- Help
- Google+
It's not an overstatement to say that BookTok revolutionized the book industry, including everything from the publishing process to marketing and book sales.
And while a huge part of the online community involves creators and audience members sharing their favorite reads, books aren't the only thing BookTokkers are buying. Yes, there are e-readers, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
SEE ALSO: BookTok made reading cool again — but it also turned authors into content creatorsThat's why we caught up with BookTok creators and book lovers at VidCon's 2026 BookTok Meetup last month to ask about the products they can't read without. They shared everything from speed-reading apps and e-reader accessories to their favorite places to discover their next great read. Check out the full list of BookTok-approved essentials below.
A place to source their next readBookTokker Ashley Duke immediately called out GoodReads as her favorite place to get a little more information on potential next reads. "You can look at any type of reviews so that you can become a better buyer and not just like what most of us do, where we absolutely judge a book by its cover," she shared. "We're like, 'It looks cool, I'm going to buy it!' And then it's like, 'That was the worst book I've ever read.'"
SEE ALSO: The 15 most popular books of 2026, determined by Goodreads membersGoodreads isn't the only site for finding reviews and keeping track of your books. Kobo owners, in particular, may want to check out Storygraph, which recently launched an integration with the e-reader brand.
Opens in a new window Credit: Goodreads Goodreads Learn More An ergonomic Kindle upgradeE-reader users know that, as convenient as the device can be, it can also be more dangerous than you'd expect. "One time, I really thought I broke my nose by the way that it came down," creator Marijose said, the classic experience of dropping your e-reader while reading in bed.
Her favorite solution? The Strapsicle (it's one of our favorites, too). She called out the crossed straps on the back, saying it's basically impossible to drop your e-reader while your hand is strapped in.
Opens in a new window Credit: Strapsicle Strapsicle $19.99Patrick Khanna is neither a BookTok creator nor a viewer — he simply loves to read, which is why he stopped by the meetup. It showed with his favorite reading tool: Accelareader. Accelareader is a free online tool that lets users copy and paste text from the site using a feature called "Rapid Serial Visual Presentation." Users can adjust how many words per minute they're aiming to read. Khanna shared that it legitimately helps him read faster.
Opens in a new window Credit: Accelareader Accelareader Learn More A bookmark with personalityIsaiah, who posts under the handle Zayintune, appreciates a little personality when marking the pages in his books. "Instead of bookmarks, I like to use little crocheted thongs on the book," he said, adding with a laugh, "I only use them for my smut books."
Though you can find these bookmarks on Etsy or Amazon, Isaiah grabs the bookmarks from Downtowne Bookstore in Riverside, California, saying of the store, "They're very POC and LGBT-friendly. They're kind of hidden, as in not a lot of people know about them, so I always like to shout them out."
Opens in a new window Credit: Tifairy Crochet Thong Bookmark $17 at EtsyNaturally, e-readers came up when I talked to the group of BookTokkers. Many used Kindle, some shouting out the affordability of the base model, while others preferred the Kindle Paperwhite for its light adjustment and storage (the Paperwhite is also Mashable's favorite Kindle overall). A couple of folks even use the Kindle app on their phone instead of a dedicated e-reader.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at AmazonMarijose made sure I didn't miss out on one of her most-used accessories: a page-turning remote. "I swear by this," she said, deadly serious. The model she showed me costs less than $20, comes in seven different colors, and can even be used with iPhones and iPads. Kobo users: the Mashable team loves the bespoke Kobo Bluetooth remote.
Opens in a new window Credit: HIGHGO HIGHGO Remote page turner $15.99 at AmazonE-reader accessories get a lot of love on BookTok, but one of the most OG companions for bookish people is a good book light. Isaiah shared his favorite book light with me: it's a clip-on, less than $10, and rechargeable, so you don't have to mess around with batteries. "It's nice, cheap, easy, and it does the job," he said. And at the end of the day, that's all you need — and a good book, of course.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hionxmga Hionxmga Rechargeable Book Light $9.99 at AmazonDid you have Ninja releasing a whole ass microwave on your 2026 product release bingo card?
