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• Agentic AI is rewriting the rules of value and monetization in commerce media

  15-06-2026 11:00 via marketingdive.com
  
  Koddi’s new data shows a market already in motion and provides clues about who stands to win.
  
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• Netflix bought Ben Afflecks AI startup for $587 million

  18-07-2026 20:30 via mashable.com
  
  Netflix paid over half a billion dollars for Ben Affleck's AI startup InterPositive, which he founded in 2022.According to Variety, Netflix's Form 10-Q report with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosed that it paid $587 million in cash for an acquisition in March. While the company they acquired goes unnamed in the report, the InterPositive acquisition was announced on March 5, and a Bloomberg report estimated that Netflix could have paid up to $600 million.SEE ALSO:Netflix's 'Wonka'
  
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• A live-action Princess Tiana movie is in the works from Colman Domingo and Robert OHara

  18-07-2026 17:44 via mashable.com
  
  A new Disney princess might be getting the live-action treatment soon: Princess Tiana, from 2009's The Princess and the Frog.SEE ALSO:'The Odyssey' sails towards a record-breaking opening weekend
  On Friday, Deadline reported that Emmy and Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (Euphoria, Sing Sing) and Tony-nominated director Robert O'Hara (Slave Play) are in talks to co-write a live-action film centered on Tiana. Originally voiced by Anika Noni Rose, Tiana is a determined waitress from New Orleans who ho
  
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• The Odyssey sails towards a record-breaking opening weekend

  18-07-2026 16:12 via mashable.com
  
  True to its source material, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is headed for an epic opening weekend at the box office.SEE ALSO:'The Odyssey' review: Christopher Nolan turns an epic myth into a movie masterpiece
  According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Odyssey raked in $17.6 million from domestic Thursday night previews and is on track for a $117 million opening weekend. That would make it the best domestic opening for a live-action film this year, surpassing Michael, which took in $97 million and
  
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• The best air purifiers for wildfire smoke tested: Our faves from Blueair, Coway Airmega, Shark, and more

  18-07-2026 12:00 via mashable.com
  
  Can wildfire smoke get into your house?Yes. It won't be visibly hazy like it is outside, but particulate matter like wildfire smoke — 20 to 30 times smaller than a human hair — can seep into your home in several different ways. Many air purifiers have sensors that provide live air quality metrics from the room they're in, including PM2.5 (particulate matter).Indoor air still isn't innately clean when there's not a major air quality event happening. Indoor air pollution can be caused
  
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• We found the 6 best laptops for college students after years of testing

  18-07-2026 11:45 via mashable.com
  
  Here at Mashable, we're constantly testing the best laptops based on an exhaustive in-house methodology that combines real-world use with performance benchmarking. In the past two years alone, we've tried over 80 different models across a range of price points. To determine which of them fit the bill for college students, specifically, I researched the top 10 public universities' hardware recommendations for the upcoming fall 2026 semester. These include processor types, operating system support
  
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• We spent a year testing the best red light masks. We found 5 we love and 2 to avoid.

  18-07-2026 11:05 via mashable.com
  
  How to choose an LED face mask: Look at wavelength firstThere are some ways to tell that a red light face mask won't be effective before you buy it and use it for a few months. Wavelength is the first factor anyone will tell you to consider. You want to find products that emit light within the therapeutic window, or the range of wavelengths that can be effective when treating common skin conditions. There is now an abundance of evidence that specific wavelengths of red light can be effective for
  
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• These Pokémoan sex toys are actually kind of cute — shop the limited first-edition drop

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Geeky Sex Toys limited-edition Pokémoan Collection goes live on July 21 at 7 p.m. ET. (Note: These will sell out.) Becoming a Pokémon "master" just got a brand-new meaning...In 2016, Geeky Sex Toys released a small collection of Pokémon-inspired sex toys (which they very cheekily named "Pokémoan"), and it sold out instantly. (Because, like, of course it did.) SEE ALSO:I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.
  Now, 10 yea
  
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• The Odyssey hints at 3 myths without detailing them. Here are the untold stories.

