Best earbuds deals live ahead of Prime Day

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The best noise-cancelling earbuds deal (if you can grab it in stock)

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$169 (save $80)

Get Deal

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Another great noise-cancelling earbuds deal

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen)

$249 (save $50)

Get Deal

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Best workout earbuds deal

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

$199.95 (save $50.04)

Get Deal

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Best open earbuds deal

Sony LinkBuds Clip

$229.99 (save $31.99)

Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is just days away, but deals on the best earbuds are already Prime Day-worthy.

The four-day sale's June 23 start feels more of a formality when the AirPods Pro 3 drop to a new record low price not once, but twice ahead of the sale's start (at the time of writing, there's limited stock available at Walmart for just $169, shaving $80 off the $249 list price).

Other notable buds, like the Sony XM6 earbuds, second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and Nothing earbuds, are all on sale. Though many of these early deals are available to anyone, Prime member or not, some savings (like on the Nothing buds) are Prime exclusive.

Find all 16 of the best deals we rounded up ahead of Prime Day below.

Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$169 at Walmart
$249 Save $80

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Note: While I was writing this story, this deal sold out at Walmart. I'm keeping it as a top pick for now in case it comes back in stock, but my alternative pick for the best noise-cancelling earbuds deal is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 dropped down to a record low price of $179 ahead of Prime Day, but now the price has dropped even lower before the sale's official start. According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, the Pro 3 buds got down to $169 at Amazon, but at the time of writing, they're sold out. You can still find them at this record-low price and in stock at Walmart (making this the only non-Amazon deal to make our list), but the stock is low, so if you want to pick them up before Prime Day, you won't want to wait too long.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More noise-cancelling earbuds deals

• CMF Buds Pro 2 — $37.05 $49 (save $11.95)

• soundcore by Anker Space A40 — $54.99 $79.99 (save $25)

• Nothing Ear (a) — $56 $79 (save $23)

• Beats Studio Buds + — $99.95 $169.95 (save $70)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)

• Nothing Ear (3) — $128.25 $179 (save $50.75)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.95 $249.99 (save $50.04)

• Technics EAH-AZ100 — $232.99 $299.99 (save $67)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — $249 $299 (save $50)

• Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.90)

• Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 — $449 $499 (save $50)

Best open earbuds deal

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Credit: Sony

Sony LinkBuds Clip

$198 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $31.99

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

The Sony LinkBuds Clip give the ultra-popular Bose Ultra Open earbuds a run for their money. In my head-to-head testing of the two pairs of earbuds, I found that while the Bose buds generally lean louder, the Sony earbuds have a more detailed sound profile, making for an overall superior listening experience. They also have a longer battery life, delivering nine hours per charge, where the Bose earbuds deliver seven. With both earbuds on sale, there's only a dollar price discrepancy between the two, but if you don't anticipate using these earbuds in many noisy situations, the Sony earbuds are likely the way to go.

Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds deals

• EarFun Clip 2 — $63.99 $99.99 (save $36)

• Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro — $149.99 $179.99 (save $30)

• Bose Ultra Open — $199 $299 (save $100)

Prime Day is nearly upon us. The massive members-only sale is Amazon's biggest savings event of the season and your best chance for some summer inflation relief.

Prime Day typically triggers some of the best, most add-to-cart-worthy deals on smart home devices, Kindles, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, headphones, and other popular tech outside of Black Friday. And this year, it's happening a little earlier an usual. (What's the deal with that? Keep reading.)

Mashable's shopping reporters and editors have been covering Prime Day since 2018. Here's what we think you should know about this year's sale ahead of time. Plus, check out our dedicated guide to the top early Prime Day deals you can shop already.

When is Prime Day 2026?

Amazon's twelfth annual Prime Day sale runs from June 23 to 26. For the second year in a row, the flagship summer savings event will last four days, up from its original two.

What's different about Prime Day this year?

Prime Day 2026 got bumped up to June. Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

As mentioned, Prime Day 2026 is happening early. Historically, the sale has almost always fallen in mid-July, not late June.

Speaking to Reuters this month, Jamil Ghani, worldwide VP of Amazon Prime, said the FIFA World Cup and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence were factors in the company's decision to move up Prime Day. Both events are also happening in July. (The World Cup runs through July 19, while the U.S. Semiquincentennial is on July 4.)

Amazon hasn't said as much, but its reasoning there seems to be to position Prime Day as a "stock up for the party" opportunity. Among other products, shoppers will be able to save on groceries and other household essentials for celebrations around July's festivities. Amazon has been going especially hard in the grocery space in recent years.

Speaking of: For the first time ever, Amazon is giving away a free year's worth of groceries (via $10,000 in gift cards) ahead of Prime Day this year. You'll be automatically entered to win if you spend at least $15 on groceries, beauty products, personal care items, and/or pet supplies on Amazon now through June 22, the day before Prime Day begins.

What are the best early Prime Day deals?

Amazon is heavily discounting its own devices and services in the lead-up to Prime Day. Early birds can save up to 65% on its Echo smart speakers and displays, Kindle e-readers (plus Kindle bundles), Fire TVs and streaming sticks, Blink home security gadgets, and eero mesh WiFi systems.

The best early Prime Day deals at a glance:

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Amazon Echo Spot

$44.99 (save $35 with Prime)

Get Deal

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Kindle Essentials Bundle

$106.97 (save $55 with Prime)

Get Deal

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select

$17.99 (save $22 with Prime)

Get Deal

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Blink Outdoor 2K+

$34.99 (save $65 with Prime)

Get Deal

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Amazon eero 6+ mesh wifi system (3-pack)

$194.99 (save $105 with Prime)

Get Deal

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Kindle Unlimited (3 months)

$0 (save $35.97 with Prime)

Get Deal

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Audible (3 months)

$0 (save $26.97 with Prime)

Get Deal

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Amazon Music Unlimited (4 months)

$0 (save $47.96 with Prime)

Get Deal

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"Spider-Man: Brand New Day"

Free ticket with Prime for Young Adults (includes early screening on July 29)

Get Deal

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Little Caesars large pizza

$5 (redeemable five times through July 26 with Prime)

Get Deal

If you're trying to get a head start on your summer reading list, Prime members can already snag two free Kindle books via Amazon First Reads, plus three free months of both Kindle Unlimited and Audible (worth $36 and $27, respectively). Kindle Unlimited unlocks a huge library of free e-books and digital magazines, while Audible is Amazon's podcast and audiobook service.

If you prefer to read the old-fashioned way, print books of all genres are up to 65% off before Prime Day (starting at $7).

Prime members who haven't tried Amazon Music Unlimited yet get a free four-month trial worth $48. Non-members get three months free. If you're already a Music Unlimited member on an Individual Plan, you can convert your subscription to a Family Plan for free for two months. You'll be able to stream music on up to six devices at a time instead of just one.

Need something new to watch? Certain movies and TV shows on Prime Video are up to 50% off for Prime members ahead of Prime Day. (That includes both purchases and rentals.) Plus, Prime for Young Adults members (geared toward ages 18 to 24) can score a free ticket to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day while supplies last. An exclusive early screening option is up for grabs.

Finally, Prime members can get large pepperoni or cheese pizzas from Little Caesars for just $5 apiece this month. You can redeem the offer up to five times from now through the end of Prime Day on June 26.

What will be the best deals on Prime Day?

Lots of popular devices drop to record-low prices every Prime Day. Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable composite; Sony, Amazon, DJI, Samsung

Amazon plans on dropping new Prime Day deals "as often as every five minutes during select periods" during the sale, according to a company blog post. A handful of these offers will get a "Today’s Big Deals" label, which identifies limited-time discounts "featuring exclusive products and trending new releases from brands members love, many at more than 50% off," Amazon said. These deals will go live three times a day throughout Prime Day at 3 a.m. ET, 11 a.m. ET, and 4 p.m. ET — set an alarm.

Amazon hasn't revealed the exact deals it's saving for Prime Day proper, Today's Big Deals or otherwise. But it has shared a list of the general discounts shoppers can expect across different categories, including some featured brands and marquee products. In order from most to least savings, the highlights include:

• Up to 50% off select coolers and drinkware from Hydro Flask, Stanley, and Yeti

• Up to 50% off select home gym and workout equipment from NordicTrack and Peloton

• Up to 45% off select headphones and earbuds from Beats, Bose, and JLab

• Up to 40% off select portable speakers from JBL, Marshall, and Sony

• Up to 40% off select big-screen TVs from Hisense, LG, and Samsung

• Up to 40% off select vacuums and carpet cleaners from Bissell, Dyson, and iRobot, including the Bissell Little Green Machine in an exclusive colorway

• Up to 40% off select small kitchen appliances from Cuisinart and Ninja

• Up to 40% off select air purifiers and fans from Dyson, Levoit, and Shark, including the Dyson Cool Air Multiplier Bladeless Tower Fan

• Up to 40% off select coffee and espresso machines from Breville, Keurig, and KitchenAid, including the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

• Up to 40% off trending "productivity companions" from Skylight, Hatch, and Oura, including the Oura Ring 4

• Up to 35% off select laptops, cellphones, and tablets from HP, Lenovo, and Samsung

• Up to 35% off select college tech and accessories from Acer, Canon, and Octobuddy

• Up to 30% off select games and tech accessories from Logitech, Nintendo, and Xbox

• Up to 30% off select toys and games from Lego and Tamagotchi

Who is competing with Prime Day?

Other major retailers have always run their own competing sales alongside Prime Day. That will still be the case this year despite the timing change.

Best Buy is having a weeklong Tech Fest sale from June 22 to 28. (It's almost twice as long as Prime Day.) It will probably be Amazon's toughest competition when it comes to deals on big-ticket tech: Look for discounts of up to 50% on laptops, TVs, gaming gear, headphones, and small appliances, including fleeting Deals of the Day. The sale isn't locked to paid Plus and Total members of the My Best Buy program, but they'll be eligible for some extra discounts and rewards.

Walmart will host a concurrent Summer Deals event from June 22 to 28, offering "thousands of offers across top brands, popular categories, and early back-to-school essentials," to quote a company press release. Those deals will be available both in stores and online. Members of its Walmart+ program get exclusive early access to a batch of "Hot Deal Drops" on the first day of the sale, which will only be available while supplies last. (Otherwise, the sale is open to everyone.) For a limited time, shoppers who haven't signed up yet can save 50% on an annual Walmart+ membership.

Target is giving Amazon a run for its money with a Target Circle Deal Days sale from June 23 to 26, the exact same days as Prime Day. Members of its free-to-join Target Circle loyalty program will be able to save up to 45% on "thousands of items across apparel, beauty, home, toys, and essentials" in stores and online, according to a press release. It also plans to offer rotating Deals of the Day.

Target might be trying the hardest to lure shoppers away from Amazon. If you show up in person at select Target stores on the first day of Circle Deal Days, you'll get a free hot or iced coffee or a free cookie, so long as you're a Circle member. Those who join the program between now and June 22 will get 15% off their next purchase.

How many times a year is Prime Day?

Amazon's main Prime Day sale only happens once a year, but the company usually hosts two other Prime events a few months before and after it. One is the Big Spring Sale, which runs late March, and the other is Prime Big Deal Days in October, just before Black Friday.

Can anyone shop Prime Day deals?

Prime Day deals are exclusive to Prime members — but that includes paid and trial members, so it's possible to participate for free.

How to sign up for Amazon Prime

Visit Amazon.com/amazonprime to purchase a membership or start your free 30-day trial. If you go the latter route, be sure to cancel your plan before your trial period ends to avoid getting charged. Prime memberships currently cost $14.99 a month or $139 per year.

If you're 18 to 24 years old, you can score a free six-month Prime trial via the Prime for Young Adults program. (Age or student status verification is required.) You'll get 10% cash back on your Prime Day purchases to boot.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Prime

$14.99/month or $139/year; free for your first 30 days

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There was a time when appearing on Hot Ones felt like a novelty. Now, it's practically a rite of passage.

Over the last decade, Sean Evans and the team behind the hit YouTube interview series have transformed a simple idea — celebrities eating increasingly spicy wings while answering increasingly personal questions — into one of the most influential talk-show formats in entertainment. Long before Hollywood fully embraced creator-led programming, Hot Ones proved that a YouTube series could land A-list guests and command audiences on the same scale as many traditional television shows.

Along the way, Hot Ones has become a must-stop destination on the modern press tour, and the show's influence is now so widespread that YouTube is once again submitting it for Emmy consideration. Today, Evans is not only the face of Hot Ones but also part of the ownership group that acquired First We Feast from BuzzFeed in 2024, giving the team control over one of YouTube's most successful franchises.

But behind the viral clips and ghost pepper-induced meltdowns is something more enduring: a creator-built show that has survived platform shifts, changing audience habits, and an increasingly crowded interview landscape.

Mashable spoke with Evans about how Hot Ones evolved from a scrappy internet experiment into a mainstream entertainment fixture, why consistency matters more than virality, what creators can learn from the show's longevity, and the behind-the-scenes chaos required to make sure a new episode arrives every Thursday.

Credit: Zooey Liao/Mashable/First We Feast

There was a time when landing a major movie star on a YouTube show felt like a novelty. Now, creator-led interview shows are everywhere, and Hot Ones feels like a staple of the entertainment ecosystem. Was there a specific moment when you realized the relationship between Hollywood and internet shows had fundamentally changed?

Sean Evans: When I first started, there were so few interview shows on the internet and almost no celebrity interview shows on the internet. Now there are a ton. Even podcasts back then weren't as guest-fueled as they are now, and now there are so many different kinds of celebrity talk shows and chat formats. That's been incredible to see.

There used to be a time when people would do the late-night couch, and then it would be this big event that they'd done this internet show, Hot Ones. Now the whole ecosystem is basically internet shows like Hot Ones. That's been kind of amazing to witness. As for paradigm-shifting moments, I look back on different tentpole episodes. Our first big episode was Key & Peele. Kevin Hart was a huge moment because that was a capital-A lister relatively early in the evolution of the show. Once we booked him, it shook a couple of other apples from the tree that maybe seemed unattainable.

The Charlize Theron episode was important because she was an A-list actress who was down to eat the wings of death. Then that opens up a whole new category of potential guests. Along the way, we've hit these different tentpole moments that have reshaped the show's trajectory. But overall, it's been kind of a snowball rolling down a hill, getting bigger and bigger. Or a wave getting bigger, and I'm just grabbing my surfboard and trying to hold on.

I know you said last year that Hot Ones deserves to be compared to traditional talk shows, and I totally agree. Do you feel like the industry has caught up to that idea, or are creator-led shows still fighting for legitimacy?

I kind of get it both ways. Ultimately, the crusade that I'm on isn't really about Hot Ones. It's that a kid today with broadcasting aspirations probably doesn't dream about hosting The Tonight Show. Their dream is probably more like Kai Cenat or IShowSpeed, or building out their own YouTube channel, or ranking high on a podcast chart. The longer these shows deny that reality, the more absurd and arbitrary it becomes.

My goal has always been to make good episodes for our fans. When you think about the cultural penetration of a show like Hot Ones, the caliber of its guests, and the ratings — eyeballs to eyeballs — then yes, we are worthy of comparison and competition with these shows that have traditionally dominated these categories. But it's hard for me to bellyache about anything. My life is so charming, and I get to do this incredible job. I'm not going to cry about not getting a statue. Everything has been better than anything I ever could have dreamed for myself.

If I die on a hill, it's this: if you look at people who started as creators and are now directors turning million-dollar budgets into hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office, the future is going to be new formats that are born on the internet. The next wave of great auteurs will start on the internet. These arbitrary lines in the sand are eventually going to blow away because they're denying what audiences are actually watching.

The cool thing about Hot Ones is that you've spent more than a decade building an audience that comes back week after week. What's the difference between creating a viral hit and creating something sustainable?

I think we have a format that's very of-the-internet. But when I think about the ways I've been inspired, it's mostly by the classics. I grew up obsessed with Letterman, Conan, Howard Stern, and Jimmy Kimmel. My creative partner Chris Schonberger remembers Channel 4 in Britain — Alexa Chung and those cheeky celebrity chat shows.

We combined those influences into something that feels internet-native, even though it's celebrities eating scorching hot chicken wings. I think it's the combination of something novel and something familiar. We also straddle this unique position where we have one foot in the mainstream and one foot in the internet underground.

And then I think the watch experience is consistently good. Sure, there are duds, but there are more classics than duds. Hot Ones is like a diner burger. You have to eat that burger once a week, and you'll come back the next week, and the week after that. We don't tinker with the recipe every time burger sales dip. We don't reinvent the menu because some food trend pops up. We're pretty classic in our approach, and I think that's given us longevity.

So consistency is the secret sauce?

Yeah. It's the same people making the same thing the same way over and over again because people like the taste of the burger. We're not going to outsmart ourselves.

Everybody knows the gimmick: the wings, the hot sauce. But there's a reason people keep coming back. What's something viewers underestimate about what goes into making a great Hot Ones episode?

Hot Ones is kind of like a duck swimming. Above the water, it's graceful and frictionless. Underneath, the feet are going crazy. I basically live a lifestyle where I grab a carry-on, go to the airport, check into a hotel, do the shoot, go back to the airport, and then do it again in another city. Sometimes we have a season worked out, and a guest cancels 36 hours before we're supposed to shoot. Now we have to find another booking, or there won't be an episode on Thursday. Earlier this year, I literally flew to Italy to shoot with somebody, got there, found out they had to cancel, and then flew back home. No episode. Just flew to Italy for no reason.

The audience shouldn't feel that anxiety. We want to make escapism television. We want you to enjoy a stress-free 24 minutes. But there is a lot of stress that goes into creating that stress-free experience.

Did you at least get to enjoy Italy?

I had a good pasta dinner. I was like, "I'm at least going to do that while I'm here." Otherwise, it was a sad trip.

I know you've said you can basically film Hot Ones anywhere. What's the most unconventional place you've ever turned into a Hot Ones set?

The Charlize Theron episode stands out. She was doing a junket at the Beverly Hills Hotel, so we rented a suite, took the bed out, and hung the black curtains from the ceiling. I remember walking in and seeing sandbags and lights all over the floor and sheets hanging from the ceiling. It looked like a second grader's project. And I'm thinking, "We're about to shoot with an Oscar winner in here."

But that's the Hot Ones experience. You pop it up, put the wings out, do the best you can with the time you have, handle the chaos, then pack it all up and do it again. It's basically a circus roadshow.

Is it fair to say part of the show's success comes from your willingness to go wherever the guest is?

When we can, absolutely. We're halfway through a season right now and already trying to line up dates for the next one. We're constantly trying to match guest availability with release schedules and make sure everything lines up. It's like a Rubik's Cube we're always solving. I think that's part of why we've punched above our weight class in terms of guests over the years. We want to make it the most comfortable, least comfortable interview show possible. We'll do what we have to do to get the episode. We'll hunt it down wherever it is. With the right opportunity, we'll absolutely jump on a plane. I probably do the L.A. to New York flight 50 times a year.

Do you have favorite moments that stand out — not necessarily the biggest or most viral moments, but the ones that mean the most to you?

There are hundreds. I love the show. It's my baby. If somebody is new to Hot Ones, I always recommend Conan O'Brien, Gordon Ramsay, and Paul Rudd. Those are kind of exalted in the lore of the show. I love the Viola Davis episode. I love the Trick Daddy episode. Charlize Theron was important to our evolution.

This year, for awards consideration, we submitted the Kate McKinnon episode, and that one means a lot to me too. There are just so many that I could talk about endlessly.

I have to ask about BTS. I'm a fan, and I know they roll deep with a lot of staff. What did it take behind the scenes to pull that episode off?

I always know we're shooting with a big guest when there's a security sweep beforehand. We'd never done an episode that big before. Seven guests are at the table, with only one member who speaks English. There were so many potential complications. But it went remarkably smoothly. I remember going into the green room, and they were super warm and excited to see me. They just had amazing vibes.

Even when there's a language barrier, there's a common understanding when you're eating scorching hot wings together. Jimin was like, "Come on wing, let's go wing!" and then I'm doing it too. You become bros through the experience. We had spent so much time thinking through every possible complication, and then it ended up being one of the smoothest shoots we've ever had.

Fans loved that episode.

