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• Apple Maps could get a custom routes feature in iOS 18

  27-03-2024 17:40 via mashable.com
  
  Better late than never.Apple has a long history of adopting features (and, to be fair, occasionally putting its own spin on them) that competitors have had for years. This time, it might be custom routes on its signature navigation app, Apple Maps. MacRumors spotted a file on the Maps back-end called "CustomRouteCreation" tied to the upcoming iOS 18, which so far is the only evidence we have that this is happening.SEE ALSO:Apple users targeted by incredibly annoying 'Reset Password' attack
  While
  
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• The best laptops of 2026: We tested 80+ models to find our favorites

  26-07-2026 11:30 via mashable.com
  
  Mashable has been testing laptops for over 10 years. Over the past two years alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tried more than 80 of the most promising configurations available. We use a meticulous testing procedure involving real-world stress tests and artificial benchmarks to evaluate our contenders on the basis of performance, battery life, design/build quality, and value.This regularly updated guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best-in-class mod
  
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• Ryan Gosling to star in MCUs Ghost Rider film

  26-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  After years of rumors and on-again, off-again flirtation between Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary, Barbie) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's now confirmed: the actor will play Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider, in an upcoming film.This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
  For those unfamiliar with the character, Ghost Rider is the demonic alter ego of stuntman Johnny Blaze, who strikes a deal to sell his soul to the demon Mephisto in order to save his father'
  
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• Mike Flanagans Carrie gets its first trailer ahead of Oct. release

  26-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Horror's favorite It girl is getting her television series debut, with the first trailer now out for Mike Flanagan's (The Haunting of Hill House) adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie.SEE ALSO:Apple TV gives cyberpunk fans their first look at 'Neuromancer'
  The eight-episode miniseries follows Carrie White as she endures bullying at school and abuse at home from her fanatically religious mother, Margaret — all while discovering she has telekinetic powers. As the trailer shows, Flanagan's vers
  
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• Is AdultFriendFinder safe to use? What a cybersecurity expert says.

  26-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  There's a commonly asked question about AdultFriendFinder, everyone's favorite spicy dating platform: Is AFF safe to use? We get it. Unlike other big-name dating sites, its interface is packed with adult content. It's extremely NSFW and appears to be a potential breeding ground for scams. Wannabe daters are right to question its legitimacy — they understandably want to know whether AFF is the real deal.To better understand the risks of using AdultFriendFinder, we consulted Anna Larkina, a
  
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• I tried the Jackery FridgeGuard portable power station: Its both functional and pretty

  26-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  For a short amount of time, a power outage feels nice. It’s an excuse to cancel plans and settle on the couch with a good book (or an e-reader) instead. That calm feeling fades once a low-battery alert shows up on your phone, and it’s never convenient to not have WiFi at home. But maybe even more inconvenient is the threat of the refrigerator heating up during a power outage.Food spoilage is one of the biggest bummers of a power outage. It’s never fun to start calculating how m
  
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• Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for life for $27.97 — Ditch 365 for good

  26-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Teams (free version). Get a lifetime Windows license for $27.97 (reg. $219.99).Opens in a new windowCredit: MicrosoftMicrosoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License$27.97 $219.99 Save $192.02 Get DealMicrosoft keeps releasing new versions of Office, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs the latest one. For plenty of entrepreneurs, freelancers, students,
  
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• Get lifetime ad blocking for up to 9 devices for $11

  26-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Protect up to nine devices with the AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription for $11 (reg. $169.99) through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.Opens in a new windowCredit: AdGuardAdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription$11 $169.99 Save $158.99 Get DealIt doesn’t matter if your household has two devices or 20, keeping everyone’s online activity protected can quickly become complicated. The AdGuard Family Plan simplifies things by covering up to nine devices with a single lifetime
  
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• Apple TV gives cyberpunk fans their first look at Neuromancer

  26-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  It must feel good to be a fan of the cyberpunk genre.Apple TV has released the first trailer for its adaptation of William Gibson's 1984 sci-fi classic Neuromancer — one of the foundational texts of the cyberpunk genre. The novel follows Case, a washed-up cyberspace hacker recruited by a mysterious ex-soldier to pull off a high-stakes heist alongside a razor-fingered assassin.Set against a neon-drenched, futuristic Japan, the trailer leans noticeably brighter than fans of the novel's noir-
  
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• Best Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 Ultra preorder deal: Save over $1,000 when you activate a line at T-Mobile

  26-07-2026 09:00 via mashable.com
  
  SAVE $1,100: At T-Mobile, get $1,100 off a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra when you activate a line on an Experience More or Beyond Plan. Pre-order now before it arrives on Aug. 7.Opens in a new windowCredit: SamsungSamsung Galaxy Fold8 Ultra$999.99 at T-Mobile $2,099.99 Save $1,100.00 Pre-order HereThis week, Samsung dropped a whole new line-up of redesigned foldables. The new collection includes the Galaxy Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra. The Fold8 Ultra is the most expensive of the bunch but also t
  
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• Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on July 26

  26-07-2026 06:00 via mashable.com
  
  The Moon will look nearly full tonight as it continues through the waxing gibbous phase. Although the Full Moon is still a few days away, where we are in the lunar cycle means that most of its visible surface is already illuminated.What is today’s Moon phase?As of Sunday, July 26, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Gibbous phase, with 90% of its surface visible. Without the assistance of any visual aids, tonight you should be to see the Mares Fecunditatis,
  
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• Hurdle hints and answers for July 26, 2026

  26-07-2026 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 26, 2026

  26-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a healthy eater.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 26, 2026
  Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by enginee
  
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• NYT Strands hints, answers for July 26, 2026

  26-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're well-versed in a specific subject.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 spe
  
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• NYT Pips hints, answers for July 26, 2026

  26-07-2026 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 Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 26, 2026

  26-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever gone fishing.As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections, 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 t
  
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• NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 26, 2026

  26-07-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a parent.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 of
  
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• The EU says TikTok still isn’t doing enough to protect kids

  26-07-2026 00:42 via digitaltrends.com
  
  The European Commission says TikTok may be violating the Digital Services Act by failing to adequately protect minors' accounts and privacy on the platform.
  
