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As a science reporter, Katrina Miller covers the cosmos, innovations in physics, space exploration and more.

TL;DR: Through July 21, get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for just £47.23 (reg. £236.15) on sale for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription £47.23 at the Mashable Shop
£236.15 Save £188.92 Get Deal

It's all too common to find ourselves endlessly scrolling through social media feeds or getting lost in the constant stream of news updates. These activities can lead to wasted hours and can even increase stress levels.

This summer, break free from these time-wasting cycles and invest in a tool that can benefit your personal growth and well-being. A lifetime subscription to Headway, an app that gives you useful summaries of nonfiction bestsellers, is now available for a one-time fee of £47.23 when you order through July 21.

Headway was made to empower you with a vast library of easy-to-digest summaries of best-selling nonfiction books. These summaries span a wide range of topics, from self-improvement and productivity to psychology and business. With Headway summaries, you can gain key insights and actionable advice from some of the world’s most popular books in just 15 minutes a day — and you can get them in audio or written versions.

The app also offers gamified learning and tailored recommendations based on your interests and goals. Whether you want to improve your leadership skills, learn about mindfulness, or explore new business strategies, Headway has something for everyone.

Your Headway Premium plan boasts interactive features like quizzes and actionable insights to help you retain information and apply what you’ve learned in real life. These tools help make learning engaging and practical.

Turn those in-between moments into opportunities for growth. Whether you're waiting in line at the store, commuting, or taking a break, the Headway Premium app makes it easier to learn something useful instead of scrolling through TikTok.

Stay motivated and focused with a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium on sale for Memorial Day for just £47.23 (reg. £236.15).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch Spain vs. England in Euro 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

After an incredible group stage full of entertaining fixtures and some seriously intense knockout rounds, we have reached the Euro 2024 final. It all comes down to this, and you can watch every minute of the action from anywhere in the world. And better yet, you don't need to spend anything to see how things unfold.

Spain have looked the best team by far in the tournament. They beat defeated the defending champions Italy, knocked out hosts Germany, and toppled the mighty France. On paper, this is Spain's tournament for the taking.

But England have sparked to life in the last few games. They started the tournament poorly, but found their groove over the last two games and played some beautiful football in the semi-final against the Netherlands. Can England break the curse of almost 60 years and win a major trophy?

If you want to watch Spain vs. England in Euro 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. England?

Spain vs. England in the Euro 2024 final kicks off at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST on July 14. This fixture takes place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.

How to watch Spain vs. England for free

Spain vs. England in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by BBC and ITV, with free live streaming available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

BBC iPlayer and ITVX are geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access BBC iPlayer and ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer and ITVX by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer and ITVX

5. Stream Spain vs. England in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer and ITVX without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but you'll be able to stream the Euro 2024 final and other international sports events for free from anywhere in the world.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer and ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer and ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Spain vs. England in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for July 14's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Moving pictures.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter V.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle...

VIDEO.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

• iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $329.99 (List Price $599.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet — $178.99 (List Price $219.99)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $199.00 (List Price $249.00)

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• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for July 14's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Sharp objects

• Green: Wear and tear

• Blue: Career

• Purple: Types of nuts

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Slender Projections

• Green: Conditions for Collectibles

• Blue: Profession

• Purple: Words Before "Nut"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #399 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Slender Projections: POINT, PRONG, TINE, TIP

• Conditions for Collectibles: FAIR, FINE, GOOD, MINT

• Profession: BUSINESS, FIELD, LINE, TRADE

• Words Before "Nut": BRAZIL, BUTTER, DOUGH, PINE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

• iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $329.99 (List Price $599.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet — $178.99 (List Price $219.99)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $199.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders) — $149.99 (List Price $199.99)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)

Meta has given Presidential nominee Donald Trump free reign of his Facebook and Instagram accounts, as the tech giant reset the candidate's page restrictions in favor of an equal digital playing field ahead of the November election.

Following a two-year suspension of his accounts in 2021, spurred by his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection attempt, Trump's accounts were reinstated on a provisional basis. Meta warned that even the smallest policy violation could result in a long-term ban. Trump was also previously banned from posting on X (formerly Twitter).

SEE ALSO: What happened at Biden's speech, translated via tweets

"With the party conventions taking place shortly, including the Republican convention next week, the candidates for President of the United States will soon be formally nominated," the company wrote in an update the 2023 reinstatement. "In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President on the same basis. As a result, former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties."

Shortly after Meta's announcement, the Biden administration issued a statement decrying the company's decision as "greedy" and "reckless."

In a quote for the Hill, Biden campaign national spokesperson Charles Lutvak said: “Restoring his access is like handing your car keys to someone you know will drive your car into a crowd and off a cliff. It is holding a megaphone for a bonafide racist who will shout his hate and white supremacy from the rooftops and try to take it mainstream. Without question, it is a direct attack on our safety and our democracy.”

Meta added that the previous restrictions were due to "extreme and extraordinary circumstances" that warranted invoking heightened penalties for public figures during times of civil unrest. Now, policy violations on Trump accounts will only result in the typical short-term suspension, and the company pledged to hold both presidential candidates to the "same Community Standards as all Facebook and Instagram users," including policies on hate speech and incitement to violence.

The U.S. Senate has unveiled yet another AI protections bill among a series of similar initiatives, this time aimed at safeguarding the work of artists and other creatives.

Introduced as the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act (COPIED Act), the new legislation would require more precise authentication of digital content and make the removal or tampering of watermarks illegal, the Verge reported, under new AI standards developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The bill specifically requires generative AI developers to add content provenance information (identification data embedded within digital content, like watermarks) to their outputs, or allow individuals to attach such information themselves. More standardized access to such information may help the detection of synthetic, AI generated content like deepfakes, and curb the use of data and other IP without consent. It would also authorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce the new regulations.

SEE ALSO: Someone is turning old Apple blogs into AI content factories with fake authors

A regulatory pathway such as this could effectively help artists, musicians, and even journalists keep their original works out of the data sets used to train AI models — a growing public accessibility issue that's only been exacerbated by recent collaborations between AI giants like OpenAI and media companies. Organizations like artist union SAG-AFTRA, the Recording Industry Association of America, the News/Media Alliance, and Artist Rights Alliance have come out in favor of the legislation.

