Mashable

One of the internet's biggest food trends right now comes from a box that's been around for generations and costs less than a cup of coffee in New York City.

Cream of Wheat is suddenly all over TikTok, where users are posting recipes, taste tests, mukbangs (eating a large amount of food on camera), and carefully customized bowls of the hot cereal. Among the trend’s most visible creators is Rachel, who posts under @vintagegingerrr and has built a following of more than 112,000 with comfort-focused food content that frequently features Cream of Wheat.

SEE ALSO: GLP-1s are inescapable online. Here's why that's a problem.

She is far from the only creator giving the old-school breakfast new attention. User Queen of Wheat has been posting viral Cream of Wheat mukbangs since 2025, while other users have joined in with their own versions, debates over the best consistency, and first-time reactions to a cereal many had previously overlooked.

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For the uninitiated, Cream of Wheat is a brand of farina, a finely ground wheat cereal that is cooked with water or milk into a smooth porridge. The original version cooks on the stove in about 2.5 minutes and can be topped with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, fruit, nuts, or whatever else is already in the kitchen.

It's also cheap. As of July 13, Walmart listed a 28-ounce box for $4.82. The brand says a box that size contains about 24 servings, putting the dry cereal at roughly 20 cents per bowl before adding milk or toppings.

That price is particularly relevant as Americans continue to feel squeezed at the grocery store. Food prices increased 2.3 percent in 2024 and 2.9 percent in 2025, and are expected to rise 3.2 percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Consumer surveys reflect this pressure. In a May 2026 poll by Global Strategy Group, 63 percent of people named groceries and food as one of their biggest sources of financial strain, and 67 percent said they were paying unfair prices for groceries.

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The trend is part of a wider return to inexpensive pantry foods that can be stored for long periods and stretched across multiple meals.

Spam, which sells for just over $4 per can at most major retailers, has posted its highest sales in nine of the past ten years. Meanwhile, TikTok creators have shared recipes for Spam sandwiches, fried rice, eggs, and other meals that go far beyond simply opening the can.

Hamburger Helper has seen a similar comeback. Eagle Foods, the company behind the boxed meal, reported that year-over-year sales jumped 14.5 percent in Aug. 2025 as shoppers searched for affordable ways to stretch their ground beef. Beans, canned pasta, and other shelf-stable staples have also gained renewed attention as consumers look for groceries that won't break the bank or spoil quickly.

Cream of Wheat isn't the first overlooked grocery item that TikTok has transformed into a must-buy ingredient. Cottage cheese, once relegated to old-fashioned diet plates, has become the base for viral high-protein pasta sauces, smoothies, and ice cream. U.S. cottage cheese sales jumped 82 percent between 2022 and 2025, prompting producers to announce expansions to meet surging demand. Sardines have gotten a similar makeover through carefully arranged snack plates and claims that their omega-3 fatty acids can give you healthier-looking skin.

Most social media reactions to Cream of Wheat center on comfort, ease, and familiarity. One viewer said Rachel’s videos brought back childhood memories, while others described the cereal as nostalgic or mentioned they’d forgotten about it until it popped up on their feeds.

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At a time when even many forms of self-care come with their own price tags, a warm bowl made at home is one of the cheaper options available. I guess I know what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow.

Not everyone is a flavored lube person (I have to be in the mood myself, like once a year maybe), but if you are, there's a brand-new flavor on the market that's giving major George Costanza vibes. (Seriously, go watch the "Pastrami" scene from Seinfeld and you'll see what I'm talking about).

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

Earlier this month, LubeLife released a limited-edition Pickle Flavored Lubricant for $12.99. It’s a water-based, sugar-free formula that swaps out the usual fake-strawberry sweetness for a tangy, savory dill profile. (Remember the Good Head Numbing Strawberry Throat Spray at Spencers? This is the exact opposite of that.)

They sent me a mailer (with a very on-theme pickle vibrator) before it launched, and if I'm being honest, when I opened it, I felt like I was sniffing some kind of sandwich dressing. The scent is straight, unfiltered vinegar. I give them props for authenticity, but I couldn't imagine going down on someone with this in my mouth. I'd probably choke, but to each their own. (I'm not here to ick someone's yum!)

If you have a strong stomach and want to add a savory twist to your bedroom routine, LubeLife's Pickle Flavored Lubricant is water-based, non-sticky, and condom-compatible.

LubeLife Pickle Flavored Lubricant $12.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon

Best Apple Deals this week, at a glance Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max chip, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,999 (Save $400) Get Deal Best iPad Deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 512GB, WiFi+Cellular) $749 (Save $300) Get Deal Best AirPods Deal Apple AirPods Max $429 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal

With price increases in place at Apple, we're hyper-focused on finding the very best deals from the brand. Since we're in between sale events, still months away from the next Prime Day and Black Friday, we're looking for any opportunity to save.

This week, we patrolled for the best deals, and surprisingly, Best Buy had a real bounty compared to Amazon. While there are still a few gems at Amazon, the real showstoppers are at Best Buy where current and previous generation models are on sale, savings you hundreds of dollars.

