SAVE $509: As of June 19, the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H robot lawn mower is down to $2,499 at Amazon.

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Credit: Mammotion

Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H Robot Lawn Mower

$2,499 at Amazon
$3,008 Save $509

 

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The Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H robot lawn mower is down to $2,499 at Amazon, a 17% discount that saves you $509 on its $3,008 list price. This is also its lowest price since launch. With Prime Day just around the corner, it’s a solid early drop on a premium piece of outdoor tech.

This is a hands-off style mower that’s designed to do most of the work for you. It uses smart navigation and cameras to move around your yard and avoid obstacles without needing supervision. It handles steep slopes and larger lawns, making it better suited for people with larger or more complex outdoor spaces.

The robot lawn mower adjusts cutting power based on grass thickness and can run for up to 175 minutes per charge.

Once it’s set up, you can divide your yard into different zones and let it follow the mowing schedule you choose. Overall, the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H is built for people who want lawn care to feel more automated and less like a weekend chore.

Grab the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD at Amazon and officially retire from lawn duty.

Best Waterpik water flosser deals at Amazon:

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Best countertop water flosser deal

Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

$59.99 (save $40)

Shop Now

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Best travel-friendly water flosser deal

Waterpik Cordless Pearl Water Flosser

$39.99 (save $30)

Shop Now

Water flossers have become a pretty common part of everyday dental care, especially for people who don’t want to deal with traditional flossing. They use a steady stream of water to clean between teeth and along the gumline in a quick and easy manner. It’s a simple switch that makes daily dental care feel less like a chore.

If you're ready to invest, Amazon has got your back with a couple of deals on Waterpik models.

Best countertop water flosser deal

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Credit: Waterpik

Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

$59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00

 

Shop Now

Why we like it

The Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser is down to $59.99 at Amazon, making it a strong pick if you want a countertop water flosser for a more thorough clean at home. It has 10 pressure settings, so you can go gentler or stronger depending on what feels comfortable, plus a massage mode for gum care. It holds enough water for a full flossing session and has a built-in timer to help you pace your routine. With seven different tips and a rotating nozzle, it’s easier to reach all areas of your mouth, including the back teeth.

Best travel-friendly water flosser deal

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Credit: Waterpik

Waterpik Cordless Pearl Water Flosser

$39.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $30.00

 

Shop Now

Why we like it

The Waterpik Cordless Pearl is down to $39.99 at Amazon, a 43% discount and back at its lowest price this year. Designed for travel and everyday use, it delivers cordless water flossing with a rechargeable battery and a compact build that’s easy to handle at home or on the go.

It includes four flossing tips for different dental needs, along with two pressure settings for more controlled cleaning. The 360-degree rotating tip and narrow ergonomic grip make it easier to reach back teeth. The device is also really quiet.

SAVE OVER $40: As of June 19, Nothing Headphone (a) hits new low price of $151.05 for Prime members. This is $47.95 off their full price of $199.

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Credit: Nothing

Nothing Headphone (a)

$151.05 at Amazon
$199 Save $47.95

 

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Early Prime Day deals are already dropping at Amazon ahead of the sale's start next week, and if you're a Prime member, there are some truly excellent exclusive deals to look through.

As of June 19, the Nothing Headphone (a) are among them, hitting a brand new low price at the retailer of $151.05. If they've been on your radar, now is the time to jump on this Prime-exclusive deal while it's still available.

Compared to their full price of $199, this deal means you save just over $40 on these headphones. It applies to every color at Amazon as well, so you can pick out your favorite between the white, pink, yellow, and black headphones.

If you're wondering whether or not the Nothing Headphone (a) are worth buying, it's worth mentioning that we're very big fans. Mashable's Bethany Allard reviewed them last month and said they're "the best pair of headphones from Nothing, and one of the best pairs of mid-range headphones available to get, thanks to their solid all-around performance and standout battery life."

Allard notes that these headphones have "decent sound and ANC with plenty of ease built into the user experience," but where they really shine is their battery life. With ANC enabled, the store page says they last up to 75 hours. Allard confirms this in her review, adding that "the battery life alone may be the reason to pick these headphones up."

If you've been waiting for a good time to scoop up the Nothing Headphone (a), this is an excellent opportunity. Don't miss out on this Prime-exclusive deal 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.

If you thought PopSockets were too bulky, a new model is here: the Low-Pro Grip. CNET's Bridget Carey talks to PopSocket inventor and founder David Barnett to get the story behind the new design and how the iconic phone grip evolved through the years.

SAVE OVER $60: As of June 19, the Kindle Paperwhite Bundle has hit a new low price of $147.97 exclusively for Prime members. This is $69 off its full bundle price of $216.97.

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Credit: Amazon

Kindle Paperwhite Bundle

$147.97 at Amazon
$216.97 Save $69

 

Get Deal

The Kindle Paperwhite is our favorite e-reader in the Kindle lineup, and if you've had your eyes on it, Amazon has an excellent early Prime Day offering for members. As of June 19, the Kindle Paperwhite Bundle — which comes with a cover and power adapter alongside the 16GB e-reader — has hit a new low price of $147.97.

If you were to pick up each of these items separately, it would cost you $216.97, so this deal saves you $69 in total. This deal is exclusive to Prime members as an early Prime Day deal. If you're curious how you can sign up before the sale event, check out our breakdown of how to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for Prime Day.

If you love to get lost in a good book, the 16GB Kindle Paperwhite will help you tackle your summer reading list with ease. The 7-inch Paperwhite is glare-free, waterproof, and boasts a battery life that can last up to 12 weeks on a single charge. That's not all, though.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino wrote in our roundup of the best Kindles, where it landed as the best overall pick, that "It turns pages without stuttering, never slowing down when you’re in the thick of the action." Alongside that, the "screen's front light is vibrant and has adjustable brightness, meaning it can adjust when transitioning from reading in the sun or shade."

Pair that with the cover and power adapter, and it's one unbeatable bundle. Don't miss out on the Kindle Paperwhite Bundle on sale for Prime members right now 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.

SAVE $70: As of June 19, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) headphones are on sale for $379 at Amazon, down from $449 — a 16% discount.

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Credit: Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Headphones

$379 at Amazon
$449 Save $70

 

Get Deal

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) headphones are down to $379 at Amazon, with Prime Day just around the corner. That’s a $70 drop from the usual $449 list price on a pair of Bose’s newer over-ear noise-canceling headphones with spatial audio and up to 30 hours of battery life.

These headphones are a top pick in Mashable’s guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones, where they’re positioned as the best option for most people thanks to their comfort and easy all-day wear. The headphones are described as “the most comfortable headphones on the market” in Mashable’s review, with comfort remaining the standout feature across long listening sessions.

Bethany Allard, our lead shopping reporter, notes that “there was simply not a scenario where the fit didn't feel excellent,” whether worn for work, walking, or extended use, with the design largely unchanged from the previous generation.

On performance, our review calls the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) “a good choice for someone who wants all-day wear and has yet to buy into the QC Ultra line,” but also points out clear limits.

Sound quality is described as solid but not highly customizable, and the headphones are “not all that different from the previous generation,” making them more of a refinement than a major upgrade.

Lock in a Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) headphones discount at Amazon before the price goes back up.

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 Friday, June 19, 2026:

Across

Distort, as data

• The answer is Skew.

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

Give a ❤️ on a text thread

• The answer is Love.

Like a post that's been shared a bajillion times

• The answer is Viral.

Signs of things to come

• The answer is Omens.

Dog walker's restraint

• The answer is Leash

Down

Snail's trail

• The answer is Slime.

Home to kimchi and Kim Jong Un

• The answer is Korea.

Bob ___ (restaurant chain)

• The answer is Evans.

Like the phrase "pen gwyn" ("white head"), from which the penguin gets its name

• The answer is Welsh.

Loudness dial: Abbr.

• The answer is Vol.

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.

SAVE $200: As of June 19, the Amazon Ember Artline 65-inch 4K QLED TV is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon, marking its lowest-ever price at the retailer. This is $200 off its full price of $1,099.99.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Ember Artline 65-Inch Fire TV

$899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200

 

Get Deal

Amazon's line of Ember Artline TVs are pretty new on the scene, but if these artsy displays have been on your radar, early Prime Day deals have arrived to help you buy for less.

The Amazon Ember Artline 65-inch 4K QLED TV has dropped to $899.99 exclusively for Prime members. It's one of our favorite 65-inch TVs on sale before Prime Day, so now is a great time to grab it.

Usually this model comes with a price tag of $1,099.99, so you're saving $200 overall. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, its never been this low before. There's also 10 different frame colors you can choose from at no extra cost, which is a huge bonus. Pick from midnight blue, ash, black oak, fig, graphite, matte white, pale gold, silver, teak, and walnut.

In the same vein as the Samsung The Frame TVs or Hisense's CanvasTVs, the Amazon Ember Artline is an art TV, designed to look like a painting on the wall rather than a standard TV. We particularly love it for its assortment of free frames.

Amazon's store page notes that it has over 2,000 free works of art to choose from. You can also upload photos if you'd rather have your favorite memories floating across its screen. And for when you're ready to watch something, its 4K QLED display, alongside support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, will make movies and shows shine with bright color and clarity.

This Prime exclusive deal may not last for long. Act fast to save on the Amazon Ember Artline 65-inch 4K QLED TV 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you have World Cup knowledge.

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: Competitive segments

• Green: Celebrations

• Blue: American competitors

• Purple: Same second word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Portion of a race

• Green: Show off

• Blue: U.S. Men's Soccer players

• Purple: _____ bell

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 #634 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Portion of a race: LAP, LEG, SEGMENT, STAGE

• Show off: FLAUNT, GRANDSTAND, HOTDOG, SHOWBOAT

• U.S. Men's Soccer players: BALOGUN, DEST, REAM, SCALLY

• _____ bell: BAR, COOL PAPA, KETTLE, VICTORY

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.

TL;DR: Amazon has slashed the Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) QHD gaming monitor to $189.99, down from its $329.99 list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G5 (G50F)

$189.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $140

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In a world where buying the components for a gaming PC is an increasingly pricey task, Amazon is still delivering major monitor deals when you know where to look. In a surprising early Prime Day deal, you can now get a Samsung monitor at its record-low price.

As of June 19, the Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) QHD gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for only $189.99, with $140 knocked off its $329.99 list price. With 42% bumped off, that brings this premium Samsung display down to its lowest price ever — confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

For less than $200, the Odyssey G5 gives you a 32-inch QHD 2560 x 1440 screen, which is a proper step up from regular Full HD without making the jump to a much more expensive 4K panel. That should make games look sharper and fuller across the larger display, whether you’re working through massive RPGs like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II or getting ready for upcoming cinematic PS5 games like Marvel’s Wolverine.

Its fast IPS panel has a 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms GtG response time, helping fast-paced games look smoother and feel more responsive when things start moving quickly. That should be especially handy in multiplayer titles like Fortnite, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Marvel Rivals. 

Samsung has also packed in some useful display extras, including HDR10 for brighter highlights and deeper-looking shadows, plus a wide 178-degree viewing angle to help the picture hold up from different positions. AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility are included as well, helping cut down on screen tearing and choppy visuals while you play. 

