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We're just a few days away from the Full Moon, which means a big chunk of its surface is lit up and easy to see. If you want to do some moon-gazing, we're at a prime time in the lunar cycle.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, June 26, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. Tonight, 88% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

You don't need any visual aids tonight to see features on the Moon's surface. In fact, without anything you'll see the Mares Crisium and Imbrium, as well as the Copernicus Crater. With binoculars you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Clavius Crater, Apennine Mountains, and the Alps Mountains. Finally, if you have a telescope, this will help you see all this plus the Rima Ariadaeus, the Fra Mauro Highlands, and the Apollo 17 landing spot

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on June 29.

What are Moon phases?

NASA explains that the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to circle Earth once, passing through eight distinct phases during that time. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it moves in its orbit. This changing angle of sunlight is what makes the Moon look different throughout the month, from thin crescents to half-lit shapes and eventually a fully illuminated Full Moon. The continual progression through these stages is called the lunar cycle.

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Are content creators the future streaming stars? Tubi is betting on it.

The ad-supported streaming platform, which allows subscribers to stream movies and TV for free, has been expanding its library with shows from content creators like podcaster CelinaSpookyBoo, food critic Keith Lee, and comedians KevOnstage (Kevin Fredricks) and Bigg Jah.

At VidCon 2026, Jess Borison, senior manager of creator partnerships at Tubi, gave a talk at VidCon 2026 on the Creator Mainstage called Inside Tubi’s Creatorverse: A Roadmap for Creators, and Mashable was there.

Here are the big takeaways from the panel.

What does Tubi want from content creators? At VidCon 2026, Jess Borison presents "Inside Tubi’s Creatorverse: A Roadmap for Creators." Credit: Kristy Puchko/ Mashable

Borison began by explaining Tubi's goal to keep "fandom at the forefront." She noted that the streamer has been greatly expanding into the creator space, launching 40 exclusives over the last year. Plus, she noted that 30% of Tubi's audience isn't on YouTube, giving content creators an opportunity to expand their reach through Tubi.

But what is Tubi looking for in content creator collaboration? Borison brought a checklist.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026: Live updates from the internet's biggest weekend 1. Content Fit: Lean into proven genres that resonate with Tubi fandom

Tubi has a vast library of movies and TV shows. So, creators who are working within genres that align with the most popular verticals could be of interest to the streamer. Borison told the audience that among the most-watched genres on Tubi are true crime, horror, comedy, Black entertainment, adult animation, reality challenges, dating, and young adult content.

As an example, Borison noted that horror is very popular on Tubi. So CelinaSpookyBoo, who loves a scary story or a haunted house, was a perfect fit, as was Bloodsuckers: Origins, a YA vampire show from Rock Squad.

2. Package Library: Deliver non-exclusive content. Think in seasons, evergreen, episodic, and/or bingeable.

Some content creators are licensing their pre-existing content to Tubi, such as MeatEater, the YouTube series by writer and TV personality Steven Rinella about hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures. 13 seasons are now available on Tubi, and Borrison says audiences, on average, watch it for 4 and a half hours at a time.

In the Q&A portion of the presentation, she expanded on Tubi's interest in long-form content, noting that it favors at least 10 episodes with a runtime of 15 minutes or longer. Binge-watching is big on Tubi. So, creators looking to work with them should consider which parts of their library could carry over and give a new audience the chance to indulge.

3. Develop exclusive content At VidCon 2026, Jess Borison presents "Inside Tubi’s Creatorverse: A Roadmap for Creators." Credit: Kristy Puchko / Mashable

Tubi is also interested in creator-made content exclusive to its platform. In June, Deadline reported Tubi had signed their "most expansive creator partnership to date" with Kevin Fredericks (aka KevOnStage).

Borison enthusiastically shared that, in addition to a second season of the Fredericks' Tubi original series Safe Space, he's also working on comedy specials and a movie with the streamer.

4. Community Engagement: Share with your fans

One attendee asked whether Tubi has a threshold for the number of followers a creator must have to be considered for licensing. Borison answered, "We're not necessarily looking for a specific subscriber count. We're more looking at portability. Will your audience travel to watch anything you do? Are they coming to live shows? Are they buying merch? Are they engaged with everything you do, and will they be excited to watch more content in a different space?"

To that end, she commended Tubi stars Big Jahh, KevOnStage, and Keith Lee, who use their social platforms to point their existing fans to their shows on Tubi. Plus, Borison noted that creators have a financial investment in their shows doing well on the streamer. As the financial agreement, "It's standard, it's 50/50 rev share across the board."

With all this info, some in the crowd were ready to get into business with Tubi. But it's not as simple as signing up for an account, like YouTube. Borison explained, "We work often with a lot of distributors, who will give us content if they have distribution deals with creators on their own. They can provide your content to us, we can review it, and if it makes sense, we can work through them. You can also go direct, and we'll take a look at your content. If the fandom works, if the audience feels right for our TV audiences, then we would set you up with our portal team to get you all ready to go for the TV platform."

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

It's still Prime Day through the end of Friday, June 26, which means there's still plenty of time to snag some deals. We've hand-picked the best deals across tons of categories, from laptops and TVs to books and headphones. But if you're not looking to spend any money this Prime Day, we get it. It's too expensive to merely exist in 2026. That's why we had to shout out some of the stuff you can get completely for free (or almost free) during this year's annual Prime Day event.

One thing to note: You'll have to be a Prime member to score most of these freebies. So technically, it's not free if you're paying for a Prime membership, but I digress. We take what we can get these days. Here are the best free Prime Day deals and *almost* free Prime Day deals you can grab before the sale ends.

