Social media news

• Why BTS is skipping the Grammys

  30-07-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  BTS will not be entering their album ARIRANG for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.In syndicated Instagram stories shared across all seven members' accounts, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook issued a statement on their decision. Translated from Korean by the Meta-owned platform, each statement reads:"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language."Each member then thanked BTS
  
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• P&G’s Always Discreet fights incontinence stigma with NFL campaign

  10-08-2026 15:10 via marketingdive.com
  
  “Protect the Moment” is the brand’s biggest media campaign activation to date and features three moms of NFL players in ads and social content.
  
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• Meta adds more experimental Edits features to its beta tab

  10-08-2026 01:44 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  The company is allowing users to test new editing updates such as a speed curve function, color correction and folders.
  
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• LinkedIn updates feed display to drive more post replies and comments

  10-08-2026 01:41 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  The app is focusing on relevance and ranking engagement based on how pertinent an interaction is to each user, per a creator economy expert.
  
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• Meta adds more incentives for paying users

  10-08-2026 01:36 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  The company is offering new ways to build audiences and grow follower counts, according to social media researcher Jonah Manzano.
  
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• YouTube adds vertical livestream practice mode

  09-08-2026 23:09 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  Creators can use the feature to test chat, green screen and other streaming effects before going direct.
  
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• X updates creator revenue share parameters

  09-08-2026 05:11 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  The new program is designed to reward original creators and disincentivize aggregators as the company works to improve its content stream.
  
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• Write your next 300K manuscript with AI for just $37

  09-08-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Write a 300K-word manuscript for just $37 with this YouBooks AI lifetime subscription.Opens in a new windowCredit: YoubooksYoubooks AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription$36.75 $540 Save $503.25 Get DealWriting is just one step in creating a book. Before that comes research, outlining, drafting, and editing. But for only $36.75 (reg. $540), you’ll be able to craft publish-ready 300,000-word manuscripts for life through Aug. 9 with code AUG25. Even the busiest educ
  
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• Flock pitched turning Uber and Lyft drivers into a mobile surveillance network

  08-08-2026 21:31 via mashable.com
  
  Flock Safety, the company behind a nationwide network of automatic license plate readers, pitched a plan to convert hundreds of thousands of Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers into a mobile extension of its surveillance system, according to a company presentation obtained by 404 Media. 404's Joseph Cox wrote that the document describes equipping driver vehicles with dashcams capable of scanning license plates along their routes, effectively expanding Flock's network beyond its usual fixed cameras
  
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• X retires revenue sharing for new Original Content Rewards program

  08-08-2026 18:21 via mashable.com
  
  X is overhauling how it pays creators, phasing out its long-running Revenue Sharing program in favor of a new system called the Original Content Rewards Program. The platform's Creators account announced the change in a post, saying the program is meant to "reward creators who bring original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity, and commentary to X."According to the announcement, X stopped accepting new Revenue Sharing enrollments immediately and will wind the program down entirely after Sept
  
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• What is OpenAI Astra? Everything we know about the new — and possibly dangerous — new model

  08-08-2026 11:01 via mashable.com
  
  Do you understand quantum parallel repetition? What about quantum complexity, lattice cryptography, or extremal combinatorics?The new OpenAI model Astra knows all about them.Recently, OpenAI confirmed the existence of Astra, calling it "our next major model." On Aug. 1, the ChatGPT-maker revealed that "an internal version of Astra" solved 10 major open math problems, some of which have been unresolved for decades. Then, on Aug. 7, OpenAI announced that Astra had developed such advanced cyber cap
  
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• The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 is a tablet to compete with MacBooks

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Lenovo does something no other tech brand does — make a tablet specifically for gaming. A continuation of its Legion computers, the Lenovo Legion Tab puts gaming content into a smaller, more portable package.Previous generations of the Lenovo Legion Tab have been impressive tablets, so my expectations were high for the recently released Gen 5 model. And here's the thing about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 — while it's built for gaming, I think it's a great everyday tablet. Lenovo Legio
  
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• Pluto has a heart. Scientists discovered that its bleeding.

