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The best free food deals this week: Save on McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Krispy Kreme, and more

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 03:00

Like everyone else, we cannot get enough of chains like Burger King, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell. Is it good for us? That's up for debate. Is it good for our bank balance? Absolutely not.

You've got to play the game, and if that means signing up for a million different rewards schemes and apps, we're in. And to help you squeeze absolutely everything out of some of the most popular restaurant chains in the U.S., we've compiled a list of the best offers available this week.

Here's how to eat for free this week using app hacks.

Auntie Anne’s

Get a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel after you download the app and make your first purchase.

Burger King

Daily/weekly BOGO offers (like BOGO Original Chicken Sandwich) in the Royal Perks app.

Cinnabon

Download the Cinnabon Rewards app and get a free 4-Count BonBites upon joining and making a purchase.

Del Taco

Get two free Del Tacos when you join Del Yeah! Rewards and make any small purchase.

El Pollo Loco

Claim a free $5 reward/point multiplier on your first order after signing up for Loco Rewards.

Hardee’s

Download the My Rewards app to claim a free Famous Star or Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich with a $1 purchase.

Insomnia Cookies

Download the Insomnia Rewards app to claim a free Warm Chocolate Chunk Cookie with no purchase required.

Krispy Kreme

Free doughnut of choice upon rewards signup.

McDonald’s

Free 10-piece Chicken McNuggets with any $1+ purchase for new app accounts.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Get free Queso & Chips added to your account instantly when you download the Moe Rewards app.

Taco Bell

Free Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, or Soft Taco upon downloading the app.

Wendy’s

New app users get a free 10-Piece Nuggets offer plus 150 bonus rewards points with any $1 purchase.

Whataburger

Create a new account in the Whataburger app and automatically receive a coupon for a free Whataburger.

How to watch Leeds United vs. Man United online for free

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United in a 2026 pre-season friendly for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The problem with pre-season friendlies is that they don't really matter. You get a lot of experimentation and teams that aren't fully committed. That's just the way it is. Teams don't want to lose their best players to injury before the season has even started.

That being said, Leeds United vs. Manchester United looks like a thrilling fixture that probably won't be all that "friendly." These sides go way back, and we expect a competitive game as they look to sharpen up before the Premier League returns.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Leeds United vs. Manchester United?

Leeds United vs. Manchester United in a 2026 pre-season friendly kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 12. This fixture takes place at Croke Park.

How to watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free

Leeds United vs. Manchester United in a 2026 pre-season friendly is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • 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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free with ExpressVPN.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Texas

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Texas with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including Texas. In response, Pornhub has blocked users in those locations from accessing their site. That means millions of users in Texas (and around the world) are now unable to access Pornhub.

There are complicated reasons for this situation, but the workaround is simple. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Texas, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Texas

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub

  4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Texas with ExpressVPN.

NYT Pips hints, answers for August 12, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 22:00

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 12, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 12, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 12 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 12 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 12 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (16): Everything in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (14): Everything in this space must add up to 14. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 12, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 22:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Pretending

  • Green: Goes by one name

  • Blue: Before the catch

  • Purple: MLB trade deadline players

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Fake a Foul

  • Green: Mononymic Athletes

  • Blue: Comes Before "Catch"

  • Purple: Pitchers Dealt Ahead of This Year's MLB Trade Deadline

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: Sports Edition #688 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Fake a Foul: ACT, DIVE, EMBELLISH, FLOP

  • Mononymic Athletes: ICHIRO, LEBRON, SERENA, TIGER

  • Comes Before "Catch": BASKET, CONTESTED, FAIR, SHOESTRING

  • Pitchers Dealt Ahead of This Year's MLB Trade Deadline: EARLY, RAY, SKUBAL, WEAVER

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 12, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 22:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you watch a lot of cable TV.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable 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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Feel this

  • Green: Frogs

  • Blue: TV last names

  • Purple: Doing alright

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Hold Onto, As a Feeling

  • Green: Kinds of Frogs

  • Blue: NBC Sitcom Surnames

  • Purple: Starting with Affirmative Responses

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 #1158 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Hold Onto, As a Feeling: FOSTER, HARBOR, MAINTAIN, NURSE

  • Kinds of Frogs: BULL, GREEN, POISON DART, TREE

  • NBC Sitcom Surnames: BENES, BING, LEMON, SCOTT

  • Starting with Affirmative Responses: FINE PRINT, GOODBYE, GREAT WHITE, OKAYAMA

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 7, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 12, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've been around a cowardly person.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 7, 2026 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.