Audible Standard Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Standard free for 3 months + $20 credit Get Deal

Probably the best freebie you can grab this Prime Day, Amazon is offering new and returning subscribers three free months of its Audible Standard subscription, plus a free $20 credit to spend on audiobooks. Usually, Amazon's annual Prime Day deal gives new members three free months of Premium Plus, but the brand launched a new tier recently, so the deal is a bit different this year. The Standard plan lets you select one audiobook each month from the entire Audible collection, but unlike Premium Plus, you can't keep the titles forever and credits don't roll over to the next month. Still, with three months and a free $20 credit, you'll have a stacked summer of reading with your ears. You'll be automatically charged the full $8.99 monthly fee at the end of the promo period if you don't cancel.

Kindle Unlimited Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited free for 3 months Get Deal

One of my favorite subscriptions I actually pay for each month, Kindle Unlimited is free for three months for both new and returning subscribers. A subscription essentially gives you access to unlimited books. Technically, you can only borrow up to 20 at a time, but you can easily return and borrow more regularly to keep your digital library fresh and full. Plus, there are zero wait times or due dates like with Libby (the beloved free library app). I can't recommend it enough if you're looking to read more this summer. You don't need a Kindle device to take advantage of Kindle Unlimited; the app can be accessed on virtually any device. Though, several Kindles are at all-time low prices during Prime Day if you want to snag one. Subscriptions renew at $11.99 if you don't cancel before your promo period ends.

Amazon Music Unlimited Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Music Unlimited free for 4 months Get Deal

Now's a good time to pause your Spotify or Apple Music subscription and check out Amazon Music Unlimited, as it's free for four whole months for new and returning subscribers. It's usually $11.99 per month for Prime members, so that's nearly $50 in savings. Amazon Music Unlimited unlocks not only a massive on-demand, ad-free music catalog, but also ad-free podcasts and one free audiobook per month via Audible.

$15 Amazon credit when you spend $50 on household essentials Opens in a new window Credit: Angel Soft / Cottonelle / Dixie Free $15 Amazon credit when you spend $50 on select household essentials Get Deal

The best things to buy during Prime Day are items you were going to buy already, like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, trash bags, and other household essentials. Not only are products you regularly use probably on sale, but when you spend $50, Amazon will give you a free $15 credit to spend on more stuff. It's a win-win all around.

$5 pizza from Little Caesars Opens in a new window Credit: Little Caesars Little Caesars $5 Large Pizza (Prime members only) Get Deal

As a little Prime Day treat, Amazon linked up with Little Caesars to give Prime members a $5 large pizza (pepperoni or cheese) once per day through the end of Prime Day on June 26. That means you have two more opportunities to lock in your $5 pizzas (details here). It's not free, but $5 for a large pizza is practically a steal.

99-cent streaming services Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ (& 10+ other Prime Video add-on subscriptions) $0.99/month for 2 months Get Deal

My personal favorite Prime Day deals this year are the 10+ streaming services for 99 cents. Popular streaming add-ons for Prime Video like Paramount+ and Starz, as well as underrated gems like AMC+, MGM+, and Shudder, are all just 99 cents per month for two months for Prime members. Besides free trials, which are hardly ever longer than one week, that's about the cheapest you can get any streaming service in 2026.

In 2026, fans increasingly understand that content creators aren't just influencers — they're small businesses.

A growing number of creators are taking that role a step further, launching businesses complete with their own product lines, from clothing lines to candy bars. Creators and industry leaders discussed the shift during a Thursday discussion at VidCon 2026, "Product vs. Content: Why the Smartest Creator Businesses are Shifting the Center of Gravity."

Benefits for creators launching their own products include a diminished reliance on brand deals with companies that don't understand a creator's audience as intimately, moderator Yak Gertmenian said. Gertmenian is the leader of creator innovation at influencer marketing company Influential.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026: Live updates from the internet's biggest weekend

"One of the biggest challenges, and I know everyone's had this if you're a creator, is getting a brand who says, 'Okay, here are the dos and don'ts,' and then after the twelve pages of dos and don'ts, then 'This is exactly what I want you to do,'" Gertmenian said. "'Write this and do this and do this and do this.'"

If a creator follows through with an ill-fitting brand deal or copy, the results can be obvious: "The audience looks at it and goes, 'That doesn't fit at all with what I was expecting,'" Gertmenian said. "And then the brand doesn't look good, the creator's frustrated, the audience is frustrated."

With that in mind, panelists talked about the do's, don'ts, and adjusted expectations required when launching a product.

Low sales from a launch doesn't equal failure

Amy Roberts is the creative director and host for the YouTube channel Style Theory, which has 2.77 million subscribers, and the manager of business development for Team Theorist. She spoke about what to expect from sales during an initial product launch.

" When we think about sales, and we see what the top of the top of the top of creators can sell, a lot of people think, 'I have to sell a million dollars in my first round of merchandise that I put out.' And in reality, you might sell ten thousand, and that is a success," she said.

Roberts went on to explain that success isn't just about achieving your more realistic expectations, but understanding customer data, and using that to inform your next product release.

" It's about setting those goals that you know you can meet and then seeing what works, seeing what didn't, and then setting the goal for the next one."

Having an audience is not the same as having a customer base

" When we think about it from a creative perspective, there's a mindset shift in realizing that audience and followers are not necessarily the same as customers," Gertmenian said.

Jordan Gold, professional musician and co-founder of the Magic Puzzle Company, added that a vocal audience does not necessarily translate to a vocal consumer base.

" Good customers are mostly just quiet," he said.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026 is this week. Here are 7 things to watch.

