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Senate Passes Cryptocurrency Bill, Handing Industry a Victory

NYT Technology - 1 hour 27 min ago
The bill was a significant step toward giving the cryptocurrency industry the credibility and legitimacy it has sought, without limitations it has worked to head off.

Metas AI tool Llama almost entirely memorized Harry Potter book, study finds

Mashable - 4 hours 25 min ago

Meta's Llama model has memorized Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone so well that it can reproduce verbatim excerpts from 42 percent of the book, according to a new study.

Researchers from Stanford, Cornell, and West Virginia University analyzed dozens of books from the now-infamous Books3 dataset, a collection of pirated books used to train Meta's Llama models. Books3 is also at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit against Meta, Kadrey v. Meta Platforms, Inc. The study's authors say their findings could have major implications for AI companies facing similar lawsuits.

According to the research paper, the Llama 3.1 model "memorizes some books, like Harry Potter and 1984, almost entirely." Specifically, the study found that Llama 3.1 has memorized 42 percent of the first Harry Potter book so well that it can reproduce verbatim excerpts at least 50 percent of the time. Overall, Llama 3.1 could reproduce excerpts from 91 percent of the book, though not as consistently.

"The extent of verbatim memorization of books from the Books3 dataset is more significant than previously described," said the paper. But the researchers also discovered that "memorization varies widely from model to model and from book to book within each model, as well as varying in different parts of individual books." For example, the study estimated that Llama 3.1 only memorized 0.13 percent of Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey, one of the lead plaintiffs in the class action copyright suit against Meta.

So, while some of the paper's findings seem damning, don't call it a smoking gun for plaintiffs in AI copyright infringement cases.

"These results give everyone in the AI copyright debate something to latch on to," wrote journalist Timothy B. Lee in his Understanding AI newsletter. "Divergent results like these could cast doubt on whether it makes sense to lump J.K. Rowling, Richard Kadrey, and thousands of other authors together in a single mass lawsuit. And that could work in Meta’s favor, since most authors lack the resources to file individual lawsuits."

Why is Llama able to reproduce some books more than others? "I suspect that the difference is because Harry Potter is a much more famous book. It's widely quoted and I'm sure that substantial excerpts from it on third-party websites found their way into the training data on the web," said James Grimmelmann, a professor of digital and information law at Cornell University, who was cited in the paper.

What this also shows, Grimmelmann said, is that "AI companies can make choices that increase or reduce memorization. It's not an inevitable feature of AI; they have control over it."

Meta and other AI companies have argued that using copyrighted works to train their models is protected under fair use, a complex legal doctrine. However, the extent of memorization could complicate those arguments.

“Yes, I do think that the likelihood that LLMs are memorizing more than previously thought changes the copyright analysis,” Robert Brauneis, a professor with the George Washington University Law School, said in an email to Mashable. He concluded that the study’s findings could ultimately weaken Meta’s fair use argument.

We asked Meta for comment on the study's findings, and we'll update this article if we receive a response.

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.

The made-in-America Trump Mobile phone sure looks like a made-in-China phone

Mashable - 5 hours 43 min ago

When Trump Mobile and its flagship T1 smartphone were announced Monday morning, the internet’s tech-savvy corners lit up with skepticism. The specs sounded familiar — maybe too familiar — and it didn’t take long for people to start speculating that the so-called "American-made" phone might be a rebranded import dressed up in gold trim.

Trump Mobile is the latest in a long line of white-label ventures under DTTM Corporation, the Trump Organization’s trademark licensing arm run by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. The phone, priced at $499 with a $100 preorder deposit, is being marketed alongside a new mobile service that costs $47.45 per month — a nod to Trump’s status as the 45th and 47th US president. That rate gets you unlimited talk, text, data, and other perks, though it’s still double the cost of similar mobile virutal network operators like Boost and Mint.

SEE ALSO: How would the Trump T1 phone compare to the iPhone 16?

As for the hardware, the T1 is wrapped in a gold-colored casing and features a 6.8-inch punch-hole AMOLED display, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and "AI Face Unlock." Notably, the product page for the phone contains no details on the phone's processor. It’s set to launch in September, just in time to compete with Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup — timing that feels deliberate, especially given Trump’s long-standing push to get Apple to shift iPhone manufacturing to the United States.

But that’s where the math breaks down. Core components like AMOLED displays, VCSEL sensors for face unlock, and camera modules aren’t manufactured domestically. That means producing a truly American-made smartphone at scale is nearly impossible with current infrastructure.