"We need a fully transparent and accountable supply chain for generative Artificial Intelligence and the content it creates in order to protect everyone’s basic right to control the use of their face, voice, and persona," said SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

Should it pass, the bill would make it easier for such creatives and media owners to set terms for content use, and provide a legal pathway should their work be used without consent or attribution.

SAVE $85: As of July 13, Prime members can grab the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) with Active Noise Cancellation and a wired charging case for just $34.99, down from $119.99. That's 71% off, and a new all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) with Active Noise Cancellation $34.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $85.00 with wired charging case Get Deal

We're just three days away from Prime Day 2024, and Amazon has already rolled out hundreds of worthy early deals. It's an especially great time to shop for eye-popping deals on Kindles, Fire tablets, Echo products, and all the rest of Amazon's branded items. But there's one deal in particular that stands out today: an extra-affordable pair of ANC earbuds.

Prime members can now get the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) with Active Noise Cancellation and a wired charging case on sale for just $34.99, down from $119.99. That's $80 off, or a 71% discount, and a new all-time low price. We were excited when these buds were discounted to $54.99 in the spring, making this an especially notable deal.

SEE ALSO: Lots of wireless earbuds from top brands are on sale ahead of Prime Day

Typically, headphones with ANC do not come in this price range. Mashable's Alex Perry gave the wireless buds a solid 4.25 rating in his 2021 review, saying they "deliver good sound quality, effective ANC, and a slimmed down build for a startlingly low price of $119.99. If you've been looking for a device-agnostic pair of wireless earbuds that will drown out the world around you, look no further." They have some flaws, including too-sensitive touch panels and a limited battery life of about five hours with ANC. But we'd be willing to deal with some minor drawbacks for a steal like this.

Feel free to compare and contrast this deal to other early Prime Day wireless earbuds deals and noise-cancelling headphones deals — but if you want a decent pair of ANC earbuds for the cost of a dinner, we suggest jumping on this price for the Echo Buds.

Researchers are exploring the existential implications of generative AI, including whether or not the advancing technology will actually make humans more creatively capable — or narrow our views.

The new study, published in Science Advances by two University College London and University of Exeter researchers, tested hundreds of short stories created solely by humans against those created with the creative help of ChatGPT's generative AI. One group of writers had access solely to their own ideas, a second group could ask ChatGPT for one story idea, and a third could work with a set of five ChatGPT made prompts. The stories were then rated on "novelty, usefulness (i.e. likelihood of publishing), and emotional enjoyment," reported TechCrunch.

"These results point to an increase in individual creativity at the risk of losing collective novelty," the study reads. "This dynamic resembles a social dilemma: With generative AI, writers are individually better off, but collectively a narrower scope of novel content is produced."

SEE ALSO: TikTok bad actors are using AI to churn out political misinformation, new report shows

Participants were "measured" for creativity prior to the writing session with a commonly used word-production task that builds a standard of creativity among respondents. Those who tested lower on these creativity proxy tests received better scores on their personal writing when given access to AI-generated ideas. But for those with already high creativity scores, AI ideas had little to no benefit on their story ratings.

Additionally, the pool of stories aided by AI-generated prompts were deemed to be less diverse and displayed less unique writing characteristics, suggesting the limits of ChatGPT's all-around ingenuity. The new study's literary findings add to concerns about AI's self-consuming training loops, or the problem of AI models trained only on AI outputs degrading AI models themselves, Mashable's Cecily Mauran reported.

Study author Oliver Hauser said in a comment to TechCrunch: "Our study represents an early view on a very big question on how large language models and generative AI more generally will affect human activities, including creativity... It will be important that AI is actually being evaluated rigorously — rather than just implemented widely, under the assumption that it will have positive outcomes."

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 13 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 13

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, July 13, 2024:

Across"Goodfellas" group

• The answer is Mob.

Actress Julia ___-Dreyfus

• The answer is Louis.

Club soda lookalike

• The answer is Seltzer.

Apple consumer

• The answer is Eve.

Versatile blackjack card

• The answer is Ace.

File-sharing option from an Apple device

• The answer is Airdrop.

Hot beverage dispensers at a breakfast buffet

• The answer is Tea urns.

Endured

• The answer is Stood.

Down"Naked" rodent

• The answer is Molerat.

The first "O" in a worker's "O.O.O." message

• The answer is Out.

___ world (upside-down reality)

• The answer is Bizzaro.

Tariffs

• The answer is Levies.

Runner-up's place

• The answer is Second.

Window, middle or aisle

• The answer is Seat.

Workout units in a set

• The answer is Reps.

Twosome

• The answer is Duo.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Smartwatches and activity trackers are a dime a dozen these days, but there are a few brands that stand out. Apple Watch has cultivated a stellar reputation in the smartwatch category — and the upcoming Series 10 is rumored to come with some cool new upgrades — while brands like Fitbit have dominated the fitness tracking space. Since Google acquired Fitbit back in 2019, competition between the two brands has been fierce, especially now that the Google Pixel Watches utilize Fitbit’s health and wellness tracking.

While there are certainly some stark differences between Apple Watches and Fitbits — and comparing certain models might seem like comparing apples and oranges — Google’s push into the smartwatch category, as well as Apple’s increasing dedication to health tracking features, means there’s more crossover between these brands than ever before.

So, is it better to get an Apple Watch or a Fitbit? I put them to the test over the last few weeks, and here’s everything you need to know.

Left: Google Pixel Watch 2 (with Fitbit integration) Right: Apple Watch Series 4 Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Sizes and screens

When it comes to display quality and screen size, there’s quite a bit of variety to choose from, especially when it comes to Fitbit. Because the brand offers both activity trackers and smartwatches, their trackers tend to be a bit smaller, simpler, and more discreet — the 1.45-inch Charge 6 touts a full-color AMOLED display with a maximum brightness of 450 nits — while their smartwatches offer larger, higher-quality displays. The Google Pixel Watch 2, for example, boasts a 41mm AMOLED display with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, making it a much better option for those interested in a brighter, clearer display.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 2: How are they different?