That said, getting data from your audience and would-be customers doesn't always require a creator to front the cost.

" You should also try a collab," said Megan Lightcap, a partner at Slow Ventures. "The brand is fronting all of the expense. Creators have, like, the best focus group in the world, and you can just really quickly tell what people are buying and what they aren't buying. And if it doesn't work, it's on the brand."

The product is just a new line of the business

Lightcap talked about how creators can become overwhelmed after starting a business, struggling to know the best way to allocate their time between creating content, product development, and customer service. Her solution? Reframing how content and products may coexist.

"The more that [creators] can think about it truly as different business lines within a larger corporation, it removes at least that mental load of, 'I'm ignoring this, so I need to focus on that and vice versa,'" she said.

Delegate, delegate, delegate

Creators can get used to doing it all themselves — more often than not, that's how they built their initial content creation business.

" Realizing where you don't need to spend your time is the hardest skill for most creators to learn, but it's one of the most important, especially if you want to expand into a business," Roberts said.

Where AI fits in

Gertmenian also brought up AI, noting that it is part of any business's considerations these days. All of the panelists talked about its utility when it came to understanding customer data.

When Gold launched his Kickstarter for the Magic Puzzle Company in 2020, his company received over 63,000 backers in one month, he said, with many folks emailing in. He said if he and his staff spent their full work week just answering emails, it would take at least a year.

" Now you can take all that and get a little chatbot that goes, 'Oh, here's your emails that you got this week, and here's what most people are saying,'" he said.

SEE ALSO: Can AI level the playing field for working class content creators?

Roberts echoed the benefits of using AI for data, while clearly noting that Team Theorist doesn't use it for creative work.

" We very specifically don't use it to create things that weren't there before. We work with all of our different artists, we work with a whole team of people to create really cool stuff," she said. "But when it comes to data mining, even our team, who are our data miners, can use it as a tool to help get through things faster and help us understand it quicker."

That speed, Lightcap chimed in, can make a huge difference.

" One of the things that surprises creators, I think, when they get into this journey, is just how long everything takes and how much money it takes, right? Because you're relying on other people. They have to have, you know, their flow or whatever. With AI, it sort of...releases that pressure valve a little bit," Lightcap said.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch college football.

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: Indiana

• Green: Golf brands

• Blue: New coach

• Purple: American goalies

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Indiana Colleges

• Green: Golf Equipment Brands

• Blue: First-year NFL Head Coaches

• Purple: USMNT World Cup Goalkeepers

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 #641 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Indiana Colleges: BUTLER, INDIANA, NOTRE DAME, PURDUE

• Golf Equipment Brands: CALLAWAY, PING, PXG, TITLEIST

• First-year NFL Head Coaches: BRADY, HAFLEY, MINTER, MONKEN

• USMNT World Cup Goalkeepers: FREESE, FRIEDEL, HOWARD, MEOLA

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.

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 June 26, 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 June 26, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 26 Pips

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 26 Pips

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 26 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

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

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (13): Everything in this space must add up to 13. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like a midnight snack.

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 June 26, 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: Quick bites

• Green: Timber

• Blue: Valley

• Purple: Tones

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Crunchy snack item

• Green: Various amounts of wood

• Blue: Areas of low ground

• Purple: Colors plus a letter

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 #1111 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Crunchy snack item: CHIP, CRACKER, NUT, PRETZEL

• Various amounts of wood: BOARD, LOG, SPLINTER, TREE

• Areas of low ground: DALE, DELL, GORGE, HOLLOW

• Colors plus a letter: BRONZER, PINKY, REDO, TANG

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 26, 2026

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

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like a good story.

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 June 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "I'll gobble you up!"

The words are related to stories.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a classic fairy tale.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Billy Goats Gruff.

NYT Strands word list for June 26

• Three

• Bridge

• Pass

• Billy Goats Gruff

• Brothers

• Horns

• Troll

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're quick on your feet.

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 June 26, 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 June 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Sharp.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

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...

ACUTE

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.

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.

When Larry Namer co-founded E! Entertainment Television in 1987, the future of entertainment looked a lot like cable. Nearly four decades later, he thinks it looks like a smartphone held upright.

Speaking at VidCon 2026, the television executive behind one of pop culture's most recognizable brands made a simple argument: the entertainment industry has a habit of clinging to old formats long after audiences have moved on. Whether it's cable, streaming, AI, or vertical video, Namer argues that entertainment has always rewarded companies willing to follow audience behavior rather than trying to change it.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026: Live updates from the internet's biggest weekend

"I think storytelling is storytelling," Namer said. "It's just the technology for delivering that story...is very different. Audience behavior is very different."

That philosophy has shaped much of his career. Today, it's leading him to make a prediction that still feels radical in much of Hollywood — by 2030, vertical, short-form video will become the primary way people consume entertainment.

His reasoning isn't based on trends or hype. It's based on habit.

Namer recalled producing a celebrity news show in China and discovering that nearly three-quarters of the audience watched it on a phone or tablet. The realization prompted a simple question for his production team. "Why are we shooting horizontal when everybody watches us vertical?"

The team rethought everything — from lighting to framing to how hosts moved on camera — to create a show designed for the screen audiences were already using. For Namer, it was common sense.

That mindset also explains why he says he wouldn't launch a traditional cable network today.

Asked whether he would build another E!, Namer said he still believes there's enormous demand for celebrity culture and entertainment news. He just wouldn't package it the same way.

"I would launch it in a non-linear fashion," he said, arguing that audiences expect to watch what they want, when they want, and on whatever device they happen to be holding.

It's a philosophy that extends well beyond vertical video.