The only smartphone that even approaches a "Made in America" label is the Librem 5 USA, and it comes with some serious trade-offs. According to its own spec sheet, the device lacks face unlock, 5G support, and even an OLED display. Yet it still sells for $1,599. That price point aligns with what analysts estimate an iPhone could cost if Apple shifted full-scale manufacturing back to the U.S.

According to Apple Insider, tech analyst Max Weinbach posted on X that the T1 appears to be a repackaged Wingtech REVVL 7 Pro 5G, manufactured by Chinese supplier Luxshare. The same base phone is currently available on Amazon in its T-Mobile variant for $169.

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

The phones aren't a 1-to-1 match, however. To address the differences in appearance, Weinbach explained that Chinese ODMs (original design manufacturers) often provide a base model with customizable features. Buyers can adjust RAM, storage, or casing with minimal added cost, allowing for devices that look or perform slightly differently while still being the same under the hood.

Even if you’re skeptical of tech sleuths on social media, industry analysts are saying the same thing. Speaking to CNBC, Francisco Jeronimo, vice president at market research firm International Data Corp., said it would be "completely impossible" for the T1 to be assembled or fully manufactured in the U.S. The local manufacturing capabilities just don’t exist for that, not at this price, not at this scale.

Tell Us: How Are You Using A.I. at Work?

NYT Technology - 5 hours 50 min ago
Has A.I. become a part of your daily work routines? We want to know.

Microsoft Office 2019 is on sale for A$45 — pay once and use it forever

Mashable - 6 hours 30 min ago

TL;DR: Hurry and grab lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Windows at A$45 through 20 July.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows AU$45
AU$350 Save AU$305 Get Deal

Your credit card is exhausted from all of today’s subscription fees. While you probably don’t want to cancel Peacock and never see the ending of Yellowstone or say goodbye to two-day shipping with Prime, you could swap your Microsoft 365 subscription for a Microsoft Office lifetime license.

Instead of spending A$10 monthly (or A$107 yearly), you can pay once and use the apps as much as you’d like. For a little while longer, the Windows software suite is on sale for A$45 through 20 July.

What apps are included?

Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t the newest version available, but it’s the cheaper one for people who just need to use the apps and don’t care about what they look like inside. However, it does have a classic, timeless design.

Here's a list of the apps you get:

  • Word

  • Excel

  • PowerPoint

  • Outlook

  • OneNote

  • Publisher

  • Access

Differences between Microsoft 365 and a lifetime license

This purchase is a no-brainer if you aren’t taking full advantage of Microsoft 365’s OneDrive storage, mobile app access, and cloud-based backups. Those just wanting the apps should be more than comfortable with a Microsoft Office download.

You might actually like this license more than the subscription. The apps are downloaded directly onto your PC instead of hosted on the cloud. While this does mean there are no built-in cloud backups, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to work offline.

Plus, now that Microsoft added Copilot’s AI features to Microsoft 365, you might be looking for a way to escape them. Not everyone is crazy about having a virtual robot interfere with their work, and these classic apps won’t ever bug you about it.

The price drop on this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows won't last long, so get your download for A$45 through 20 July at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Get 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for free ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - 6 hours 42 min ago

SAVE $35.97: As of June 17, eligible Prime members can score three free months of Kindle Unlimited in honor of Prime Day. Usually $11.99 per month, that's a total savings of $35.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited Get 3 months for free (save $11.99/month) Get Deal

It's a good time to be a book lover. Ahead of Prime Day — which is now a four-day event, from July 8 through 11 — Amazon is offering three free months of Kindle Unlimited to eligible Prime members. And that's on top of an equally good deal on Audible Premium Plus. Between the two, you can really stack up your summer reading list.

Usually $11.99 per month, new subscribers can sign up for three months of Kindle Unlimited for $0. That ends up being a total savings of $35.97. There's currently no date listed as to when this deal ends, but we expect it will stick around at least through the end of Prime Day on July 11. If you don't see the deal on the promo page, it's likely because you previously signed up for Kindle Unlimited. The trial period is not available to current or past subscribers.

SEE ALSO: Download 100s of free romance books in the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day

What's so great about Kindle Unlimited? Allow me, a loyal subscriber, to break it down for you. First of all, you don't need to own a Kindle device to access Kindle Unlimited, though I do highly suggest grabbing one while they're (most likely) discounted during Prime Day. You can download the Kindle app on an iPad or your phone to enjoy the Unlimited reading experience just about anywhere. As a subscriber, you'll unlock unrestricted access to over 4 million digital books, from classics to recent bestsellers, as well as thousands of audiobooks, and even magazine subscriptions like People Magazine and Travel + Leisure, if you're into that. No need to wait for a monthly credit like Audible; you can get any title with the Kindle Unlimited logo underneath it for free with your subscription at any time.

