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Game Freak’s enduring legacy is being the developer of the Pokémon franchise alongside Nintendo. While that certainly has its perks like keeping the office lights on, it shouldn’t be surprising that Game Freak wants to branch out. It’s been done so over the years with smaller games like Giga Wrecker Alt, Little Town Hero, and Tembo the Badass Elephant.
Now, Game Freak is back with the action-adventure game Beast of Reincarnation. It’s the studio’s biggest game yet, but is it big enough to step out from Pokémon’s massive shadow?
The combat is sublime, along with its breathtaking art direction and intriguing open-world zones. However, Beast of Reincarnation is muzzled by its confusing story pacing and dull cast of characters.
Not Nier enough Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George YangBeast of Reincarnation follows a young girl named Emma as she travels through a post-apocalyptic Japan to stop the titular monster from rising again and spreading a corruption called Blight. Much like Stellar Blade, Beast of Reincarnation attempts to emulate the profound themes of existentialism, artificial intelligence, sentience, and humanity found in the excellent Nier: Automata. But they fail to understand what made Yoko Taro’s masterpiece so compelling: the characters.
Emma isn’t exactly a riveting character up until the last few moments of the story. At that point, there’s a giant exposition dump explaining about how the world came to be. Characters that you met halfway through the story suddenly come back towards the end, and they somehow have some crucial involvement. The jarring pacing doesn’t really allow for much personal development of the side characters, let alone Emma’s.
It also doesn’t help that the English voice acting isn’t the best. It’s understandable that Emma is supposed to be an emotionless individual, given that she was an outcast due to her sickness. But Emma, and the rest of the cast, for that matter, sound incredibly bored throughout the entire journey. How can I get immersed if the characters themselves sound like they don’t even want to be there?
The subtitles are also astronomically tiny, with no options to make them bigger. This made it harder to follow the story, especially if you chose the Japanese voice acting instead.
A beautiful apocalypse Credit: Game FreakDespite the underwhelming story, I enjoyed my time traveling through post-apocalyptic Japan in between cutscenes. While Beast of Reincarnation isn’t a true open-world, there’s plenty of places to explore. There are 12 distinct zones that you can travel between, with different environments showing off rustic forests, giant craters, and flooded dilapidated city ruins.
But what impressed me more was Beast of Reincarnation’s verticality. Since Emma is immune to the Blight, she’s able to manifest her plant-like powers through her hair to reach towering heights. I had a lot of fun scaling tall structures and creating ledges over the top of enemies so I could take them out unaware, Assassin’s Creed-style.
Emma’s canine companion, Koo, can also sniff out items and collectibles as they pass by, marking them. While some players might see this as cheapening the exploration, I found it to be really convenient and respectful of my time. In particular, I appreciated Koo’s sleuthing when it came to finding Dragon Shrines all across the different maps. When you accumulate enough, Emma is rewarded with extra stims to heal herself during battle.
Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George YangThe game’s visuals are gorgeous, too. The realistic art direction is a departure from the cartoony and cute creatures we’ve seen Game Freak create for Pokémon. Sure, humanity has died out, but the hostile golems and blight-inflicted malefacts consisting of giant bears, birds, and deer still make the world feel lively. The emphasis on plant life also makes the environments feel hopeful, like a Studio Ghibli movie, rather than the catastrophic dread of a game like The Last of Us.
However, I wish boss battles were more unique. Many of them are against giant creatures called Nushi, but they all have almost the same attack patterns and even designs. I got tired of fighting the nearly identical huge four-legged creatures after the third time.
More bite than bark Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George YangThankfully, the combat gives Beast of Reincarnation the much-needed claws, sinking into you and keeping you entertained. Though it might initially feel like a Soulslike at first because of the sharp difficulty curve, the game eventually provides you with more skills, opening the combat up to feel more like a straightforward action game.
There’s a heavy emphasis on parrying, similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Every time Emma successfully parries, her Entanglement meter fills up, which allows her to unleash devastating attacks with her hair. And when breaking an enemy’s stamina, she can perform flashy finishers. The flow of battle feels very satisfying, fast-paced, and fun.
Upon successfully parrying attacks, you activate the special abilities of Emma’s various katanas. There’s one where she recovers a portion of her health for a few seconds upon a successful parry, which was immensely helpful, especially during boss fights. My personal favorite katana was a late-game one that dealt additional poison and electric damage. I loved watching the crackling purple lightning strikes crash down whenever I swung my sword.
Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George YangWhile Koo fights autonomously, you can pull up a menu that slows down time and issue direct commands to him to use his own special attacks, such as summoning vines to immobilize enemies for Emma to unleash fury on, or conjuring a flowerbed that gradually restores her HP. It’s very similar to Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy’s “Classic” combat mode. It’s a beneficial feature that lets you have more control over Koo’s actions, and thematically strengthens the camaraderie between them.
At $60, Beast of Reincarnation is a good value for a 25-30 hour experience. By thoroughly exploring the world, you can get even more mileage out of it. It’s also available on Xbox Game Pass via the Ultimate tier.
You can play the game on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Beast of Reincarnation (PS5 and Xbox Series X) $59.99 at AmazonTL;DR: Protect nine devices with one lifetime subscription when you get the AdGuard Family Plan on sale for $15.97 through August 9.
Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97Most ad blockers stop at the browser and quit the moment you leave it, so every other app on your phone stays wide open to pop-ups and trackers. The AdGuard Family Plan works system-wide instead, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for $15.97 (reg. $169.99).