If you’re open to making the jump to OLED monitors, the 34-inch ASUS ROG Strix gaming monitor is also on sale. Among early Prime Day deals, the even bigger Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 monitor has hit its lowest-ever price.

The fervor over Heated Rivalry may be over (until Season 2, at least), and so is the discourse about why women love it so much. But, for Pride Month, Pornhub might be reviving it, just a little.

It's no secret that some women think sex scenes between two men are hot, and now Pornhub shares in its Pride Insights 2026 blog that women make up almost exactly half (49.7 percent) of the viewership of gay porn on the site, compared to 50.3 percent of men.

The female proportion of gay porn viewership has grown in recent years, from 43 percent in 2024 to 47 percent in 2025, to nearly 50 percent now. Could it be because of "the cottage"? Maybe; Pornhub didn't offer up any explanation.

In 2024, Pornhub revealed that women account for 38 percent of worldwide viewership, proving that it's not just men who watch porn.

Now, Pornhub has also broken down gay porn viewership by age group, with people 65 and older only taking up nine percent of total viewers — but they're 26.3 percent more likely to engage with gay porn compared to other age groups.

18 to 24 year olds, meanwhile, make up the majority of gay porn viewership at 31 percent. Young adults are also the biggest fans of cartoon gay porn, as it's 267 percent more popular with them compared to other age groups.

Meanwhile, vintage porn and twink porn are 29 percent and 24 percent more popular with the 65 and older crowd, respectively.

Twink is universally popular on Pornhub, as it's the second most-searched gay term during Pride Month. The first? "Femboy" (a feminine man), which was also one of the most-searched terms on Pornhub's straight site in 2025.

Lesbian content is pretty popular on the tube site, too, so much so that last month, it launched a WLW-dedicated site called Pornhub Sapphic.

TL;DR: Amazon has dropped the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection to $171.99, taking $27.96 off its usual $199.95 list price. That brings the 10-pack box down to about $17.20 per booster before factoring in its promo card, poster, and Pokémon TCG Live code card.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection

$171.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $27.96

 

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Ascended Heroes is still one of the priciest expansions in the modern Pokémon TCG, but Amazon has now made one of its biggest collection boxes a little easier to buy before Prime Day. 

As of June 19, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection is down to $171.99 at Amazon. That is down from its $199.95 list price, giving Pokémon collectors $27.96 off the sealed box while the discount lasts. 

This Premium Poster Collection comes with 10 Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes booster packs, one full-art foil promo card (random between the Mega Lucario and Mega Gardevoir version), one double-sided poster, and one code card for Pokémon TCG Live. 

With 10 packs of trading cards included, Amazon’s new $171.99 price works out to roughly $17.20 per Ascended Heroes booster before tax, with the included extras giving the box more value than buying loose packs. 

There are lower prices elsewhere, though with a few caveats. TCGplayer currently has the Mega Gardevoir Premium Poster Collection from $148 plus shipping, while the Mega Lucario version is specifically listed from $164.95 plus shipping. Walmart will save you the most money of all, sitting at $164.99 for randomly selected boxes. 

Among other Pokémon deals going right now, you can grab the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for below $90. We also found plenty of other early Prime Day Pokémon deals at Amazon, including trading cards, games, figures, and exciting gifts.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Display Box, containing 36 booster packs, is on sale for $263.99 at Amazon. That takes around $16 off the sealed three-dozen-pack box and brings each Chaos Rising booster to about $7.33 before tax.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Box

$263.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $16

 

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As the Pokémon TCG community starts getting ready for the launch of Pitch Black, the Mega Evolution expansion is back on sale ahead of Prime Day — giving you one of the lowest cost-per-pack rates possible. 

As of June 19, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box is listed on Amazon for $263.99 through Collectors Expedition, with free delivery currently set for June 25-26. That $16 saving takes the 36-pack display box back below the $265 mark. 

At the $263.99 price, you're paying roughly $7.33 per Chaos Rising booster pack before tax. That's still a much better per-pack rate than buying sleeved Chaos Rising Booster Packs separately on Amazon, which are listed at $11.89 right now.

Walmart is the cheapest of all — with the same Booster Box listed for $229.95 with free shipping, sold by Realgoodeal and fulfilled by Walmart. That price goes even lower than the Chaos Rising Display Box’s market price of $233.74 set by TCGplayer. 

Speaking of TCGplayer, listings on the dedicated trading card marketplace are selling for $234.95.  

Each Chaos Rising Booster Display Box contains 36 booster packs from the Mega Evolution Chaos Rising expansion. The set has more than 120 cards to collect, including more Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, over 25 Trainer cards, and more than 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations. 

Your 36 packs will give you the chance to pull rare and valuable chase cards, like Mega Greninja ex, Mega Floette ex, Mega Pyroar ex, and Mega Dragalge ex — which are all available to buy individually on TCGplayer.

We found you can still buy the Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for under $90. There are also early Prime Day Pokémon deals at Amazon, including trading cards, games, figures, and exciting gifts.

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Are you looking for thrilling and unpredictable racing? No we're not talking about F1, unless you like regular pit stops, safety cars, and the same driver winning almost every week. We're talking about a form of two-wheel racing where anything could happen.

MotoGP is where the real action can be found. Every week you see the best riders in the world go wheel to wheel with their rivals, throwing their bikes into corners with absolutely no sense of self preservation. It's an awesome spectacle, and it doesn't need to cost you anything to watch.

Want to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.

What is MotoGP?

MotoGP is the oldest established motorsport world championship, with the inaugural season taking place in 1949. Races last approximately 45 minutes, without pitting for fuel or fresh tires.

The likes of Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha do battle for the constructors' championship. Marc Márquez is the defending champion.

When is the 2026 MotoGP World Championship?

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship features 22 races held all over the world between March and November:

1. Thailand GP — March 1

2. Brazil GP — March 22

3. USA GP — March 29

4. Qatar GP — April 12

5. Spain GP — April 26

6. France GP — May 10

7. Catalonia GP — May 17

8. Italy GP — May 31

9. Hungary GP — June 7

10. Czechia GP — June 21

11. Netherlands GP — June 28

12. Germany GP — July 12

13. Great Britain GP — Aug. 9

14. Aragon GP — Aug. 30

15. San Marino GP — Sept. 13

16. Austria GP — Sept. 20

17. Japan GP — Oct. 4

18. Indonesian GP — Oct. 11

19. Australia GP — Oct. 25

20. Malaysia GP — Nov. 1

21. Portugal GP — Nov. 15

22. Valencia GP — Nov. 22

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2026 MotoGP World Championship without spending anything.

How to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, 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 Austria, meaning you can access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this quick and easy process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races without actually spending anything.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is tough to beat when it comes to streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• 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

• Impressive streaming speeds without buffering

• 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 the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

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 is coming together 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. We're hoping for more of the same from the second round of fixtures.

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. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

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

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

It looks like BMW has finally found the winning EV formula.

In 2025, the company launched the BMW iX3, a compact electric SUV based on BMW's new "Neue Klasse" philosophy, with a new infotainment system and a massive battery.

The auto company followed up with the sedan variant called the i3. Once again, BMW did its best to address the biggest pain point of owning an EV, and equipped the i3 with a massive battery giving it record-breaking range.

The strategy appears to have worked. The BMW i3 was originally slated to become available for preorder in September, but BMW decided to capitalize on the interest around the car and opened the preorders in Europe on Thursday, June 18.

The pre-orders are open in Europe now, and first deliveries are scheduled for September. Credit: BMW

The car that's being offered is called the BMW i3 First Edition, and it starts at €75,340 ($86,372) in Germany (the price varies slightly by market). For the money, you basically get the M Sport version of the BMW i3 50 xDrive, with a 108.7kWh battery with up to 912 kilometres (566 miles) of WLTP range, and super-fast 400kW charging that can get you 250 miles of range in 10 minutes. The car's two electric motors have a combined output of 469hp, and can take the car from 0 to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds.

The interior is similar to the iX3's, with a 17.9 central infotainment display, a super-wide, 43'' Panoramic Vision display, and BMW's 3D Head-Up Display. The First Edition also gets the M Sport exterior and interior design elements, including BMW's Iconic Glow, and the AC charging rate has been increased from 11 kW to 22 kW.

Some options are also available, and these include rear seat heating, panoramic glass sunroof, and an electronic tow bar.

Inside, you get the same massive display bonanza that debuted in the BMW iX3. Credit: BMW

First deliveries are expected this fall. There's no word on when BMW plans to open up pre-orders in the U.S.

For those willing to wait, a cheaper, base model will be available in the fall for €65,900 ($75,550), with the same battery and similar range, as well as dual motors, but fewer amenities.

As for why BMW is hurrying up with i3 preorders, the answer likely likes in the stellar sales of the BMW iX3. The car is outselling BMW's own X3 in Europe, with more than 50,000 orders being placed as of April this year.

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

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.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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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: Savory eats

• Green: Instrumentals

• Blue: Popular publications

• Purple: To bring together

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: Umami-rich foods

• Green: Things a beginner might learn on the piano

• Blue: Starting with magazines

• Purple: Ending in synonyms for "Aggregate"

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 #1104 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Umami-rich foods: MISO PASTE, PARMESAN, SOY SAUCE, VEGEMITE

• Things a beginner might learn on the piano: CHOPSTICKS, FÜR ELISE, HEART AND SOUL, THE ENTERTAINER

• Starting with magazines: FORTUNE COOKIE, PEOPLE PERSON, SPINDERELLA, TIME MACHINE

• Ending in synonyms for "Aggregate": COINCIDENTALLY, DIM SUM, TEETOTAL, VISCOUNT

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 cowboys.

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: Look to the West

The words are related to cowboys.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the Wild Wild West.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Cowpokes.

NYT Strands word list for June 19

• Saddle

• Cowpokes

• Jeans

• Spurs

• Stetson

• Bandana

• Chaps

• Boots

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 love to express yourself.

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:

Digital icon.

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...

EMOJI

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.

Mastering the AirPods is easy work. Most core features can be activated directly on the wireless earbuds or through Siri voice assistance. Apple’s ecosystem also places shortcuts on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac for instant access to prime functions.

The critically acclaimed AirPods Pro 3 expand on the series’ true wireless capabilities, while strengthening popular hallmarks (e.g., Adaptive EQ, noise cancellation). Apple users already know about headline features like Hearing Aid, heart-rate monitoring, and Personalized Spatial Audio. It turns out there are numerous other perks waiting to be unlocked – upgrades that fully optimize these buds for all Apple platforms: iOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. 

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds

$247.76 at Walmart
$249 Save $1.24

 

Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon

So, as a professional headphone tester who loves his job, here are 10 ways to make the AirPods Pro 3 even better. 

1. Live Translation

Bridging language barriers is simple, thanks to Apple’s Live Translation feature. It provides seamless, hands-free communication in real time for over 10 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. An Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (iPhone 15 or later) running iOS 26 is required.

• Settings > tap AirPods model > Translation > Languages

• Open the Translate app and select Live or press and hold both stems simultaneously to launch Live Translation

2. Head Gestures

Simple head movements can be used to control calls and notifications. Nod to accept a call or reply to a message. Shake your head to decline or dismiss. Gestures can also be used to enable playback and Siri commands.