While Apple doesn’t offer traditional fitness trackers, it does offer a solid range of smartwatch sizes — which is definitely a win compared to Fitbit’s single-size smartwatch offerings. The Series 9 is available in 41mm or 45mm (with the SE available in 40mm or 44mm, as well as the Ultra 2 in 49mm), and it has an unmatched Retina LTPO OLED display with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. 

Winner: Apple

Internal hardware

While Fitbit boasts a broader product range, which means a wider variety of internal hardware, I decided to pit smartwatch against smartwatch to see which has the most impressive specs in this category. I was pleased to discover the Google Pixel Watch 2 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chip, as well as 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, but the Apple Watch Series 9’s specs are equally impressive with Apple’s S9 chip, 1GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Performance-wise, it would be pretty hard to distinguish between the two without rigorous side-by-side testing.

Winner: Tie

Health and fitness tracking

Both Apple Watch and Fitbit offer access to user-friendly health and fitness tracking, which means both brands allow you to track various metrics like steps, heart rate, workout duration, calories burned, sleep, and more. However, the best fitness tracker ultimately depends on what data you’re interested in tracking, as this varies from brand to brand and from product to product.

Fitbit offers a wider range of activity trackers. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

For example, both Fitbit and Apple Watch offer sleep tracking, so you can track things like sleep duration and sleep stages, but both the Series 9 and the Google Pixel Watch 2 have relatively shorter battery lives (18 hours versus 24 hours, respectively). This makes them less-than-ideal for 24/7 wear, especially since they’re a bit bigger than other sleep trackers like the Oura Ring. However, Fitbit’s other activity trackers — including the Luxe, Charge 6, and Inspire 3 — all boast five days of battery life (or more), making them better options for those interested in sleep data.

If you want to track GPS on your runs, both Apple Watch and Fitbit offer built-in GPS on most of their products (aside from the Fitbit Luxe and Inspire 3). Heart Rate Zone training is also possible with both the Pixel Watch 2 and the Series 9, so you can get notifications mid-workout while changing zones, which isn’t available on other Fitbit products. 

Even though Fitbit does some pretty cool health tracking insights — including skin temperature, heart rate variability, and oxygen saturation — none of these are measured using the Google Pixel Watch 2 unless you wear it overnight. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch supports all of these measurements (aside from the since-removed blood oxygen feature) without needing to wear the watch overnight. 

Winner: Tie

Smartwatch functionality

If you’re looking for the best smartwatch between Apple Watch and Fitbit, the answer is pretty clear: choose whatever is compatible with your phone. Apple does seem to have the better smartwatch overall, but that doesn’t really matter much if you aren’t an iPhone user.

SEE ALSO: Shop the best Prime Day fitness tracker deals

If you’re an Android user, the Pixel Watch 2 does stand out over other Fitbit smartwatches. It’s sleek, easy to use, and packed full of useful apps and features — including Google Assistant, Safety Check, and the Google Play Store — making it a more robust smartwatch than other models from Fitbit. Is it the best Android smartwatch on the market? It’s hard to say, especially since the Samsung Galaxy 6 has a pretty solid reputation, but it’s worth watching to see what Google does with Fitbit next. 

If you’re an iPhone user, however, stick with an Apple Watch over a Fitbit smartwatch. Technically, Fitbit’s other smartwatches — the Versa 4 and Sense 2 — are compatible with both Android and iOS, but some of the features (like smartphone notifications) only work with Android phones…and it’s hard to beat Apple’s smartwatch experience.

Winner: Apple Watch

Battery life

As far as battery life, Fitbit takes the crown. The Apple Watch Series 9 does offer an 18-hour battery life (36 hours in low power mode), but the Google Pixel Watch 2 slightly outperforms it with an advertised 24-hour battery life. Other Fitbit products are even more impressive, with a six+ day battery life for Fitbit’s other smartwatches Versa 4 and Sense 2, as well as a five-day battery life for the Fitbit Luxe, seven-day for the Charge 6, and a whopping 10-day charge for the Inspire 3. 

Winner: Fitbit

Durability and longevity

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that can handle all kinds of wear and tear, both Apple Watch and Fitbit are pretty reliable options. All of Fitbit’s products are water resistant up to 50 meters, and the Pixel Watch 2 holds a water-protection rating of 5 ATM (up to 50 meters), as well as an additional IP68 dust and water-protection rating. Apple Watches are also water resistant up to 50 meters — with the Series 9 holding an additional IP6X10 dust resistance rating (the SE does not) — while the Ultra 2 takes the cake with water resistance up to 100 meters, IP6X dust resistance, and an additional EN13319 rating for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters. 

As far as longevity, it’s hard to make a straight comparison between the brands due to the variety of options available. Some Reddit users say that their Fitbit trackers tend to last around two years, while other Redditors report that their Apple Watch typically lasts four to six years. This is pretty on par with my experience, as I’ve been using a Series 4 Apple Watch since January 2019 with no issues. Will the Google Pixel Watch 2 hold up quite as long? It’s a little too soon to tell. 

Winner: Apple Watch

Smartphone compatibility

You might be wondering, “Is Fitbit compatible with iPhone?” Honestly, it depends.

The Fitbit app is compatible with most popular smartphones — including iOS and Android devices — and all of Fitbit’s products are technically compatible with iPhone, aside from the Google Pixel Watch and the Pixel Watch 2. However, it’s important to note that Fitbit’s other smartwatches (the Versa 4 and the Sense 2) are technically compatible with iPhones, but that doesn’t include many of the additional features like smartphone notifications. 

That being said, the best option for you depends on your phone. If you use an iPhone, stick with an Apple Watch or one of Fitbit’s activity trackers. If you use an Android device, you can use any of Fitbit’s products, which technically makes Fitbit the winner of this category.

Winner: Fitbit

Price range

Fitbit’s wider product range means it has a better price range, too. If you’re operating on a budget, that means Fitbit is the way to go. Its activity trackers are quite a bit cheaper than its smartwatches, with the Inspire 3 starting at $99, and its most popular tracker, the Charge 6, clocks in at $159. 

If you’re looking for a smartwatch, however, the prices are a little more comparable between brands. The Google Pixel Watch 2 starts at $349, making it slightly cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 9 (starts at $399) and slightly more expensive than the Apple Watch SE (starts at $249). 

