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The SAG-AFTRA union wants higher pay for the use of voices and images and protection from losing jobs to artificial intelligence.

Over the past few years, Reddit has experienced surges of traffic from search engines. Why? Many internet users have adopted the practice of adding "Reddit" to the end of whatever they are searching for so they can find conversations and opinions from real people. Whether it be product reviews or travel recommendations, many people are looking to search within Reddit's archives of discussions to find what they want.

Now, however, there seems to be only one search engine where users can actually do this.

As first discovered by the tech outlet 404 Media, Reddit has started blocking the vast majority of the internet's search engines from crawling and indexing their website. This means that Reddit posts are no longer coming up in search results for users on these platforms.

There is one exception though where users can still search Reddit – and that's Google.

SEE ALSO: Reddit is cracking down on AI bots Which search engines are affected and why?

Searching Reddit now on popular search engines like Microsoft's Bing and DuckDuckGo turn up scant recent results from Reddit.com. As 404 Media reports, more recent Reddit links aren't turning up because they weren't crawled and indexed before Reddit made the change.

A Mashable attempt to search Bing for any result from Reddit.com using "site:reddit.com" over the past week turns up zero results.

Reddit announced it was making a change to its Robots Exclusion Protocol (robots.txt) on its website on June 25. At the time, the company noted that it was making the change due to a surge of bots scraping its website. It did not seem from the statement at the time that this meant that organizations and platforms that legitimately help the broader internet and its users would be affected.

"Reddit believes in an open Internet, but not the misuse of public content," Reddit's protocol reads.

Blocking search engines entirely from Reddit would certainly be a controversial move on its own. However, there is one search engine that is pulling up recent search results from Reddit: Google, the search engine that has a financial relationship with the Reddit.

Google and Reddit's relationship

Earlier this year, Reddit and Google entered into a $60 million deal that allows the search giant to use Reddit's content to train its AI models.

In statements provided to multiple outlets, Reddit states that its recent changes aren't related to its partnership with Google 

"We block all crawlers that are unwilling to commit to not using crawl data for AI training, which is in line with enforcing our Public Content Policy and updated robots.txt file," Reddit said in a statement provided to Engadget. 

Engadget also claimed a source indicated that Reddit was excluded from search because Microsoft would not agree to the platform's terms regarding AI.

Reddit's move — if the speculation is true — seems fairly unprecedented, and highlights the hazards of a potential future where search engines become pay-to-play for even organic search results. Mashable has asked Reddit for comment, and will update this story if we find out more.

Kamala Harris is brat. She is the horticulturist of the communal coconut tree that we did not just fall out of. Or just as much the harvester of the apple tree that we did spawn from, if you live by the philosophy of British icon Charli XCX. It's a Kamalaminomenon, in the words of skyrocketing pop star Chappell Roan.

When President Biden announced he'd be stepping off the campaign trail, he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, pegged as the best choice to replace him in the 2024 presidential election. It was clear that Harris' team was poised and ready for the shake-up. Almost immediately, the Biden/Harris HQ social media branding was transformed into the newly "chartreuse" green Kamala HQ, and a spot blasting the inspiring notes of Beyoncé's "Freedom" hit screens days later. She broke fundraising records in the first 24 hours after Biden's announcement. 

It seemed the presidential hopeful was making a new claim in direct response to what the Biden administration represented: An aging ticket, against a similarly aged opponent, that simply wasn't up to speed with what the under-34 vote demanded. Brats and femininomenons and coconut trees were Kamala's — sorry, Harris' — weapons. They were Harris' — no, Kamala's — new PR strategy.

Therein lies the problem (or one of them, anyway). Past the memes and pop music, how were supporters supposed to refer to the Vice President now? "Vice President" surely wasn't pulling in the viral likes. Is it "Kamala HQ"? Or the "Harris campaign"? Is "Momala," as Drew Barrymore tried to make happen, ever appropriate?

SEE ALSO: CNN's embarrassing 'Kamala is brat' segment shows why we should take Gen Z and millennial voters seriously

"Now is a good time to pay attention to the way people are referring to her. Are they referring to her as Kamala? If so, this is a common practice which de-legitimizes a woman in politics. Making a more casual and informal reference to the politician, makes them appear softer and less of a contender. We see this very commonly throughout politics in the United States," said Maggie Perkins in the caption of a viral TikTok video from July 22. Posting "Kamala 2024" is very different from "Harris 2024," said Perkins, drawing parallels to the use of acronyms like "AOC" and "RBG" and the marketing of the Stacey Abrams campaign. "If you think I am overreacting, I would encourage you to pay attention to the way that the media refers to her and the way that other politicians refer to her."

Non-Black creators flocked to the note, fearing that they were playing a part in the denigration of a potentially history-making campaign and forcing another woman of color into the trappings of respectability politics. As writer Charles M. Blow wrote in a New York Times opinion piece from May, following backlash to Barrymore's use of the term "Momala," "Black women and girls spend their entire lives in flight from a society insistent on de-individualizing and dehumanizing them, insistent on forcing them to fit broad generalizations... In this case, the stereotype at play is that of the mammy — the caretaker, the bosom in which all can rest, the apron on which we have a right to hang." 

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

But others online, predominantly Black women and women of color, felt differently. Several pointed to a 2020 YouTube video of actor Mindy Kaling and Harris making dosas together, in which Harris asked to be referred to as "Kamala." Her own campaign branding uses "Kamala," they pointed out, and, in many ways, it is a reclamation of her heritage to use her first name — especially as her own peers refuse to learn its proper pronunciation, decades into her political career. This was the least of our worries, they noted, and unhelpful virtue signaling. 

