooth speaker, the Move 2.

As of Aug. 13, the Sonos Move 2 is down to just $349 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Sonos.com (have your pick!). While not quite its lowest price on record, that's still a 22% discount, or $100 in savings, from its list price of $449.

SEE ALSO: Snag the Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker for $40 off at Amazon

The Move 2 is technically a portable Bluetooth speaker, but at over six pounds, you may not want to pack it on a hike or beach trip. We like it more as a home speaker that's easy to move from one room to another, or even a more stationary tailgate or camping speaker. Despite its weight, however, we're major fans. What it lacks in the portability department, it more than makes up for with its fantastic stereo sound, 24-hour battery life, and dynamic smart features. It's also an added bonus that it looks pretty dang sleek and comes in black, white, and olive colorways.

In a nutshell, Mashable's reviewer Stan Schroeder writes, "This speaker is one of the best in class, and the quality of sound it produces is reason enough to consider it."

Sonos products are only going to get pricier, so save $100 on the Sonos Move 2 while you can.

A court rejected this week Elon Musk's effort to dismiss OpenAI's claims of harassment. It represents just the latest development in a complicated battle between Musk and OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company run by Sam Altman.

The long and short of it: The fight between the tech bros will continue apace. Nothing has been decided in the case, but, as Reuters reported, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk has to face harassment claims from OpenAI, which accuses the xAI chief of engaging in a years-long campaign to harm the AI company.

Musk helped start OpenAI and previously served on its board, but later resigned and started xAI, a rival artificial intelligence company.

In her decision, the judge seemed to be annoyed with both Musk and OpenAI, accusing them of gamesmanship. “The gamesmanship of both sides is obvious, as each flip flops,” Gonzalez Rogers wrote, according to Bloomberg.

The drama has played out on social media and in courtrooms. Musk sued OpenAI for breach of contract after it transitioned to a for-profit corporate structure, and he has also repeatedly challenged OpenAI and Altman on X. Altman's OpenAI countersued and, on Tuesday, the judge ruled there were enough grounds for the harassment claims to move forward.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk wants to sue Apple over Grok app store rankings as Sam Altman fires back

This is just one of many current feuds among tech overlords. On Monday night, Musk threatened to sue Apple, alleging (sans evidence) that the tech giant suppressed the app store ranking of xAI's Grok app in order to protect — you guessed it — OpenAI. Meta and OpenAI, meanwhile, remain locked in a battle for AI supremacy, with Meta's chief Mark Zuckerberg shelling out wheelbarrows of cash to poach talent.

It seems no matter where you look these days, the tech companies are feuding. It feels safe to assume we can expect more of the same for the foreseeable future.

SAVE 25%: The Dreame AirStyle Pro is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, down from the normal price of $399.99. That's a savings of $100.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame AirStyle Pro $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100 Get Deal

If you're using an old-school hair dryer, you're missing out on some of the best beauty tech advancements in years. Hair dryer and stylers have made massive improvements recently. Unfortunately, some of the best modern hair dryers come with hefty prices, but that's not the case thanks to this deal at Amazon.

As of Aug. 13, the Dreame AirStyle Pro is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, marked down from the normal price of $399.99. That's a savings of $100, or a 25% discount.

If we're talking about fancy hair dryers, the Dyson Airwrap is bound to come up. Yes, it's a great option, but it comes with a steep price tag of $599.99 for the model that comes with attachments and accessories. However, some Airwrap dupes come in at a fraction of the price and are very much worth considering. The Dreame AirStyle Pro takes direct aim at the Airwrap, looking incredibly similar and coming with attachments that aim to be close to identical. Plus, Dreame just launched three new beauty gadgets that all appear to be dupes of the most popular hair care items.

SEE ALSO: The new Dyson Airwrap comes with updated attachments and tech

The Dreame AirStyle Pro comes with seven styling attachments that all connect magnetically to the styling base. It focuses on offering fast drying time thanks to Dreame's JetAirflow technology. Attachments include inward curl, outward curl, smoothing brush, volumizing brush, fast dryer, and plenty more. Plus the styling handle and all attachments fit into the included carrying case.