AI and entertainment's future

When the conversation turned to artificial intelligence, Namer offered a familiar warning for legacy media companies: stop fighting it.

He compared today's AI skepticism to the music industry's resistance to digital distribution two decades ago. Labels spent years trying to stop the inevitable, he argued, only to surrender control of the business to platforms like Spotify and iTunes. He sees traditional media making a similar mistake by treating AI as something that can simply be ignored.

"Technology marches on whether you like it or not," he said. Yet, that doesn't mean he's advocating for unchecked innovation.

Throughout the conversation with Antony Gordon, the founder of Lighthouse Edutainment, Namer repeatedly returned to the responsibilities that come with building media. He spoke at length about AI guardrails, the mental health challenges facing young people, and the need for platforms to prioritize social good alongside profit. Governments, he argued, should establish rules for AI much like they regulate driving, with clear standards and real consequences for abuse.

His outlook on creators was similarly pragmatic.

Rather than chasing fame for its own sake, Namer encouraged attendees to focus on mastering a skill. "Follow your passion" may be common career advice, he joked, but landlords don't accept sweaters as rent. Success, he argued, comes from becoming exceptionally good at something and using that success to create the freedom to pursue what you love.

Namer's vision of the future of entertainment feels remarkably grounded. He isn't arguing that vertical video will replace great storytelling. He's arguing that storytelling has always adapted to the way audiences live. Television replaced radio. Streaming disrupted cable. Smartphones reshaped how people watch.

Vertical video, in his view, is simply the next evolution.

And if history is any indication, the companies that embrace that shift first will define entertainment's next chapter.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

On May 5, The Bear dropped surprise episode "Gary," a standalone flashback installment all about Mikey (Jon Bernthal) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Bernthal and Moss-Bachrach also co-wrote the episode.

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear' reheats 'The Pitt's nachos in a baffling Season 5: Review

Whether the existence of "Gary" is news to you or you just haven't gotten around to it yet, you may be wondering, "Do I absolutely need to check it out before binge-watching Season 5 of The Bear? Or can I hold off on watching it until later?"

Don't worry: I'm here to tell you that you can certainly skip "Gary" before jumping into Season 5 and seeing how Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), and the rest of the Bear staff's story ends. While it teases a plot element in Season 5, it ultimately has little bearing on The Bear's final season.

The episode follows Mikey and Richie on a work trip to Gary, Indiana, and is mostly a character study of their turbulent relationship and inner pain. Its final scene cuts back to the present, with Richie recalling that trip on his drive to the Bear. The episode ends abruptly with (spoiler alert!) Richie getting in a car crash.

Flash forward to The Bear Season 5, episode 1, which reuses Richie's final car scene from "Gary," but peppers in some flashbacks to the Indiana trip to remind viewers of what Richie is thinking of. The car crash itself winds up being just a minor blip in Season 5. Richie escapes unscathed, and it's the least of his problems behind a flooding restaurant, an overbooked evening service, and a lack of food in the kitchen.

"Gary" does come back later in the season, when Richie tells Carmy about his and Mikey's trip. However, you don't need the context of the episode to understand the monologue. The emotion comes through anyway, and it might work even better without the overwrought build-up of "Gary."

Personally, I wasn't the biggest fan of the episode, believing it to be too indulgent and ultimately having no impact on Season 5. However, for The Bear super fans (or diehard completionists), I'd recommend checking it out if you desperately want more Mikey and Richie. Overall, though, don't put off your Season 5 watch plans for "Gary." Jump right in, and let it rip.

The Bear Season 5 is now streaming in its entirety on Hulu. Episodes also air Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on FX.

The dream for many content creators is to ultimately have a Mr. Beast-level team, who can help edit, pull thumbnails, or promote their content across platforms. But for many creators, all of that work is on you, on top of creating your content in the first place.

Roberto Blake, founder of the Awesome Creator Academy, knows this struggle well, having started on that path 21 years ago, when YouTube was in its infancy. In 2016, Blake earned the Silver Play Button from YouTube, commemorating reaching 100,000 subscribers. Ten years later, on stage at VidCon 2026 for his panel, How to Be a Value First Creator: Winning on Authenticity in an AI World, Blake said of AI, "If I had these things 10 years ago, it'd have made it a lot easier."

"The creator who works 40 to 50 or 60 hours a week at a nine to five job, overworked, underpaid, just like I was," Blake said at the half-hour panel, where he was the sole speaker, "and then has to figure out how they're going to create content with the little scraps of energy they have left and the little scraps of motivation, creativity that haven't beaten out of them by a bad boss. That's the reality of the majority of creators."

Blake argued that AI is a way for creators like this to thrive without a team.

How could AI help content creators now? Roberto Blake presenting his panel How to Be a Value First Creator: Winning on Authenticity in an AI World at Vidcon 2026. Credit: Kristy Puchko/Mashable

Blake told the VidCon attendees that AI tools exist that could help creators more swiftly edit their videos, create thumbnails for those videos, and fix audio issues.

"You can use something like Opusclip, for example," Blake said, "And you can repurpose across all your platforms and formats. You can get horizontal videos. You can get vertical videos, and you can be posting them instead of having to wait for it to come back from your editor three days later and not the way you passed. You have what you need, and it's instant."

He championed 1of10 for creating thumbnails and Adobe Creative Cloud for audio fixes, saying that those mixing tools can salvage audio, and allow you to recreate your voice to change the recorded audio, "instead of having to reshoot the thing and conjure up the energy and get in front of the camera again."

