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If you haven't circled July 13 on your calendar to line up outside your nearest Starbucks to fight for the Pink Drink Bearista Cold Cup (literally, what are you doing?), maybe you just prefer a different kind of emotional-support water bottle.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks is bringing back the famous S'mores Frappuccino — how to get early access on June 30

For reasons I cannot fully explain, Arby's is currently selling a 20-ounce Bedazzled Tumbler. It's encrusted with rhinestones and features the restaurant's logo down at the bottom. I'm not a huge fan of Arby's (when the Jalapeño Bites were pulled from my local menu, I lost interest), but this is so flashy and unnecessary that I honestly kind of respect the commitment to the bit.

At $45, it's definitely on the pricey side for fast-food merch. But, hilariously enough, if you don't want to drop all that cash at once, Arby's will let you finance your rhinestone cup in two interest-free installments of $22.50 using Shop Pay.

Just keep in mind you have to hand-wash this thing to protect the rhinestones. You can grab one right now at the official Arby's Shop.

Opens in a new window Credit: Arby's Arby's Bedazzled Tumbler $45 at Arby's
  Shop Now

SAVE $300: The 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $699.99, down from the list price of $999.99. That works out to a 30% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor (27GX790B-B) $699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300   Get Deal

We pay special attention to display quality on almost all of our tech. From our TVs to phones and e-readers, the image we see is highly important to the overall experience. Instead of settling for an acceptable display on a gaming monitor, go with the clarity and crispness of OLED. There's a great model on sale today.

As of July 8, the 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $699.99, down from the list price of $999.99. That works out to a 30% discount that shaves $300 off the price.

Instead of messing around with models that don't offer an excellent experience, go with the trustworthiness of an LG model. This 27-inch Ultragear has top-tier stats like a GtG of 0.02 milliseconds and a dual mode that can support 540 Hz or 720Hz.

In terms of the display, LG equipped the monitor with OLED clarity, and it gets bragging rights as the brand's brightest OLED gaming monitor yet, reaching 335 nits of typical brightness. Of course, there's also NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

SEE ALSO: Nothing Phone (4b) is now available to pre-order: What's new and how to buy

The 27-inch display has a slim profile, and the included stand can adjust in height. Further customizations include tilt, swivel, and pivot, so you can get the display just the way you prefer. Plus, it'll take up less space on your desk compared to a curved monitor.

While it's sitting at a 30% discount, upgrade your gaming setup with the 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor. Since it'll be something you use everyday, it's well worth the investment of a OLED display.

SAVE $151.99: As of July 8, the Sony ULT Field 7 Bluetooth party speaker is on sale at Amazon for just $348 instead of $499.99. That's a savings of 30% and its best price all year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 7 $348
$499.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal

Mashable's shopping team loves the Sony ULT Field speaker lineup, so we were thrilled to see many of the top models on sale for Prime Day. One of our favorites, however, was missing from the deals list: the ULT Field 7. Fortunately, after the sale wrapped up, the party speaker got a steep discount and you can save 30% if you act fast.

As of July 8, the Sony ULT Field 7 Bluetooth party speaker is on sale at Amazon for just $348. That's $151.99 or 30% off its list price of $499.99 and its best price all year. But stock is running low, so you'll have to add it to your cart ASAP if you want to secure the deal.

As our reviewer puts it, the ULT Field 7 features a boombox aesthetic that "exudes old-school swagger." But its looks are just a small party of why it earned a spot on our best Bluetooth speakers list. At around 13.9 pounds, you can still carry around the ULT Field 7, but it's more powerful than your average portable speaker. It's ideal for both indoor and outdoor listening, has a battery life up to 30 hours, is loaded with controls, inputs, and settings, and even features multipoint technology to pair it with multiple audio sources at once.

Beyond serving as a Bluetooth speaker, it can also connect to microphones and guitars for live performances. With the Fiesta app, the ULT Field 7 can even serve as a karaoke machine and pump out sound and lighting effects. It's essentially a party in a speaker-shaped package. As for the sound itself, our reviewer says it "fills any room with loud, engaging sound."

It's not the cheapest speaker in Sony's lineup, but at 30% off, it's much more palatable.

Netflix does not just want your movie night anymore. It wants your 13-minute lunch break, too.

Starting Aug. 3, Netflix will begin adding short and mid-length videos from major digital publishers directly to its homepage, giving subscribers a new way to watch internet-native series without leaving the app.

The first wave of partners includes BuzzFeed, Condé Nast, Hearst Magazines, People Inc., Tastemade, and PMX, a Penske Media subdivision that includes The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Eater, Indiewire, Rolling Stone, and Variety. The rollout will be available to Netflix members at all subscription levels in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

The videos will range from quick three-minute clips to roughly 20-minute episodes and cover food, travel, fashion, entertainment, wellness, design, celebrity interviews, home tours, and other lifestyle topics.