• Settings > tap AirPods model > Head Gestures

3. Camera Remote

The AirPods Pro 3 double as a camera shutter for your iPhone. It’s not a new industry feature, but it’s convenient — especially for group photos or tripod shots. Don’t forget that the Apple Watch lets you do the same as well.

• Settings > tap AirPods model > Camera Remote

4. Headphone Accommodations

Adaptive EQ, Adaptive Audio, and Personalized Spatial Audio are all great for boosting sound quality. However, the AirPods’ real sonic-tuning power can be found in the Headphone Accommodations setting. You can manually adjust the balanced tone, brightness, or vocal range to reveal more nuance in professional recordings.  

• Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations

5. The macOS AirPods menu

There’s a hidden AirPods control panel in macOS. Once enabled, the headphone icon will appear in the menu bar to toggle through listening modes: Adaptive, Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Conversation Awareness.

• System Settings > Control Center > Sound > Always Show in Menu Bar

6. Voice Isolation

You’ll want to turn on Voice Isolation before jumping into a FaceTime chat. The feature minimizes background noise and prioritizes your voice for clearer communication.

• Control Center (during a call) > tap Mic Mode > Voice Isolation [iOS]

• Microphone/video icon in menu bar (during a call) > Mic Mode > Voice Isolation [macOS]

7. The Ear Tip Fit Test

People forget that Apple’s Ear Tip Fit Test is more than just a tool for achieving a proper, comfortable seal. It also improves audio quality and noise cancellation by creating a sound profile tailored to your hearing. Be sure to clean the tips and buds for accurate testing.

• Settings > tap AirPods model > Acoustic Seal Test (or Ear Tip Fit Test) 

8. Create your own sportier AirPods

The AirPods Pro 3 are solid workout-ready buds with built-in heart rate sensors for tracking metrics and IP57-rated dust/sweat resistance. However, they could be sportier. A pair of attachable earhooks basically turn these buds into the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, which are considered inferior to their porcelain brethren. Another recommendation is swapping out Apple’s ear tips for memory foam tips with enhanced durability, moisture resistance, and on-ear stability. 

Here are two of my favorite AirPods Pro 3 add-ons:

• Wicked Cushions Over-Ear Hooks — $15.95

• Comply Premium Memory Foam Ear Tips — $32.99

9. Live Listen

This sneaky listening mode turns your iPhone into a remote microphone that streams audio directly to your AirPods. Place your iPhone in a desired location and hear what’s happening from a distance.

• Settings > Control Center > Hearing > Live Listen

10. Sleep Detection

Sleep Detection was introduced with iOS 26 and automatically pauses media on the AirPods Pro 3 when you doze off. Apple’s motion and accelerometer sensors sense when motion decreases, which then triggers the feature. It’s clutch for preserving battery life when the buds are inactive.

• Settings > tap AirPods model > Pause Media When Falling Asleep

Even though we made sure to include headphones at all different price ranges, there's no denying that even the budget models in this guide can be something of an investment. Our recommendation? Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day, which runs this year from June 23 to 26, to save some money on our top picks.

If you don't want to wait until the sale proper, run into Prime-exclusive deals, or deal with the general chaos of the sale, check out our guide to the top headphones deals and look for chances to save.

What are the most comfortable headphones?

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The most comfortable earbuds and headphones shouldn't cause ear fatigue or pain, even after hours of listening to music or podcasts.

After a full year of extensive testing, we selected the six most comfortable headphones based on price, performance, and purpose. However, one product in particular stood out, and it's the one with "Comfort" literally in the name. Our audio reviewers are unanimous on this point: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) are the most comfortable headphones in the world right now.

Read on to find out what other pairs emerged as the top choices, including picks for those who want top-tier noise cancellation.

In-ear, on-ear, or over-ear?

If you're looking for comfort above all, over-ear headphones are almost always the way to go. They just wear better than earbuds or on-ear models. The latter is harsher on your ears, which can cause serious discomfort, depending on how long you wear them. In-ear buds are generally more comfortable than on-ear headphones, but they can still begin to hurt after just a few hours (they are jammed inside your ears, after all).

Although over-ear headphones are bulkier and less portable, it's worth the trade-off for comfort's sake. Plus, over-ear headphones can be safer for your ears compared to earbuds because the sound isn't being funneled directly into your ear canal. They also provide extra noise cancellation.

How much should you spend on comfortable headphones?

The good news is that comfortable headphones aren't locked to a specific budget range. You can find a super cozy pair at premium pricing just as easily as you can find them at the budget end of the spectrum. The extra features you're looking for are what really determine how much you need to spend.

Want unrivaled active noise cancellation or the best sound quality in the business? Then be prepared to spend a minimum of around $200, all the way up to $800. If comfort is literally the only thing you care about and the extra bells and whistles are just nice-to-haves, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $300. Go any cheaper, and you're probably not going to get a lot of value for your money. No shade toward your favorite pair of gas station headphones, but they probably aren't the best option for all-day wear.

The audio world is saturated with high-quality headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers. Arguably, it's oversaturated. People also have very strong opinions about the best audio brands and products — us included.

We test audio gear all the time and get our hands on all the newest releases. And our experts are great resources to find the best headphones, earbuds, and speakers to buy. We test at home — not in a lab — to simulate real-life use. But our tech-obsessed readers often use their devices over the long term and can experience popular audio products at all their highs and lows.

That’s why we periodically poll Mashable readers to see which products they use and love. For this edition of the Mashable Readers' Choice Awards, big names like Bose, Sony, Apple, and JBL were in close competition. But in the end, Bose came out on top for both headphones/earbuds and speakers.

Top headphone and earbud brands for 2026

Use the arrows on the chart below to toggle through each of the categories from our survey results.

Bose wins the Mashable Readers’ Choice Award for best overall headphones/earbuds brand in 2026.

We’ve tested all of Bose’s recent headphones and earbuds offerings, and you’ll find them all over our best lists. Readers praised Bose’s sound quality, comfort, and noise cancellation, with multiple people noting that Bose headphones are great for travel.

One respondent said, “Bose are the standard in leading sound quality.” While another noted, “For the price and sound quality, I believe there is no equal.”

Another reader wrote that they always have a great experience with Bose and usually consider its products when purchasing.

Our own headphone expert, Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard, noted that the release of Bose’s noise-cancelling QuietComfort headphones in 2000 changed the game.

“For the past 26 years, Bose proved its consistency release after release, blending together comfortable all-day wear and some of the best noise cancellation available on the market, making it hard to not feel satisfied with the experience of using their headphones, and trusting in their ability to deliver on a premium product,” Allard said.

Bose is our readers' favorite headphones and earbuds brand in 2026. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Apple was the second-highest rated for overall satisfaction and the brand readers were most likely to recommend. A large ratio of responses mentioned the seamless pairing and integration across other Apple devices.

“Apple's AirPods Pro are extremely convenient with instant pairing, great integration across my iPhone, Mac, and iPad, and top-tier transparency mode that makes them perfect for commuting and working in shared spaces. The noise cancellation, sound quality, and call performance are strong enough that I can use a single pair of earbuds for work, workouts, and travel,” reported one respondent.

Best headphone/earbud brand for noise cancellation

Noise cancellation can be either passive or active. Passive noise cancellation refers to how much sound is blocked out by the headphones/earbuds themselves, with factors such as materials used and how tight the seal is over or in your ear. Active noise cancellation is achieved via microphones in the headphones that measure sound waves and create inverse wavelengths to cancel out the noise. Additionally, headphones and earbuds will often have a built-in white noise-esque hiss to cover some frequencies. When testing audio products, we typically dock headphones and earbuds if we’re able to hear that hiss.

When it comes to noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, Mashable readers rated Bose and Sony the same, 8.3 out of 10. Because Bose had the higher overall score, we’re awarding it the win.

That also aligns with our own testing. Allard named the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) the best overall value for noise-cancelling headphones, with “the ideal blend of comfort, sound quality, and ANC.” But did note that Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones have the best noise cancellation overall.

Allard says, “In my own testing of Bose headphones and earbuds, I’ve found them to this day to provide the longest wearing options that really do deliver on top-notch ANC. Yes, their products are an investment, but they’re also the manifestation of the phrase ‘You get what you pay for.’” 

One of our readers said they’d recommend Bose because “the noise cancelling is still among the best, which makes a huge difference when I'm flying or working in noisy coffee shops.”

Best headphone/earbud brand for sound quality

Sound quality is another area where we saw a tie between two brands. Sony and JBL were both rated 8.5 in sound quality, but we’ve crowned Sony the winner because of its higher overall satisfaction score.

If you look at any of our headphones or earbuds guides, you’ll see that Sony consistently wins superlatives for its sound quality. We’ve named the WH-1000XM6s the “best sounding headphones” and the WF-1000XM6s the “best overall” earbuds, noting that Sony provides “some of the best sound quality available.”

We agree with our readers that Sony headphones and earbuds have excellent sound quality. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Many of our survey respondents called out Sony’s sound quality in their answers: “Good build quality and really good sound,” “Very good sound, great value,” and “The sound is amazing” were common responses.

One reader said, “I would recommend the Sony headset because it delivers excellent sound quality, clear microphone audio, and comfortable ear padding that's ideal for long use.”

Best headphone/earbud brand for battery life

What good is a pair of headphones or earbuds if they’re dead every time you go to wear them? Battery life is an important factor in choosing a portable audio product, and Mashable readers found Sony to be the best in that regard.

“The battery life easily lasts through a full day,” said one reader.

Best headphone/earbud brand for comfort

Mashable’s headphone experts all name Bose as the most comfortable headphones, with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) topping our list of the most comfortable headphones we’ve ever tested. However, Mashable readers have a different opinion. 

JBL actually took the win with the highest comfort score in our survey. One respondent said, “The sound is fantastic and fit is comfortable.”

Another echoed that sentiment, saying, “They hold up and sound great, plus they're affordable and comfortable.”

Most likely to recommend

Apple won in a number of categories this year, and it's the brand our readers were most likely to recommend to a friend or colleague. We’re huge Apple nerds at Mashable, so it’s no surprise that our readers are, too.

Our reviewers rank Apple, Bose, and Sony headphones among the best. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

One of the most common reasons readers love Apple AirPods products? The easy pairing between AirPods and other Apple devices.

“I'd recommend AirPods to people who use Apple devices because they connect instantly, are extremely easy to use, and work great for calls and casual listening,” said one response.

Comments praised Apple earbuds for their ease of use, integration with other Apple products, quick pairing, quality, fit, value, and reliability.

“I would recommend Apple because their devices are reliable, easy to use, and work really well together,” wrote one reader. “The products last a long time, and I trust the brand and feel confident recommending to others.”

Shop headphones and earbuds from Readers' Choice brands

---

Bose QuietComfort

$329.00 at Amazon

Shop Now

---

Sony WH-1000XM6

$398.00 at Amazon

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---

Apple AirPods 4

$99.00 at Amazon

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---

Beats Studio Pro

$169.95 at Amazon

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---

JBL Tune 720BT

$79.95 at Amazon

Shop Now

Top speaker brands for 2026

Use the arrows on the chart below to toggle through each of the categories from our survey results.

