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Linux is the best server operating system, right? As it turns out, not always. While I used to run all of my game servers on Linux, a recent issue pushed me toward Windows for game server hosting—and I’m actually happy with the switch.

Grok users, paying or not, have unlimited access to the new Grok 4 model for a limited time, xAI announced on Aug. 10 — a move to remain competitive as its fellow AI companies launch increasingly advanced models and generative AI tools.

"Simply use Auto mode, and Grok will route complex queries to Grok 4. Prefer control? Choose 'Expert' anytime to always use Grok 4," xAI wrote in an announcement posted on X.

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As xAI vies for a larger user base, the company may be trying to poach disgruntled ChatGPT users following the launch of OpenAI's GPT-5. On platforms like Reddit, many ChatGPT users have complained that GPT-5 feels less humanlike and is a little more careful in the way it approaches its relationships with users. After facing a backlash, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the company will re-release its previous model, GPT-4o, allowing other AI companies to step in with less-controlled alternatives.

Early tests of Grok 4, which launched on July 9, showed it's an impressively advanced model, surpassing competitors like DeepSeek and Claude, but the model's apparent lack of guardrails also suggests the new bot could pose safety concerns for users. A Mashable investigation showed that xAI's new generative AI image tool, Grok Imagine, failed to meet basic safety standards, allowing users to create sexual deepfakes.

How to access Grok 4 for free

You can start using Grok 4 now in the Grok iOS and Android app, or via the X website.

While on auto mode, the chatbot will evaluate whether or not a prompt requires the extended responses of Grok 4 or the quicker feedback of Grok 3. Users can also select the "Expert" setting to get answers from Grok 4.

The company will also be expanding its usage limits for users to accommodate the new model. Further information on free tiers for Grok 4 has yet to be provided.

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.

In the days leading up to the release of FX's Alien: Earth, the show has gone on a full publicity rampage.

FX has introduced tie-in products with everything from SoulCycle to Skullcandy headphones. On Aug. 9, they also launched "The Hunt," a series of pop-up stunts where fans could check out containment pods teeming with mysterious alien life and enter sweepstakes to win swag.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' review: Xenomorphs get upstaged in this sci-fi treat

But the Alien: Earth product that most captured my attention was the Alien-themed burger and shake combo at Black Tap, available until Aug. 24. After all, how in the world do you capture the vibe of the Alien franchise in a burger or shake? Would a Chestburster explode from my body hours after I consumed these menu items? (And would you call that a... Chestburger?)

Given that I'm still alive while writing this, days after having both the burger and shake, the answer is thankfully no. But even without the 4D Chestburster experience, the Alien: Earth burger managed to be the craziest burger I've ever eaten, hands-down.

Look at that Xenomorph blood... I mean, sauce. Credit: Belen Edwards

There's nothing too out there about the Alien: Earth burger's ingredient list. You've got a beef patty and some pepper jack cheese, topped with cilantro, charcoal aioli, and salsa verde. Crispy onion petals round out the toppings, curling out of the burger buns just like a Facehugger's spindly legs curl around its victim's face. The combination proved delicious, with the salsa verde providing a light zing to counteract a burger's usual heaviness.

The craziness really started as I chowed down on the burger. Eating a burger tends to be a humbling experience, because no matter how hard I try, sauce and juice wind up running down my hands. Napkins will only do so much. At some point, you just have to surrender to the sauce. Now, that's all well and good when the sauce is something familiar, like ketchup or Thousand Island dressing. But when you're working with a neon green salsa verde and a deep black aioli, the effect is downright alarming.

I peered down at my hands to see them spattered in bright green and black, like some unholy mix of the Xenomorph's acidic blood and the frightening black goo introduced in Prometheus. Truly, it appeared as if I had fought a Xenomorph, and that's as close to Alien as you can get in a burger. With that in mind, the experience wasn't just about the taste of the (yes, very yummy) burger. It was also about the spillage, which reduced me to laughter the worse it got. Apparently, all you need to live your Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) fantasy is a really messy burger.

Meanwhile, the milkshake, which was Mountain Dew-flavored, was less my speed. (Look, I love shakes, but don't do the Dew.) The chocolate cake slice that topped the shake was solid, though, and so dark that it evoked the pitch blackness of space, where no one can hear you scream.

The shake and cake pairing also gave me such a sugar rush that by the time the burger arrived, I felt invincible, like I could kill a Xenomorph by myself. And after eating the burger and getting my hands and lips smeared with black and green sauce, it certainly looked like I had.

Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.

If you are looking for yet another streaming subscription service, both ESPN and Fox will be launching new platforms in the coming weeks that are perfect for sports fans. Today, in a surprise turn of events, the two companies announced they'll let you bundle them together for one monthly fee, saving you a bit of money.