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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Weak and timid.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccuring letters.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

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 is...

WIMPY

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.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for August 12, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 22:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like buying fresh fruits and vegetables.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Making a difference

The words are related to donation.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe charitable actions.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Philanthropy.

NYT Strands word list for August 12
  • Contribute

  • Grant

  • Give

  • Endow

  • Bestow

  • Donate

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

A new tool transforms generic AI writing into natural, human prose, and it’s only $79 for life

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: UmanWrite is an AI tool that turns generic AI writing into more natural prose, and it’s only $79 for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: UmanWrite UmanWrite All-in-One AI Writing Platform: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan/Unlimited Words) $79
$1,799 Save $1,720   Get Deal

Whether you’re using Claude or GPT, AI writing usually sounds like AI writing. It’s clinical and awkward, but that doesn’t mean you have to manually edit every piece of content AI produces. UmanWrite is a new tool that humanizes AI writing, using more natural language to keep your audience reading rather than wondering whether you had a human writer or a robot.

Right now, you can even pick up a UmanWrite lifetime subscription on sale for $79 (reg. $1,799).

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UmanWrite’s AI Humanizer rewrites machine-generated text into writing that sounds like an actual person. The built-in AI Detector scans each draft for the types of patterns detectors look for before you ever publish. These are subtle trends you might not notice while reading, but you never know if algorithms will ding you for having them in your content.

A grammar checker cleans up common errors and evises for clarity and readability in the same pass, so a rough draft becomes publication-ready without switching between three separate apps.

For students, freelancers, and marketers who lean on AI but still need their writing to sound like them, having humanizing, checking, and voice-matching in one place saves a ton of time.

Voice Profiles are a unique angle UmanWrite has that other tools don’t. You feed the platform samples of your own writing, and it trains on your tone and vocabulary, so later drafts read the way you write. You can train an unlimited number of them, one for each client or project, and every edit you make teaches the tool a little more about your style. Context-aware writing then adjusts each draft to the audience and purpose you set.

Most writing tools cap your word count and bill you every month. This lifetime plan runs unlimited monthly words with requests up to 2,500 words at a time, and no recurring fee once you buy in.

Stop paying every month for a tool that caps your work. Get a UmanWrite lifetime subscription on sale for $79.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

iOS 27 beta 5 arrives. Here’s what’s new.

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 16:30

The latest beta release for the iPhone's operating system, iOS 27 beta 5, is here.

With this release from Apple come some design changes and feature updates. However, new features and design tweaks aren't the biggest news to come with this new beta release. iOS 27 beta 5 provides references to 6 unreleased iPhone models, essentially confirming the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup for the very first time.

What's new with iOS 27 beta 5?

The most visual updates with iOS 27 beta 5 are new icons for several major Apple apps. Safari, Siri, Preview, App Store and Remote app icons have all received updates. Some other apps have received more minor Liquid Glass-related tweaks.

Siri's AI update continues to receive upgrades as well. iOS 27 beta 5 brings more voice customization options. Pace and Expressivity can now be adjusted for all of the available American English voices and the British English voices as well.

Contacts also received a slight upgrade. If a company is associated with a specific contact, Contacts will now show that company name under the contact's name and in the search results.

Apple is providing users with more control over the Search function on their iPhone in iOS 27 beta 5. Users can choose whether app results appear in Search. If turned on, users can also control whether Search results show four or eight apps. There's a new "Search the Web" option at the bottom of Search results too.

There's a slew of additional smaller updates as well. For example, Software Update will now let users know when the last update was installed on their iPhone, the Clock app uses a thicker font for Alarms and Timers, and Control Center no longer displays cellular network information while the iPhone is connected to WiFi.

