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China’s Moonshot AI unveiled a freely available artificial intelligence model that seemed to narrow the gap with cutting-edge offerings from U.S. tech companies.

Gemini users who were hoping to see the launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro at Google I/O 2026 left disappointed. At the May developers' conference, the company launched a lighter-weight Gemini 3.5 Flash model for everyday use. However, Google CEO Sundar Pichai assured the audience that Gemini 3.5 Pro would follow in June.

"We are also excited for 3.5 Pro,” Pichai said at a pre-Google I/O media briefing. “We are using it internally. It's showing great improvements. We are still testing and refining it, and it will roll out to everyone next month."

As of July 17, there's still no sign of the model.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

So, where is Gemini 3.5 Pro?

Yesterday, Bloomberg published a report on the delayed launch, with reporters Julia Love and Davey Alba writing that "The delay has caused frustration among Google engineers, AI researchers, and managers, who are concerned the company risks losing its edge in the market to rivals Anthropic and OpenAI."

Mashable reached out to Google with questions about the Gemini 3.5 Pro launch timeline, and the company provided the same statement it shared with Bloomberg.

"We’re shipping quickly across a wide range of models while keeping them highly cost-effective for customers. We’re currently testing 3.5 Pro, an upgraded Flash model, and other models with partners, and we’re productively engaged with the U.S. government on model testing and broader frameworks."

While a one-month delay isn't normally a massive problem, the AI industry has been moving at lightning speed in recent months. The longer Google waits to release Gemini 3.5, the higher the performance bar it has to clear to maintain equal footing with its rivals. According to Bloomberg, even Meta has released a new model that outpaces Google Gemini.

Bloomberg's report suggests that there are two reasons driving the delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro. The first is bureaucratic. Because of the size of Google's organization and the number of products integrated with Gemini, delays are inevitable compared to leaner AI startups. Second, Bloomberg found that Google leaders are worried that Gemini 3.5 Pro may not be competitive with their rivals' recent releases.

Since Google I/O 2026, Anthropic announced it was launching its most advanced model ever, Claude Mythos Preview. The AI company said the model had such advanced cybersecurity capabilities that it would only be shared with trusted partners. Anthropic eventually did release a version of Claude Mythos called Fable 5 on June 9.

On July 9, OpenAI announced its own next-generation model with advanced cybersecurity coding abilities, GPT‑5.6 Sol.

This week, Chinese AI lab Moonshot released Kimi K3, a massive open-source model with 2.8 trillion parameters. Early testers say it has similar capabilities as Fable 5 and GPT-5.6 Sol, only with a much lower cost.

Without a new frontier model of its own, Google has taken a tumble down AI leaderboard rankings, despite its massive advantages in the AI arms race. Google not only has unprecedented access to the world's data, but it can also put its AI tools directly into the hands of billions of Android users worldwide.

Gemini 3.5 Pro may be launching soon, but while Google readies the model for release, the competition is racing ahead.

Apple sued OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing its trade secrets. But what now? CNET’s Bridget Carey breaks down what to expect next — and how it might impact OpenAI’s hardware plans.

Samsung recently confirmed it will share news about its latest foldable phones at the July 22 Galaxy Unpacked event in London, where the tech world expects the company to release three new devices: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

However, the Korean tech company hasn't confirmed the existence of these devices, which is why it's so weird to see the unreleased flagship Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra listed for sale online. What's even weirder? The foldable phone listed for sale features football legend Lionel Messi's face emblazoned on the case with 24-karat gold plating, and it carries a $13,130 price tag.

The product first appeared in a July 15 press release in which a company called Caviar announced a new limited-edition "Legends" collection. Caviar makes custom and bespoke designs on iPhones, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and other gadgets. A promo for the collection states, "The portrait of the Argentine captain is integrated into the back panel of the Samsung Fold 8 folding flagship, whose complex engineering mirrors the multi-faceted genius of Messi’s play."

The Legends collection features a Cristiano Ronaldo-themed iPhone and a Messi-themed Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the press release and product listing include pictures of the custom design. Under the "Warranty" section of its site, the company writes, "Caviar guarantees the authenticity and quality of all products purchased through Caviar."

Credit: Caviar Credit: Caviar

"The launch of this unique collection coincides with the upcoming FIFA World Cup final and the release of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The tournament holds special significance as it marks the final World Cup where both of these legendary players will compete," the press release states. "The collection is strictly limited, with only 19 pieces available worldwide."