The styling handle gives you access to three temperature levels, a cool-shot finishing option, and three levels of airflow. The pop-out function on the bottom of the handle makes it easy to clean any trapped dust and the cord is designed to never tangle.

While we're in back to school season, upgrade your hair dryer to a modern model that comes with plenty of attachments. The Dreame AirStyle Pro is on sale at Amazon for $299.99 today, which saves you $100 compared to the normal price. That savings can then be used on restocking your favorite hair care products before we head into the dry winter season.

SAVE $499.96: As of Aug. 13, get the JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar for $699.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,199.95. That's a discount of 42%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon JBL Bar 9.1 $699.99 at Amazon
$1,199.95 Save $499.96 Get Deal

Want a reliable way to enhance your home audio without breaking the bank? A soundbar is the way to go, especially if it's one from a brand like JBL. This high-quality soundbar is one that can add some oomph to any setup without requiring you to pony up the amount of a full sound system. And it's available for a great price right now at Amazon.

As of Aug. 13, get the JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar for $699.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,199.95. That's $499.96 off and a discount of 42%.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 favorite expert-tested soundbars to upgrade your TV setup

This soundbar boasts 820W of system power and true surround sound, made possible by the included and detachable wireless speakers. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X out of the box, which should make it a good prospect for anyone looking to secure those features at an affordable price. Additionally, this set comes with a wireless subwoofer to level up the bass in your favorite shows and movies.

But it's more than just a way to enhance your TV's audio. It also comes with a built-in Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support, so you can send music or media to it as well via Bluetooth, and connect it with ultra HD 4K pass-through and Dolby Vision for a better, more theatrical experience overall, no matter what you're enjoying with your entertainment setup.

Fall is just around the corner, and that means new shows, sports, and get-togethers with friends and family. Be ready with great sound that fills the room, and save some cash while you're at it.

Yes, it's true: Samsung has launched the first-ever gaming monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate.

Announced at CES early this year, Samsung's groundbreaking Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor is now officially available to add to your cart starting Aug. 13. It comes in just one size, 27 inches, and retails for $999.99. If you're looking for a potential way to gain a winning edge strictly from device performance, it doesn't get any faster than 500Hz.

Samsung Odyssey G6 gaming monitor specs Credit: Samsung

The Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor is the first of its kind. Previously, OLED gaming monitor technology hadn't reached the refresh rate performance heights of IPS monitors, making IPS the panel of choice for most gamers. But the Odyssey G6 is here to change that. With a borderline outrageous 500Hz refresh rate, it's built for those "who demand peak performance across long gaming sessions." Although, as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) pointed out, most people probably won't notice a huge difference beyond the 240Hz mark (at least on a laptop).

Besides the inconceivably speedy refresh rate, it features a QHD resolution (2,560 x 1440) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultra-fast 0.03ms response time, a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, two HDMI 2.1 ports and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port, and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync. Its QD-OLED panel is also Pantone Validated and utilizes Samsung’s Glare Free technology to minimize reflections.

Where to buy the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor SAMSUNG Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor $999.99 Shop Now BEST BUY Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor $999.99 Shop Now Amazon Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor $999.99 Shop Now

Aside from the Odyssey OLED G6, Samsung also launched the 37-inch Odyssey G7 and 40-inch Odyssey G7 monitors. The 37-inch monitor features a 4K curved 16:9 VA panel with a typical brightness of 350 nits and a 165Hz refresh rate, while the 40-inch model features an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio with the same brightness, a 180Hz refresh rate, split screen capabilities for side-by-side gameplay, and content management capabilities. These models are available today at Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy for $899.99 and $1,199.99, respectively.

After a rocky GPT-5 launch, GPT-4o is officially back for paying ChatGPT subscribers. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also promised users to give them a warning before taking away GPT-4o again.