SEE ALSO: iPhone Fold September debut looks increasingly likely, report reveals iOS 27 beta 5 makes the iPhone 18 lineup 'official'

There have been plenty of leaks, rumors, and speculation regarding Apple's upcoming new iPhone lineup. However, the iOS 27 beta 5 provides some of the strongest evidence yet that those devices are on the way. For the very first time, iPhone system files make references to 6 new iPhone models, alongside the existing iPhones. The new iPhones are referred to as V62, V63, V64, V67, V68, and V69.

Previous leaks and reporting indicate that those identifiers line up with the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18, the rumored foldable iPhone that may be called the iPhone Ultra, and iPhone 18e respectively.

SEE ALSO: All the foldable iPhone Ultra hints in the iOS 27 beta

If you'd like to update your iPhone to the iOS 27 beta 5 release, open the Settings app, tap General, and select Software Update. After that, select the iOS 27 Developer Beta under Beta Updates and your iPhone will be able to update to the latest beta version.

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Made by Google 2026: Heres what to expect

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 16:13

Google returns to New York on Wednesday, Aug. 12, for its annual Made by Google hardware event, and this year the show arrives with an unusually thin veil of secrecy. Between official teasers and a steady drip of leaks, most of the headline details about the Pixel 11 lineup are already circulating — leaving the live keynote to mostly confirm what's already known.

This year's event also comes with a notable format shift. Comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah is set to emcee the show, joined by a sprawling guest list that includes Stephen Curry, Alex Cooper, Shubman Gill, Peggy Gou, Jesser, JuJu Watkins, Chari Hawkins, and PinkPantheress, according to Android Authority. That's a departure from last year, when Made by Google was presented as a non-canon Tonight Show segment with Jimmy Fallon rather than a standalone keynote.

Here's a breakdown of what to expect.

When and how to watch

The keynote streams live on the Made by Google YouTube channel, with a mirrored feed on the Google Store, starting at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Aug. 12. That's a notably later start than in previous years. The Pixel 10 event, for example, began at 1 p.m. ET. International viewers will also need to plan around it: The event begins at 11 p.m. in the UK, midnight in continental Europe, and 3:30 a.m. IST on Aug. 13.

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Adding to the unusual scheduling, both The Verge and Android Authority note that Google and Best Buy had published a Pixel 11 preorder countdown set to expire at 10 a.m. ET — roughly eight hours before the keynote even begins. So expect most news about the Pixel 11 series to be on the web before the show starts.

Pixel 11 lineup

Expect to see these four phones showcased during the livestream:

The Verge and Tech Advisor both frame these as largely iterative updates rather than a redesign. The Verge notes that the phones should look similar to the Pixel 10 series, though with a camera bar that is black all the way across.

Reporting from several outlets points to a new Tensor G6 chip as the headline internal upgrade. Digital Trends reports that it will be Google's first chip built on a 2-nanometer process by TSMC, which could make the Pixel 11 one of the very first smartphones on the market to use that manufacturing process. Android Authority adds that the chip is said to use newer Arm C1 cores, a PowerVR GPU, and — notably — switch from Samsung-derived modems to MediaTek's M90 modem, a move the outlet suggests could help address long-standing Pixel complaints about heat, battery life, and connectivity.

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Google is also reportedly planning to drop the 128GB base storage tier in favor of 256GB as the new minimum for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro. Early listings also point to 12GB of RAM in the Pixel 11 Pro, a drop from the 16GB found in the Pixel 10 Pro and a potentially notable reduction given Google's AI ambitions for the phone.

On the camera front, Android Authority reports that the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL are expected to keep a triple-camera setup (50MP main, 48MP ultrawide with macro, and a 48MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom), with digital zoom reportedly reaching as high as 120x. New camera software said to be in the works includes an improved Cinematic Blur mode, video relighting, 4K/30fps capture, and an Ultra Low Light video mode. Digital Trends notes that the standard Pixel 11's camera specs remain contested among leakers, with some reports describing only two rear cameras and others insisting the telephoto lens will remain.