Ads aren’t just annoying; they slow down your browsing, eat up your data, and sometimes even carry malware. And if you’ve got kids online, you want to make sure they’re safe from inappropriate content. The AdGuard Family Plan does all that and more. With built-in parental controls, you can filter out harmful sites and ensure your family’s online experience is both secure and enjoyable.
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!With up to nine devices covered, the AdGuard Family Plan is ideal for households where everyone’s connected. And because it’s a one-time payment for lifetime access, you’ll never have to worry about recurring fees or annoying subscription renewals.
AdGuard also hides your activity from the trackers and analytics scripts that follow you around the web, so the data those companies would normally collect never leaves your device. It also blocks known phishing and malware sites before they load, which stops a bad link from turning into a bad afternoon.
AdGuard runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, so whichever mix of phones, tablets, and laptops your household runs, one purchase covers all nine slots.
Get an AdGuard Family Plan while they’re on sale for $16. Sale ends Aug. 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
RAMageddon made the Apple MacBook Air more expensive. Now, it's making it harder to buy.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the global memory chip shortage is affecting supplies of the MacBook Air, Apple's bestselling mid-range laptop. This comes roughly five weeks after Apple raised the MacBook Air's price by $200 because of the same circumstances.
SEE ALSO: Apple price increases arrive: How much MacBooks and iPads will cost you now"Retail store sources say Apple is struggling to keep the laptop in stock and that shipments of new units are more constrained than they can ever recall," Gurman writes in the Aug. 2 edition of his Power On newsletter. He later adds: "From what I’ve heard, the MacBook Air shortage is indeed tied to the ongoing memory crunch."
Evidence of a possible MacBook Air shortage is emerging in Apple's online storefront. As Gurman points out, all configurations of the current 13- and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air are backordered there to as late as early September — more than a month out. The more RAM, the longer the wait.
Estimated shipping dates for various configurations of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air as of Aug. 3, 2026. The 32GB variant of the 15-inch model was also delayed until mid-September. Credit: Apple / Mashable compositeAt the time of writing, third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy were advertising one- to seven-day shipping for all of their in-stock MacBook Airs (depending on the size, color, storage, and memory options). However, that could change as their inventories dwindle.
Bloomberg's Gurman further reports that Apple is pushing the $1,999 base M5 MacBook Pro in favor of the Air as part of its back-to-school offer, which was delayed this year from June to July. Moreover, some of the company's ads for the promotion reportedly include a "MacBook Air subject to availability" disclaimer. Mashable could not independently verify this, though a screenshot of the ad was posted on X.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.As Mashable previously reported, Apple raised its MacBook and iPad prices in late June due to increased component costs related to the global memory shortage (aka "RAMageddon"). A surge in AI data center construction has made RAM and SSD storage chips scarcer, thus making other laptops and consumer tech devices more expensive. In the company's Q3 earnings call last week, outgoing CEO Tim Cook likened the phenomenon to "a 100-year flood."
In addition to implementing price increases, Apple has removed some configurations of its mac Mini and Mac Studio desktops from its online store amid RAMageddon. The company is reportedly lobbying the Trump administration for approval to buy memory components from a blacklisted Chinese chipmaker as a means of some relief, per the Financial Times.
Yet so far, at least, RAMageddon hasn't decimated Apple's bottom line. On the same earnings call, Cook said Macs had their "best June quarter yet," with revenue for the category jumping 29 percent year-over-year. The new budget MacBook Neo "has been especially popular," Cook noted, though the MacBook Air remains "the world's most popular laptop," he said.
OpenAI’s first brand trip came with private cabins, monogrammed pajamas, gourmet outdoor dinners, and jars of honey stamped with the company’s logo. Online, the luxury getaway became a much less relaxing conversation about AI.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Over the weekend, the company flew a group of creators to Wildflower Farms, a luxury resort in New York’s Hudson Valley that bills itself as a "meaningful encounter with nature." The creators posted luxurious room tours — rates run roughly $1,500 to $3,100 per night — exploring the picturesque grounds, chatted with fellow content creators and OpenAI execs, and shared awe-struck clips with their tens to hundreds of thousands of followers.
"I'm still processing how insanely EPIC the last 72 hours has been," AI creator Justyn Warner wrote on Instagram. Warner said OpenAI flew him to New York for its "first ever brand trip," where he was surrounded by "some of the best creators on the planet and some of the brightest minds in AI."
The guest list leaned heavily toward people whose content already overlaps with technology, work, and entrepreneurship. Attendees included tech and career creator Megan Lieu; career and business creators Grace McCarrick and Avni Barman; software and fashion creator Sreya Halder (who has partnered with OpenAI before), among many other recognizable faces in the tech sphere.
For some social media users, the combination of artificial intelligence and a luxury wilderness retreat landed strangely. As posts from the weekend spread, attendees’ comment sections filled with questions about the environmental cost of AI, its effect on creative work, and why creators had agreed to help promote it in the first place.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. AI summer camp meets AI's environmental footprintOpenAI could hardly have chosen a more on-the-nose setting for the weekend. Wildflower Farms sits on 140 acres in Gardiner, New York, surrounded by meadows, woodlands, orchards, and views of the Shawangunk Ridge.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The resort, as glamorous and serene as it is, is an awkward backdrop for a company facing mounting questions about the physical infrastructure supporting its products.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.AI may feel like something that lives entirely on a screen, but every ChatGPT request must be processed by servers in data centers, many of which are equipped with specialized computer chips. Those chips draw electricity and generate considerable heat. Keeping them from overheating requires additional electricity and, at many facilities, large amounts of water.