There's always been a strict divide between mobile games and console games, but that barrier has been quietly breaking down in recent years. Most modern phones can now handle console games like Resident Evil 4 and Assassin's Creed Mirage, while mobile games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt Legends Unite are giving some console games a run for their money.

Gamescom 2025 is right around the corner, and it’s set to be one of the biggest gaming events of the year. Over the course of several days, Cologne will once again become the center of the gaming universe, with publishers, developers, and fans all gathering for a week packed with world premieres, hands-on demos, and more livestreamed showcases than you’ll reasonably have time to watch.

Whether you’re in it for the AAA blockbusters, the indie darlings, or just the chaos of live event surprises, this year’s lineup looks stacked. Last year saw the reveal of a lot of big sequels, including Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII. To be honest, this year won't be that much different in that regard now that we know Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is the big game to start of the festivities.

Even still, Gamescom will have a little something for everyone. Here’s how to watch and what you can expect once the show kicks off.

Gamescom 2025: How to watchOpening Night Live

Gamescom kicks off with Opening Night Live, setting the tone for everything that follows during the event. The showcase will stream on YouTube and be headlined by the worldwide reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Yes, that’s right — seven of them. We used to be a proper country.

The livestream starts at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 11 a.m. PT, so clear your schedule if you want to see it all unfold in real-time.

Xbox @ Gamescom

Xbox will stream for two days straight at Gamescom, kicking off on August 20 and running again on August 21. Both broadcasts start bright and early — 9 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. CT / 6 a.m. PT — and will be available to watch on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and Facebook.

Gamescom 2025: What to expect

As mentioned up top, the big headliner for this year’s event is the reveal of Black Ops 7. But for anyone whose interests go beyond the annual big shooty-shooter, Microsoft has something special: a playable build of Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to 2017’s sleeper hit action-platformer Hollow Knight.

Xbox’s showcase will also deliver fresh updates on several announced titles, including Grounded 2, Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, and Overwatch 2.

We might also finally hear pricing details for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handheld systems — Microsoft’s first serious push into handheld PC gaming. Based on leaks, these things likely won’t come cheap. One leak pegs the high-end Xbox Ally X at €899 (around $1,047 USD), making it a full $100 more expensive than the 2TB version of the Xbox Series X.

Beyond that, Gamescom will be packed with reveals, trailers, and even live performances. Here’s the full schedule so far:

• Opening Night Live — August 19, 1:30 p.m. ET (pre-show), 2 p.m. ET (main show)

• Xbox @ Gamescom 2025 Broadcast — August 20, 9 a.m. ET

• Future Games Show — August 20, 2 p.m. ET

• Xbox @ Gamescom 2025 Broadcast — August 21, 9 a.m. ET

• Bethesda — streaming on Twitch August 22–25

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a man on the receiving end of many opinions. Some feel he is the talent of a generation while others find him mindbogglingly cringy. The most evolved critics (me) think he is both. But none of that really matters for the thousands of TikTok users enjoying a brand new trend borne of his 2015 musical, Hamilton.

The trend features predominately young women, all of whom somehow can pull together outfits fit for the early 1800s, dressed up as Alexander Hamilton and singing Miranda's part to the song, "Best of Wives and Best of Women." Usually, the TikTok Hamiltons are trying to sneak out of someone's house in the middle of the night and are annoyed at being held up by their curious spouse.

While everyone is nailing this trend, my personal favorite is a creation by Becca Bastos or @actressbecc, whose response to Eliza singing "come back to sleep" is a constant in my own brain. Her video has amassed over 3.3 million views.

A close second is, of course, a creation by none other than @_ashbyflorence_, who is simultaneously going viral for an incredible impersonation of The Lorax.

In response, men have begun playing Eliza's part in the song.

This comes as Hamilton returns to theaters for its 10th anniversary this year.

Less than a week after announcing a new Perplexity-powered AI search engine with reportedly tight reins on its sources, Truth Social's AI tool is already contradicting its most famous co-founder.

Truth Search AI, a new platform-based answer bot built on Perplexity Sonar API, was launched by Trump Media and Technology Group to "increase the amount of information" available to users and offer "direct, contextually accurate answers with transparent citations." Despite the commitment to a broader information environment, Perplexity representatives explained the search tool's sources could be customized by its overseers (known as source selection). In early tests by Axios, Truth Search AI's answers appeared to be limited to sourcing from traditionally conservative outlets, including FoxNews.com and FoxBusiness.com, compared to Perplexity's standard engine.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT fans are shredding GPT-5 on Reddit as Sam Altman responds in AMA (updated)

But, even with this curation, Truth Search AI isn't easily falling in line with the Trump Administration's standard talking points. In an analysis by the Washington Post, the AI tool repeatedly countered claims made by the President rather than reaffirming statements he has previously posted on Truth Social as factually correct, including the impact of international tariffs on American consumers and the need for federal intervention in what Trump has claimed is a crime-riddled national capital.