Bose comes out on top once again, winning the Mashable Readers’ Choice Award for best overall speakers in 2026. Our readers sang Bose’s praises for excellent sound quality, easy portability, and longevity — multiple respondents mentioned owning the same Bose speaker for more than 10 years.

One reader said, “Bose is phenomenal in the speaker game; I can't say enough about them, especially if you are listening to hear, feel, and understand the music — not just listening to pass the time. Bose is where you want to be.”

Our survey results actually paint a picture of a neck-and-neck race between Bose and JBL, each taking turns beating the other out for the top spot in almost every ranking category.

The one space where they were both outranked was smart features. Amazon was ranked highest there, which is a shock to no one. One reader said, “I'd recommend Amazon because the Echo Dot offers excellent smart features with Alexa, easy setup, and surprisingly good sound for a very affordable price, making it a great everyday home speaker.”

Best speaker brand for sound quality

In addition to being the best speaker brand overall, Bose takes the cake for best sound quality.

Mashable readers loved Bose speakers for their reliability and sound quality, and rated Bose highest for overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Allard noted that Bose products tend to sound great out of the box, so you don’t have to mess around with the equalizer to get a great listening experience. Other Mashable reviewers agree that they sound excellent and have room-filling sound that doesn’t get muddy or blown out at loud volumes.

As one reader put it, Bose has “unbelievable sound quality, great lows and crisp highs; just a terrific speaker.”

Best speaker brand for battery life

Most Bluetooth speakers are also portable, meaning they don’t have to be plugged into anything to play music. That also means they rely on a charged battery to keep the audio going. 

Mashable readers found JBL speakers to have the best battery life, with one commenting that the “battery lasts all day.”

Mashable readers loved JBL speakers for their battery life, portability, cost, design, setup, ease of use, cvolume level, companion app, and connectivity. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Best speaker brand for portability

On top of battery being a factor in portability, size, weight, and design also play a role. Again, Mashable readers rated JBL highest for portability. They mentioned taking their JBL speakers to the park, the beach, rooftop hangs, gatherings in small apartments, and on hikes.

Most reliable speaker brand

The scale tips back to Bose for reliability. As mentioned earlier, multiple Bose users reported owning the same speaker for more than a decade.

One reader said of their Bose SoundLink Revolve, “Wonderful sound in a small, portable speaker. I've had this speaker for years, and it's always been my go-to speaker.”

Another voiced, “Bose is a tried and true brand that still delivers some of the best sound at a reasonable price point.”

Most likely to recommend

The speaker brand that Mashable readers are most likely to recommend to their friends, family, and colleagues is a tie between Bose and JBL. Because Bose has the slightly higher overall satisfaction rating, we’re crowning Bose the winner here. Though, as you’ve seen, you can’t go wrong with either brand.

Shop speakers from Readers' Choice brands

Bose SoundLink Flex

$154.99 at Amazon

 

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JBL Charge 6

$199.95 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at JBL Shop Now at Best Buy

Amazon Echo Dot Max

$64.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35

 

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Sonos Roam 2

$134 at Amazon
$179 Save $45

 

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Apple HomePod

$299.99 at Best Buy

 

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Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore

$268.99 at Amazon
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John Early and Kate Berlant have built their careers in comedy through scene-stealing appearances in movies and TV, as well as offbeat sketches of their own making, as seen in their joint special Would It Kill You to Laugh? Now they re-team for Maddie's Secret, a compelling comedy that Early wrote, directed, and headlined as the title character.

Inspired by earnest melodramas, Maddie's Secret centers on a foodie-focused content creator named Maddie Ralf (Early), whose sudden rise to frame has a traumatic impact on her mental and physical health. By her side is her lusty teddy bear of a husband (Eric Rahill) and her sultry bestie Deena (Berlant).

Out of the movie's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko cheered in her review, "Early and his company manage to be funny while never losing touch with the heart of this story," adding, "John Early is a better ingénue than Sydney Sweeney."

So, when Early and Berlant sat down with Puchko in the Say More studio for an interview on all things Maddie's Secret, the trio not only dug into how the comedy duo defines their brand of humor, but also how Early approached performing a female orgasm onscreen, directed by himself.

For more from Mashable's interview with Early and Berlant — including whether they see themselves as a sexy baby or a monster on the hill — check out our YouTube channel.

Maddie's Secret is now playing in limited release.

We have to talk about RAMageddon

It's a tough time to be a new Windows laptop. PCs have been hit especially hard by the global RAM shortage. Many popular models have gotten steep price hikes as new AI data centers hog their components, making good values in the budget and mid-range tiers scarcer. (Unfortunately, that probably won't change anytime soon.)

MacBooks have managed to avoid such price increases, but they're not necessarily the ideal computers for everyone. Windows laptops are still much better for PC gaming, and they're more customizable with dedicated GPUs, OLED displays, and convertible designs.

So, before you defect to Team Apple, explore our guide to the best Windows laptops that are actually worth buying these days. Yes, they're still out there — just fewer and further between.

How we chose the top Windows laptops

To select our current picks, my colleagues and I have spent the last few months reviewing some of the newest Windows laptops using our in-house testing methodology. I've also re-evaluated some of last year's releases that remain in stock and don't feel like drastic downgrades.

As of mid-2026, the ultraportable Asus Zenbook A14 leads the pack as my top pick for most buyers.

What's new

I overhauled this guide with new Windows laptops in June 2026.

• The Asus Zenbook A14 replaces the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 as my top choice for most people, since the latter is older but newly much more expensive.

• The Acer Swift Edge 14 AI succeeds the older Zenbook A14 as my favorite ultraportable; it's even slimmer and lighter.

• The HP OmniBook 3 16 is my new battery life winner, dethroning the OmniBook 5 14 with an extra seven-plus hours of stamina.

• The Asus Zenbook A16 ousts the Acer Swift Go 16 as the best 16-inch laptop with its amazing performance and lightweight build.

• The repairable Framework Laptop 13 with Intel Core Ultra Series 1 chips has been retired in favor of the newer AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series model.

I also removed several previous picks that were no longer available at the time of writing, including the 2026 MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, the 2024 Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, the 2025 Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition, and the 2025 Lenovo Yoga Book 9i.

A note about Windows laptops with Snapdragon X series chips

Asus' Zenbook A-series laptops are two of the best ARM-based laptops I've tried. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series chips use ARM-based architecture, not traditional x86 architecture like Intel and AMD chips. As such, their compatibility differs; ARM-based laptops don't work with certain specialty software, PC games, and older peripherals (like printers and scanners). It's important to consider these limitations for your use cases.

This is one big reason why I recommend the Lenovo Yoga 7 14 for students: It runs on an x86-based AMD chip, not an ARM-based Snapdragon X chip. When I examined the 20 top public universities' hardware recommendations last fall, I found that a few schools explicitly advised their students against getting ARM-based laptops because they aren't compatible with certain essential software and peripherals.

The good news is that ARM compatibility has gotten better over the past couple years, and it will definitely continue to do so now that Nvidia is coming out with its own Windows on ARM chips.

The 2026 World Cup is really heating up, literally and metaphorically.

Today, June 19, is another big day with USA and Brazil in action. Play starts at 3 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 19

• Group A: USA vs. Australia (Seattle Stadium) — kickoff at 3 p.m. ET

• Group B: Scotland vs. Morocco (Boston Stadium) — kickoff at 6 p.m. ET

• Group B: Brazil vs. Haiti (Philadelphia Stadium) — kickoff at 8:30 p.m. ET

• Group A: Turkey vs. Paraguay (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium) — kickoff at 11 p.m. ET

How to watch FIFA World Cup games today

Watch USA vs. Australia

USA are looking to build on a confident win over Paraguay in the opening round. Australia secured a shock 2-0 win over Turkey, so the winner here will take top spot in the group. Live coverage will be on FOX and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Watch Scotland vs. Morocco

Scotland sit on top of the group after beating Haiti in the opening round, but this is going to be a much tougher test. Morocco performed well against Brazil and will expect to pick up three points here. Live coverage will be on FOX and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Watch Brazil vs. Haiti

Brazil stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Morocco in the first round of games, but they'll be confident of securing a win over Haiti. Live coverage will be on FOX and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Watch Turkey vs. Paraguay

Turkey were stunned by Australia in their opening game. Now the pressure is really on as they face Paraguay. Turkey are fancied to go far in this competition, but they need three points from this clash. Live coverage will be on FS1 and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

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Credit: Fox One

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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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ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

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TL;DR: Live stream Turkey vs. Paraguay 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.

I really thought Turkey were going to surprise a lot of people in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and I suppose they did against Australia. It just wasn't in the way I expected. Australia battled to beat Turkey 2-0 in their opening game, leaving Turkey desperately seeking a win over Paraguay.

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

When is Turkey vs. Paraguay?

Turkey vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 11 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

How to watch Turkey vs. Paraguay for free

Turkey vs. Paraguay 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 Turkey vs. Paraguay 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 Turkey vs. Paraguay 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 Turkey vs. Paraguay (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. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

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 Turkey vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

TL;DR: Live stream Brazil vs. Haiti 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 started with a very tricky matchup for Brazil. Carlo Ancelotti's side managed to secure a 1-1 draw with a talented Morocco side, and now they face Haiti. On paper, this should be much easier. That being said, Haiti looked pretty slick against Scotland in their opening game. They only lost 1-0, and will come into this contest believing they can do something special.

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

When is Brazil vs. Haiti?

Brazil vs. Haiti in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Philadelphia Stadium.

How to watch Brazil vs. Haiti for free

Brazil vs. Haiti 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 Brazil vs. Haiti 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 Brazil vs. Haiti for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

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 Brazil vs. Haiti (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. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

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 Brazil vs. Haiti in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

TL;DR: Live stream Scotland vs. Morocco 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 full of fun stories, but Scotland fans making a big impression around Boston might be the most feel-good story of the tournament so far. They're really enjoying themselves, and they'll make plenty of noise when Scotland take on Morocco at the Boston Stadium.

Scotland are topping the group after beating Haiti, but Morocco will be a much tougher test. They arguably should have beaten Brazil in their opening game, so they'll be coming into this clash with a lot of confidence.

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

When is Scotland vs. Morocco?

Scotland vs. Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Boston Stadium.

How to watch Scotland vs. Morocco for free

Scotland vs. Morocco 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 Scotland vs. Morocco 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 Scotland vs. Morocco for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

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 Scotland vs. Morocco (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. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

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 Scotland vs. Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

TL;DR: Through June 28, Deal Days shoppers can get a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan for $69.97 (reg. $540).

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1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription

$69.97
$540 Save $470.03

 

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AI subscriptions aren’t cheap, but it’s manageable if you only use one model. However, if you need tools for generating images, writing copy, analyzing documents, or translating between languages, a platform like 1min.AI is a more viable option. 

1min.AI gives you lifetime access to some of the most popular AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and many others. It’s also only $69.97 for a lifetime subscription through June 28 as part of this Deal Days sales event (reg. $540).