The International Energy Agency projects that global data-center electricity consumption will more than double between 2024 and 2030, with servers primarily used for AI driving nearly half of that growth. In the United States, data centers directly consumed an estimated 17 billion gallons of water in 2023.
"The concept of attending an AI brand trip surrounded by nature while it actively hurts the environment is an incredible bit," one X user wrote in response to a now-deleted post by tech influencer @meshtimes. In the r/NYCinfluencersnark Reddit thread about the brand trip, another commenter asked whether business influencer Nat Lucy was "gazing at where the new data center is gonna go," in her post. "Did they promise you fresh water when we run out?" another commenter wrote.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Communities are increasingly pushing back. At least 75 proposed data centers worth approximately $130 billion were delayed or blocked during the first three months of 2026, while a June report identified 430 local Facebook groups with more than 525,000 combined members opposing the projects.
OpenAI's latest proposal appears designed to get ahead of those concerns. On July 22, it announced Project Camellia, a data-center campus planned for rural Georgia. OpenAI promised the facility would use "minimal" water and would not increase residents’ electricity bills.
"We believe showing up early is the right way to build trust," the company said, while acknowledging that significant details about the project remain unresolved.
That emphasis on trust helps explain the value of bringing creators into the room. As psychologist and researcher Dr. Anna Kallschmidt said in a video regarding OpenAI's latest "unsurprising" brand trip, "Without trust, you have nothing. That is why these companies...are bringing these people in because they know people don’t trust them, and they’re hoping by bringing in faces that you trust, that trust will build onto [OpenAI]."
Kallschmidt added she receives an email "every other day" from an AI company interested in a brand deal, suggesting that OpenAI is part of a larger effort to find recognizable people who can make AI products feel more accessible.
That was precisely what bothered some people online: they saw OpenAI borrowing credibility that creators had already established with their audiences.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.One Reddit commenter warned about "AI companies utilizing influencers who are more than willing to be talking heads for a company’s narrative that they probably know so little about." Another added, "Not all money is good money."
Creators are defending themselvesOnce the backlash reached attendees’ comment sections, some began explaining why they had accepted OpenAI’s invitation. Career and business creator Grace McCarrick responded directly to people questioning her decision to attend:
"If I have the opportunity to be in the room and hear from people who are at the helm of change, I can do that," McCarrick said in one TikTok response. "It's actually well within my moral system."
McCarrick also called the backlash "shocking AI psychosis" in a longer LinkedIn post, and said she had no idea so many people felt this strongly about the technology. "It didn’t for one second occur to me that it could be controversial," McCarrick wrote.
The backlash also caught the attention of tech journalist Taylor Lorenz. "Influencers are getting cancelled for going on the OpenAI brand summer camp weekend trip, which is very interesting bc I have not seen similar criticism towards influencers who have been attending Anthropic events," she wrote on X.
In a follow-up, Lorenz noted that McCarrick already publicizes consulting work for Amazon, Uber, and DoorDash. Why, she seemed to ask, had this OpenAI retreat suddenly become the partnership that crossed the line?
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. OpenAI is investing in influenceThis brand trip did not appear out of nowhere.
In February, OpenAI hired Charles Porch, Instagram's longtime vice president of global partnerships, for the newly created position of vice president of global creative partnerships. Porch spent more than 15 years at Instagram, Facebook, and Meta cultivating relationships with the kinds of people who can introduce a new platform or product to a much larger audience.
His résumé includes helping Beyoncé release her self-titled album exclusively on Instagram in 2013, convincing Pope Francis to join the platform, organizing activations at the Met Gala and Vanity Fair's Oscar Party, and overseeing a program that offered bonuses to creators who began posting on Instagram Reels.
That experience matters to OpenAI. Porch spent years convincing influential people to join a new platform and then turning their participation into moments that attracted everyone else. Now, he is applying that playbook to ChatGPT.
"I’m going to be the person that’s talking to creative communities around the world to figure out how we build the best products to serve them," Porch told Vanity Fair when his hiring was announced.
Porch is only one piece of that effort. On April 2, OpenAI acquired TBPN, a daily technology talk show hosted by Jordi Hays and John Coogan, in a deal worth somewhere in the "low hundreds of millions of dollars."
Often described as "SportsCenter for Silicon Valley," TBPN streams for three hours every weekday, mixing friendly executive interviews, industry gossip, and enthusiastic celebrations of new products and funding rounds. Its audience is relatively small but influential, including founders, investors, and technology executives. Guests have included Mark Zuckerberg, Satya Nadella, Mark Cuban, and Altman, who has called it his "favorite tech show."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.University of Washington professor Margaret O'Mara told NPR that the purchase appeared partly intended to influence how people in the industry talk about OpenAI. In the same report, tech scholar Sara Watson described the company as facing a larger "narrative change problem" as the public grows more skeptical of the industry’s promises.
The Wildflower Farms retreat brought that effort outside the Silicon Valley bubble. OpenAI is clearly aiming to surround its products with people who already know how to attract attention, explain new technology, and build loyal audiences.
The trip definitely succeeded in getting people to talk about OpenAI, though the company may have preferred a different conversation.
Microsoft's remote meeting software will lose major functionality on mobile soon if you don't update your app.
In a support note on its website (via TechRadar), Microsoft said that people who use the iOS or Android apps for Microsoft Teams need to update to the latest version of the app by the beginning of October. Users who fail to do that will lose access to the app's Calendar functionality, which would obviously be a big hindrance to anyone trying to keep track of when their meetings are supposed to happen.