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you actually did. Nearly every countertop appliance you could think of has already gotten the Ninja treatment by now — since Ninja has already cemented itself as a household name for air fryers, it feels correct to finally extend those crisping skills to the humble microwave. Released July 16, the Ninja Crispi Microwave combines these two staple time-saving appliances into one 14-in-1 oven.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Microwave $449.99 at SharkNinjaThe Ninja Crispi Microwave's FusionCrisp technology aims to solve the texture issues that come with microwaving. Right after regular reheating concludes, automatic air frying kicks in to leave food crispy rather than soggy. With 1700 Watt power and up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit of circulated airflow, Ninja claims that you'll be able to take food from frozen to crispy in 10 minutes. That's up to 60 percent faster than a conventional oven, no agonizing preheating window required.
The inside of the Crispi Microwave is glass, not plastic. Credit: Ninja The included 5.5-quart glass basket can feed up to 10 people. Credit: NinjaThere's little that can't be cooked in the Crispi Microwave. There are eight microwave presets: popcorn, potato, defrost, beverage, soup, frozen dinner, frozen vegetables, and soften butter. The five air fry presets are similar to what you'd see in an air fryer toaster oven: max crisp and normal crisp, air roast, air bake, and air broil.
The Crispi Microwave features a PFAS-free glass cooking cavity with up to 40 percent more usable cooking space than your average turntable microwave. Instead of having to transfer fridge leftovers into an air fryer basket, the flatbed design can hold several containers or bowls. You're even getting a nice new baking dish out of it: a 5.5-quart PFAS-free glass basket that can hold an 8-pound chicken, four slices of pizza, or a 9 x 11 casserole. A stainless steel crisper basket is also included.
It appears that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 will look very similar to its predecessor. So, if these leaks prove accurate, don't expect any radical changes to the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
We expect Samsung's new foldables to debut on July 22 at a Galaxy Unpacked event in London. Mashable will be attending that event live, so check back to hear about all the announcements.
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 shell design, display, camera, as well as the vast majority of its other specs, are pretty much the same as the generation that came before it, according to new leaks from WinFuture (as reported by 9to5Google).
What is upgraded? The Galaxy Z Flip 8 will have a more powerful processor.
The upcoming Flip 8 model is powered by the Samsung Exynos 2600 whereas the current generation is powered by the Exynos 2500. While a more powerful processor is always a welcome upgrade, as 9to5Google points out, consumers were hoping for a much more substantive upgrade to a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip for the Flip 8. According to WinFuture, that's not the case.
Other than that, the leaked specs state that the Flip 8 will add 45W wired support for charging and will be 8 grams lighter than its predecessor. However, it does appear to be slightly thicker, also according to the leak.
Not every generation of a device needs to be game-changing. Sometimes these iterative upgrades are a nice draw for new buyers, and existing users can wait until next year's offerings. However, this news can be disappointing for those who were looking to upgrade from the Flip 7 — especially considering the speculation that Samsung may have to raise its prices with the Galaxy Z8 series.
Of course, none of this is official yet. Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will likely make the Flip 8 and its specs official next week, along with a slew of other new mobile products.
SAVE $200: The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $799.99, down from the list price of $999.99. That's a 20% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 robot vacuum and mop $799.99 at AmazonBack-to-school season is upon us. It's always a busy time mixed with trips to Target, checking supplies lists, and keeping up with classroom announcements. At the same time, we're trying to squeeze the last bits of enjoyment out of summer gatherings. If there's no time left for keeping the floors clean at home, this robot is happy to take over, and it's on sale.
As of July 16, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $799.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $999.99. That's a 20% discount and a savings of $200.
Ideal for busy households, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 is ready to take over the tasks of vacuuming and mopping the house. The robot vacuum and mop has a unique roller mop, and Mashable's expert robot vacuum reviewer, Leah Stodart, has ranked this as the best model under $1,000. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, it's now under $800.
SEE ALSO: Roborock's premium RockMow X120H lawn mower has launched with a huge discount — save $700 at Amazon"The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow is a solid roller mop option for busy households that see a lot of liquid spills," according to Stodart. "Its impeccable small obstacle avoidance makes it similarly well-suited for busy folks who don't have time to tidy up the floor before vacuuming."
In technical terms, it has 20,000 Pa suction power. In Stodart's testing of the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2, it worked well on removing debris from medium and thick-pile rugs. It also avoided sucking up a USB-C cable Stodart left on the floor as an intentional obstacle.
Since Amazon's sale price brings this combo model under $800, it could be a great gift for college students moving into their first apartment.