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey follows one of literature's most famous and most laborious voyages home. In Homer's epic tale, Odysseus (Matt Damon) is challenged by the gods, the elements, and a fair few mythological creatures on his way home from the Trojan War.Many of these myths will be easy to spot for classical mythology enthusiasts and newcomers alike, with goddess of war and wisdom Athena (Zendaya) being Odysseus' constant companion, the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron) keeping Odysseus m
  
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• The Odyssey cyclops was inspired by one of historys goriest paintings

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey draws from the literature of antiquity, but there's an art history reference in the film that's relatively more recent. And deeply gory.In a major moment from Homer's epic poem, Odysseus (Matt Damon) is heading home from the Trojan War with his men when they stop by an island for food and supplies. It's here they find themselves trapped in the sheep-filled cave of the mighty Polyphemus (Bill Irwin), a towering cyclops who casually changes up his daily diet of home
  
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• The Nutribullet Chill is the ice cream maker thats staying on my counter this summer

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  I'm pretty loyal to my Nutribullet blender, which is now over a decade old and survived my college years and multiple apartment moves. I wasn't surprised to see the brand expand its horizons into ice cream maker territory. Instant ice cream makers, like the Ninja Creami, which differ from traditional ice cream makers that focus on churning, are all the rage, making homemade ice cream a breeze. No more cooking custards on the stovetop or worrying about hours of churning.But can a blender brand br
  
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• The 9 best free dating apps that literally cost $0 to sign up and use

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  If you're on a budget, don't panic. You don't need to shell out hundreds of dollars a year on dating apps to find a genuine connection. Dating itself is already expensive enough, so why should the apps eat at your wallet, too? While some platforms roll out premium tiers that cost as much as a car payment (looking at you, Grindr), you don't have to resort to dating an AI just to save cash. Some of the best dating apps are still free to download and use, and even though some are only free for wome
  
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• T-Mobile is handing over the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to claim yours

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 for free this weekend. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.Opens in a new windowCredit: AppleApple iPhone 17Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.Shop NowEveryone is talking about Samsung right now. Samsung Unpacked is taking place on July 22, and everyone is prepping for Samsung's next batch of foldables to launch. It's an exciting time for Android users, but what about Apple fanatics
  
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• Learn up to 25 languages for $127 with this new Rosetta Stone Sapphire deal

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: New users can get a one-year Rosetta Stone Sapphire subscription — 25 languages, pronunciation feedback, and real conversation practice — for $127.20 (reg. $159).Opens in a new windowCredit: Rosetta StoneRosetta Stone Sapphire: 1-Year Subscription$127.20 $159 Save $31.80 Get DealIf you want to learn languages, it’s best to go to a trusted source. Rosetta Stone has over 30 years of expertise, coupled with new technology that helps you travel like a local. A one-
  
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• Learn piano with 5 years of interactive lessons for $65

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Get five years of interactive piano lessons with the flowkey five-year Classic Plan for $64.97 (reg. $899) through July 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT.Opens in a new windowCredit: Flowkeyflowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription)$64.97 $899 Save $834.03 Get DealMaybe you’ve always wanted to learn piano but never got past a few YouTube tutorials or a dusty keyboard that has taken up residence in your family’s garage. flowkey, a musican learning software, is design
  
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• How Christopher Nolan weaponized Matt Damons persona for The Odyssey

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Critics have been singing the praises of Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey, not only for its ambition but also for its astounding execution. The British American filmmaker looked to an ancient Greek epic to unfurl a joltingly sharp critique of contemporary American politics. And it turns out that casting Matt Damon in the lead role was Nolan's secret weapon for this cutting commentary. Damon, who'd previously appeared in Nolan's Oppenheimer and Interstellar, sta
  
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• Grab a lifetime Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus license for just $54.99

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Save $195 and own Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for $54.99 with a lifetime license for one Windows PC — no recurring subscription fees.Opens in a new windowCredit: MicrosoftMicrosoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License$54.99 $249.99 Save $195 Get DealMonthly subscriptions make sense for some software. But if you use the same Windows PC every day and simply want Microsoft Office installed and ready to go, paying once can be the simpler option.Th
  
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• FIFA World Cup schedule today: Games, kickoff times, livestream info for July 18

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  The 2026 World Cup final is what everyone is focused on right now, but before we get there, England and France will compete for third place. Both sides suffered disappointing defeats at the semi-final stage, so they'll be desperate to head home on the back of a win. Here's all the information you need to watch this third-place playoff.FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 18Third-Place Playoff: France vs. England (Miami Stadium) — kickoff at 5 p.m. ETHow to watch FIFA World Cup games to
  
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• Dune: Part Three footage is playing before The Odyssey. Heres how to catch it.