Typically, Samsung devices leak heavily ahead of their official launches, but Samsung has yet to release any official images of the rumored smartphones. Beyond an announcement about a new Flex Titanium display, Samsung has kept quiet about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's release, price, and specifications.

At this time, it's unclear if Caviar based on the design on official photos of the unreleased smartphone, or if the images are purely concepts based on rumored details about the phone. The launch could also be a calculated marketing strategy, piggybacking off Galaxy Unpacked anticipation to promote a little-known design brand.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is almost here: Everything we expect from the July 22 event

Mashable reached out to both Samsung and Caviar with questions about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra product listing on Caviar's website, and we'll update this story if we receive additional information.

Credit: Caviar

Apple’s MacBook Neo certainly shook up the entry-level laptop market when it arrived in March, but Dell already had plans to do the same with its budget-friendly XPS 13. Here’s how these two match up and which you should get.

Former Apple employees who now work at OpenAI have been put on notice.

According to a new report from Financial Times, Apple has sent legal preservation letters to roughly 40 former employees, which request that they save any documents or communication that could be relevant to their prior employer.

Last week, Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging that two former employees who went on to work for the AI giant shared Apple's trade secrets. Apple believes that this confidential information was used by OpenAI to develop the consumer hardware products that the AI company is currently working on.

OpenAI has denied the allegations, of course. However, in its lawsuit, Apple said that it believes this is "just the tip of the iceberg."

So, what do these new legal letters mean? It appears that Apple believes that there may be more former employees who misused confidential company information besides Tang Yew Tan and Chang Liu, the two employees whom Apple is currently suing. The legal letters could also serve as a warning from Apple, putting former employees on notice that Apple is watching their work closely. Based on the Financial Times report, the employees could also be subject to discovery requests as the lawsuit unfolds.

Tan is Apple's former Vice President of Product Design and currently works at OpenAI as the company's Chief Hardware Officer. Liu was formerly an iPhone engineer at Apple and left the company to join OpenAI at the beginning of the year. 

According to Apple, more than 400 former employees now work at OpenAI. As more details emerge, it'll be interesting to find out Apple's reasoning in targeting these specific OpenAI employees, who make up about 10 percent of its former workers who jumped to the AI company.

Still seeking proof of life outside our solar system? Buckle up, because we're one step closer.

A new paper, published today in Science, outlines the discovery of a potentially Earth-like atmosphere surrounding a nearby exoplanet that may provide clearer proof that other rocky masses can sustain the building blocks of life.

"This is the first time that we're seeing a rocky, Earth-like planet that could still have an atmosphere," said study co-author and University of Florida assistant professor of astronomy Jason Dittmann in a recent press release.

SEE ALSO: Webb telescope found the missing architect of another star system

Dittman was part of the team that discovered the exoplanet, LHS 1140b, in 2016. LHS 1140b resides in the habitable zone of a nearby red-dwarf star and can only be observed during brief periods of the year due to its orbit. LHS 1140b is also quite old, which typically means most of the planet's atmosphere would have already been lost to space.

But using X-ray data from Chile's Magellan Clay telescope during two observation periods in 2024 and 2025, scientists pinpointed helium gas escaping the planet, indicating that the planet may have an atmosphere replenishing its gases. The composition of the planet's inner atmosphere is still unknown to scientists.

The confirmation of atmospheres that regulate climate on rocky planets has been a white whale for astronomers, who have so far observed only airlessness or faint atmospheric remnants.

"Because there’s helium there, and because the helium is escaping, the question is: Is it a bare rock with no atmosphere that sometimes burps up some gas that then immediately escapes, or is there a steady-state atmosphere there that will leak out stuff like the Earth does from time to time?" Dittmann said.

Should the findings be confirmed in further studies, LHS 1140b will check off at least two of the three life-sustaining boxes (an atmosphere and a rocky surface) that scientists look for in non-Earth planets. All that's left is that liquid gold: water.

Save up to $20: DoorDash e-gift cards in values of $50, $100, and $200 are on sale for $5, $10, and $20 off respectively at Best Buy as of July 17. Pay $180 and get $200 to spend on takeout and delivery.

Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash DoorDash gift cards Save $5, $10, or $20 off DoorDash gift cards Get Deal

Food delivery is undeniably convenient, especially when it's too hot to turn on the stove.

However, with taxes, delivery, and service fees, a $15 meal can easily shoot up to double its cost. While you might be lucky enough to grab a promo code, another way to guarantee yourself a discount is by picking up a gift card on sale. And as of July 17, Best Buy has deals on DoorDash gift cards in values of $50, $100, and $200.