Before we see the sale vanish, gift your home the capable Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 robot vacuum and mop. You'll be able to save time, effort, and hassle by letting the robot take over floor cleaning.
SAVE $900: As of July 16, the Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV is down to a new record low of $1,297.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and Best Buy. That's a massive 41% in savings from its latest list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV $1,297.99 at AmazonIf your requirements for a new TV include a big screen and a brilliant picture, this Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED TV will be right up your alley. And since it's a 2025 model, it's down to an astoundingly low price.
Since OLED TVs offer the most advanced lighting on the market, they're typically the most expensive. This is Samsung's entry-level OLED model, and it originally carried a $2,999.99 price tag, for instance. However, its list price has dropped significantly to $2,197.99 now that 2026 models have hit shelves. And as of July 16, it's reached a new record low of just $1,297.99 at Amazon, and $1,299.99 at Best Buy and Samsung itself. That's a 41% discount from its latest list price.
The star of the show with Samsung's 2025 OLED TVs is AI (shocker). The S85F features AI tools like Click to Search, Live Translate, Adaptive Sound Pro, and Real Depth Enhancer to enhance your viewing experience. Of course, it will also deliver tons of content recommendations. It's equipped with Samsung's Tizen 9.0 smart TV platform, which offers smooth and speedy navigation. Plus, its massive 77-inch screen offers brilliant picture quality with vivid colors and deep contrast.
As far as gaming goes, it's pretty basic. You'll get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1, and FreeSync Premium. For casual gamers, this will do just fine, but more advanced players will likely want to upgrade to a better refresh rate.
It's no longer the newest TV in Samsung's OLED lineup, but the S85F is still a strong contender and an excellent value — particularly now that the price is the lowest it's ever been.
Whether you studied the Great Uprising of 1381, sometimes referred to as the Peasant's Revolt, at school or not, the trailer for Andrew Garfield's new historical action-drama will have you geared up for a lesson.
Directed by Paul Greengrass, The Uprising follows one of the defining moments of English radicalism in history, when the commoners staged a rebellion against the tyranny of 14-year-old King Richard II. The Black Death had halved the population of England. The Hundred Years' War was draining the country's coffers. And the monarchy leaned on an already lean feudal system, heavily taxing common folk to pay for a war in a country far away. They'd had enough.
In the film, Garfield plays a farmer who becomes a key figure in the Uprising, alongside real legendary leaders Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis) and John Ball (Jamie Bell). We don't have many screen depictions of the revolt, aside from a 1969 film starring Anthony Hopkins. So Greengrass' The Uprising is a rare insight into a pivotal moment for social resistance in British history, of the common people finding their voice. But it didn't come without cost.
Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, Katherine Waterston, and Sky Yang also star.
The Uprising hits cinemas Sept. 11.
TL;DR: July 16 is Free Tea Day at participating McAlister's Deli locations. No purchase is necessary, and you can order online, in the app, or drop by a location to get free tea.
Opens in a new window Credit: McAlister's Deli Free Tea Day at McAlister's Deli Learn MoreIt's hot outside, some of the nation is trapped in smokey air, and we only have two World Cup matches left. If you're feeling a touch of the summer blues, McAlister's Deli is offering a free cheer-me-up.
For all of July 16, stop by participating McAlister's locations to take part in Free Tea Day. Yes, you read that right. Today only, you can get a free tea with no purchase necessary.
With a desire to bring people together, McAlister's Free Tea Day started back in 2009. This year, Free Tea Day takes place on July 16, and the timing couldn't be better with heat and poor air quality in some of the nation.
SEE ALSO: Upgrade your morning brew: The Breville Barista Express espresso machine is over $100 off at AmazonThe free tea deal applies to Big Tea only, including sweet tea, unsweetened, tea/lemonade, flavored teas, and one flavor shot per tea. If you stop by a participating McAlister's Deli location, the deal is valid for one free tea per customer. You can also order online on the the McAlister's Deli app with a limit of four free teas.
While sipping your free tea, consider how you'll celebrate National Ice Cream Day coming up on Sunday, July 19.
SAVE $654: The 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor is on sale for $1,345.99, down from the standard price of $1,999.99. That's a 33% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: LG 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED Gaming Monitor $1,345.99 at AmazonWhen it comes to tech that involves spending a big chunk of money, it's best if that tech has multiple purposes. For those who spend time gaming, watching movies, and working from home, a high-quality monitor is well worth the investment. If you fall into any or all of those categories, check out this deal.