We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!
It should be stated that nothing is changing in the browser or desktop versions of Teams. This only applies to the mobile app.
"This change helps maintain a reliable calendar experience on iOS and Android devices and ensures compatibility with ongoing Teams service updates," the note said.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft will straight up give you a free pair of Sony XM6 headphones right nowNo reason was given for why this feature would be shut off for those who fail to update, but TechRadar speculated that it had to do with the upcoming end-of-life for Microsoft's Exchange Web Services system. Updating the mobile Teams app will presumably get around that, allowing for continued use of the Calendar feature.
Don't miss any meetings, folks.
Save 14%: As of Aug. 3, you can pick up the Sony LinkBuds Clip on sale for $198 at Amazon and Sony, saving you $31.99 off their $229.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 at AmazonOpen earbuds options have never been more abundant, but if you're in the market for a cuff-style pair, you've probably seen the Bose Ultra Open earbuds recommended over and over again.
Don't get me wrong, they're great earbuds. They're also a hefty investment, a couple of years old, and far from your only worthwhile pair to look at. One of my other favorite options, the Sony LinkBuds Clip, are on sale for $198 at Amazon and Sony, down from their usual price of $229.99.
SEE ALSO: The 6 best open earbuds stay put, sound great, and keep us aware of the worldLike the Bose buds, they wrap in a cuff around the ear, providing a comfortable all-day wear. In my direct comparison of the two earbuds, I found that while the Sony's tended to run a bit quieter, they excelled at offering more clarity and detail in the audio — a feat which isn't easy for open earbuds. The battery life is also great, offering nine hours of playback per charge and 37 hours with the case overall. The LinkBuds Clip are also IPX4 rated, meaning you're in the clear to take them to the gym without much worry.
At $229.99, they're a solid value. At $198, however, they're even more approachable. It's not quite the $178 low we saw over Prime Day, but if you've been looking for a reliable pair of earbuds to keep you aware of the world around you while providing a great audio experience, you don't need to look any further.
What do Olivia Rodrigo, Munchlax, classical art, and the X-Files have in common?
That's right, they're all inspirations behind the newest Lego sets, once again proving that if you're a fan of something, there's probably a Lego set to match.
SEE ALSO: Our 15 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fansThe result is that Lego has quite the extensive catalog, even if you're just looking at the new releases, and even if you're just looking at Legos for adults. With the start of the new month, I did my due diligence to round up the best new Lego sets available. All told, I found 10 of the best new Lego sets for August, from a Botanicals pothos build and Pokémon you can actually battle with to Olivia Rodrigo flowers and a Jaguar E-Type. Check them out below.
Lego Minecraft Chicken JockeyIt's not just a phrase yelled by hordes of children during screenings of A Minecraft Movie — it's a Lego set, too. Most child fans of Minecraft are likely to appreciate this set, but I'm betting adult fans of the sandbox game will be at least a little tickled by what Lego has concocted.
Pieces: 344 Recommended age: 9+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft Chicken Jockey $29.99 at LegoThe fragrance industry is having a bit of a moment, so naturally, Lego needs to get in on the fun. This set dropped in June, so while it's not brand new, it's certainly worth a mention due to its popularity — at the time of writing, the set is currently on backorder, but will ship out by Aug. 15.
Pieces: 286 Recommended age: 8+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Creator 3-in-1 Floral Decor Perfume Bottle $29.99 at LegoEven for the least green of thumbs, a golden pothos is a near-unkillable plant, but if you really want a test run or the certainty that it will actually never die, this Lego is a good alternative. It's one of several recent Botanicals additions, and while it's hard to pick favorites, the hanging vines of this set are quite unique and impressively accurate in their appearance.
Pieces: 372 Recommended age: 18+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Hanging Golden Pothos $59.99 at LegoCan't get enough of crying listening to Olivia Rodrigo's latest album? Same! To keep the good times going, you can now listen and re-listen to Rodrigo's musical articulation of the blossoming and dissolution of a relationship while building a Lego bouquet inspired by her. The recommended age for this set is nine years plus, while the recommended age for experiencing the gut punch of familiarity on the song "Less" is never. If the flowers aren't your jam (or you need more bricks to put together while you go through her discography), there are four more Rodrigo-themed sets to check out.
Pieces: 400 Recommended age: 9+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Olivia Rodrigo Flower Bouquet $49.99 at LegoWe'll get to the Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets shortly, but Munchlax deserves a moment. Look at him! There is no, and will never be, a Pokémon more suited to a Lego makeover than Munchlax. Perfect execution, no notes.
Pieces: 757 Recommended age: 18+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Munchlax $69.99 at LegoMaybe Elliot didn't get to keep E.T. close, but you certainly can. (Btw, does anyone else habitually watch Henry Thomas's E.T. audition at least a couple times a year?) The Lego E.T. isn't exactly true to size — he stands at nine-and-a-half inches tall, but Lego nailed the shape, the point, and made it so you can rotate his head 360 degrees. So the important bases are covered.
Pieces: 1,226 Recommended age: 18+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial $139.99 at LegoI used to drive a green Mini Cooper, so I will admit to some bias regarding green British cars. That said, this model is stunning, and a good deal cheaper than buying a real Jaguar E-Type. While (shockingly) you can't drive it around, like a real car, you can look under the hood, fold back the roof, and store an included five-piece building kit in the trunk.