“Their own AI is now being too ‘woke’ for them,” David Karpf, a George Washington University professor, told the publication. The tool still cited primarily conservative entertainment and news sources in its citations, but its conclusions might not be as cut and dry as expected. Trump Media declined to provide comment to the Washington Post, calling their findings "transparently asinine" reporting by "irrelevant partisan hacks."

Part of what he claims to be a government-wide "truth-seeking" mission, Trump has recently attacked what he calls "Woke AI," or Large Language Models that are, in his eyes, "ideologically biased" and driven by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Last month, Trump issued an Executive Order intended to promote "unbiased AI" in federal contracting and national security. Meanwhile, the administration has brokered several deals with top AI companies to provide services to the federal government, including $200 million Pentagon contracts with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Elon Musk-owned xAI.

It’s here! Almost. jQuery 4.0.0-rc.1 is now available. It’s our way of saying, “we think this is ready; now poke it with many sticks”. If nothing is found that requires a second release candidate, jQuery 4.0.0 final will follow. Please try out this release and let us know if you encounter any issues.

A 4.0 upgrade guide and jQuery Migrate release are also now available, but both are subject to changes before the final jQuery Core release.

Many of the breaking changes in jQuery 4.0.0 are ones the team has wanted to make for years, but couldn’t in a patch or minor release. We’ve trimmed legacy code (including removing support for IE before version 11), removed some previously-deprecated APIs, removed some internal-only parameters to public functions that were never documented, and dropped support for some “magic” behaviors that were overly complicated.

As usual, the release is available on our CDN and the npm package manager. Third party CDNs will not be hosting this rc release, but will host the 4.0.0 final release later. Here are some highlights for jQuery 4.0.0 rc.1.

Download

You can get the files from the jQuery CDN, or link to them directly:

https://code.jquery.com/jquery-4.0.0-rc.1.js

https://code.jquery.com/jquery-4.0.0-rc.1.min.js

You can also get this release from npm:

npm install jquery@4.0.0-rc.1

Slim build

Sometimes you don’t need ajax, or you prefer to use one of the many standalone libraries that focus on ajax requests. And often it is simpler to use a combination of CSS and class manipulation for web animations. Finally, all of jQuery’s supported browsers (except for IE11) now have support for native Promises across the board, so Deferreds and Callbacks are no longer needed in most cases. Along with the regular version of jQuery that includes everything, we’ve released a “slim” version that excludes these modules. The size of jQuery is very rarely a load performance concern these days, but the slim build is about 8k gzipped bytes smaller than the regular version. These files are also available in the npm package and on the CDN:

https://code.jquery.com/jquery-4.0.0-rc.1.slim.js

https://code.jquery.com/jquery-4.0.0-rc.1.slim.min.js

These updates are already available as the current versions on npm. Information on all the ways to get jQuery is available at https://jquery.com/download/. Public CDNs receive their copies today, please give them a few days to post the files. If you’re anxious to get a quick start, use the files on our CDN until they have a chance to update.

Thanks

Thank you to all of you who participated in this release by submitting patches, reporting bugs, or testing, including ac-mmi, Michał Gołębiowski-Owczarek, neogy-akash, and the whole jQuery team.

Changelog

Full changelog: 4.0.0-rc.1

CSS

• Fix dimensions of table <col> elements (#5628, eca2a564)
• Drop the cache in finalPropName (640d5825)

Core

• Remove obsolete workarounds, update support comments (e2fe97b7)
• Switch $.parseHTML from document.implementation to DOMParser (0e123509)

Docs

• Align CONTRIBUTING.md with 3.x-stable (d9281061)
• Update CONTRIBUTING.md (4ef25b0d)
• add version support section to README (cbc2bc1f)

Event

• Use .preventDefault() in beforeunload (7c123dec)

Manipulation

• Make jQuery.cleanData not skip elements during cleanup (#5214, 3cad5c43)

Selector

• Properly deprecate jQuery.expr[ ":" ]/jQuery.expr.filters (329661fd)

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 11, the Fitbit Versa 4 smartwatch is on sale for $149.95 at Amazon instead of its usual $199.95. That's 25% in savings and $30 cheaper than it was just last week.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Versa 4 $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50 Get Deal

The fitness tracker and smartwatch industry is a bit oversaturated these days, but Fitbit remains one of the top dogs. And when it comes to Fitbits, the Versa 4 is the one we recommend "to anyone in need of something functional, but also simple and affordable."