They're great fans, by the way. That's another rewarding thing about doing something like that — capturing a group in that moment where they're re-emerging and coming back out. They didn't do a ton of press, so I'm very grateful that they and their team thought Hot Ones was something the fans would love.

What have you learned about making people comfortable enough to reveal something genuine on camera?

I've always been somebody who could sit at any lunch table in the cafeteria. I like hearing stories. I'm more interested in other people's stories than my own. And I think being a Midwesterner helps. There's a "don't rock the boat, make everybody feel comfortable" instinct. On the show, we try to reflect respect back to the guest. We do a thoughtful, career-spanning interview. That helps build trust. And then you're eating scorching hot wings. Your brain is flashing survival, survival, survival. You're not thinking about the PR talking points you walked in with. All of those things accelerate chemistry and rapport.

Plus, people have a really long leash on Hot Ones. You can cough, curse, blow your nose into a napkin. Where else can you do that? That permission structure makes people more willing to let loose.

Fans are really invested in your friendship with Keke Palmer. She's also a phenomenal host and interviewer. You've had her on Hot Ones, and you've been on her podcast. What do you appreciate about her as an interviewer?

One thing we share is that we're both kind of throwbacks from another time. I talked about my influences earlier, and I think she's very much the same way. When people see us together, there's kind of this throwback late-night-show energy. But it's brought into a new era in a way that younger audiences seem to understand and really enjoy.

TL;DR: Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has started with a number of really interesting matchups from the first round of group-stage games, and they keep coming in the second round. Every team is tied on a single point in Group B, so Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina takes on greater significance.

If you want to watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at the Los Angeles Stadium.

How to watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free

Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

Best Amazon Prime Day deals:

---

Best Apple Deal

Apple AirPods 4

$99 (Save $30)

Get Deal

---

Best headphone deal

Sony WH-CH720N

$94 at Amazon (Save $85.99)

Get Deal

---

Best Amazon Device Deal

Amazon Echo Spot

$44.99 (Save $35)

Get Deal

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Best speaker deal

Sonos Era 300

$379 at Amazon (Save $100)

Get Deal

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Best portable power station deal

Bluetti Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station 600W

$219 at Amazon (Save $70)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV

$1,397.99 (Save $300)

Get Deal

---

Best robot vacuum deal

Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop

$499.99 (Save $300)

Get Deal

---

Best home and kitchen deal

Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer

$59.95 (Save $30)

Get Deal

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Best Lego deal

Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box

$33.49 (Save $26.50)

Get Deal

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Best Deal To Watch

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon

Learn More

Whether you use sales to stock up on household essentials like dish soap or as a time to splurge on big items like a new 65-inch TV, the time is nigh because Prime Day 2026 is coming. If you're eager to start saving, we found all of the best early Prime Day deals, including a classic $99 AirPods deal.

Prime Day usually takes place in July, but this year, Amazon decided to shake things up and run the sale in June. So, if you haven't already heard the news (or seen the many TV commercials), Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs from June 23 to 26. The timing may have changed, but we're still expecting the same great savings on products from Apple, Sony, Dyson, Bose, Ninja, and Samsung.

Mashable shopping experts will be closely monitoring the latest discounts and collecting all of the best Prime Day deals into this shopping guide, so keep checking back for new deals. We're also tracking prices at competing sales from Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and beyond, and we'll make sure we're always pointing you to the lowest possible price.

Deals marked with a ✅ are Mashable editor favorites. Deals marked with a strikethrough are no longer available.

Best early Prime Day Apple deal

Apple AirPods 4 ✅

$99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30

 

Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy

Leading up to Prime Day, we're obviously hunting for the best Apple deals. A major AirPods deal just dropped, and it's a famous one. That's right — $99 AirPods are back at Amazon, where you can save $30 on the newest AirPods 4 earbuds.

Fair warning: We have seen these AirPods drop even lower in price (though, not since 2025), but we think a further price drop is unlikely given the wave of price increases we've seen in the tech world lately.

Apple Watch deals

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

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100)

AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30) ✅

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $179.99 $249 (save $69.01)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499 $549 (save $50)

iPad deals

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $299.99 $349 (save $49.01) ✅

• Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, 128GB, WiFi) — $474 $499 (save $25)

Best early Prime Day headphone deal

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Credit: Sony

Sony WH-CH720N

$94 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $85.99

 

Get Deal

When the main event starts on June 23, we expect some of the best Prime Day deals of 2026 to include our favorite flagship headphones, such as the Sony 1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. But leading up to it, those big brands still have lots of savings to give. Right now, the best deal on headphones is on the Sony WH-CH720N, an affordable pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. Normally $179.99, the WH-CH720N just dropped under $100 ahead of Prime Day. Snag them now for as low as $94 and save $85.99.

More headphone deals

• Sony WH-CH520 — $38 $69.99 (save $31.99)

• Soundcore Space Q45 — $139.99 $149.99 (save $10)

• Logitech G735 — $142.53 $259.99 (save $117.46)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $219.99 $299.99 (save $80)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $399.99 (save $121.99)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra — $329 $429 (save $100)

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $398 $459.99 (save $61.99)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499.99 $549 (save $49.01)

More earbud deals

• Soundcore V20i Open-Ear Headphones — $26.99 $49.99 (save $23)

• Sony WF-C510 — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)

• Technics AZ100 Earbuds — $232.99 $299.99 (save $67) ✅

Best early Prime Day Amazon device deals

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Echo Spot

$44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00

 

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Echo prices dropped in the week leading up to Prime Day. The latest Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both hit new, all-time low prices. But the biggest discount is on the Amazon Echo Spot, the smart alarm clock. This tiny speaker sits compactly on nightstands but provides everything you need to start your morning, including a weather report and tunes to get you out of bed.

Ahead of Prime Day, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $44.99. That saves you $35 off its $79.99 price tag for a 44% discount.

More Echo deals

• Amazon Echo Glow — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)

• Amazon Echo Dot — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15) ✅

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25) ✅

• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Echo Dot Max — $64.99 $99.99 (save $35)

• Amazon Echo Show 8 — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)

• Amazon Echo Show 11 — $149.99 $219.99 (save $70)

• Amazon Echo Studio — $174.99 $219.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Echo Show 21 — $319.99 $399.99 (save $80)

Best Prime Day Kindle deals

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Credit: Amazon

Kindle Essentials Bundle

$106.97 at Amazon
$161.97 Save $55

 

Get Deal

We're eagerly waiting for the best Prime Day Kindle deals. And having covered Prime Day for a long time, we know that Amazon always offers Kindle bundle deals in the weeks before a big sale. So, while we wait for our favorite Amazon e-readers to go on sale, this is your chance to score a discounted bundle, which comes with a Kindle, a cover, and a power adapter.

Kindle deals to watch:

• Amazon Kindle — $109.99

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite — $159.99

Best early Prime Day speaker deal

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Credit: Sonos

Sonos Era 300

$379 at Amazon
$479 Save $100

 

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Whether you're hosting summer movie nights or dinner parties, if you want to upgrade your home's audio, early Prime Day deals are coming in clutch. The advanced Sonos Era 300 is equipped with Dolby Atmos and powered by six drivers for surround sound. Right now, grab it for just $379, saving you $100 off its $479 price tag.

More speaker deals

• JBL Go 3 — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)

• JBL Go 4 — $39.95 $49.95 (save $10)

• Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 — $51.44 $99.99 (save $48.55) ✅

• Ultimate Ears Miniroll Ultra — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

• Sony ULT Field 1 — $88 $139.99 ($51.99)

• Sonos Roam 2 — $134 $179 (save $45)

• Sonos Beam Gen 2 — $369 $499 (save $130)

• Sonos Move 2 — $399 $499 (save $100) ✅

Best early Prime Day power station deals

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Credit: Bluetti

Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station

$219 at Amazon
$299 Save $80

 

Get Deal

Ready for summer adventures? If you're gearing up to pack the car and head into nature, don't forget to invest in a portable power station to keep your campsite powered. Plus, it can serve as an at-home power backup in an emergency.

Prime Day and Black Friday are the best times of year to buy these popular devices, and you can often find savings of 50% or more on Mashable-tested brands like Anker, Jackery, and Bluetti. If you're looking to buy your first-ever power station, an affordable new model from Bluetti is on sale ahead of Prime Day.

More portable power station deals

• Jackery Explorer 1000 — $429 $799 (save $350) ✅

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $499.99 $799 (save $299.01) ✅

• Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $799 $1,070 (save $271)

• Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station — $799.99 $1,499 (save $699.01)

• Anker Solix F3800 Plus — $2,199.99 $2,699.99 (save $500)

Best early Prime Day TV deals

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV

$1,297.99 at Amazon
$1,697.99 Save $400

 

Get Deal

Getting ready for the World Cup? If you want to watch every heart-racing moment in 4K and your TV isn't up to par, then look for Prime Day deals on award-winning OLED and Micro RGB TVs. Case in point: the Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV, on sale now. Normally $1,697.99, it's down to $1,397.99, saving you $300. That also means it's just $100 away from its lowest price ever. It's an exceptionally crisp TV with deep contrast and built-in AI.

More TV deals

• Google TV Streamer — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Roku 65-inch QLED 4K Smart TV — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)

• TCL 75-inch T7 QLED 4K Google TV — $739.99 $899.99 (save $150)

• Hisense 65-inch U7 ULED 4K Google TV — $947.99 $1,499.99 (save $552)

Best early Prime Day vacuum deal

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Credit: Eufy

Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop

$499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300

 

Get Deal

Mashable in-house vacuum expert Leah Stodart named the Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop the best affordable vacuum-and-mop combo. Despite its budget price, Stodart says it's the most heavy-duty robot mop you'll find, and delivers spotless cleans. Ahead of Prime Day, get the Eufy C28 for just $499.99. That's the vacuum's lowest price ever, and provides $300 in savings.

More robot vacuum deals

• iRobot Roomba 105 Robot Vacuum — $248.98 $449.99 (save $201)

• Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 $1,049.99 (save $150) ✅

• Roborock Saros 10R Robot Vacuum and Mop — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600) ✅

More vacuum deals

• Shark HV343AMZ Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum — $119.99 $179.99 (save $60)

• Shark IZ363HT Cordless Vacuum — $219.99 $349.99 (save $130)

• Bissell PowerClean FurGuard Cordless Vacuum — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120)

Upholstery cleaner deals

• Bissell Little Green Mini — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20) ✅

• Shark StainStriker — $109.98 $139.99 (save $30.01)

• Bissell Little Green Max Pet — $117.78 $159.99 (save $42.21)

Best early Prime Day home and kitchen deal

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Credit: Cuisinart

Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer

$59.95 at Amazon
$89.95 Save $30

 

Get Deal

Here's a summer hack to keep your house cool: Don't turn on the oven. That doesn't mean only eating cold salads all summer. What you really need is an air fryer. My air fryer has saved me countless times in the summer, letting me cook dinner without breaking a sweat. Ahead of Prime Day, grab the Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer for just $59.95 and save $30.

More home deals

• Levoit 36-inch Tower Fan — $54.95 $74.99 (save $20.04)

• Dreo 36-inch Tower Fan — $69.96 $79.99 (save $10.03)

• Lasko 42-inch Tower Fan — $75.64 $88.99 (save $13.35)

More kitchen deals

• Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender — $69.95 $99.99 (save $30.04)

• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker — $64.99 $109.99 (save $45)

• Instant Pot 6-Quart Vortex Plus Air Fryer — $69.99 $149.99 (save $80)

• Ninja Pod and Grounds Single Serve Coffee Maker — $99.98 $129.99 (save $30.01)

Best early Prime Day Lego deal

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Credit: Lego

Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box

$33.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $26.50

 

Get Deal

While novelty Lego sets are fun, there's something special about a set that gives you full creative control. The Lego Classic Large Brick Box has 790 pieces to build the neighborhood of your dreams. Just in time for summer break when kiddos need some entertainment, this box set is on sale for 44% off. Grab it now for under $30 ahead of Prime Day.

More Lego deals

• Lego Botanicals Happy Plants — $18.39 $22.99 (save $4.60)

• Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid — $23.95 $29.99 (save $6.04)

• Lego Botanicals Plum Blossom — $23.99 $29.99 (save $60)

• Lego Creator 3-in-1 Colorful Hummingbird — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Lego Botanicals Bonsai Tree — $39.98 $49.99 (save $10.01)

• Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)

• Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon — $67.99 $84.99 (save $17)

• Lego Art Mona Lisa — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle — $136.99 $169.99 (save $33)

The New York Knicks are NBA champions, and New York City is about to celebrate something generations of fans have waited their entire lives to see.

More than 1 million fans, according to early estimates from the NYPD, are expected to flood Lower Manhattan today for the Knicks' championship parade, marking the franchise's first title since 1973 and its first-ever ticker-tape parade through the city's historic Canyon of Heroes. Mashable will be in the middle of the action, tracking the biggest moments from the crowd and documenting the celebrity sightings, emotional fans, Mitchell Robinson's tricked-out custom truck, and whatever chaotic moments the internet inevitably latches onto from Battery Park to City Hall.

Will celebrity superfans Timothée Chalamet and Spike Lee end up riding with the team? Will Mikal Bridges' dog Sonny make an appearance? Will Alicia Keys perform "Empire State of Mind" for the city that spent the past week treating it like the official soundtrack of the NBA Finals? Will actor, director, and Knicks fan Ben Stiller be capturing footage for his upcoming HBO documentary on the Knicks with A24? And can Fat Joe really pull off a parade float reportedly packed with New York hip-hop royalty? We can't wait to find out.

Follow along as New York throws the biggest block party it's seen in decades.

Prime Day is no longer a single-day sales event at Amazon; it's a full-blown online shopping extravaganza. In 2026, Prime Day is not only four days long, but has also shifted to an earlier summer time slot. The official sale runs from June 23 through 26, but of course, deals have been popping up for weeks in the lead-up to the event.

BTW, Amazon isn't the only one with a sale at the end of June, either. The hype of Prime Day has inspired competing sales from other major retailers, including Walmart's Summer Deals event, Target Circle Deal Days, and Best Buy's Tech Fest. Needless to say, shopping this season can be pretty overwhelming.

With an overall hunger for savings amidst inflation-concerned customers, deal shopping is of more interest than ever. And lucky for you, Mashable's shopping team knows a thing or two about finding the best deals. We've got you covered with all the shopping hacks and tips you should know for securing the best deals on Prime Day 2026 and beyond. You'll be shopping like a well-oiled machine in no time.

1. Plan your shopping wisely

It should go without saying, but going into any shopping event without some sort of game plan is risky as hell. It's also a quick ticket to buyer's remorse.

Unlike Black Friday, when it's common to have a list of gifts you're looking for, Prime Day can be a tempting day to splurge on stuff you don't actually need. With a bunch of sparkly discounts at your fingertips, it's easy to get click-happy. Setting a budget for yourself can go a long way in preventing overspending. TL;DR: Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it. We recommend building out a list of things you actually want or need in the days leading up to the sale and abiding by it (and your budget) religiously.

2. Organize your wishlist

Do yourself a favor and get your wishlist in order before you jump into Prime Day shopping. It's our favorite Black Friday hack, but the same tip applies to Amazon's shopping holiday.

Every product page on the retail giant's website has an "add to list" button. Do this with all of the things (tech, everyday household supplies, books, kitchen gear, etc.) on your shopping list this season to organize everything, view it all at a glance, and even rank items based on priority. You'll be able to see which products have gone on sale and seamlessly scoop them up before they're gone.

3. Download the Amazon app (and any competitors you want to shop)

Shopping from your phone? It'd be smart to download the Amazon mobile app if you haven't already. Beyond just making it easier to shop on the go, the app gives you access to exclusive app-only perks like wishlist alerts, personalized suggestions, and more. You'll even be able to see deals on recent items you've searched.

I also recommend downloading the apps of any competitors you want to shop — Walmart, Target, Best Buy — so you can compare prices in real time, no matter where you are.

4. Use Alexa for Shopping as your personal shopping expert

Amazon has put a lot of effort into its Alexa for Shopping feature, so don't be afraid to utilize it. Available on the app, website, and Echo Show devices, Alexa for Shopping combines two of Amazon's secret weapons, Rufus and Alexa+, to create a personalized AI assistant for your shopping needs. You can ask Alexa for Shopping questions directly in the main search bar, create personalized shopping guides for big purchases, get insight on products and categories in search results, generate product comparisons if you're having a tough time deciding, and even view up to a full year of price history for specific items. You can also automate deal-finding, cart-building, and routine purchases if you desire.

If you have a newer Echo smart speaker, you can also turn on the exclusive advanced deal alerts feature (you'll find it under More > Settings > Notifications > Amazon Shopping) for deal recommendations and shopping recommendations. If you already made a wishlist, you'll get a pop-up alert or a yellow ring light on your Echo speaker whenever Alexa finds out about an upcoming deal on one of the items on your list. Alexa will even let you know if an item on your wishlist is going on sale up to 24 hours before the sale goes live, so you can plan accordingly.

5. Compare prices and check CamelCamelCamel like it's your job

So technically, it actually is our job to find the best deals, but we'll let you in on a little secret. When shopping for deals at Amazon, we always reference CamelCamelCamel to see the historical data on the sale prices for a particular item. At a glance, it allows you to see just how good that deal is (or isn't). Even if you're shopping elsewhere, you can get an idea of a product's price history before purchasing. The creator of CamelCamelCamel also released a Walmart price tracking tool.

As I mentioned above, Alexa for Shopping also offers a full year of price history for specific items if you ask. If a deal seems too good to be true, that's usually because it is.

6. Bookmark Mashable's Prime Day hub

Mashable's Prime Day page is the hub for pretty much every deal you need to know about, with links to all of our coverage, like a massive master list of the best Prime Day 2026 deals, plus spotlights on standout deals, competitor sales at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, as well as by categories like TVs, robot vacuums, streaming services, or headphones. This will save you from wasting time trying to skim websites on your own and getting overwhelmed. Literally, our job is to make your life easier.

We'll be updating all of these lists regularly before, during, and after the Prime Day shenanigans, so check back for all the latest and greatest deals that drop.

7. Sign up for Mashable Deals emails

If you don't want to be glued to your screen, but still want to stay in the loop and score the best deals, we've got you covered. In the days leading up to and surrounding Prime Day, our regular newsletters will be filled with discounts you may want to hop on. Head over to our newsletters page and tick the box for the Mashable Deals emails. You'll be sent a quick rundown of deals we think you'll care about, like the best MacBook or Kindle deals to shop, which streaming services are on sale, or which robot vacuum is worth your money this Prime Day.

SAVE $49: An annual Walmart+ membership is on sale for $49, down from the standard price of $98. That's a 50% discount.

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Credit: Walmart

Walmart+ (Annual Membership)

$49 at Walmart
$98 Save $49

 

Get Deal

We're just days away from Amazon Prime Day. This year, Amazon decided to move the sale to the end of June, which means all competing retailers did the same. We now have sales at Target, Best Buy, and Walmart on the schedule for next week. If Walmart is you go-to, check out this excellent pre-sale deal.

As of June 18, an annual Walmart+ membership is on sale for $49, marked down from the standard price of $98. That's a 50% discount that takes $49 off.

A Walmart+ membership gives you access to tons of perks when shopping. For starters, you'll get early access to Walmart's upcoming Summer Deals event to shop the best sales before they sell out. You also get free shipping and free delivery with no order minimum. Plus, you save up to $0.10 per gallon when refueling at any of the over 13,000 Walmart gas stations across the country.

To score the discounted price on Walmart+, you'll need to be a new member or have an expired membership. Those who currently have a monthly Walmart+ membership are also eligible.

Before this deal vanishes, sign up for a year of access to Walmart+ for just $49. The benefits will be well worth the initial investment.

SAVE $55: Ahead of Prime Day, score a Kindle Essentials Bundle for just $106.97 and save $55 on Amazon's e-reader, a cover, and a charger.

Best early Prime Day Kindle deals

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Best Kindle Deal

Kindle Essentials Bundle

106.97 (Save $55)

Get Deal

---

Best Paperwhite Deal

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Bundle

$177.97 (Save $89)

Get Deal

---

Best Colorsoft Deal

Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Bundle

$244.97 (Save $108)

Get Deal

Testing Kindles and e-readers is my job, but it's also my passion. I use my Kindle Paperwhite every day — unless I'm testing a new e-reader — and it's accompanied me on many a summer adventure. So, while I spend a lot of time convincing Mashable readers to buy my favorite e-readers, I also track the best times to buy an e-reader.