So if you're looking for the best price in the sea of price increases, here are the best Apple deals as of July 13.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max chip, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,999 at Best Buy
$3,399 Save $400   Get Deal

There are a ton of MacBooks on sale at Best Buy right now, particularly on MacBook Pro models. Unfortunately, we didn't find any savings on the affordable MacBook Neo and Air laptops, however, we did find a great deal on an M4 MacBook Pro.

Right now, grab a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip for $400 off. That brings it down to $2,999 from its $3,399 list price. This model has a ton of power, too, with 36GB RAM and 1TB SSD, making it a prime laptop for both gamers and creatives.

More MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro chip, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max chip, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $4,499 $4,999 (save $500)

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 512GB, WiFi+Cellular) $749 at Best Buy
$1,049 Save $300   Get Deal

An iPad is a travel essential when you need a source of entertainment on the go. Unfortunately, iPads also got a price hike along with most Apple products, so if you're look to get more for your money, turn to Best Buys deals.

Right now, you can get the previous iPad Air generation that comes with an M3 chip for a discounted price. The 11-inch iPad comes with 512GB of storage and even has cellular capabilities, but it comes unlocked so you can take it to the mobile carrier of your choice. Usually $1,049, it's now $300 off, bringing it down to just $749.

More iPad deals

• Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $427 $449 (save $22)

• Apple iPad Air (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi+Cellular) —$499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) with Logitech keyboard — $648.99 $798.99 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $709 $749 (save $40)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 256GB, WiFi) — $849 $899 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3 chip, 1TB, WiFi+Cellular) — $1,049 $1,449 (save $400)

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $429 at Best Buy
$549 Save $120   Get Deal

With the AirPods Max 2 here, the previous generation is still available and even more heavily discounted. Right now, grab the Apple AirPods Max for just $429, saving you $120. Apple's over-the-ear headphones have easy connectivity to iOS devices with noise-cancellation to block out your surroundings and spend more time focusing on music. There are few differences between the AirPods Max and the second generation, so you're not missing much between generations, especially if you want to prioritize savings.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 without ANC — $99 $129 (save $30) 23%

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $148.99 $179 (save $30.01) 17%

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50) 20%

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $497 $549 (save $52)

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal

With all the price increases, it's refreshing to see a product maintaining its price. The Apple Watch Series 11 still has a list price of $399, but luckily, it's down to $299. That saves you $100 for 20% off. Admittedly, this isn't the smartwatches lowest price ever—that would be $279, which it dipped down to during Prime Day. However, $299 is still a great value, especially as we're in between big shopping events.

More Apple Watch deals

• Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) — $219 $249 (save $30)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)

iPhone deals

• Apple iPhone 16e (128GB, Unlocked) — $539.99 $599.99 (save $60)

• Apple iPhone Air (256GB, Unlocked) — $949.99 $999.99 (save $50)

Apple Accessory deals

• Apple MagSage Charger — $39.99 $49 (save $9.01)

• Apple Pencil USB-C — $71 $79 (save $8)

• Apple Pencil Pro — $99 $129 (save $30)

The wait is finally over: The winning couple of Love Island USA Season 8 has been revealed, and it's a pair that fans have been rooting for.

SEE ALSO: ‘Love Island USA’ reveals the final four couples competing for first place

Season 8, Episode 35 marked the season finale of Love Island USA, with the four remaining couples (Melanie and Sincere, Kayda and Zach, Aniya and Carl, and Trinity and Bryce) each enjoying a romantic date before finding out which duo would be going home with the $100,000 grand prize. The couples had a chance to reflect upon their relationships throughout Season 8, including their first meetings, their ups and downs, and their futures outside of the villa. 

Before the reveal, the Islanders also enjoyed special shoutouts from celebrities Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Alex Warren, Ciara, Jordin Sparks, Sombr, Kesha, Druski, and Kehlani, filled with plenty of french fry references to tie everything together.

Trinity and Bryce for the win

Finally, host Ariana Madix joined the Islanders to reveal the winners of this season: none other than Trinity and Bryce, also known as "Brinity" in the Love Island fandom.

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Despite having mixed opinions about the final four couples, fans seemed to be pleased that Brinity was the winning couple, with many X users saying that the pair deserved the win after their connection stood the test of challenges, dozens of bombshells, and a few days spent away from each other during Casa Amor.

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As one of the few pairs who were coupled up in Episode 1 and chose to stay loyal during a recoupling, the two had one of the longest journeys together in the villa. They said "I love you" to each other for the first time on their final date, a candlelit dinner followed by a Fijian fire dance performance, and fans were here for all of it.

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America voted for the villa's 'Princess and Prince' Aniya and Carl in second place, Melanie and Sincere in third, and Kayda and Zach in fourth place for favorite couple.

Melanie and Sincere enjoyed massages and made brick oven pizzas during their final date, while Kayda and Zach were taken on a boat ride to an outdoor luncheon (about which Reddit had thoughts). (Viewers also were reminded, during finale conversations and a memory reel, of 'Paradise Cove,' where Kayda took Zach and Bryce early in the season, leading to a spike in search interest in the term this week.)