Could AI steal jobs? Roberto Blake says no. Roberto Blake presenting his panel How to Be a Value First Creator: Winning on Authenticity in an AI World at Vidcon 2026. Credit: Kristy Puchko/Mashable

While other panels at VidCon dug into the ethnics of using generative AI, Blake skirted that controversy, telling his audience to focus on audience, "The majority of people don't care how a sausage gets made. They care about how it tastes and how fast they can get it."

He argued that working-class content creators can't afford to hire a professional editor, so AI in that instance isn't taking work away from another creative. However, then he went on to suggest that sometimes other people are an obstacle rather than an asset to a creator's vision, saying, "Even if we could hire people, even if we had the unlimited budget, sometimes the reality is we can't always trust other people with our creativity."

He continued, "Sometimes the truth is many of us, especially those of us who might be introverts, our deficit isn't that we don't think we can find people more talented than us. It's that we don't necessarily think we can find people that we can trust with something we put so much more heart and soul into, and not feel like it might not be disrupted or argued against, or that we're going to have to defend the decisions that we make creatively when we have another cook in our kitchen. And so for those people, sometimes they would rather work with a tool [rather] than another person, and that doesn't disqualify or mean anything bad for artists out there. It just means that that was never a job that someone was going to have, because it was never a relationship that was going to work, and that's okay."

SEE ALSO: YouTube AI slop is a generational threat, child safety experts warn in new petition

As to AI slop — a phrase he eluded to rather than used — Blake said, "Youtube has always been saturated by low effort, low value, low quality content in the sense that 88 percent of long form videos don't get to 1,000 views on the platform, and that's not going to necessarily change because of AI, and that should actually not discourage you. It should mean that you should understand this, we're early." He added, "I haven't seen a single AI channel that's purely AI hit 10 million subscribers on YouTube. And I'm not sure we're going to see that anytime soon."

After urging his audience away from human collaboration, Blake argued "human value" and authenticity paired with AI is the future for creators.

Roberto Blake says AI can help with energy management. Credit: Roberto Blake / Awesome Creator Academy

Blake repeatedly stressed the importance of a creator's energy in shaping their online authenticity, and the importance of protecting that energy.

"People talk about time management, productivity," he explained, "Very few people talk about energy management. They don't talk about how draining some tasks are, and then how emotionally fulfilling other tasks are. What if you could take 80 percent of your time and put it into the things that you care about the process most — you care about writing. Would you love to keep all of that for yourself?"

Blake went on, "With AI, we should look at the idea that maybe this isn't taking something away for us so much as giving us back time to be more human. That was kind of the point of my presentation, that we can be more human if we actually are able to move faster. But the thing that takes away our real humanity is not our technology, it's the lack of our time that we will never ever ever get back."

To learn more about Blake's thoughts on AI and authenticity, you can download a PDF of his presentation's slideshow at Awesome Creator Academy.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

The first question at VidCon's annual "Creator Economy State of the Union" panel was predictable: AI or platforms — which will matter more to creators?

The answers were less predictable.

Rather than debating whether AI would reshape the creator economy, panelists seemed more interested in a different question: What separates creators who build audiences from those who build enduring businesses?

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026: Live updates from the internet's biggest weekend

Their answer revealed just how much the industry has evolved. The creator economy is becoming less about internet fame and more about business fundamentals.

That meant conversations about first-party data instead of follower counts. Audience quality instead of reach. Intellectual property instead of one-off viral moments. Creators, the panelists argued, are no longer just content makers. They're entrepreneurs building brands, products, and media companies designed to outlast the platforms that made them famous.

AI is an enabler, not the story

Despite opening with AI, the panel landed on a surprisingly consistent message.

"AI is an enabler," said Viral Nation co-founder and co-CEO Mat Micheli. "AI isn't a replacement." He pushed back on the idea of AI-generated creators altogether, arguing that creators are, fundamentally, human.

Sophie Lightning Jamison, a creator and creator partnership lead at Anomaly, agreed, comparing AI to every other disruptive technology that's cycled through the industry.

"The thing that's consistent is that successful content creators have to be adaptable," she said.

For Jo Wong, chief revenue officer at POP.STORE, AI's value isn't replacing creators — it's helping solo entrepreneurs operate like larger businesses. Althea Lim, co-founder and group CEO of creator marketing agency Gushcloud, summed it up simply: platforms build audiences; AI builds efficiency.

That consensus felt notable. AI may dominate headlines, but the panelists talked about it less like a revolution and more like electricity: quietly powering everything else.

Followers aren't dead, but they're no longer enough

Micheli argued that follower count has become one of the industry's most outdated measurements, pointing instead to engagement, viewership, and audience behavior. A creator with 50,000 followers, he said, can easily outperform one with millions if they can actually move people to act.

Jamison offered a more nuanced take. In an algorithm-driven internet where people discover videos without following anyone, choosing to hit the follow button has become a stronger signal of intent than it once was.

The bigger shift, however, is that brands increasingly want to understand the entire customer journey — not just who watched a video, but who clicked, purchased, subscribed, or followed a creator somewhere else.

As Wong put it, creators aren't just personalities anymore. They're businesses.

The next generation of creators will think like media companies

Lim described today's most successful creators as "moguls," pointing to her client Snoop Dogg's decision to buy Death Row Records' catalog and transform "Gin and Juice" from a song into a consumer brand. That's the mindset she believes creators should adopt. If every piece of content is treated as intellectual property, it has the potential to become a product, a brand, or an entirely new business.

That philosophy shaped nearly every industry prediction the panel made for the next 12 to 18 months. Bet on first-party data. Invest in distribution. Repurpose content. Build IP. Don't be afraid to sell products. Learn how AI can amplify your workflow instead of replacing it.