Popular creators, like childhood educator @mrs.frazzled, began referring their followers to a series of videos posted by Erika Harrison, also known as @blackgirlswhobrunch. "We call [politicians] by their most distinct name. With Kamala, her last name Harris is not very distinctive, but her first name is," Harrison said in one video. "Y'all are trying to defend her in this way that she never asked for, and it is ironic because she has always campaigned around her first name. I get what y'all are trying to do here, but I'm gonna be very direct here: White women, this is a waste of your time."

Harrison was one of nearly 44,000 Black women who attended a post-announcement virtual call with Win With Black Women earlier this week — a record-breaking meeting that saw nearly Black women organizers convening to game-plan the Harris campaign and discuss the path forward. 

In the span of just three days, online sentiments shifted: What started as a call to action that using the name "Kamala" was a form of systemic misogyny or even misogynoir, became the idea that using her first name is a sign of cultural and political respect. As it turns out, both ideas can be true.

Sexism on the campaign trail, and within elected government bodies, is still a pressing issue. A recent study of 60 women in politics conducted by Cosmopolitan and Melinda Gates' Pivotal Ventures showed that sexist biases pervaded things like committee assignments and even salary figures, as well outright harassment in the workplace. Ghida Dagher, CEO and president of New American Leaders, told Cosmopolitan, "Elected positions were created in the image of white landowning men. And these jobs continue to be arranged in a way that supports and reinforces that structure of power."

Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance is currently under fire for saying "childless women," including Harris, should not be in politics.

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In 2015, the Atlantic referred to the trend of "mononymy" (or single name usage) as a trap created by an "informal age of unearned familiarity" in society at large, but especially among voters. For the author, political candidates, who were ever more inclined to use their first names (Take "Jeb" for Jeb Bush, "Bernie" for Bernie Sanders, even "Beto" for Beto O'Rourke), were worryingly shifting into marketing themselves like celebrities. But voters have long clamored for the personalization of their elected leaders (as well as their families), and politicians, both men and women alike, seem to view the "first" versus "last" decision as a question of marketing. Long before the aughts trend and the Harris campaign's "meme army," there was a lineage of acronyms (JFK, RFK) and nicknames ("Ike" and "Teddy") that feel, in many ways, just as informal and just as famous.

All politicians are making carefully crafted branding choices, handpicked for the electorate that will put or keep them in power. When made by women leaders, and especially women of color, those decisions may just have father reaching implications.

When former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ran in 2016, her "I'm With Her" and "Hillary for President" branding leaned into the familiarity, and femininity, of her first name; neither of these were the official slogan, "Stronger Together." There was debate even then: Was "Hillary" an important differentiator from her husband's presidential term, or yet another way to minimize her bid for leader of the free world?

Days after the announcement, Harris' and Clinton's campaigns were already under comparison. Parallels to other notable female historical figures trickled through headlines, including Shirley Chisholm, the first Black candidate for a major party nomination and first Black woman to run for the Democratic nomination. In 1972, Chisholm campaigned on just her last name and the slogan "Unbought and Unbossed." While much is the same, Harris is operating in a different world than Chisholm was, or even Clinton, one in which she is dividing her time between appealing to the honor-driven American masses and the fickle online contingent, not to mention her current duties as VP. 

And many worry that institutionalized sexism and the rise of white supremacy in mainstream politics still create insurmountable odds for a progressive female President.

Harris is a seasoned politician, backed by a galvanized supporter bloc, and she has clearly drawn her own boundaries: According to her campaign's brand, Kamala is fine; in fact it might help her chances at the polls, and Harris is the professional title she'll don on stage and in session. "Brat," according to her cheeky Charli XCX-themed posting, is also fair game, as her campaign kicks off and pundits scramble to understand the "youth vote." But personal monikers, like "Momala" and even "Auntie," in her words, are a step too far. 

The internet has received a pass on the discourse for now. The history of racism, sexism, and misogynoir in our country's politics, and the inequitable ways many of our nation's leaders have come into positions of power, aren't fodder for TikTok. And the name debate says more about our political landscape, now at the whim of online sentiments than ever before, than it does anything about the Harris campaign.

SearchGPT is here. OpenAI's quest to integrate its artificial intelligence tools into even more people's lives got a boost on Thursday.

The company behind ChatGPT announced on its website that it would start taking signups to test out an early version of SearchGPT, an AI-fueled search engine. OpenAI stressed that this is a prototype — and the "best features" from the test period will eventually be integrated directly into ChatGPT.

How to try SearchGPT

Users who want to try SearchGPT can sign up now, but the feature is not yet available for testing.

As for how SearchGPT works, it's similar to ChatGPT. You type in a query, the AI scours the internet, and then tries to bring back a variety of helpful results in a visually clean and appealing way. Users can allegedly respond to results with conversational follow-ups to get even more specific results.

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As always with OpenAI, there will be concerns about accuracy and sourcing, even before the product has launched. For instance, CNBC's Kif Leswing pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) that some of the example search results given in the announcement post are inaccurate, misleading, or not helpful. OpenAI also promises "clear links to relevant sources" in results, but that can't be judged until the product is available.

OpenAI has a long way to go before it can reasonably call itself a Google competitor, but this may be a promising first step.