Pieces: 1,673 Recommended age: 18+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Jaguar E-Type $139.99 at LegoLego's site already features the copy, "The bricks are out there," so there's not much I can add to this conversation. What I will say is that this set features an alien, Scully, Mulder, a UFO, a spooky forest, and if you order between Aug. 1 and 10, a free mini set of Scully's lab. What more could an X-Files fan need?
Pieces: 1,478 Recommended age: 18+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas 'The X-Files' $199.99 at LegoNostalgia peaks on this Donkey Kong arcade set. From the iconic red lettering to the barrels found in the original arcade game, this is Lego and Donkey Kong working together in beautiful tandem. And yes, you can actually release barrels and use the joystick to move Jumpman.
Pieces: 1,371 Recommended age: 18+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Donkey Kong Arcade $199.99 at LegoWill they hang Lego Art pieces in museums one day? Maybe they should, because the more releases from this brand, the more they make the case that the sets themselves are legitimate works of art. The latest addition, Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, is no departure. At $299.99, it's certainly an investment, but for a 4,000-piece set you can hang on the wall, you're getting a legitimate piece of decor. Unlike the rest of the August-release sets on this list, this one isn't available until Aug. 4, but man, does it look worth the wait.
Pieces: 4,000 Recommended age: 18+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Art Gustav Klimt The Kiss $299.99 at LegoThe Smart Play series has found its footing with the Pokémon sets. Though the Star Wars sets were interesting, Pokémon has breathed new life into the interactive design. There are plenty of sets to choose from: the Training House with Pikachu and Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle sets are complete kits with Smart Bricks. There are six additional sets that are Smart Play compatible: Mewtwo's Lab Break, Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt, Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof, Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle, Charmander and Geodude's Cavern Clash, and Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown. Mashable's Timothy Werth broke down all the new tech and got in some hands-on experience with the sets, but in short, the Smart Brick tech means the Pokémon make their signature noises (adorable), train, and battle your Pokémon.
Pieces: 88 to 831 Recommended age: 6+ to 10+
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Smart Play Pokémon sets From $14.99 to $119.99 Shop NowTL;DR: Now through Aug. 9, Best Buy is bundling free Best Buy e-gift cards with select Apple Gift Cards.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Gift Card Shop NowIf you regularly spend money in the Apple ecosystem (e.g., App Store purchases, Apple Music subscriptions, or hardware), Best Buy has a deal to get extra value out of that spending.
SEE ALSO: Apple said to delay smart glasses launch after Meta backlashFrom Aug. 3 through Aug. 9, Best Buy is bundling free e-gift cards with select Apple Gift Cards. If you buy a $50 Apple Gift Card, you'll get a free $5 Best Buy e-gift card, and buying a $100 Apple Gift Card gets you a $10 bonus card. All you have to do is add the card to your cart and check out — the promo will auto-apply.
Best Buy will email you the e-gift card after your order is processed or picked up. As with most of these promos, it requires a valid email address, applies to in-stock items only, and excludes Marketplace products. If you already plan on paying for Apple services or saved-up app purchases, it's an easy way to pocket free store credit for your next tech purchase.
SAVE $70: The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $649, down from the list price of $719. That's a 10% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo $649 at AmazonYou don't always have to board an airplane to fly. With two feet firmly planted on the ground, you can take off with a drone to explore the skies. If you've been considering buying a DJI drone but have been waiting for the right deal, today might be your day.
As of Aug. 3, the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $649, marked down from the normal price of $719. That's a 10% discount that shaves $70 off the price.
Before the summer is over, take to the skies with a new DJI Mini 3. It comes packed with DJI drone features that are great for all skill levels, even complete beginners. In no time, you'll be capturing pro-level footage in 4K HDR, taking true vertical shots, and doing boomerang maneuvers with one touch.
In terms of functionality, the DJI Mini 3 can transmit video from almost 33,000 feet away, and it has level 5 wind resistance which can handle a bit over 23-mile-per-hour winds. The auto-take off and auto-land function allow you to do both with just one single tap.
SEE ALSO: Beat the next blackout: Save on Anker’s fast-charging Solix C1000 power station at AmazonThe Fly More Combo puts you in line for tons of accessories to enhance the flying experience. For starters, there are three DJI Intelligent Flight batteries for a total of 114 minutes of flight time. There's also the DJI RC for easy navigation, spare propellers, a two-way charging hub, gimbal protector, shoulder bag, and more.
DJI makes some of the most reliable creator gadgets, like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and the DJI Mic Mini. The DJI Mini 3 drone comes with the same top-tier specs for creators, and it's on sale for $70 off.
Apple's newly launched leasing program, Apple Upgrade, is drawing attention from tech commentators like Max Tech YouTuber Vadim Yuryev, who says the plan can leave consumers better off financially than paying full price up front, provided they understand the fine print.
Apple introduced the program on July 28, allowing customers to lease an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch for a low monthly fee instead of paying the full retail price. The service is administered through Klarna and requires a soft credit check for approval. It should also be noted that once a lease ends, customers can upgrade, pay a one-time fee to keep the device, or return it. So far, Apple has not disclosed how the buyout fee will be calculated.
We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!
In a post on X in response to Bloomberg's Apple expert Mark Gurman, Yuryev walked through the math, using a $2,999 MacBook Pro as an example.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.He said a 36-month lease would run $58 per month, leaving a $911 balance due at the end — though Apple gives lessees six additional months to decide, during which payments drop to $53 per month. Yuryev argued that paying off that final balance makes sense because the device could then be resold for "$1,500+ on eBay or Facebook marketplace," rather than the customer simply losing the amount paid in over the life of the lease.