I can confidently say that the best time to buy a Kindle is during a big sale, and with Amazon Prime Day 2026 coming June 23 to 26, I expect Kindles to reach record-low prices. Amazon usually saves the best Prime Day Kindle deals until the sale officially kicks off, but Kindle bundles almost always get a discount in the days and weeks before the big event.

So, what early deals should you shop now? And how low will Kindle prices fall once the sale starts?

I have all the answers ahead of Prime Day, so here are the best Kindle deals to shop early, plus what prices to expect.

Best early Prime Day Kindle deal

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Credit: Amazon

Kindle Essentials Bundle

$106.97 at Amazon
$161.97 Save $55

 

Get Deal

If you really want a Kindle ahead of Prime Day, your best bet is the Kindle Essentials Bundle. It includes the basic Kindle, which has a list price of $109.99, but right now you can buy the Essentials Bundle for $106.97. The bundle is a great value and includes a case and power adapter, making it a $161.97 value. Ahead of Prime Day, you can enjoy $55 of savings.

Looking for a different Kindle model? There are lots of other Amazon e-reader bundles on sale ahead of Prime Day, plus tons of Prime Day book deals to watch.

Remember, early shoppers: For the best savings on Kindles, you're gonna have to wait until Prime Day kicks off on Tuesday, June 23.

More early Prime Day Kindle deals

• Kindle Paperwhite Bundle — $147.97 $216.97 (save $69)

• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Bundle — $177.97 $281.97 (save $89)

• Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Bundle — $244.97 $367.97 (save $108)

How much will Kindles cost during Prime Day?

Having tracked prices on Kindles for years, I have a pretty good sense of how much Amazon's e-readers cost during a sale. It's always the same dance: pre-Prime Day, Amazon offers savings on Kindle bundles, but standalone devices don't go on sale until Prime Day officially starts.

So, how much will the Kindle Paperwhite be on Prime Day? And what about Amazon's other e-readers?

We tracked the prices on the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite over the past four sales to predict this years prices. Credit: Mashable

The Kindle Paperwhite's lowest price ever is $124.99, which the device dropped to during Black Friday, Prime Big Deals Days, and of course, last year's Prime Day. So, unless Amazon decides to give it a new all-time low price, we expect to see it drop to $124.99 on June 23.

For a more budget-friendly purchase, the basic Kindle has seen even bigger savings. The e-reader had a new, all-time low price during Black Friday 2025 when it dropped to $79.99. This Prime Day, I hope to see that $79.99 price tag again, but an $84.99 price might be more likely.

TL;DR: All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer/ITVX. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The world has stopped for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

16 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are welcoming the best international sides from around the world as they compete for arguably the biggest prize in sport. Huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Lamine Yamal are likely to steal the spotlight, but new stars always shine brightly in this prestigious competition.

The first round of group-stage games is done. The best moment of the tournament so far? Cape Verde's stunning 0-0 draw with Spain is tough to beat. Messi's hattrick against Algeria was special. And England's 4-2 win over Croatia was arguably the most entertaining clash of the round.

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

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The World Cup is an international football competition between senior men's national teams. The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Argentina. They won their third title at the 2022 World Cup after defeating France in an epic final.

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free

A number of streaming platforms are offering free coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Australia — SBS

• Austria — ORF and ServusTV

• Belgium — RTBF and VRT

• France — M6

• Germany — ARD and ZDF

• Ireland — RTÉ

• Italy — RAI

• Norway — NRK

• Netherlands — NOS

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer and ITVX (recommended)

These streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)

5. Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate.

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with this simple hack.

The best early Prime Day iPhone deals at a glance:

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Best iPhone 17 Pro deal

Apple iPhone 17 Pro (256GB)

Free with Experience More or Experience Beyond at T-Mobile (save $1,099.99)

Get Deal

---

Best iPhone Air deal

Apple iPhone Air (256GB)

$929.99 at Best Buy (save $70)

Get Deal

---

Best budget iPhone deal

Apple iPhone 16e (128GB)

$529.99 at Best Buy (save $70)

Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day kicks off earlier than ever this year. Amazon must know we're all looking for a good deal in an economy with ever-rising prices. If you're on team iPhone, those price increases aren't expected to chill out anytime soon. Tim Cook just announced iPhone price hikes are "unavoidable," citing a chip problem that doesn't seem to have a solution.

Our recommendation is to shop deals as soon as possible if you're in need of an iPhone upgrade. Amazon doesn't currently have any iPhone deals, but we're seeing some great options elsewhere, including Best Buy and T-Mobile.

Here's where to snag the best iPhone deals before the price increase. If you're shopping for other Apple devices like AirPods or a MacBook, check out the best Apple deals ahead of Prime Day.

Best iPhone 17 deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

$0 at T-Mobile
$1,099.99 Save $1,099.99

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

It doesn't get better than free. With no trade-in required, T-Mobile has an excellent deal if you're eyeing the new iPhone 17 Pro. It's free! Of course, there's a slight catch, but it's not terrible. All you need to do is sign on to a T-Mobile Experience More or Experience Beyond plan for 24 months. Over these consecutive months, T-Mobile applies a promo credit to bring the price of the phone to zill. Plus, the Cosmic Orange colorway makes a statement.

Best iPhone Air deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone Air (256GB)

$929.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $70

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the iPhone Air.

For those who want slim but durable, the new iPhone Air is ideal. It's Apple's thinnest-ever iPhone at 5.6mm while having an ultralight titanium frame. Battery life measures about 27 hours and it's compatible with eSIMs if you'll be traveling soon.

Shop Best Buy ahead of Prime Day to snag the 256GB iPhone Air while it's on sale for $929.99.

Best budget iPhone deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone 16e (128GB)

$529.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $70

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Your old iPhone no longer holds a charge but you're not looking to spend much to get a new model. If that's the case, consider the pre-Prime Day sale on the iPhone 16e for $529.99. You'll be getting 128GB storage, 1 6.1-inch display, and the A18 chip. While this isn't the newest model, it's only one generation behind.

More early Prime Day iPhone deals

• Apple iPhone Air (512GB) — $1,129.99 $1,1999.99 (save $70)

• Apple iPhone Air (1TB) — $1,329.99 $1,399.99 (save $70)

Some singles, especially young women, see dating an AI bot as a red flag, new findings suggest.

A new survey from Match Group, the dating app conglomerate that owns Tinder, Hinge, and other apps, found that 47 percent view AI in romantic contexts negatively. Two in five singles aged 18 to 39 say they'd refuse to date someone who uses an AI companion app — and that number jumps to 51 percent for women aged 18 to 24.

Twelve percent of 18- to 24-year-olds surveyed reported using a companion AI app in the past three months. Of those, the biggest reason why was boredom and entertainment (45 percent), followed by 43 percent for roleplay and simulation. Some, 38 percent, did use it to build a "genuine connection," and 26 percent used it to process their emotions.

Match found that when singles are using AI, it's mostly for practical tasks. Nearly 75 percent of singles aged 18 to 39 use tools like ChatGPT regularly, and 69 percent rely on it mainly for productivity.

Only 20 percent of respondents (approximately 1,000 U.S. singles aged 18 to 39 were surveyed between April 13 and May 8, 2026), use AI for personal advice. That's only two percent less than the 22 percent of singles who go to a professional therapist for this. The majority, 60 percent, go to friends, and the same amount goes to family as well.

Despite the disdain for companion apps, though, 64 percent believe AI can help them date, such as keep a conversation going (27 percent), build a strong profile (27 percent), start a conversation (26 percent), or plan a date (24 percent).

The findings are similar to what Match Group property, Hinge, found in its Nov. 2025 report that Gen Z daters use AI tools to initiate and continue conversations.

It seems that when it comes to dating humans, singles — at least young adults — don't see an issue with using AI to chat and plan for them.

Major Match Group apps like Tinder and Hinge have added more and more AI features in the past few years, with others like Bumble doing the same as well. But Bumble recently faced online backlash after announcing it's killing the swipe and likely replacing it with a more AI-driven experience.

A glance at the best deals on 65-inch TVs before Prime Day:

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Best high-end 65-inch TV deal

TCL 65-inch Q8ML Mini LED QLED 4K TV

$1,799.99 at Amazon (save $700 at Amazon, plus get a free 55-inch TCL Q65 TV)

Get Deal

---

Best Amazon TV deal

Amazon 65-inch Ember Artline QLED Art TV

$899.99 at Amazon (save $200 at Amazon)

Get Deal

---

Best budget 65-inch TV deal

TCL 65-inch QM64L Mini LED QLED Fire TV

$529.99 at Amazon (save $270 at Amazon)

Get Deal

You may have not needed a new TV during Black Friday, or even during Amazon's Spring Sale. June through August is the most popular time to move on a TV, so Prime Day is a super convenient time to buy.

If you're not sure what size TV to get, the internet will probably tell you that 65 inches is the most palatable size. That's big enough to be seen from 10 feet away, but not so massive that you'll get a headache in a close-knit living space. A 65-inch TV is also more likely to fit comfortably on the average TV stand than if you bumped up to 75 inches.

Prime Day TV deals are typically so good that you should even be able to snag a 65-inch TV for the typical price of a smaller model. Before Prime Day 2026 officially starts on June 23, I've found more than 10 worthwhile deals on 65-inch TVs already live. Many are 2026 models that just came out in the spring, already on sale at a new record-low price.

Best 65-inch TV deal ahead of Prime Day

TCL 65-inch Q8ML Mini LED QLED 4K TV

$1,799.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $700.00

Plus, get a 55-inch TCL Q65 TV for free

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Just released in April 2026, the TCL Q8ML is the successor to TCL's popular QM8K TV. The single letter change in the title doesn't quite cover the difference in lighting tech here. The SQD Q8ML series features "super quantum dot mini LEDs," which are essentially an extra-bright version of regular quantum dots that are able to reproduce 100 percent of the BT2020 color spectrum. In dark rooms, the 4,000 local dimming zones packed into the Q8ML provide much sharper contrast than a regular mini LED TV.

If you're curious, you can snag the 65-inch TCL Q8ML for $1,799.99 at Amazon ahead of Prime Day — nearly 30 percent off its debut price of $2,499.99. Your purchase of any TCL SQD TV also unlocks a free 55-inch QLED TV from TCL worth $318.

Best 65-inch Amazon TV deal

Amazon 65-inch Ember Artline QLED Art TV

$899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Amazon gives its own Fire TVs a good amount of attention during Prime Day, of course. Despite the discounts, Amazon Fire TVs typically still aren't the best bang for your buck compared to 4K TVs from other brands. However, the early Prime Day deal on the 65-inch Amazon Ember Artline is actually really good value for money.

Only recently released, the Amazon Ember Artline is Amazon's version of a matte art TV. The big deal here is that the Ember Artline comes with a frame color of your choice: Choose from 10 options including Walnut, Ash, Black Oak, Fig, Graphite, Matte White, Midnight Blue, Pale Gold, Silver, and Teak. (Without paying extra, The Frame locks you into black and the Hisense Canvas locks you into teak.)

More 65-inch TV deals at Amazon

• LG 65-inch 75B QNED 4K TV — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200)

• TCL 65-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $527.99 $597.99 (save $70)

• TCL 65-inch QM64L Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $529.99 $799.99 (save $120)

• TCL 65-inch E7 Cinema Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $649.99 $999.99 (save $350)

• Amazon 65-inch Ember QLED Fire TV — $709.99 $849.99 (save $140)

• Hisense 65-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K Art TV — $839.99 $1,299.99 (save $460)

• Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $947.99 $1,499.99 (save $552)

• TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,499.99 (save $502)

65-inch TV deals at Best Buy

• Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,100)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia XR8B OLED 4K TV — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Hisense 65-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $1,999.99 (save $200)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II OLED 4K TV — $2,799.99 $3,299.99 (save $500)

Prime Day, The World Cup, and the Knicks parade weren't enough to start Thursday, so Rockstar Games decided to hijack all gaming, tech, and entertainment-adjacent media with a Grand Theft Auto VI announcement.

At least this one isn't another delay.

On Thursday morning, Rockstar published a very quick YouTube video that doesn't really count as a trailer since there isn't any game footage in it. What there is, however, is preorder information. Rockstar confirmed in the video that Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders will go live across digital storefronts and select physical retailers on June 25. Aside from more or less locking down its Nov. 19 release date, this announcement also means we're probably going to find out how much the game costs in a week's time.

It's been a long and winding journey from the 2013 release of GTA V to now. We still don't really know much about how GTA VI plays or what unique innovations players can expect from the most hotly anticipated game in a long time, and possibly ever. Presumably, we'll know more next week.

The best Lego sets on sale ahead of Prime Day 2026:

---

Best overall deal

Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System

$47.99 (save $12)

Get Deal

---

Best Nintendo deal

Lego Super Mario The Bowser Express

$83.99 (save $36)

Get Deal

---

Best Lego car deal

Lego Technic Peugeot 9X8 24H Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar

$159.99 (save $40)

Get Deal

Any Lego fan knows that getting into the plastic brick building hobby isn't cheap.

Which is why it's a good idea to take advantage of Prime Day deals and shop Lego sets on sale. Amazon's four-day sitewide sale doesn't officially kick off until June 23, but we've already spotted some Lego sets marked down out in the wild.

The best part is that while Prime Day deals can be limited to just Prime members, none of these Lego deals are Prime exclusive. Below, find 12 of the best Lego deals live ahead of Prime Day.

Best Lego deal ahead of Prime Day

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Credit: Lego

Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System

$47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

The Artemis Space Launch system is one the bestselling sets on Lego's website. Due to its popularity, it's on backorder if you buy it directly from the brand. Or, you could pick it up from Amazon ahead of Prime Day and save 20% on the $59.99 list price, bringing it down to just $47.99. For a 632-piece set that measures 27.5-inches tall and has a pretty cool real-world analogue, this set is an early Prime Day steal.

More Lego deals ahead of Prime Day

• Lego Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles’ Guardian — $23.99 $34.99 (save $11)

• Lego Fortnite Supply Llama — $28.79 $39.99 (save $11.20)

• Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Lego Icons Leonardo da Vinci's Flying Machine — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)

• Lego Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House — $45.98 $59.99 (save $14.01)

• Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System — $47.99 $59.99 (save $12)

• Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII — $59.99 $74.99 (save $15)

• Lego Art Mona Lisa — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Lego Super Mario The Bowser Express Train Toy — $83.99 $119.99 (save $36)

• Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious — $111.99 $139.99 (save $28)

• Lego Technic Peugeot 9X8 24H Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

SAVE $370: As of June 18, the Eufy E25 robot vacuum and mop combo is on sale for $629.99 at Amazon. That’s 37% off its $999.99 list price.

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Credit: Eufy

Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo

$629.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $370

 

Shop Now

For a limited time ahead of Prime Day, the Eufy E25 robot vacuum and mop combo is on sale for $629.99 at Amazon, a 37% discount off its $999.99 list price. It’s a solid price cut on an all-in-one cleaner that handles vacuuming and mopping in a single run.

The Eufy E25 robot vacuum and mop combo feels aimed at people who are tired of seeing the same pet hair, crumbs, and dust show back up a day after cleaning. It vacuums and mops at the same time, and the mop system refreshes itself as it cleans so it keeps using clean water throughout the run.

A lot of the work also happens after it finishes cleaning. The all-in-one station automatically empties the dust bin, washes the mop roller, dries it, and refills water, so you’re not dealing with cleanup after every cycle.

Corners and edges usually end up being the spots that get skipped, but the extending arm is designed to reach along baseboards and tighter areas. The robot vacuum also maps your home layout and learns where everything is, which helps it move room to room with less random bumping and backtracking.

Put floor cleanup on autopilot with the Eufy E25 robot vacuum and mop combo at Amazon.

SAVE $40: As of June 18, the Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids (newest model) is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon. That’s 40% off the list price of $99.99.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids

$59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00

 

Shop Now

If you’re looking for a screen that keeps kids entertained without having to hand over your phone, the Echo Show 5 Kids has hit its lowest price this year ahead of Prime Day, dropping to $59.99 at Amazon.

It lets kids ask Alexa for stories, homework help, music, and games, on a compact display designed for everyday use.

This Echo Show Kids 5 smart display is designed for kids to use on their own and is small enough to sit on a desk or nightstand. It includes newer Alexa+ features for kids to go down rabbit holes on topics they’re curious about, play around with knowledge-based games, and turn their ideas into short stories that Alexa helps narrate and illustrate in real time.

With Amazon Kids+, there’s also a huge library of audiobooks they can actually get lost in — Disney stories, old-school classics like Beverly Cleary, and nonfiction that doesn’t feel like schoolwork. And in the background, it can help build routines, like morning alarms or winding down at night with calming sounds, so it naturally becomes part of the daily rhythm.

Grab an early Prime Day price drop on the Echo Show 5 Kids at Amazon.

SAVE OVER $10: As of June 18, the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket has hit its lowest-ever price of $47.99 at Amazon. This is $12 off its full price of $59.99.

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Credit: Lego

Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket (42221)

$47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12

 

Get Deal

Prime Day is now less than a week away, but if you're looking for great Lego deals, you don't have to wait to save.

Amazon already has quite a few early deals worth checking out ahead of time, including an excellent offer on the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket (42221). As of June 18, it has hit its lowest-ever price of $47.99.

This deal saves you $12 on this Lego set's full price of $59.99, but that's not the only thing that has caught our eye. This set, which is a bestseller at Lego, is actually on backorder if you want to buy direct. If it's been on your radar, this is a fantastic opportunity to save while it's in stock at Amazon.

Recommended for ages nine and up, the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket comes with 632 pieces that create the rocket model, but the fun doesn't stop there. Once completed, it actually features a hand crank you can turn that shows the rocket separating into three stages: solid rocket boosters, core stage, then upper stage with the Orion spacecraft.

It also comes with four astronaut nanofigures, blue flames for extra details, and an information panel.

There's no telling how long the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket will remain in stock. Act fast to save.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: Live stream Czechia vs. South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN or Proton VPN.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its second round of fixtures. Czechia and South Africa both suffered defeats in the first round, so this matchup is absolutely vital. A defeat here could make it very difficult to move into the knockout rounds.

If you want to watch Czechia vs. South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Czechia vs. South Africa?

Czechia vs. South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at the Atlanta Stadium.

How to watch Czechia vs. South Africa for free

Czechia vs. South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Czechia vs. South Africa for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN or Proton VPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Czechia vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Czechia vs. South Africa (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. Fortunately, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Czechia vs. South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

TL;DR: You can now buy the Pokémon TCG Gengar Mega Moonlit Tin for only $42.99 on Amazon, with $6.96 cut off its standard $49.95 list price. This price gets you four booster packs, a Mega Gengar ex promo card, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. 

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Moonlit Mega Gengar ex Tin

$42.99 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $6.96

 

Get Deal

Collection tins are a great way to get a selection of Pokémon TCG boosters from different expansions at a reasonable price, and Amazon has delivered a price cut to its new Mega Gengar version right before Prime Day. 

As of June 18, the Pokémon TCG Mega Moonlit Tin Mega Gengar ex edition is listed on Amazon for $42.99. That’s 14% off its typical $49.95 price, saving you $6.96 on the sealed collector tin.. 

The $42.99 listing is shipped and sold by BigCityCards, with free delivery estimated for June 26 to July 2 at the time of writing. If you want it sooner, Amazon’s main buy box is sitting slightly higher at $43.99 from Champion-Gaming, with free delivery listed for June 22-23. Other Amazon sellers are also close, including Hero Collect at $43.99, Collectors Expedition at $44.45, and Red Rocks Distributing at $44.99. 

Inside the tin, you’ll get one foil promo card featuring Mega Gengar ex, four Pokémon TCG booster packs of trading cards (two Chaos Rising, one Perfect Order, and one Phantasmal Flames), and one code card for Pokémon TCG Live. 