On Tuesday, Altman posted the change on X, announcing that legacy models, GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, o3, and o4-mini would be available in the dropdown menu for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. As of this writing, the 4o model is available in the dropdown menu under "Legacy Models."

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

In addition, paying users can toggle on "Show additional models" in Settings to choose from GPT-5 Thinking mini, GPT-4.1, o3, and o4-mini. ChatGPT Pro users also get access to GPT-4.5, but only this subscription tier gets access, because "it cost a lot of GPUs," said Altman in the post.

Paying ChatGPT users now get access to legacy models, after GPT-5 backlash. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / OpenAI

OpenAI brought back these models after the GPT-5 launch abruptly replaced legacy models, fueling backlash from disgruntled users. GPT-5 was designed to be a unified model that could automatically recognize when to apply more computing or "thinking" power based on the complexity of the prompt. Previously, ChatGPT users could choose which model to use, depending on the complexity of the task. For instance, reasoning models like o3 and o4-mini are better for more complex or open-ended prompts, whereas traditional models like GPT-4o are better for faster, more straightforward conversations.

When GPT-5 started rolling out, many users were outraged to discover their preferred model had disappeared. This transition may have gone smoother if users liked GPT-5 better, but many felt like GPT-4o had a warmth and personality that GPT-5 lacked.

Users on Reddit called GPT-5 a "disaster," "horrible," and "absolute garbage." The tumultuous rollout was compounded by the fact that ChatGPT's "autoswitcher" — which automatically recognizes when to use a reasoning model or not — went down, according to Altman. This was apparently part of the reason why GPT-5 wasn't quite the seamless, more intelligent chatbot that was promised. OpenAI swiftly responded last week, with Altman sharing on Reddit and X that they would bring back GPT-4o for paying users.

In addition to bringing back legacy models, users can now choose "Auto" for GPT-5, which automatically detects when to use reasoning or "thinking," or they can manually select this by choosing "Fast" or "Thinking."

In yesterday's post, Altman addressed the sense of betrayal many users felt when they lost GPT-4o access without warning.

"If we ever do deprecate it, we will give plenty of notice," he said. Altman also added that the OpenAI team is "working on an update to GPT-5’s personality which should feel warmer than the current personality but not as annoying (to most users) as GPT-4o," referring to the wide range of preferences users have for chatbot personalities. "One learning for us from the past few days is we really just need to get to a world with more per-user customization of model personality," he added.

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.

FX's Alien: Earth does more than pay homage to Ridley Scott's 1979 original — creator, writer, and director Noah Hawley got hold of the actual set blueprints.

Mashable sat down with Hawley, executive producer David W. Zucker, and the cast of Alien: Earth to unpack the first TV series in the Alien franchise.

Set in 2120, Alien: Earth takes place just two years before Alien, in 2122. The series' opening scene might be set on the Weyland-Yutani spaceship USCSS Maginot, but it feels like we're right back on the Nostromo, the ship where Sigourney Weaver's Ripley first encountered the dreaded Xenomorph.

"We got the prints from the Nostromo, and we built the ship to match. Our cryochamber is bigger, our comms room is bigger, for story reasons," Hawley told Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan. "But the mess hall is exactly the same down to the props. The bridge is exactly the same down to the props."

SEE ALSO: How to watch the entire 'Alien' franchise — from the 1979 classic to the new 'Alien: Earth' series

Hawley said that most of the Alien: Earth cast and crew had similar reactions when walking onto set.

"To walk onto those sets for the first time is to be transported back to your childhood, and then you turn around and you watch everybody who walks onto those sets feel exactly the same way. I think that adds the authenticity of the feeling."

Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX with two episodes, then weekly on Tuesdays.