Yes, technically, there are more smartwatch options available from Fitbit — the Versa 4 ($199) and the Sense 2 ($249) — but considering they lack app stores, it doesn’t really feel right to put them on the same tier as the Pixel Watch 2 or the Series 9. Fitbit also offers a kid-friendly smartwatch, the Ace LTE ($299), but it requires an additional $9.99 per month data plan.

Winner: Fitbit

Other features

While I enjoyed using Fitbit’s products, there weren’t many standout features that made me love one more than the other. The Pixel Watch 2 is a solid smartwatch, but so is the Series 9, so — again — it really depends on what phone you’re using. 

As far as activity trackers go, Fitbit had one semi-critical feature missing, at least for fellow gym rats: most of its lineup isn’t compatible with exercise equipment, aside from the Charge 6. This means you can’t connect any of your Fitbit devices — including the Google Pixel Watch 2 — to gym equipment (treadmills, stationary bikes, etc.) to view/sync data like heart rate, calories burned, and distance. Meanwhile, this is a baseline feature in Apple Watches — even my old Series 4 connects to compatible equipment at the gym using NFC functionality — which made it all the more surprising to discover that Fitbit skipped that feature.

Is it a dealbreaker? Probably not for most people, but it’s a feature I’ve really loved using on my Apple Watch, so not having it felt weird.

Winner: Apple Watch

The verdict

It’s not exactly the flashiest answer, but the clear winner between Apple Watch and Fitbit depends on you. If you’re looking for a simple fitness tracker, the best Fitbit watch is likely the Charge 6. It packs a powerful punch into a tiny device — including health and fitness tracking, sleep tracking, built-in GPS, and more — while boasting a great battery life and a solid price tag.

If you’re more interested in a quality smartwatch, then get whatever works with your phone. The Apple Watch is a fantastic choice that’s both functional and durable, but the Google Pixel Watch 2 is shaping up to be a decent competitor.

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Confession: I've finished a startlingly low number of books since I finished high school.

It's not that I dislike books or struggle with comprehension or anything like that. Instead, my particular brand of ADHD makes it difficult to find the motivation to start and focus when I do, plus I just don't like holding books in my hands that much. Depending on their size, both paperbacks and hardcovers can just be a little cumbersome to handle, especially if you like reading one-handed like I do.

SEE ALSO: Kindle vs. Paperwhite: Which Amazon e-reader is superior?

I'm happy to say the 2021 edition of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is nearly perfect for folks who'd love to read more if not for all the little annoying things about reading. Both the ad-supported $140 model (which I used for this review) and the ad-free, $190 Signature Edition feature bigger 6.8-inch displays that look fantastic under any lighting, weeks-long battery life, and a flawless form factor fit for lazy one-handed readers like myself.

And with Prime Day, the sticker price will almost certainly go down. Amazon discounted the Paperwhite by $55 a year ago, for instance.

Even with some price and performance concerns, Amazon's latest Kindle can, uh, re-kindle your interest in reading.

Kindle Paperwhite price and specs The screen is bright without hurting your eyes. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

In its first Paperwhite update since 2018, Amazon didn't stray too far from its previous efforts. Both the cheaper Paperwhite and the Signature Edition feature almost identical specs:

• 6.8-inch display with 17 LEDs and 300ppi (up from 6 inches on the 2018 model)

• New USB-C charging port with up to 10 hours of battery life on a full charge

• Signature Edition supports wireless Qi charging

• 8GB storage on the base $139.99 model, 16GB for $149.99, and 32GB on the $189.99 Signature Edition

• IPx8 waterproof rating, can be fully submerged

Amazon managed to bump the screen size up by nearly a full inch without making huge weight sacrifices. At 205g (208g in the Signature Edition), it's only marginally heavier than the 182g model from three years ago, perhaps due to the dramatically thinner bezels around the screen

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles to buy: Every Amazon e-reader reviewed and ranked Better than books

As I mentioned before, part of the reason I don't read as often as I should is that I'm lazy and prefer to lounge around with one hand free. Some actual books just don't accommodate that lifestyle due to their size and weight distribution. This Kindle Paperwhite is just heavy enough to not feel cheap and flimsy, without being a hindrance on the one-handed readers among us.

This is a fully touch-driven Kindle with no buttons for turning pages. A simple tap or swipe does the trick. Tapping the top of the screen while reading brings up a quick toolbar with options for going back to the home screen, changing font sizes and styles, and enabling a simple page-turn animation. Swiping down from the top pulls out another menu for turning on Bluetooth for listening to Audible audiobooks, adjusting screen brightness and warmth, and turning dark mode on or off.

You can adjust screen warmth to make it more comfortable to look at in different settings. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

Highlighting passages, looking up the definitions of words, and bookmarking pages are all here, too. All of those nifty features are secondary to reading books, however, and the excellent Paperwhite display makes that a delight.

Text is sharp even when holding the device right up to your face. The glare-free screen is immensely legible and pleasing to the eye in all kinds of lighting. I've read Frank Herbert's meandering epic Dune (what can I say, I've got sandworm fever) on the new Paperwhite both outdoors in the shining sun and indoors at night with the lights turned off. In both scenarios, it was as comfortable as reading off an actual page with a light shining on it. Even at high brightness, the screen didn't hurt my eyes, either. You can truly take the new Paperwhite with you anywhere and have a good time reading it.

I'd be remiss not to mention the small but important addition of a USB-C charging port. As we move further and further into a USB-C world, this is a godsend and was probably overdue, seeing as the how 2018 model didn't have it. It sits on the bottom of the device next to the power button, which is the only button you'll find here.

It should go without saying at this point that I loved everything about the new Kindle Paperwhite's physical design. This is an ideal e-reader for me once you actually have a book ready to go on the screen. Unfortunately, getting to that point can be somewhat troublesome.

Slow and mostly steady

Amazon doesn't set out to make iPad-level powerhouse tablets with the Kindle Paperwhite line. You use these devices to read or listen to books, and that's about it. Amazon promised better overall performance and responsiveness with the latest Paperwhite, and while my experience with it was mostly fine, I did run into a couple of technical blemishes.