As of July 16, the 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $1,345.99, marked down from the usual price of $1,999.99. That's a 33% discount that takes a major $654 off the price.
With a stunningly crisp OLED display, the LG Ultragear is the upgrade we all deserve for gaming. The curved display brings on an immersive in-game feel, and the 45-inch display is a great size, as long as your desk can accommodate the upgrade.
SEE ALSO: The ASUS ROG gaming monitor is down to a record-low price at Amazon — buy it now for under $900LG says this is the world's first 5K2K OLED gaming monitor. The 125 pixels-per-inch will give a great gaming experience, as well as prove worthwhile when streaming movies and sports. The display can reach up to 1,300 nits and there's a 0.03 millisecond response time.
Adding to its gaming stats are the dual HDMI 2.1 ports and a USB-C. Of course, it also has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility. The curve is rated at 800R, and LG took the extra steps to add anti-glare, flicker-free, and low-blue light performance.
If you've been considering a gaming monitor upgrade, consider today's sale price on the 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED curved monitor. You'll be saving over $650 thanks to Amazon.
SAVE UP TO $90: As of July 16, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Sennheiser Accentum noise-cancelling headphones are on sale at Amazon for $217.33 (down from $299.99) and $99.95 (down from $189.95) respectively.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sennheiser Sennheiser Accentum $99.95 at AmazonSennheiser is known for its premium audio products, which tend to be accompanied by premium price tags. But today, Amazon has slashed the price of two of the brand's best-selling headphone offerings. If you've been searching for high-quality noise-cancelling headphones that won't wreck your bank account, your search is over.
As of July 16, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 noise-cancelling headphones are down to just $217.33 from $299.99. That's a savings of 28%. Still too pricey? The Sennheiser Accentum headphones are also on sale for just $99.95, down an impressive 47% from their list price of $189.95.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Momentum 4s are a Mashable favorite. They've earned a spot on our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying and the best headphones overall for 2026, mostly due to their outstanding battery life. Fully charged, these babies will last you 60 hours with ANC turned on. For comparison, the Sony XM6 headphones (another favorite) last for only half of that time. The Momentum 4s also sound excellent right out of the box, but do offer EQ adjustments in the app if you desire. The noise-cancellation isn't the best on the market, but it's fair for the price point.
The Accentum headphones are significantly cheaper at under $100, but still offer a massive 50-hour battery life, hybrid noise cancellation, rich and well-balanced HD stereo sound, and an in-app EQ to fine-tune your music to match your preferences. They're a little less impressive than their more expensive sibling, but honestly, you can't go wrong with either one.
If you're looking for audiophile-approved sound, long lasting battery life, decent noise cancellation, and an affordable price tag, these headphones practically sell themselves.
Samsung Unpacked is right around the corner, and with it, we'll be getting new Samsung Galaxy Watches. The pressure is on with this generation for Samsung, so here's what we know, what we expect and what we want from the company's latest wearables.
TL;DR: iClever’s Q950 Kids Headphones are now on Amazon for $69.99. They pack hybrid ANC, an 80dBA volume limit, 60-hour battery life, and a kid-proof design.
Opens in a new window Credit: iClever iClever Q950 Kids Headphones $69.99 at AmazoniClever has launched the Q950 Kids Headphones, a new pair of wireless over-ear headphones designed to make listening safer for younger users. Available in the U.S. from iClever and Amazon for $69.99, the Q950 comes in two colors: blue and purple.
The headphones are built around iClever’s SafeSound technology, which keeps volume capped at 80dBA while adding noise cancellation to help kids hear clearly without needing to turn the volume all the way up.
What makes the Q950 stand out is its TÜV Rheinland Hearing Care certification, a third-party certification that recognizes the headphones’ focus on safer listening and hearing-friendly design. For parents, that adds an extra layer of confidence that their kids are using headphones designed with hearing health in mind.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Beyond hearing protection, the Q950 packs features you’d usually expect from adult headphones. Wear Detection automatically pauses audio when the headphones are removed, Transparency Mode lets kids hear what’s happening around them without taking the headphones off, and Bluetooth Audio Sharing allows two headphones to connect to the same device for shared listening.