In other words, the kind of stuff people already fall into on YouTube when they mean to watch one Vanity Fair lie detector test and somehow end up 45 minutes deep into celebrity home tours.

SEE ALSO: The 30 best comedies streaming on Netflix right now

Netflix says the lineup will include both licensed past videos and new ongoing series. Among the titles coming to the platform are Architectural Digest's "Open Door," BuzzFeed’s "I Draw, You Cook," Elle's "Where Is the Lie," People's "My Life in Pictures," and Tastemade's "Struggle Meals." Other announced franchises include BuzzFeed Celeb's "30 Questions," Vanity Fair’s "Lie Detector," Harper's Bazaar's "Burning Questions," Billboard's "24 Hrs With," Variety's "How Well Do They Know?," and Travel + Leisure's "Travel Unfiltered."

For Netflix, the move makes sense. The streamer built its reputation on full seasons, bingeable dramas, prestige documentaries, stand-up specials, and original films. But the way people watch videos online has changed. Sometimes viewers want a two-hour movie. Sometimes they want a 13-minute celebrity interview, Get Ready With Me, or a fashion explainer while they eat lunch. Netflix is now trying to ensure those shorter viewing moments can happen on its platform, too.

"Members don't just want to watch a show or film and move on; they want to keep exploring the stories and personalities they love long after the final credits roll," John Derderian, Netflix's vice president of animation series and kids and family TV, said in the announcement on TUDUM, the platform's official editorial hub. "These partnerships help us deepen fandom and create more ways for members to carry those stories with them throughout their day."

The new publisher videos also arrive as Netflix has been expanding beyond its traditional TV-and-movie identity. The company has added games, live events, sports programming, comedy specials, and video podcasts, all while testing new ways to make the app feel less like a library and more like a place to spend time.

Many of the announced series are the exact kind of polished, publisher-made videos that became major digital franchises on YouTube, the reigning media distributor in the U.S.: celebrity Q&As, lie detector interviews, cooking videos, fashion segments, home tours, travel shows, and bite-sized lifestyle series. Of course, Netflix is not replacing YouTube, but it is clearly interested in some of the viewing behavior that YouTube watchers expect — and social media users have noticed the connection.

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There are still some open questions. Netflix has not said exactly how these videos will be surfaced, how the platform will recommend them, or how much they will be tied to related shows, movies, and talent. It has also not announced the full slate of future publisher partners.

But the direction is clear, and pretty soon, internet videos will live where your prestige dramas or true-crime documentaries already do.

GET UP TO 47% OFF: As of July 8, you can get up to 47% off select Craftsman tools at Amazon. Save on cordless drills, toolsets, and more.

Best Craftsman tool deals as of July 8: Best drill deal Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit $59 (save $40) Get Deal Best tool set deal Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set $149 (save $100) Get Deal Best cordless tool deal Craftsman V20 Brad Nailer $99 (save $60) Get Deal

Growing up with a dad who's a mechanic (and a race car driver) meant I spent my childhood rummaging through drawers to bring him whatever tool he needed next. He always had the fanciest toolboxes (it's honestly crazy how much men will pay for those things) and a Snap-On truck came by weekly. Naturally, I inherited none of his knowledge — I have a tape measure, one screwdriver, and whatever leftover hex keys came free with my IKEA furniture.

SEE ALSO: Save $80 on the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill and Impact Driver duo and get more done

If your own setup is looking similarly tragic, Amazon has a ton of Craftsman tools on sale for up to 47% off. It’s a justifiable excuse to stop borrowing your neighbor's stuff and build out a decent collection.

Best drill deal CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (CMCD700C1) $59 at Amazon
$99 Save $40   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

A reliable cordless drill is a non-negotiable adult purchase. After moving year after year and losing my tool bag, I had to learn this the hard way.

If you're looking to buy a drill on the cheap, you can get the Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (CMCD700C1) for $59 at Amazon. This is the best price I've seen it across retailers (though Lowe's is matching it). It also comes with a 20V max Lithium battery and charger, as well as a three-year limited warranty.

Best tool set deal Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set with 3-Drawer VERSASTACK Tool Box (SAE/Metric Set, CMMT45309) $149 at Amazon
$249 Save $100   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

While it might not have a hammer or a tape measure, this 262-piece kit is the ultimate upgrade for anyone who wants to start doing their own auto maintenance or heavy-duty garage projects.

Right now, you can grab the Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanics Tool Set for $149 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $100 price cut. It includes 118 sockets, 24 wrenches, 44 hex keys, dozens of specialty bits, and a three-drawer, Versastack-compatible box with a one-handed locking dial.

Best cordless tool deal CRAFTSMAN V20 Brad Nailer, 18GA, Cordless, Bare Tool Only (CMCN618B) $99 at Amazon
$159 Save $60   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Whether you're working on baseboards or doing trim work, you'll need a cordless nailer. Right now, you can get the Craftsman V20 Cordless Brad Nailer (CMCN618B) for $99, down from $159, at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or $60 savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked on this tool since 2023.