Aniya and Carl's dinner date, in a secluded wood surrounded by flowers, candles and string lights, was a fan favorite. Production gave them a fairytale-inspired book commemorating their journey together in the villa, from their first meeting in Casa Amor to Aniya's heartbreak and Aniya and Carl's much-celebrated reunion.

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Many viewers also celebrated this season finale's Black representation. For the first time in Love Island history, all four women in the final couples were Black. 

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There was one aspect of the finale that did give viewers pause: Unlike other Love Island season finales, the winners were not given a choice between splitting the $100,000 prize evenly, or having one person keep the entire $100,000 to themselves; they were simply awarded the prize together, to be split evenly. Some viewers felt that it left out the final test of loyalty for the couple.

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We're excited to see what the future has in store for Trinity, Bryce, Aniya, Carl, Melanie, Sincere, Kayda, Zach, and all the other Islanders of Love Island USA Season 8. As for Brinity, the future is looking pretty bright, with Bryce saying that he's going to teach Trinity how to surf in Los Angeles (and possibly get her in a wetsuit). 

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How to watch 'Love Island' Season 8 reunion

While we won't be seeing the Season 8 Islanders of Love Island USA on our TV screens every day for now, we can expect to see them together one more time during the Season 8 reunion episode — which is scheduled to air 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT Monday, August 31 on Peacock. You can sign up here to watch.

Job losses spurred by the AI boom are growing, and a group of economists is now sounding the alarm that it's going to get worse.

A new group called We Must Act Now released an open letter on Monday, warning about "AI's transformation of the economy." The open letter is signed by more than 200 economists, and signees currently include sixteen Nobel Laureates, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and the chief economists of both OpenAI and Anthropic.

The open letter urges tech leaders and policymakers to take urgent action and address the impacts AI will have on the economy now and in the future.

"AI may become radically more powerful over the next 10 years," reads the first bullet point of the open letter.

"This could drive an unprecedented transformation of our economy, larger than the Industrial Revolution, but unfolding over a vastly shorter time frame," the open letter continues. "It could bring risks, including large-scale job displacement, as well as opportunities such as major gains in living standards."

We Must Act Now's statement concludes with a call to action for leaders of both government bodies and the tech industry.

"Economists, policymakers and technology leaders must act now to understand the economics of transformative AI and to build the incentives, guardrails, and institutions needed to steer AI in a direction that complements humans and benefits society," reads the letter.

A report released at the end of last year found that there were 50,000 jobs lost due to AI in 2025, and this year, Amazon, Atlassian, Block, Fiverr, Meta, Pinterest, and Snap have all announced layoffs related to AI. As the technology develops, AI-related job cuts are likely to accelerate, too. A survey from May 2026 found that 99 percent of executives among the 12,000 respondents said that they expected AI "to lead to at least some headcount reduction in the next two years."

Some politicians are already working on the problem. California Governor Gavin Newsom took action shortly after Meta laid off 8,000 employees, citing its AI push. Last month, Newsom shared that the state will be tracking AI job losses and revealed California's AI-Unemployment Tracker.

However, the economists who signed on to the We Must Act Now letter would clearly like to see more.

“AI capabilities are advancing far faster than our understanding of the economic implications," said economist Erik Brynjolfsson, who organized the group alongside economists Ajay Agrawal, Tom Cunningham, and Anton Korinek. "In that gap lie the greatest opportunities of our era. We must act now to guide AI to complement humans rather than simply imitate them — and to generate prosperity for the many, not just the few."

Still on the fence about whether Ormund Hightower (James Norton) is a good guy or a bad guy in House of the Dragon?

Season 3, episode 4 director Claire Kilner is here to convince you it's very much the latter. In HBO's "Inside the Episode" clip above, Kilner describes Hightower's relationship with Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as "abusive".

"Daeron and Ormund's relationship is really dysfunctional and horrible to watch, but brilliant and fun to direct," Kilner says. "Because it's a really abusive relationship. Daeron has only known the love that he's known from Ormund that isn't love at all. Daeron is in Ormund's thrall, but doesn't really understand it or know it, and Ormund is a great manipulator and knows when to give love and when to give punishment. He's an evil man."

That doesn't bode well for what the Hightower Lord has planned for the rest of Season 3.

SAVE 38%: As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings.

Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Eufy

If you're looking for a robo-vac-mop combo that gets the job done without costing you an arm and a leg, you need to check out the Eufy C28. Mashable's Senior Shopping Reporter, Leah Stodart, says it's the most affordable roller mop on the market, and right now it's even cheaper.

SEE ALSO: The new Eufy C28 is the most budget-friendly roller mop robot vacuum. I tried it against the top 2 in its class.

As of July 13, you can get the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $499.99, down from $799.99. That's a 38% discount or $300 in savings. This isn't the lowest price we've seen for this hybrid robo vac, but it's damn near close. According to CamelCamelCamel, it was $449.99 on June 23.