Battery life reaches up to 60 hours on a single charge, while ANC still works when using the included wired AUX connection. Built for everyday use, the Q950 includes an adjustable headband, soft ear cushions, and rotating ear cups for a comfortable fit as kids grow.
Grab the iClever Q950 Kids Headphones on Amazon for safer listening on the go.
TL;DR: Spotify's Managed Accounts are now free for more families. Parents can create kid-friendly Spotify accounts with parental controls, private profiles, and personalized music recommendations without needing a Premium Family subscription.
Spotify is making it easier for parents to give younger listeners their own music experience without handing over the keys to the entire app. Previously available only with a Premium Family subscription, Managed Accounts are now free for parents on any Spotify plan in the U.S., UK, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and several other supported regions.
Spotify says more countries, including Canada, New Zealand, and much of Europe and Latin America, are already live or will be added soon.
What is a Spotify Managed Account?A Managed Account is a kid-friendly version of Spotify designed for listeners under 13. It gives children their own Spotify profile while letting parents stay in control through built-in parental settings.
Instead of opening up the full Spotify experience, Managed Accounts focus on music. Kids can listen to Spotify's music catalog, create playlists, and discover new artists, but podcasts, audiobooks, video content, and Canvas visuals aren't included by default.
Kids still get personalized recommendations through features like Discover Weekly, Daylist, and Made for You mixes. They'll also get their own Spotify Wrapped, so the whole family doesn’t end up with one giant mashup of music tastes.
Every new account starts with explicit content filtering turned on automatically, and parents can also block specific artists or songs through Spotify's Parental Controls Hub. Profiles are private and can't be searched by other users, messaging features are disabled, and kids use preset avatars instead of uploading profile pictures.
The idea is to give younger listeners a more independent way to enjoy music while still keeping parents in the driver's seat.
How to create a Spotify Managed AccountParents can set up a Managed Account directly from the Spotify app in just a few steps:
Open Spotify and tap "add account" from the app's side menu
Select "add a child"
Select "create a managed account"
Complete the parental consent process
Choose your child's settings and parental controls
As children get older, Spotify also lets them transition from a Managed Account to a standard Spotify account, giving families a smoother way to grow with the service over time.
Ready to set it up? Learn more about Spotify Managed Accounts here.
July may not scream Halloween, but Home Depot clearly didn’t get the memo.
The retailer’s 2026 Halloween collection is here, with nearly 30 new decorations and animatronics landing online and in the Home Depot app — including a new app-controlled 12-foot Skelly that takes the iconic lawn skeleton to a whole new level.
The spooky drop is live from July 16, with products available while supplies last. Some decorations will arrive in stores in August, though the most popular animatronics could disappear much sooner.
11-foot Giant-Sized LED Mummy Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 11-foot Giant-Sized LED Mummy $299 at The Home DepotIf Skelly feels a little too mainstream for your haunted yard, this 11-foot mummy brings a different kind of creepy energy. The towering Grave & Bones Giant-Sized LED Mummy lights up with glowing eyes and a decayed, illuminated chest, while its adjustable shoulders let you adjust its zombie-like stance. Motion activation triggers three spooky sound effects and includes cloth strips that add a worn, just-escaped-from-the-tomb look. It’s rated for both indoor and outdoor use, so it can guard your front yard, entryway, or Halloween party setup all season long.
8-foot Grave & Bones Zombie Velociraptor Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 8-foot Grave & Bones Zombie Velociraptor $299 at The Home DepotForget skeletons and ghosts — this year, Home Depot is bringing a prehistoric monster to the lawn. The 8-foot Grave & Bones Zombie Velociraptor adds a creepy fossil-inspired twist to your Halloween setup with glowing LED eyes and a lit-up mouth, plus a moving jaw and sound effect triggered by motion. It comes with adjustable volume, a built-in timer that can run on a 6-hour on/18-hour off schedule, and ground stakes to keep this oversized predator planted. It takes just one person and about 15 minutes to assemble, so you can spend less time building and more time scaring the neighborhood.
12-foot App-Controlled Skelly Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 12-foot App-Controlled Skelly $379 at The Home DepotIf you’re only buying one giant Halloween decoration this year, this is the one to check out. This 12-foot Skelly is built to do more than just stand around. Using the Decor Pro app, you can pick from 20 different LCD eye effects, record up to 30 custom voice lines, or talk through Skelly live with built-in voice-changing effects.