While it's not the most advanced smartwatch in the Fitbit lineup (that would be the Sense 2), it looks and feels good, has a massive selection of built-in fitness features, and comes at a relatively low price. As of Aug. 11, Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale for $149.95 — that's 25% off its list price and $30 cheaper than it was just last week when we featured it.

What it lacks in widespread app access and ECG and stress sensors, it makes up for with its fitness features, design and usability upgrades over its predecessor (which we also loved), and its responsive touch screen. You'll get heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, Sp02 monitoring, stress tracking, and a built-in GPS. Our reviewer noted that it's not the most accurate GPS she's used, but "if your aim is general fitness rather than long distance exercise with detailed tracking, it’s perfectly fine for casual use." It's also waterproof for swimming and can track basic swim metrics.

It'll outlast the Apple Watch with five to six days of power and it can track an entire 10K with GPS without dying. Unfortunately for Apple users, you can't reply to text directly from the watch — that feature is only available for Android users. But you still can get notifications and voice calls.

Ultimately, the Versa 4 is a pretty solid purchase at full price. At $50 off, it's an even better value.

Earlier this summer, a prominent Apple analyst claimed Apple was developing a "more affordable MacBook" powered by an iPhone chip. Now, we have a better idea of how much it might cost. (Spoiler: Almost half has much as a current-generation MacBook Air.)

According to the Taiwanese tech site DigiTimes, the budget MacBook that Apple is reportedly working on could cost somewhere between $599 and $699. To be clear, it's still a hypothetical at this point, but the lower end of that price range would make it 40% cheaper than the latest M4 MacBook Air. That would also put it in the ballpark of the M1 MacBook Air from late 2020, which Walmart has been selling for the Chromebook-level price of $599 this summer.

DigiTimes' report also includes the tidbit that the affordable MacBook will have a 12.9-inch display, making it slightly smaller than the M4 MacBook Air, which comes in a 13-inch size.

SEE ALSO: The next affordable MacBook might be powered by an iPhone chip

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously claimed in June that a new cheap MacBook would feature a 13-inch display and the Apple A18 Pro, the same chip used in last year's iPhone 16 Pro and Max. That would make it the first-ever MacBook to be powered by an iPhone chip. It could also come in colors like silver, blue, pink, and yellow, Kuo shared on X.

Kuo said he expected the affordable MacBook to enter mass production in late Q4 of 2025 or early Q1 of 2026, putting it slightly ahead of the rumored M5 and M6 MacBooks in terms of potential availability. If any of these leaks pan out, next year will be a major one for fans of Apple's laptops.

The good news is that the MacBook Pro might soon get a proper redesign with an OLED display. The bad news is that OLED laptops from Apple aren't coming anytime soon.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reports that Apple's OLED update to the MacBook Pro is still at least a year away.

"It's arriving between the end of 2026 and early 2027 and should boast the M6 chip," Gurman wrote in the Aug. 10 edition of his Power On newsletter.

So, even if a MacBook with an M5 chip launches in 2025 or 2026, you may want to hold off for the OLED version.

The delay of a potential M6 MacBook Pro with an OLED display isn't entirely unexpected, considering the next-in-line M5 MacBook Pro is also rumored to be delayed until 2026. (The best MacBooks available today feature M4 chips.) In July, Gurman reported that "the M5 MacBook Pro line will be the last with the current design."

SEE ALSO: Apple's M5 MacBook Pro could be delayed until 2026, report says

The new timeline will certainly test the patience of aspirant upgraders who want a new MacBook Pro with more than just fresh silicon. The OLED MacBook Pro will mark the machine's first major overhaul since 2021, when Apple scrapped the Touch Bar, revived MagSafe charging, and bumped the smaller model from 13 inches to 14.

The one shred of hope is that historically, Apple hasn't been opposed to releasing two generations of M-something chips in the same calendar year. It kicked off 2023 with the release of the M2 Pro and Max MacBook Pros in January, then replaced them with M3 models in October.

If OLED is all that you're after, there's always the M4 iPad Pro with a tandem OLED screen. Otherwise, bear with Apple.

Back to school season is in full swing, and you don't have to rely on the Apple Store's deals to get the best bang for your buck on a new iPad, AirPods, or MacBook.

In fact, you're much more likely to get better savings from retailers like Amazon. The below list is our case in point, featuring deals like the 11-inch iPad Air marked down $150 to $649, the AirPods Pro down $80 at $169, and the M4 MacBook Air down $200 to $799 — its lowest price ever.