This combo unit features an 11-inch HydroJet roller brush that spins nine times per second while 24 water ports constantly douse it with fresh water, and a built-in scraper squeegees the gross wastewater into a separate tank, so you're never cleaning with dirty water. For carpets, its 15,000 Pa suction power is strong enough to lift stubborn pet debris like catnip and crumbs (Leah really put it through its paces!), and it features an anti-tangle rubber brush roll that can handle strands up to 30 cm long.

"The Eufy C28 gets bonus points for its slow, deliberate vacuuming when spot cleaning the tricky area where a rug changes to hardwood — its crumb pickup around rug edges has actually been more reliable than premium Roborock and Dreame models," she writes.

The base is also super hands-off. It handles about 95 percent of the maintenance for you — it automatically dumps the dustbin, washes the roller, and dries it with hot air so a sour smell doesn't rot in the corner of your room.

SAVE $192.45: The Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti FridgePower portable power station $806.55 at Bluetti
$999 Save $192.45 enter code MASHABLE5OFF at checkout Get Deal

Not that a power outage is ever espeically convenient, but there are some times when it's much more worrying. Somehow, the storm patterns know when we've just done a giant grocery-store haul, and sends a giant storm right after that threatens to knock out power. Instead of worrying, consider this upgrade.

As of July 13, the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station is on sale at Bluetti for $806.55 with code MASHABLE5OFF, down from the list price of $999. That's a 19% discount that takes $192.45 off the price.

We have tons of options when it comes to portable power stations. Some are excellent for camping, like the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2, while others are designed for larger power backup. But if your number one concern is keeping the refrigerator cooling, the Bluetti FridgePower is your model.

SEE ALSO: Survive RAMageddon with the best microSD, SSD, and hard drive deals this week

The FridgePower comes with 2,016Wh of battery capacity. Depending on how much energy your fridge uses, it'll keep it online for at least 20 hours, according to Bluetti. It can handle a surge of up to 3,600W and it's especially thin, measuring under three inches thick.

Place the Bluetti FridgePower on top of your fridge or mount it to the wall next to your fridge, and you'll have plenty of backup power for the next outage. You'll plug your refrigerator into the FridgePower and the power station into the wall. If grid power cuts out, the Bluetti automatically takes over.

Before the Mashable exclusive code expires, snag the Bluetti FridgePower portable power station on sale at Bluetti for $806.55. Be sure to use code MASHABLE5OFF at checkout to get the best price.

SAVE UP TO $65: It's your last chance to get 40% off any annual HBO Max subscription. Through July 15, new and returning subscribers can knock the cost of the HBO Max Basic tier (with ads) down from $109.99 to $78.99, the Standard (no ads) tier down from $184.99 to $132.99, and the Premium tier (no ads + 4K) down from $229.99 to $164.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max 40% off all annual subscriptions Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max (Prime Video add-on) 40% off all annual subscriptions Get Deal

HBO Max really surprised me during Prime Day last month with the best streaming deal of the year (so far). If you haven't locked in your discount yet, you still have a couple more days to do so before it disappears.

New and returning subscribers can score all annual HBO Max subscriptions for 40% off through July 15. And yes, that includes ad-free tiers. Typically HBO Max annual subscriptions cost $109.99 for the Basic with ads tier, $184.99 for Standard (no ads), and $229.99 for Premium (no ads + 4K). With this limited time discount, however, those costs drop to just $78.99, $132.99, or $164.99, respectively.

That means the ad-free Standard tier (the mid-tier option) is only $11 per month if you break it down — the same price as the Basic tier with ads costs on a regular day.

You can sign up through HBO Max directly or through Prime Video if you're a Prime member. Opting for the Prime Video add-on means you'll be billed directly through your Amazon account and the HBO Max catalog will live within your Prime Video library. After you choose your tier on Prime Video, the landing page will let you select the annual plan instead for 40% off.

Despite the impending HBO Max and Paramount+ merger situation, Paramount CEO David Ellison says HBO Max will continue to operate with independence. But that doesn't mean pricing won't change. This deal ensures you lock in a full year of streaming at an ultra low cost, regardless of any price hikes that hit in the next 12 months.

Just remember to sign up ASAP, as the deal is fleeting.

A power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery FridgeGuard $549.99 at Costco
$699.99 Save $150   Shop Now The Jackery FridgeGuard specs

Jackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.

A shockingly thin design. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.

Connect two together for up to 30 hours of cooling time. Credit: Jackery

Once you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.

Simply plug the FridgeGuard into the wall and the fridge into the Jackery, and you're set. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.

• Capacity: 1,024Wh

• Output: 800W, peak 1600W

• UPS: 10 milliseconds

• Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches

• Weight: 23 pounds

• Warranty: 5 years

• Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)

How to buy the Jackery FridgeGuard

For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $549.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.

Tom Cruise has taken a break from driving motorcycles off cliffs and piloting fighter jets to post on TikTok.

The actor's account, @tomcruise, first went live in March of 2021, after a series of Cruise deepfakes by Belgian VFX special Chris Ume went viral. Since then, he's racked up 1.8 million followers, but he has yet to actually post anything until now.