Note: This listing is for the tool only (the battery and charger aren't included). But if you already own the cordless drill we mentioned above (or any other tool in Craftsman's V20 lineup), you can just pop that same battery right into this nailer and get straight to work.

More Craftsman deals

• Craftsman Torque Wrench (CMMT99433) — $59.98 $75.49 (save $15.51)

• Craftsman Deep Impact Socket Set — $89 $109 (save $20)

• Craftsman V20 MAX Cordless Drill Driver and Impact Driver Set (CMCK200C2) — $99 $169 (save $70)

• Craftsman V20 Cordless Stick Vacuum Kit (CMCVS001D1) — $149 $199 (save $50)

The Television Academy announced the nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards today, and this year's list sets up a showdown between HBO and Apple TV.

SEE ALSO: The best TV shows of 2026 (so far), and where to stream them

The two most-nominated shows of the year are HBO Max originals: The Pitt dominated the drama category with 25 nominations, while Hacks took over the comedy category with 24 nominations. Coming in right behind them are two Apple TV series: Widow's Bay, which nabbed 19 nominations on the comedy side of things, and Pluribus, which picked up 18 nominations on the drama side.

In the limited series category, Netflix's Beef and HBO Max's DTF St. Louis are the clear frontrunners, with 16 and 13 nominations, respectively.

To see what other shows made a splash in the major Emmys categories, read on.

And the nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are:Outstanding Drama Series

The Diplomat 

The Gilded Age

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms 

Paradise 

The Pitt 

Pluribus 

Slow Horses

Your Friends and Neighbors

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age

Chase Infiniti, The Testaments

Keri Russell, The Diplomat 

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus  

Zendaya, Euphoria 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses 

Mark Ruffalo, Task

Rufus Sewell, The Diplomat

Noah Wyle, The Pitt

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Taylor Dearden, The Pitt 

Fiona Dourif, The Pitt 

Allison Janney, The Diplomat 

Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt 

Sepideh Moafi, The Pitt  

Julianne Nicholson, Paradise 

Karolina Wydra, Pluribus 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Patrick Ball, The Pitt 

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show 

Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt 

Gerran Howell, The Pitt 

Jack Lowden, Slow Horses 

Tom Pelphrey, Task  

Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Pluribus 

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary 

The Bear 

Hacks 

Margo’s Got Money Troubles 

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building 

Shrinking 

Widow’s Bay

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary 

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Elle Fanning, Margo’s Got Money Troubles 

Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback  

Jean Smart, Hacks 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Wonder Man

Steve Carell, Rooster 

Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay 

Jason Segel, Shrinking 

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building  

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Dale Dickey, Widow's Bay

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary

Kate O'Flynn, Widow's Bay

Michelle Pfeiffer, Margo's Got Money Troubles

Megan Stalter, Hacks

Jessica Williams, Shrinking

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Colman Domingo, The Four Seasons

Paul W. Downs, Hacks

Harrison Ford, Shrinking

Nick Offerman, Margo's Got Money Troubles

Stephen Root, Widow's Bay

Michael Urie, Shrinking

Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

All Her Fault

The Beast in Me 

Beef  

DTF St. Louis 

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Claire Danes, The Beast in Me 

Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures

Carey Mulligan, Beef  

Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette 

Sarah Snook, All Her Fault 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Riz Ahmed, Bait

Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit

Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story 

Oscar Isaac, Beef  

Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis 

Dakota Fanning, All Her Fault

Laurie Metcalf, Monster: The Ed Gein Story 

Joy Sunday, DTF St. Louis

Youn Yuh-jung, Beef

Constance Zimmer, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Jason Bateman, DTF St. Louis 

Richard Gadd, Half Man 

David Harbour, DTF St. Louis  

Richard Jenkins, DTF St. Louis

Charles Melton, Beef 

Nick Offerman, Death By Lightning

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

Dancing with the Stars

RuPaul's Drag Race

Survivor

Top Chef

The Traitors

Outstanding Variety Series

The Daily Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Saturday Night Live

The 78th Primetime Emmys air Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Featured Video For You The 'Widow's Bay' cast breaks down their favorite scares from Season 1

FIFA has opened an investigation after alleged racist abuse directed at iShowSpeed was captured during one of the streamer's World Cup livestreams on YouTube, reports the New York Times.

Over the past month, Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., has become an unofficial face of the World Cup online, livestreaming matches from stadiums across the United States and giving millions of viewers a front-row seat to the tournament via his official partnership with FIFA, FOX Sports, and YouTube. His streams have featured appearances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

SEE ALSO: IShowSpeed had no idea he was sitting next to NYC Mayor Mamdani at the World Cup

FIFA confirmed Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into an incident that took place during Argentina's July 3 Round of 32 victory over Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. In footage from Speed's livestream, the 21-year-old creator, who was wearing a Cape Verde jersey, is seen confronting an Argentina supporter in the stands after viewers alleged the fan directed a racist remark toward him.