Based on the $42.99 Amazon price, that works out to about $10.75 per booster pack before factoring in the Gengar promo or the digital code — which marks a nice saving compared to the usual $12-$17 price range we’re seeing for single packs on Amazon these days. 

You can also buy the Pokémon TCG Mega Moonlit Clefable ex Tin on sale at Amazon. For more Chaos Rising booster packs, you can grab the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for under $90 while stocks last. 

TL;DR: The iPhone 17 Pro is available for free with T-Mobile. You can claim by switching to an Experience More or Experience Beyond unlimited plan.

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Free when you switch to an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in required).

Shop Now

Look, we know the iPhone 17 Pro isn't exactly the shiny new kid on the block. It has spent the last nine months dominating our social media feeds thanks to that distinct camera module and the viral Cosmic Orange finish. But the iPhone 18 launch is looming, and that means carriers are officially entering clearance mode. This is the time for savvy shoppers to shine.

If you don't care about having the absolute newest phone, T-Mobile has launched a massive late-cycle push on this current-gen handset. For a limited time, you can secure the iPhone 17 Pro for free. And you don't even need to trade anything in to qualify.

To score the iPhone 17 Pro for free, you just need to switch carriers and activate a new line on T-Mobile’s Experience More or Experience Beyond plans. If you're already an existing customer, you can get the exact same deal by trading in an eligible handset (like an iPhone 15 Pro) on those same plans.

It's important to note that T-Mobile doesn't just hand over an $1,100 phone without strings attached.

The retail price is financed over 24 consecutive monthly statements, and T-Mobile applies a promotional credit each month to bring that specific line item down to $0. If you decide to bounce to another carrier or try to upgrade early to the iPhone 18 in September, those monthly credits vanish instantly. You will be stuck footing the remaining bill for whatever is left on the phone's 24-month payment cycle.

It was recently announced that only iPhone 17 Pro users will get some of iOS 27's AI tools. If you really want to experience Siri AI's most advanced features, it might be time to upgrade.

Score the iPhone 17 Pro for free with this latest offer from T-Mobile.

TL;DR: The New York Knicks 2026 NBA championship parade starts on Thursday, June 18 at 10 a.m. ET. Coverage is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET on Peacock through NBC New York News, while additional coverage will air on MSG Network, ABC7 New York, NBC 4 New York, and NBCSN Extra via YouTube TV.

It actually happened. After a painful 53-year wait, the New York Knicks are NBA Champions.

Finals MVP Jalen Brunson put away the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5, ending the longest active championship drought among teams that had previously won an NBA title. Predictably, the city has lost its mind. Now it's time to party.

Whether you plan on skipping work to stand 10-deep on the sidewalk or want to stream the entire historic moment from the comfort of your living room, here is everything you need to know about the logistics, the route, and how to watch.

What time does the Knicks parade start?

The parade is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026. The floats are set to begin rolling at exactly 10 a.m. ET.

What is the Knicks parade route?

The procession will follow New York City’s legendary Canyon of Heroes pathway in Lower Manhattan. The parade kicks off at The Battery (Bowling Green) and travels directly north along Broadway before culminating at City Hall Park.

Following the float progression, Mayor Mamdani will host a civic ceremony outside City Hall to present keys to the city to Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the rest of the roster. Keep an eye out for Mitchell Robinson driving his own custom raised pickup truck in the parade lineup. That's the kind of unhinged energy that Knicks fans relish.

How to watch the Knicks parade from home

If you aren’t willing to brave the swarms of fans taking over the subways (we get it), coverage is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET on Peacock through NBC New York News. Additional coverage will air on MSG Network, ABC7 New York, NBC 4 New York, and NBCSN Extra via YouTube TV.

One of the popular ideas related to artificial intelligence is that it'll pave the way for vastly cheaper, advanced medical exams. A movie version of this is the home MRI-like machine, with the protagonist stepping inside it and getting a full body scan and an assessment within minutes (remember the healing med-bay in Elysium?).

Now, Midjourney, the company known primarily for its powerful AI image generation tech, is trying to turn that dream into reality with a new project: a full body, ultrasonic scanner.

Yes, we're talking an actual, full size, medical scanner, and it's so far removed from what Midjourney did so far, that in an introductory blog post, the company itself admitted the project is "a little weird and a little crazy, but also spectacular and filled with hope."

The Midjourney Scanner project is still in a fairly early stage. The company says it will work like this: You step onto a platform, which slowly submerges your body into water. A ring of underwater sensors send ultrasonic waves through your body, and create an image of everything that's happening inside it (the tech is related to how dolphins use echolocation to explore their surroundings underwater).

The entire process shouldn't take more than 60 seconds; which is a lot faster than a traditional MRI, which needs 60 to 90 minutes to perform a full body scan.

The machine takes the picture, the AI figures out what's what. Credit: Midjourney

The key — and this is where Midjourney's AI expertise comes in — is in the terabytes of data produced by the sensors every second of the scan. The company's post is a little short on the details, but it says the scanner will require immense computational power and AI smarts to turn the sound waves into images. When that's done, you'll get a very precise 3D map of your body — and a lot faster than an MRI.

Also, according to Crypto Briefing, Midjourney isn't going it alone; in 2025, the company signed a licensing agreement with Butterfly Network, a company that specializes in handheld ultrasonic scanners. Also notable is Midjourney's head of hardware Ahmad Abbas, who has previously worked on Vision Pro at Apple.

Midjourney says it's moving the project forward at the "maximum speed that’s physically possible." In practical terms, this means that the first Midjourney Spa with hot tubs, saunas, and Midjourney Scanners, should be opening "in the heart of San Francisco" in 2027. The idea is that you could enjoy the company's spa facilities as you would in any other spa, but you'd also effortlessly leave with a full scan of your body, and a "huge library of data about your health."

Welcome to the spa, enjoy your time here, and don't forget to pick up your scan. Credit: Midjourney

Before it can open a commercial spa like this, Midjourney will have to spend the next 12 months refining the algorithms and hardware, then building a "research spa," upgrading to a second-generation scanner, and getting FDA approval for the project. If all goes well, in 2028, Midjourney Spas could start opening in more cities, and that's also when the company hopes to upgrade to a third-generation scanner. "Gen3 is where it gets 'serious,' the silicon for this design will be completely custom and image quality and scan times will be night-and-day," the post says.

By 2031, Midjourney's goal is to have a fleet of over 50,000 scanners worldwide, with a total scanning capacity of a billion scans every month. It's a very ambitious goal for a company that hasn't produced any hardware so far, let alone medical hardware. Midjourney says it will document its journey (sorry) by publishing regular updates about the project; beyond that, Midjourney says there will be more "exciting projects" to show in the future.

We're always looking for new and inventive ways to hit you with big savings on popular items. We cover hundreds of deals every month. You can find these deals on site, on socials, and on our newsletter. We've also launched a Mashable Deals text group. The daily deals that we send to this group are researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

You can find a live hub for those deals right here.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $87.21 on Amazon. This is through a third-party marketplace seller, Strike Zone Online, but takes 31% off the sealed ETB before delivery.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box

$87.21 at Amazon
$123.98 Save $36.77

 

Get Deal

Chaos Rising has not been out in the Pokémon TCG for long, but the expansion’s Elite Trainer Box has already moved from launch-week premium into more affordable territory — making the go-to box more budget-friendly than ever.

As of June 18, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is available at Amazon for $82.22 via Strike Zone Online. That’s initially $36.77 off the $118.99 list price, though this lowest listing has $4.99 delivery currently scheduled for June 26 — costing you $87.21 altogether. 

If stock happens to run out at this low price, Prime Picks has the same ETB listed at $87.99 with free delivery, while other Amazon marketplace options are sitting around $89.

TCGplayer is even cheaper if you are happy to shop outside Amazon. Unopened Chaos Rising ETB listings are currently starting from $77.99 with shipping included, going only just higher than its market price of $76.75. 

Inside the box, you’ll get nine Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising booster packs, one full-art foil promo card featuring Fennekin, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, one competition-legal coin-flip die, one plastic coin, a collector’s box with six dividers, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

You can pull valuable single chase cards that would look great in any binder (or you can buy individually on TCGplayer) — including SIR Greninja, Mega Hyper Rare Greninja, SIR Cinccino ex, Mega Dragalge ex, and Mega Floette ex. 

To get the lowest cost per pack, you can grab the Pokémon TCG’s 36-pack Chaos Rising Booster Display Box for under $265. If it’s only a few extra boosters you want, you can also buy the Chaos Rising Booster Bundle for around $50. 

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub for free with a VPN. The best services for unblocking porn sites from Australia is ExpressVPN.

The world of porn continues to be impacted by age-verification laws. Back in early 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub hit back by blocking users from those locations. A similar situation took place France and the UK, and now Australians are facing the same set of challenges.

The porn blocks arrived just days before new online safety codes came into effect, requiring organisations to verify the ages of users. It's the same story we've seen before, with the same straightforward workaround.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Australia, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

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

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

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

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

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

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

• Servers in locations all around the world

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

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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Multiple simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantees

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

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN.

SAVE OVER $300: As of June 18, the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso and coffee machine is on sale for $549.95 at Amazon. This is $350 off its full price of $899.95.

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Credit: De'Longhi

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine

$549.95 at Amazon
$899.95 Save $350

 

Get Deal

A fresh cup of coffee is always a great way to start your morning. If you've been searching for a machine that can help elevate your at-home cafe by brewing up coffee and espresso drinks, the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo deserves your attention.

As of June 18, it's on sale for $549.95 at Amazon ahead of Prime Day.

It's usually listed at $899.95, so you'll save $350 overall by taking advantage of this deal. Before Prime Day, that's an excellent discount to jump on. Since it's currently marked as a limited time deal, the clock is already ticking to make a move on it. Don't miss out on this opportunity.

Whether you're in the mood for a cappuccino, latte macchiato, or a straightforward coffee to start your morning, the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo can help brew it up. It actually features seven one-touch recipes that you can work with. Alongside the three previously mentioned, it can also help you make espresso, iced coffee, hot water if you want something like a tea, or you can personalize and save a recipe through the My Latte function.

It also comes with a conical burr grinder that features 13 grind settings for your beans and a LatteCrema System that can froth up milk, or a milk alternative, for your favorite drinks. See? Who needs to go on a coffee shop run?

Be quick to grab this great De'Longhi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso and coffee machine deal at Amazon ahead of Prime Day.

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SAVE $22.50: As of June 18, the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 wireless charging station is on sale for $67.49 at Amazon. That’s a 25% discount off the list price of $89.99.

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Credit: Anker

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charger

$67.49 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $22.50

 

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If there are too many cables cluttering your nightstand, this Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charger is an easy way to clear things up. As of June 18, it’s down to $67.49 at Amazon, marking its lowest price this year, just ahead of Prime Day. It’s not the absolute lowest we’ve seen, but it’s still very close to the bottom of its usual discount range.

This Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charger delivers up to 15W fast wireless charging, giving your phone a quick power boost, and it’s designed to charge your phone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time, so you can replace multiple separate chargers with one setup.

The stand supports fast charging for the Apple Watch, getting it from 0 to 100% in about 1 hour and 13 minutes, according to the brand. It tilts up to 45 degrees, so your phone is easy to view while it charges, which is useful for notifications or StandBy mode. It also includes a USB-C adapter and cable in the box, along with a 24-month warranty.

Get this Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charger deal at Amazon.

TL;DR: The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD is on sale for $369.99 at Amazon, cutting $270 off its $639.99 list price. That takes 42% off one of Samsung’s fastest internal SSDs, with read and write speeds of up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB

$369.99 at Amazon
$639.99 Save $270

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Finding a new internal SSD for your PC or PS5 has been an incredibly pricey endeavour with the ongoing memory crisis in the tech industry right now. In the build-up to Prime Day, however, Amazon has started dropping some deals that can make the cost of upgrading your gaming storage a little less painful. 

As of June 18, the Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 is on sale at Amazon for $369.99, down from its $639.99 list price. With this $270 saving, you’ll be buying one of Samsung’s most popular high-end internal SSD — the 2TB model is a high-speed solid storage boost for gaming PCs, PlayStation 5s, and even creative workstations. 

Depending on your budget and specific needs, Amazon has other 990 PRO options discounted. The standard 1TB model is listed for $219.99, down from $319.99, while the 4TB model is currently $895. 

If you want the built-in heatsink version instead, Amazon has the 1TB model for $299.27, the 2TB model for $495.49, and the 4TB model for $730 after a much larger cut from its $1,139.99 list price. 

As for how well this will suit your gaming rig, the 990 PRO is built around PCIe 4.0 performance, with Samsung promising sequential read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,900 MB/s. That makes it a strong fit for large game installs, fast boot drives, video editing, 3D work, data-heavy projects, and anyone moving beyond older SATA SSDs or slower Gen3 drives. 

If you’ve been eyeing up an m.2 SSD for your PlayStation setup, the version of the 990 PRO with the added heatsink was made specifically with the PS5 in mind — which is a must for managing the high heat it generates and stabilizing its temperature. With that, you’ll be ready to manage the ever-increasing size of Fortnite and the Call of Duty games. 

Check out the best PlayStation deals to grab before Prime Day — including new deals on top games and even the PlayStation Portal. If you’re eyeing up a whole new gaming setup, you can buy the ASUS TUF F16 gaming laptop at $600 off among other new gaming laptop deals. 

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're fit.

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.

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.

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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.

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Strength-building

• Green: Behavior

• Blue: Historical figures

• Purple: Fixer upper

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: Fitness class types

• Green: Demeanor

• Blue: Peace activists

• Purple: Tools minus last two letters

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 #1103 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Fitness class types: AEROBICS, BARRE, BOOTCAMP, PILATES

• Demeanor: ATTITUDE, BEARING, CARRIAGE, PRESENCE

• Peace activists: GANDHI, KING, MANDELA, TUTU

• Tools minus last two letters: HAMM, JIGS, PLIE, WREN

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.

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 love the ocean.

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.

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Beneath the waves

The words are related to the sea.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe marine life.

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 Coral Reef.

NYT Strands word list for June 18

• Shark

• Seaweed

• Algae

• Coral Reef

• Plankton

• FIsh

• Urchin

• Crab

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 always looking for a way in.

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.

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.

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

Admission.

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 E.

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...

ENTRY

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.

SAVE OVER $700: As of June 18, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 portable power station is on sale for $798.99 at Amazon. This is $700.01 off its full price of $1,499.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station

$798.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $700.01

 

Get Deal

When it comes to early Prime Day deals, portable power stations are one of the many items we've been keeping a close eye on at Amazon.

Quite a few models have already seen some solid price cuts before the sale event, including the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2. As of June 18, you can scoop up this portable power station for $798.99.

This is nearly half off the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2's full price of $1,499, meaning you'll save $700.01. That's a pretty sweet deal before Prime Day begins. It's certainly worth the investment, whether you want it for upcoming camping trips or to have as backup power in case severe weather rolls through.

For starters, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 offers impressive portability thanks to its lightweight design (weighing 39.5 pounds) and built-in handle. Carrying it from room-to-room, or through the great outdoors, will feel much easier than dragging around a heavy unit. It's also a mighty powerful little device, with three AC ports that offer a total output of 2,200W and a capacity of 2,042Wh.

It also charges quickly, hitting 80% in just 66 minutes through AC Fast Charging or a full charge in 102 minutes using the Emergency Super Charging mode in the app. And it runs quietly: Jackery notes on the store page that it operates at a noise level of less than 30dB. On top of that, it even comes with a LiFePo4 battery that can last up to 10 years, so it'll be with you for many years to come.

Ahead of Prime Day, don't miss out on this great deal on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 portable power station at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Meta has casually added some facial recognition code for smart glasses to the Meta AI app, but don't worry: the company says its just "exploring" the feature.

Speaking in the monologue above, Jimmy Kimmel remained unconvinced.

"Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, they've got some fun projects in the hopper. They are reportedly testing facial recognition and surveillance software for their smart glasses. Which, if they work, the glasses would have the same technology used by the government and the police to record everything and identify everyone. But it only works on human faces, not whatever this is," says Kimmel, cutting to a photo of CEO Mark Zuckerberg looking particularly robotic.

"Remember when Mark Zuckerberg was just this weird kid from Harvard who created The Facebook so he could hopefully one day lose his virginity? Now he's a sneaky little narc making pervert glasses."

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Donald Trump's newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cost almost $15 million, but it's still managed to turn green.

Seth Meyers took "A Closer Look" at the project during Wednesday's Late Night, particularly the fact that the pool is currently not the Bahamas-like turquoise or "American Flag Blue" the president hoped for. Instead, it's green, thanks to algae. And like Jimmy Kimmel, Meyers pointed out the irony.

"Trump gave out a no-bid contract to a friendly company with an inflated profit margin for a project no one asked for, and in the process he took an iconic American institution and turned it puke green. This brings us to a segment called 'The Metaphor Is Way Too Obvious'," said Meyers.

"You guys, the metaphor is way too obvious. I mean, do I really need to spell it out for you? My whole job here is to come out and make ridiculous metaphors, but real life is already a metaphor. He said he was going to 'drain the swamp' and he literally drained a pool or lake or small ocean and created an actual swamp.

"At this point, I might as well just quit and move to the Bahamas, so I can swim in a pool that's actually turquoise."

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TL;DR: Head to a participating Best Buy on June 27 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. local time to build and take home a free 133-piece Lego Star Wars Bo-Katan set.

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Credit: Best Buy

Best Buy: Free 133-Piece Lego Star Wars Bo-Katan Set

 

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Lego regularly runs make and take events, giving builders a rare opportunity to walk away with a custom mini-set that money literally cannot buy. We’ve covered a fair share of these freebies over the years, but this upcoming event is particularly exciting for fans of a galaxy far, far away.

On Saturday, June 27, Best Buy is hosting a Lego Star Wars in-store event where you can build and take home a Bo-Katan Lego Star Wars set for absolutely nothing, saving 100% on what would easily be a $10 to $15 collectible.

The event will run from 12-2 p.m. local time on June 27 at participating Best Buy locations (check locations here).

When you arrive, you’ll be handed the 133-piece character set and step-by-step instructions to assemble the legendary Mandalorian warrior. Once the build is complete, it's yours to keep. No purchase is necessary, and you don’t even need to show a Best Buy membership card to participate.

A 133-piece set is an incredibly generous offering for a free event. Usually, these store giveaways feature tiny, 50-piece micro-builds (like the N-1 Starfighter event we saw earlier this year).

It's important to note that these events are first-come, first-served. Quantities are strictly limited. If you turn up just before 2 p.m., expect to walk away empty-handed. We suggest arriving slightly before noon to secure your spot.

And no, you can't turn up with a trench coat and try to hoard five of them. It's a strict limit of one build per person.

Good luck to everyone planning to make the trek on June 27 — and may the brick-building Force be with you.

TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is stacked full of amazing matchups. Is Canada vs. Qatar on that list? Probably not for the neutrals at least. But for fans of Canada and Qatar? This is an all-important clash that could be crucial when the group stage comes to an end.

If you want to watch Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. Qatar?

Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at BC Place Vancouver.

How to watch Canada vs. Qatar for free

Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Canada vs. Qatar for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Canada vs. Qatar for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Canada vs. Qatar (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

Stephen King has been on a TV and movie recommendation spree over the past couple of days.

On Tuesday the horror master shared his thoughts on Obsession, and on Wednesday he turned his attention to Widow's Bay. The popular Apple TV horror show about a creepy New England island has just streamed its finale, and — given that the show had been described as a "Stephen King mixtape" — it's no big surprise that the author himself tuned in and posted a review on X.

As for King's thoughts?

Overall it sounds like he enjoyed it, although he did take the opportunity to shout out another show he's enjoying even more.

"WIDOW'S BAY is good," King wrote on X. "MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED is even better. It's like Hitchcock came back to do it one more time. And Tatiana Maslany is so good. The play of emotions on her face is pretty incredible. She goes from comic to terror in an instant."

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Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is a dark comedy/crime thriller that follows Paula (Tatiana Maslany), a divorced fact-checker who witnesses an apparent kidnapping while on a call with a cam boy (Brandon Flynn).

"Maslany and series creator David J. Rosen have crafted a compelling trainwreck of a character, one whom you'll want to follow to the ends of the earth," wrote Mashable's Belen Edwards in her review. "Or at the very least, the end of 10 pulse-pounding episodes."