Since Sunday, Cruise has posted three TikToks. But if you're looking for a Cruise GRWM or a dance tutorial for his sick Tropic Thunder moves, you're out of luck. For now, Cruise's account is strictly promotional, with all three TikToks highlighting the trailer for Cruise's upcoming film Digger.

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (The Revenant, Birdman), Digger is a satirical dark comedy about the world's most powerful man, Digger Rockwell (Cruise, unrecognizable under tons of prosthetics). He's on a mission to save humanity from the very disaster he's unleashed. Based on the trailer, that disaster involves climate catastrophe, with a side of nuclear war.

Film pundits are already heralding Digger as Cruise's best shot at an Oscar in decades. His last nomination came in 2000, for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, although he did receive an Academy Honorary Award in 2026. Iñárritu did prove to be the lucky charm for Leonardo DiCaprio, who won his first (and so far only) Academy Award for his role in The Revenant, so perhaps Cruise is hoping for a similar route to Oscar gold.

Apparently, that route also involves getting the word out about Digger on TikTok, so be prepared for a more social media-forward press blitz from Cruise in the months to come.

Digger hits theaters Oct. 2.

MAKE FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS: AT&T customers can make free international calls on remaining World Cup match games to the countries playing that day. Make calls on July 14, 15, 18, and 19 to playing countries between midnight and 11:59 p.m. at no cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: AT&T Free international calls to countries playing World Cup matches   Learn More

The World Cup has been excellent this year. We've all falling in love with a Norwegian Viking, got teary as the British crowd sang "Hey Jude" to Bellingham, and we all now know where Cabo Verde is on a map. The 2026 World Cup has made the globe feel smaller, and if you're an AT&T customer, you have even more opportunity to connect.

On remaining World Cup match days, AT&T is offering customers the ability to make free internationals calls to the countries playing that day, anytime between midnight and 11:59 p.m. on match day. That looks like the following schedule:

• July 14: Make free calls to Spain and France

• July 15: Make free calls to England and Argentina

• Jul8 18: Make free calls to countries playing in the third-place match

• July 19: Make free calls to countries playing in the final match

You don't need to enter any kind of promo code to get the free calls. Simply make calls to the eligible countries and your bill won't reflect any additional charges. The only requirement is being an existing AT&T Mobility postpaid voice customer. Calls must originate in the U.S.

This deal is on top of A&T's support of those lucky enough to be attending a match this summer. Turbo Live by AT&T is available at select venues and gives fans a VIP connection to support live streaming, social posts, or getting important texts out immediately.

If you're an AT&T customer, be sure to take advantage of this free international calls deal on remaining World Cup match days.

Samsung's sequel to the Galaxy Z Trifold could get preempted by a new mobile device with a rollable OLED panel. According to a new report from SamMobile, the company's rumored slideable phone could reach the market before the Galaxy Z TriFold 2, the company's highly anticipated follow-up to last year's tri-folding device.

The company has reportedly continued development on a second-generation TriFold, but a new claim from leaker Lanzuk suggests that phone could face delays. At the same time, Lanzuk claims development of Samsung's first slideable phone has picked up pace, potentially moving its release date earlier than expected.

SEE ALSO: Samsung working on phone with rollable screen, report claims

The slideable device is expected to use a rollable OLED panel from Samsung Display, the company's display manufacturing arm, which has shown off several slideable and rollable screen concepts in recent years, according to SamMobile.

While foldable phones have a hinge that allows a flexible display to bend in the middle, rollable devices have an even more flexible display that can roll into the interior of the device like a scroll.

Earlier reporting had pointed to an early 2028 launch for the rollable, but the new report suggests the device could now arrive as soon as 2027, ahead of the TriFold 2. SamMobile cautioned that such timelines are subject to change, noting that Samsung's plans "could change and products can be delayed or even canceled for a variety of reasons."

Per SamMobile's report, sources within Samsung's supply chain indicate that the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 is being developed with an upgraded hinge designed to make the device thinner and lighter than its 309-gram predecessor by standardizing component thicknesses. However, the leaker says "recent issues such as costs" could be the reason behind pushing back the phone's launch beyond its original timeline.

One of Google's new phones just leaked, but only a little bit.

Leaker Mystic Leaks (per 9to5google) shared a render on Telegram that allegedly shows the back of the new Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The render looks a lot like last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but there are some key differences, including a new Pine colorway. Rumor has it that color will also be available for the new Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL.

Google has already said that it will hold a big announcement event on Aug. 12, where all of the new Pixel phones will presumably be announced. That announcement showed a partial look at a phone in a gold/copper colorway.

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One other noteworthy difference in the render is that the camera bar on the back appears to be substantially downsized from last year.

The camera flash module has also been repositioned to the upper left corner of the camera bar. Some are theorizing that it will be used for a new "Pixel Glow" system, which will use light and color to notify you of important happenings while your phone is lying face-down, and that this system will exist across multiple new Pixel devices.

Interestingly, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't seem to be fully adopting the all-black camera bar that the regular Pixel 11 phones are expected to have, based on renders shared by Android Headlines earlier this year. Mystic Leaks shared a list of alleged specs for all of the phones on Telegram back in May, and little of it is especially surprising. Expect a new Tensor G6 chip to power the devices, alongside the usual camera and battery upgrades we get every year.