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• Your Mac can get Microsoft Office for just $43

  26-07-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 for $42.97 (reg. $219) until July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.Opens in a new windowCredit: MicrosoftMicrosoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License$42.97 $219 Save $176.03 Get DealWhether you’re balancing household finances, finishing a presentation, or updating your resume, some word processing tools become second nature over time. Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 combines
  
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• Free iPhone deal: T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to qualify

  25-07-2026 22:35 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are available for free right now with T-Mobile. 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 Now Opens in a new windowCredit: AppleApple iPhone 17 ProFree when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan.Shop NowSamsung has been the center of attention this week, and that's total
  
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• We spent 12 months testing red light masks: Here are 6 that gave us real results (and 2 to skip)

  25-07-2026 17:59 via mashable.com
  
  How to choose a red light 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 effectiv
  
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• Paramount agrees to delay merger with Warner Bros. after legal challenge

  25-07-2026 17:58 via mashable.com
  
  The prospective merger between entertainment giants Paramount and Warner Bros. has been officially delayed, prolonging the drama over what is proving to be an extremely controversial business decision.Twelve states, led by California, and the Writers' Guild of America have filed a lawsuit to block the $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. by Paramount Skydance, citing antitrust concerns, and a recent court order, voluntarily agreed to by Paramount, will see the merger delayed until either Jun
  
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• Midjourney announces surprise purchase of popular horoscope app Co-Star

  25-07-2026 16:43 via mashable.com
  
  One of the world's leading generative AI companies, with products licensed by tech powerhouses like Meta, has just announced its acquisition of one of the most popular astrology apps — and we didn't have that on our Bingo cards in 2026.Banu Guler, founder and CEO of Co-Star Astrology, took to X recently to announce her company's acquisition by AI lab Midjourney, best known for making the generative AI tools used by popular services like Discord and Facebook. And because, on its surface, th
  
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• When AI hallucinates aliens: Some think NASA should be nervous

  25-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  If a chatbot can insist it's right while being totally wrong, imagine the stakes when NASA starts leaning on artificial intelligence to help with life detection.Could the rovers suddenly hallucinate aliens?Michigan State University researchers wanted to know, so they trained an AI system to spot the difference between digital "organisms" that can copy themselves and others that can't, using a computer program called Avida. In test runs, the algorithm nailed the distinction, getting it right 99.9
  
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• We found the 6 best laptops for college students going back to school

  25-07-2026 11:00 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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• The Shark vs. Roomba debate is still boring, despite both brands trying to expand their vacuum lineups

  25-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Is iRobot out of the bankruptcy hole?When iRobot filed for bankruptcy in December 2025, the company insisted that a glow-up was in the works — but we didn't know when or if we'd actually see a new Roomba again. Well, it finally happened: In July 2026, iRobot released new Roombas in the U.S. for the first time under its new ownership. But are they smart enough cleaners at practical enough prices to outpace Shark, or serve as real competition with the rest of the best robot vacuum brand
  
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• The Hello Nancy Lem vibrator is the perfect summer treat

  25-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  If you're a Woman on the Internet, you've probably seen the Hello Nancy Lem come across your feed in one form or another — either as a "wellness" ad or in a full-on TikTok review by a sex educator/influencer. It's the toy of the season (IMO), and it's everywhere. I honestly haven't seen a vibrator get this much attention since the Rose (you know the one) came out. And, like the Rose, dupes are now flooding the internet, but we're interested in testing the real product. SEE ALSO:I've tested
  
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• Single dashboard includes ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more for a one-time $80 through July 26

  25-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Get the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime for $79.97 (reg. $540) through tomorrow, July 26, and access leading AI models plus millions of monthly AI credits from one all-in-one workspace.Opens in a new windowCredit: 1minAI1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription$79.97 $540 Save $460.03 Get DealIf your browser is filled with separate tabs for writing, image generation, document analysis, video editing, and AI chat, there’s a simpler approach. Through tomorrow,
  
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• I played with the adorable Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets and my inner kid is losing its mind

  25-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  I recently got to spend a couple hours of my workday playing with the new Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets, and my inner 8-year-old is still screaming. So, I'll put this the way a child might: I love the new Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets so much I want to marry them.Seriously, though: These sets totally rule.I'll admit that I was underwhelmed by the Lego Smart Play Star Wars sets released earlier this year. So I was a bit skeptical when Mashable got the chance to demo the new Lego Pok&e
  
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• How to pre-order Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8: See preorder deals

  25-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Where to pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy phones:SamsungGalaxy Z Flip 8$1,199.99 at SamsungPre-Order HereAmazonGalaxy Z Flip 8$1,199.99 at Amazon(get a $200 Amazon gift card)Pre-Order HereT-MobileGalaxy Z Flip 8$1,199.99 at T-Mobile(save up to $1,100 when you add a new line)Pre-Order HereAmazonGalaxy Z Fold 8$1,899.99 at Amazon(get a $350 Amazon gift card)Pre-Order HereSamsungGalaxy Z Fold 8$1,899.99 at SamsungPre-Order HereT-MobileGalaxy Z Fold 8$1,899.99 at T-Mobile(get it for $0 with eligible
  
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