  18-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  If last week's trailer for Dune: Part Three wasn't enough to tide you over until the film's Dec. 18 release, you're in luck. You might be able to catch exclusive footage from Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic before screenings of The Odyssey.Roughly four minutes of footage from Dune: Part Three will play before IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey. The large film format is The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan's preferred way for audiences to see the movie, and only 41 theaters in the world are cap
  
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• The DJI Mini 5 Pro has hit its best-ever price at Amazon — buy for under $1,000 this weekend

  18-07-2026 06:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: As of July 18, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo on sale for $989 at Amazon. That's the first time we've seen this beginner-friendly bundle drop below $1,000.Opens in a new windowCredit: DJIDJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo$989 at Amazon $1,599 Save $610 Get DealWe're keeping a close eye on DJI drone deals. That's largely because these drones are firm favorites of content creators, but it's also because there are restrictions on DJI products in the U.S. The new rules only restrict future
  
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• Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on July 18

  18-07-2026 06:00 via mashable.com
  
  After days of almost complete darkness, the Moon is finally illuminated enough to spot some features on its surface once again. What can you see when you look up tonight?What is today’s Moon phase?As of Saturday, July 18, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Crescent phase, with 19% of its surface visible. Without any visual aids, tonight you can spot the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll also add the Endymion Crater to y
  
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• Hurdle hints and answers for July 18, 2026

  18-07-2026 06:00 via mashable.com
  
  If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine. There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from pr
  
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• Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 18, 2026

  18-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love to dine out.If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.SEE ALSO:Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO:NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 18, 2026
  Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer
  
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• NYT Strands hints, answers for July 18, 2026

  18-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a healthy eater.Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phra
  
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• NYT Pips hints, answers for July 18, 2026

  18-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each
  
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• NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 18, 2026

  18-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a sports fan.Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end
  
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• After YouTube, TikTok is testing its own AI likeness detection tool

  18-07-2026 00:45 via digitaltrends.com
  
  As deepfakes spread, TikTok joins YouTube in giving creators tools to detect and report unauthorized AI likenesses of themselves.
  
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• The Odyssey has made IMAX 70mm a status symbol

  18-07-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  Summer's hottest ticket is an IMAX 70mm screening of The Odyssey.People have spent hundreds of dollars, undertaken road trips, and even planned pregnancies around the possibility of seeing Christopher Nolan's latest film in IMAX 70mm. Sure, you may think Odysseus' (Matt Damon) journey home to Ithaca was hard, but did he ever face the struggle of having the AMC app crash repeatedly while trying to get The Odyssey tickets?SEE ALSO:'The Odyssey' review: Christopher Nolan turns an epic myth into a m
  
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• Heartstopper Forever means everything to me

  18-07-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  High school can't last forever, but Heartstopper will in spirit, with the beloved teen Netflix series taking a wholehearted victory lap with its final chapter.And reader, it's been a wonderful ride.After three sublime seasons, the series says its last "hi" with a joyous and moving 90-minute film that sends Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), and their friends into their awaiting futures. So, how does Heartstopper Forever leave the Paris Crew, and how far have we come since we f
  
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• Charge any device with this keychain, on sale now for $30

  18-07-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: The GoCable is an 8-in-1 keyring cable that can charge almost any device, and it’s on sale now for $29.99 (reg. $49.99).Opens in a new windowCredit: GoCableGoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable$29.99 $49.99 Save $20.00 Get DealYour phone, your laptop, and maybe a camera or a pair of Headphones all want a different cable, so you end up carrying three of them, but that’s no way to treat your pockets. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC is a single keyring cable that can charge virtually an
  
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