Android Authority also reports that the foldable is expected to have an 8-inch inner display and a slimmer folded profile of 10.1mm. Digital Trends adds that it may gain a telephoto lens for the first time and that the battery may actually shrink slightly to 4,750mAh, offset, in theory, by the more efficient chip. Notably, multiple outlets suggest that the Fold could ship around the same time as the rest of the lineup this year (Android Authority cites an Aug. 20 rumor) rather than arriving weeks later, as it has in the past.

Pricing

Price increases across the board appear all but certain. Digital Trends reports that Google's VP of devices and services, Shakil Barkat, has already confirmed that pricing adjustments are coming due to rising component costs, without giving exact figures. The Verge similarly notes that a Google executive told 9to5Google the pricing "adjustments" are tied to a broader industry memory crisis. Here are the likely starting prices:

  • Pixel 11 — $899

  • Pixel 11 Pro — $1,099

  • Pixel 11 Pro XL — $1,299

  • Pixel 11 Pro Fold — $1,899

Colors

Tech Advisor highlights color options as one of the more distinctive parts of this year's refresh, given how incremental the hardware changes otherwise appear: a bright pink option for the standard Pixel 11, a "Dune" hero color with a gold frame for the Pro models, and a new matte-black take on Obsidian, sometimes referred to as "Midnight Haze."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Pixel Watch 5

The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to keep the familiar round design of its predecessor, according to Digital Trends, with only modest internal changes. Android Authority and The Verge both cite leaked specs pointing to a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 "Accelerated" chip, 3GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage — double the previous model's capacity. Battery life is expected to remain roughly the same as that of the Pixel Watch 4, at 30 and 40 hours for the 41mm and 45mm sizes, respectively.

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Tech Advisor describes the new watch as having "done a Pixel 10a" by being nearly identical to its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 4. Owners are unlikely to feel compelled to upgrade if that's the case.

Pricing leaks cited across several outlets suggest that the 41mm model could start at around $399, up from $349.99, while the 45mm model could start at around $429, up from $399.99.

There are also mentions of a Pixel Watch 5 Steph Curry Special Edition. It's reportedly just a special-edition watch band, likely U.S.-only and limited to the larger case size — tying into Curry's expected appearance at the event.

The HiLight feature

Several outlets single out a new lighting feature, variously reported under the working names "Pixel Glow" and, more recently, "HiLight." It is one of the more talked-about additions, even if opinions differ on how useful it will actually be.

The Verge and Android Authority both report that the feature is housed in the camera-bar flash, which reportedly doubles as an RGB light capable of glowing in different colors — for instance, to signal a call from a specific contact or indicate an active conversation with Gemini. The Verge notes that code spotted in Google's Contacts app appears to confirm the "HiLight" name and per-contact color customization. Android Authority reports that the feature is exclusive to the Pro models and effectively replaces the temperature sensor found on the camera bar of previous-generation phones.

Not everyone is convinced that it will be a major selling point. Tech Advisor is openly skeptical, arguing that, as currently described, HiLight amounts to a light that changes color for calls or Gemini interactions — moments when users are typically already looking at the phone's front, not its camera bar — and calls it "a bit of a dud" pending further details from Google.

As of now, one leak suggests that the feature apparently won't be available on the base Pixel 11.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Gemini Intelligence

Several outlets suggest that software, not hardware, may be the actual centerpiece of this year's presentation. The Verge frames Gemini Intelligence as central to explaining why the new phones matter, given how visually similar they are to the outgoing generation. Android Authority echoes that point, noting that with the hardware changes being relatively modest, Google "needs to explain why its latest generation matters," and expects Gemini to dominate the presentation.

On the Pixel Watch 5 specifically, The Verge reports that marketing materials describe Gemini Intelligence as a "personal, proactive assistant" capable of surfacing helpful information unprompted. A feature called "Proactive Suggestions" is said to offer context-aware reply recommendations for messages, and the materials reportedly tout improved sleep tracking as well.

What's probably not coming

The Verge is explicit that rumored Googlebook laptops and Android XR smart glasses are unlikely to appear, noting that Google previously said both product lines are slated for a fall launch rather than an August debut. Tech Advisor similarly rules out a Pixel smart ring or new Pixelsnap accessories, citing a lack of supporting leaks.