Your subscription will automatically renew at full price, currently $11.99 per month, once the promotional period ends. Be sure to set a reminder to cancel if you want to avoid those charges. Although, there's a good chance you'll be a loyal Kindle Unlimited subscriber after three free months of reading.

Best laptop and tablet deals

Get 3 free months of Amazon Music Unlimited — even as a non-Prime member

Mashable - 6 hours 58 min ago

SAVE UP TO $43.96: As of June 17, new subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited can get a handful of free months. Prime members get four (a savings of $43.96, or $10.99/month) and non-Prime members get three (a savings of $35.97, or $11.99/month).

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Music Unlimited 4 free months for Prime members, 3 for non-Prime members Get Deal

Amazon must be in good spirits after finally dropping the news that Prime Day is longer this year, because it's handing out Amazon Music Unlimited freebies to both Prime and non-Prime members.

As long as you're a new subscriber, Prime members can get four free months (a savings of $43.96, or $10.99/month) and non-Prime members can get three free months (a savings of $35.97, or $11.99/month).

SEE ALSO: The 9 best headphones of 2025 — how do the new Sony XM6 compare?

"But I already pay for a different music streaming service." Yeah. Pause it. The savings math works out similarly for those who strategically pause their Spotify ($11.99/month) or Apple Music ($10.99/month) for the next few months to take advantage of this deal. Even if Amazon Music Unlimited isn't your comfort streaming platform, a saved $35 or $40 is a nice little chunk of extra summer spending money.

Past 100 million songs and "the most ad-free top podcasts" of the big music apps, Amazon Music Unlimited offers one free audiobook from Audible per month. That'll come in handy during the times you can't quite sit down and devote your eyes to your summer Libby finds, like driving to the beach or messing around in the garden.

Best audio deals

Stop losing your stuff: Get a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for 48% off at Amazon

Mashable - 7 hours 51 sec ago

SAVE $14.49: As of June 17, get a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for $15.50 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $29.99. That's a discount of 48%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 $15.50 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $14.49 Get Deal

Tired of losing things, but don't have an iPhone to grab an Apple AirTag? There are tons of great tracker solutions out there, including one direct from Samsung, if you prefer to stay with a brand that you recognize. Smart trackers can go where you go to help prevent you from misplacing all of those important things that you need for everyday life, like your keys. And you can get a great one from Samsung right now thanks to this pre-Prime Day deal.

As of June 17, get a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for $15.50 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $29.99. That's $14.49 off for a discount of 48%.

SEE ALSO: The next batch of Samsung foldables will be the thinnest and lightest yet

This smart tag is designed to be attached to whatever items you need to keep track of. You can use it on a keychain, toss it in a bag, keep it in your wallet if it's big enough, and more. It's not as small as an AirTag, but it's still super easy to use and great for Android users.

It's rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, and works with a wide variety of IoT-compatible devices. Plus, it runs off of a battery that stays active for up to 500 days. That way, you truly can put it somewhere and just forget about it until you need it. Need more time? You can get up to 40% more battery life with Power Saving Mode.

All you need to do when something is lost is refer to the tracker's companion app, and you'll be guided to find your lost bag, purse, keys, or whatever is missing. Search Nearby gives you instructions to locate your item via Compass View, or you can ring the tag itself to make an audible noise to help you track it down.

At this price, it's good to buy a few and keep them with vacation time at its peak. And they're great gifts for people who can't stop losing things.

Best tech deals

This budget-friendly TV hit a record-low price ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - 7 hours 4 min ago

GET $120 OFF: As of June 17th, the Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is on sale for $179.99 ahead of Prime Day, down from its regular price of $299.99. Get it now and save $120, or 40% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV $179.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $120 Get Deal

Prime Day is almost here and it's a great time to refresh your home's entertainment tech with a new TV. The budget-friendly Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is a great option, with smarts that make it simple to find whatever show or media you're looking for (and plenty of new suggestions).

The Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is already down to its lowest price yet ahead of Prime Day. Act now and get it for $179.99, saving you $120.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day The best TV deals we're watching now

It's pretty amazing that you can get a 50-inch 4K TV for under $200, but that's the reality now. This Insignia sports an LED screen with a 2160p resolution. HDR content is also part of the deal, with rich darks and brights that pop.

While this TV isn't made for gaming, it will certainly be fast enough for casual gamers, with a 60Hz refresh rate.