Yuryev emphasized that "you never pay more" than the device's MSRP, since Apple Upgrade carries no interest or lease fees. He added that the primary risk is failing to keep up with payments or falling short on the final balance, and noted that once a device is paid off, users can start a new lease while keeping the original one.
Gurman, whose original post Yuryev was replying to, had cautioned that comparing outright purchases, financing, and resale value requires shoppers to run their own numbers — something he suggested most buyers are unlikely to do.
Of course, potential buyers (or, in this case, renters) should have a healthy skepticism of any kind of leasing arrangement, even Apple Upgrade.
The math only favors the consumer under fairly specific conditions. As discussed, the program doesn't lower the actual price of a device — it simply spreads the cost into smaller, easier-to-swallow payments, and the best-case scenario Yuryev outlined requires a lessee to save up several hundred dollars for a lump-sum payoff at the end of the term, then successfully resell the device for its full resale value. And that's assuming the used market isn't overrun with other used lease devices, which would further lower the potential resale price.
So, maybe the real strategy here is to pull a patient gamer and wait a couple of years to get an M5 MacBook for half the price. Then, you'll actually own the device outright, with no extra math required.
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Rumor has it that Apple has been hard at work on AirPods with built-in cameras for a while now. But, apparently, they might come out even sooner than expected.
This information comes courtesy of Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter over at Bloomberg. According to Gurman, Apple has been internally testing two versions of AirPods with cameras, one codenamed B798 and another codenamed B790. The former is the one we've known about for a while, but the latter was spotted more recently and is reportedly coming along more quickly, Gurman reported.
SEE ALSO: Survey says: Here are the Apple products readers still expect this yearGurman said references to the B790 model are already appearing in iOS 27 beta code, and Apple could launch the product as soon as this year. Given that there isn't all that much of "this year" left, we could see these new AirPods sooner rather than later. If Apple sticks to its usual schedule, new AirPods could arrive at the September iPhone launch event alongside the iPhone 18; the Apple AirPods Pro 3 were unveiled on Sept. 9, at last year's iPhone 17 launch event.
As for the name, rumors suggest AI-powered AirPods could be launched under a name like AirPods Pro Ultra.
Gurman didn't share any specifics about what makes the B790 different from the other previously reported model, but older news reports about the camera-equipped AirPods suggested Apple is aiming more for a wearable AI assistant than a surveillance or content-creation device. The cameras will not capture photos or videos; rather, they will analyze what they see to support an onboard assistant like, say, the new Siri AI. There would also be a small onboard LED privacy indicator to let other people know the cameras are at work, similar to smart glasses.
Speaking of smart glasses and privacy, Gurman recently reported that Apple may delay the launch of its rumored smart glasses after a backlash to Meta Ray-Ban glasses and inappropriate and harassing behavior by some users.
Presumably, Apple will also keep selling AirPods that are only useful for listening to podcasts and music, too.
Furious has introduced Catherine (Lola Petticrew) through her kills and the manipulative strategies she's undertaken to achieve them. But in episode 4 of Elizabeth Meriwether's new crime drama, FBI agent Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) uncovers the past of this mysterious killer, including her name, the meaning of her memory box, and her motive.
In "Flash Flood," a trip to a group home for children reveals the that Catherine was besotted with Isabel, who died under mysterious circumstances years ago. Catherine is on a murder-fueled quest to find out what happened, and make anyone involved with Isabel's death pay.
SEE ALSO: How 'Furious' delves into a world of sex and violence without being exploitativeIn an interview with Petticrew, they said of Catherine's relationship with Isabel, "She's absolutely head over heels in love with Isabel. I mean, that's her total motivation... She was totally and utterly in love with her, and she was her best friend."
Petticrew also spoke to the meaning of the memory box, which a social worker tells Alice was encouraged to give the foster kids hope for their futures.
"That box of memories and those couple of bags are all that she has," Petticrew said. "She has difficulty remembering a lot of things, and so I think it's her attempt to try to map things out, in a way. And she's a magpie; she's attracted to shiny things. That's just kind of who she is. She likes the garish and the big."
They also reflected on the dance scene, where Catherine dances in Alden's mother's bedroom to Rihanna's "We Found Love."
"When she dances to that Rihanna song, for me, that felt like," Pettigrew mused, "she was constantly forced from being a child to use her body in a way that is for the eyes of men. And in the performance of that dance, I wanted it to be animalistic in the sense that this is her moving her body in the way that she wants it to move, in the way that she feels comfortable with. It is an exercise to let go and feel like herself. And so that sequence was actually really important."
Furious is now streaming on Hulu, with a new episode each Monday.
Save 35%: Woot's offering a hefty discount on the international version of the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro as of Aug. 3, putting them at just $161.99. Usually, the earbuds go for $249.99, meaning you'll save $88.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro (international version) $161.99 at WootWhile it's not impossible to see noise cancelling earbuds drop down to impressively low prices, it is much more rare to see those price drops happen outside of a major sale.
That's why I perked up when I saw the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro on sale at Woot for $161.99. Typically, their list price is $249.99, so this deal saves you 35% (or $88). It should be noted that this deal is on the international version of the earbuds, which feature the exact same design and functionality as the U.S. version. Unlike the U.S. version, Samsung will not accept any warranty claims on these earbuds, so you'll want to make sure you're okay with a 90-day limited warranty from Woot instead.