We should get confirmation on all of these rumors on Aug. 12.

SAVE $280: As of July 13, the HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop is down to $449.99 at Amazon, dropping from its typical $729.99 price for a 38% discount.

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If you’ve been waiting for a budget-friendly big-screen laptop, this might be the drop to watch. The HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop is now at its lowest price since launching in early 2026, down to $449.99 at Amazon from its typical $729.99 price. That’s a $280 discount, or 38% off for a Windows 11 PC with a roomy 17.3-inch display.

The HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch laptop is aimed at anyone who wants a big screen without spending a fortune. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 processor with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, giving you enough power for browsing, streaming, working in multiple tabs, and handling lighter creative tasks. The Full HD IPS display keeps images sharp with wide viewing angles, so the screen stays clear even when you’re not looking at it straight on.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best battery-life laptops of 2026. This HP OmniBook shocked me.

For entertainment and casual editing, the laptop uses AMD Radeon 610M graphics to handle streaming and visual tasks without feeling sluggish. HP rates it for up to 14 hours and 15 minutes of battery life, and Fast Charge can get it from 0% to 50% in around 45 minutes when you need a quick boost.

The OmniBook 3 also comes with an FHD webcam with HDR that helps balance lighting during calls, plus AI noise reduction that focuses on your voice while cutting down background distractions. You also get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Windows 11 Home, and a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to Microsoft’s AI assistant.

Grab the HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch Laptop on Amazon while this deal is still this easy on your wallet.

Today, the President of the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, announced plans for the EU to restrict social media platforms and other "digital services" for children under 13.

The statement comes in tandem with the publication of a report on online child safety, in which members of a special panel recommend this EU-wide ban. Additionally, the report recommends more age-assurance and safety measures for social media and other digital services such as AI companions, video-sharing platforms, and video games.

SEE ALSO: White House wants OpenAI to limit the launch of its next model

In her statement, von der Leyen made three points. The first is that social platforms "must prove that their services do no harm," as car manufacturers do.

The second point is that she believes the EU needs to age-restrict these platforms. "This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," she stated. One of the tools to get this done, she continued, is the age verification app the EU introduced in April.

The third point is that "The more we learn, and the more we see the impact on our children, the stronger the argument becomes for a social media start date," von der Leyen said, comparing the potential social media ban to getting a driver's license or buying alcohol.

"This will not be foolproof. And change takes time. It will take time to embed the cultural change that is already taking shape in our society," she continued.

The report also recommends no screens for children under 3, and that older children be exposed to social media only under supervision and time-limited.

The European Commission will present a proposal after the summer, von der Leyen said.

This announcement comes amid various countries like the UK, Canada, and Indonesia announced social media bans for children under 16. Australia's social media ban went into effect in Dec. 2025, but a recent study suggests it's ineffective at preventing minors under 16 from using these platforms.

SAVE $100: As of July 13, the ASUS 27-inch ROG Strix OLED XG27UCDMG 4K gaming monitor is on sale for just $799 at Amazon. That's $100 or 11% off its current list price, which is its lowest price on record.

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Making the move to an OLED gaming monitor can really take your gaming experience to new heights. OLED models are basically like eye candy, thanks to extremely high contrast, true blacks, and a wide color gamut. And while the market is wide and varied, you can upgrade to a high-end ASUS ROG model today for $100 cheaper than usual.

As of July 13, the ASUS 27-inch ROG Strix OLED XG27UCDMG 4K gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for just $799. That's a $100 or 11% price drop from its most recent list price and its lowest price on record.

The XG27UCDMG monitor makes the most of your desktop space with a frameless, ultra-slim 27-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) QD-OLED panel. The hollowed-out stand is also designed to save space, but can be wall-mounted if you prefer. Despite its compact build, this thing is loaded with bells and whistles. It packs a buttery smooth 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, 166ppi pixel density, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black compliance, and a 99% DCI-P3 gamut. Translation: it looks gorgeous and is designed for efficient gaming and beyond.

Worried about the burn-in that's common in OLED models? ASUS OLED Care Pro features a Neo Proximity Sensor that detects when you step away and switches your screen to black to reduce the risk.

If an OLED monitor has been on your wishlist, this is your perfect excuse to grab that big ticket purchase for less.

SAVE 21%: As of July 13, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S Pro for $549.99 at Amazon, down from $699.99. That's a 21% discount or $150 savings.

Roborock Qrevo S Pro Robot Vacuum and Mop With Dock $549.99 at Amazon
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Every day, I stare at my floor wondering how my beagles even have any hair left to shed. I run my Dreame robo-vac twice a day and go behind it with a Shark stick to pick up what it couldn't reach, yet there's still dog hair everywhere. But it'd be worse if I didn't have automated help.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

If you're also fighting a losing battle against pet fur, Roborock is a Mashable fave for a reason — and one of its newest models just dropped to a record-low price. Right now, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S Pro for $549.99 at Amazon, down from $699.99. That's a 21% discount or $150 in savings.