Simply navigating the Kindle's straightforward menus is sometimes more of a chore than it needs to be because this screen was only designed to display still text. Scrolling up and down through lists of books or settings is jittery and slow rather than smooth like you would expect from almost any other touch-based device released in 2021. It's responsive enough that you can accomplish whatever you're trying to accomplish, be it searching for a new book or changing screen brightness, without too much hassle. But you won't have much fun doing it.

USB-C is always welcome. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

I totally get that Amazon designs these Kindles to be really good for reading books at the expense of doing, well, anything else. The tremendous form factor and top-notch display outweigh these small performance hurdles for me because, again, I'm not expecting an iPad or even a Fire HD tablet here. Even with those low expectations in mind, though, it still feels a little behind the times.

It doesn't help that, on one occasion, the Paperwhite froze and became completely unresponsive in the middle of reading Dune. I waited several minutes for it to un-jam itself and that didn't happen. Holding the power button down for 40 seconds or so hard reset the device and I was able to get back to reading after that, but still, I felt this needed to be noted.

Aside from that one anomalous freeze, performance on the Kindle Paperwhite was at least consistently at that a-little-too-slow level in my time with it. I respect consistency because at least I know what to expect.

One final aspect of the performance to note is battery life. Amazon rates the new Kindle Paperwhite for up to 10 weeks of battery on a full charge. I only had the device for a little less than a week, so it was not possible for me to fully verify that. With that in mind, though, the battery drained by a mere 10 percent or so in that time frame. Maybe you won't get 10 weeks out of it if you read for hours every day, but it'll last a good, long while no matter how you shake it.

Big jump to get rid of ads

I can learn to live with the Kindle Paperwhite's laggy performance and even the odd lock-up every now and then. Everything else about actually using the device is largely excellent and actually got me, a person with severe attention span problems, to willingly sit down to read a dense sci-fi screed about religion and feudalism. The one thing that actually gives me pause in recommending it to people is the price.

At $140, I feel that the standard 2021 Kindle Paperwhite is maybe a little too pricey, but avid readers will get their money's worth. It's the Signature Edition, which bolts on an extra $50 for the privilege of not seeing ads, getting some extra storage space, and being able to have the Kindle automatically adjust brightness based on the light level in the room that bothers me. Tying storage and bonus features to a price hike is standard fare in tech, but the ad thing is just slimy. Doesn't Amazon make enough money already?

Is the Kindle Paperwhite worth it?

The good news is that these aren't your only Kindle options. The entry-level Kindle is $99.99 and will probably do the job if all you want is a competent e-reader. If you can afford to pay extra for the Paperwhite, however, you won't regret it. This little book tablet's massive battery, gorgeous and versatile display, and maximal hand comfort made me enjoy reading more in the several days I spent with it than I had in several years prior.

And if you're as severely Dune-pilled as I am right now, this is much better than hauling around a massive book.

Kindle Paperwhite $149.99 at Amazon
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Subscriptions and pricing

Amazon Music offers three subscription plans with different features: Free, Prime, and Unlimited. A free plan includes ads and only allows you to shuffle an artist, album, or playlist, not to play those songs in order. Amazon Music Prime, which comes free with an Amazon Prime subscription, is ad-free but still shuffle-only. The Amazon Music Unlimited plan offers shuffle and non-shuffle listening and HD and spatial audio for $9.99 per month for Prime members ($10.99 per month for non-Prime members). The Amazon Music Family Plan includes up to six accounts and is $16.99 per month.

In this comparison, we will be focusing on Amazon Music Unlimited.

All Apple Music subscription plans offer the same features, just for different users. New subscribers get one month of Apple Music for free. After that, an individual monthly subscription is $10.99 per month, and Apple Music Family Plan (up to five accounts) is $16.99 per month. Students can choose the Apple Music Student Plan at $5.99 per month.

Winner: Tie

Music quality

Both Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music offer Dolby Atmos, a surround sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories, as their highest streaming quality. Dolby Atmos is a huge upgrade to the compressed crunch of competing platforms like Spotify, which does not offer playback at such a high quality. Atmos pushes ad-libs and hidden instrumentals to the foreground, making the music sound much more detailed.

Not all songs on Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music are available in Dolby Atmos, but tracks that are playable at that quality will be marked with a label. Amazon Music Unlimited tracks range in quality from standard definition (SD) audio to high-definition (HD) and ultra-high-definition (UHD) lossless formats. The majority of Apple Music tracks, meanwhile, are available in lossless audio as a default, which is another win over competitor Spotify.

Winner: Apple Music

Mobile app features

Both Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music offer an iPhone mobile app. Since most people listen to music on the go, we spent our time using these apps and listening to music on mobile.

On both apps, song lyrics are very easy to access on screen. On some songs, Apple Music displays a cute animation of album art, and an "Apple Music Sing" feature lowers the artist's voice so you can more easily sing over the song's instrumental. Amazon Music Unlimited's "X-Ray" feature displays fun facts about the artist as a song plays.

If you use an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV 4K, Mac, or HomePod speakers, Apple Music is already conveniently available on your device. However, while Apple has a separate app for podcasts, the Amazon Music app provides access to both music and podcasts. Simply choose your preference in the app's "Home" and "Library" tabs by toggling between "Music" and "Podcasts" at the top of the screen.

After using both apps, Amazon Music Unlimited edged out Apple with a selection of suggested content that felt more relevant and robust and with its inclusion of podcasts in-app. But Apple Music's user interface felt more intuitive and easy to use.

Winner: Tie

Artist compensation

According to the latest information made available by Apple Music in 2021, the platform pays an average of $0.01 per stream, though this varies by subscription plan and country or region. No official payment information is available from Amazon Music, but a 2021 estimate claims that the platform's average payout is significantly lower than that of Apple Music, coming in between just $0.004 and $0.008 per stream.

Winner: Apple Music

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Price

Our first category is the simplest. One number is higher than the other, after all.

In terms of price, the regular Kindle walks away with this one because it's $40 cheaper than the Paperwhite. Whatever other advantages the Paperwhite may have, it will never have that one. Unless there's a really amazing Prime Day deal, of course.