SAVE 23%: As of Aug. 13, you can get your hands on an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for just $849.99, down from $1,099.99, at Amazon. That's $250 off.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) $849.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $250 Get Deal

If you’re on the hunt for a flagship-like 2025 smartphone, Amazon’s a pretty good place to start. You can find tons of unlocked (meaning, you don’t have to commit to a specific carrier) models, including Samsung and other leading brands. The key is to make sure the seller listed is Amazon itself or a reputable, authorized reseller to guarantee authenticity and warranty coverage.

As of Aug. 13, you can get your hands on an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (256GB) for just $849.99, down from $1,099.99, at Amazon. That's a 23% discount and a $250 savings. Note: It looks like this discount only applies to the titanium black, titanium icyblue, and titanium silver colorways.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs iPhone 16e: What are the differences?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is similar to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, but it’s much thinner (5.8mm thick). It has a 6.7-inch display (with 3120×1440 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate), 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage (unless you opt for the 512GB model for a slightly higher price).

Mashable’s Tech Reporter, Alex Perry, wrote in his review that it “feels great in the hands” and is super lightweight. He also praised its loading speeds and the camera’s photography modes. “There’s even a dedicated Macro Focus mode now, which lets you put the camera up real close against tiny objects and capture them in great detail,” he writes. “It works very intuitively, activating on its own as soon as you get the camera close enough to what you’re trying to shoot.”

Perry's only real qualms were with the battery life (which is expected in such a thin device) and a screen that isn't super bright in direct sunlight, but it’s “a solid phone in almost every other way.”

VTubers, or content creators using virtual avatars, have taken over the world of live streaming. These vampires, demons, witches, school girls, and everything in between have crawled out of the realms of internet obscurity to break Twitch subscriber records and pull in hundreds of thousands of viewers a week. 

Though many of these creators decide to stream on their own, there's also a strong corporate culture where a handful of companies design blockbuster stars and tastemakers. One of the largest is Hololive, an agency owned by Japanese tech company COVER Corporation. They currently have 87 active talents, 20 of whom are English-speaking, who have over 80 million subscribers between them. Hololive talents are so popular that on July 5, the company teamed up with the LA Dodgers, sold out Dodger Stadium for the second time, and gave away trading cards that go for hundreds on eBay. Later this month, the agency is bringing its star talent to the stage at Radio City Music Hall. 

SEE ALSO: VTuber Ironmouse leaves VShojo, drops scorching allegations on the way out

Using software that tracks their facial, hand, or body movements, these content creators can remain anonymous online while still building and growing an audience. "A shy person doesn't have to reveal themselves; they can go beyond those sorts of social limitations because they're speaking through an avatar," COVER Corporation CEO Motoaki Tanigo told Mashable through the help of a translator. "Now you're showing your genuine self that you can't maybe show in the 'real world.' So we believe these avatars make it possible for people to be wholly genuine and really speak their mind in a whole different way."

VTubing's ascent started slowly, but the onset of the COVID pandemic supercharged its popularity. Annual views for YouTube videos related to VTubers nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021, and averaged over 40 billion in 2024. Now, more VTubers choose to stream on Twitch — and if you open the platform at any time, you'll see dozens of pastel-colored hair anime avatars bopping around playing video games, chatting with their audience, or singing karaoke. 

At first, I found it difficult to grasp why anyone would choose to watch a cartoon character over a streamer made of flesh and blood. But after a few hours watching a succubi run a digital hostess club, I realized that VTubers are creating a fantasy for viewers to buy into. Instead of watching an average gamer play Fortnite, I was brought into an imaginary realm where I could have tea with a demon or crumpets with a necromancer. Though I wasn't connecting with a person's real identity, I was able to connect with a world that may not be based in reality, but offered something new.   

"When you're talking about VTubers, they're real people," Tanigo said. "They have real journeys, and they can achieve real success. They have their own dreams. They have free will. You know, it's a real person. So fans can go along that journey." 

But, real or not, becoming a corporate VTuber is no easy task. 