Curious about the top trending YouTube videos of the week? From the geyser explosion in Yellowstone National Park to Fortnite's inclusion of the controversial Tesla Cybertruck, this week's popular videos are a reflection of eye-catching events that have captivated millions.

We're also getting a sneak peek into some nostalgia, with Lisa Kudrow from "Friends" telling Conan O'Brien that she has renewed interest in watching the famed sitcom after Matthew Perry's passing.

Team Coco: Lisa Kudrow Started Watching 'Friends' After Matthew Perry’s Passing

Lisa Kudrow admitted that she avoided watching "Friends" — until the death of her co-star Matthew Perry changed her mind. In an 12-minute interview with Conan O'Brien, Kudrow reminisced about her time as an actress on arguably the most iconic TV sitcom of our time.

Fox Weather: Geyser explodes in Yellowstone National Park

On Tuesday, July 23, the sudden explosion of a geyser near a pedestrian walkway had Yellowstone National Park visitors running to escape the hot water and debris. 

SEE ALSO: Billie Eilish, College Football 25, and 1,000 basketballs: YouTube videos to watch this week Jaiden Animations: So it’s been 10 years huh…

If you’re into "storytime" YouTube videos and animations, you’ve likely stumbled upon a Jaiden Animation video or two. In this 22-minute video that is currently #4 on YouTube's trending list, the channel creator and animator celebrated her 10-year anniversary while over five million viewers tuned in.

Call Her Daddy: Rob’s 'Love Island' Tell All

The Love Island USA season may be over, but tea is still being spilled. If you’re a fan of Love Island USA, and have five minutes to spare, you might want to check out this interview with Rob Rausch. Nearly a half a million viewers tuned in. Sitting at the 13th spot on YouTube's trending list, it's clear that fans of the popular reality show are loving the inside scoop.

Warner Bros. Pictures: 'Joker: Folie À Deux' Trailer 

Why so serious? Villains deserve love, too, and this trailer for the newest film in the Joker franchise shows that Gotham’s most notorious villain is getting just that and more. With over 14 million views and holding the 6th spot on YouTube's trending list, it’s safe to say that fans will likely be rushing to theaters on Oct. 4.

PlayStation: 'Helldivers 2' trailer

Calling all PlayStation fans. A new update is dropping on Aug. 6 for Helldivers 2. Get ready for new enemies, new missions, and a more challenging difficulty setting. 

Gordon Ramsay: Gordon Ramsay, Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman Compete in a Chimichanga Cook-Off

Gordon Ramsay, Marvel’s Deadpool and Wolverine actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and a cooking competition. What could go wrong?

National Rugby League: Maroons vs. Blues Match Highlights

Are you a fan of rugby, but didn’t get to watch the Maroons vs. Blues game? Don’t worry. You can catch the highlights curated by the NRL in under five minutes. 

Perfect Score: How to Unlock The FREE Tesla Cybertruck in Fortnite!

Fortnite fans, did you know you can upgrade your ride to a Tessy? You can figure out how to do that in this quick one-minute video.

Donut - Giving Our Broken BMW The Engine It Deserves

Gear heads, this video is for you. This build-a-long shows the process of upgrading an engine.

"We're trying to reach everyone in the United States," Josh Noval, the SVP of Olympic Sales at NBCUniversal, told Mashable.

The network's latest bid to draw in viewers to the 2024 Paris Olympics is Spotlight on Paris, a roughly one hour TikTok Live show debuting daily throughout the Games at 4:45pm ET. 

SEE ALSO: Who will appear in the Olympics Opening Ceremony?

Presented in partnership with Toyota and hosted by Savannah Sellers, the co-Anchor of NBC News' Morning News NOW, and TikTokker and radio host Josh "Bru" Brubaker, the show goes live Saturday. 

"Our entire distribution strategy, whether it's linear streaming or social, is to make sure that we're reaching every American that we possibly can and giving them content on platforms in a voice that they're accustomed to hearing from," said Noval. Spotlight on Paris is just one piece of that. It's also hitting all its bases by sending 27 creators, known as "The Paris Creators Collective" to capture content in partnership with Meta, Overtime, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

"In the last few years with the different games, [NBCUniversal] has focused on putting content out where young people already are. With [Spotlight on Paris], we want to bring the Olympic Games to them on [TikTok]," Sellers told Mashable.

Sellers says the episodes will be made with the idea that the show may be viewers' only engagement with the Olympics. "We want to make people feel like they're getting a slice of Paris, in addition to getting them to understand what's happening within the games and the events." Episodes will be filmed in front of a live audience of American fans and athletes' family members at Team USA house.

Past social partnerships, like a show run on X, weren't filmed on location but in NBC's studios in Stamford, Connecticut. Spotlight on Paris will lean heavily into the experience of being on the ground in Paris with an emphasis on culture, nightlife, food, and fashion.

Brubaker said he was brought on to bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and the people who use their phones as their main screens. It's both Brubaker and Sellers first time covering the Olympics, and they say they are very excited about the opportunity.

"It's the Olympics, so it's gonna be gold medal standard," said Brubaker.

Passed by voters in 2020, the ballot measure classifies Uber and Lyft drivers as independent contractors rather than as employees.

Are you shopping around for a new bedroom set, but unsure of how to dispose a mattress or box spring? Don’t worry; you have options for getting rid of your old bed — and we’ve listed them for you. 

Whether your mattress is beat down, or you’re just looking to upgrade, it’s important to know how you can properly dispose your mattress.