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is now streaming on Apple TV, as is Widow's Bay.

TL;DR: Live stream Mexico vs. South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has really delivered so far, and we're expecting more of the same from the second round of fixtures. Mexico and South Korea both won their first games, so this contest looks like really interesting. The hosts are probably slight favorites, but they'll need to be at their best to beat a talented South Korea side.

If you want to watch Mexico vs. South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Mexico vs. South Korea?

Mexico vs. South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Guadalajara.

How to watch Mexico vs. South Korea for free

Mexico vs. South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Mexico vs. South Korea for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Mexico vs. South Korea for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Mexico vs. South Korea (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream Mexico vs. South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

"Why are you here?"

"Freedom. And beer. My future ex-wife, hopefully."

"Thank you for your honesty."

Daily Show host Jordan Klepper's conversations with attendees at Donald Trump's Freedom 250 UFC fight birthday party at the White House bring a cornucopia of responses.

On Sunday, the correspondent headed to the president's $60 million celebrations to chat to some of the estimated 80,000 people either invited to the event on the South Lawn or headed to a fan zone nearby.

"This is the American Dream," says one attendee.

"This is the American Dream?" responds Klepper. "Two sweaty guys fighting on the White House lawn?"

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I'm not saying that you can expect every robot vacuum that mops to scrub your kitchen grout with the same tenacity as you could by hand with a toothbrush. But the best robot vacuum and mop combos have gotten much closer to true deep cleaning versus the ol' wet light dusting of the cheap mopping robot vacuums of the early 2020s.

Many have smart mopping settings that unleash deeper scrubbing on specified spills or stains, and some even use AI sensors and cameras to assess whether a mess has been sufficiently cleaned. The mopping mechanisms themselves are also just more physically able to do a better job — from downward-pressing dual-rotating mops that can actually get close to the wall to sturdy roller mops that rinse themselves as they go, automated mopping involves more elbow grease and brainpower than you may be expecting.

You can also set your robot vacuum to take multiple passes over dirty floors in the app's settings — one of my go-to tips for making your vacuum work better.

The self-emptying docks of 2-in-1 robot vacuums are far more advanced than they were a few years ago. The best robot mop combos will also self-dispense detergent, automatically wash and dry their mopping pads, and then refill themselves with clean water. In theory, mopping pad maintenance should be nearly as automated as the cleaning itself.

Recent changes to this guide

• June 2026: I added the Narwal Flow 2 as the new pick for best roller mop robot vacuum overall, bumping the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow to the best roller mop robot vacuum under $1,000. The Narwal Flow 2 has stronger suction power and more advanced AI spill detection.

• March 2026: I replaced the Eufy X10 Pro Omni with the Eufy C28 as my pick for the best budget robot vacuum mop combo. The X10 Pro Omni is two years old at this point, and its suction power, mopping skills, and small obstacle avoidance simply can't keep up with the C28 — especially when their price difference is less than $100.

• February 2025: The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete takes over as the best robot vacuum in 2026 so far, and the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow replaces the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best roller mop robot vacuum. Due to the X60 Max Ultra Complete's meticulous corner cleaning and market-leading suction power, the Roborock Saros 10R has been removed from the list.

• November 2025: The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra has been named the best robot vacuum mop combo under $1,000, a mark that it hits when on sale. The Eufy X10 Pro Omni got a similar update: It's now named the best robot vacuum mop combo under $500, which refers to a sale price it hits quite often.

• October 2025: The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller has been added as the best roller mop robot vacuum. Previously our top pick as the best robot vacuum and mop, I've now named the Roborock Saros 10R as the best corner mopping robot vacuum.

A strange clump of stars near the Milky Way's core may be the battered remnant of something far more complex than previously thought.

They call this space region Terzan 5, named after astronomer Agop Terzan, who discovered it in 1968. At first glance, it looks like a dense ball of old stars, the kind astronomers usually label a globular cluster. But new data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, combined with two decades of Hubble observations, show it's much more than that.  

Though globular clusters usually have just one ancient star population, Terzan 5 appears to have at least four generations. The first stars were born 12.5 billion years ago, followed by waves dating back to roughly 4.7, 3.8, and 2.5 billion years ago. 

The chemistry inside the cluster also points to at least two kinds of supernovas happening within it. Early, massive stars exploded and enriched the system with heavier elements. Later, so‑called Type Ia supernovas — white dwarfs that blew apart — added more iron. Over time, the levels of lighter elements, such as oxygen and magnesium, dropped. That pattern fits a system that keeps recycling gas and forming new stars.

To astronomers, these clues suggest Terzan 5 started life far more massive, then shed most of its stars into the Milky Way's bulge, the dense swarm of stars around the center of the galaxy. By reconstructing its lost mass, testing whether it hides dark matter or a central black hole, and mapping how the galaxy disassembled it, researchers hope to use Terzan 5 as a sort of Rosetta Stone for studying how galaxies build their central regions.

"This is like a kind of a galaxy in a bottle," said R. Michael Rich, a research astronomer at UCLA, at the 248th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Pasadena, California. 

Terzan 5 sits about 3,000 light-years from the Milky Way's center, in the crowded region astronomers call the bulge. 

Because Terzan 5 resembles a chunk of the material that helped build the Milky Way’s central bulge, the research team is now calling it a "bulge fossil fragment," said Francesco R. Ferraro, principal investigator for the observations at Italy's University of Bologna, in a statement. 

By comparing about two decades' worth of images, the researchers tracked how individual stars drifted across the sky. True members of Terzan 5 move together, while foreground and background stars wander in different ways. 

"We look at the cluster as if it were a flock of birds, and essentially, there are these birds flying together in the flock, but then there are a lot of other birds flying around kind of randomly," Rich said. "The other birds are stars in the galactic bulge."

Now the team wants to rewind its life story. Today, Terzan 5 weighs about 1 to 2 million times the mass of the sun, similar to a hefty cluster. But the team believes the group started life with far more mass — perhaps on par with 1 billion suns — and slowly lost most of its stars to the Milky Way's bulge. The team plans to use Webb to count low‑mass stars in Terzan 5 and estimate how strongly the galaxy stripped stars away over time.

Astronomers used new data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, left, combined with two decades of Hubble Space Telescope observations for the study of Terzan 5. Credit: NASA illustration

They also see hints that something unseen may lurk inside. Earlier measurements suggested that stars along the outer edges of Terzan 5 move faster than the visible matter comfortably explains. That tension helped motivate the Webb study in the first place. 

"We are presently doing detailed analysis to try to find out if we can account for that motion by a population of low-mass stars, or whether we need something else," Rich said. "That something else would possibly be the first globular cluster to host dark matter." 

Another idea points to a massive black hole in the center, which would reveal itself through very fast‑moving stars near the core. So far the team has not seen clear evidence for that.

SEE SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY EARLY: Prime members have the chance to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day at an exclusive early screening two days before its nationwide release. Prime Young Adult subscribers can also claim a free ticket. Tickets are now available — secure yours while supplies last.

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A Prime membership really is the gift that keeps on giving, particularly this season. Besides the usual perks, a paid membership also gives you access to exclusive deals this upcoming Prime Day (which falls on June 23 to June 26), $5 pizza at Little Caesars, a sweepstakes for free groceries for a year, and access to an early screening of the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially hits theaters on July 31, but Prime members have the opportunity to see it two days before its nationwide release. The exclusive screening will take place on July 29, 2026 at 7 p.m. local time in select theaters across the country. Tickets are now available through Fandango on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Spider-Man: Brand New Day landing page on Amazon.com. As a treat, Prime Young Adult subscribers can also claim a free ticket.

Head to the landing page and click on the yellow "Buy early tickets" button. You'll then be prompted to log into your Amazon Prime account and redirected to Fandango to select your tickets. All early access showings will be on premium large format screens, which include Dolby Cinema and 3D. Prime Young Adult subscribers will want to click on "Claim 1 free ticket" at the top of the page and follow the same prompts.

Credit: Sony Pictures

Tickets are going fast and screenings have limited capacity, so be sure to snag yours ASAP if you want to see the latest Spider-Man film before everyone else.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day brings back stars from the previous three films, plus characters from other Marvel franchises. That includes Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Zendaya as MJ, Jacob Batalon as Ned, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher, Michael Mando as Mac Gargan/Scorpion, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, just to name a few. The film picks up four years after the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home in a world where Peter Parker continues to fight crime as Spider-Man in a world that doesn't remember him.

Peep the trailer below:

Not a Prime member? There's still time to sign up and gain access to the early screening, but you'll want to act fast to secure your tickets. And don't forget, Prime Day starts on June 23.

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Clinical psychologist Dr. Mark McConville was shocked when he learned from a recent poll that half of parents location track their adult children aged 18 to 25.

"It's almost never a good thing," said McConville, author of Failure to Launch: Why Your Twentysomething Hasn't Grown Up...and What to Do About It, of the parental surveillance.

Location tracking an 18- to 25-year-old, he added, is most often an "index" of "parental anxiety" that doesn't "contribute in some concrete way to the development of the child."

Those may sound like harsh words to parents who follow their young adult children's every step. Yet the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, which surveyed 1,542 parents on the topic earlier this year, suggest McConville is onto something.

Parents seek peace of mind

Roughly two-thirds of parents who location track do so for peace of mind or in case of an emergency, according to the survey.

The scenarios that make parents more likely to check their child's location? Standard young adult activities like being out late at night or in an unfamiliar place, hailing a rideshare or taxi service, or spending time with someone they don't know.

Another 21 and 17 percent, respectively, use location tracking to know whether it's a good time to call or to stay abreast of their child's activities and whereabouts. Nine percent want confirmation that their child frequents places that meet their approval. Eleven percent said they had no specific reason for the surveillance. Among parents who track, almost three-quarters said they always use a location-tracking app or software.

Tracking without consent

McConville wasn't the only one shocked by the findings.

Mott Poll co-director Sarah Clark told Mashable that the prevalence of tracking surprised her. But the fact that more than 50 percent of parents who track don't give their adult child a say in the matter also dismayed Clark.

"It's one thing if we have a conversation about it," Clark said. "It's another thing for parents just to do it without a lot of input from their young adult kids."

Tracking isn't a surefire reprieve from parental anxiety, either. Nearly a quarter of the poll respondents who track said following their child can make them more anxious than reassured.

Why parents should quit tracking

McConville understands the appeal of location sharing. His wife and golfing buddy both have his location for practical reasons. He also follows his teen granddaughters' activities via their location, but will only do so with their permission once they've left home.

Yet he's concerned about parents of adult children who track in a "supervisory" role or to manage their own anxiety. Tracking for those reasons may impede a young adult's ability to become fully independent from their parents. It can also undermine a young adult's confidence in their ability to manage their own life.

"It is not intrinsically damaging, but is it a signal that the development of autonomy or independence is somehow not being achieved or behind schedule?" McConville said.

How parents can reframe their tracking

While the poll didn't ask parents when they started tracking their adult children, both McConville and Clark suspect that it began for some during high school, when it could've been practical or developmentally appropriate.

Continuing the practice into young adulthood might be innocuous or even normal for parents, but McConville suggests a different approach as they come to terms with the inevitable.

"Do you expect that sometime your child is going to outgrow your supervision?" McConville asks. "Why isn't 19 an appropriate time?"

He also encourages parents to consider whether they're tracking for their child or for themselves.

McConville recommends that parents track their emerging adult child only with permission and only if the behavior is "negotiated as between two parties of equal status." Parents should certainly avoid questioning a young adult's choices based on their location data.

How young adults can push back on tracking

Location tracking may be a routine part of some young adults' lives, particularly if they follow (and are followed by) friends, roommates, and romantic partners.

The behavior is widespread enough amongst adults that it featured heavily in the latest season of the Bravo reality show Summer House. So, asking a parent to stop may not seem worth the hassle.

But if a young adult wants their parent to cease tracking them, McConville suggests beginning a conversation with open-ended questions.

The script could be as simple as, "I know you're tracking me. I'm sure you have some concerns. I'd love to hear what they are," McConville said.

In response, the young adult can present what McConville describes as a "data-based argument" demonstrating their competence. Those data points might include class attendance, grades, community involvement, and job responsibilities. Then they can deliver a straightforward plea for autonomy and independence, noting that being tracked makes them feel like a child.

Learning to tolerate disapproval

McConville acknowledges that some parents may consider tracking as part of the deal if they pay college tuition, for example. When the stakes are that high, McConville said the young adult may just decide to "grin and bear it."

But if temporary parental anger or frustration is the worst that will happen, McConville said that may very well be worth the long-term independence.

"One of the developmental tasks of that era is you have to learn how to tolerate your parents' disapproval," McConville said. "That's a really important thing of becoming a freestanding 25-year-old."

Every year, Apple, Samsung, and Google grace us with plenty of great handsets across the price spectrum. This year is different in one notable way, however. Thanks to RAMageddon, even budget phones are getting more expensive.

If you want something good for under $500, you can still get that. But if you want a true flagship device or a bendy screen, you'll have to set aside $1,000 to $2,000 and up.

The year is almost halfway through, so we thought we would celebrate the greatest smartphone achievements of the year to date. Here are the five best smartphones of 2026 so far, in no particular order.

Best flagship: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

'Ultra' is right. Credit: Chris Taylor/Mashable

Putting together a "best smartphones of the year" list in June is a bit difficult because most companies wait until the back half of the calendar year to unleash their flagships. Samsung is not most companies.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best flagship of the year so far, almost by default, but that doesn't mean it's undeserving. This is a powerhouse of an Android handset, with a huge 6.9-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an excellent camera array, and a massive 5,000mAh battery that keeps it chugging all day long. It's also chock full of Samsung's latest AI features, if you're into that, and it stands out from the competition by including an S Pen stylus for your note-taking needs. Yes, $1,199 is a lot for a phone, but you get what you pay for, in this case.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB Unlocked Phone (Black)

$1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200

 

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Best iPhone: Apple iPhone 17e

Only one camera is a bummer, but the rest of it is pretty nice. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Apple is one of those companies that waits until later in the year to play its best cards, but the iPhone 17e is quite a nice phone for its modest $599 price tag.

This year, Apple upgraded its budget option with MagSafe support, an A19 chip, and a new starting 256GB storage capacity. That means it can run all the latest AI apps and won't fill up right away, which are both great qualities for a budget phone to have. It's also got respectable battery life for a phone in its price range. The only real disappointments here are the cameras and the 60Hz display, two things that some other budget phones are better at. Still, if you live in Apple's ecosystem and don't have a ton of money to spend, this is a very good phone.

Apple iPhone 17e

$599.99 at T-Mobile

 

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Best budget Android phone: Google Pixel 10a

Totally flat. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Every year, the Google Pixel A-series represents some of the best value in the world of smartphones. They're usually about 90 percent as good as the flagship Pixel that comes out about six months prior, with some corners cut to reduce the price. That was not necessarily the case with the Pixel 10a this year, but it's still a solid device that's easy to recommend to anyone who wants a $499 Android phone.

Sure, it's missing some of the high-end AI features and didn't get a processor upgrade over last year's model, but the totally flat back means it won't wobble on your desk, which is nice. Google's typical high-quality camera trickery is also at work here, which is no surprise. Google also packed in some more charging options and a brighter display, all for $100 less than an iPhone 17e.

Google Pixel 10a

$482.99 at Amazon

 

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Best foldable: Motorola Razr Ultra

It's not quite the original Razr, but it'll do. Credit: René Ramos/Mashable

We're still waiting for Samsung's next batch of foldables, as well as the rumored iPhone Fold, but Motorola has our back with the best foldable of 2026 so far: The Razr Ultra.

Aside from its name being a nostalgia trap for elder millennials who remember the old Razr flip phones fondly, this is a very good foldable. Unfortunately, it also starts at $1,499. Still, if you can afford it, you'll get a cool clamshell design, two excellent AMOLED displays, one of the best mobile processors money can buy in the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a 36-hour battery life. Yes, the price is a lot, but it's not entirely unwarranted. Our tech editor loved this Android foldable, and we think you will, too.

Motorola Razr Ultra (2026)

$1,499.99 at Amazon

 

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Most ambitious: Samsung Galaxy TriFold

Look at that thing! Credit: Timothy Werth/Mashable

Our last phone on this list is, unfortunately, one you can't really buy anymore. Samsung released the Galaxy TriFold earlier this year for a very limited window of time before pulling it off the shelves forever. Normally, that'd disqualify it from a list like this, but the TriFold was so cool that we want to pay our respects to it before its memory is lost like tears in rain.

As its name suggests, this was a foldable with two creases instead of one, meaning it had a massive internal display that made it more like something from Star Trek than a regular phone. That kind of display is simply better for things like gaming and reading books than a normal one, but it also meant the phone was probably tricky to manufacture and was never going to be long for this world. Still, it was a really cool experiment, and we're glad Samsung got it into some of our hands, however briefly.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

10. How to Make a Killing

They Will Kill You. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. I Love Boosters. Of all the 2026 eat-the-rich comedies, How to Make a Killing is one of them. It's also the weakest of the bunch.

Writer/director John Patton Ford offers a toothless remake of the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets. Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, who comes from a ultra-affluent family line but has been disowned by his conservative grandfather (Ed Harris) for being a literal bastard. Raised by his disinherited single mom, Becket has had to work for everything he has. But when a femme fatale (Margaret Qualley) tempts him with the good life, he realizes the way to win his family's fortune is to kill all of those ahead of him in the line to inheritance. It's a fun premise. But Powell is woefully miscast, and How to Make a Killing is more bland than funny.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: ⁦⁨Glen Powell⁩, ⁨Margaret Qualley⁩, ⁨Jessica Henwick⁩, ⁨Bill Camp⁩, ⁨Zach Woods⁩, ⁨Topher Grace⁩, and ⁨Ed Harris⁩⁩

How to watch: How to Make a Killing begins streaming exclusively on HBO Max June 19.

9. Finnegan's Foursome

Ed Burns is back with a comedy about golfing, grief, and family. Finnegan's Foursome centers on the eponymous Irish American family who loves golf so much they have an annual tournament, compete with a big trophy for the winner. That winner has long been patriarch Jack (Ian McElhinney). But when he dies, he has two wishes. One, that his two sons (Edward Burns and Brian d'Arcy James) scatter his ashes in Ireland. Two, that the competition carry on without him.

The brothers may bicker on the green and off, but with their grown children at their sides, they'll play together to figure out what the Finnegan family's next round will look like. If you revel in Burns' brand of feel-good family drama, you'll enjoy his latest. — K.P.

Starring: Edward Burns, Brian d'Arcy James, Erica Hernández, and Brian Muller

How to watch: Finnegan's Foursome is now available for purchase on digital.

8. The Voices of Our Mother

Intergenerational trauma is alive and well in The Voices of Our Mother, which sees damaged siblings returning to the family home to care for their mysteriously sick mom. But is it possible that the origin of her illness isn't entirely natural? You bet! The trailer for Mark O'Brien's film looks like religious horror with more than a few Hereditary-style scares. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Sheila McCarthy, Mark O'Brien, Georgina Reilly, Carolina Bartczak, and Alex Ozerov-Meyer

How to watch: The Voices of Our Mother debuts on Shudder on June 19.

7. Never Change!

Search Party's John Reynolds writes and headlines Never Change!, a comedy about an unusual high school reunion. Imagine if, in 2008, a batch of seniors saw their final year disrupted in a school-leveling tornado. Instead of finishing up their last semester, they moved on to wherever life might take them. Now in their thirties, the would-be class of 2008 is invited back to finish their final two weeks of high school with "no drama." But much silliness ensues.

How will teen cliches like the high school play, prom, house parties, and graduation look with a bunch of thirtysomethings reconnecting to their teen angst? From the look of this trailer, it's gonna get weird. — K.P.

Starring: John Reynolds, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Carmen Christopher, Jo Firestone, Rudy Pankow, Topher Grace, Jackie Cruz, Ana Gasteyer, Patti Harrison, and Zach Cherry

How to watch: Never Change! is now streaming on Hulu and on Disney+.