Even trust — arguably the panel's most frequently cited buzzword — was framed less as an abstract feeling than a business asset. Trust comes from expertise, subject matter knowledge, and consistently delivering value, the panelists argued. It's also increasingly difficult to fake in an internet saturated with content.

The conversation ended with a bold prediction. "I don't think Hollywood is going to be a construct in the next decade," Micheli said, arguing that creators and actors are converging into the same category of entertainer.

That future already feels closer than it once did. Hollywood stars are chasing creator-style authenticity (just look at Timothée Chalamet and his Marty Supreme campaign), while creators are launching successful movies, consumer brands, podcasts, and production companies. The distinction between internet celebrity and traditional celebrity is becoming harder to define.

Jamison closed the panel with an even simpler prediction: "The term creator economy will not exist in the next few years."

If she's right, it won't be because creators disappeared. It'll be because every business, every brand, every executive — and maybe every entertainer — is expected to think like one.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

Kylie Jenner’s Meta AI glasses are part fashion accessory, part wearable camera, and full-on internet debate.

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On Tuesday, Meta introduced a new line of Meta Glasses, including a Kylie Jenner-designed pair called the Meta Starfire Kylie Edition. The larger Meta Glasses line starts at $299, while the Kylie edition starts at $399. A version with Clear to Grey Transitions lenses is listed at $479.

The glasses are slim, oval-shaped sunglasses that look more like a chic accessory than a piece of wearable tech — which is very much the point.

The Kylie edition includes Meta AI, hands-free photo and video capture, voice controls, open-ear audio, and a camera built into the frame, along with a few Jenner-specific touches: a gem accent, a mirrored charging case, adjustable nose pads, and a Kylie voice option for anyone who has ever wanted their sunglasses to "rise and shine."

Naturally, the internet had thoughts.

Some of the reaction has been about the marketing itself. On social media, users joked that Meta had found the right person to make wearable AI feel less like a Silicon Valley experiment and more like an It-girl accessory. One viral post put it plainly: "wow silicon valley finally figured out who controls consumer spending."

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Others applauded the launch, praising both the sleek design and buzzy campaign.

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Some found it hard to not compare the $399 Kylie glasses to Snap’s much pricier Specs, which were announced on June 16 and are available for preorder at $2,195. They also have quite different designs...

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Another side of the internet has been focusing less on the frames and more on the camera inside them. Users raised privacy concerns about camera-equipped glasses being marketed as everyday fashion.

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That became one of the bigger conversations around the launch. Some users questioned whether glasses with built-in cameras make recording in public less obvious than filming with a phone. Others brought up gyms, bars, schools, and other spaces where people may not expect someone’s sunglasses to also be a camera.

In the comments of one Instagram post about the glasses, one user wrote, "There is a guy that workouts at my gym with meta glasses on and he creeps me out every time I see him." Another wrote, "DONT BUY THESE." A different commenter said there was "zero chance" they would buy them before or after the "souped up marketing gig."

But not everyone cares about surveillance issues, apparently.

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Some users were less focused on the camera itself and more bothered by the idea of everyone walking around with AI on their face.

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For now, the Kylie edition is available through Meta and select retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, Sunglass Hut, and LensCrafters. The base Kylie Starfire Edition starts at $399, while the Transitions-lens version is listed at $479.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy/Meta Meta AI Glasses - Starfire Kylie Edition $399 at Best Buy
Smart AI glasses for Women, Men - Meta AI, 12MP Camera, Live Translate - Black Lenses - Classic Black Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy/Meta Meta AI Glasses - Starfire Kylie Edition $479 at Best Buy
Smart AI glasses for Women, Men-Meta AI, 12MP Camera, Live Translate-Transitions Grey Lenses - Classic Black Get Deal

Whether people are interested in the camera, the AI features, the Kylie voice, or just the look, the internet has already made one thing clear.

The glasses may be designed to blend in, but the reactions definitely have not.

"Man, imagine just waking up every day you're Ned Fulmer."

Those are the words that left Ned Fulmer's mouth as he spoke on his panel at "F*ckups, Fixes, and Lessons Learned" at VidCon on June 25. He was quoting a comment that came across his feed in the aftermath of his 2022 cheating scandal that resulted in his exit from the Try Guys.

Fulmer, who wasn't originally on the lineup for the panel, announced via Instagram on June 23 he'd be speaking on his mistakes at VidCon.

"When I heard I was invited to be a panel for f***-ups, I was like 'Oh my god, I'm perfect," Fulmer shared to laughs from the audience.

For the first 20 minutes of the 50 minute panel, Fulmer spoke about his story one-on-one with Phil Ranta, CEO and co-founder of Stealth Talent. He shared the story that changed his life and the Try Guys forever, and was met with a loud gasp from the audience.

"Oh, that person didn't know," Fulmer said. "That was their first time hearing it."

The tone of the conversation, while not exactly tense, was decidedly different from last year's panel of the same name, which featured three content creators talking about the business errors they made. Despite his mistake being based in his personal life, Fulmer did talk about how the personal and business can be so intertwined in a creator's line of work, pointing to his reputation as a wife guy.

"It increasingly became a role that I was playing that was more and more diverging from my sense of self," Fulmer said, speaking in relation to how emphasizing that persona on-screen can be particularly lucrative and brand-friendly.

Ned Fulmer on his controversial comeback

Ranta and Fulmer also discussed Fulmer's rebrand with his podcast, Rock Bottom. On the first episode of the show, Fulmer interviews his ex-wife.

"I think I f***ed up a second time," Fulmer joked. He went on to discuss that he knew launching a podcast with Ariel would garner a lot of eyeballs and a lot of controversy from folks online. "[It] was sort of the point, but I think also maybe [it] wasn't the right strategy."