SEE ALSO: Eight Sleep's Pod 3 cooling mattress cover is clearly amazing, but it was as frustrating as it was functional How to dispose a mattress

There are several approved ways to dispose of mattress, starting with putting it out with the trash, but there are specific ways to do so without violating local disposal regulations.

Put your mattress out with the trash

In some cities like New York City, you can dispose of your mattress or box spring with your trash, but it must be sealed in a plastic bag of any color except red or orange. If you don’t seal your mattress, it won’t be picked up. However, it's imperative that you check out your local sanitation department website for region-specific guidelines on how to dispose a mattress. For our U.S. readers, click here to find your state's point-of-contact that will answer all your questions regarding mattress disposal and how to do it right.

Donate your mattress

Mattresses can last for 10 years depending on the fabric, so if you’re getting rid of yours before then, it may still have some life left in it and be worth donating. Charities that accept mattress donations include the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity Restore (make sure location accepts mattresses), and Furniture Bank Association of America. You can also check churches and charities near you you. 

Recycle 

Recycling isn't just a trend — and it's lot easier than you may think. You can recycle your old mattress by getting in touch with a mattress recycling company that services your area. Some well-known ones are A Bedder World and Bye-Bye Mattress. 

(Try contacting the furniture manufacturer; they just might recycle your mattress for you if you’re purchasing a new one from them.)

Resell 

A little extra cash never hurt anyone, so why not resell your mattress if it’s in decent condition? You can use platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or post an ad on your social media account that could potentially intrigue a follower who may be interested in purchasing a new mattress from you. (People do it all the time, so don't think you're alone.)

Repurpose

You can get creative with the old parts of your mattress and turn them into something new. Use the foam for additional padding on things like carpets and pet beds; use the wood to make some kind of box or bin to store things; use springs and screws to make trinkets. 

1-Inch Slab Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Queen $75.50 at Amazon
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SAVE $140: As of July 25, get the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 for $289.99 at Lenovo, down from its original price of $429.99. That's a discount of 32%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 $289.99 at Lenovo
$429.99 Save $140.00 Get Deal

Whether you're sending your kids back to school or you've registered for classes yourself, a Chromebook is an affordable but reliable computer that's well worth investing in. Your young scholar can go far with it, and you can get plenty done while at home or on the go, however you're taking your classes. And right now, you can nab an especially great Lenovo Chromebook at an excellent price.

As of July 25, you can get the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 for just $289.99 at Lenovo. That's $140 off its normal price of $429.99 and a discount of 32%.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is even cheaper than it was yesterday

This 11-inch IPS touchscreen Chromebook packs a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor with Qualcomm Adreno graphics, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of eMMC storage, and a 5MP front and 8MP rear-facing camera, great for meetings and keeping in touch with friends and family. It also comes with the Lenovo Pen that you can use as a stylus.

Its detachable keyboard makes it great for working or getting school assignments done on the go. Plus, it's just 7.9mm thick, and comes with multiple USB-C ports so you can connect with other devices, transfer files, and be prepared for school or work.

For less than $300, you can't do much better on such a perfectly portable option, so snag one while you can.

In recent weeks, Chinese tech companies have unveiled technologies that rival American systems — and they are already in the hands of consumers and software developers.

SAVE $230: The dreame H12 Pro wet and dry vacuum is on sale for $269.99 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $499.99. That's a 46% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: dreame dreame H12 Pro wet and dry vacuum $269.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $230.00 Get Deal

It's a dream for many of us to have our own home, or even an apartment that's large enough to require regular floor cleaning. The act itself of cleaning the floor, however, isn't usually on anyone's list of favorite activities. But in the last decade, we've seen major advances in tech that can help when it comes to keeping floors squeaky clean. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, a do-it-all floor cleaner can be yours at a massive discount.

As of July 25, the dreame H12 Pro wet and dry vacuum is just $269.99, down from the normal price of $499.99. That's a whopping 46% discount, or a savings of $230. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen on this model at Amazon.

Welcome to the advanced world of the dreame H12 Pro wet and dry vacuum. Choose between three modes of operation: auto mode, ultra mode, and suction mode. Auto mode helps with basic cleaning, like a quick pass over the floors and rugs before friends arrive. Ultra mode is designed for deep cleaning, like when the dog comes inside after digging in the dirt. And suction mode magically vacuums up liquids without mopping.

SEE ALSO: Roomba models, explained: The guide to deciding which Roomba to buy (2024)

After you suck up spilled milk or whatever liquid off the floor, the dreame H12 Pro's ability to self-clean will certainly come in handy. This feature uses self-cleaning with hot air drying to get the brush back to its clean state and ready to take on another mess — no hand cleaning required.

The dreame H12 Pro has a max run time of 35 minutes, and it also aims to impress when it comes to cleaning hard-to-reach corners or getting close to edges and baseboards thanks to its dual-edge cleaning function.

If you dread cleaning the floors or are often left with liquid spills to clean, the dreame H12 Pro might make life much easier. Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon of just $269.99, you can grab the powerful and versatile vacuum for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

It turns out there may have been some additional Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18 that Apple didn't show off at WWDC earlier this year.

Specifically, you might be able to use AI to generate custom playlist art for Apple Music when iOS 18 launches this fall. This potential feature was spotted in some code in the iOS 18 beta by 9to5Mac. When creating or editing a playlist, there might be a "Create Image" button that would let you generate art, similar to how you can use AI to create emoji in the new version of iOS.