1min.AI runs in your browser and pulls a ton of everyday work into one place. You can research keywords, draft blog posts, rewrite and shorten text, generate social posts, and keep a consistent brand voice across projects. There are tools to summarize or translate documents, chat with multiple PDFs at once, and spin up slide presentations.

For visuals, you can generate images from prompts, upscale low-resolution pictures, remove backgrounds, extend edges, or turn rough sketches into cleaner artwork.

Here’s a small sample of the AI models you’ll get access to:

• GPT

• Claude 3 Opus and Claude 3 Sonnet

• Gemini Pro 1.5

• Llama 3

• Mistral models

The Advanced Business Plan includes 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 more through daily logins and other tasks. Credits are shared across writing, images, audio, and video, so you can lean harder on whichever tools you need that month.

The plan supports up to 20 members, with shared workspaces, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices. If you don’t use all your credits, they just roll over, so you aren’t missing out if you have a lighter month.

It’s only $69.97 to get a 1min.AI lifetime subscription, but only through June 28.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to GitMind for $49.99 and turn videos, PDFs, and ideas into AI-powered mind maps and summaries.

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Credit: GitMind

GitMind Basic Plan: Lifetime Subscription

$49.99
$169 Save $119.01

 

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Ever finish reading something important and immediately forget half of it? Or sit through a long video or document and feel like the key points are buried somewhere inside a wall of text? That’s the problem GitMind is trying to solve — turning information overload into something you can actually see and understand.

Instead of forcing you to manually organize everything, GitMind automatically transforms content into structured visuals. Right now, you can get lifetime access to a GitMind Basic Plan for $49.99 (reg. $169), making it a simple one-time way to upgrade how you process information.

You don’t need to change how you work — just what you feed into it. Paste a link, upload a file, or drop in text, and GitMind can generate:

• Mind maps that break down ideas instantly

• Summaries that highlight key points

• Diagrams that connect concepts visually

• Transcripts and structured notes from audio or video

It works with PDFs, YouTube videos, websites, images, audio files, and more, which makes it useful whether you’re studying, working, or just trying to keep your research organized. Instead of juggling multiple tools, everything gets processed in one place.

For students, it can turn lectures and readings into study-ready visuals. For professionals, it helps make sense of reports and meetings faster. And for creators, it’s a quick way to map out ideas before turning them into content.

There’s also a privacy-first approach built in, with user control over data and compliance with major security standards, which matters more than ever when you’re uploading real work materials.

GitMind doesn’t replace thinking — it just makes it easier to see what you’re already thinking about.

Get lifetime access to GitMind Basic Plan for $49.99 while the deal is available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is down to $89.97, giving Mac and PC users a modern Office upgrade with AI features, collaboration tools, and lifetime access for about $120 less than retail.

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Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License

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$249.99 Save $120.02

 

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There’s a point where monthly subscriptions stop feeling convenient and start feeling like a rip-off. If you’re still paying for Microsoft 365 just to use Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, this limited-time offer is worth a look.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is down to $89.97 (reg. $249.99) — and it’s a lifetime license. No recurring fees, no renewal reminders, no oops, your subscription expired moments.

You’re getting the essentials: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. The difference this time around is how polished and modern everything feels. Performance is noticeably smoother (especially in Excel with large datasets), and the updated interface keeps things clean and consistent across apps.

There are also plenty of genuinely useful upgrades. PowerPoint now lets you record presentations with voice and video. Outlook has better accessibility tools, and Excel leans into smarter data insights.

You can still collaborate in real time, use AI-assisted suggestions, and work offline when needed — so you’re not giving up functionality, just the ongoing cost.

If you’re going to use Office anyway, you might as well own it. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for just $89.97 (reg. $249.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $104.97 and includes lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.

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Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License

$104.97
$249.99 Save $145.02

 

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Office software isn’t exactly exciting tech, but it remains one of the few categories people genuinely rely on almost every day. If you already know you need Microsoft Office and don’t want another recurring subscription hanging over your head, this Office 2024 Home & Business deal is on sale for $104.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote for both personal and commercial use. Unlike Microsoft 365, it’s a one-time purchase, so you won’t have to keep paying monthly just to maintain access to software you probably use constantly.

The 2024 version also comes with some genuinely useful upgrades, especially in Excel, which now handles larger datasets and multiple workbooks more smoothly. PowerPoint adds upgraded recording tools with voice narration, video, and live camera integration for presentations, while Outlook introduces stronger accessibility checks to help make emails more inclusive and easier to read.

The overall interface feels cleaner and more modern, too, with improved touch and pen support for tablets and hybrid devices. Word now includes a distraction-free Focus Mode alongside AI-assisted writing tools, while Excel adds AI-driven trend analysis, smarter visualizations, and dynamic arrays for more advanced spreadsheet work.

AI features are integrated across the suite overall, including formatting suggestions, text summarization, translation tools, accessibility improvements, and content organization designed to save you from some of the smaller but surprisingly time-consuming parts of office work.

Formerly $249.99, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is available for $104.97 for a single Mac or PC lifetime license.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Hayley Kiyoko's journey to her feature directorial debut, Girls Like Girls, began in 2015. That's when the Disney child star turned singer/songwriter released the track "Girls Like Girls," and its subsequent viral video, which Kiyoko co-helmed with Austin S. Winchell. 

More than a music video, "Girls Like Girls" played like a short film, complete with credits that revealed character names: Coley, Sonya, and Trenton. In 2023, this love triangle would be fleshed out in the pop star's debut novel, also titled Girls Like Girls. 

Now, after a decade of living with this story of sapphic longing and first love, Kiyoko delivers an earnest and poignant coming-of-age movie with Girls Like Girls. 

Girls Like Girls is a low-key drama of first love and heartache. 

Credit: Dan Power / Focus Feature LLC

Set in 2006, Kiyoko's debut feature has a healthy dose of nostalgia for the early age of internet. The soundtrack features Tegan and Sara's yearning-rich "Speak Slow," Imogen Heap's electro ballad "Hide and Seek," and AIR's trippy "Sexy Boy."

The teens in Girls Like Girls have cell phones, but instant messaging on a bulky PC is how sheepish 17-year-old Coley (Maya da Costa) prefers to reach out to her crush, the femme and fun party girl Sonya (Myra Molloy). 

New to town in the thick of summer, Coley is killing time at a diner alone when she first spots Sonya, who's radiant in her laughter and adored by her circle of friends. With one shared glance, Sonya ushers Coley into their world, where house parties rage, lakeside hangs are recurring, and sapphic flirtations are only for when Sonya's boyfriend, Trent (Levon Hawke), isn't around. 

Kiyoko captures the easy swoon of young love with montages of the two girls finding their way into each others' arms, then breath. But as confident as Sonya seems, she wilts anytime someone begins to suspect that she and Coley are more than just friends. Having brought her own baggage to this cozy Oregon town, Coley finds the push and pull of Sonya's affections overtaking her vision of herself. Grieving over the loss of her mother and living with the estranged father (Zach Braff) that she barely knows, Coley fears that if Sonya can't love her, she's doomed to be unlovable. 

Girls Like Girls offers space for gay girls figuring it out. 

Credit: Dan Power / Focus Feature LLC

For Coley and Sonya, their attraction to each other is so simple and natural that they don't initially question it. They follow it — slowly and joltingly, but keenly.

In the privacy of Sonya's girly bedroom or her family's backyard pool, they find sanctuary to explore who they are together. Like the short film inspiration from 2015, Girls Like Girls deftly captures the longing in a stare, the excitement in a stolen touch. 

As she did in the music video, Coley sports an oversized jean jacket and the very mid-2000s tattoo-choker, made of swirls of black plastic that stretch around the wearer's neck. She rides a bike, busted up, but hers. And, as teased on the book's cover, a key moment still happens poolside — though without the beat(ing) after. (Do stay through the credits for a post-cred scene worth waiting for.)

A change from the first incarnation, Girls Like Girls is less about the violence queer people can suffer from homophobes, and more about choosing joy over the fear of violence and alienation. Because while Sonya initially seems impossibly cool and untroubled, as Coley gets closer, she realizes her crush is surrounded by friends she can't trust to be herself around. So Coley is faced with the choice of who she wants to be in this new town, and if that means being a fool for love. 

Myra Molloy and Maya da Costa make a compelling pair. 

Credit: Dan Power / Focus Feature LLC

Molloy could teach a class on how to flip her hair. Her breezy grace and flirtatious energy make her instantly recognizable as That Girl. Sonya makes being a teen girl look easy. She exudes joy and cool, and even when you find out it's a facade, you envy her ability to produce it. 

Sonya is a go-getter who practically drags Coley into her friend group, her pool, and her kiss. Meanwhile, Kiyoko scripts her protagonist to be almost infuriatingly passive. She's so afraid of making a wrong move, Coley is like a shadow in her own life, following behind Sonya, afraid to be in the light. Cleverly, this is actually how Coley's dad is framed for the first half of the film — as a shadow.

For several sequences, I stared into the frame at the middle-aged man speaking softly in a dim room, trying to see who he was. This staging reflects how Coley sees her dad, as someone distant and unknown. As they grow closer, he will come into the light. And she will follow, metaphorically, and blossom. Da Costa performs this evolution with aplomb.  

The romance and tenderness found in Kiyoko's music videos throbs in Girls Like Girls. She breaks from creaky conventions of queer coming-of-age tales by rejecting scenes of violence or social ostracizing that once seemed required. Her heroine is soft, too, not pursuing but being pursued. And her ending is not a promise of eternal devotion, but a small win that feels huge for a girl in love. 

Girls Like Girls opens in theaters on June 19.

It feels both impossible and inevitable that we've arrived at Toy Story 5. 

When Toy Story hit theaters in 1995, it was groundbreaking. The first release from Pixar Animation Studios was also the first animated feature created entirely with computers. Critics cheered, audiences flocked, and a toy cowboy named Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and a space ranger named Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) became instantly iconic. Then, bucking tradition, the sequel that followed in 1999 was actually even better than the original.

Introducing Jessie the Cowgirl (voiced by Joan Cusack) and her horse buddy Bullseye, Toy Story 2 expanded the world, the lore, and the themes of the first film. In Toy Story, Woody fears being forgotten by his owner, Andy. In Toy Story 2, the agony of that experience is efficiently distilled into Jessie's flashback with her first kid, Emily, scored by a rueful Sarah McLachlan singing "When She Loved Me." If you sniffled at even remembering this sequence, you're not alone. 

Toy Story 3 followed, introducing Bonnie, a new kid for Woody and his friends to play with at Sunnyside Daycare, and presenting the franchise's biggest bad yet in Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear (voiced by Ned Beatty). (Also, this third film gave us the absolute gift of Michael Keaton as Ken, years before Barbie.) Once more, critics cheered how this franchise about toys continued to mature. Toy Story 4 came nine years later, introducing Forky (voiced by Tony Hale), a spork turned into a toy by Bonnie's creativity. Though a deeply charming movie, the fourth installment didn’t feel as profound as its predecessors. And now, Toy Story 5 asks how Woody and the gang's world will change with the rise of AI and tech toys. 