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Pluto's famous heart is bleeding, according to new research, hinting that the distant world is more alive than it looks.That bright, heart-shaped glacier has been a fan favorite ever since NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew past the cold outer world in 2015. Scientists now say the heart isn't just the dwarf planet's special cutie mark, it may be slowly leaking liquid — yes, liquid — onto the surface. Researchers say dark streaks along the heart's rim are actually stains left by
  
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• Lock down your online privacy for life for just $2 a device with this VPN deal

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Lock in a safer internet forever with this lifetime subscription to FastestVPN PRO, on sale now for only $29.99 (reg. $600) with code Aug25 until Aug. 9.Opens in a new windowCredit: FastestVPNFastestVPN PRO: Lifetime Subscription (15 Devices)$29.99 $600 Save $570.01 Get DealYou lock your front door, your smartphone, and your laptop — but what are you doing to protect your internet? A VPN is a super easy way to upgrade your cybersecurity with just a few taps.Right now, you
  
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• Lifetime access to Claude, GPT, Gemini, and 17+ other AI models is $60 with this promo code

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: ChatPlayground gives you lifetime access to dozens of major AI models, and it’s only $59.25 (reg. $619) for life with code AUG25.Opens in a new windowCredit: ChatPlayground AIChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan)$59.25 $619 Save $559.75 Get DealAI has so much potential to work quickly, but there are tons of little time-wasters and expensive frustrations. Using multiple models is a good way to produce a lot of work, but it requires you to copy pro pts be
  
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• How to watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships online for free

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free on BBC iPlayer. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.We're still a couple of years away from the next quest for Olympic medals, but that doesn't mean the best athletes are just sitting back and relaxing. No, there are PBs to chase, rivals to beat, and world records to set. And some elite athletes will be targeting all of that and more in the 2026 European Athletics Championships.The Alexand
  
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• How to get a free Apple iPhone 17 from T-Mobile this weekend

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Power users can get the Apple iPhone 17 Pro for free when they switch to T-Mobile and bring their number to an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).Opens in a new windowCredit: AppleT-Mobile: Free iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro Get DealFresh from Samsung's impressive Unpacked event, where they announced three new foldable smartphones, two s
  
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• Google Pixel 11: Every rumor, leak, and teaser before Made By Google

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Samsung just announced a bunch of fancy new phones, but don't relax just yet. Google has a big product launch just around the corner too, and we're keeping a close eye on the latest Pixel 11 leaks, rumors, and official teasers.The Android maker has already confirmed that it will announce the next batch of Pixel phones at a Made By Google event on Aug. 12, and it recently announced that comedian Trevor Noah will be hosting, with special guests like Stephen Curry and Alex Cooper. Google has also s
  
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• AI companies keep destroying old books. Heres why.

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  The AI industry, not content with alienating top creators, seems to be intent on alienating book lovers too. That much is clear in the wake of a 404 Media report on ISBNdb, a company that tracks book data and briefly offered "AI training data" in the form of "the world's largest book database." So far so normal; AI companies looking to build better AI models are hungry for fresh data from any source that isn't the internet. Books — generally better edited and more cogent than your average
  
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• Fill your Kindle for free: This weeks Stuff Your E-Reader event has 100+ free books (ends today)

  08-08-2026 08:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Aug. 5-8. Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering free books in a variety of subgenres.We're not in the habit of complaining about free giveaways, but if there is one thing that bothers us about Stuff Your Kindle Days, it's that they sometimes come and go in the blink of an eye. We need time to prepare. We need to properly assess our options and lovingly handpick the books that speak to us on a spiritual level. 24
  
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• Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on August 8

  08-08-2026 06:00 via mashable.com
  
  We're getting closer to the New Moon, so the Moon's visibility will drop significantly over the coming nights. Keep reading to find out what, if anything, you can spot tonight.What is today’s Moon phase?As of Saturday, Aug. 8,NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Crescent phase, with 26% of its surface visible. Without visual aids, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Aristarchus Plateau and the Kepler Crater. Plus, binoculars or a telescope will help
  
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• Hurdle hints and answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 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 August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a good actor. 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 August 7, 2026
  Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer
  
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• NYT Strands hints, answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you easily lose your train of thought.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 specia
  
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• NYT Pips hints, answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 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 August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.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 ov
  
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• NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a good sense of smell.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
  
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• Whoa — Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription drops to $112.49

  08-08-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Get a Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription for $112.49 (reg. $399.99) with code Aug25, through August 9.Opens in a new windowCredit: Curiosity StreamCuriosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription$112.50 $399.99 Save $287.49 Get DealEvery streaming app has the same problem: 20 minutes of scrolling, nothing worth watching. Curiosity Stream aims to change that experience by only stocking mind-catching documentaries.The large library covers science, history, nature, and technolo
  
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• Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico case

  07-08-2026 21:27 via mashable.com
  
  Meta has been ordered to pay $567 million to fund youth mental health services in New Mexico in the final phase of a child safety trial. Meta lost the lawsuit in March when a New Mexico jury found the social media company liable for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and endangering children.At the time, Meta was ordered to pay the maximum penalties for each violation of New Mexico’s consumer protection laws, amounting to $375 million.SEE ALSO:Digging into Gen Z's love/
  
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• Confidence in election fairness

  07-08-2026 20:35 via pewresearch.org
  Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of Americans who are confident that all citizens who want to vote in the midterms will be able to. Far more Republicans than Democrats hold this view (83% vs. 53%).
  
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