The Buds4 Pro released just this past spring, bringing with them upgrades in the form of a a wider woofer for improved audio performance, the ability to use AI features like Bixby and Gemini hands-free, and a smaller earbud head than its predecessor for improved comfort.
You'll also get six hours of listening time per charge (with ANC on), and 26 hours total in the charging case. They also feature spatial audio, an equalizer for adjusting your sound, and an IP57 dust and sweat-resistance rating. At $161.99, they're at a pretty unbeatable price, especially if you're an Android user in the market for a new pair of earbuds.
SAVE 11%: As of Aug. 3, you can get Sony's 480Hz Inzone M10S gaming monitor for $798 at Amazon, down from $899.99. That's an 11% discount or $101.99 in savings.
Sony Inzone M10S gaming monitor $798 at AmazonThe Sony Inzone M10S is a 27-inch 1440p OLED monitor built specifically for competitive players, and right now you can get it for under $800.
As of Aug. 3, Sony's 480Hz Inzone M10S gaming monitor is $798 at Amazon, down from $899.99. That's an 11% discount or $101.99 in savings. High-refresh OLED monitors are usually pretty expensive, so bringing a 480Hz QHD panel under the $800 mark makes this a much more competitive price point compared to standard 240Hz OLED options.
SEE ALSO: The best gaming chair for dedicated playersCo-developed with the esports team Fnatic, it combines a 480Hz refresh rate with a 0.03ms response time to deliver exceptional motion clarity in fast-paced shooters. One Amazon reviewer says it's "a complete game changer; the input lag is literally non-existent, and the colors and brightness are truly beautiful."
If you spend most of your time in games like Valorant or Counter-Strike 2 and want ultra-smooth motion handling without sacrificing 1440p visual sharpness, now's the time to upgrade.
SAVE $452: As of Aug. 3, the Hisense 65-inch E7 Mini LED Hi-QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for just $547.99 instead of $999.99. That's a savings of 45% and its lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch E7 Mini LED Hi-QLED 4K TV $547.99 at AmazonNeed a new TV, but don't want to spend a fortune? The Hisense E7 Mini LED should get the job done — and then some. While the 65-inch model is typically just shy of $1,000, you can take it home today for only $547.99.
As of Aug. 3, the Hisense 65-inch E7 Mini LED Hi-QLED 4K TV has reached a record-low price at Amazon. At 45% off, the $547.99 price tag actually surpasses its previous low price by $1.
The E7 is illuminated by Mini LED backlighting, which means it uses thousands of tiny LEDs to deliver a brighter, more accurate picture with cinematic contrast. Paired with quantum-dot color, a native refresh rate of 144Hz, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio, and AI-driven processing, it'll bring more depth and vibrance to your everyday viewing experience. Additional features include AMD Freesync Premium for gaming and Filmmaker mode for cinephiles.
If you're already a Fire TV user, your profile will be personalized how you like it when you sign in. If not, you'll be able to customize your experience, seamlessly access all of your favorite apps, and more. You'll also get access to Alexa+, so you can use your voice to navigate and discover new content instantly.
Hisense is known for its budget-friendly TVs that don't skimp on quality, and the E7 Mini LED is no exception. Grab the 65-inch model for its best price ever.
GET A FREE DUNKIN' REFRESHERS DRINK: For today only, Aug. 3, Dunkin' Donuts is giving away 1 million free Refreshers drinks. Here's how to score your own free drink today.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dunkin' Donuts Free Dunkin' Donuts Refresher Get DealIt's hot out there. Cool off with a free drink thanks to Dunkin' Donuts. Here's how to cash in on the savings.
On Aug. 3, Dunkin' Donuts is giving away 1 million free Refresher drinks to Dunkin' Rewards members with a yet-to-be-released promo code. To get your free drink, you'll need to sign up for a free Dunkin' Rewards account and download the app. We don't yet know how or when Dunkin' will be dropping the promo code, but keep an eye on the brand's Instagram page.
Refreshers are a non-coffee Dunkin' treat. The current lineup includes mango pineapple and strawberry dragon fruit, both of which contain green tea and B vitamins.
SEE ALSO: The Owala FreeSip water bottle is back down to the lowest price everIf you're in the mood for a free treat, be sure you're signed up for a Dunkin' Rewards membership and keep an eye on the Dunkin' Instagram account. Get ready for fast fingers once the promo code drops today.
Who says the meet cute is dead? According to Eventbrite, it's facing a revival.
As a platform for facilitating IRL happenings, Eventbrite has a stake in that being the case, but other factors indicate that this is indeed true. Tinder just expanded its Events feature, while Bumble is also investing in its own dating events this summer. For years now, dating app users have been complaining about fatigue and longing to meet someone in-person.
SEE ALSO: Is Myspace coming back? Owners confirm relaunch plansNow, Eventbrite reports that experiences explicitly using "meet cute" language have grown 117 percent this year compared to last year (in an analysis of its data in the first half of 2026 compared to that of 2025). Hobby-based events using language like "singles," "come solo," and "find your people" are also on the rise.
And the hobbies that Eventbrite is seeing take off are pretty wholesome. Mahjong events are up 235 percent, and attendance is up 272 percent. Trivia night events have skyrocketed 403 percent, with a 388 percent increase in attendance. Bird watching, Pilates socials, plant swaps and workshops, and pottery and craft circles are among the events people are flocking to.