In Toy Story 5, the antagonist is a tablet named Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee), who's so addictive that analog toys worry this could mean the end of playtime. It's sort of funny to see a computer-animated movie attempt to critique the dangers of tech to a child's imagination. But as you might predict of Disney — who acquired Pixar 20 years back — there's no meaningful critique of tech toys or AI in Toy Story 5. Instead, digital devices versus analog toys become a way to explore how to find human connection.

Jessie is the hero of Toy Story 5. 

Jessie squares off against Lilypad in "Toy Story 5." Credit: Disney / Pixar

Remember, at the end of Toy Story 4, Woody retired from being Bonnie's (voiced by Madeleine McGraw) toy to reconnect with Bo Peep (voiced by Annie Potts) and live in a playground as a "lost toy." Without him, Jessie has taken over as the playroom's sheriff, inspiring a bunch of imaginative scenarios of play, and making sure all the toys feel safe and seen. But a new challenge arises in Toy Story 5 when the parents of eight-year-old Bonnie (now voiced by Scarlett Spears) buy her Lilypad to help her fit in and make friends. Her peers are all online, constantly connected to The Pond (Lilypad's social media network), playing games and messaging each other with little to no parental involvement. 

No sooner has Lily arrived that Bonnie becomes zombie-like, ignoring her other toys, stressing over missing online chat sessions, and endlessly tapping the screen. Jessie fears no real friends can be made with this "device," a word that Cusack utters like a slur. So, she sets out to help Bonnie make friends in person. But some big choices lead to Jessie and Bullseye ending up far from home, where the cowgirl is forced to confront her past trauma over losing Emily. 

Meanwhile, Woody has returned to help Buzz, who's been deputized by Jessie to keep Lily in check. Though the words "AI" or "artificial intelligence" are never uttered in this movie, Lilypad's sentience leads to trouble for the toys and poor Bonnie. 

Toy Story 5 is about being the weird kid. 

Bonnie plays with Jessie while other girls play on their tablets in "Toy Story 5." Credit: Disney / Pixar

It's been 31 years since I first saw Toy Story. And like that aching flashback in Toy Story 2, Bonnie's experience here hit me hard in the heart. Since she was introduced in Toy Story 3, this cute kiddo with a brunette bob, a love of color, and macabre storylines has been adored by her toys for her creativity. But to other kids, Bonnie is a weirdo. 

At the start of Toy Story 5, she's having a blast imagining a wedding ceremony where someone has poisoned the water hole maid of honor (her dramatic flourishes emphasized in a stylized animation, with softer lines and more vivid colors). But when the neighborhood twins arrive nearby, Bonnie is instantly self-conscious and flustered about how to invite them over to play. Her parents notice, and know the girls in her dance class use Lilypad to play games together online. So they believe they're helping when they present Bonnie with her own. However, as many a parent has learned, letting a kiddo go unsupervised online can lead to bullying, stress, and heartache. 

Blaze types on her laptop in "Toy Story 5." Credit: Disney / Pixar

Because the other kids favor tablets over toys, Bonnie resists playing with her toys, as she has internalized the social pressure that such behavior isn't cool. A sting of remembrance — when Toy Story first came out, I was at the point in grade school when my peers insisted we were collectively too old for dolls and toys. So, I'd taken to hiding my favorites in a small box, tucked away from judgmental eyes. I'd still play, but alone. 

In Toy Story 5, Bonnie is not alone. Through Jessie's haphazard derring-do, the toys meet Blaze (voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris), a nine-and-a-half-year-old who is as high energy and gleefully goofy as Bonnie. She also seems to have a healthier relationship with technology. Now the trick is how to bring them together. 

It'll take a lot more than a virtual pond or a snarky tablet to save Bonnie from her aching isolation. Jessie will make new allies in some of Blaze's clunky tech devices, like a potty training toy called Smarty Pants (voiced by Conan O'Brien). And meanwhile, Woody, Buzz, and a fleet of recently unboxed high-tech Buzzes will aid in an audacious rescue effort that leads to some splendidly exciting action sequences. 

Joan Cusack is marvelous in Toy Story 5. 

Jessie looks out of a closet in "Toy Story 5." Credit: Disney / Pixar

While the inclusion of high-tech toys is certainly the gimmick of Toy Story 5, it is not the focus. Instead, the story evolves into being about how to find your people. Jessie, once a lost toy, knows the pain of feeling alone. And even as she faces her fears of abandonment, she fights to save her kid from that pain. 

Jessie is a reflection of Bonnie and Blaze. She is spirited and silly, with a big heart that’s easily wounded. And yet she is brave. While Woody and Buzz get up to plenty of hijinks that are great for a trailer and some belly laughs, it is Jessie and her girls who make Toy Story 5 more than just another film in this franchise. They carve out a place for the little weirdos, to be seen and celebrated. 

Directed by Andrew Stanton, who co-wrote the screenplay with McKenna Harris, Toy Story brings back characters we love while introducing new toys for the merchandising line, including Lilypad. Yet the soul of these movies is not lost to consumerism requirements. The animation here is as winsome as ever. The story is admittedly thin, offering not one but two Buzz subplots to fill its feature-length runtime. Still, it is captivating even while uneven. But above all else, Cusack, who has been the MVP of such bizarre kids movies as Toys and Addams Family Values, commands this sequel with her unflappable moxie. 

Woody and Buzz strategize how to best Lilypad in "Toy Story 5." Credit: Disney / Pixar

Whether she is cheering for her friends or condemning her foes, Jessie is exhilarating, funny, and riveting. Cusack's performance is bolstered by a top-tier animation team who created a beautiful and gleefully alive cowgirl, and who have continued that careful illustration to a broader cast of characters. Perhaps predictably, Toy Story 5 is an unabashed crowd-pleaser. But more than that, it is a mainstream film that thoughtfully champions the unconventional. Through Jessie, Bonnie, and Blaze, this joyous sequel cheers the weirdos, acknowledging the hurt of being left out, and the heady highs of finding community through shared strangeness. 

Simply put, this sequel is wacky, warm, and unapologetically weird. Yeehaw. 

Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19.

Enemies-to-lovers is a common and often hot romance trope. But what if what makes you enemies is your love? 

Being raised queer and religious can be a minefield, as all your worth and goodness might be cast aside by your community because of who you desire. In such homophobic settings, queer people are told we must deny our desires or risk being ostracized, attacked, and damned. The new Australian horror movie Leviticus explores the agony of this experience through a supernatural horror story that thunders over a tale of first love. 

Australian writer/director Adrian Chiarella makes his sensational feature directorial debut with Leviticus, a title that refers to a book of the Bible in which homosexuality is declared an "abomination." However, rather than being a film that condemns the queer boys at its center, Leviticus empathizes with their yearning and the terror caused by the parents who should love them. Brewed with equal parts desire and dread, this Australian horror thriller explores how homophobia can be the real monster in the closet. 

Leviticus is a possession tale with a unique twist. 

Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen star as two boys in love and trauma in "Leviticus." Credit: NEON

Talk to Me's Joe Bird stars as Naim, a high school boy who's new to a town that's quiet, conservative, and deeply Christian. He has no friends, and is intrigued when a beautiful, curly-haired blonde boy named Ryan (Stacy Clausen) invites him to hang out. And before the afternoon is over, they've flirted, wrestled, and made out on the floor of an abandoned mill. 

Heated Rivalry fans will note a similar dynamic to Ilya and Shane, minus the hockey rivalry. Like Ilya, Ryan is cocky, showing his interest through playful barbs, and even some physical aggression. Similar to Shane, brunette Naim is excited by this muscled blonde's attention, even if he's not ready to recognize what that excitement might mean. But where the wildly popular TV show has being outed as a storm cloud that resolves relatively brightly, Leviticus goes dark, pitting the boys against each other. 

It all begins with a "deliverance healer," called to exorcise the evil out of the queer members of the church. The conversion ceremony is first conducted on Ryan and another boy. But before long, Naim is also subjected to this strange ritual. From then on, he is followed by a mysterious creature that looks and sounds like Ryan. But if they give into their desire for each other with a kiss, this Ryan lashes out, violently assaulting Naim. And he soon learns Ryan is being stalked by a doppelganger of Naim. In both cases, no one else can see their seductive assailants. No one — not the cops nor Naim's recently widowed mother (producer Mia Wasikowska) — believes him as he seeks salvation from this seeming demon. 

Leviticus awes with its ambiguity, but is ruthlessly scary.  

Tyallah Bullock plays Marnie in "Leviticus." Credit: NEON

Surely, horror fans will point to It Follows as an inspiration point, as that film also dealt with a strange, stalking demon who is passed on by sexual contact. Both films certainly reflect the fear of sex and death common in horror. But where It Follows uses nude bodies to shock and repulse its audience, Leviticus only shows how Naim sees the demon — as Ryan, a handsome boy with lust in his eyes. This perspective urges audiences to understand what it is to look upon someone and both desire and fear them. This clever creature has no tells that suggest he is not Ryan, until he attacks. 

"This is what they wanted," the real Ryan seethes, "us to be scared of each other." And in this, Leviticus reveals its aching heart. Here are two boys falling in love. But their story becomes a nightmare, not because of wicked desires but because of a viciously conformative community that would rather see them dead than queer and happy. This revelation makes all the scenes that follow not just frightening but also stomach-churning. Naim desperately wants to reconnect to Ryan, the only person in this "shithole" who sees him for who he is and accepts him as he is. But because of this ritual, he can never be sure it's Ryan's eyes he's looking into or his kiss he's accepting, until the possibility of violence arises. 

By focusing on Naim's perspective exclusively, we too can't be certain of what's real. And one particular jump scare — which had me full-throated screaming — suggests that isolation is no answer either. But what to do when your community and your family reject you? This place is both home and not home. Chiarella reflects that through elegant choices in sight and sound. Cinematographer Tyson Perkins paints this small town in pale but warm hues of pinks, blues, and golds. This does not seem the kind of place where a teen boy would be ripped to pieces with a shrug from the community. But it is. Here, the score by Jed Kurzel bolsters this shudder-inducing truth, giving an eerie echo of percussion that sounds like a racing heart, running down a long, endless hallway. And yet…

Leviticus is defiant in its queer joy, despite the bleak setup. 

Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen star as two boys in love and trauma in "Leviticus." Credit: NEON

While Chiarella's script does follow the supernatural horror trope of having his heroes try to chase down a solution to best their monster, Leviticus is not really about that quest. At its core, it's about Naim and Ryan and what they will choose. There is no ceremony that will magically convert their parents to compassion. If they can't fare better with a mysterious demon, what path is left? 

Some might be frustrated with Chiarella's answer. But I found it awesome. Leviticus won't give an easy answer, just as it won't lay out simple rules of how this vicious monster operates. The movie never even declares it a demon. But based on genre tropes and my own Catholic upbringing, I'm calling it a demon. 

Instead, Leviticus relies not so much on rules or rituals to build its world and message, but on the performances of Bird and Clausen. As in Talk to Me, Bird has a riveting vulnerability onscreen. Here, his eyes flicker with lust, fear, jealousy, and bliss. His slightness compared to Ryan makes him seem fragile, whether he's risking a kiss or running for his life. He is alive, and how could an audience not fall under the skin of his experience, getting goose bumps in arousal and horror right alongside him? 