Currently, the Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is on sale for $179.99, saving you 40%, or $120. This is the TV's lowest price yet.

With Fire TV built in, this smart TV comes loaded with content. Talk to it via Alexa or control it with a smart phone or the built in controller. It connects to major streaming services simply and comes with a massive library of free ad-supported content.

Ahead of Prime Day, get a 65-inch Toshiba 4K TV for under $300 at Amazon—back down to its lowest price ever

Mashable - 7 hours 18 min ago

SAVE $120: The 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, down from the list price of $419.99. That's a 29% discount that matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV $299.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $120 Get Deal

Prime Day is coming, which means over the next handful of weeks, we'll see a flurry of epic sales—and that'll include TV deals. Shopping for a new TV, however, means a lot more than looking for the lowest price. Thanks to our modern society, buying a new TV now comes with some serious homework to decode the endless amount of jargon. Instead of learning a new language, opt for today's sale on a solid model.

As of June 17, the 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV is on sale for just $299.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $419.99. That works out to 29% discount which shaves $120 off the price. It also matches the lowest price on record at Amazon.

Right off the bat, we'll admit this is not a newest model top-of-the-line TV. This 2023 Toshiba shines when it comes to offering a large size at a budget-friendly price. It'll be great for the rec room when the kids want to watch Lilo and Stitch for the 5,098th time or for the garage to watch non-stop sports.

SEE ALSO: Amazon quietly has the 42-inch LG C4 OLED TV over 50% off, weeks ahead of Prime Day

The bezel-less design on the Toshiba Class C350 gives it a modern look, and the 4K UHD display will work great for streaming your favorite shows and movies this summer. It'll also work great for following along with that YouTube fitness routine you plan to stick to this summer. Plus, it comes with built-in Fire TV so you won't need to worry about upgrading your streaming stick come Prime Day sales.

Instead of waiting for the chaos of Prime Day, snag the 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV while it's on sale for under $300 at Amazon. It's nearly impossible to beat that price for a 65-inch TV.

The best TV deals to shop this week

Elio review: Pixars cosmic tale of friendship will cure your loneliness

Mashable - 7 hours 19 min ago

Is humanity alone in the universe?

In Pixar's Elio, that's the question that keeps 11-year-old orphan Elio Solís (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) up at night. Not because the idea of aliens worries him, but because he desperately wants them to abduct him from his unhappy life on Earth.

SEE ALSO: A complete ranking of every Pixar movie ever

Thankfully for Elio, aliens do come calling, whisking him off to the colorful, imaginative "Communiverse" that fits right at home alongside other memorable Pixar worlds, like Coco's Land of the Dead, Riley's brain in Inside Out, or Soul's Great Beyond. It's a cosmic wonderland you can't help but get lost in, but what astounds the most about Elio is its examination of its lead's loneliness. Directors Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Madeline Sharafian (who directed the short Burrow) — taking over from original director Adrian Molina (Coco) — parallel humanity's search for extraterrestrial life with Elio's search for friendship. What follows is a sweet, empathetic look at how to find connection in the unlikeliest of places. That idea isn't exactly new to Pixar — see: Up, WALL-E, and many more — but Elio's inventive setting and lovable main character help cast these eternal themes in a weird and wonderful new light.

What's Elio about? Credit: Pixar

Following the sudden loss of his parents, Elio lives on an Air Force base with his aunt, Major Olga (voiced by Zoe Saldaña). He spends his days seeking alien signals on his ham radio and lying in elaborate mini crop circles of his own design, each bearing the message, "Aliens! Abduct Me!" For Elio, getting abducted is an easier way to make friends than talking to anyone on Earth, especially since his peers don't understand his fervent belief aliens are coming to get him.

Neither does Olga, who wasn't prepared to raise a child, let alone one who'd rather spend his life in the stars. For Elio, space may offer the promise of friendship, but for Olga, space represents a dream deferred. While her supervisors want her to take on the astronaut training program, she doesn't know how to juggle that with taking care of Elio. Instead, she monitors space debris and insists that aliens don't exist.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

However, when a strange signal pings Olga's base, Elio takes it as proof of alien contact and signals back, begging the aliens to come and get him. (In a precious move, he signs off humanity's first contact with, "Bye, love you.") It's not long before the aliens beam him up to the Communiverse, a gathering of the finest ambassadors from all across space. These ambassadors believe Elio to be Earth's leader, and who is he to tell them otherwise? Unfortunately, he's joining up during a fraught time: The ultra-violent Lord Grigon (voiced by Brad Garrett) is bearing down on the Communiverse. In order to prove himself to the rest of the ambassadors, Elio decides to take on the responsibility of negotiator — a choice that kicks off a sweet friendship with Grigon's son Glordon (voiced by Remy Edgerly), who wants nothing to do with his people's warring ways.