6. I Will Find You

Netflix has been on a run of Harlan Coben adaptations that are equal parts addictive and ridiculous, and fans will be pleased to know that I Will Find You looks set to crank that dial up to 11. The story follows David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), a father imprisoned for the murder of his own little boy. But wait! Not only is David innocent, but it seems as though his boy might be alive after all — and rather than waiting for the slow cogs of justice to turn in prison, he decides to break out and find him with the help of his former sister-in-law, Rachel (Britt Lower). — S.H.

Starring: Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia, Erin Richards, Jonathan Tucker, Madeleine Stowe, Clancy Brown, Logan Browning, Vas Saranga, and Chi McBride

How to watch: I Will Find You is now streaming on Netflix.

5. The Season

In the mood for yet another show about the lives of the ultra-wealthy? Then check out Hulu's The Season, a six-part series about Hong Kong's elite — and the outsider hellbent on taking them down. That outsider is Cola Pierce (Jessie Mei Li), a banker from Michigan who finds herself running in the same circles as the powerful Hext family. Backstabbing and eat-the-rich intrigue ensue, all taking place in a series of lavish locations sure to satisfy anyone yearning for a Crazy Rich Asians follow-up. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Jessie Mei Li, Toby Stephens, Chris Pang, Kôki, and Justin Chien

How to watch: The Season is now streaming on Hulu.

4. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Season 1

Ever wish that Star Trek got a bit more high school? Then you'll squee over Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Teen drama meets sci-fi thrills with this new series from Gaia Violo, which focuses on the school where cadets learn the ways of Starfleet, meaning science, diplomacy, and bravery — for starters.

If that genre mash-up alone isn't enough to get you giddy, then how about this: Holly Hunter stars as Captain Nahla Ake, a tough-as-nails commander with a sharp mind, a compassionate heart, and a breezy attitude that already has me swooning. Then, along with a terrific ensemble cast, rich with rising stars, THE Paul Giamatti stars as Nus Braka, a space pirate who is this first season's Big Bad. Could this be as good as it sounds? I can assure you, it's better.* — K.P.

Starring: Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and Oded Fehr

How to watch: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is now streaming on Paramount+, Season 1 is available for purchase on digital, complete with over one hour of special features.

3. Pressure

This World War II drama is mostly set far from the battlefields, and yet it reveals the pivotal decisions that led to a successful D-Day.

Based on true events, Pressure reveals the story of Scottish meteorologist James Stagg (Andrew Scott), who was chosen to advise General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) on how impending weather could impact their attack strategy. Told over the course of a few tense days, Pressure is a fascinating look at how science, international allies, and nature can impact human history. And much like Conclave, another Focus Features release, Pressure has a brilliant undercurrent of humor and humanity. Don't miss it.* — K.P.

Starring: Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon, Chris Messina, and Damian Lewis

How to watch: Pressure is now available for purchase on VOD.

2. Project Hail Mary

Amaze! Amaze! Amaze! You can now watch sci-fi crowdpleaser Project Hail Mary at home. Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary imagines a terrifying scenario: Earth's sun is dimming, and we have one last-ditch hope at figuring out how to save it. That hope is Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a science teacher stranded alone in space. Alone, that is, until he meets Rocky (voiced and puppeted by James Ortiz), everyone's favorite new movie alien. 

That encounter kicks off the heartwarming bromance that fuels the rest of Project Hail Mary, which bursts with humor, apocalyptic drama, and riveting spacewalks. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Imagine The Martian meets Half Nelson meets E.T., and you'll get some idea of the mirthful mash-up that is Project Hail Mary."* — B.E.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, and James Ortiz

How to watch: Project Hail Mary is now streaming exclusively on MGM+.

Best of streaming this week: House of the Dragon, Season 3

It's been two long years, but House of the Dragon is finally back for its third season. And what a ride it is! Forget any frustrations you may have had with Season 2's lackluster ending, because Season 3 kicks off with a bang. I'm talking naval battles, new dragonriders, and cataclysmic moves in the Dance of the Dragons. 

As I wrote in my review, "[Season 3's] first four episodes manage to make up for Season 2's finale and then some, delivering jaw-dropping spectacle and somber truths about the cost of war." Be sure to watch the premiere live if you can, and if you need a quick refresher before tuning back into the world of Westeros, we've got you covered with a 60-second recap. — B.E.

Starring: Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Sonoya Mizuno, Fabien Frankel, Olivia Cooke, Matthew Needham, Jefferson Hall, Harry Collett, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Kurt Egyiawan, Kieran Bew, Abubakar Salim, Clinton Liberty, Tom Bennett, Ellora Torchia, Freddie Fox, and Gayle Rankin

How to watch: House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres on HBO and HBO Max on June 21.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

Mashable's team of shopping experts spends all year researching, testing, and writing about the best products available at any given moment. A ton of gear comes through our homes for rigorous hands-on testing, so we know exactly what's worth buying. So, what do we actually spend our own money on?

In 2026 so far, our purchases show a theme of little, everyday improvements. We've bought new sheets and towels, blue light glasses for when we're locked in at our laptops, and smart bulbs that are more budget-friendly than the big-name brands. Here are our favorite purchases of the year so far. And check back in December when we're sure to have bought even more stuff.

Owala FreeSip

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Credit: Owala

Owala FreeSip

$34.99 at Owala

 

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After saying I simply don't need another reusable water bottle for so long, I finally gave in and bought an Owala FreeSip. I was previously cycling through my Yeti Rambler with a Chug Cap and my Stanley with a straw. The FreeSip's ability to combine both of those drinking methods really drew me in, and this year's Birthday Bash colors finally convinced me to make the purchase. With two months under my belt, I can officially say I'm an Owala convert, and would absolutely recommend the FreeSip to anyone and everyone. — Miller Kern, Deputy Shopping Editor

Brooklinen bath sheets

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Credit: Brooklinen

Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Sheets (Set of 2)

$126.65 at Brooklinen
$149 Save $22.35

 

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I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but bath sheets > bath towels. Bath sheets give you more surface area to dry off quicker and easier, without having to don a makeshift mini dress. The Super-Plush Turkish Cotton bath sheets from Brooklinen are massive and feel almost like a throw blanket in size. I feel like I can dry off after a shower without individually drying each of my limbs. Plus, I love the striped green and cream colorway. — MK

Abercrombie & Fitch Sunday Mockneck Crew

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Credit: Abercrombie & Fitch

Sunday Mockneck Crew

$50 at Abercrombie & Fitch

 

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I went to Abercrombie & Fitch during its Memorial Day sale and picked up this mockneck sweatshirt for $30. It's incredibly comfy and quickly became my favorite sweatshirt in my wardrobe. I tried to buy a second one online during the sale, but they had already sold out. Don't be surprised if I've bought a second one in the December update of this story. — MK

Bauer Pro 5-in-1 Hair Styler and Hair Dryer

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Credit: Bauer Pro

Bauer Pro 5-in-1 Hair Styler and Hair Dryer

£39.99 at Bauer Pro

 

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I spent a month in London this spring and started desperately missing my Shark FlexStyle within the first few days of my trip. This dirt-cheap dupe I found on Amazon UK filled the void. Its build quality is questionable, but it's ultra-lightweight and works fast. (It runs way hotter than the FlexStyle and its even-more-premium cousin, the Dyson Airwrap, so heat protectant is essential.) I plan on bringing it on all future Euro trips; you can safely use it in other countries with just a plug adapter, not a voltage converter. The only catch is that it's not available for U.S. delivery, meaning you have to order it once you're already abroad. — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter

Conair TravelSmart portable charger

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Credit: Conair

Conair TravelSmart portable charger

$14.99 at Target
$29.99 Save $15.00

 

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I impulse-bought this little charger at Target just before heading to London, and it wound up being the MVP of my trip. It's not very powerful, but it gave me some juice in a pinch whenever my iPhone's battery was running low. I bought most things via contactless mobile payments when I was out exploring the city, Tube trips included, so I would've been in some pickles without it. I liked how it fit flush against my phone so I could easily take pictures or pull up a map while it's charging, without having to wrangle a cable. — HH

WiZ Connected Smart Light Bulbs

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Credit: WiZ

WiZ Connected Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack)

$21.99 at Amazon

 

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I got one of these smart bulbs as a white elephant gift a few Christmases ago. I liked it so much that I've been slowly replacing all of the regular bulbs in my house with them. They're colorful, customizable, super easy to set up — and best of all, they always go on sale for super cheap during Amazon's Prime events. I bought my last pair for only $13 over Prime Big Deal Days in March, and I'll probably grab a couple more this coming Prime Day. My kitchen and bathroom lighting still need upgrading. — HH

Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speaker

Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speaker

$169.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $50

 

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I've been slowly building out my vinyl collection over the past few years, and this spring I decided to upgrade my turntable speakers. My husband and I were still using a pair of ancient desktop speakers that he'd owned since college, so they didn't sound the best, plus their volume controls were busted. It was time. We landed on these Edifiers because they got great reviews and came in under $200 on sale. They sound lovely and blend in so nicely on our record console. I especially like that you can control them with a remote or Bluetooth. That adds a little modern convenience to my vinyl listening experience without detracting from the ritual of it. — HH

Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon

 

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Upgrading to the new Kindle Paperwhite wasn't a game-changing tech milestone for me. I was already using an older generation model, so I was well aware of the benefits of owning one of these e-readers. That being said, the larger screen is a nice touch. And most importantly, it actually charges without me having to balance it upside down at a very particular angle. I don't know why I didn't buy sooner. — Joseph Green, Global Shopping Editor

GE LED+ Color Changing LED Light Bulbs with Remote

GE LED+ Color Changing LED Light Bulbs with Remote

$22.83 at Amazon
$27.55 Save $4.72

 

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I love the idea of Philips Hue bulbs, but because my household avoids WiFi-connected appliances, I’ve been seeking an alternative. I finally found the GE LED+ color-changing bulb that’s controlled by an included remote. I love it for its adjustable warm white tones and fun color options. While there aren’t nearly as many color options as the Philips Hue bulb, I still like the selection nonetheless. I’ve been using the red light to wind down at night and genuinely think it’s improved my sleep. — Samantha Mangino, Shopping Reporter

Brooklinen Classic Percale sheets

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Credit: Brooklinen

Classic Percale Core Sheet Set

$185.15 at Brooklinen
$219 Save $33.85

 

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After ditching our Quince linen sheets, we opted for Brooklinen’s classic percale sheets, which have been life-altering. They’re so crisp and cool, and a relief in the hot weather, especially. These are my first Brooklinen sheets, and I’m so impressed by their quality. They’re soft right out of the box and really sturdy, hopefully lasting us years. — SM

Prescription blue light glasses from Gunnar

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Credit: Gunnar

Mammoth blue light glasses

$49 at Gunnar

 

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After a lifetime with 20/20 vision, I've finally been forced to join the world of prescription eyewear. So far, no one has bullied me for my glasses. Most of the time, I wear a pair of prescription frames from Persol (or whichever pair of smart glasses I'm testing), but at night I switch over to prescription blue light frames from Gunnar. No product has had a better impact on my life this year than these specs, which seem to make my vision even sharper.

If you have trouble sleeping and wear glasses, I highly recommend investing in Gunnar glasses. — Timothy Beck Werth, Tech Editor

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 2TB of Drime Secure Cloud Storage for just $110.97 — the lowest price ever — and skip cloud storage subscriptions for good.

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Credit: Drime

Drime Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription

$110.97
$299 Save $188.03

 

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2TB of lifetime cloud storage at a 63% savings is already a compelling offer. The fact that it’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen on this plan makes it even more interesting.

Drime Secure Cloud Storage is currently available for just $110.97 (regularly $299), saving buyers $188.03 upfront. More importantly, it replaces the ongoing monthly charges that have become standard across much of the cloud storage industry.

But this isn’t just a place to dump files and forget about them. Drime leans more toward being a full workspace. You can upload, sync, and access files across devices, but also edit documents, leave comments, and collaborate with others without switching tools. It’s useful if you’re juggling projects, clients, or even just shared folders with family.

Security is a big part of the pitch. Files stored in the encrypted Vault are protected by end-to-end encryption, and everything is hosted in Europe in compliance with GDPR standards. This means your data isn’t floating around unsecured, and you have more control over who sees what.

There are also a lot of small quality-of-life features that make a difference over time — like version history for restoring older files, advanced link sharing with passwords and expiration dates, and even built-in e-signature tools.

It’s a simple way to get more control over your files without adding another monthly expense.

Don’t miss out on lifetime access to 2TB of Drime Cloud Storage for its lowest price ever — just $110.97 (reg. $299.99) through June 28.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a three-pack of Tangem Stealth Wallets for $55.92 and store crypto offline with a credit-card-sized hardware wallet that works with a simple NFC tap.

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Credit: Tangem

TANGEM Stealth Wallet 3-Pack Secure Offline Crypto Hardware Wallet

$55.92
$69.90 Save $13.98

 

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Most hardware crypto wallets seem designed by people who assume you’ll happily carry around another gadget.

Tangem goes in the opposite direction. Instead of a bulky device, cable, or keychain-sized accessory, the Tangem Stealth Wallet looks and feels like a standard credit card. It slides into your wallet, sits next to your driver’s license, and stays out of the way until you need it.

A 3-pack of Tangem Stealth Wallets is available for $55.92 (reg. $69.90). That’s a savings of $13.98, plus a primary wallet and two backup cards for additional peace of mind.

The appeal isn’t just portability. Tangem stores private keys offline using a Samsung EAL6+ certified secure element, helping protect digital assets without requiring batteries, Bluetooth, USB cables, or charging. In other words, there’s nothing to plug in, nothing to pair, and nothing to keep powered.

Using NFC, you simply tap the card against a compatible smartphone to connect with the Tangem app. From there, you can manage crypto holdings, transfer assets, interact with decentralized applications, and access NFT collections.

The wallet supports more than 13,000 tokens across 70+ blockchains, making it flexible enough for most crypto portfolios. The three-card system also provides built-in redundancy, helping users maintain access even if one card is lost or damaged.

For many crypto owners, security and convenience usually feel like a tradeoff. Tangem’s biggest strength is that it doesn’t force you to choose. It delivers offline protection in a form factor you’ll actually want to carry every day.

Get a 3-pack of Tangem Stealth Wallets for just $55.92 (reg. $69.90) while stock is still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan is on sale for $54.97 (reg. $619) and lets you compare responses from over 20 AI models in one interface.

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ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan)

$54.97
$619 Save $564.03

 

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With AI tools, one challenge remains surprisingly common: different models often give different answers to the same prompt. Instead of opening up multiple tabs and paying for multiple subscriptions, ChatPlayground AI brings many of today’s most popular AI models into one place. You can get ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan while it’s on sale for $54.97 (reg. $619).

The platform’s biggest attraction is its side-by-side comparison feature. You can enter a prompt once and instantly see how models like GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet 4, Gemini 1.5 Flash, DeepSeek V3, Llama, Perplexity, and others respond. For those who utilize AI regularly, whether for writing, research, coding, brainstorming, or business tasks, comparing outputs can help identify the strongest answer.

ChatPlayground AI isn’t limited to text prompts, either. Users can upload images and PDFs for context-aware conversations, generate AI-created images, and save chat histories for future reference. The platform also includes prompt engineering tools designed to help users refine requests and improve response quality.

For startups, prompt engineers, content creators, developers, and teams experimenting with AI, the Unlimited Plan offers unlimited messages, which means users can run as many tests, comparisons, and iterations as they need without worrying about monthly message limits.

One reason platforms like ChatPlayground are gaining attention is that AI capabilities continue to evolve rapidly. Rather than committing to a single model, users gain access to a broad selection of tools through one interface, making it easier to adapt as new models emerge and existing ones improve.

If you regularly rely on AI for work, creative projects, or research, ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan offers a convenient way to compare leading models side by side for $54.97 (reg. $619).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is down to just $12.97 (reg. $199).

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Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

$12.97
$199 Save $186.03

 

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At some point, every Windows PC reaches the phase where it starts feeling less like a reliable workstation and more like a mildly stressed appliance. Windows 11 Pro is designed to help modernize that experience — and right now, the upgrade price makes it a no-brainer.

Through today only, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for $12.97 instead of the regular $199 price. That’s a $186 difference for a lifetime operating system license that adds updated productivity tools, improved multitasking, enhanced security features, and a cleaner overall interface.

The appeal here isn’t just cosmetic. Windows 11 Pro includes professional-grade tools like BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, Windows Sandbox, TPM 2.0 support, and advanced authentication protections designed to improve both security and workflow flexibility.

It also introduces practical productivity upgrades like Snap Layouts, improved desktop organization, voice typing enhancements, better search functionality, and more seamless multi-monitor support. For users balancing work, side projects, gaming, content creation, or remote collaboration, those small workflow improvements can be a huge win.

And yes, Copilot is included, too. Microsoft’s AI assistant integrates directly into Windows to help summarize content, answer questions, generate writing prompts, assist with code suggestions, and streamline tasks across the operating system.

For people already spending large parts of their day on a Windows PC, this feels less like a flashy impulse buy and more like practical long-term maintenance.

Get Windows 11 Pro for just $12.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PDF workflow with this lifetime license to AcePDF Converter and Editor for just $29.99 (reg. $99.99).

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AcePDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License

$24
$99.99 Save $75.99

 

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PDFs have a bad reputation for a reason — they’re hard to edit and they usually need to be converted into another file format entirely. Let AcePDF Converter and Editor change all that by providing an easy spot to tackle all your PDF needs.

You have three more days to change your relationship with PDFs and lock in a lifetime license to AcePDF Converter and Editor for just $29.99.

It’s time to make AcePDF Converter and Editor your default program for opening, editing, and reading PDF files. This one-stop shop handles all your file processing flawlessly, and you only have to pay once to enjoy it forever.

Let AcePDF convert your PDF files to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Text, HTML, PNG, and JPG files for easy editing and viewing. It’s also just as easy to convert Word, Excel, PPT, and images to PDFs if needed.

You don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality, as AcePDF’s conversion process retains the original layouts, images, and hyperlinks. It’s also easy to batch-convert, split, compress, or merge files in AcePDF.

This tool has built-in OCR technology that can extract text from image-based PDF documents while preserving the original format and graphics. You can also edit PDFs with OCR support, allowing you to add, edit, and enhance content easily.

You don’t have to tab-hop or switch to another app to fill out or build forms. AcePDF can handle it all, helping you fill in existing PDFs with text, checkboxes, shapes, and customizations, or design interactive forms from scratch.

Snag a lifetime license to AcePDF Converter and Editor for just $29.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Project Hail Mary is the first movie to bring me to the theaters in an embarrassing amount of time. So long I'm not willing to disclose it on the internet. But I am so glad it's the film that brought be back to the theater because it was So. Dang. Good.

How to watch 'Project Hail Mary' at a glance:

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Watch now

Rent or buy 'Project Hail Mary' on Prime Video

$19.99

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---

Watch now

Rent or buy 'Project Hail Mary' on Apple TV

$19.99

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---

Watch now

Rent or buy 'Project Hail Mary' on Fandango at Home

$19.99

Get Deal

---

Watch for free

MGM+ trial

Free for 7 days, then $7.99/month

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---

Watch at a later date

Amazon Prime trial

free for 30 days (save $14.99)

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The book was a masterpiece and I'm happy to report that Drew Goddard's adaptation of Andy Weir's novel (of the same name) does it justice. Sure, it took some liberties with the story, but it makes for a faster-paced, more emotional journey. Plus, I'm not mad about a lot of the science babble getting cut.

It stars a witty, impeccably dressed Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace and an adorable rock spider alien named Rocky (voiced by James Oritz).

Project Hail Mary made its theatrical debut on March 20, 2026 and enjoyed an extended stay in theaters across the country, but now the film is expanding its horizons and giving you other ways to tune in. Here's everything you need to know in order to watch Grace and Rocky at home.

What is Project Hail Mary about?

Middle school science teacher Ryland Grace (Gosling) wakes up from a coma on a spacecraft (the Hail Mary) with no memory of who he is or why he's there. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes he's the sole survivor of a crew on a suicide mission to save Earth from alien microorganisms (astrophage) that are eating the sun's energy. Can his science skills and perseverance help him to save humanity?

Check out the official trailer below:

When will Project Hail Mary be streaming?