You can buy the $50 gift card for $45, the $100 gift card for $90, and the $200 gift card for $180. In order to get the deal from Best Buy, you simply purchase the e-gift card, which will then be delivered via email straight to your inbox. Once you have it, you can input the activation code into your DoorDash account and start enjoying your gift card balance right away.

If you're looking for more food discounts this Friday, you can also check out Krispy Kreme's BOGO deal in honor of its 89th birthday.

TL;DR: Cadence makes trendy travel containers for pills, beauty products, supplements, and other daily necessities. The brand's World Cup-inspired travel capsules not only let you rep your team ahead of this weekend's final, but they're also currently on sale for $34.20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cadence The World Capsules $34.20 at Cadence
$38 Save $3.80   Get Deal

We're officially counting down the hours to the big World Cup final this weekend, and if you want to show some spirit without painting your face or wearing a giant, clunky jersey, here you go. Cadence just dropped a limited-edition line of team-inspired capsule color combos so you can match your daily routine to your favorite country's colors.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for free

These travel pod containers are leakproof, TSA-approved, and just look way cooler than a plastic bottle from Walgreens or Dollar Tree. The entire World Cup collection is available exclusively in the Large Capsule size (which holds 2.75 fluid ounces), making them the perfect grab if you're going on a longer trip or need to pack full-size essentials like sunscreen and hair care.

If you want to check out the range ahead of the final this weekend, you can find all the team-inspired color combinations over at keepyourcadence.com. The capsules are currently marked down 10% to $34.20 (normally $38), so grab your favorite team's colors while they're still in stock.

A deal would underline how scarce computing power is for artificial intelligence development, and could create a new business for Meta.

Xi Jinping said that the development of artificial intelligence systems should be a “symphony of global collaboration.”

TL;DR: You can score a free pair of Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones (worth $450) when you purchase an eligible Microsoft Surface Laptop or Surface Pro through July 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface and Sony Headphone Bundle   Get Deal

Back-to-school shopping season is officially kicking into high gear (it's literally still July, but here we are), which means tech bundles are popping up all over the place. So if you're looking for a deal that'll save you some cash on a much-needed upgrade, you should definitely check out Microsoft's Back-to-School Sale.

SEE ALSO: The 12 best headphones of 2026 — we tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats

Now through July 31, Microsoft's giving any customer who buys an eligible 12th-edition Surface Pro or 8th-edition Surface Laptop (from the Microsoft Store) a pair of the Mashable Choice Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones on the house. That's a $459.99 value.

Here's how it works:

• Step 1: Purchase an eligible Surface Pro (starts at $1,499.99) or Surface Laptop (starts at $1,599.99) from the Microsoft Store by July 31.

• Step 2: Microsoft will email you a Sony redemption code within seven business days of your purchase.

• Step 3: Head over to Sony's site and plug in your code by December 31, 2026, and they'll ship the headphones straight to your door.

Just keep in mind that there's a limit of one redemption code per household, and your shipping address must be a physical address within the contiguous U.S. (this promotion unfortunately excludes Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and PO boxes).

SAVE $130: As of July 17, my favorite headphones, the Bose QuietComfort, are on sale for just $229. That saves you $130 off its list price of $359.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones $229 at Amazon
$359 Save $130   Get Deal

When people find out I review products, their next question is always "What do you recommend?"

Quickly, I spitball through the list of my most used and loved products and the headphones that are always on it are the Bose QuietComfort. I've convinced more than one friend to pick up these headphones for their combination of stellar sound and comfort. I'd tell you to buy them when they're full price, but on sale? Run to grab these headphones.

As of July 17, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are just $229. That saves you $130 off its $359 list price for 36% savings.

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Comfort is in the name of these headphones, and it lives up to it. The Bose QuietComfort come with me whenever I travel. On a trip to Greece, they blocked out the busy bustle of travel whether that be on planes or ferries. Plus, they helped me catch some sleep on my 11 hour flight. My only complaint with these headphones is that they loosen slightly over time, however, the noise cancellation remains just as strong.

Shop my favorite headphones, the Bose QuietComfort, for just $229 at Amazon.

SAVE $24: Through July 30, new and returning subscribers can get three months of Audible Standard for just 99 cents per month. That's $8 per month in savings for a total of $24.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Standard $0.99/month for 3 months (save $8/month) Get Deal

If you missed out on Audible's excellent Prime Day offer, a new deal just dropped as a consolation prize. It's not free this time around, but it's still a great offer (and one I took advantage of myself).