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Spotify Will Label A.I. Artists and Avoid Promoting Them

NYT Technology - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 15:59
The new label, which will begin to be applied next month, is an effort by the streaming service to be more transparent about A.I.-generated music on its app.

Windows license price hikes could make PCs even more expensive, report says

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 15:01

Windows laptops just can't catch a break. As the memory chip shortage rages on, a new report from the Taiwanese newspaper United Daily News (UDN) says PCs are facing further price hikes as Microsoft raises its Windows 11 licensing fees for device manufacturers.

According to a PC brand executive who spoke anonymously to UDN, Microsoft normally bumps its Windows license fees for PC makers by small margins every year. However, the latest increases are much higher than usual.

SEE ALSO: RAMageddon is making it harder to find the best Windows laptops. These 10 are actually worth it.

"In the past, licensing fees mostly increased by single digits each year, but starting in July this year, the average increase has reached 7 percent to 10 percent," UDN wrote. Other brand executives interviewed by the newspaper noted that the licensing fee increases vary by processor type; more powerful devices with higher-end CPUs have seen bigger increases than lower-end models.

These licensing fee changes are already impacting current PC prices, per UDN's sources. That would make sense since most Windows laptops and desktops sold to consumers come with their operating systems pre-installed. (In a win for DIYers, pricing for individual Windows 11 licenses remains unchanged.)

When reached for comment by Mashable, a representative for Microsoft said the company "has nothing to share at this time."

If true, UDN's report means PC makers are facing unprecedented financial challenges on the software and hardware fronts. The AI boom has caused a shortage of physical computer components like RAM and SSD storage chips, forcing brands like Dell, Framework, and Microsoft itself to jack up their laptop prices in recent months. Some experts predict that this crisis, often referred to as "RAMageddon," will continue to worsen later this year and into next.

Brad Lightcap, a Top OpenAI Executive, Steps Down

NYT Technology - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 14:52
In OpenAI’s latest exit, Brad Lightcap, a longtime leader at the artificial intelligence company, said he was leaving to start a new venture.

Spotify will now tell you when an artist isn’t real

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 14:04

That new singer in your Spotify playlist may have a name, a face, and a carefully written bio. Soon, Spotify may also tell you the person they describe doesn’t exist.

Beginning in mid-September, the streaming platform will place an "AI Persona" badge on profiles built around AI-generated identities. Music from those profiles will also be excluded from Spotify’s editorial playlists and algorithmic recommendations by default, the company announced Aug. 11.

Spotify will stop introducing listeners to AI Personas by default. Their songs should no longer pop up in Discover Weekly, Release Radar, or another personalized playlist unless you have already shown interest in the artist. You can still search for, play, and follow them, and following one may tell Spotify that you’re open to hearing more. Put simply, the company doesn’t want an AI Persona to be something you discover by accident.

Credit: Spotify

That is also the frustration Spotify says it has heard from listeners, who "don’t like seeing an artist profile that seems human, only to find out that the persona is AI-generated," according to the announcement.

The data suggest plenty of listeners share that concern. As Mashable reported in 2025, 97 percent of respondents could not distinguish a fully AI-generated song from one made by humans. Still, 80 percent wanted AI music clearly labeled, and 72 percent wanted to know if a streaming service was recommending it.

How Spotify's AI Persona badge works

As of Aug. 11, artists can disclose through Spotify for Artists that their profiles represent AI Personas. Those who do will receive an “AI Persona” badge when the labels begin appearing in mid-September.

Credit: Spotify

Spotify is not relying entirely on the honor system. The company will also review profiles that appear to represent photorealistic AI-generated people. If Spotify reaches that conclusion, it will apply a separate “Likely AI Persona” badge. Reviews will begin with artists who meet certain audience thresholds, although Spotify has not said what those are.

Credit: Spotify

The badges will appear on artist profiles, in mobile search results, and beside artist names within playlists. Tapping one will show whether the artist self-disclosed or Spotify applied the label after a review. Artists can appeal Spotify’s decision, and listeners will eventually be able to report suspected AI Personas.