This model has 18,500Pa suction power to pull embedded fur out of carpets, and an anti-tangle rubber brush roll so you shouldn't have to cut hair off the axle. It also mops your hard floors using dual spinning pads, which lift up by 10mm when it senses a rug so your carpets stay dry. But the best part is the dock; it empties its own dustbin, washes the mop pads with 167°F hot water, and dries them with warm air so you don't get that awful sour-mop smell in your house.

TAKE UP TO $50 OFF: The Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale at Amazon for $99.95, down from the list price of $129.99 for a 23% discount. The larger Ninja DualBrew Pro is on sale for $199.99, down from the list price of $249.99 for a 20% discount.

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We all deserve to start every morning off feeling refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. That's certainly not always the case, but one can hope! Something we can control that'll make the mornings better is a solid cup of coffee. If your current coffee maker is on the fritz or you're dishing out big money at the cafe, check out these deals at Amazon.

As of July 13, the Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale at Amazon for $99.95, marked down from the normal price of $129.99 for a 23% discount. The versatile Ninja DualBrew Pro is on sale for $199.99, down from the list price of $249.99 for a 20% discount.

It's no secret Ninja is making some of the best kitchen appliances. Between the Ninja Slushi Twist and the Creami Scoop & Swirl, we have summer treats covered. But when it comes to morning beverages, Ninja has the coffee covered, and Amazon has several models on sale.

SEE ALSO: Shark PowerDetect Speed Luxe review: My favorite stick vacuum for cat hair comes in pretty colors now

If you're looking for affordable and compact, you can't go wrong with the Ninja Single-Serve Coffee Maker. It can accept both K-Cup Pods and ground coffee for making your morning easy and effortless. You get control over the brew style including classic, rich, and over ice. There are also size customizations.

If you want even more versatility, the Ninja DualBrew Pro is perfect. You can go with individual cups or brew a 13-cup pot for the whole house. Use either ground coffee of K-Cup Pods to fit whatever matches your morning.

Whichever model you choose, Ninja will make your mornings easy and convenient. Snag either of these models while they're on sale at Amazon for a limited time.

On Love Island USA, Kayda Reese Bosse and Zacharias Georgiou made a decision that should have simplified their relationship: They became exclusive.

The pair agreed to stop seeing other people but hesitated to use the labels "boyfriend" and "girlfriend." When Kayda told fan-favorite "islander" Trinity Tatum about the arrangement, Trinity called it what it was: a "situationship." The women spent most of the episode debating whether exclusivity actually meant something or was just a relationship without commitment.

Naturally, the internet weighed in.

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Conversations like this have made Love Island USA feel less like a reality TV series and more like a concentrated look at how young people date, communicate, and understand one another in 2026.

Of course, a Fijian villa full of hot 21 to 30-year-olds does not represent an entire generation, and nothing that happens on television is entirely natural. Relationships form under surveillance, new options arrive without warning, and contestants must remain in a viable couple to stay on the show.

SEE ALSO: What dating in 2026 is really like, according to anonymous men on Reddit

But all of that is exactly why the show can tell us something about how young people date and communicate now. Here are four ways this season of Love Island USA has become a snapshot of youth culture today.

The new relationship ladder

Kayda and Trinity's disagreement came down to what the term "exclusivity" actually means. The term usually describes a romantic or sexual connection that looks and feels like a relationship in many ways, but still lacks clear expectations or an official commitment.

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That confusion reflects how complicated modern dating has become. The language has become more specific, but the boundaries between the stages remain fuzzy. "Exclusive" usually means two people have agreed not to date or hook up with anyone else, while a "situationship" describes a connection that may feel like a relationship but still lacks a clear title, expectations, or long-term commitment. Two people can therefore be monogamous, spend nearly all their time together, and still avoid calling themselves a couple.

"Situationships often happen because people want the closeness of a relationship without fully defining it or committing to it," Dr. Gabrielle Schreyer-Hoffman, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, tells Mashable. "When no one is clear about where the relationship is going, that uncertainty can quickly turn into insecurity."

The stretch between single and partnered now has a long list of other possible stops: talking, seeing each other, casually dating, closing things off, going official, and becoming partners. There are also terms for nearly every way those connections can become confusing or fall apart, from benching and breadcrumbing to orbiting, micro-cheating, ghosting, and zombieing.

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The endless vocabulary can be useful because it gives people an easy way to describe experiences that once felt harder to explain, but it also shows just how many gray areas modern dating now contains.

Dating apps and social media make it easier for those gray areas to last. Someone can keep several options open, text every day without committing, disappear without explanation, or continue liking an ex’s posts long after the relationship ends. In that landscape, two people can be emotionally close, sexually exclusive, and deeply involved in each other's lives while still giving completely different answers when someone asks what they are.

The manosphere does not need a podcast to enter the villa

Some of the season's more revealing moments have centered on how the men handle uncertainty and rejection.

Kuman "KC" Chandler repeatedly expressed frustration over the limited physical intimacy in his relationship with Aniya Harvey, telling Corbin Mims that they had not "done" anything and calling her a "grandma." He believed that because he showed affection towards Aniya, he should get something in return (sex). Corbin showed a similar need for visible confirmation, often treating kisses as proof that a connection was moving forward.