"The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect," the organization said in a statement provided to the Associated Press. "It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game."

The investigation comes as Argentina has found itself at the center of several of the tournament's biggest flashpoints. Just days after the Cape Verde match, the defending champions survived a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16 — a result overshadowed by disputed VAR decisions, a disallowed Egyptian goal, and a formal complaint from the Egyptian Football Association over the officiating. The controversy has fueled intense online debate around Argentina's path through the tournament.

Speed, a longtime Cristiano Ronaldo supporter who frequently trolls Lionel Messi online, was also seen taunting the Argentine star before his missed penalty against Egypt. Later in the same stream, the creator was confronted by Argentina fans in the stands, with one appearing to mock his movements while yelling at him. "What's wrong with that guy?" Speed says in the broadcast.

For Speed, who has over 57 million subscribers on YouTube and nearly 150 million followers across platforms, the incident underscores how his streams have become more than creator content.

With tens of millions of followers tuning in, he's emerged as the World Cup's premier Gen Z correspondent, bringing viewers into the stands to capture the tournament's real atmosphere, not just the polished TV moments.

SAVE $802: As of July 8, the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV is on sale for just $697.99 at Amazon. That's more than 50% off its original list price of $1,499.99 and its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV $697.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $802   Get Deal

Known for its budget-friendly pricing, you may not equate the Toshiba brand with premium TVs. But earlier this year, the brand released the Z670R Mini LED model, seeking to change your perspective. With an attractive balance of performance, features, and value, the Toshiba Z670R is a competitive pick for 2026 — especially now that it has its biggest price drop to date.

As of July 8, the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for only $697.99. That's a major price drop of over 50% from its full list price of $1,499.99 (though Amazon has undercut its list price significantly). That's also its best price ever.

The Z670R combines Mini LED technology with full-array local dimming, which results in remarkable color and contrast compared to a traditional LED TV. Clusters of tiny LEDs give the panel more precise control over brightness zones, which adds depth to dark scenes in any lighting condition. The REGZA Engine ZRi Gen3 AI processor intelligently adjusts and balances your picture and audio to match room conditions and treat your senses to the best possible viewing experience. It also includes support for Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG, and packs a native 144Hz refresh rate combined with HDMI 2.1 with eARC and AMD FreeSync Premium with VRR and ALLM to round out its features.

This model will particularly appeal to casual gamers and home theater enthusiasts seeking a TV that falls in the performance-to-value sweet spot. At full price, the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV is a bit of a hard sell compared to budget-friendly picks from Hisense or TCL. But at less than half its usual cost, it's quite the competitor.

TL;DR: Beats has launched a new Power Pink colorway for its woven cable lineup, bringing a brighter look to your everyday tech accessories. The cables are available in USB-C-to-USB-C and USB-A-to-USB-C options, with prices starting at $18.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats USB‑C to USB‑C (1.5 m / 5 ft.) – Power Pink $18.99 at Apple
  Shop Now

The brand that made colorful headphones a style statement is now bringing that same energy to charging cables with its new Power Pink woven cable lineup. Designed to add a little personality to your everyday setup, the new cables combine Beats’ signature braided design with practical features for charging, syncing, audio, and data transfer.

Beyond the new pink finish, the cables feature a tangle-free woven design designed for everyday durability. Beats says each cable undergoes thousands of hours of testing and features reinforced construction to help reduce fraying over time.

The Power Pink cable lineup comes in three versions, depending on the devices you use and how much reach you need:

• USB-C to USB-C cable (1.5m)
  A compact everyday option that supports up to 60W charging and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. It works with USB-C Apple and Android devices for charging, syncing, audio, CarPlay, and data transfer.

• USB-C to USB-C cable (3m)
  The longer option for desks, bedrooms, or setups where extra reach matters, with support for up to 240W charging and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds.

• USB-A to USB-C cable (1.5m)
  A handy option for older charging setups, this reinforced braided cable is designed to stay tangle-free while helping prevent fraying over time. It supports up to 15W charging on select iPhone and iPad models, plus USB 2.0 data transfer speeds.

SEE ALSO: Apple fixes a Beats Studio Buds flaw that could let hackers listen to conversations

The cables work with both Apple and Android devices and can be used for charging, syncing, audio, CarPlay, and data transfer. The USB-C to USB-C versions can also charge compatible Beats headphones and speakers while you listen to audio and support lossless playback with compatible devices.

If your tech setup could use a little more personality, the Power Pink woven cable is an easy way to make the everyday cable feel a little less ordinary.

When Moana was released in 2016, it was a gorgeous cinematic wonder, drawing inspiration from Polynesian mythology, offering moving and catchy songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa'i, and reveling in the creative freedom animation offers. At its core, it was a story of a young girl rejecting the norms of her society to fight for creation and exploration over annihilation and ignorance.