The policy does not cover every fictional or virtual musician. It specifically targets photorealistic AI identities that could reasonably be mistaken for real people.

One important caveat: The badge identifies the artist, not how the music was made. Spotify handles that separately through AI Credits, which identify specific parts of a track that were generated with AI. An artist could disclose AI-generated lyrics, vocals, instrumental performances, or production without labeling the entire song as AI-made.

AI music has been flooding streaming platforms

The need for clearer labels became harder to ignore as AI-generated musicians began attracting real audiences.

The Velvet Sundown, for example, initially presented itself as a four-person rock band and drew more than 1 million monthly listeners before acknowledging in July 2025 that it was a "synthetic music project."

The same confusion has reached Spotify’s recommendation tools. In January, Mashable's Features Editor Rachel Thompson reported that Smart Shuffle placed an AI-generated funk song in her queue, even though she had not been looking for AI music. The track fit naturally alongside songs from the 1970s and ’80s, and she only learned how it was made after investigating the artist.

Meanwhile, the number of AI songs entering streaming services continues to climb. Deezer said it received about 90,000 fully AI-generated tracks per day in June 2026, accounting for more than half of new uploads on peak days. Those tracks still represented only 1 to 3 percent of listening after Deezer removed them from recommendations.

Other streaming services are trying to make AI use more apparent, too. Apple Music added Transparency Tags back in March, allowing labels and distributors to disclose whether AI was used in a track, composition, music video, or artwork.

The AI Persona badge is also only one part of Spotify’s larger effort to sort out who listeners are and what they are hearing. Artist Profile Protection, which entered limited beta in March, is an optional feature that lets artists review eligible releases before they appear under their names. Artists can approve or decline each release, and anything they reject or fail to review will not appear on their profiles or contribute to their statistics and recommendations.

Spotify has also introduced a green "Verified by Spotify" badge for profiles it has reviewed and determined represent real artists. The company looks for sustained listener engagement, compliance with its policies, and evidence of an identifiable artist outside Spotify; for example, live concerts, merchandise, or linked social accounts. Profiles primarily representing AI-generated artists are not eligible. The company says hundreds of thousands of artists have now been verified, accounting for more than 99 percent of the artists listeners actively search for.

Taken together, Spotify’s new features are trying to answer a question listeners rarely, if ever, had to ask before: Is the artist behind this song an actual person? Spotify may not catch every AI act or get every label right, but starting next month, listeners should no longer have to leave the app and start Googling to find out.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE specs reportedly leak. What they are, how much it might cost

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 13:25

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE appears set to launch in early September, and a new report from WinFuture, citing a data sheet for the device, lays out a near-complete specification list for the "Fan Edition" handset.

According to the outlet, the phone will arrive in three colorways. There will be a dark gray, a light green, and a light blue, thus continuing the visual language of the rest of the S26 lineup while relying on largely recycled hardware underneath.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 survives the ultimate stress test

WinFuture reports the phone will feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 2340 x 1080 resolution, typical brightness around 1200 nits that can climb to roughly 1900 nits at peak, and a refresh rate topping out at 120Hz. Powering the device is Samsung's own Exynos 2500 chipset — the same ten-core processor that debuted in last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7, reportedly clocked up to 3.3GHz — paired with 8GB of RAM and a choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage.

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On the camera front, WinFuture's report describes a triple rear setup led by a 50-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and stabilization, alongside an ultra-wide lens and an 8-megapixel telephoto camera offering 3x optical zoom. Up front, the outlet reports a 12-megapixel selfie camera without autofocus. Video capture reportedly tops out at 8K/30 fps, with 4K recording available up to 60 fps.

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The report also details connectivity and durability features, including Bluetooth 5.4, WiFi 6, NFC, dual nano-SIM support with eSIM options, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Battery capacity is listed at 4,900mAh with 45-watt fast charging, and WinFuture notes the cell is rated for around 1,200 charge cycles and up to 50 hours of typical use. These are figures the outlet says fall a bit short of prior FE models but line up with specs Samsung has used on its recent foldables, suggesting a silicon-carbon battery. The device is also expected to weigh 193 grams and measure 7.4mm thick, running Android 17 with Samsung's One UI on top.