Joe Bird in "Leviticus." Credit: NEON

As to Clausen, he has two roles, Ryan and the demon version of Ryan. The former is mercurial, code-switching at school to perform hetero masculinity, even as he steals a glance at his crush. When they are alone, mischief sparkles in his eyes, then joy. His self-assuredness is an invitation for Naim to join him, which makes the demon wearing his face and openness as a mask all the more harrowing. This version of Ryan switches seamlessly from provocative lover to dead-eyed terror. When idle, the demon Ryan evokes Michael Myers in his Halloween mask, standing on a once-quaint lawn. When he attacks, his smile vanishes into a ruthless sneer or an inhuman wail. And each time, I felt my breath catch in my throat, until I finally let loose a scream so loud it alarmed even me. 

All this is to say that Leviticus is a religious horror movie about being queer, but one that, despite its demon, does not demonize queerness. Nor does this thriller drown in the bleakness of religious trauma. Instead, Chiarella expertly coaches his cast to plunge into the depths of such pain, so that their characters can surface gasping for air. And because he does so with such immersive intensity, we're left gasping too. 

Supremely suspenseful, smartly done, and ultimately rebellious, Leviticus is an absolute stunner. 

Leviticus opens in theaters on June 19. 

It's impossible to watch The Death of Robin Hood and not think of Logan. Both films star Hugh Jackman, and both mar his leading-man good looks with old age makeup, scars, and mangy facial hair. In each, he plays an anti-hero whose legend is one of noble heroism but whose reality is a trail of senseless carnage. And in both, his withered humanity is revived by protecting an orphaned girl. In this comparison, The Death of Robin Hood only suffers. 

Logan co-writer and director James Mangold created an emotionally rich drama, punctuated by breathtaking action sequences that showed new potential for superhero films viewed through a revisionist lens. The Death of Robin Hood's writer/director Michael Sarnoski, who has previously made the superb slow-burn thriller Pig and the awful horror prequel A Quiet Place: Day One, pursues a similar goal in re-interpreting the folk legend renowned for robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. But his interpretation lacks complexity, offering in its place much brooding, after a first act overstuffed with truly repulsive onscreen violence. 

There is an attempt at balance, as Sarnoski introduces female characters meant to be a soft and compassionate foil to Robin and his not-so-merry men's brutality. But that feels frustratingly reductive and shallow. 

What is The Death of Robin Hood about?

Credit: Aidan Monaghan / A24

Set around 1247 A.D., this trudging drama begins on the side of a mountain, where cold winds roar across a treacherously frozen terrain. There, a haggard old man lives determinedly alone. This is Robin Hood (Jackman), an outlaw whose thievery has been praised because of the tales of how he redistributed the wealth to aid the poor. But — as the tagline for the film declares — he was no hero. 

Over and over, any chance this Robin Hood gets, he will grumble that those were lies. He and his Little John (an equally grumbly Bill Skarsgård) robbed, maimed, and murdered so many men, women, and children that he cannot remember their names or faces. So, now, he hides in isolation, apathetically fending off would-be killers who are seeking vengeance for crimes he cannot recall. It's a grim beginning, and it will only get grimmer. 

When Little John returns to him, asking for help in fighting off a family that has stolen his land and kidnapped his wife, Robin begrudgingly agrees, noting they both might die. His tone even suggests that's Robin's wish, to just be over with it all. Still, he'll battle hard for his friend, slaying not only the invading men but also employing his legendary archery skills to shoot a fleeing child through the back of his skull and left eye. 

The sound effects chosen for such moments of violence pull no punches, offering sharp cracks of bone, wretched tearing of flesh, and the squish of internal organs ripped asunder. It's stomach-churningly effective in hitting home how efficient Robin is at delivering carnage. By the end of the first act, not only have Little John's foes been felled but Robin himself has too, following a gross and grisly battle of blood, muck, and fire. To the credit of cinematographer Pat Scola, such scenes of violence are both beautiful and horrid. His shots make clear the agony and injury, but play these fights off a backdrop of blazing fire and night sky. The contrast is dizzying and exciting. But soon, this contrast and conflict will be moved to a far-off island, the colors shifting from brown and orange to grays and radiant blues. 

At an ancient priory, a gorgeous nun called Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer) offers aid to the ailing. She's taken in Robin Hood, unaware of his identity. (He tells her his name is Randolf). As his wounds heal, Little John's only child, Little Margaret (Faith Delaney), arrives on the island, orphaned and traumatized. Though at first Robin only wished to die, and failing that, to escape this blissful place of restoration, he is slowly enchanted by Brigid's compassion and by Little Margaret's thirst for a father figure. Reluctantly befriending a persistent leper (Murray Bartlett), Robin begins to consider if this might be "another life" for him — when yet another vengeance-seeking stranger turns up at the priory. 

The Death of Robin Hood is an unpleasant and cynical slog, despite a promising cast. 

Credit: Aidan Monaghan / A24

Like Logan, The Death of Robin Hood functions like a revisionist Western, wherein the lifelong gunslinger looks back on his journey and wonders if all the blood he's spilled can ever be washed clean. Put another way, can a man of violence ever become a man of peace? 

Intellectually, there's something interesting in this cliche. However, Jackman's portrayal in The Death of Robin Hood feels like an echo of his achingly poignant work in Logan, but with less rage and thus less energy. Plus, Sarnoski's approach is dull and episodic. Again and again, someone will ask Robin if he recalls a particular act of violence, and he shrugs his heavy shoulders in response, his expression world-weary. And then the person explains how Robin's actions hurt them personally, to which Robin gives an inscrutable stare in response, over and over. 

It's a tedious way to establish Robin's cruelty. More irksome, he only starts to care about the consequences of his actions once he falls for the lovely nun. While Comer is a critically acclaimed actress thanks to her bold and brilliant performances in Killing Eve, The Bikeriders, and The Last Duel, she — like Jackman — cannot elevate Sarnoski's shallow script, which reduces men and women to archaic archetypes. For instance, to illustrate that Sister Brigid has desires beyond being a loving nurse to the sick and mother to the orphaned, Sarnoski includes a bizarre scene where she sneaks off at night to a cave to masturbate by candlelight. How else could he possibly show a woman could be spiritual and sexual? 

Little Margaret is similarly underwritten, existing chiefly to follow Robin like a sullen shadow with the sad eyes of a Margaret Keane painting. Noah Jupe, who earned praise last year for playing Hamlet in Hamnet, is compelling in a brief role as a boy on the brink of a pivotal decision. To Bartlett's credit, he brings some levity as a leper who talks with fearless sass, even though he knows Robin's true identity and wickedness. But with much of his face covered by bandages and, later, rotting prosthetics, his charisma is almost completely swallowed. Essentially, though most of the other characters exist to balance Robin's unrelentingly grim brooding, the balance is off. So, much of the movie is a muck of unrelenting maudlin reflection, undercutting any attempt at hope of rising above. 

Most frustratingly, from beginning to end, I couldn't get a grip on the why of it all. Not why in terms of Robin Hood's cruelty or ruefulness, but why re-imagine a figure upheld as a rebel for fairness and community as one of careless violence, unchecked cruelty, and selfishness? 

Sarnoski's past films were a more successful mix of darkness and light, offering hardened heroes who fought for joy or love, even as they understood full well the world around them was merciless and cruel. Here, however, we start with a protagonist who is merciless and cruel, and the only reason we are given to follow him, to invest in his journey, is that he is played by Hugh Jackman. Beyond that, this deeply cynical spin on the legend of Robin Hood has no discernible message beyond some trite platitude of the power of second chances. Despite its star-studded cast, and a powerful blend of hard-hitting sound effects and jolting on-camera violence, The Death of Robin Hood feels politically, spiritually, and emotionally hollow. 

The Death of Robin Hood opens in theaters on June 19.

As a professional critic, one of my deepest, perhaps most deranged delights is to be wrong about a movie. Basically, I've seen so many that I have a pretty good feel for how a film will hit me, based on who's made it, who's in it, or even the logline. But I relish being surprised. And John Early's latest film is a wondrous surprise, not because it's good, but because of how it's good.

Early is known for his offbeat comedic style, on display as a performer in the genre-bending comedy series Search Party, Dropout's improvised talk show parody Very Important People, and actual talk show appearances, where he and frequent collaborator Kate Berlant commit to bits that essentially satirize celebrity. There's a provocation in his approach that came to an angsty climax in Stress Positions, a COVID lockdown comedy where his lead performance acts like a mounting anxiety attack.

With all this in mind, I imagined Maddie's Secret, Early's feature directorial debut, would also embrace cringe comedy. Perhaps especially because he stars as the title character, a woman juggling a stressful job opportunity and a trauma-rich secret. However, Maddie’s Secret offers something defiantly sweeter, even as it sends up made-for-TV melodramas from the '90s. The film is silly and strange, but even amid campy bits, sincere. So, you'll laugh at its parody elements, but may well be genuinely moved by Early's commitment to this strange and splendid film.

Maddie's Secret is a campy throwback to '90s "movies of the week." 

Credit: Magnolia Pictures

Making its world premiere out of the Discovery slate at the Toronto International Film Festival, Maddie's Secret may seem like a straight-up send-up of those earnest TV movies, where a teen star (think Tiffani Amber Thiessen) would face some contemporary evil or social issue. But like A Deadly Adoption, the underappreciated Lifetime movie parody starring Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig, there's a clear and ardent love for this admittedly trashy corner of cinema. Early is mocking elements of these movies, but crucially, his eponymous heroine is not the butt of the joke.

Maddie Ralph (Early) is an aspiring chef who begins Maddie's Secret as a dishwasher at a culinary content studio called Gourmaybe. There, she giggles happily with her bestie (Kate Berlant), a lesbian who hits on her almost as aggressively as she stares down anyone who'd dare mess with Maddie. Specifically, this means Gourmaybe's shining star (Claudia O'Doherty), who shares recipes while snarling at anyone who's not her handsy producer (Conner O'Malley). 

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At home, things are more peaceful for Maddie. Her husband is a teddy bear of a man (Eric Rahill), who absolutely adores her, insisting she's perfect. But the pressure to be perfect pushes Maddie into self-harm behaviors she developed as a girl. That pressure only amps up once her career at Gourmaybe takes off and she becomes an on-camera talent, with the vicious lens of the internet on her. 

John Early is brilliant and sly with Maddie's Secret.

Credit: Magnolia Pictures

Remarkably, as a first time feature director and star, Early manages the balance of comedy, drama, and empathy with aplomb. 

The humor in this movie begins subtle. It's in the way Maddie strolls to work, getting lost in thought as she smells a flower, only to have the realization wash over her that she's running late. The performance styles in Maddie's Secret run the gamut from stiff to totally over the top. But that's by design, embracing the traditional range within these vintage treasures of '90s "movies of the week." Where Berlant goes in for goofy leering as a predatory butch, a self-aware gag that has a juicy payoff, Early leans into a much softer performance.