Check them out, along with the other top TK Apple deals live this week.

Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 at Amazon
$249 Save $80 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

The AirPods Pro 2 are our favorite earbuds for Apple users, providing excellent ANC, sound quality, and connection with Apple devices. Though Apple's price point is at the steeper end, this deal puts these earbuds at a much more accessible $169 — not quite the lowest price we've ever seen them, but still one of the best at $80 off. The only reason we wouldn't get them? If you want the latest and the greatest earbuds. The USB-C version of these earbuds released back in 2023, and though we think they hold up, there was a possible leak of the AirPods Pro 3 earlier this year.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods Max — $479.99 $549 (save $69.01)

Best MacBook Air deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon
$999 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is going on its third week of sitting at its record-low price. That's right: You can get the MacBook Air M4 (in any color) for just $799. That's a 20% discount and a $200 savings. The 15-inch version is our favorite MacBook for most people, so if you don't mind a slightly smaller display, this price is pretty unbeatable for an everyday laptop.

Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,599 at Best Buy
Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M4 MacBook Pro.

If you'd rather have a Pro, the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is still sitting at $1,299.00. This is the lowest price we've tracked for this model and a full $300 off its list price. Though significantly more expensive than the Air, the Pro is better suited for folks who regularly do more intensive tasks like video editing — the larger built-in storage is also a big bonus for use cases like that.

More MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,399 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499 $1,799 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)

Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $449 at Walmart
$599 Save $150 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M3 iPad Air.

The iPad Air is the best Apple tablet for most people, and for good reason: it has a long battery life, works for streaming and creative projects, has the option between 11-inch and 13-inch displays, and has a powerful M3 processor that basically makes it a touch screen laptop, especially with the addition of a Magic Keyboard. It's a great note-taking and file organizing machine for students, and at $150 off, it's back down to its lowest price ever.

More iPad deals

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $649 $799 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 256GB) — $749 $899 (save $150)

Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $299 at Walmart
$399 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch fitness tracker on the market, for a few reasons. For folks already in the Apple ecosystem (most people), this watch integrates easily, giving you access to health data that tracks your heart rate, steps, and sleep. While it's not too different from past generations, anyone with an older Apple Watch will appreciate what the Series 10 has to offer, especially with the larger (and thinner) display, that's still readable in bright sunlight. At $299, this Apple Watch isn't quite at its $279 all-time low, but $100 off is still nothing to sneeze at.

More Apple Watch deals

• Apple Watch SE, 2nd generation (40mm, GPS) — $169 $249 (save $80)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $649.99 $779 (save $129.01)

Deals on Apple accessories and more

• Apple AirTag — $24 $29 (save $5)

• Apple Pencil (USB-C) — $69 $79 (save $10)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 $99 (save $24.01)

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

• Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple Magic Keyboard Folio (iPad 10th generation) — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple Magic Keyboard Folio (iPad Air 13-inch) — $287.09 $319 (save $31.91)

The Made by Google event is just weeks away, and while all eyes are on the upcoming Pixel 10, a fresh leak has given us our first look at the redesigned Pixel Buds 2a.

SEE ALSO: A new Pixel 10 leak reveals so many colors (and more)

In an exclusive from Android Headlines, leaked renders show Google’s latest addition to the Pixel Buds A-series lineup. The case sticks to Google’s familiar shape but now features a single, unified color inside that matches the earbuds themselves—a subtle but sleek refresh.

The Pixel Buds A-series is Google’s budget-friendly line of wireless earbuds, first launched in 2021 as a more accessible alternative to the Pixel Buds Pro. While they skip some of the premium perks — like wireless charging or advanced audio tuning —they’ve built a reputation for delivering solid sound quality, dependable Google Assistant integration, and seamless pairing with Pixel phones and other Android devices.

The color shown in the leak is Iris, a soft yet striking purple. A leaked spec sheet on X shows a standard black option as well, while a separate leak hints at two more shades, Hazel and Fog Light, whatever that turns out to be.

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According the the leaked spec sheet, the Pixel Buds 2a will feature Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio and have a 7-hour battery life, just shy of the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s 8 hours. If the leaks are accurate, Google’s aiming to keep the A-series competitive (and cheap) without sacrificing the essentials.

Back in February 2025, former OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy posted a tweet that would start a revolution in coding and software development. Yes, we're talking about “vibe coding,” a term that has since spread across the internet like wildfire. Even OpenAI’s latest GPT-5 model aims to please the vibe coding fanatics.

So, what is this new method of coding?