Elio is a precious tale of friendship and family ties. Credit: Pixar

Elio and Glordon's blooming friendship becomes Elio's bedrock. With Glordon, Elio finds someone who doesn't judge or pity him. And in Elio, Glordon finds someone who encourages him not to follow in his family's warmongering footsteps. Their first meeting, initially framed as a frightening alien encounter, quickly gives way to the wonder of discovering a friend who sees you for who you truly are — not just for your tragic past or your family's bloody conquests. Even when Elio decides Glordon could be a bargaining chip in his negotiations with Grigon, he loops him in on the plan instead of using him without his knowledge. That decision cements the two as a pair on equal footing, one whose dynamic comes with all the cheer and wonder of discovering a dear friend.

If Elio and Glordon's story is one of a human and an alien finding instant connection, then Elio and Olga's story is its mirror: that of two humans who have trouble connecting, but are working hard to find common ground. A lesser film could have made Olga a spiteful, reluctant guardian, but here, she puts in a lot of legwork to try to help her nephew. She speeds through parenting books in the hope of understanding him, and even her most "antagonistic" choice — sending him to a nearby military summer camp — comes from a place of what she thinks will help. Ultimately, though, in a touching tale of family reconciliation, Elio guides Olga to meet Elio on his level and vice versa.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2025 (so far), and where to watch them

Elio enriches these parallel stories of Elio finding his people with its focus on space exploration and humanity's hunt for alien life. In the film's first minutes, Elio learns about the Golden Record, a record on Voyager 1 and 2 that carries images and sounds from Earth. The hope for the Golden Record is that an alien civilization will play it and contact Earth, which is exactly what happens in the film! But even beyond plot relevance, the very act of reaching out into the vast loneliness of space recalls Elio's own attempts to find a friend, as well as Olga's attempts to bridge the gap between her and her nephew. In the end, whether you're looking to the stars or your own family, Elio wants you to know that you can and will find your people — you just need to be open with them.

Pixar gets wonderfully weird in Elio. Credit: Pixar

Shi and Sharafian take full advantage of Elio's sci-fi nature to deliver an extremely memorable crop of aliens. The members of the Communiverse are as varied as they come, from the diaphanous pink Ambassador Questa (voiced by Jameela Jamil) to the blocky boulder Ambassador Tegmen (voiced by Matthias Schweighöfer). Glordon is a star in his own right: a slug-like creature with spines, no eyes, and rings of teeth who still manages to be downright cute. (Think of him as a cousin to Mickey 17's scene-stealing creepers from earlier this year.)

That alien variety extends to the Communiverse itself, which, like its members, is a hodgepodge of different worlds across the universe. Highly advanced science labs, glowing forests, and majestic waterfalls (that double as restrooms) all come together to form an interstellar playground for Elio, Glordon, and the audience. That utopia contrasts nicely with Grigon's warship, a hulking behemoth full of darkened halls and fallen alien species frozen in amber. No wonder Glordon wants out!

Pixar has tackled sci-fi before in films like WALL-E and Lightyear, but Shi and Sharafian dive further into alien hijinks in Elio. The highlight here is the addition of "cloning clay," which triggers a plotline that recalls Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing — and isn't afraid to get a bit frightening either! Take the third act, which features a touch of legitimate (albeit comedic) body horror that's the most Pixar has surprised me since Turning Red candidly tackled periods. A sequence like Elio's foray into body horror could be risky, but at a time when Pixar continues to release sequels to its classics (see: the upcoming Toy Story 5 and Coco 2), these risks are exactly what the studio needs.

In the end, these risks also help Elio live up to its namesake, with a film that's imaginative, playful, and the perfect amount of strange.

Elio hits theaters June 20.

PSA: Pokémon fans need to do this before transferring data to the Nintendo Switch 2

Mashable - 7 hours 23 min ago

The recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 went off shockingly smoothly, especially for anyone who has gone through big console launches before. That said, it hasn't been without its hitches.

Perhaps most notably, there are problems with the process of transferring data from one Switch to another, especially as it relates to recent Pokémon games. Some fans are finding (via IGN) that performing a data transfer from their old Switch to their Switch 2 results in lost Pokémon game saves, which is particularly galling for one of the only Nintendo series that doesn't support cloud saves.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 restock tracker (June 16): Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, Costco, and more

In case you aren't aware, a unique feature of the Pokémon RPG series is that you can transfer your favorite pocket monsters from game to game, with limited exceptions here and there. According to one Reddit post (that has since been deleted), a user lost 1,000 hours of gameplay and two decades' worth of Pokémon when the Switch 2 data transfer wiped their save file. This is, obviously, a tragedy. However, there is a way to make sure your favorite little weirdos stick around, even if your save gets lost.