Its head moves, its mouth matches your audio, and it can help make your yard the Halloween stop everyone remembers. Designed for indoor and outdoor use, Skelly takes about 60 minutes to put together with two people.
8.5-foot LED Knight Frostbane Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 8.5-foot LED Knight Frostbane $399 at The Home DepotThe 8.5-foot skeletal knight arrives on a ghostly horse, complete with glowing eyes, a lit-up chest, and three synchronized movements that bring the whole scene to life. The knight’s arm moves, its jaw drops while it speaks five spooky phrases, and the horse’s head sweeps back and forth for a dramatic entrance. Motion-activated and ready to haunt, Frostbane plugs in for power and can be assembled by one person in about 30 minutes.
Not every Halloween setup needs a 12-foot skeleton. Here are all the other new decorations joining Home Depot’s 2026 lineup:
6.5-Foot Wicked Woods Animated LED Stalking Scarecrow — $159
6-Foot Grave & Bones Animated LED John the Last Call Mixologist — $179
6-Foot Wicked Woods Color Changing LED Scowling Sapling — $179
3.5-Foot Animated LED Mohawk — $179
7.5-Foot Grave & Bones Animated LED Soul Stealing Reaper — $199
3-Foot Animated LED Stitch — $199
4.5-Foot Grave & Bones Color Changing LED Groundbreaker — $199
7-Foot Wicked Woods Animated LED App-Controlled Lethal Lily — $299
The scares don’t stop here — explore the full Home Depot Halloween 2026 lineup before popular picks sell out.
Earlier this week, Apple launched the first public beta of iOS 27. With it comes the new, smarter Siri, which is now both a standalone app, and a set of features embedded into various apps across the operating system.
The new Siri truly is smarter, but the name confusion (Siri is now called Siri AI) as well as the fact that some features are baked into other Apple apps can make things overwhelming for users. Let's check out which new Siri AI features are truly worth trying out.
SEE ALSO: How to try the Siri AI beta: Join the waitlistBefore we start, one caveat: Almost none of these features are available in China and Europe due to issues with regulators. While it appears that the problems in China have been resolved, Apple still doesn't have a timeline for Siri AI launch in Europe.
Also, for instruction on how to install the public beta and get your hands on the new features, Mashable's published a guide.
Siri, the appFor the longest time (since 2011 actually, when Siri was first introduced) Apple refused to give Siri a proper body. The idea is that it's the invisible helper, the voice you interact with, but not something you want to tap and chat with.
Then came the OpenAI ChatGPT era, and everything changed. It took Apple a few years, but the company relented, and with iOS 27, the company launched Siri as a standalone app.
Featured Video For You Is ChatGPT Changing the Way We Write?So what's the experience like? Well, think ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. You start the app, and you're welcomed by a grid of your previous convos with Siri. Start a new one, either by voice or by typing, and Siri will answer. Since this is a smarter Siri, you needn't be afraid of asking something more complex than "what's the weather like tomorrow." And it's not just general purpose queries such as "will the yellow cards in the World Cup semifinal carry over to the final" — you can also ask personal questions, including mentioning the content from your past emails, notes, and events.
Visual Intelligence This is, indeed, a traditional cricket ball. Credit: AppleThis is a really useful one, because it ties to the way you use your iPhone in ways that weren't possible before. Say you're on YouTube, and a video showing a moment from a famous TV show pops up; the problem is, you just can't remember the show's name. No problem; invoke Siri by long-pressing the side button on your phone, and ask it about the content you're watching on the display right now. Pretty cool, right?
You can do that in various contexts; whatever's on your screen at the moment, Siri can tell you something about it.
Same goes for the stuff that's in front of you, in real life. The new Siri mode in the Camera app lets you point your lens at anything and get Siri to provide some information on what you're seeing.
Image PlaygroundThis feature has been here before but it's been...well, maybe not a complete joke, but definitely a cartoon version of the real thing; that is, the only type of images it could generate were cartoon-looking ones.
With Siri AI, this has changed. You can now get realistic photos such as futuristic cityscapes and beautiful landscapes, or combos such as a bear dancing on a massive block of cheese.
Even better, once an image has been generated, you can tweak it with additional prompt. If you want a sign saying CHEESE above that image you've just created, tell Siri to add it and it'll show up in the next iteration.