2026's live-action remake of Moana has the same plot. But because of its execution — and arguably its very existence — it flies in the face of the message of the original. By definition, this remake is retreading the path that directors John Musker and Ron Clements laid down before. Beyond that, however, there's a bizarre, uncanny valley feel to this live-action version. It evoked in me a similar reaction to AI slop, where I cringe at the unnerving blend of the familiar and the not-quite-right.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting Disney — which has been accused of using generative AI in the past — or that Moana (2026) director Thomas Kail employed generative AI in making Moana's home of Motunui or its surrounding lands, sea, and creatures. What I am saying is that, hemmed in between the original film's distinctive features and Disney's determination to treat every animated hit as a proof of concept for a wobbly live-action re-creation, there's something uncanny and grotesque lurking here.

Moana (2026) feels less epic, more Disney Channel. Emma Puahi-Shapazian as young Moana in Disney's live-action "Moana." Credit: Disney

Jared Bush's screenplay from the 2016 animated adventure is closely followed, though he and his Moana 2 co-writer, Dana Ledoux Miller, share scripting credit for this remake. Once more, Moana's grandmother (played this time by Rena Owen) unfurls the folklore of Te Fiti, a goddess of life and nature; the trickster demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson, the only actor reprising his role here); and the volcanic beast Te Kā. While the other children are scared of these stories, a young Moana looks elated.

Kail, who helmed the Broadway productions of Miranda's In the Heights and Hamilton, doggedly follows the film's first act shot for shot, inviting the question of why remake a movie if it's just live-action now? (Because audiences will turn up. I know. I know.)

Kail stays as close as he can to the look of the original film. There's no Little Mermaid-like choice to make Moana's animal pals Heihei and Pua look cringingly photo-real. Instead, they look like their animated versions fleshed out in CG. Which, for Pua, is pretty cute. For Heihei, a gangly chicken with bug-eyes and red bumps all over his face, it's less charming, as reaction shot after reaction shot reminds us that cute but creepy is a fine line to walk.

But hey, this is what Disney fans want, right? A loyal recreation of a thing they loved just 10 years ago (that has a sequel and is readily available to rewatch on streaming). Sure. But aside from my general grievance about the lack of innovation in Disney's menagerie of live-action remakes, Moana has a strangely false quality to it. The cast — led by 19-year-old Catherine Laga'aia — gives performances that feel straight out of a Disney Channel show. They're bouncy and broad in a way that made me expect the cheer of a pre-recorded studio audience to break in.

The artifice of Moana ruins the fun. Dwayne Johnson is Maui in Disney's live-action "Moana." Credit: Disney

This studio sitcom tone is jarring against the backdrop of Motunui's lush natural wonder. Here, in the village, when the tribe gathers, is where I could see the potential of a live-action Moana. Seeing a lot of AAPI performers gathering together in traditional costume to sing, dance, and showcase their culture was beautiful. The sequences for "Where You Are" and "We Know the Way" are among this movie's best; it's exhilarating to see these elements, in which community comes together to accomplish something incredible, rendered in live action. It reminds us of the incredible feats humans are capable of, through craft and collaboration. Here is where Kail shines, understanding how to orchestrate a plethora of dancers and performers to create a dynamic staging. However, when the movie is focused on Moana, this reality gets lost.

Part of the issue is the aforementioned Disney Channel performance style, which actually makes this Moana feel flatter than Auliʻi Cravalho's voice acting in the first film. The other issue is the sound quality itself. From early scenes with Moana's chief father (John Tui) through most of her scenes with Maui, the sound recording has that isolated crispness of ADR. Typically, additional dialogue is recorded in post-production to smooth over rough spots in the on-set audio (or to make changes to the script). Here, this sound quality is so abundant that it draws attention back to the artifice around Moana.

From there, how am I to ignore how sequence after sequence seems shot against greenscreen? Though the seascape is convincingly rendered by a sprawling army of VFX artists, the lack of breeze in the air and the crisp lines around the actors all draw attention to the seams. Even Johnson's Maui look feels odd. His wig — which was much mocked online — is perfectly coiffed, as if for a shampoo commercial, framing a face that is chiseled but flawless in texture. Then his body is wrapped in Maui's signature tattoos. But it feels like the exquisite corpse game, as if these three pieces of costuming and make-up were made independently and then jammed together. They lack cohesion visually, like too much of this Moana. So, instead of being caught up in the familiar waves of a wonderful story, I was snagging on the rocks of "WTF am I looking at?"