The episode has 1.4 million views on YouTube, eclipsing the 56,000 views of the second-most popular video on the podcast's channel. The show is under the umbrella of the media company, Fulmer Media, of which Fulmer is CEO.

When Ranta asked about how Fulmer conceptualized his re-brand, Fulmer answered that he didn't know, but that his guiding force has been putting his internal point of view and public performance in stronger alignment than it was during his wife guy days.

"If you don't have resilience to say I'm making this because I like it, or I'm working on this project because I think it's an important point of view, and I hope it can affect people, change the world in the way that I want to change the world — you're toast," Fulmer said.

Panelists praised Fulmer's vulnerability

For the last 30 minutes of the panel, the remaining three panelists and moderator, VidCon CEO Jim Louderback, joined Fulmer and Ranta on the stage to talk their mistakes.

The full panel lineup of F*ckups, Fixes, and Lessons Learned. From left to right: Phil Ranta, Ned Fulmer, Josh Zimmerman, Ali Spagnola, Leslie Morgan, and Jim Louderback. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

There were echoes of a sentiment Ranta shared at the beginning of the one-on-one conversation: admiration for Fulmer's vulnerability and courage in sharing his mistakes in front of a room of people.

When business and personal collide

While the remainder of the panel's mistakes focused on their business decisions, or interpersonal business relationships, that presented challenges, Fulmer returned repeatedly to the personal nature of his situation.

When Louderback asked panelists to reflect on any early warning signs of their mistakes, Ned said,"Obviously when you are kind of starting a love affair, it starts kind of slowly and then builds and builds in ways that you aren't ignoring," which earned some scattered laughter before continuing, "But that is easy to imagine and not that relevant for the industry panel."

He did go on to talk about the more professional side of the situation, saying of his time in the Try Guys: "I noticed my performances getting increasingly hollow and feeling increasingly negative."

As it pertains to the content he makes today, Fulmer said he accepts if people don't want to watch his content anymore, especially in a competitive entertainment landscape.

"Why should someone choose me when I make them feel uncomfortable and they have to confront these messy, complex ideas of rehabilitation or reinvention or redemption? Maybe they don't want to do that," he said. "Maybe they just want to view someone that makes them feel happy because they had a long day."

A quick look at the best Prime Day deals on LED face masks Best red light eye mask deal iRestore Illumina Red Light Eye Mask $199.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best full-face red light mask deal Dreame Chrona Photon Light Therapy Mask $209.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal

Multiple Mashable reporters and editors have been testing red light masks for the past few years. There were two mega favorites that we were hoping to see on sale for Prime Day: the TheraFace Mask and the Shark CryoGlow, neither of which has particularly noteworthy deals so far. (The TheraFace Mask just has a measly $50 discount, and you can get the Shark CryoGlow plus its $40 charging stand for the price of the mask itself. Whoopee.)

But there are still several worthwhile red light therapy devices on sale buried within the mass of Prime Day beauty deals, including a few other masks that we've tried and really liked. If you're more interested in the larger-scale benefits of a full red light panel, Amazon has several top options on sale for much cheaper than usual.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day ends soon: We found the 125+ best deals on Apple, Kindle, DJI, and Lego favorites Best red light face mask deal for Prime Day Dreame Chrona Photon Light Therapy Mask $209.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $40   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Dreame

Wireless LED face masks are kind of hard to come by, especially if you're not trying to spend a ton of money. Just released in April 2026, the Dreame Chrona mask is a rare wireless red light mask that's actually affordable. Prime Day 2026 marks its first discount ever, dropping it to just $209.99 at Amazon.

For the past few weeks, I've had my beloved Shark CryoGlow mask on hold to test the Chrona mask. And I'm pretty damn impressed with it for how much it costs. It has a floppy, flexible fit like the CurrentBody mask I've tested, but it's much easier to see out of than the CurrentBody mask. You can use the typical 630 nm red light, 465 nm blue light, or 85nm near-infrared setting like many masks offer, or switch to less common LED colors like green to help balance texture, calm inflammation, and mitigate redness. The best part is that it's all done through a wireless remote or a button on the side of the mask.

More red light masks on sale

• Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro or Neck and Chest Pro — buy one, get one free

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• TheraFace Mask Glo — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80)

• CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask: Series 2 — $422.99 $469.99 (save $47)

• TheraFace Mask — $599.99 $649.99 (save $50)

Red light panels on sale

• BestQool BQ60 Red Light Panel — $152.61 $249 (save $36.39)

• Mito Red Light MitoMIN 2.0 Red Light Panel — $211.65 $249 (save $37.25)

• BestQool BQ60 Pro 6 Wavelength Red Light Panel with Clamp — $241.44 $299 (save $57.56)

Red light hair growth devices on sale

• iRestore Professional Laser Red Light Therapy for Hair Growth System — $759.05 $1,299 (save $539.95)

Governor Gavin Newsom isn't letting California "sit on the sidelines" as AI makes its way into the workforce.

Announced today, the state will begin tracking AI-related job loss — and predicting where jobs may be impacted by AI in the future — as part of Newsom's executive order on generative AI. The data will be available for public use, via the new California AI-Unemployment Tracker, and will be updated with new work-related information monthly.

SEE ALSO: There's an official 'Toy Story 5' Lilypad tablet. It conflicts with the film's message.

The tool was created alongside the California Policy Lab at the University of California.

"AI is advancing quickly, and workers’ concerns about what that could mean for their jobs are real. This new tracker helps replace speculation with evidence, giving us a clearer understanding of what’s changing and how to best support affected workers," said Till von Wachter, co-author and faculty director of the California Policy Lab UCLA.