It's not the most advanced AI-based image generation out there, but it does the job and for many users, it'll be the quickest and most convenient option.
Photo editing The image is good, I just need more space around the subject. Credit: AppleOpen a photo, tap the edit button, and you'll see an option on the bottom right called Tools. Tap that, and you'll see three options. The Clean Up lets you tap or circle an unwanted object to make it disappear. That feature already existed (it might work a little better now), but the other two are new.
Extend will use Siri AI to make the picture bigger. Pinch to zoom out, and the AI will analyze the photo and add more stuff at the edges to make the photo larger. It doesn't always work, but when it does, it does feel a little magical.
The other new option is Reframe, which lets you change the perspective of the photo after you've taken it. Don't expect miracles here (I'd only use this on photos that desperately need it) but again, when it does work it's pretty cool.
Writing with SiriSiri AI is now baked into various writing and communication tools across iOS. For example, in the Notes app, just above the keyboard, you'll see an option called "Write with Siri." Tap that, and write by using a prompt instead of actually entering text.
This can be pretty powerful. Let's say you want to sum up an entire trip itinerary, or write a movie plot (without spoilers!), but you don't actually want to type all that. Well, instead, just tell Siri what you want and it'll generate the text for you.
You can also highlight a chunk of text and tell Siri to generate an image that relates to it, or use it to solve math problems.
Smarter Calendar and Reminders entries Sometimes you'll need to tap on things and provide additional context, but the new Calendar is way better than before. Credit: AppleSiri is baked into Apple's Calendar app, too, allowing for natural language recognition. For example, you can create a new event and describe what you want to do (dinner with wife at Joe's tomorrow at 7 p.m.), and the Calendar app will automagically recognize the right people from your Contacts, and create the event at the right time.
Same goes for Reminders, which is an app I feel I should use more but it just never clicked for me. Once again, describe what you need to be reminded of, and details such as location, time, and date will be picked up automatically.
Shortcuts that you'll actually want to useLet's face it: Shortcuts is the best iOS feature that almost no one uses, simply because the idea of turning a chain of events/commands into a single command sounds too intimidating for a lot of people.
Now, thanks to Siri AI, you can just describe the shortcut and have it created automatically. To access this feature, open Shortcuts, tap New Shortcut, and describe what you want the Shortcut to do. Want the iPhone to audibly tell you that it's been charged to 90 percent? Just type that down into the Shortcuts app, and you're done.
Want to get started? Here's how to get try the Siri AI beta.
TL;DR: The Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 G53F QHD gaming monitor is on sale for $169.99 at Amazon, down from its $249.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-Inch Odyssey G5 (G53F) $169.99 at AmazonA decent QHD gaming monitor no longer has to push your setup close to premium OLED price brackets, and Amazon has now dropped one of Samsung’s faster Odyssey G5 models well below $200.
As of July 16, the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 (G53F) gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $169.99. With $80 removed from the $249.99 list price, that’s 32% off the display price — the lowest price we've seen since April (confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel).
The listing is shipped and sold directly by Amazon, with free delivery currently set for July 21. Prime members can get it sooner, with delivery showing for July 17 at the time of writing. Thankfully, Amazon is also including its standard 30-day return or replacement window, which is ideal if anything goes wrong with your order.
This Samsung monitor’s 27-inch IPS panel with 2560 x 1440 resolution gives you a stunning jump above standard 1080p. It’s a nice middle ground since it doesn’t push your PC’s graphics card nearly as hard as when trying to hit full 4K.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!These types of monitors are best in rigs where you’re trying to prioritize the smooth gameplay that comes with higher FPS, and the G5’s 200Hz refresh rate will more than have you covered for high-speed games like League of Legends, Rocket League, Marvel Rivals, Overwatch, and of course — Fortnite.
If you’re a single-player gamer who’s catching up on Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced or you’re looking for a new monitor for Grand Theft Auto VI, the G5’s HDR10 will make these games look amazing — courtesy of the feature adding brighter highlights and more detailed shadows, while the IPS panel offers a wide 178-degree viewing angle and more consistent color across the screen.
Samsung has also added a few practical gaming tools. Black Equalizer can brighten darker areas to make enemies easier to spot, Virtual Aim Point puts an adjustable crosshair on-screen, and Auto Source Switch+ automatically changes inputs when a newly-connected device turns on.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...