SEE ALSO: I wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring for 7 days — and it upstaged my Apple Watch Series 9 Can you test the new Apple Music feature now?

To be perfectly clear, the feature isn't actually usable in the iOS 18 beta yet, so it's impossible to say exactly how it works or whether it operates smoothly. It's just referenced in some code. Heck, it may not even be ready for the launch of iOS 18 this year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a prominent Apple prognosticator with a decent track record, wrote in his newsletter last month that some of Apple's AI features may be delayed into 2025.

But between AI-generated playlist art and the ability to potentially recover damaged images and video, it's clear that iOS 18 has more left in the tank than what Apple has shown us so far.

The 2024 Olympics are to begin on Friday with a grand opening ceremony in Paris. And the lineup of performers is expected to chock full of stars.

There have been lots of rumors and secrecy surrounding the performers — big, big names — but first let's start with the people we now feel certain will be there for the opening ceremony.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga, one of the biggest pop stars in the world, is a confirmed act, Time Out wrote, citing the local French newspaper Le Parisien. What kind of performance can we expect? Well, that leads us to our next big name.

Celine Dion

The Canadian powerhouse vocalist is expected to perform at the opening ceremony. As we wrote at Mashable this week, people are very excited to see her sing after Dion took years off due to her being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome.

Gage and Dion are reportedly set to perform together. They are expected to do a duet of Édith Piaf’s classic French song 'La Vie en Rose,' The Guardian reported.

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Le Parisien wrote that Dion was expected to perform Piaf's "L'Hymne à l'amour," however, so there may still be some confusion about what, exactly, to expect.

Aya Nakamura

While perhaps not a household name in the U.S., Nakamura is a big deal in France. Time Out reported Nakamura, the country's most-listened to singer, is expected to perform "a Charles Aznavour classic, accompanied by the Republican Guard."

Nakamura is a French citizen who was born in Mali. It would be a triumphant performance, considering she was subjected racist attacks about her heritage when it was rumored she would perform.

SEE ALSO: How to make the most of the Olympics on Peacock French President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to deliver a speech once the Olympic torch is lit at the end of a procession through Paris' most famous landmarks, NBC reported. Sure, it's not as exciting as a Gaga perforamnce, but it is a big name.

Other French performers

There will be a number of other French performers, Time out confirmed. Among them: pianist Sofiane Pamart, singers Juliette Armanet, Marina Viotti, and Philippe Katerine, the metal band Gojira, rapper Rim'K, and the drummer Cerrone.

The other rumors

The opening ceremony, as we mentioned, has been shrouded in a bit of secrecy. Macron himself was cagey about the plans from show's director when asked Dion's reported appearance.

"I will not reveal anything, what [opening ceremony director] Thomas Jolly and all his teams have prepared," Macron said on TV channel France 2, via The Guardian. "There is also a surprise."

Naturally this secrecy had led to lots of rumors. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande, two of the biggest names in pop, have been rumored. Don't get your hopes up too high, however. While Gaga and Dion have had more concrete reporting, there hasn't been much in the way of proof that Dua Lip or Grande will perform on Friday. Grande was spotted at an event in Paris this week, but that hardly means she'll be performing. Still, that would be an amazing line-up should it come to fruition.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $549.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH TRACKER DEAL Tile Sticker $19.99 at Amazon (save $10) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Google Pixel Watch 2 $269.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER DEAL Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Bluetooth speaker $69.10 at Amazon (save $60.89) Get Deal

We're no longer in the Prime Day bubble. It's now just a random Thursday in July — but that doesn't mean you can't find good deals. You just have to do a little bit more digging. On July 25, we've got our eyes on a few standout deals from Microsoft, Google, Tile, and Sony.

If you're looking to treat yourself, here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Be sure to check out our selections from July 23 and July 24 as well — some of those deals are still live (and they're pretty good).

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $549.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal

Just yesterday, we spotlighted the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 at a record-low $599.99. As of July 25, however, the price has dropped even lower to a new low of $549.99. Sure, the deal is only available on the ice blue version, but it's a good enough discount (31% off) that we don't mind. As shopping reporter Haley Henschel mentioned, "Our biggest gripe with it is that it costs too much compared to similarly specced laptops — but thanks to a big new price drop, that concern is currently null and void." The Go 3 features a sleek and sturdy build, an ultra-portable design, and a keyboard so good it made our reviewer want to cry. It's not a powerhouse or anything, but "it's ideal for students and busy-bee travelers in need of a portable notebook with one of the best keyboards I've ever tested."

Read our full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Tile Sticker $19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal

The smallest Bluetooth tracker in Tile's lineup, the Tile Sticker is especially great for finding household objects like your remote, glasses, keys, and other stuff you regularly lose. It sticks onto items (hence the name) so you can keep tabs on things around the house. Just download the Tile app, connect your device, and tap the tracking button. Your Sticker will sound off a loud ring when its within Bluetooth range (up to 250 feet) or show you its most recent location on a map when it's outside of Bluetooth range. Snag one on sale for $19.99 as of July 25 — that's 33% in savings and just $1 away from its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi) $269.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

Launched in the fall of 2023, Google's Pixel Watch 2 blessed users with some much-needed upgrades. While it looks pretty similar to the OG Pixel Watch, it packs better battery life (up to 24 hours), automatic workout detection, a new body-response sensor and skin temperature sensor to help with stress management, extra fitness features, safety tech additions, and more. The WiFi version is on sale for just $269.99 as of July 25, which is a savings of 23% and $20 cheaper than it was on Prime Day. That's also its lowest price to date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Bluetooth speaker $69.10 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $60.89 Get Deal