Vibe coding 101

The practice of vibe coding, per Karpathy, is simply using AI to do your coding for you. For example, you would come up with an idea and then tell the AI to code it. From there, you’d review the code, and any changes or fixes you wanted would be sent back through the AI again and again until everything feels right. 

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The coder doesn’t need to do any actual coding; instead, they use natural language to describe the code, website, or application they want to create. The feeling of letting go of preconceived notions and letting the AI handle everything is described as “fully giving into the vibes” by Karpathy. Any change suggested by the AI is automatically accepted and rolled into the code. No thoughts, just vibes. 

It has been met with champions and detractors. On one side of the fence, people like Karpathy have fully embraced AI’s ability to write code and let the AI do the heavy lifting, content to explore what AI can and can’t do on its outer fringes. Others have derided the practice, saying code created this way is often incomprehensible and unpredictable, and that good engineers understand their own code. 

How can I get into vibe coding?

It’s honestly pretty easy to do. If you have access to an AI chatbot, you can start vibe coding right away. You’ll want to make sure you go into it knowing what needs to be done. For example, many have suggested making sure that you have a strong, clear vision for what you want your code to do before going into it, so that the AI writes better code. Here is a decent tutorial on getting started with vibe coding. 

If you'd like to practice with training wheels, Google recently introduced Opal, a sort of paint-by-numbers vibe coding tool. You can see what others have created and use templates to get started.

What are the best vibe coding tools?

Almost any modern LLM is decently suited for vibe coding. All of them have code knowledge at the heart of the product. Even AI companies use LLMs to code things, as was shown off when Anthropic cut OpenAI’s access to APIs in early August. However, if you’re completely new at this and want ideas on where to look, here are some good tools to try for vibe coding. 

We recommend being careful, making backups, and saving your work. Vibe coding can go seriously wrong, leading to the deletion of your code. 

Claude Code

Claude Code is a wonderful place to start for vibe coding. It’s a variant of Anthropic’s Claude chatbot that is optimized specifically for coding. We've been impressed with the latest models from Anthropic, Claude 4, particularly for coding work.

Claude Code works specifically in integrated development environments (IDEs) like VS Code while also being able to edit multiple files at once. It also has protections built in so that it won’t edit your code without your expressed consent, which helps avoid problems like code deletion that we mentioned earlier.  Of course, if you've never heard of an IDE before, then we recommend starting with a more beginner-friendly vibe coding tool, such as GPT-5 or Google Opal.

Using Claude, more advanced vibe coders can import existing code, which the AI can then read and summarize. Per Anthropic, the AI can make small changes like bug fixes or larger changes like feature implementations, both of which make it good for vibe coding. Other big-name LLMs like Google Gemini work great for this too, but Claude Code is built specifically for this stuff, so it’s a more natural option. 

GPT-5 Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable Composite; Open AI

We’ve already mentioned the other big dogs, but GPT-5 gets a special mention because it’s brand new. OpenAI released the model on Aug. 7, and when it comes to state-of-the-art smarts, this is a good choice. On top of being the latest model on the market, OpenAI has put a lot of thought into the coding side of things, which is what we’ll talk about. 

One of the big highlights of the release is the improvements to agentic coding, which is tech-speak for being able to code things based on natural language prompts. OpenAI demoed this during its livestream with good results. Our tech editor also gave it a shot, and we've found that for folks with zero coding experience, GPT-5 is a great vibe coding tool for beginners. It's a big push forward for fans of vibe coding, and it’s surprisingly easy to use. 

Cursor

Cursor is another good choice for vibe coding for much the same reason as Claude Code. It’s an IDE with an AI chatbot integrated into it, and as such, vibe coding is right at the top of its feature list. It’s one of the AI tools we saw recommended most often, and it’s pretty easy to get into without a lot of prior experience. 

The big draw for Cursor is its coding agent. You can tell it to make changes, and it’ll do so while also telling you what changes it's making. This keeps coders in the loop so they know what to ask for next. It can also do things like automatic bug fixes to reduce the amount of effort you need to spend testing and iterating. Like Claude Code, you can also import libraries to use for documentation, giving you the ability to customize your coding. 

Lovable

Lovable is right up there with Cursor as an option we saw recommended fairly often. It works much the same way as Cursor, where you can talk to the AI bot to get your code written while also asking for changes, bug fixes, and the like. It also has common features like importing code for documentation and other things like that. 