Winner: Kindle (2022)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Design Warm light is a welcome option. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

Both devices are imminently recognizable as Kindles, with default black colorways giving way to bulky bezels around Amazon's signature Kindle displays. While one doesn't necessarily look cooler or all that different from the other, there are major size differences to consider.

Here's how the two Kindles stack up in terms of dimensions:

• Kindle (2022): 6.2-inch x 4.3-inch x 0.32-inch with 6-inch display

• Kindle Paperwhite (2021): 6.9-inch x 4.9-inch x 0.32-inch with 6.8-inch display

The Paperwhite is a good deal larger than the regular Kindle, which is its main selling point. It also has an adjustable front light with 17 LEDs, compared to the four LEDs on the regular Kindle. If you need a bigger and/or brighter display, the Paperwhite is the one to get. It also allows you to use a "warm light" option for a more pleasant reading experience in the dark.

Just know that you're going to sacrifice some weight along the way. The regular Kindle comes in at 5.56 ounces, while the Paperwhite is a relatively bulky 7.23 ounces. Still, the Paperwhite has more going for it in terms of design, regardless.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Features One of the all-time great book titles. Credit: Mallory Minich / Mashable

This would've been a much more substantial conversation a few years ago. There was a time when the regular Kindle didn't even have a front light, which made the Paperwhite much more desirable by comparison. However, times have changed.

These days, the two devices' functionality is very similar. Both can read books (duh), play audiobooks via Bluetooth, and have screens that should look fine in sunlight due to a lack of glare. Unfortunately, both will display advertisements on the lock screen unless you pay an extra $20 for either Kindle.

Because the two devices' basic functionality is so similar, this one is kind of a wash. You'll be fine either way.

Winner: Tie

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Storage

Here is where things get interesting.

Usually, the more expensive device has higher storage. That's how tech works, right? Not so with these two e-readers. The 2022 Kindle, despite being $40 cheaper before any Prime Day discounts, actually has twice as much storage at 16GB as the 8GB Paperwhite base model. Though, you can upgrade the Paperwhite to 16GB for $149.99 (or $10 extra). There's a substantially more expensive Paperwhite Signature Edition with 32GB of storage, but that doesn't help us here.

Winner: Kindle (2022)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Battery life

Time to normalize things a little bit. This time, the more expensive device is the better option.

Amazon rates the 2022 Kindle for six weeks of battery life on a full charge. As for the Paperwhite, the estimated battery life is a whopping 10 weeks. This is arguably splitting hairs because there's not much functional difference between having to plug in the Kindle every six weeks versus every 10 weeks, but 10 is greater than six, so the Paperwhite wins.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Water resistance

Some people like reading at the pool, at the beach, or in the bathtub. Why not? It's super relaxing. If you're one of those people, there's a clear winner here.

The 2022 Kindle is not waterproof at all. Don't get it wet. The 2021 Paperwhite, meanwhile, has an IPX8 rating, which, according to Amazon, means it can survive for up to 60 minutes submerged in up to two meters of water. That seems like a fairly unrealistic scenario, so if you accidentally drop the Kindle Paperwhite in the bathtub, you won't need to buy another device.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

The bottom line is that Apple Watch Ultra 1 is a very capable device, with Apple hitting all the right spots from the get go: It's rugged, durable, has great battery life, and is great for serious sporting activities, be it diving, snorkeling, hiking, or running.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is, in many ways, identical to the original. It looks exactly the same, has a very similar (albeit brighter) display, very similar battery life, and pretty much the same set of features when it comes to durability, health, or fitness tracking. Instead of listing the similarities, we'll focus on the differences, and see why you should choose one over the other.

Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Price

We said this wouldn't be complicated, but this part kind of is. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 costs $799, and the Apple Watch Ultra isn't really for sale new anymore. You can, however, get it on Amazon, Best Buy, eBay; we've seen refurbished units go for less than $500. If you can get one, that's a pretty sweet deal.

Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Design If you're buying it for the looks, then it doesn't matter if you get the Ultra 1 or Ultra 2; they're the same. Credit: Apple

There's nothing to say here except this: The two devices look exactly the same. Even the display resolution is identical at 410x502 pixels. The Ultra 2 is significantly brighter though, at 3,000 nits vs. the Ultra 1's 2,000 nits maximum. This is important for outdoorsy types (which is sort of who this device is aimed at), as higher brightness makes it easier to use the watch in direct sunlight.

Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Specs

The Apple Watch Ultra has an Apple S8, dual-core processor, the first generation of Apple's ultra-wideband chip, with 32GB of storage; the Ultra 2 has the S9, dual-core processor, the second generation ultra-wideband chip, and 64GB of storage. It is a significant upgrade, but we bet a lot of users won't notice the difference. Personally, I jumped from a Series 6 to a Series 9 Apple Watch, which is a far bigger leap in specs, and I did notice it was a little snappier, but it still wasn't a massive upgrade.

Other specs, such as dust and water resistance, the customizable action button on the side, and a multitude of sensors that track temperature, heart-rate and other metrics, have remained unchanged on the Ultra 2.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2024 is coming: 100+ of the best early deals you can already shop

Bottom line: Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is fast, but the old model should also be plenty fast for most users.

One more thing: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports Apple's Double Tap gesture. It can be a nice addition if you get used to it; personally, I never managed to do so, and I stopped using it after initial testing.

Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Health and fitness tracking Love Apple's Double Tap feature? Then the Ultra 2 is for you. Credit: Apple

The story here is again simple: The Ultra and the Ultra 2 have essentially the same health and fitness features. They both track your heart rate and sleep, as well as water depth, and temperature, among other metrics. Also, they both have crash and fall detection.

Curiously, the old Apple Watch Ultra wins on one count: It has a Blood Oxygen app, which is not present on newer Ultra 2 models in the U.S. due to Apple's legal issues with medical tech company Masimo.

Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Battery Life

The Ultra has a standard battery life of 36 hours, and extended battery life of 60 hours in Low Power mode. The Ultra 2 improves on this slightly; it has the same standard battery life of 36 hours, but the extended battery life in Low Power mode is 72 hours. It's not much, but it is something to consider if you often take the watch for multi-day hikes or very long races.

Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Should you upgrade?