While only by a few cents, the Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Bluetooth speaker is also cheaper than it was on Prime Day. While we haven't tested out the SRS-XE200 speaker ourselves, Sony has been an audio expert for decades and we're big fans of other speakers and headphones in its lineup. This little guy is built for on-the-go listening and packs a bit of a punch with two x-balanced speakers, line shape diffuser, and dual passive radiators. You'll get 16 hours of battery life and quick charging to get another 70 minutes of playtime on a 10-minute charge. This new all-time low price of $69.10 also puts it in the range of more budget-friendly speaker options. Unfortunately, the deal is only available on the light gray shade.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

A.I. is getting good at math — and might soon make a worthy collaborator for humans.

SAVE 30%: Get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm) for just $278.56 at Amazon, marked down from its normal price of $399.99. That's a savings of $121.43 and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic $278.56 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $121.43 Get Deal

If you're looking to bring home a new smartwatch, you've got plenty of options. Though the Apple Watch is the gold standard for many, Android users aren't exactly going to get the most bang for their buck out of them. That's why Samsung has its own line of watches, each with a variety of features to rival Apple's wearable darling. And right now, you can scoop up one of its best models at its lowest price yet.

As of July 25, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43 mm) for just $278.56, down from its usual price of $399.99. That's a discount of $121.43, or 30%. This is the lowest price we've seen on this watch yet. Right now, this price only applies to the Silver colorway, so you'll have to pay a bit more if you're interested in another.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

If you have grievances with smartwatches looking a little too much like tech timepieces, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is similar to a classic watch than most of the others you can buy now. It boasts many of the same features you'd expect from its competitors, including heart rate, heart rhythm, sleep, and other fitness tracking options. In addition, it can sync with your Samsung Galaxy devices so you can make the most of your new smartwatch capabilities.

For all your typical smartwatch functionality with an additional layer of fitness options (and a great container for it all to come in), this watch is definitely worth picking up, especially now that it's been reduced in price once more.

SAVE $50.99: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, Bluetooth) is on sale at Amazon for $149, down from the normal price of $199.99. That's a 25% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, Bluetooth) $149.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal

A smartwatch that tracks fitness can be a great addition to your life. Not only can you get texts to your wrist, you'll be able to track health goals like getting in 10,000 steps or keeping stress levels in check. If these features sound ideal to you, check out this deal at Amazon today.

As of July 25, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, Bluetooth) is just $149 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $199.99. That's a 25% discount or a savings of $50.99.

The Samsung Galaxy 4 smartwatch is designed to do it all. From tracking fitness and sleep to giving you essential notifications like email, the watch can become a tiny personal assistant. In Mashable's review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, culture reporter Tim Marcin noted one of the standout features is the 40-hour battery life. "If you're an Android diehard who's long wanted a smartwatch but has held off, this makes the Galaxy Watch4 a good purchase," Marcin wrote. "It works well and does pretty much everything most people actually use the Apple Watch for."

SEE ALSO: I wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring for 7 days — and it upstaged my Apple Watch Series 9

However, price is a major difference between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and the Apple Watch. At its current sale price, the Apple Watch SE costs $189, which means the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is $40 cheaper. However, comparing the two is a bit like apples to oranges. The Samsung watch isn't compatible with Apple phones and the Apple Watch won't work with Android devices. But if you do have an Android device, the sale price of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 makes it a solid smartwatch contender.

In terms of health stats, you'll be getting readings on body fat, body water, basal metabolic rate, and more. Sleep tracking includes metrics like blood oxygen saturation and total time spend asleep. Plus, you don't have to press any buttons in order to get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to begin tracking a workout since it'll do it all automatically.

If you have an Android device and you're looking for a function-rich smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 4 is up for the job. Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, the watch can be yours for just $149.

The past few years have been filled with changes. And amidst all the chaos, our relationships — from flings to "forever afters" — and the sex tech industry have taken some unexpected turns that few of us could have predicted (except maybe The Simpsons).

Now that we've (mostly) navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and found our footing in this "new normal," we're all looking toward the future and what it could mean for our relationships with ourselves and others.

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

Thus, luxe sex toy brand LELO asked futurist Tom Cheesewright and LELO's sex expert and certified therapist Kate Moyle to help create a fresh report on the future of sex and relationships. In May, they released "A Futurist View into the Future of Love, Sex, and Relationships: LELO Report on Trends in the Following Decade." The title is pretty long-winded, but the 15-page report offers a glimpse into how technology is reshaping the way we connect, experience intimacy, and find pleasure both emotionally and physically.

A futurist's sexy prediction approach

To create this report, Cheesewright used "Scenario Planning" — a methodology where current trends are identified and projected into the future, typically over a long time horizon (in this case, 50 years). This establishes a "baseline scenario" where these trends continue, though not necessarily at the same pace or intensity.

He then "bent" this baseline into three directions to see how sex might look under each possible scenario:

• Digital unbound: This imagines a world where we spend 10 hours a day in "mixed reality," where AI avatars are "near indistinguishable" from our friends and family. While this offers new ways to experience "connection," it raises concerns about loneliness, isolation, and the potential for extreme fantasy roleplay.

• Natural forces: This looks at a future in which a backlash against technology leads to a renewed focus on real-world, flesh-and-blood relationships — where empathy, authenticity, and personalized handmade goods are valued more highly.