For any Pokémon fans who are afraid of losing anything, the "Pokémon Home" service is a failsafe you can use. It's a nominally free cloud save service specifically for keeping creatures around between the Pokémon games. Free users can only store 30 Pokémon at a time, but for $2.99/mo, you can store up to 6,000, among other perks. If you deposit your beloved Pokémon in the Home service, they shouldn't be lost even if there's a mishap during the Switch transfer process.

It's a shame some people are losing their Pokémon game saves, but at least there's a way to guarantee your favorite little guys stay safe. If you do lose everything, well...at least Mario Kart World is really good.

Prime Gaming is adding 6 free games today ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - 7 hours 33 min ago

GET FREE GAMES: As of June 17th, Amazon is adding six new free games to its list of gaming freebies ahead of the upcoming Prime Day, including Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, Tomb Raider I-III, and Dungeon of the Endless. Get Amazon Prime to secure the deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Six new free games Get Amazon Prime to download these new games free Get Deal

Amazon is rolling out six more free games on Prime Gaming today. They'll be available through the upcoming four day Amazon Prime sales event. The new games include Tomb Raider I-III, Saints Row 2, Toem, and Star Wars: Rebellion.

Right now, sign up for Amazon Prime to take advantage of Prime Gaming and download the new titles plus a whole library of others.

SEE ALSO: Are you 18-24? Get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free ahead of Prime Day. The best tech deals

If you're not familiar, Prime Gaming is a portal of free games just for Prime members. Members are able to claim free games as Amazon rolls them out. These aren't just cloud games (though they have those too)... they're ownable, meaning you can claim them all and save the others for a rainy day.

The new drops are: Star Wars: Rebellion, Toem, Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, Saints Row 2, Tomb Raider I-III, and Dungeon of the Endless. Many of these games will download via GOG, though Dungeon of the Endless downloads from Amazon.

Get Amazon Prime to take advantage of this deal and claim 6 new free games ahead of Amazon Prime Day, as well as the preexisting library of free games.

The library of free games doesn't stop with the six new ones. Amazon also offers games like Gloomhaven, Fate, and Liberte.

AI adoption has reached 40% among U.S. workers

Mashable - 7 hours 50 min ago

Be careful to double-check your colleagues' work — large swaths of the U.S. workforce admits to using AI to get their job done.

A new Gallup poll found 40 percent of U.S. employees said they used artificial intelligence in their role "a few times a year or more." Eight percent used it daily, while 19 percent said they used a few times per week or more.

With all the hype around AI lately, 40 percent almost feels low. But it represents a nearly 100 percent increase from just two years ago. The poll found, perhaps predictably, that white collar workers were far more likely to use AI in their job when compared with blue collar works — 27 percent to 9 percent. The survey also noted that the folks highest-up in a given organization were more likely to utilize AI to do their job. Thirty-three percent of what Gallup called "leaders" — managers who manage managers — used AI a few times per week or more.

SEE ALSO: Google AI Overviews still struggles to answer basic questions and count

AI companies have placed a focus on work-centric products and have shown some promise in being able to help workers. It has become commonplace for workplaces to integrate AI into their everyday tasks.

However, using AI in your work can also prove to be a dangerous proposition. As we've covered at Mashable, while AI is interesting, it still struggles with basic accuracy. Google's AI, for instance, can't reliably tell you the year or date, let alone perform a complicated task.

New research from Apple found that AI can perform well at some straightforward tasks like coding and math but really struggles with complex problems. The researchers called AI's output in these cases "the illusion of thinking."

So if you are using AI in your job, just make sure to double-check the work.

Audibles Prime Day deal is live: Get 3 months of Audible Premium Plus for free

Mashable - 7 hours 56 min ago

SAVE $44.85: Prime members new to Audible can score their first three months for free when they sign up for Audible Premium Plus through July 31. Usually $14.95 per month, that saves you $44.85 in total.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus Get three months free (save $14.95/month) Get Deal

It's officially the best time of year to be a Prime member. Yes, I'm talking about Prime Day, the official shopping holiday of the summer. This year, it's four days long and runs from July 8 through 11. But in true Amazon fashion, deals are already popping up weeks in advance. That includes one of our favorite annual deals: free Audible Premium Plus.