Also like the competition, Lovable has various integrations that you can add to make life easier, including API access to OpenAI and Anthropic, along with GitHub. So, with a little effort, you can integrate the necessary stuff to give you the performance you need. Lovable focuses more on the AI prompt side of things, but Cursor is a more traditional IDE. So you should choose whichever one vibes (pun intended) better with your style. 

v0 by Vercel

v0 by Vercel is the final tool we recommend checking out. It works great for vibe coding and appears to be built specifically for such a thing. You tell it what you want, and it generates a web app that does what you ask. However, like 21st.dev, it seems to be mostly preferred by people looking to make UI elements alongside the software, making a good all-in-one program for vibe coding. 

Like the others on the list, you have a list of integrations that you can add to increase the likelihood of success with your work. It can integrate directly with Grok, for example, and coders can add their API keys for others like OpenAI and Anthropic. While researching this article, I found that many folks recommend using this with something like Claude Code as a one-two punch for vibe coding. 

Honorable mention: Opal by Google Credit: Google

As we mentioned before, Google recently launched Opal, a vibe coding tool that lets you leverage a variety of other Google AI tools, such as Imagen, Gemini, and even Veo, Google's generative AI video maker. While you're limited in the types of applications and websites you can create, this beginner-friendly tool doesn't require any experience with programming languages or software development. In our testing, the interface makes it easy to understand how your app functions. As you work, Opal creates a visual web of connections so you can see how each step fits into the whole.

Honorable mention: 21st.dev

21st.dev isn’t a tool that you would use to vibe code. However, it is something you would use alongside vibe coding. The idea is that it helps you build a UI for your program. You can then vibe code and use the UI elements crafted here to create one cohesive app. The service works primarily on modules that you can then export and use in your existing code. 

These components give you some template-level ideas for a UI that you can then change and construct to your specifications using the built-in AI chatbot. So, for instance, you can use this Apple-style liquid glass button component and then edit it with AI to make it look and do what you want. You can then import that code into your project, making UI work a lot easier. 

Let the AI do it

While testing all of these products, I did quite enjoy the fact that I have virtually no modern coding knowledge, and I could still create some simple stuff pretty quickly. I guess that’s the benefit of vibe coding from someone who hasn’t touched an IDE since 2008.

In any case, vibe coding in its current form is months old, so more tools are being released all the time to take advantage of the latest fad in coding. Keep an eye out for new AI coding tools in the months ahead. 

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.

SAVE 21%: As of Aug. 11, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $79, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 savings.

Roku Streambar SE 2-in-1 Soundbar With 4K Streaming $79 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal

If you’ve been looking for an all-in-one entertainment solution for your bedroom TV or a smaller living room, I’d like to introduce you to the Roku Streambar SE. This little soundbar is feature-packed, and on sale for a limited time on Amazon.

As of Aug. 11, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $79, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 savings. This isn't the lowest we've seen it go for (it was $59 during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days in October), but it's still a pretty good deal if you're looking for something that's affordable and has everything you need in one small package.

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

The Roku Streambar SE is a soundbar and a streaming device in one. You’ll get 4K HDR picture quality and an easy-to-use Roku interface that lets you stream from pretty much every service you can think of, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can pair your headphones for a quiet night of TV watching or stream music from your phone. Plus, the remote controls your TV, sound, and streaming, so you don’t have to juggle multiple remotes.

The two full-range speakers are pretty decent for the price. But if you want a more immersive experience, you can pair it with a Roku Wireless Bass Subwoofer.

SAVE 40%: The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker is on sale at Amazon for $59.99 in select colorways, down from the standard price of $99.99. That's a savings of $40 and the lowest price we've seen in 2025.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker $59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

You have tons of options when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers that can come along on your camping trip but not all are created equal. Thankfully, one of Mashable's favorite options is on a steep discount today at Amazon.

As of Aug. 11, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker is just $59.99 in select colorways at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $99.99. That's a 40% discount that shaves $40 off the list price. It's also the best price we've seen in 2025 and it matches the lowest Amazon has ever offered. Keep in mind you'll need to go with the blue or black colorway to score this sale price.

A portable Bluetooth speaker that comes on your outdoor adventures has some requirements. It needs to be waterproof, dust-proof, and durable enough to take a few tumbles. Thankfully, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 hits all of those requirements and then some. One of its most notable extras is the fact that it floats for 30 minutes. That means its more than worthy of taking along to the pool or the beach.

SEE ALSO: Need a new speaker? Get the JBL Clip 5 for under $60 at Amazon.

On Mashable's list of the best Bluetooth speakers, the Wonderboom 4 earns the top spot as the best option under $100. Thanks to today's deal, we can change that to the best option under $60. "This speaker's small (and rugged enough) to take along for a hike, while traveling, and for tossing next to the pool," notes the review from Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard and Freelance Reviewer Alex Bracetti.