• Resurgent traditionalism: This considers a future where societal anxieties and political shifts lead to a return to traditional gender roles and relationship structures. This could manifest as a "false nostalgia" for the past, with government incentives encouraging people to commit to long-term, monogamous relationships and start families.

"I tried to imagine the answer to the questions posed to me by LELO under these [three] scenarios, then aggregated the answers to try to find some probabilities that were the most interesting to explore,” Cheesewright explains.

What does the future hold for sex and relationships?

Before I go into the specifics, I want to note that I reached out to a few experts on my own to see if they had any thoughts to add to the conversation. It led to a thought-provoking discussion that one could argue is never-ending.

Here's what the LELO report envisions for the future of sex and relationships and what the experts I spoke with had to say:

We'll have more partners, but not at the same age as the generations before us

According to the report (page six), today's youngest sexually-active generation is having less sex and fewer partners. But Cheesewright and LELO predict that we'll be more promiscuous in our 30s and beyond.

This shift is attributed to a trend of "extended adolescence," where milestones like marriage and parenthood are happening later in life. A combination of factors, including a more health-conscious younger generation, economic uncertainty (particularly the inability to buy homes and start families), and a low tolerance for risk, means many of us are waiting longer to settle down.

The report suggests that instead of "frantic coupling" and partnering in our youth, we're likely to experience more partners later in life as we gain confidence and grow into ourselves. This could happen in our late 20s and early 30s as we search for long-term partners or even older, after previous relationships end.

We'll have less sex with our current partners

Thanks to never-ending distractions, work, and finding time to relax, the report states that sex with our partners might be getting pushed down our priority list. However, there's a potential upside: this could lead us to value sex more when it does happen.

That said, staff sexologist at sex toy shop Good Vibes, Carol Queen, Ph.D., points out that this positive outcome is only possible if we are emotionally healthy and prioritize consent within our relationships.

"Some researchers think that social media impairs the kinds of emotional states and skills needed to make Cheesewright's POV a solid prediction, while others do not. If nothing else, it's pretty clear that some people conduct a lot of their social lives online now!" Queen tells Mashable. Queen also points out that this isn't the only factor that impacts how much sex we have and how much we value it; different people have different values, and likely will in the future too.

"To me this prediction is so full of caveats: the dangers that sex can bring, the frequency with which some people find sex to be just meh, and the fraught ways sex and emotional intimacy can be tangled up. And I may see those things from quite a different angle given my AFAB [assigned female at birth] history too," she continues.

We'll have more virtual sex

Instead of the oh-so-cliché nurse or fireman roleplay, the report predicts that as technology advances and integrates into our lives, a "mixed reality" could become the norm. Imagine avatars and artificial intelligence projected directly into our surroundings through smart glasses or lenses, creating a fully immersive experience with limitless possibilities for sexual content (so, aliens and elves).

This level of immersion opens up new and potentially "worrying" possibilities, allowing us to reshape our environments and even our partners. Cheesewright explains, "We can build characters around toys, robots, and AIs. There will be a lot of temptation."

We'll continue to make friends with inanimate objects

Although the report doesn't predict that robots will gain consciousness (page eight), they may be able to provide a convincing imitation of life. However, this raises ethical concerns about relationships with robots, as it risks reducing one to an "object" rather than an equal partner.

"The benefits are obvious," sex and intimacy coach Leah Carey tells Mashable. "Soothing touch hunger, giving people an outlet for both connection and sexual appetite…" But Carey also acknowledges complications, such as, "Does having an always-willing partner impair people's ability to negotiate consent?”

Carey also notes that while robots could allow people to explore kinks that might otherwise be inaccessible, the power dynamics in such scenarios become inherently imbalanced.

SEE ALSO: Sex workers are cloning themselves with AI to make sexy chatbots

Beyond these ethical concerns, relationships with robots could also create (and encourage) unrealistic expectations. With customizable body shapes and appearances, robots might reinforce harmful ideals about human partners and allow people to act out "dangerously extreme fantasies," potentially necessitating regulation.

"The ability to construct your partner's perfect physique could reinforce cultural beauty standards to an extreme degree, but there's another possibility that concerns me more: removing options for fat people," Carey says. "In my work, I encounter a lot of people who prefer people in fat bodies, or who are agnostic about body size. But it's so stigmatized in culture, it's not unusual for them to have a fuck-buddy on the side who is large, while publicly dating people in more conventionally acceptable bodies in public," she adds.

"If the desire for a larger body can be filled by a life-like robot, those people get pushed even further out to the fringes. To be clear," Carey clarifies, "the fuck-buddy-in-the-dark phenomenon is hugely problematic on its own; this would just make it even worse."

Sex toys will evolve

It's not just robots; the report envisions sex toys that feel and move more naturally, respond to virtual fantasies, and become more integrated into partnered sex. As it is, people are already using bluetooth sex toys to mimic real-life sensations in VR.

"Our understanding of the smallest molecules of matter is allowing us to create new materials with incredible properties — not just look and feel, but an ability to move, change shape, and store energy," Cheesewright writes. "This creates endless possibilities for future sex toys that take advantage of our growing understanding of human pleasure."

SEE ALSO: Are vibrating sex toys on the way out?

The report also predicts that more people will embrace "unselfish" sexual behavior, overcoming any insecurities about using toys in the bedroom. However, Carey says this is entirely dependent on whether or not our culture can come to terms with the fact that sex education needs to not only exist but be far more comprehensive than it currently is.