Rooster Heihei in Disney's live-action "Moana." Credit: Disney

I'm sure a great deal of work went into chiseling this remake into something that will please fans. But Moana then falls into the familiar trap that Disney has built with these movies. Fans want something familiar but new enough to justify the cost of a ticket. It's understandable that this action-adventure Disney princess might have seemed like a great opportunity for a live-action adaptation. But Kail is not an action director, and Moana doesn't offer the kind of song numbers that rely on dance the way In the Heights and Hamilton do. Kail seems lost amid the movie's overwhelming CG, which, while solidly rendered, lacks any sense of artistic direction beyond "like the first Moana."

So, the result is a film that misses the point of its protagonist's journey. Rather than going somewhere new, Kail and company avoid discovery, opting instead to approximate popular IP. And in that way, it feels like AI. It does not feel like an earnest, human expression, but rather a shallow approximation that might have the general look but misses the soul of the original work.

Moana opens in theaters on July 10.

AI is everywhere these days, and on Discord, that caused several thousand people to lose access to the app for no good reason.

In a thread on X, the gamer-centric chat app confirmed that about 8,000 accounts over the past two months had been banned after posting totally harmless images such as video game textures. This happened because Discord employs an AI moderation system that mistook the images for "harmful material." While Discord's thread said that "a member of our Trust & Safety team always reviews flagged content before any action is taken," thousands of people nonetheless lost access to their accounts since May because of this issue.

SEE ALSO: Discord group says it accessed Claude Mythos by guessing location

Thankfully, Discord also said it is in the process of restoring the lost accounts.

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On one hand, it's easy to see what happened here. As TechCrunch pointed out, some of the images users posted that led to bans, such as checkerboard patterns, bear a resemblance to tactics used by bad actors to conceal child exploitation content. It's easy to rationalize how an AI moderation tool would see that and do something about it. On the other hand, this is a clear-as-day example of why humans still need to be involved in these processes, as a human eye could have instantly discerned that the images in question were harmless.

But with AI becoming an ever bigger part of our everyday lives, expect stuff like this to keep happening.

SAVE $130: As of July 8, get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's a discount of 10%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop $1,169.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $130   Get Deal

If you spend an inordinate amount of time trying to keep your floors clean, it's time to admit you might need some help. A robot vacuum is one of the best and easiest ways to make sure you have spotless carpets and dazzling hard floors.

As of July 8, get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's $130 off and a discount of 10%.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

This robot vacuum and mop combo is capable of serious suction and thorough mopping. It uses special AI-enhanced vision to detect over 280 types of objects potentially in its way at home, with an ultra-thin design that helps it navigate the entirety of your home's floor plan. It has its own all-in-one dock as well that can help it prep to mop up your hard flooring, with a 100-degree waetr mop for washing, a self-cleaning washboard, and 100-day auto-emptying so you don't have to handle it yourself.

It uses a special side brush and outward-swinging mop that work together to give you complete coverage in each room, with corner coverage as well as tight, edge-hugging power that means you don't have to be the one to scrub everything. Plus, it can clean around your pets and get all of the important areas that need extra attention without you having to program it to do so.

Now's the perfect time to splurge on this automated robot vacuum and mop combo, so if you're tired of manually handling it all, grab one before they're all bought up -- or the price goes back up.

SAVE $50: The 160W GaN Anker Prime Charger is on sale at Amazon for $99.99, down from the normal price of $149.99. That's a 33% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker 160W GaN Anker Prime Charger $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

We're deep in the season of summer travel, and if you're trying to minimize the bulk while packing, you've probably noticed the charger/cord situation is a bit much. It's great we have so many fun tech gadgets to pack along, but all of it needs to recharge. and packing the specific chargers gets bulky. Instead of tossing that beast of a power brick into your bag, consider this upgrade.

As of July 8, the 160W GaN Anker Prime Charger is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $149.99. That works out to a $50 savings from a 33% discount. Today's price matches the best offer we've ever seen at Amazon.

With three USB-C ports, the Anker Prime Charger aims to replace the need for multiple chargers. With three devices plugged into the charger, you'll be able to get one 100W charge and dual 30W. If using just one port, it's capable of 140W. This is ideal for topping up your MacBook or high-powered gaming laptop while also still having enough juice to recharge your phone and earbuds. And maybe best of all, this is all done via one charger.

SEE ALSO: Need a boost? The Bluetti AC70 portable power station is over $100 off at Amazon.

Anker mentions this model is also compact, coming with measurements that are similar to the AirPods Pro 3 case. The weight clocks in at 220 grams, which is about half a pound. The smart display on the charger itself is also a nice addition.

Before you take off on your next summer adventure, upgrade to the 160W GaN Anker Prime Charger. You'll be able to keep all your devices charged up without packing excess chargers. Since it's on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, there's no reason to delay.

Even before OpenAI and Anthropic go public, they are distorting home sales in the San Francisco Bay Area, as people race to buy and sellers ask for stock instead of cash.

TL;DR: This World Cup promotion gives fans a chance to win a Lovesac couch with their Buffalo Wild Wings order. Starting July 10, order $35 or more through Grubhub, add the "Side of Couch," and you could be one of 26 winners receiving a new Lovesac Sactional before the Final.