Through July 31, Prime members that are new to Audible can get their first three months of Audible Premium Plus for free. Typically $14.95 per month, that's a total savings of $44.85.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces Prime Day 2025 dates, and the 4-day rumors are true

A Premium Plus membership unlocks access to hundreds of Audible Original audiobooks, exclusive access to members-only sales, and a credit you can use each month to purchase premium titles (regardless of the price). At the very least, you'll be able to enjoy three premium titles (including new releases and bestsellers), plus an abundance of included titles and Audible Originals, without spending a cent. And that's a big deal, as books are not cheap. Once the three-month promotional period runs out, you'll automatically be charged the full price of $14.95 per month unless you cancel.

If you've ever been the slightest bit curious about whether audiobooks are for you, this deal is a great opportunity to test the waters. I actually fell down the rabbit hole myself thanks to a similar three-month deal last year, and I've never looked back. I've read two dozen books so far this year, and I owe a great deal of that to Audible's Premium Plus membership. And truly, what do you have to lose? It's free (as long as you're a Prime member).

Not yet a Prime member? You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and take advantage of this three-month Audible Premium Plus deal, as well as all the Prime Day perks.

Best tech deals

Order in tonight with $10 off Grubhub+ deliveries over $20 for Prime members

Mashable - 8 hours 5 min ago

SAVE $10: As of June 17, Amazon Prime members can save $10 on Grubhub+ deliveries over $20 with promo code PRIME10.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Save $10 on a Grubhub+ delivery order over $20 Promo Code: PRIME10 Get Deal

The dog days of summer are here. Who wants to make dinner and heat up the kitchen? It's too hot to move off of the couch, so why not order takeout tonight? Chinese food sounds delicious. Or maybe a nice, cheesy pizza. Whatever you decide to munch on, do it with Grubhub and this particularly appetizing early Prime Day deal.

As of June 17, Amazon Prime members can save $10 on Grubhub+ deliveries over $20 with promo code PRIME10. All you need to do to claim your discount is head to Grubhub via your connected Grubhub+ and Amazon Prime account and add the code in upon checkout Your discount will automatically be applied. This offer is only available through July 7.

There's no restrictions on which restaurant you can buy from or what type of food is eligible. Go wild, but make sure the total items in your cart add up to $20 before taxes and delivery fees to qualify. You'll also only be able to use this, again, if you're an Amazon Prime member. If not, you can sign up for a free trial or as a new member and still remain eligible for this discount.

Why dirty some dishes when you can have dinner brought to your door? No matter how you slice it, $10 off your base price for dinner through Grubhub is a good deal.

Amazon quietly has the 42-inch LG C4 OLED TV over 50% off, weeks ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - 8 hours 11 min ago

SAVE $800: As of June 17, the 42-inch LG C4 OLED TV is on sale for $699.99 at Amazon — a record low price. The listing says that's only a 19% discount, but compared to the TV's original MSRP of of $1,499.99, that's more than 50% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 42-inch C4 OLED 4K TV $699.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $800 Get Deal

There are living room people and there are bedroom people. If you're a bedroom person, much of your TV watching or gaming is probably done in there — which is reason enough to not settle for a cheap, dull TV, even if it needs to be small. The 42-inch version of LG's beloved C4 OLED TV would be an awesome bedroom TV, and it's on sale for a record-low price of $699.99 at Amazon. This is a Prime Day-level price point, despite the iconic summer event still being three weeks away.

But there's one huge piece of this deal that Amazon's not telling you: The 42-inch C4 originally debuted at $1,499.99 when it came out in March 2024, not the $866.99 MSRP that Amazon's listing. LG's own website still has it priced at $1,499.99 with no discount. Deflated sticker prices that make deals look worse than they actually are is typically a Walmart thing, but OK.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (June 13, 2025)

Even though it's technically not LG's newest flagship OLED anymore, the C4 is still one of the best OLED TVs you can get. Its self-lit pixels simultaneously achieve vivid 100% color volume and deep, pure blacks, achieving excellent contrast that holds up even in bright rooms. (And typically, bright rooms are the one area where QLEDs beat OLEDs.) Gamers who are choosing between the C3 and C4 should definitely take this opportunity to opt for the C4. It bumps the refresh rate up to 144Hz compared to the C3's 120. If you have your hands on a Switch 2 (or plan to eventually), a high-end gaming TV like the C4 will be necessary to do it justice.