Amazon MGM Studios announced in mid-April that it was delaying the streaming release for Project Hail Mary and extending its theatrical run. The film even returned to IMAX theaters for a week to give audiences a chance to see the film in the way it was originally intended.

"We announced yesterday that MGM is extending the exclusive theatrical window for Project Hail Mary, so it won’t be on streaming anytime soon," Co-director Christopher Miller said in a post on X. "This is a movie that needs to be seen on a big screen...make plans to see it in a theater now! Bring friends and loved ones. It’s an experience to share with others."

As the highest-grossing film for Amazon MGM ever and the second highest earner for 2026 as a whole, the studio waited as long as possible before debuting it on streaming. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Project Hail Mary is officially hitting streaming as of June 18.

How to watch Project Hail Mary at home

Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Buy or rent it on digital

Project Hail Mary officially made its at-home debut on digital retail sites like Prime Video and Fandango at Home on May 12, 2026. You can buy it forever at any of the retailers below. There was also an option to rent the film for 30 days, but that option has since disappeared. Keep an eye out, however, as it may return.

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99

• Apple TV — buy for $19.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $19.99

• YouTube — buy for $19.99

Stream it on MGM+

I previously estimated a mid-June streaming date for Project Hail Mary on either MGM+ or Prime Video and that prediction is pretty spot on. You can finally stream the Amazon MGM film on June 18, but only on MGM+.

Previous Amazon MGM Studios films like Challengers and Blink Twice graced MGM+ first before finally expanding to Prime Video. So, while it seems bizarre that Amazon would choose to debut its biggest movie ever on its smaller, niche streaming service, it's not out of the ordinary. We will likely see Grace and Rocky's adventure hit Prime Video at a later date.

The good news is that MGM+ offers free trials to new subscribers. You can sign up via MGM+ directly or as a Prime Video add-on subscription and get a free week to watch Project Hail Mary. If you choose to keep your subscription rolling, it'll cost you either $7.99 per month or $5.17 per month if you sign up for a full year.

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Amazon Prime monthly subscription

free 30-day trial, then $14.99 per month

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MGM+

Free 7-day trial, then $7.99 per month

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MGM+ add-on via Prime Video

Free 7-day trial, then $7.99 per month

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Best early Prime Day beauty deals at a glance:

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Best hair tool deal

Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow Dryer Brush

$108.50 (save $46.50)

Get Deal

---

Best skincare deal

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Glow Water Cream Face Moisturizer

$44.20 (save $7.80)

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Prime Day is next week, and since my beauty routine is about as simple as it gets, my favorites are already on sale. I'm definitely not a 10-step skincare person, which means I don't care about waiting around for high-end luxury brands to drop in price.

The hardcore beauty crowd will have to wait for the actual event to get those discounts, but if you just want an affordable blowout brush or a reliable daily moisturizer, Amazon's already marked them down. Here's what's worth grabbing early.

Best hair tool deal

Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush

$103.07 at Amazon
$155 Save $51.93

 

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Why we like it

Everyone is so obsessed with Dyson's beauty collection, but our lead shopping reporter, Bethany Allard, has confirmed that it's not your only option when it comes to styling your hair at home — especially if you're just looking for something that's simple, efficient, and affordable.

I use the Drybar Blow-Dryer Brush every single day, and it's never let me down. The ionic technology helps smooth out frizz, and the oval-shaped barrel gives you that bouncy salon volume at the roots in one easy step (no multi-styler needed!). It's lightweight, super quick to use, and gets me out the door in minutes.

More hair tool deals

• Conair Double Ceramic 1-inch Curling Iron — $19.79 $21.99 (save $2.20)

• Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Hair Dryer and Styler — $45.66 $65.99 (save $20.33)

• Drybar The Baby Brush Crush Mini Heated Straightening Brush — $50.15 $59 (save $8.85)

• Mythsight StyleVibe 6-in-1 Air Styler, Hair Dryer & Blow Dryer Brush — $98.63 $135.99 (save $37.36)

• Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer — $118.15 $139 (save $20.85)

• Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron — $139.30 $199 (save $59.70)

• Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer — $139.30 $199 (save $59.70)

• Shark FlexStyle — $259.99 $399 (save $139.01)

Best skincare deal

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Philosophy Hope in a Jar Glow Water Cream Face Moisturizer

$44.20
$52 Save $7.80

 

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Why we like it

Staying hydrated and moisturized is a blessing, but it can be expensive to get that dewy look every day. I love, love, love Philosophy's Hope in a Jar Glow Water Cream Face Moisturizer, but I almost never buy it unless it's on sale — which is why I highly recommend grabbing it right now while it's 15% off.

The lightweight water cream formula is packed with hyaluronic acid and pineapple extract to deliver serious, long-lasting hydration without leaving your face feeling greasy. I apply this every single day right when I get out of the shower, and it gives me such a gorgeous, natural glow that my mom always compliments my skin when she sees me. (Pro tip: I also really love the Philosophy extractor clay face mask, so you might want to add that to your cart while you're at it.)

More skincare deals

• Starface Hydro-Star Pimple Patches + Big Yellow Compact — $13.27 $14.99 (save $1.72)

• Philosophy 3-Piece Purity Mini Set — $17 $20 (save $3)

• Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 toner pads — $18.90 $31 (save $12.10)

• Anua PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray — $18.80 $25 (save $6.20)

• Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream — $24.99 $28.99 (save $4)

• Philosophy 4-Piece Icons Minis — $25.50 $30 (save $4.50)

• Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream — $25.65 $27 (save $1.35)

• Philosophy Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Clay Face Mask — $35.70 $42 (save $6.30)

More early Prime Day beauty deals

• Neutrogena Makeup Remover Micellar Wipes — $9.97 $13.69 (save $3.72)

• Nature Republic Honey Melting Lip — $9.99 $12.90 (save $2.91)

• Wonderskin Cream Blush — $20.80 $26 (save $5.20)

• MALIN+GOETZ Sage Styling Cream — $26 $28 (save $2)

Beauty deals you can't find on Amazon

• Bur Bur: Get 20% off shop-wide

• JVN Hair: Get 20% off select products

• KORRES: Get up to 50% off select products

• Naked Sundays: Get up to 60% off select products

• SACHEU: Get up to 30% off site-wide

• Saltair: Get 15% off body oil, body butter, and treatment bundles

• Solawave: All devices are 35% off, with Renew Complex Serums at 30% off, Skin Therapy Serums at 40% off, and LightBoost Serums at 25% to 30% off

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, June 18, 2026:

Across

Pop music's ___ Bunny

• The answer is Bad.

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

Unaccompanied

• The answer is Alone.

Date circled in blue on a Google Calendar

• The answer is Today.

Kitchen appliance with burners

• The answer is Stove.

The "S" of GPS: Abbr.

• The answer is Sys

Down

Takes a turn at the plate

• The answer is Bats.

Tons and tons

• The answer is A lot.

Extinct flightless pigeons (don't worry, you've heard of this answer!)

• The answer is Dodos.

Dark shade of blue

• The answer is Navy.

Googly ___

• The answer is Eyes.

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

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

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

The 2026 World Cup group stage is entering the second round of fixtures. Every team has now played, but nothing is decided. It's all very much still to play for in the quest to make the knockout rounds.

Today, June 18, is yet another big day for the tournament with multiple hosts in action. The action starts at 1 p.m. ET. We've broken down the details for you below. Here's what you need to know to tune in live today.

FIFA World Cup schedule today: June 18

• Group A: Czechia vs. South Africa (Atlanta Stadium) — kickoff at 12 p.m. ET

• Group B: Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Los Angeles Stadium) — kickoff at 3 p.m. ET

• Group B: Canada vs. Qatar (BC Place Vancouver) — kickoff at 6 p.m. ET

• Group A: Mexico vs. South Korea (Estadio Guadalajara) — kickoff at 9 p.m. ET

How to watch FIFA World Cup games today

Watch Czechia vs. South Africa

Both of these sides are looking for their first points of the tournament. That makes this clash absolutely vital Live coverage will be on FOX and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Switzerland drew their first game 1-1 with Qatar. On paper, this matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina is even tougher. Every side in Group B is tied on a single point after the first round, so everything is up for grabs. Live coverage will be on FOX and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Watch Canada vs. Qatar

Canada and Qatar are tied on one point after the first round of games. Hosts Canada could take a giant leap towards qualification to the knockout rounds with a win at BC Place Vancouver. Live coverage will be on FS1 and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Watch Mexico vs. South Korea

Mexico and South Korea both secured impressive wins in the first round of games. The winner is this clash will likely top the group. That's something to excite fans. Live coverage will be on FOX and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

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Fox One (3-Month Subscription)

$39.98
$59.97 Save $19.99

 

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Peacock (Spanish Language)

Starting at $10.99/month

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More live streaming options

Live TV cable replacement

Not interested in signing up for a standalone streaming service like Fox One or Peacock? You can sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.

These services carry over 100 live channels, but run off a WiFi connection. You'll get live access to Fox and FS1, plus a whole lot more. Here are some options to consider:

• YouTube TV — 10-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months

• Fubo Sports — 1-day trial, then $45.99/month for 1 month

• Hulu + Live TV — 3-day trial, then $89.99/month

Watch the World Cup for free with a VPN

It's possible to watch the World Cup for free on international services like ITVX, BBC iPlayer, NOS, or RTÉ. Our global World Cup watch guide can walk you through the process.

You will need a VPN to live stream the World Cup on these free streaming services. We recommend ExpressVPN — a Mashable-tested service and an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe — as our VPN of choice for sport. It offers servers in 105 countries, a user-friendly app available on all major devices, a speedy connection, and up to 10 simultaneous connections.

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Credit: ExpresVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

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Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier is you have knowledge of catching waves.

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.

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.

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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.

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Options

• Green: Gridiron elements

• Blue: In addition to waves

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Choose

• Green: Areas on a football field

• Blue: A surfer's needs

• Purple: Starting _____

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 #633 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Choose: DRAFT, PICK, SELECT, TAKE

• Areas on a football field: END ZONE, FLAT, POCKET, SIDELINE

• A surfer's needs: BOARD, OCEAN, WAX, WETSUIT

• Starting ____: GRID, LINEUP, PITCHER, XI

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.

SAVE $1,500: As of June 18, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is on sale for $2,148.99 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus

$2,148.99 at Amazon
$3,699 Save $1,550.01

 

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Prime Day officially kicks off next week, running from June 23-26. But you don’t need to wait until then if you’re looking for some serious discounts.

There are already plenty of deals live now, including this latest price drop on the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus. This deal doesn’t just include the portable power station unit, it also comes with two 200W solar panels. Altogether, this bundle is normally priced at $3,699, but right now it's down to $2,148.99. That’s a saving of $1,550.01 on list price.

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is a high-capacity home backup power station designed to deliver 3,600W output (7,200W in parallel) with a 3,584Wh capacity. It’s also expandable up to 21kWh per unit or 43kWh with multiple units, so it’s capable of powering essential household appliances for long periods. 

It’s built for both safety and durability, using high-temperature resistant ceramic membrane battery cells tested at 302°F, offering protection against thermal runaway and giving you up to 6,000 cycles with a 10-year lifespan, even in extreme conditions. You’re getting your money's worth.

It comes with four charging options: hybrid AC+DC fast charging in just two hours, AC in 2.5 hours, solar in four hours, and gas generator support. It's flexible and reliable.

Get this portable power station deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $36.99: As of June 18, the Echo Show 5 with Adjustable Stand with USB-C Charging Port is on sale for $79.99 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Amazon

Echo Show 5 with Adjustable Stand with USB-C Charging Port

$79.99 at Amazon
$116.98 Save $36.99

 

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The Echo Show 5 with Adjustable Stand with USB-C Charging Port has dropped in price at Amazon five whole days before Prime Day gets underway, so if you want to treat yourself a little early, this smart home hub is a great choice.

This bundle includes the Echo Show 5 with an adjustable stand and USB-C charging port, and right now it's on sale for $79.99. That's a 32% discount, saving you $36.99.

If you're not familiar with the Echo Show, it's a compact smart display that uses Alexa to help you manage your day with voice control for things like alarms, timers, weather updates, and calendars. And it does all this from its compact 5.5-inch screen. But despite its small size, it still delivers strong sound making it a great choice for streaming music, podcasts, or shows from Spotify and Prime Video.

You can also use it to control compatible smart home devices such as lights and thermostats, or check in on your home and loved ones using the built-in 2 MP camera. It also doubles as a digital photo frame with a rotating slideshow and can even be used for video calling.

Head to Amazon now to grab this Echo Show 5 bundle deal.

SAVE ALMOST $200: As of June 18, the Breville Barista Express is on sale for $499.95 at Amazon. That's a 28% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Breville

Breville Barista Express

$499.95 at Amazon
$692.99 Save $193.04

 

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Prime Day officially gets underway on June 23, but Amazon is treating us to some early deals.

Popular items like TVs and gaming laptops have already started to drop in price, as well as some practical essentials. And if you've been hoping to add a coffee machine to your morning routine, there's a great deal on the Breville Barista Express live right now. As of June 18, it's currently down to $499.95 from $629.99. That's almost $200 off the list price ($193.04, to be exact).

The Breville Barista Express is ideal if you're a true coffee lover. It has a dose control grinding system that uses a precision conical burr grinder to deliver perfectly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for the perfect espresso.

It also comes with a powerful steam wand that lets you manually steam milk to different textures for milk-based drinks and latte art. You'll also get all the accessories you need with the machine, including dosing, tamping, cleaning, and maintenance tools.

Get this espresso machine deal at Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $300: As of June 18, you can get a free 55-inch QLED TV when you buy a TCL 2026 SQD Mini LED TV at Amazon.

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Credit: TCL

TCL 55-inch QLED TV

Free when you buy a TCL 2026 SQD Mini LED TV

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If you’ve been waiting for a reason to upgrade your TV, Amazon has just dropped a deal on TCL TVs that's seriously tempting.

Select 2026 SQD Mini LED TVs are currently on sale, and buyers can also claim a free 55-inch QLED TV worth $318 with purchase. So not only are you getting a new TV at a reduced price, but you're getting another totally free.

The promotion applies to several TCL models, including the 98-inch QM8L, 85-inch QM7L, and 85-inch X11L. These 2026 TVs feature 144Hz refresh rates, Google TV smart features, and Bang & Olufsen-tuned audio. These TVs only came out in April, so scoring any sort of deal right now is a treat.

The free TV has a QLED PRO display that uses Quantum Dot technology to create vibrant colors across everything you watch. It's powered by TCL's AIPQ processor and uses AI to optimize color, contrast, and clarity. It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG formats, alongside Motion Rate 240 technology for smoother action scenes and sports. This TV is normally priced at $318, but with this deal, you wouldn't pay anything at all.

Head to Amazon to grab this free TCL TV deal ahead of Prime Day.

Automatic parking is one of those features that sound great in theory, but in practice you often just take over and park the car yourself, be it because the car is too slow or it chooses the wrong parking spot.

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk ,destination parking on Full Self-Driving is "by far the biggest reason people now intervene with FSD."

But the company is working to fix this, and Autopark should be getting a big upgrade soon.

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

"Upcoming releases of FSD will remember your parking preferences, so that the car goes to the right location at your home, office, school drop off, etc," he wrote on X.

Musk did not share any details about timing and availability.

In a different tweet, he replied to someone asking when Tesla drivers will be able to use Tesla's built in AI chatbot Grok to issue driving commands. "Need to be able to converse w/ Grok like we can with an Uber driver: “Hey Grok, turn right here.” “Drop us off right here, we'll walk due to traffic.” “Drop at entrance first, then park far away," said the tweet.

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

"This functionality will be there in about 3 months or so," wrote Musk.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Losing life.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

DYING

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Right.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MORAL

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Japanese cartoons.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

ANIME

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Computer storage.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CACHE

Final Hurdle hint

Weasel.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

STOAT

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

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium is on sale for $99.97 (reg. $299.99).

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Credit: Skoove

Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription

$149.99
$299.99 Save $150

 

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Learning the piano isn’t easy, but it might not be as hard as video lessons and free piano tutoring apps would have you believe. If you’ve had a keyboard gathering dust in the corner for longer than you’d like to admit, Skoove might give you the final push to actually use it. Right now, you can get lifetime access for $99.97 (reg. $299.99).

Skoove uses AI to listen to what you’re playing and deliver real-time feedback, adapting lessons to your pace and skill level rather than pushing you through a fixed curriculum at a predetermined speed. With over 400 lessons available and weekly updates, your lessons are entirely unique to your learning needs. The AI listens as you play, recognizes individual notes, and flags mistakes in the moment rather than after the fact, which makes a huge difference if you’re used to following along with a video or trying to decipher a piano book.

Skoove’s lessons cover all skill levels, from absolute beginners working through their first scales to returning players picking up where they left off. One-on-one support from Skoove’s music instructors is also included, so if you hit a wall and need even more individualized help, it’s available. For anyone hesitant to start learning, it’s an easy, low-pressure way to begin.

Rather than paying monthly or annually, this is a one-time purchase with no recurring fees, and monthly lesson and song updates are included, so the library keeps growing after your purchase. If you’ve been putting off learning because private lessons are expensive or subscription costs add up over time, $99.97 for lifetime access makes a big difference in that barrier to entry.

Get a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for $99.97 (reg. $299.99)

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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.

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.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 18 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 18 Pips

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 18 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-5, 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 Moon is slowly making its way back into view after this month's New Moon. It's still faint, but a slim crescent is starting to take shape and will become easier to spot over the next several evenings.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, June 18, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 23% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

With just your naked eye, tonight you'll be able to see the Mares Fecunditatis and Crisium. And with binoculars or a telescope, you'll also catch a glimpse of the Endymion Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on June 29.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight recognised phases along the way. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it travels around Earth. As a result, we see the Moon appear in different shapes over the course of a month, from slender crescents and half moons to a bright Full Moon. This repeating sequence of phases is known as 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.

Widow's Bay ends not with a bang, but with a clang. Eight clangs, actually: those of the island's pesky church bell.

The bell rings out in the episode's final moments, in the sudden aftermath of the storm that ravaged Widow's Bay. But what do they mean, and what do they signal for the island's future?

The bells in Widow's Bay are a call for sacrifice.

While the town and its tourists weather out the storm in the shelter below City Hall, Dale (Jeff Hiller) stumbles upon a film reel labeled "For you." In the video, a man urges viewers, "Be strong, honor the pact, and remember, their sacrifice is our survival."

The pact refers to Richard Warren's (Hamish Linklater) deal with the island's threatening entity. He wanted to ensure he and his fellow settlers survived their harsh first winter, and in exchange, the the island demanded (and still demands!) sacrifice. As long as Widow's Bay's residents keep feeding the island, they will keep surviving. Fail to honor the pact, though, and they can expect stormy skies aheads.

"The bad times will not end until the covenant is honored, and honored fully," the video continues. "Life for life, the island will make its needs known. One soul for each bell toll."

That's right: The island calls for sacrifice using the church bell. Think of it as the dinner bell from hell, with each ring acting as an order for a tasty treat — sorry, soul — for consumption.

How many souls does Widow's Bay's island want?

The first time we heard the church bell in Widow's Bay, it rang nine times. That means the island hungered for nine souls.

In the season finale, poor custodian Kenny (Michael Malvesti) winds up being the first of those nine souls to be sacrificed. He stumbles into the sacrifice chamber beneath City Hall, kicking out Evan (Kingston Rumi Southwick) and his friends and unwittingly giving up his life in the process. The door slams and locks him in, then the entity — whatever it may be — scarfs him up. That sacrifice is enough to banish the storm battering the island, but it's not a long-term solution.

In Widow's Bay Season 1's last scene, the bell rings out again, eight times. That's the island's way of saying, "Yummy appetizer, but chop-chop on those next eight courses!"

It's a foreboding way to cap off an already devastating episode. On top of revealing Widow's Bay's history of ritualistic sacrifice, the finale also reveals that Ruth (K Callan) isn't the last living descendant of Richard Warren. Evan is her grandson, meaning that in order to break the island's curse, both he and Ruth would have to die. It's the ultimate trolley problem: two lives weighed against those of the entire island. But there's no way Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) will make the choice to kill these two. The trolley is staying on its tracks.