For the first time, Lovesac, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Grubhub are teaming up to let fans add a "Side of Couch" to their Grubhub order. While the couch itself won't arrive with your wings, adding "Side of Couch" gives you a chance to win a brand-new Lovesac couch before the World Cup Final.

The idea is simple: spend $35 or more on Buffalo Wild Wings through Grubhub, add the "Side of Couch," and you could be watching the Final from a brand-new couch.

How to enter the Lovesac World Cup couch giveaway

Entering is simple, but you'll need to order during the limited-time promotion window. The promotion begins on July 10 at 2 p.m. ET or 11 a.m. PT — one hour before kickoff in the Spain vs. Belgium quarter-final match — and runs until 11:59 p.m. ET or 8:59 p.m. PT.

To qualify:

1. Open Grubhub during the promotion period.

2. Order $35 or more of Buffalo Wild Wings through Grubhub.

3. Add the "Side of Couch" option to your order.

4. Complete your order to be entered into the sweepstakes.

What can you win?

A total of 26 winners will receive a brand-new Lovesac Sactional delivered in time for the World Cup Final. Lovesac Sactionals are modular couches made up of individual pieces that can be rearranged into different layouts, making them designed for flexible living spaces and group gatherings.

If you're already planning to order Buffalo Wild Wings for the match, adding the "Side of Couch" is a no-brainer.

Talk about jumping on the bandwagon at the very last minute.

On Wednesday, SpaceXAI CEO Elon Musk announced that the new version of the company's AI chatbot, Grok 4.5, will be released to the public on Thursday, July 9.

"Based on strong positive feedback from customers in our beta test program, @SpaceXAI will make Grok 4.5 available to the public tomorrow. It is an Opus-class model, but faster, more token-efficient and lower cost," wrote Musk in a post on X.

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The recently renamed AI/social networking/data-centers-in-space company is currently testing Grok 4.5 as private beta, while the stable version of the LLM is currently Grok 4.3.

Musk calls the new Grok "Opus-class" in reference to the company's competitor Anthropic, whose general-purpose model, Claude Opus, is currently at version 4.6. Anthropic's most powerful model, Fable 5, has only recently been reinstated for users after being pulled following an intervention from the U.S. government.

Meanwhile, OpenAI's powerful GPT-5.6 model is also launching on Thursday, following a short-lived launch ban from the White House.

L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Collection: Music Festival Tots with Collectible Vinyl Albums $11.99 at MGA Shop Shop Now Music Festival Headliners Tots Global Music Artist Dolls $14.99 at MGA Shop Shop Now Music Festival Furniture Packs $16.99 at MGA Shop Shop Now Music Festival Featuring Rosalía Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster $26.99 at MGA Shop Shop Now Music Festival Featuring Jennie Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster $26.99 at MGA Shop Shop Now

After a decade of surprise-filled unboxings, L.O.L. Surprise! is stepping onto the main stage. The collectible toy brand is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival, a yearlong campaign packed with new dolls, festival-inspired collectibles, and headline-worthy collaborations.

The biggest draw? Music icons Jennie from BLACKPINK and Rosalía are making their L.O.L. Surprise! doll debuts with collectible looks inspired by their signature styles. Beyond the artist collaborations, the lineup brings new doll looks, refreshed packaging, and a range of festival-themed collectibles for fans to discover.

Here’s everything launching in the L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival collection and where to buy it.

Music Festival Tots with Collectible Vinyl Albums Opens in a new window Credit: L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Tots with Collectible Vinyl Albums $11.99 at MGA Shop
  Shop Now Why we like it

The L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Tots brings the music theme to life with eight dolls inspired by different genres, including K-pop, Latin, pop, hip-hop, country, indie, pop-punk, and scene.

Each Tot comes inside a pink disco ball that doubles as a collectible display piece and a mini reveal experience — spin the included vinyl record to open compartments filled with fashion and accessories. With fresh doll designs, seven surprises to unbox, and a chance to find a rare shiny disco ball, these are made for collectors who enjoy the thrill of the reveal.

Music Festival Headliners Tots Global Music Artist Dolls Opens in a new window Credit: L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Headliners Tots Global Music Artist Dolls $14.99 at MGA Shop
  Shop Now Why we like it

If your kid (or your inner collector) has a favorite music icon, these L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Headliners Tots bring that fan energy into a tiny collectible package. Each Tot is inspired by the style of Jennie or Rosalía, featuring cool outfits based on their real-world looks, plus a mini poster and a collectible trading card to enhance the experience.

The heart-shaped L.O.L. ball doubles as a keychain, so fans can take their favorite artist-inspired Tot anywhere. With seven surprises to unbox, including outfits, shoes, and accessories, there’s plenty of reveal excitement before the tiny headliner hits the stage. Collect all four Tots to build out the full Music Festival lineup.