Those dynamics fit into a broader misogynistic online culture, known as the "manosphere," that provides young men with a steady stream of advice on confidence, status, masculinity, and dating. Much of that "red pill" content begins as ordinary self-improvement, and many boys encounter it while looking for fitness, grooming, or relationship advice rather than anything openly hostile toward women.

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Shows like Fresh & Fit and the Whatever podcast, along with influencers like Andrew Tate and Sneako, have perpetuated sexist and gender essentialist ideas about men and women. For instance, if a woman has a "high body count," or has slept with however many people is deemed "too much" (which could be any number above zero), she is seen as less valuable in the manosphere's eyes.

SEE ALSO: Why are we obsessed with body counts again?

Young men do not always have to search for that material. A 2025 survey of more than 1,000 American boys ages 11 to 17 found that nearly three-quarters regularly encountered masculinity-related posts, and two-thirds of those boys said the content appeared in their feeds without them seeking it out. Higher exposure was associated with greater loneliness and less openness about their feelings.

The red pill conversation has also followed the current British edition of Love Island, which airs on ITV2 and ITVX in the UK, streams on Hulu in the U.S., and is set to conclude July 27.

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During an "It's Not That Deep" challenge, disagreements over sexual histories, wandering eyes, and relationship red flags grew into a larger argument between the men and women. The male "Islanders" began speaking collectively about how "the lads" felt, while the women pushed back against what they saw as a double standard. A series of individual disagreements quickly became a broader debate over which gender was being treated unfairly.

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The fallout involved nearly the entire villa. By the end of the night, several personal disagreements had turned into a wider argument about which gender was being judged more harshly.

"A lot of women today are more financially independent and successful in their careers, so they do not necessarily need a relationship in the same way as women in previous generations," Dr. Schreyer-Hoffman says.

"Some men, though, grew up watching their fathers have a certain role or level of authority in the household, and they may expect that same dynamic. That gap can create resentment... Men may start to feel like there is no one out there who wants them, while women can feel like there is no one out there for them."

Many of the men repeating these ideas may not think of themselves as "red-pilled" at all. They are often being served the same messages about confidence, rejection, and gender through podcasts, clips, and self-improvement content until those messages begin to feel like ordinary dating advice. But Love Island shows what happens when that advice leaves the feed...and enters a relationship.

The next bombshell is always greener

Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea have spent much of Love Island USA Season 8 caught in the same loop. Sincere pursues another connection, returns to Melanie, and asks her to trust that his feelings for her remain genuine. He explored with Sol Dean early in the season and Amora Robinson during Casa Amor, while continuing to tell Melanie that their connection mattered.

Then, during Movie Night, a recurring event in which contestants are shown clips of one another's behavior from earlier in the season, Melanie saw more of what Sincere had said and done when she was not around, adding another layer of doubt to a relationship that already had very little trust.

The show has a convenient word for all of this: "exploring." Testing connections is built into Love Island, so contestants are expected to remain open whenever someone new arrives. Still, "exploring" can cover a lot of ground. It allows someone to ask for reassurance, loyalty, and intimacy (both emotional and sexual) while keeping enough distance to change direction when a better option appears.

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That mismatch is familiar outside the villa. A Pew Research Center survey found that 36 percent of women on the dating market were exclusively looking for a committed relationship, compared with only 22 percent of men. There's also a difference around monogamy: 20 percent of men said they would consider an open or polyamorous relationship, compared with 9 percent of women. Those numbers do not explain every heterosexual relationship, but they show how two people can enter the same connection with very different ideas about where it is going.

Dating apps can prolong that uncertainty by fostering the sense that another option is always available. In one experiment, researchers showed participants either 11, 31, or 91 dating profiles. People presented with more potential partners reported greater "choice overload," a stronger fear of being single, and lower self-esteem. More choice may sound helpful, but it can also make the person in front of you feel temporary when the next swipe could always be better.

Dr. Schreyer-Hoffman tells us, "Dating apps can create a grass-is-greener mentality, where people start to believe someone better is always one swipe away. When you are seeing so many potential matches at once, it can become easier to label a flaw as a 'red flag' and move on before giving the connection time to develop."

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for serious relationships

Love Island turns that feeling into the show's entire structure. Every bombshell is essentially a new profile entering the feed, and Casa Amor introduces a fresh group of options just as existing couples begin to settle. Contestants are encouraged to keep checking whether something better is available, which can make commitment feel less like progress and more like closing the app too soon.

That is what makes Sincere and Melanie's relationship so recognizable to many in the dating trenches today. Sincere continued deciding what he wanted while Melanie was expected to stay emotionally invested, and each reunion asked her to treat the latest detour as part of the process.

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The villa exaggerates the number of options, but the underlying fear is familiar: choosing one person can feel like missing out on whoever might walk through the door next. That's what makes Love Island such a useful microcosm. Every summer, the show compresses Gen-Z's habits into a few weeks, making the contradictions of modern romance impossible to ignore.