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 costs $799, and it's a good price, considering that sports watches from the likes of Garmin and Suunto often cost north of $1,000 (although these typically feature much higher battery life). Technically, the Apple Watch Ultra isn't for sale new anymore, but we still think it's worth trying to find a refurbished or a pre-owned unit, since the original Ultra is pretty darn similar to the Ultra 2. Finally, if you're looking to upgrade from the Ultra 1 to Ultra 2, we think it's worth waiting for the fall, when Apple might introduce a new version of the Ultra.

When NASA's Hubble Space Telescope observed an odd couple of galaxies about a decade ago, they looked like a penguin and egg, with plenty of breathing room between them. 

But in the James Webb Space Telescope's infrared vision, the two suddenly appear joined in space. What looked like a reddish-brown back vein running down the Penguin's body in the Hubble image suddenly faded in Webb's view — but also extended like an arch connecting to the Egg, pictured as the glowing light on the left side of the image.

The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which runs both Hubble and Webb, released the new image on Friday, recognizing Webb's second anniversary of scientific observations.

SEE ALSO: Webb telescope spots proof of the first stars to light the universe A comparison of the Hubble Space Telescope's visible-light image, left, to the infrared view by the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI

Webb launched from Earth on Christmas morning in 2021, and is now orbiting the sun nearly 1 million miles away. NASA deputy administrator Pam Melroy, a former astronaut, has said the team expects the telescope to work for a long time. It has enough fuel on board to support research for at least the next 20 years.

NASA has promised the new telescope would crack the universe wide open with its penetrating vision and science capabilities, bringing humankind in on secrets of how this all began. Astronomers who saw sneak peeks of the first images told reporters they had chills or an "ugly cry" as some of the very first galaxies to exist popped into focus. 

Researchers say Webb has already ignited a golden age in our understanding of the cosmos. The powerful telescope is studying a period less than 300 million years after the Big Bang, when many of the first stars and galaxies were born. Scientists have also used it to peer into the atmospheres of other worlds. 

A spectacular new view of galaxies captured by the James Webb Space Telescope in deep space, billions of light-years away. Credit: ESA Webb / NASA / CSA / L. Bradley (STScI) / A. Adamo (Stockholm University) / Cosmic Spring collaboration

So far it has not disappointed: Webb has found galaxies that seem far too mature for their age in the early universe, giving astrophysicists a new puzzle to solve, and potential habitable worlds with hints of air.

"Webb is pushing the frontiers of exoplanet characterization to rocky planets," said Renyu Hu, a NASA researcher, in a statement earlier this year. "It is truly enabling a new type of science."

In the new Penguin and Egg image by Webb, the two galaxies, collectively known as Arp 142, sit about 100,000 light-years apart and are some 326 million light-years away from Earth in the southern constellation Hydra. That blue-tinted haze connecting them is an amalgam of stars and gas, scientists say, brewing as the galaxies interact. 

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Signs of those interactions can be found in key locations of the image.

"The galaxies’ 'dance' gravitationally pulled on the Penguin’s thinner areas of gas and dust, causing them to crash in waves and form stars," according to the institute. "Look for those areas in two places: What looks like a fish in its 'beak' and the 'feathers' in its 'tail.'"

The cosmic twirling and whirling will eventually cause the pair of galaxies to merge hundreds of millions of years in the future. It's likely the same thing that will happen to our galaxy with another galactic neighborhood, but not anytime soon. 

"For context, the Milky Way galaxy and our nearest neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy, are about 2.5 million light-years apart," according to the institute. "They too will interact, but not for about 4 billion years."

TL;DR: Through July 21, you can get two 4K drones — the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO and Blade K — for just $159.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Onetify Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K with Blade K Drone Bundle $159.97 at The Mashable Shop
$299.99 Save $140.02 Get Deal

Maybe you're looking for a new hobby this summer, and maybe you want to combine two of your favorite things: photography and being outdoors. One way to do that is by flying a drone. But what's better than one drone? Two.

Through July 21, you can get two 4K drones — the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO and Blade K — for just $159.97 (reg. $299).

The Phantom Eagle

The HD ESC three-camera system is a game-changer, offering both vertical and horizontal shooting to capture crystal-clear images and smooth videos. With four-way obstacle avoidance, it effortlessly detects and dodges obstacles, ensuring a safe and smooth flight every time.

The optical flow feature provides rock-solid stability for precise hovering and accurate positioning. Perfect for all levels, it's designed for professional photographers and videographers, but is also beginner-friendly with its built-in safety features. Plus, it can perform a 360-degree roll, allowing you to ascend, fly in any direction, and fly in a full circle. The headless mode means you don't have to fuss with adjusting the aircraft's position before taking off, and its foldable arms make it easy to store and carry.

The Blade K

The 4K front and bottom cameras on this drone let you capture cinematic, crisp visuals from every angle. Like the Phantom Eagle, it features four-way anti-collision to confidently navigate through obstacles and an optical flow sensor for precise hovering. This one is especially beginner-friendly with intuitive controls, including one-key takeoff and landing, and headless mode. It features 360-degree flying capabilities and has a 1,800mAh battery providing 10 to 12 minutes of flight time. It also has foldable arms for easy storage and portability.

Fly your new hobby home

Until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get outside and enjoy this Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K and Blade K drone bundle on sale for $159.97 (reg. $299).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Start your self-improvement journey with helpful nonfiction summaries from Headway Premium. Lifetime access is on sale for $59.99 with promo code HEADWAY until July 21.

When you start feeling the dread build up as you continue to scroll through social media posts and depressing news, you may begin to wonder if there's something more useful you could be looking at instead. Maybe you've been thinking about ways to improve your communication skills, or how to relax — which we could probably all use, let's be real. 

With over 1,500 quick summaries you can cruise through while you brush your teeth, eat your lunch, or any other time you want to squeeze into your schedule, the Headway Premium app could be just what you're looking for. Through July 21, you can pay just once to access it for life for $44.99 when you enter coupon code HEADWAY.

If you're someone who has the intention of reading but can never find the time to sit down and read a full book, this app can help — although it's not meant to completely replace one. Users can find nonfiction titles that are condensed into 10- to 15-minute reads. Plus, Headway allows you to read, watch, or listen to the content so you can enjoy it the way it makes the most sense for you.