"If we want to decouple the idea that a toy isn't needed if you have an excellent lover, we need people to understand a lot of basics that many people don't currently have: how to ask for what they want in the bedroom; how to truly understand your partner's turn-ons; understanding the difference between giving touch and receiving touch and the purposes for both, etc."

There's a lot this report covers, but it’s missing a few important details

LELO's report is undoubtedly extensive, but this subject is so much more nuanced and complex. There are pieces missing or glossed over that are worth digging into, mainly:

• Reproductive rights: "I was surprised to see no mention of reproductive rights, abortion access, etc. since Roe v. Wade was struck down in 2022, and the fallout has been devastating for people with uteruses in the [U.S.]," Kate Sloan, sex journalist, author of 101 Kinkly Things, and host of the podcast miniseries Making Magic, tells Mashable. "Again, if there isn't sufficient pushback against and reversal of these legal changes in the coming years, life will continue to get much more dangerous and unsettling for anyone who's capable of getting pregnant." Sloan also mentions that if we're seeing women having less sex than before, it may very well be a result of having our reproductive rights taken away from us.

• The LGBTQ community: Sloan points out that the report entirely overlooks LGBTQ rights and identities. "More and more people are coming out as queer and trans over the years, as the general public learns more about what it means to be queer or trans," she says. "That being said, more visibility has not translated to more rights or more protections, and queer and trans people still face discrimination and exclusion every day...This will affect the future of sexuality insofar as unless we are all able to lead the sex lives we want, none of us are really free."

• Sex workers and sexual education: The report also fails to address the continued criminalization and stigmatization of sex work, which has far-reaching consequences on sexual rights and well-being. "I was surprised to see no mention in the report of laws like SESTA/FOSTA that have harmed and targeted sex workers, the porn industry, etc., as these puritanical laws have already affected our sexual culture massively and will continue to do so," Sloan adds. "If there isn't sufficient pushback and reversal of these laws in the coming years, working and living conditions will get even more precarious for sex workers — and anyone who enjoys porn, sex education content, informational kink resources, and so on will have less information and entertainment available to them as a result. It will be a less safe, less free, and less sexually-expressive world."

New anti-deepfake legislation, known as the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (Defiance) Act, has passed a Senate vote with unanimous consent, pushing the first of potentially many AI-focused regulations one step closer to federal law.

The bipartisan Defiance Act grants victims the right to sue individuals who "knowingly produce, distribute, or receive" nonconsensual sexually-explicit digital forgeries. It was introduced to the session by Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and Republican senator Lindsay Graham, but Democratic representative and co-leader Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become a figurehead of the legislation.

SEE ALSO: Meta AI’s new ‘Imagine Me’ tool will let you generate AI images of yourself Tweet may have been deleted

"Today marks an important step in the fight to protect survivors of nonconsensual deepfake pornography," wrote Ocasio-Cortez in a statement following the Senate hearing. "Over 90 percent of all deepfake videos made are nonconsensual sexually explicit images, and women are the targets 9 times out of 10. The DEFIANCE Act would guarantee federal protections for survivors of nonconsensual deepfake pornography for the first time..."

Ocasio-Cortez has been the repeated subject of synthetic forgeries, herself, as well as several of her political colleagues. Just this week, a manipulated video of Vice President Kamala Harris — delivering a speech that never actually happened — recirculated on TikTok, racking up millions of views despite being debunked multiple times over the last year. And new reports from UK watchdogs found that online child sexual abuse material has proliferated online, with the help of digital forgeries created by AI.

While the Defiance Act provides a civil path toward remediation for those identified in deepfakes, many victims still hope to see criminal repercussions for creators and distributors of non-consensual synthetic forgeries. If such efforts follow the same legislative path as real nonconsensual pornography (or revenge porn), however, this may be left up to state law. The federal government has yet to establish criminal liability for nonconsensual pornography, but provided a civil path, much like the Defiance Act, through the 2022 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

In June, Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Take It Down Act, legislation aiming to criminalize the publication of both synthetic and real non-consensual intimate imagery and outline penalties for tech companies who fail to remove such content within 48 hours. The White House has taken similar aim at tech players for their role in the proliferation of deepfakes.

The Defiance Act is still being considered in the House and will be voted on at a later date.

SAVE $250: As of July 25, get the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for $549.99, or $50 cheaper than its most recent sale price at Amazon. That's a discount of 31%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 $549.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal

The perfectly portable Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is an excellent choice if you're in the market for a new computer. Its recent price drop as of July 24 made it an even more attractive buy, with its excellent specs, great keyboard and additional reasons to lock in a purchase. Now, just one day later, it's gone down an additional $50. If you were on the fence about snagging one before, now's your chance to save even more money.

As of July 25, the base configuration of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is just $549.99 at Amazon. That's $250 off its normal price of $799.99 and a discount of 31%. This now represents the lowest price we've seen on the laptop since its launch in Oct. 2024. It's only available in the Ice Blue colorway for this price, however.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops of 2024, tested and reviewed

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is a svelte little machine that's just 2.49 pounds, weighing slightly less than the Apple MacBook Air. It's 12.4 inches and includes a touchscreen display for all your multitasking needs. This model comes with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and the 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor. It also boasts a keyboard that Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon called "one of the best I've ever used," which is high praise when compared to others in its category.

If you're ready to bring home a new computer, this might be the one you've been looking for. Just be sure and add it to your cart quickly — this lower price could disappear any time.