The 55-inch Hisense Class U6 4K TV is at its lowest price ever ahead of Amazon Prime Day

Mashable - 8 hours 12 min ago

SAVE $301: The 55-inch Hisense Class U6 QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $498.99, down from the usual price of $799.99. That's a 38% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense 55-inch Hisense Class U6 QLED 4K TV $498.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $301 Get Deal

We now know that Amazon is treating us the biggest Prime Day ever this year, spanning an entire four days. That means we'll have plenty of time to shop the best deals between July 8 and 11. But if you're in the mood for a great deal right now, and you happen to need a new TV, Amazon already has you covered.

As of June 17, the 55-inch Hisense Class U6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for just $498.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $799.99. That's a 38% discount that takes $301 off the typical price. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen.

Buying a new TV is no easy feat thanks to unlimited jargon the market has forced upon us. But rest assured that Hisense is one of our favorite TV brands, making some of the best budget-friendly TVs on the market. They lean on the more affordable side without skimping on display quality. The Hisense Class U6 QLED comes with some noteworthy features that make it a great option, especially if you're looking for an affordable, gaming-ready TV.

For starters, the 55-inch size makes it perfect for a bedroom, small living room, or the garage. It's also great if you'll be watching daytime TV in bright rooms. The QLED screen can reach up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness while focusing on bright colors.

The native refresh rate of 144Hz means this is also a great option if you'll be using it for gaming. If you were lucky enough to snag the new Nintendo Switch 2, your summer could be sorted with the console and a fresh TV.

SEE ALSO: Review: 'Mario Kart World' is chaotic, hilarious fun

The Hisense Class U6 QLED also comes with Fire TV, which means you won't need an external streaming stick. Instead, the boot-up screen will whisk you to the Fire TV page where all your favorite streaming platforms will be ready for use.

Upgrade to the 55-inch Hisense Class U6 QLED 4K TV, on sale for its lowest price ever of just $498.99 at Amazon. Instead of waiting for the chaos of Prime Day, you'll be in good hands with one of the best budget-friendly TV brands.

The best TV deals to shop this week

Save $100 on a 262-piece Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set at Amazon

Mashable - 8 hours 33 min ago

SAVE $100: As of June 17, the Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set with 3-Drawer Versastack Tool Box is on sale for $149.00, down from its regular price of $249.00. That's a savings of $100, or 40% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Craftsman Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set with 3-Drawer VERSASTACK Tool Box $149 at Amazon
$249 Save $100 Get Deal

A good socket wrench set is crucial for working on bikes, motorcycles, cars, and much more. The Craftsman brand is known for quality tools at value prices, and there's a set that comes with everything you need on sale now at Amazon ahead of Prime Day.

As of June 17, the Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set is on sale at Amazon for $149, down from $249. Get it now and save $100, or 40%.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces Prime Day 2025 dates, and the 4-day rumors are true

This wrench set has plenty of options for your work, with ratchet wrenches, open wrenches, drivers, hex keys, and more. It's compatible with both metric and SAE, so you'll be able to use it with modern bike gear as well as legacy appliances and American car parts.

The ratchets come in three sizes: 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch. They are 72 tooth ratchets with a 5-degree arc swing. With a huge array of sockets, extenders, and bits, the set is highly adaptive.

With a Versastack case (aka a flexible storage system) included in the set, organization comes naturally. With so much included in one case, this set covers the fundamentals that a new mechanic needs.

The best home and kitchen deals

Best Buy will host a weeklong Black Friday in July sale. Can it compete with Prime Day?

Mashable - 8 hours 38 min ago

Best Buy has announced its plans to host a weeklong 'Black Friday in July' sale from July 7-13. The event will directly overlap with Amazon's members-only Prime Day event, which will run from July 8 through 11.

A representative for Best Buy told Mashable via email that its 'Black Friday in July' sale will usher in "deals on TVs, laptops, headphones, video games, electric bikes, and more." The retailer will also offer "Doorbusters — some of the hottest deals on top tech" for the first time during the event, cribbing from its Black Friday programming last fall.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces Prime Day 2025 dates, and the 4-day rumors are true

Best Buy will drop new 'Black Friday in July' deals every day of the sale, which will be available in stores, on its website, and in the Best Buy mobile app. Mashable has reached out to Best Buy's rep to confirm whether any offers will be exclusive to shoppers who have joined its My Best Buy membership program, and we'll update this story when we hear back.

Best Buy has traditionally held anti-Prime Day sales in the summer, but it had more of an advantage over Amazon back when Prime Day was only two days long. This year, the retail giant has extended it to four full days for the first time ever.

Target and Walmart have also run summer sales that compete with Prime Day in years past, but neither retailer has confirmed its plans to do so in 2025 yet.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

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