Through July 30, new and returning subscribers can score three months of Audible Standard for only 99 cents per month. Usually $8.99 per month, that's a total of $24 in savings.

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I don't think Audible's Standard tier is worth it at full price. The new plan, which launched in March, lets you select one audiobook each month for the full Audible collection. But unlike the Premium plan, you can't keep those titles if you cancel your subscription. Oh, and if you forget to select a book in the allotted time period one month, you basically forfeit that month entirely. So at the full cost of $8.99 per month, that hardly seems fair. Less than $3 total to "borrow" three premium audiobooks from Audible's expansive catalog, on the other hand, is a dang good deal.

Along with the three premium titles, you'll also get to enjoy unlimited Audible Originals and nearly 200 of the most popular titles from Wondery+. So you technically get more than just three audiobooks for 99 cents each month.

As I mentioned above, I took advantage of this three-month deal myself and plan on listening to the entire Wayward Pines trilogy during my promo period, then canceling. Pro tip: Set a calendar alert when you sign up to remind yourself to cancel before the promotional period ends. And remember, you need to finish listening before you cancel your subscription, or else you'll lose access forever.

BOGO DEAL: For July 17 only, Krispy Kreme is offering a special birthday promotion. You can get a dozen glazed donuts for 89 cents with the purchase of any dozen donuts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme BOGO Buy any dozen donuts and get a glazed dozen for 89 cents Get Deal

Few things in life are better than a fresh Krispy Kreme donut, especially if you can snag one for free when the hot light is on.

For today, however, you won't have to catch the donut shop at the opportune time to score a great deal. July 17 is Krispy Kreme's 89th birthday, and to celebrate, customers can get a dozen glazed donuts for just 89 cents with the purchase of any other dozen donuts. Come July 18, the deal is gone, so you'll want to make your way to a Krispy Kreme if you're intent on scoring the savings.

SEE ALSO: 7-Eleven and Hot Wheels just dropped an exclusive Nissan GT-R collectible — here's how to get it

You can order ahead online for pickup or delivery, and grab the deal by adding the special promotional option off the menu, and entering the code BDAY at checkout. When ordering online, you're limited to one discounted dozen. Customers who go in person to order at the counter or drive through can get up to two dozen of the 89 cent donuts.

While Krispy Kreme does offer special promos year round — just last month, you could grab one free donut and BOGO glazed dozen for $2 in honor of National Donut Day — but if you're trying to get as many donuts as possible, it's hard to beat this deal.

With the frequency of wildfires impacting air quality in North America, plenty of us are wondering how we can protect our homes and our health. If you live in an impacted area, if you're going outside make sure to mask up, but smoke can make it inside the home, too. That's why a quality air purifier is a wise investment, as frequent wildfires become a reality in the face of climate change.

A $200 air purifier isn't an easy everyday purchase, but if you're in a pinch and need to buy one for your home ASAP, we want you to find the best price on them. We found the best deals on air purifiers to cleanse your home's air protecting it from smoke, pollen, pet dander, and more.

The best air purifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark BreatheClear Smart Air Purifier $249.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $80   Get Deal

Shark makes impressive air purifiers that you can set and forget about. With its signature NeverChange filters, you can go six years without changing the filter. With a LCD screen, the Shark displays air quality in real time so you can assess it and watch the air purifier respond. It works to react faster, continuously filtering for smoke, pollen, dust, dander, and VOCs from paint and aerosols.

Right now, the get the Shark BreatheClear Smart Air Purifier for 24% off, bringing it down to $249.99. That saves you $70 off its $329.99 list price.

Want to explore your options? There are plenty more air purifiers ata variety of price points to shop right now.

More air purifier deals

• Levoit Mini-P — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Levoit Core300-P — $84.99 $99.99 (save $15)

• Blueair Blue Pure 511 — $84.99 $99.99 (save $15)

• Levoit Vital 100S-P — $109.99 $139.99 (save $30)

• Levoit Vital Pet Pro — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• Levoit Vital 200S-P — $169.98 $189.99 (save $20.01)

• Shark BreatheClear Compact Pro — $179.99 $229.99 (save $50)

• Levoit Core 400S-P — $181.92 $219.99 (save $38.07)

• Dreo MC710S Air Purifier Tower Fan — $296.96 $329.99 (save $33.03)

SAVE $700: As of July 17, the Hookii Neomow X robot lawn mower is on sale for just $1,499 with an on-page coupon at Amazon. That's a saving of 32% or $700 off its list price of $2,199.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hookii Hookii Neomow X $1,499 at Amazon
$2,199 Save $700 *with on-page coupon* Get Deal

If mowing the lawn is a chore you'd rather not do, I suggest looking into a robot lawn mower. Yes, they're expensive, but if you keep your eyes peeled on Amazon, you can often find a sweet deal. Case in point: an on-page coupon knocks $700 off the Hookii Neomow X.