In its blog post about the findings, Eventbrite theorizes that singles are craving spontaneous connections in our algorithmically driven world, and that niche hobbies are what stand out today.
And Eventbrite's recent Social Study found that 58 percent of young adults want socializing to be a secondary part of an experience, not the main draw, hinting that activity-based events are the way to get them in the door. Sixty-nine percent want events that combine different interests.
"For a long time, people kept dating in one box and hobbies in another," Andrea Parodi, Eventbrite General Manager, said in the blog. "What we’re seeing is that line starting to dissolve."
People are starting with what they love — or exploring something new — and staying open for what it could turn into, Parodi continued. "When you remove the pressure of a forced introduction, there's less chance the night feels like a letdown, and more room for an organic spark to happen."
TL;DR: As of Aug. 3, you can get the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution — Pitch Black booster bundle for $42.99 at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution — Pitch Black $42.99 at AmazonIf you're looking to rip open packs from the Mega Evolution — Pitch Black expansion, booster bundles are one of the most cost-effective ways to do it. Instead of paying extra for the dice, sleeves, and play accessories stuffed inside an Elite Trainer Box, the booster bundle gives you straight pack value.
SEE ALSO: New Lego Pokémon sets are about to be released into the wild: Pre-order Arcanine, Munchlax, and moreRight now, you can get the six-pack bundle at Amazon for $42.99. If you're willing to look outside of Amazon to stretch your dollar even further, Galactic Toys currently has it on sale for $34.95 (and TCGplayer listings are sitting around $38.70 shipped). While Amazon offers fast shipping, ordering through Galactic Toys drops your per-pack price from over $7.25 down to under $5.85, putting about $8.60 back in your pocket.
Either way, inside the box you get six sealed booster packs featuring the set's top hits like Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, and Mega Chandelure ex. If you value Prime shipping and easy returns, Amazon is the convenient pick — but if you want the lowest cost per pack, Galactic Toys is the better option.
If you're eyeing a new tool from Ridgid, Milwaukee, or DeWalt, now's a good time to buy — Home Depot's running a free battery promo across all three brands. Pick up a qualifying tool, and a battery gets tossed in at no extra cost, whether that's Ridgid's 18V 4.0 Ah pack, Milwaukee's M18 5.0 Ah pack, or DeWalt's Flexvolt 9.0Ah battery. Here's a deeper look at the tools that can get you free batteries:
DeWalt Flexvolt 20V/60V MAX Battery Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt Flexvolt 20V/60V MAX 9.0Ah Battery Free with the purchase of select DeWalt Flexvolt 60V tools Get DealThe DeWalt Flexvolt battery pack automatically changes voltage depending on which tool it's plugged into. It powers DeWalt's 60V MAX Brushless line and 120V MAX Brushless tools, and it's also backward compatible with 20V MAX tools and chargers, so it's not locked into just one tool category.
Get it free with:
DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX Brushless Concrete Mud Mixer/Drill with E-Clutch — $299
DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with Brake — $299
DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX Brushless Small Angle Grinder with Kickback Brake — $299
DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Wormdrive Circular Saw — $329
DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX SDS Plus Rotary Hammer — $499 $549 (save $50)
The Milwaukee M18 5.0 Ah XC Battery is compatible with any M18 cordless power tool in Milwaukee's lineup, and it's rated to deliver 2 x more runtime than a standard lithium battery. It also recharges fully in 90 minutes or less, so you're not stuck waiting around if you're mid-project and need to swap in a fresh charge.
Some of the M18 tools that qualify for the deal are:
Milwaukee M18 Redlithium Forge Starter Kit with 8.0Ah Battery — $279
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2 in. Impact Wrench with Friction Ring — $299
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit with 2 Batteries — $399
The Ridgid 18V 4.0 Ah MAX Output battery gives you more power and runtime out of any Ridgid 18V Brushless tool — up to 3 x longer than Ridgid's older 1.5 Ah battery. It's also compact and light, so it won't wear out your arm over a long day. Register it within 90 days of buying, and you get free parts and service for life.
Get it free with:
Ridgid 18V Nuke SubCompact One-Handed Reciprocating Saw — $139 $149 (save $10)
Whichever brand you're loyal to, this is basically free money — grab your tool at Home Depot before the deal ends.
SAVE $61.99: As of Aug. 3, the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $398, down from their full list price of $459.99. That's a savings of 13% and just $20 away from their lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones $398 at AmazonHad your eye on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones? If I were you, I'd grab them now while they're back under $400.
As of Aug. 3, the wildly impressive Sony XM6 noise-cancelling headphones are down to $398 at Amazon. Yes, that's still expensive, but it sure beats paying the full cost of $459.99. You'll save about $62 or 13% and just $20 more than the all-time low Prime Day price.
For what it's worth, Mashable Tech Editor Tim Beck Werth writes in his review of the headphones that they "mostly justify the $450 price of admission," thanks to their top-tier sound quality, comfortable ft, and "phenomenal active noise cancellation." They're at the top of our list of the best headphones in 2026, as well as the best noise-cancellers. Of course, now that they're even cheaper, they're a much better value.
Other notable features include a 30-hour battery life, ideal for long haul flights, more microphones for improved call quality, support for LDAC high-res audio, a redesigned ANC button, and user-friendly touch controls. While mostly an iterative upgrade over the last-gen 1000XM5 headphones, we think they're worth grabbing for one major design improvement: they fold up for easy portability.
While they're now a year old, we still think the Sony XM6 headphones are some of the best money can buy. And it's kind of chic to grab them on sale.
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