However, the island's need for sacrifice presents a second trolley problem: eight lives or the misery of the entire island. Will Tom pull the proverbial lever and find eight islanders to sacrifice? Or will the residents commit to riding out the curse together? These are questions for Season 2, which I hunger for more than the island hungers for souls.

Widow's Bay Season 1 is now streaming on Apple TV.

We're still three months or more away from the unveiling of the iPhone 18, and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook likely won't be the one to introduce it (given that John Ternus takes over in September).

But Cook has taken an extraordinary step — and arguably, taken one for Ternus — by warning consumers that this iPhone will be more expensive than its predecessors, thanks to an ongoing memory chip price crunch that won't end anytime soon.

"We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers," Cook told the Wall Street Journal in a phone interview.

"But the situation has become unsustainable ... the main point is, unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable."

Cook, who added that Apple had already been absorbing the cost of higher component prices in 2026, didn't specify which products would be more expensive, or by how much.

But with all eyes on the iPhone 18 launch this fall, it's likely Cook is preparing the ground for Apple's flagship product to pass on some of the extra component costs to customers — with increases as high as $200 above iPhone 17 prices.

Apple is still one of the largest customers in the world for memory storage, but AI companies have muscled into the game. A company called Techinsights, cited by the Journal, notes that the memory and storage components inside the iPhone 18 Pro are likely to cost Apple an extra $150 for parts alone, compared to the iPhone 17.

A recent report claimed that the iPhone Pro 18 would keep its $1,099 price from the iPhone 17 Pro and that Apple would continue to absorb the difference.

Cook, always savvy about Apple's image in the media, appears to want to squash that rumor as soon as possible.

Best Early Prime Day Tablet Deals

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Best Android Tablet Deal

OnePlus Pad Go 2

$319.99 (Save $80)

Get Deal

---

Best iPad deal

Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi)

$299 (Save $50)

Get Deal

---

Best kids tablet deal

Amazon Fire 7 Kids

$54.99 (Save $55)

Get Deal

While testing tablets, I've learned a few things. Yes, iPads really are that good, but also, Android tablets are vastly underrated. With Prime Day almost here, running June 23 to 26, I'm focused on which tablets will go on sale. Usually, iPads take big price cuts. Plus, I want to see premium Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra reach new all-time low prices.

But what's on sale now? Not much. Ahead of Prime Day, we're tracking tablet deals and found some deals to shop ahead of time. These deals are just OK, but if you're eager to shop now, these are the best tablets on sale at the moment.

Best early Prime Day Android tablet deal

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Credit: Amazon

OnePlus Pad Go 2

$319.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $80

 

Get Deal

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 surprised me when I tested it. For under $400, it's a speedy device that's as user-friendly as any iPad I've tested. Plus, the user interface is similar to iOS devices for those looking to switch over. I've been tracking the price on it since testing it, and it's rarely on sale, but right now you can grab the OnePlus Pad Go 2 ahead of Prime Day for just $319.99, saving you $80.

More Android tablet deals

• TCL Tab 10 Gen 4, 10.1-inch (128GB) — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• TCL NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2, 11-inch (128GB) — $199.98 $289 (save $89.02)

• TCL Tab A1 Plus, 12.2-inch (128GB) — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

• TCL NXTPAPER 14, 14.3-inch (256GB) — $369 $459.99 (save $90.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ Plus, 12.4-inch (256GB) — $799.99 $1,099.99 (save $300)

Kids tablet deals

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids — $54.99 $109.99 (save $55)

Best early Prime Day iPad deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi)

$299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50

 

Get Deal

Right now, get the 11th-generation iPad with A16 chip for $299.99, bringing the tablet under $300. It's not the best price on the iPad, but it is just $25.99 away from its lowest price, so not bad. Need something more advanced? Well, there are more iPad deals on the Air and Pro to explore, too.

More iPad deals

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $559 $599 (save $40)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5 chip, 256GB, WiFi) — $937.76 $999 (save $61.24)

TL;DR: QuickBooks Premier 2024 helps businesses manage inventory, invoices, expenses, reporting, and profitability from one place — and it’s on sale for $399.99, saving you $225.

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Credit: Intuit QuickBooks

Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2024 for Windows (1 User): 1-Year Subscription

$399.99
$625 Save $225.01

 

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Most business owners don’t start a company because they love bookkeeping. But they do need accurate numbers to make smart decisions, and QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2024 can certainly help.

Available for a limited time for $399.99 (reg. $625), this one-year subscription gives Windows users access to one of the most widely used business accounting platforms around. The math is straightforward: you’re saving $225 off the regular price while getting a full year of tools designed to help keep your finances organized.

QuickBooks Premier goes beyond basic accounting. It helps businesses manage inventory, track expenses, create invoices, monitor cash flow, manage vendors and customers, and generate detailed financial reports from a single platform.

For businesses that handle products, projects, or multiple clients, the software’s inventory tracking, job costing, purchase order management, and time-tracking features can be especially useful. Instead of piecing together information from multiple spreadsheets, you can see what’s happening across your business in one place.

The reporting tools are another major advantage. Custom reports can help you understand profitability, monitor expenses, and identify trends before they become problems. That’s the kind of visibility that can make a real difference when you’re trying to grow.

QuickBooks Premier 2024 also includes the latest updates, improved inventory management tools, enhanced reporting features, and easier data imports from Excel and previous QuickBooks versions. It does not, however, include Payroll or automated bank feeds.

For business owners who want better insight into their finances without adding unnecessary complexity, QuickBooks Premier remains a practical choice.

Get a one-year subscription to QuickBooks Premier for one user on sale for $399.99 (reg. $625).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Last year, the iPhone Air was a solid first attempt at an ultra-thin iPhone, but it had issues. It sounds like Apple is aware of that, too.

Bloomberg's resident Apple insider Mark Gurman reported on Wednesday that Apple is looking to launch the next iPhone Air in spring 2027 with a couple of key upgrades. First, Gurman said that Apple will reportedly add a second camera lens to the phone's backside, turning a monocular phone into a binocular one. It will be an ultrawide lens, so fans of telephoto zoom might be disappointed, but given that the original model only had one 48MP lens, that's a big deal.

Second, Gurman reported that Apple will be improving the device's relatively disappointing battery life, which isn't a surprise. There isn't any info on how Apple engineers will accomplish this, given the phone's extremely small form factor, but nonetheless, it sounds like Apple wants the next iPhone Air to be a longer-lasting device.

This report reaffirms previous reporting from The Information, namely the idea that the new iPhone Air will launch next spring rather than this fall. It's expected that Apple is going to launch the high-end iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold phones this fall, with the base iPhone 18 and the new iPhone Air coming later in the spring.

That delay for the next Air was apparently caused by poor sales for the first device.

Our resident iPhone reviewer, Stan Schroeder, was impressed by the first iPhone Air's form factor but noted the lack of a second camera lens and meager battery life in his review. It seems like those problems may have had some impact on its sales performance, as anecdotally speaking, we at Mashable rarely see them in real life. Still, people who love this phone seem to really love this phone, and Apple is still investing in the ultra-thin form factor.

If Apple can fix the camera and battery problems, perhaps the iPhone Air 2 will have a broader appeal.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel reveals new Specs AR smart glasses at the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California.

The 2026 Google Home Speaker is built around Gemini, and for the first time, talking to a smart speaker should actually feel natural. At around $100, the speaker isn’t super-expensive. Just know that the best features cost extra.

The Trump administration is pushing back against actions to address the environmental impact of data centers as it uses AI to beef up its war machine.

Late Monday (June 15) night, the Department of Justice intervened in a Mississippi federal court case, urging the court to dismiss the lawsuit in a memo from associate attorney general Stanley Woodward, Jr.

The lawsuit was brought forth by the NAACP. It argues that the presence of unpermitted gas-powered turbines operated by xAI and its subsidiary, MZX Tech, in Southaven, Mississippi disproportionately pollute Black neighborhoods and violate the Clean Air Act.

In the notice, the Justice Department argued that the lawsuit is a national security threat because it "seeks to shut off the power supply for artificial-intelligence innovation that supports the Department of War’s military operations," the New York Times reported.

It's not the NAACP's first time suing over the widespread environmental concerns prompted by expansive data center investment. In January, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that xAI's Colossus methane gas turbines in Memphis, Tennessee could not skirt air regulation requirements. It was considered a victory for the NAACP, which filed a lawsuit over the turbines' potentially cancerous nitrogen oxide emissions.

But those same turbines are also operating just across the border in Mississippi, powering xAI's Colossus 2 data center. Building on the previous win, the NAACP is now seeking an injunction and $124,000 per day per violation payout from xAI for its Mississippi operation.

The Justice Department's memo is a rare instance of the agency intervening to prevent environmental law from being enforced, advocates say. In addition to a call to halt the case, Woodward argued that individual citizens and groups should not have the power to sue over the enforcement of the Clean Air Act and asserted that the federal government should have "unchallenged authority" to stop them. The Act has historically provided a pathway for citizen suits on behalf of affected communities and environmental groups.

The World Cup has always created unlikely heroes. In 2026, it is also turning them into social media sensations.

The latest example is Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, better known as Vozinha, who entered Monday's match against Spain with roughly 50,000 Instagram followers and a 19-year career largely unknown to casual soccer fans. But after helping Cape Verde hold one of the tournament favorites to a 0-0 draw in the country’s first-ever World Cup match, his following has surged to 12 million.

His performance in the game gave the internet plenty to work with. The 40-year-old goalkeeper made seven saves against Spain, which took 27 shots but failed to score. Vozinha was named Man of the Match — and a digital darling.

Much of his early attention came from Brazilian streamer Casimiro “Cazé” Miguel and his platform CazéTV, a digital sports broadcaster that has the rights to all 104 World Cup games in Brazil. The channel, which has more than 31 million YouTube subscribers, is known for a more stream-like broadcast style built around fan participation.

During the match, Cazé noticed Vozinha's relatively small Instagram following and asked viewers to follow him. Vozinha went from about 50,000 followers before the match to more than 1 million shortly after the final whistle, and nearly 10 million less than 24 hours later — surpassing the likes of NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama and Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.

His sudden fame has done more than boost his metrics. After the game, Vozinha went viral when he emotionally revealed that his mother couldn't attend due to visa issues and costs. Now his story has prompted the U.S. State Department to step in, saying it's working to help his family with visa services.

Vozinha may be the tournament's latest viral main character, but he is not the first. Before the tournament began, New Zealand defender Tim Payne became the subject of a similar campaign after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, also known as El Scarso, set out to find the World Cup's "least-known player." Payne had fewer than 5,000 Instagram followers at the time, but after Scarsini encouraged his audience to support him, Payne's following climbed to 6 million.

Australia's Kai Trewin also saw his profile rise after creator RubikayTV pushed a campaign to make him "the Cristiano Ronaldo of the World Cup," helping his follower count jump from around 3,000 to more than 100,000. And Curaçao backup goalkeeper Trevor Doornbusch gained tens of thousands of followers after a shoutout from soccer influencer FiagoBall.

The trend clearly reflects how this World Cup is being distributed and watched. FIFA named TikTok its first-ever preferred platform for World Cup video content this year and reached a deal with YouTube allowing broadcasters to stream the first 10 minutes of every match live. Those deals have made the tournament more accessible to audiences who are following games through clips, livestreams, creator commentary, and social feeds as much as traditional broadcasts.

In this developing environment, a player does not need to be a household name before kickoff to become one by the final whistle. A great performance, a well-timed shoutout, or an organized fan push can quickly turn lesser-known players into some of the tournament’s most visible figures online.

TL;DR: Live stream Ghana vs. Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage has already delivered bags of drama, and we're expecting more of the same from Ghana vs. Panama. England and Croatia are the other sides in this group, so these teams will be desperate to start with a win in this opening-round matchup. It's only going to get harder from here.

If you want to watch Ghana vs. Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ghana vs. Panama?

Ghana vs. Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on June 17. This fixture takes place at the BMO Field.

How to watch Ghana vs. Panama for free

Ghana vs. Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Ghana vs. Panama for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Ghana vs. Panama for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Ghana vs. Panama (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Ghana vs. Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

The latest trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day crackles with wild MCU meet-ups.

The film sees Peter Parker (Tom Holland) suffering from strange new spider mutations, including organic webbing. To figure out how to control — or maybe completely reverse — these incidents, Peter goes to the MCU's supreme expert in all things mutation: Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), aka the Incredible Hulk.

That's not the only team-up to look forward to in Brand New Day, though. Later in the trailer, Peter brings MJ (Zendaya) to Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), aka the Punisher, for safekeeping.

Speaking of MJ, she and Ned (Jacob Batalon) still don't remember Peter following the magical memory wipe at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, they're still very much part of Peter's life, as they're his neighbors. Based on a yarn wall in their apartment, Ned is very invested in finding out the true identity of Spider-Man... How long before he and MJ crack the case?

That's most of Spider-Man: Brand New Day's cast accounted for, but one face is conspicuously missing from the trailer: that of Sadie Sink. The Stranger Things star has been cast in an undisclosed role, although she's rumored to be playing X-Men mainstay Jean Grey.

If that's the case, then Sink may be hiding in plain sight in the trailer as the villainous figure who is controlling people's minds and wreaking havoc across New York. Apparently, only Peter is immune to this villain's effects. Will he stop them in time? More importantly, will he and MJ find their way back to one another? Based on a too-brief swinging scene in the trailer, the answer seems like a yes.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters July 31.

Broken wearables don't need to be cast off as e-waste. Repairability is here, although it's not yet as widespread as it should be.

Nintendo of North America says it's aware of what's been described as a small third-party data breach affecting some of its employees.

"Nintendo’s systems have not been compromised," the company told Mashable in a statement, acknowledging that a third-party service was affected by an "issue."

Earlier this week, a hacking group calling itself ShadowByte$ posted a threat on a "well-known cybercrime forum," according to CyberNews. The group alleged it stole 859MB of internal corporate data from a third-party service called TinyPulse, which collects employee feedback for companies.

The stolen data reportedly includes the results of employee satisfaction surveys, private messages, and the names of Nintendo employees. According to a LinkedIn profile, TinyPulse is part of WebMD Health Services.

The hacking group reportedly issued a $2 million ransomware demand to prevent the release of the data. Per Kotaku, after failing to get results with Nintendo, the extortion group reportedly tried its luck with TinyPulse as well. However, Nintendo downplayed the sensitivity of the data, telling Mashable the alleged TinyPulse breach is "limited to internal survey content comprising a small subset of our employees."

We are aware of an issue involving TinyPulse, a third-party service used for internal employee surveys at Nintendo of America. Nintendo’s systems have not been compromised, and no personal customer or financial data has been accessed. The data involved is limited to internal survey content comprising a small subset of our employees, and most of the information dates back several years.   

We appreciate our employees’ willingness to share their perspectives, take all feedback seriously, and take action when needed. We are working with the service provider to address the issue.

In recent years, ransomware-as-a-service tools have made it easier for bad actors — even those without sophisticated coding or hacking skills — to obtain sensitive data from companies and individuals.

Mashable reached out to WebMD Health Services about the alleged TinyPulse data breach, and we'll update this story if we receive more information.

Android 17 is out, and if you have a Google Pixel phone, you can try it right away. Android 17 comes with a bunch of new features, including a new green-screen selfie tool, a Pause Point tool and loads of video and photo improvements for Instagram.

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with Proton VPN.

England have had to be patient, but they can finally kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia. There are a lot of group-stage games where on team should win, but this contest is really evenly matched. England are slight favorites, but this could go either way.

England will need the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to be at their best if they want to secure three points. Croatia will be relying on familiar names like Gvardiol, Modric, and Kovacic.

If you want to watch England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. Croatia?

England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on June 17. This fixture takes place at the AT&T Stadium.

How to watch England vs. Croatia for free

England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream England vs. Croatia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend Proton VPN)

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch England vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: Proton VPN

Proton VPN (1-Month Plan)

$4.99 only at Proton VPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream England vs. Croatia (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to Proton VPN is on sale for $71.76 — 70% off for a limited time. This plan includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $4.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with Proton VPN.

If you're familiar with portable power stations, you know Jackery is a leading name. The brand makes a huge lineup of off-grid power solutions that are excellent for all types of situations that take you off standard grid power. From small models that are great for camping to big power that'll keep your home online during a storm, Jackery makes a power solution.

As of June 17, the family of Jackery solar generators has grown. The ultra-slim Jackery FridgeGuard is designed to keep food chilling for up to 15 hours in the event of a power outage. In addition to this new model, Jackery is also launching three new HomePower models. Which model will be best for you?

Read on to get the details on sizing, ports, and best uses below.

Jackery HomePower 1000 V2

For an occasional power outage, the Jackery HomePower 1000 V2 offers 1,024Wh of capacity to keep your workstation online. It has three AC ports for powering your laptop and monitor. The 140W USB-C is also great if you have a high-powered laptop or a gaming laptop. Jackery says the HomePower 1000 V2 can recharge in as little as 50 minutes, which means you won't need a ton of warning about an impending storm to be fully prepared with a 100 percent charge.

Lightweight and compact, the Jackery HomePower 1000 V2 is designed to power your home office should grid power cut out. Credit: Jackery

Jackery also focused on portability with the new HomePower 1000 V2. It weighs just a bit over 23 pounds — an impressively low weight for a model with its capacity. The overall dimensions are also compact, making it easier to carry from the home office to the kitchen or bedroom after the workday is done.

Spec highlights:

• Capacity: 1,024Wh

• Output: 1500W, 3000W surge

• UPS: 10 milliseconds

• Weight: 23.37 pounds

• Dimensions: 12.34 inches x 7.91 inches x 9.19 inches

Between June 23 and June 26, snag the new Jackery HomePower 1000 V2 while it's on sale at Amazon for $499, which is a 41% discount compared to the standard list price of $849.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery HomePower 1000 V2

$499 at Amazon
$849 Save $350

 

Get Deal

Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus V2

If you're looking for more power than the 1,024Wh in the HomePower 1000 V2, look to the new HomePower 2000 Plus V2. This model comes with twice as much power, and the 2,048Wh can be expanded even further to 12,000Wh with Jackery's expansion batteries.

Use the Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus V2 to keep kitchen appliances available for use during a power outage. Credit: Jackery

Of course, the larger capacity on the HomePower 2000 Plus V2 means it has more ports. Instead of three AC ports, the 2000 Plus V2 comes with four. There's also an onboard light, which makes moving the portable power station from room to room much easier when the lights are out.

Spec highlights:

• Capacity: 2,048Wh

• Output: 2400W, 4800W surge

• UPS: 10 milliseconds

• Weight: 40.57 pounds

• Dimensions: 14.37 inches x 10.04 inches x 10.73 inches

During Prime Day on June 23 through June 26, shop the Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus V2 at Amazon for $899, which is a major 50% discount compared to the list price of $1,799.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus V2

$899 at Amazon
$1,799 Save $900

 

Get Deal

Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max

If you're hoping for whole-home backup but don't feel like shelling out the money for a Powerwall, the new Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max can pair with a manual transfer switch to control your home's circuit. Plus, it won't require a contractor to install.

Keep the whole home online when the power cuts. Credit: Jackery

You'll be able to continue using high-power appliances like the washing machine and dryer when the power cuts out, thanks to the HomePower 3600 Pro Max system. Like the HomePower 2000 Plus V2, it's expandable with Jackery's extra batteries. Stack enough together, and you could end up with a massive 43,000Wh.

Spec highlights:

• Capacity: 3,584Wh

• Output: 4000W, 8000W surge

• UPS: 10 milliseconds

• Weight: 70.55 pounds

• Dimensions: 14.76 inches x 10.83 inches x 17.72 inches

For Prime Day starting on June 23, the Jackery HomePower 3660 Pro Max with a 6-circuit manual transfer switch and a 40A charging cable will be on sale for $2,149 at Amazon, marked down from the normal bundle price of $3,499 for a 43% discount.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max Portable Power Station with MTS & 40A Charging Cable

$2,149 at Amazon
$3,499 Save $1,350

 

Get Deal

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.

A shockingly thin design. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

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.

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

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.

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 $559.99 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.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery FridgeGuard

$559.99 at Jackery
$699.99 Save $140

 

Pre-order Here