SEE ALSO: Made by Google event: Pixel 11 Pro, Fold & Watch 5 breakdown

Price-wise, WinFuture cites earlier leaks pointing to a €799 (USD $922) recommended retail price — an increase that, per the outlet's own price-comparison analysis, could make the existing Galaxy S26 Plus the better buy, since it's reportedly already available for around €700 (USD $808) with more storage, a sharper display, and stronger cameras.

The Anker Solix S2000 is on sale for under $650 — keep the refrigerator cooling for up to 35 hours

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 13:00

SAVE $549.01: The Anker Solix S2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the list price of $1,199. That's a 46% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix S2000 $649.99 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $549.01   Get Deal

When storms show up in the forecast, it's always smart to get prepared. That usually means making sure phones are charged, flashlights are available, and you have a few food options on hand. Speaking of food, if you're looking for a power source that'll take over keeping the refrigerator cool, check out this deal.

As of Aug. 11, the Anker Solix S2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the list price of $1,199. That's a 46% discount.

A portable power station can be useful in plenty of situations from camping to a power outage. Some models focus on portability while others are durable enough to leave out in the rain. If your main concern during a power outage is keeping the refrigerator on, the Anker Solix S2000 might be the perfect model.

Anker Solix designed the S2000 specifically for home use during a power outage. The design with AC ports on both the front and back means its great for setting on the counter and plugging the fridge into the back while keeping the front open for a lamp, the coffee maker, and recharging small gadgets.

SEE ALSO: I tried the Jackery FridgeGuard portable power station: It's both functional and pretty

With 2,010Wh of battery capacity, Anker says it can keep a fridge running for up to 35 hours. In part, that's thanks to Anker's low 6W power draw. With an under 10 millisecond uninterrupted power supply, you can keep the refrigerator plugged into the Solix and the Solix plugged into the wall on grid power. If the power cuts out, the Solix will take over in under 10 milliseconds.

If you're not looking forward to the upcoming storm season since that means worrying about food spoiling in the fridge during an outage, upgrade to the Solix S2000. It can keep foods cooling for over 24 hours and it's on sale for under $650.

Snag the beginner-friendly DJI Mini 3 drone for $50 off

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 12:38

SAVE $50: As of August 11, get the DJI Mini 3 for $499 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $549. That's a discount of 9%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 3 $499 at Amazon
$549 Save $50   Get Deal

If you're interested in flying a drone, creating drone-centric content, or just taking some cool pictures, DJI is a brand that has plenty of options for you to choose from. While it's been difficult to obtain a DJI drone with the FCC ban, there are still occasionally models that go back in stock at Amazon. There's one on sale right now you can get for a great price, and if you're interested in grabbing it, you'll want to do so before it once again becomes unavailable.

As of August 11, get the DJI Mini 3 for $499 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $549. That's $50 off and a discount of 9%.

SEE ALSO: The ultimate travel vlogging setup: Save over $100 on the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Vlog Bundle

This lightweight drone is just half a pound, which makes it an impressively small drone that's perfect for newbies. It can even fold up to become smaller, so if you want something compact and simple to use, this is the model to go after. But just because it's small, that doesn't mean it's bereft of features. It has 4K HDR video capabilities as well a gimbal design that allows it to shoot vertically with dynamic angles.

It offers about 38 minutes of flight time per battery charge, which you can extend up to 51 minutes if you pick up the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus as a separate purpose. Other than that, it also has built-in intelligent features of its own, like auto takeoff, precise hovering, and return to home capabilities so you don't have to do it all yourself.

If you're ready to try out drone flying, this is a great time to do so and a deal that's well worth starting with.

Take 200 bucks off the Ecovacs Deebot X11s Pro Omni and streamline your floor cleaning setup

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 12:23

SAVE $200.99: As of Aug. 11, the Ecovacs Deebot X11S Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $799 instead of its usual $999.99. That's a savings of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot X11S Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop $799 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $200.99   Get Deal

There's no denying that the robot vacuum market is severely oversaturated. With tons of brands, models, and features to navigate, we understand that choosing the right one isn't easy. This $200 discount on the Ecovacs Deebot X11s Pro Omni, however, might be the factor that finally helps you decide.