The origins of Hololive

COVER's Hololive VTuber agency actually started by accident. The COVER Corporation was founded in June 2016 with the goal of creating augmented and virtual reality software. Just a little over a year later, it launched its first app, which allowed users to livestream themselves as full-body internet avatars. Its first model was Tokino Sora, a bright-eyed anime girl, who Tanigo said "turned out to be more popular than the game itself." 

"VR technology wasn't very widely known and accepted, so we decided to build a CG character that would promote the VR game that we made," Tanigo said. "So we decided to switch gears to a business that is now called the VTuber business, and we decided to support talent and help create more talent." 

To become a member of Hololive's roster now, you have to embark on a grueling, potentially years-long process. According to Tanigo, Hololive comes up with a concept for a character and a group, working with "top-level designers in the game and anime industries." Those who do audition don't get a say in how the character they portray looks or their design, but they will be able to add in their personality and decide if they want to be a dancer, singer, gamer, or trash talker.  

They have their own dreams. They have free will. You know, it's a real person. - COVER Corporation CEO Motoaki Tanigo, on VTubers

Auditions can take multiple rounds and can last for weeks or months before even getting to the interview stage. Some creators have to audition four or five times before even getting a callback. The process, and a lot of VTubing culture, takes inspiration from Asian idol culture. An idol is a carefully crafted entertainer, marketed for their image, attractiveness, and personality. They dance, sing, sell tons of merch, and usually start at a very young age, all while being under strict supervision by an agency. "There are certain similarities between VTubers and idols when it comes to the relationship between fans and talent," Tanigo said. 

But Tanigo doesn't like the idol comparison, feeling that his VTubers have more individual personality than most idol groups. "The idol business requires great amounts of monetary investment, with expensive music videos. So, because there's so much investment made by the company, it is almost like the talent has to obey, has to go along with the company's direction, with the company's initiatives. We are supporting individual performers, so our business doesn't require immediate investment of gigantic amounts, so we [have] more of a supportive mission to help the talent."

Once Hololive adds a VTuber to its roster, they become a cog in its corporate machine. The company takes a percentage of all its earnings (including donations, subscriptions, and sponsorships), decides who they can collaborate with, and owns the rights to the character they portray.  

That exchange does come with a series of perks. They get access to COVER's software, agents, music producers, and event organizers that offer "business support." Hololive performers in Japan get access to motion capture studios they can use to stream or create content from as their character. 

VTube growing pains and graduations

In their infancy, VTubing agencies are dealing with growing pains. Earlier this month, the third most popular agency (after Hololive and Nijisanji), VShojo, announced that it would be shutting down after burning through $11 million in funding without recouping it, and talent started to leave in waves. Their most popular streamer, IronMouse, announced she was leaving after claiming that the company had withheld half a million dollars she had raised to go to charity. 

When a VTuber leaves an agency, either to be free of corporate constraints or to go independent, usually on amicable terms, it's called "graduating." 

"When one of our talents ends up graduating, it was because we weren't able to give them the exact support that they wanted," Tanigo said. "It provides an opportunity for us to look back at our mistakes and strengthen our efforts to support the remaining talent for the future." 

Over the past year, Hololive has had seven of its talents graduate, with the most famous being Gawr Gura. The half-shark, half-anime woman was the most subscribed to VTuber on YouTube with four million subscribers since Gawr Gura launched in 2020. In April, she announced that she would be graduating from Hololive, launching her new character, Sameko Saba — part cat-girl, part shark-girl — to 200,000 live viewers. 

In response to the graduations, Tanigo said in plain English, "No comment."

Even with these choppy waters, Hololive shows no signs of slowing down. The company recently started testing Holoearth, a new virtual space that delivers on metaverse promises from years ago. Players can meet their favorite VTubers in a virtual world, take pictures with them, and even wear their merchandise. 

"I think in the next five to 10 years, we will have some serious major artists come out of the VTubing world, not just in Japan, but also in other countries," Tanigo said. "We wish to be the kind of company that can correctly support those people in the way that they deserve. So we will strive to be the kind of company that can do that."