Music Festival Furniture Packs Opens in a new window Credit: L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Furniture Packs $16.99 at MGA Shop
  Shop Now Why we like it

The L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Furniture Packs are a fun way to turn the collection into a full-on festival setup. Instead of just collecting dolls, kids can build out their own mini concert world with spaces like the Main Stage, DJ Booth, Neon Arcade, and Roller Disco. Each pack also comes with an exclusive Tot, giving collectors another character to add to the lineup.

Rosalía Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster Opens in a new window Credit: L.O.L. Surprise! Rosalía Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster $26.99 at MGA Shop
  Shop Now Why we like it

Rosalía fans will instantly recognize the bold, trendy vibe behind this L.O.L. Surprise! Rosalía Fashion Doll. The look is inspired by one of Rosalía’s iconic outfits, with a bold style that feels very much like the singer’s stage persona. It also comes with an exclusive Rosalía poster, making it a fun pick for both collectors and fans who want a little piece of her stage style on display.

Jennie Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster Opens in a new window Credit: L.O.L. Surprise! Jennie Fashion Doll with Collectible Poster $26.99 at MGA Shop
  Shop Now Why we like it

L.O.L. Surprise! is bringing a little star power to the toy aisle with this Jennie-inspired fashion doll. It captures her signature style with a more detailed look, a stage-ready outfit inspired by one of her real outfits, and a collectible poster tucked inside for fans to display. Fans snapped this one up quickly, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait for the next restock.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 8, the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon, its lowest-ever price. That's $15 off its full price of $74.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car (42223) $59.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal

If you're a fan of the Lego Technic cars, Amazon has an excellent deal for you to check out. As of July 8, the retailer has the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car discounted to its lowest-ever price of $59.99. Perfect time to grab it.

Usually, this Lego set's price tag lands at $74.99, so overall you're saving $15. That's a solid discount, but considering it's never been lower than this deal price, now is a great time to make a move on it.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Olivia Rodrigo collab just dropped: Where to buy, preorder details, price

With 793 pieces in total, this Lego set sees you putting together a brick-built model of the 1966 Ford GT40 MKII race car. It has some very cool features as well that you can interact with, like the ability to steer using a knob on the top, opening doors and hood, and you can even lift the engine cover to check out the V8 engine.

If you know someone with a love of cars, or maybe that someone is you, this set looks like an awesome addition to a collection. It's also worth noting that it's a build recommended for adults, considering it's a bit more complex to assemble and meant for displaying.

If this deal has caught your eye, act fast to save on the Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car at Amazon.

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OpenAI will launch its "strongest model yet" this week, with GPT-5.6 Sol set for public release after White House-imposed delays.

Announced by the company on X on Wednesday, the next generation flagship model will roll out gradually from July 9, alongside two lighter models: the "everyday" Terra and lower cost Luna.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: OpenAI might give a 5 percent stake to the US government

In a blog post, OpenAI says it spent weeks putting GPT‑5.6 Sol through its paces for weaknesses, during which time it "strengthened protections for higher-risk activity, sensitive cyber requests, and repeated misuse." The company called it "our most capable model yet for cybersecurity" and claimed GPT‑5.6 Sol stands up to competitor Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5 using a third of output tokens (the blocks of text an AI model processes to generate responses).

The news comes after reports that the White House told OpenAI to limit the initial release of GPT-5.6 to a select testing group. In its blog post, the company described this as a "small group of trusted partners whose participation has been shared with the government." Now, OpenAI has the green light for GPT-5.6's public release. The announcement arrives a week after OpenAI reportedly proposed giving the U.S. government a five percent stake in the company, with CEO Sam Altman in early talks with President Donald Trump, according to the Financial Times.

Featured Video For You Is ChatGPT Changing the Way We Write?

Competitor Anthropic also experienced restraints from the U.S. government, with the White House ordering the company "to suspend all access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 by any foreign national, whether inside or outside the United States." Anthropic is now allowed to share Mythos 5 with "a set of U.S. organizations that operate and defend critical infrastructure," and Fable 5, a version of Mythos, is out globally.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Team USA's World Cup journey came to a strange end this week after losing 4-1 to Belgium, shortly after Donald Trump admitted intervening to help reverse striker Falorin Balogun's red card suspension.

Jimmy Kimmel guest host Tiffany Haddish had the perfect joke about the situation on Monday, and on Tuesday — following the USA's defeat — Daily Show host Ronny Chieng joined in with the criticism.

"Trump only has himself to blame, because thanks to him we went from being heroes of our own Disney sports movie to being the villain in some weird European film," says Chieng in the clip above. "Up until last week America was the scrappy underdog again, but then Trump's intervention galvanised Belgium and the world to defeat Team USA for the integrity of the game. And just like everything else he tried to fix, he made it worse and ruined our reputation in the process."

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