As of Aug. 11, the Ecovacs Deebot X11s Pro Omni robot vacuum mop combo is on sale at Amazon for only $799. It usually clocks in at $999.99, which means this deal saves you about 20% or $200.99. According to our favorite price-tracking tool, that's also its best price on record.

We have a few dealbreakers when it comes to buying a robot vacuum mop combo. The first is the lack of self-washing and drying the mop pads. Fortunately, the X11s Pro Omni tackles everything for you with its all-in-one Omni station. It handles all the maintenance, including heated high-pressure washing, auto-drying, auto dustbin emptying, water box auto-cleaning, and more.

Other dealbreakers include robot vacuums with less than 10,000 Pa suction power and the lack of obstacle avoidance and smart mapping on board. The Deebot X11s Pro Omni checks all the right boxes with up to 30,000 Pa suction power, advanced AI-powered navigation with smart obstacle avoidance, and smart control with YIKO voice assistance.

If you want a robot vacuum that will make your life a little easier and take both vacuuming and mopping off your hands, the Ecovacs Deebot X11s Pro Omni is a solid pick. And at 20% off, it's not too harsh on your wallet either.

Asus Gamer Day deals take hundreds off ROG laptops, desktops, and a mini PC

Mashable - Tue, 08/11/2026 - 12:00
Asus Gamer Days deals at a glance Best gaming laptop deal Asus ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i9, 32GB RAM, 1TB) $1,799.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best gaming desktop deal Asus ROG G700 (Intel Core 7 265F, 32GB RAM, 1TB) $1,649.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best gaming mini PC deal Asus ROG NUC 16 (Intel® Core Ultra 9, 64GB, 1TB) $2,999 (save $200) Get Deal

Tech prices continue to rise, especially as the memory shortage gets more intense. That's not great news for anyone who uses tech, but it can be espeically painful for gamers. Running games tends to require a machine with higher-end specs and more memory. But if you've been looking at an Asus gaming set-up, there's good news in store.

The Intel Asus Gaming Days event is underway through Sept. 13. With it comes deals on gaming laptops, desktops, and mini PC options. The best deals take $200 off and come with the benefit of getting two free games. Eligible purchases will email a unique master key to claim your free games by Oct. 31.

Best gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i9, 32GB RAM, 1TB) $1,799.99 at Asus
$1,999.99 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

Built for speed, excellent visuals, and responsiveness, the Asus ROG Strix G16 is on sale for $1,799.99 for a $200 discount. This gaming laptop comes with the Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB memory, and 1TB SSD storage. In terms of display, you're in line for 165Hz FHD+ which is ideal for both gaming and streaming action content.

Asus also paid special attention to cooling with the ROG Strix G16, equipping it with an advanced cooling system that says quiet. Ports on the Strix G16 include an HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, 2.5G ethernet port, an audio jack, plus a few more.

Best gaming desktop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG G700 (Intel Core 7 265F, 32GB RAM, 1TB) $1,649.99 at Asus
$1,799.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

The 2025 Asus ROG G700 comes with the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060Ti graphics card. The 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD make for quick multitasking and loading games. There's also an included RGB keyboard and mouse to complete your new gaming setup.

In terms of cooling, the Asus has three fans for intake and a rear exhaust. Plus, there's an included dust filter. Pair it with an excellent gaming monitor and you're in for the best winter gaming season yet.

Best gaming mini PC deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG NUC 16 (Intel Core Ultra 9, 64GB, 1TB) $2,999 at Asus
$3,199 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the market for a mini PC, the Asus ROG NUC 16 is included in Asus Gaming Days deals, taking $200 off the base price. Asus says the ROG NUC 16 is meant for hardcore gamers looking for advanced features, combining a compact size with powerful performance. Stand it up or set it down horizontally, and you're in line for great performance with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor. For even better graphics, Asus used the NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 and the NVIDIA Reflex for low latency.

Thumb screws give you easy access for adding memory or storage without the need to track down tools. There's also a dedicated heat sink that Asus says reduces operating temperature to a cool 59 degrees.

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