The UE Wonderboom 4 can get up to 14 hours of playtime on a single charge and its Bluetooth range goes up to 130 feet. Both of these features make it great for camping, backyard hands, or heading off for a year in the college dorm.

Since we haven't seen this low price since December 2024, now is a great time to snag the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 speaker for under $60 at Amazon. Just be sure to go with blue or black to save $40.

SAVE $202: As of Aug. 11, the TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED TV is on sale for $797.99 at Amazon instead of $999.99. That's a savings of 20% and just over 15 bucks shy of its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED TV $797.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $202 Get Deal

While it's not one of the best times to buy a TV overall, it is a pretty good time to buy one specific TV: the 2025 TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED TV.

As of Aug. 11, the 75-inch version of the TCL QM6K Mini LED TV is down to just $797.99 a Amazon instead of its usual $999.99. That's a savings of over $200 or 20% and just a little over 15 bucks shy of its best-ever price.

The TCL QM6K is a great value and strong competitor for its price — especially now that it's $202 cheaper. In fact, our friends at CNET (also owned by Ziff Davis) dubbed it the "best TV under $1,000 in 2025." It checks all the right boxes: impressive picture quality with vibrant colors, smooth streaming interface (via Google TV), and high refresh rate (144Hz) for gaming.

It's not the brightest TV available, but its mini LED backlight allows for deep contrast and a wide and accurate color spectrum. To be honest, unless you're watching in a very bright room with lots of direct reflections, you likely won't even notice a brightness issue. In dark rooms, its 500 dimming zones will really show off, ensuring important dark scenes look fantastic.

While it can't quite stand up to its QM8 sibling, the QM6K is "a stellar mini LED TV for the low-to-mid-tier price range," as our team pointed out in our roundup of the best TVs for 2025. And at 20% off, its value just went up even more.

More leaks have revealed a bright spectrum of colors for the new Pixel 10 lineup.

According to noted leaker Evan Blass on X (via Android Authority) we now have a new batch of renders for the Pixel 10 colorways Google will unveil at the Made By Google event on Aug. 20.

If you're into fresh, juicy colors, take a look at what the Pixel 10 might have to offer: Obsidian, Indigo, Frost, and Limoncello. There's also reportedly another colorway called Jade, but it's not pictured.

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According to the leak, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL comes in four more muted colors: Obsidian, Moonstone, Porcelain, and Jade.

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Although not pictured in the leaked Pixel 10 Pro renders, you can see the Pixel 10 Pro XL in the Jade colorway.

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As Mashable has previously covered, the Pixel 10 leaks are more like a flood than a trickling faucet. Rumors suggest the Pixel 10 lineup will come with wireless charging, an upgraded Tensor 5 chip, and improved battery life and brightness. The Pixel 10 is also expected to have a new telephoto lens, while the Pixel 10 Pro is rumored to have major upgrades to its wide-angle and telephoto lens. Surprising no one, the Pixel 10 lineup will get the Android 16 software upgrade, complete with AI features like photo-editing with Google's Gemini model. Take a look at our roundup of Pixel 10 rumors for full details and specs.

If these leaks turn out to true, we now have a practically full picture of what to expect at the Google Pixel event in a few weeks. But there's always the chance for last minute surprises unveiled during the event itself, so stay tuned.

Halloween comes early to Netflix with its upcoming animated series Haunted Hotel, which looks like The Shining crossed with a family sitcom.

Created by Rick and Morty writer Matt Roller, the show transports us to the Undervale, a hotel overrun by ghosts instead of guests. Single mother Katherine (voiced by Eliza Coupe) runs the Undervale, with her two kids Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and Esther (Natalie Palamides) along for the ride. Katherine has help from her estranged brother Nathan (Will Forte), who also happens to be one of the hotel's spectres. Being a ghost himself, Nathan thinks that his supernatural compatriots at the Undervale have some pretty solid ideas about running the hotel, even if Katherine disagrees.

The first trailer for Haunted Hotel introduces several of the Undervale's frightening residents. Chiefest among them is Abaddon (Jimmi Simpson), a demon from Hell who's trapped in the body of a young Victorian boy. Also on display are soapy demons, a zombie, a glowing anglerfish... and a ghost orgy. With all this ectoplasm floating around, how is Katherine supposed to run a successful business (and keep her children from getting possessed)?

On top of Roller, Haunted Hotel shares quite a lot of its creative team's DNA with Rick and Morty. Dan Harmon and Steve Levy (both of Rick and Morty and Community fame) co-executive produce alongside Roller and Chris McKenna, while Rick and Morty's first-ever female director Erica Hayes serves as supervising director.

Haunted Hotel hits Netflix Sept. 19.