As of July 17, the Hookii Neomow X robot lawn mower is down to just $1,499 from its usual $2,199. That's a 32% price drop and the cheapest this model has ever been, according to our favorite price-tracking tool.

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This robot mower uses AI Vision, 3D LiDAR, and visual recognition to distinguish your lawn's boundaries and avoid obstacles in real time. It may take some time for it to map out your yard initially, but once it's familiar, you can view the layout on the map, manage your zones, set exclusion areas, draw virtual walls, and more. Mashable's sister site CNET tested this mower and found that it had some issues in certain areas, so they recommended properly setting boundaries for exclusionary zones.

It's suitable for flat or slightly sloped lawns up to 24 degrees and can mow up to .75 acres (about 32,000 square feet). A single charge will give you about two hours of operation.

If that sounds like your yard, the Hookii Neomow X could be the ideal mower to take over your lawn care duties this summer. Snag it while it's $700 cheaper than usual — and don't forget to check the box next to the on-page coupon price.

A research scientist at Lockheed, he came up with the idea for a computer system that would search scientific and technical literature almost instantaneously.

TL;DR: 7-Eleven and Hot Wheels are back with another exclusive collectible, this time a 2017 Nissan GT-R (R35). It's available now for $7.11 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores, as well as online at 7Collection, while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: 7-Eleven / Hot Wheels 7-Eleven Hot Wheels Nissan GT-R $7.11 at 7Collection
  Shop Now

If you're a Hot Wheels collector, your next stop might be 7-Eleven.

The retailer has teamed up with Mattel for a second year to release an exclusive Hot Wheels 2017 Nissan GT-R (R35). The limited-edition collectible is available now for $7.11 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes locations, as well as online at 7Collection. Don't wait too long, though — it's only available while supplies last.

Credit: 7-Eleven / Hot Wheels Credit: 7-Eleven / Hot Wheels What makes this Hot Wheels exclusive so special?

This year's release spotlights the iconic 2017 Nissan GT-R (R35), one of Nissan's most recognizable performance cars. The 1:64-scale die-cast features a clean white finish with 7-Eleven branding on the hood and sides, giving the sports car a playful convenience-store makeover that's made for collectors.

The collectible is part of Hot Wheels' Silver Series, which means it comes with extra detailing compared to the brand's standard cars. It also arrives in exclusive 7-Eleven-themed packaging, making it just as display-worthy as the car itself.

If you miss out on the 2017 Nissan GT-R (R35), there's more on the way. 7-Eleven says an expanded collection of limited-edition merchandise will arrive soon.

Throughout Season 1 of Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Paula Sanders (Tatiana Maslany) has been through hell. She's been scammed and arrested. She's shot a man and become embroiled in a criminal conspiracy. And through it all, she's been enduring a nasty custody battle with her ex, Carl (Jake Johnson), over her daughter, Hazel (Nola Wallace).

SEE ALSO: 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed' review: The power of Tatiana Maslany makes this thriller a must-watch

That all comes to a head in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed's Season 1 finale, which sees Paula and Carl officially go to court. Spoiler alert: Paula manages to keep custody of Hazel, but not before she's publicly chewed out for her transactions with cam boy Trevor (Brandon Flynn).

In a Say More interview with Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards, Maslany broke down the heated moment.

"Reading [the scene], I'm like, oh, Paula's in a situation where Carl would never be questioned for the affair he had, because his affair has landed him with a woman who has a lot of money and a good life," Maslany explained.

While Carl's affair has brought him stability, Paula's own sex life has "derailed" her, Maslany explained, putting her desires under the microscope.

"The impulse to seek out connection or sexual gratification — that's almost more on trial than anything else," Maslany said of the custody hearing. "It's a wonderful thing [for Paula] to be able to articulate, in sort of clumsy language, a retort to that, and that she doesn't just acquiesce [and say], 'Yes, I shouldn't have done that, and I'm bad, and I'll never do it again.'"

To hear more about Maslany's reaction to Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, and how she found the character of Paula, watch the full interview above.

All episodes of Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed are now streaming on Apple TV.