The tracker's inaugural findings don't indicate widespread AI-related job loss just yet, but do show that certain "high exposure" industries and demographics are at particular risk, including tech sectors and employees in the Bay Area. According to the tracker, individuals with college degrees who are frequently exposed to AI could be most impacted by AI's encroachment into the workforce.

In an October Pew Research Center survey, around 20 percent of Americans said they used AI in some capacity at their jobs — the rise in use came predominantly from workers under 50 years of age with at least a bachelor's degree. A separate global survey of executive leadership, conducted by the Mercer consulting firm, found that 99 percent of executive leaders expected AI to impact headcount over the next two years.

TL;DR: Internxt’s 10TB Lifetime Plan is $269.97 during Deal Days through June 28, giving you private, encrypted cloud storage with no subscriptions or recurring costs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan $269.97
$2,900 Save $2,630.03   Get Deal

Cloud storage has quickly become one of those recurring expenses that’s easy to overlook — until you see the monthly charges add up.

That’s one reason Internxt’s 10TB Lifetime Plan is a win. During Deal Days, our answer to Prime Day, new users can secure 10TB of cloud storage for a one-time payment of $269.97 (reg. $2,900), eliminating the need for ongoing subscription fees.

Of course, this isn’t just about storage space. It’s also about control.

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Internxt uses zero-knowledge encryption, which means files are encrypted on your device before they’re uploaded. Only you can access them — not Internxt, not third parties, and not anyone else. The platform also includes post-quantum encryption, designed to help protect data against future advances in computing technology.

The numbers alone are impressive. Ten terabytes is enough room for years of photos, videos, documents, backups, creative projects, and work files. For many people, it’s more storage than they’ll need for a very long time.

Internxt is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers, making it easy to access files across devices. There’s no device limit, so everything can stay synced whether you’re working from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.

Another notable detail is that Internxt is open-source and independently audited, giving privacy-conscious users additional transparency into how the platform operates. Files can also be exported whenever needed, avoiding the feeling of being locked into a proprietary ecosystem.

The main draw of this Deal Days offer isn’t that it’s the cheapest way to store files today. It’s that it replaces years of recurring storage payments with a single decision.

For people thinking long term, that’s often the smarter way to buy technology.

Get lifetime access to 10TB of Internxt storage for a one-time $269.97 (reg. $2,900) through June 28.

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TL;DR: Turn your phone into a portable scanner with a lifetime iScanner App subscription for just $24.97 (reg. $199.90) through June 28.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $24.97
$199.90 Save $174.93   Get Deal

Needing to scan a document usually happens at the worst possible time — when you’re nowhere near a printer or scanner. iScanner solves that by turning your iPhone or iPad into a portable document scanner you can use anywhere. Right now, during Deal Days, an alternative to Prime Day, you can get a lifetime subscription to the iScanner App for just $24.97 (reg. $199.90) through June 28.

It’s almost 2026, but we’re often still dealing with physical documents and find ourselves needing a scanner. The iScanner App lets you keep a scanning device ready at all times by turning your iPhone or iPad into a scanner.

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With the iScanner App, submitting signatures, safeguarding handwritten notes, and sharing documents is easy. Just point your device’s camera at the page you would like to scan and let the app take over. It has AI-powered features that detect and adjust the document’s borders, so you don’t have to deal with distortions.

Once you have scanned something, you can improve it with editing tools like color correction and noise-removing features. Then export it as a PDF, JPG, DOC, XLS, PPT, or TXT. If you pick a PDF, you can also use it to sign, add text, or auto-fill documents on this file type, as iScanner doubles as a PDF editor.

iScanner also serves as a document manager. You can organize your scans into folders using convenient drag-and-drop. It also lets you lock folders and files with a PIN if you’re handling confidential information. And if you need to translate text or solve a math problem, this app can do that too.

Get a lifetime subscription to the iScanner App, on sale now for just $24.97 (reg. $199.90) until June 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

To see more deals, check out the full Deal Days collection.

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TL;DR: Not every great software purchase changes how a computer looks. Some of them change how much time it wastes.

Opens in a new window Credit: PDF Agile PDF Agile Premium: All-in-One Lifetime Subscription (Windows & Mac) $29.97
$119 Save $89.03   Get Deal

That’s why PDF Agile stands out during this Deal Days sales event, our answer to Prime Day. Running through June 28, this all-in-one PDF editor is available for just $29.97 (reg. $119), giving Windows and Mac users a lifetime toolkit for managing one of the most common file formats on the planet.

PDFs have a habit of turning simple tasks into frustrating ones. Need to update a document? Convert it to Word? Merge files? Sign a contract? Extract text from a scanned page? Many people end up bouncing between multiple apps to get the job done.

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PDF Agile brings those tools together in a single platform.

The software lets users edit PDFs directly — including scanned documents — while preserving formatting. It can convert files to and from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, create PDFs from other formats, and use OCR technology to turn images and scans into editable text.

Beyond editing, PDF Agile includes a long list of practical features that tend to come in handy at exactly the wrong moment: document comparison, file compression, page reordering, PDF merging and splitting, password protection, redaction tools, electronic signatures, bookmarks, hyperlinks, and page numbering.

It also works on both Windows and macOS under a single account, making it a useful option for anyone who switches between devices.

The appeal here isn’t simply the price. It’s the convenience of having one application that handles nearly every PDF-related task without forcing you to hunt for another tool every time a document throws you a curveball.

Get lifetime access to PDF Agile for a one-time $29.97 (reg. $119) through June 28.

StackSocial prices subject to change.