Every month, about 30-50 new titles are added, so you'll never get bored and always have something new to check out. Headway also gamifies your experience by giving you ways to track your progress and earn achievements based on what you've read or listened to!

This deal features a one-time payment that is only available for new users.

Until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium on sale for $59.99 with promo code HEADWAY.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: GTHW App Limited Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $59.99 at The Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Start speaking a foreign language with help from a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning app on sale for $139.97 (reg. $599) through July 17.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $139.97 at The Mashable Shop
$599.00 Save $459.03 Get Deal

Going somewhere cool this summer? If you're traveling overseas, you may want to start learning the language of your destination. But the thought of going back to school might send a shiver down your spine (and your wallet). Thankfully, you don't have to step foot in a classroom to become fluent in another language — you can take lessons from Babbel from anywhere, right on your device. 

Don't miss this limited-time deal on a lifetime subscription to Babbel, discounted to $139.97 (reg. $599) through July 17. 

If you're worried you won't have time for Babbel, fear not. All the lessons are designed to be short and sweet at just 10 to 15 minutes to give you the flexibility your schedule demands. You might be surprised how quickly you can pick it up!

You can learn up to 14 languages with Babbel (one at a time): English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Dutch, Polish, Indonesian, Norwegian, Danish, and Russian.

Babbel features speech-recognition technology that helps you pronounce words and phrases more accurately so you don't sound super touristy on your vacation. You'll learn real-life topics to help you get around in another country and to help you in your journey toward fluency.

One of the best parts about this subscription is that you only pay once to access it for life. Another is that you can download the lessons onto your device, so you can also use it offline if you need — which means last-minute plane studies are within reach.

Book that international flight and score this lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning on sale for $139.97 until July 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Two NASA astronauts who flew the new spaceship Starliner in June have had an unexpected extended stay in space.

While sensational headlines have referred to the test pilots as "stuck" or "stranded," Boeing — the company that built the capsule — has assured the public that the crew are not in any danger and don't need rescuing. 

The astronauts don't seem too fazed, either. 

"We are having a great time here on ISS," one said during the duo's first teleconference from the International Space Station on Wednesday. "It feels good to float around."

Boeing has had a long slog developing the ship, but here's the current situation in a nutshell.

SEE ALSO: The long, thorny history of Boeing's Starliner spaceship Boeing's Starliner spaceship docked at the International Space Station on June 6, 2024. Credit: NASA What is Starliner?

Starliner is a spacecraft Boeing built under a $4.2 billion NASA contract to ferry astronauts back and forth to the International Space Station, which orbits 250 miles above Earth. Starliner launched on its first test flight carrying humans on June 5. Clinching this flight is important for the ship to earn certification for regular operations. 

After NASA retired the Space Shuttle in 2011, the agency had to tag along with the Russians to get its crew to space. Hitching those rides from Kazakhstan cost the United States upward of $86 million per ride, so the U.S. space agency hired both SpaceX and Boeing to build spaceships, with the goal of establishing a commercial space taxi industry. 

That was a decade ago. Though SpaceX has run its Crew Dragon as a taxi for NASA since 2020, the agency never intended to have all its eggs in Elon Musk's basket. However, Boeing's Starliner remains in the testing phase. Regardless, NASA says it still wants a second viable transportation option.

Sunita "Suni" Williams, left, and Barry "Butch" Wilmore practice in a simulator at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Credit: NASA / Robert Markowitz Who are the astronauts piloting the spacecraft? 

Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore, 61, and Sunita "Suni" Williams, 58, are Starliner's first crew, though the spacecraft may eventually carry four astronauts to the space station at a time. 

They are both veteran astronauts. Wilmore, previously a Navy fighter pilot and captain, spent six months in space for Expedition 41 in 2014 and STS-129 for space shuttle Atlantis in 2009 before NASA tapped him to command Starliner. He has a wife and two daughters. 

Williams is the first woman to pilot a new orbital spacecraft. She is also a retired Navy captain with two spaceflights under her belt — Expeditions 14/15 in 2006 and 32/33 in 2012 — totaling close to a year in space. She has a husband, along with an elementary school named after her in Massachusetts. 

Boeing Starliner pilot Suni Williams does a flip after a televised news conference from the International Space Station with Boeing Starliner Commander Butch Wilmore on July 10, 2024. Credit: NASA / YouTube screenshot Why haven't the astronauts come home yet? 

Though the crew reached the space station on June 6, they encountered problems with Starliner's propulsion system right before the ship docked. The issues involved helium leaks and weak thrust, apparently the result of five of the 28 thrusters malfunctioning. The thrusters are necessary for controlling and handling the ship in space. 

The team has since reactivated four of the five faulty thrusters. Boeing has continued to run tests to try to diagnose the problems and says Starliner has more than enough helium, which is used to pressurize the thrusters, to get back home. 

Meanwhile, teams are running additional tests on an extra module on Earth to better understand the thruster issues. These ground tests will try to replicate the firings needed for the ride back home. Because Starliner will ditch the module, leaving it to burn up in the atmosphere, engineers won't be able to check it out after the mission.  

Boeing's Starliner approaches the International Space Station for docking on June 6, 2024. Credit: NASA When are the crew returning to Earth?

Originally, Wilmore and Williams were expected to stay at the space station for just eight days. Because of the problems, they've remained in orbit for an extra month. 

So far, mission managers have not announced a return date as they troubleshoot the service module issues. Boeing leaders told reporters on July 10 that the astronauts might return at the end of this month. Ideally, the team would like for the Starliner crew to leave before another batch of astronauts arrive in mid-August on a SpaceX flight.

Despite sensational headlines calling the crew "stuck" and "stranded," Boeing has adamantly disputed those claims. They have insisted that the ship can fly the astronauts home safely at any time, such as for an emergency evacuation, but that getting as much data as possible now, before they depart and the service module is destroyed, is imperative.

An empty Boeing Starliner capsule landed in the New Mexico desert during a previous test. Credit: NASA / Bill Ingalls Where will Starliner land? 

Don't expect to see this spacecraft plop in the ocean as SpaceX does with its Crew Dragon. Boeing plans to bring Starliner home to the Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. A system of parachutes and air bags will cushion the capsule's desert landing.