Some might say he's doing drag here, but that suggests a hyper-femininity that's outrageous and potentially even mocking. That's not what Early's doing. Wearing a robust set of boobs and a messy blonde wig, Early isn't being a caricature of womanhood. He's playing a woman. However, because Maddie is desperate to live up to the "good girl" expectations others have for her, the performance is smartly restrained. She is in a cage of her own making, not allowing herself to feel bad in front of anyone else. And so, a tension grows as that pain pulls Maddie into disordered eating, which makes the career that she loves a dangerous place to be. Early manages to play this arc, which veers into a rehab clinic that feels very Girl, Interrupted, with a moving sincerity and a soft silliness that keeps the movie from getting too dark. And his co-stars follow his lead with gusto.

In this space of healing, hurt feels and firm facades abound. For Maddie's endearingly childlike roommate Julie (Vanessa Bayer), that means a cheerful exterior and an obsessive crush on a nurse (Pat Regan), who is unquestionably gay. Then, there's a trio of bad influences (Ruby McCollister, Emily Allan, and Leah Hennessey) who feel plucked from various bad girl movies to create a cool and intimidating coven. This section feels the richest in terms of representing community within girlhood. Well, at first Maddie is reluctant to consider herself anything like the people around her; it is only through sharing herself and her secret with these women that she can break out of the suffocating box she has put herself in.

I left this film in a spin, dizzy about its delicate accomplishments. Not long after, I saw Christy, the Sydney Sweeney-led melodrama, which made me only more impressed with Maddie's Secret. There, an established filmmaker and established dramatic actors fumbled the balance of social issues and accidentally fell into comedic absurdity. Here, Early and his company manage to be funny while never losing touch with the heart of this story.

Basically, John Early is a better ingénue than Sydney Sweeney, which might be the most surprising discovery of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Maddie's Secret was reviewed out of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It opens in theaters in New York on June 19, and in Los Angeles on June 26.

UPDATE: May. 6, 2026, 1:44 p.m. This review was first published on Sept. 9, 2025. It has been updated for its theatrical debut.

Mashable has been testing laptops for over 10 years, and I took the category's helm in 2023. Over the past year and a half alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tried more than 50 of the most promising configurations available. We use a meticulous testing procedure to score our contenders on the basis of performance, battery life, design/build quality, and value.

The following guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best-in-class models across different subcategories. For even more recommendations, check out my dedicated guides to the best MacBooks, the best Windows laptops, the best cheap laptops, and the best Chromebooks.

What's new

I revamped this guide with a bunch of new picks in mid-2026 after a new round of testing. The 15-inch, M5-powered Apple MacBook Air is our new top MacBook, replacing its M4 predecessor. The Asus Zenbook A14 is our new favorite Windows laptop, succeeding the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, which got a price hike and a successor this spring. (I plan on testing the new version.) The MacBook Neo replaces the Acer Aspire 16 AI as the best budget laptop overall (but that's still the best cheap Windows laptop). The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is now our top Chromebook for most people, booting out the too-expensive Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14. Lastly, the HP OmniBook 3 16 is our new battery life champ, having beat our older pick, the HP OmniBook 5 14, by over seven hours of usage.

I also removed some previous picks that were no longer available at the time of writing, including the 2026 MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro).

A note about ARM-based Windows laptops

Many great Windows laptops we've tried run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X2 series chips, which use ARM-based architecture instead of standard x86 architecture like Intel and AMD chips. (The Zenbook A14 and OmniBook 3 16 are both two outstanding Windows on ARM laptops.)

These Qualcomm chips are great because they offer amazing performance and battery life, but they're not compatible with some specialty software, PC games, and older PC accessories like scanners. Having said that, ARM support is getting better and should dramatically improve in the near future. Right now, I would only avoid ARM laptops if you're a college student, or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my best Windows laptops guide.

Morale at Meta is reportedly near the worst it's ever been. To help fix it, the tech giant will offer staff more snacks.

Business Insider reports that Meta's chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth admitted the grim mood during an internal call earlier this month, stating that while employee morale has been worse before, the current situation is "probably up there" on the scale of severity. 

"I can think Cambridge Analytica was probably the worst," Bosworth reportedly said in the June 2 meeting. The Cambridge Analytica scandal made international headlines in 2016 after it was discovered that the firm had acquired over 50 million Facebook users' data without informed consent and used it to target voters.

Meta's current cratering morale appears attributable to recent shake-ups by management. The company conducted a mass layoff of 8,000 workers last month — amounting to 10 percent of its workforce — while at least 6,500 others were involuntarily reassigned to work on its AI models in its new Applied AI division. Employees have reportedly found the work drudging, menial, and "soul-crushing," with the overwhelming majority deeply unhappy with the change. The tech giant is further facing backlash after announcing it would track U.S. employees' keystrokes and mouse movements to train AI.

Meta CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth promised more investment in employee perks in an attempt to boost morale. Credit: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Bosworth acknowledged widespread employee dissatisfaction in an internal post this Monday, as reported by WIRED. Though he reportedly stated that employees will need to make sacrifices and work on jobs they find "don't find as personally fulfilling," he pledged to fix Meta's culture and make it a "fun and enjoyable" workplace.

"We've undermined the trust you have that your specific expertise and contribution will be valued, that you will grow and advance your career, and that this will be a place where you can actually have an impact," Bosworth wrote in the post seen by WIRED. "We shook up the management structure that was providing you stability while rapid changes in strategy, including the boom/bust cycle of hiring, left entire teams in the lurch."

As such, Bosworth stated that Meta will give managers a maximum of 20 direct reports and provide employees with more personalised support. He also assured employees that Meta doesn't intend to fully replace AI workers with AI, however they do need to know how to use it, and will be given access to optional "AI coaching" tools.

"We obviously did an atrocious job explaining the vision, giving people a clear picture of how we would support them and their careers in the shift, and painting a picture of how it would change over time," wrote Bosworth.

Bosworth further attempted to raise employees' spirits by promising improved snack areas, increased travel budgets, and investments in office social events. Considering the dire state of morale, it seems as though the time-honoured tradition of the office pizza party has a formidable amount of heavy lifting to do.

WIRED sighted internal memos earlier this month in which Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg pledged there would be no further mass layoffs, and Applied AI vice president Maher Saba said that those who'd been reassigned to the team would now be allowed to apply for other roles within the company. Even so, assurances that their situation merely may not get worse is likely of little comfort to already disgruntled employees.

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

Bodily fluid.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

LYMPH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Hush hush.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TABOO

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Scratchy.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

ITCHY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A string instrument.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

VIOLA

Final Hurdle hint

To hate.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

ABHOR

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 lunar cycle is well underway, and the Moon is becoming more and more noticeable each night. Its bright crescent shape continues to grow as we head towards the First Quarter phase.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, June 19, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 33% 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, you'll also catch a glimpse of the Endymion Crater. If you have a telescope, this will help you see all this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot and the Mare Nectaris.

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.

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 19 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 19 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

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

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 19 Pips

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

UPDATE: Jun. 19, 2026, 12:13 p.m. Disney+ has posted an update on X at 10:06 p.m. ET / 7:06 p.m. stating that the issue has now been fixed. The cause of the outage has not yet been revealed.

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

Original story follows.

Disney's streaming service Disney+ is currently suffering a global outage, with users reporting that they're seeing an error message when attempting to log in.

Crowdsourced outage tracker Downdetector began receiving reports of issues with Disney+ just after 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m., with over 20,000 submitted by users in the U.S. alone by 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. (Disclosure: Mashable and Downdetector share the same parent company, Ziff Davis.) 

Though the cause of the Disney+ outage is currently unknown, Disney has acknowledged the issue in a post on the official Disney+ support X account.

"We’re currently investigating issues affecting login for some users and hope to have this resolved soon," the official Disney+ support X account posted at 8:49 p.m. ET / 5:49 p.m. PT. "Thank you for your patience!"

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

The account has also been responding to X users' complaints by apologising and directing them to Disney+'s feedback form.

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

Getting Disney+ back up soon is of the essence for many users, as the streaming service is airing the 2026 FIFA World Cup in some South American regions. Fortunately, it shouldn't be too disruptive to these soccer fans. Though matches featuring Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, and Uruguay will be aired on Disney+ Premium in their respective countries, none are scheduled for today. The match between Mexico and South Korea is currently scheduled to kick off at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

This is a developing story…

Thirty years after the original made us try to catch our toys in action, Toy Story 5 is here. And as a Pixar film, there's always one question on audience minds at the end of the film: Is there a secret scene during or after the credits?

Hidden credits scenes have become synonymous with the Disney studio, from the staged blooper reels of Monsters Inc. to the not-so-perfect dentist escape at the end of Finding Nemo. Elio has one. Inside Out 2 has one. While Toy Story's first film doesn't have an end-credits scene, Toy Story 2, 3 and 4 do.

And sure enough, there's fun in the credits of Toy Story 5.

We won't spoil what happens in the scenes, but just know you should definitely stay for the credits for three reasons:

1. There's a mid-credits scene that's high drama.

2. There's a post-credits scene that's a sweet time.

3. Thousands of people worked on this film. It's nice to stay for the credits.

It's not the only Easter egg you'll find in Toy Story 5 either.

Toy Story 5 opens in cinemas on June 19.

Toy Story 5 is careening into cinemas with its foot to the floor, like a Pizza Planet employee behind on their deliveries. And if you're concentrating, you'll spy a very fast Easter egg that's become a staple in Pixar movies.

With Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the gang back for the fifth adventure in the franchise, I had my eyes peeled for any throwback moments. And while there aren't many, one is clear as day — though it's blink-and-you'll-miss-it-fast.

Without spoiling the storyline, you can spot the reference in the third act of the film. A group of characters is travelling along a rural road when a vehicle approaches, causing them all to freeze in their signature Toy Story way. It absolutely fangs it past them.

That vehicle? It's a Pizza Planet truck. Unmistakeable in its yellow-and-white body and characteristic urgency, this is the vehicle of choice for the forever flustered delivery worker from the franchise's space-themed restaurant and arcade. Pizza Planet appeared all the way back in Toy Story, when Woody tried to trick Buzz into flying home to Star Command.

The Pizza Planet truck has become a bit of a cameo classic in most Pixar films from Turning Red to Onward — of course, there are Reddit threads — and appearing in every Toy Story film (even as a tattoo in Toy Story 4). Those pizzas have got to be ice cold by now.

Toy Story 5 opens in cinemas on June 19.

Best early Prime Day deals under $25 at a glance

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Best earbuds deal

Soundcore P30i

$24.99 at Amazon (save $25)

Get Deal

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Best Lego deal

Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid

$23.95 at Amazon (save $6.04)

Get Deal

---

Best streaming stick deal

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus

$24.99 at Amazon (save $25)

Get Deal

---

Best smart home deal

Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2 pack)

$19.99 at Amazon (save $6)

Get Deal

---

Best water bottle deal

Owala FreeSip (24 ounces, off road)

$23.99 at Amazon (save $6)

Get Deal

Attention shoppers: Amazon Prime Day starts on June 23. In theory, you could wait to shop until Tuesday, but if you're in the mood to score some deals before the sale begins, you're in luck. Amazon tends to drop prices before the sale starts, and as long as you check on price history with camelcamelcamel to make sure you're actually getting a good deal, you might not have to wait.

For those sticking to a budget this Prime Day, consider that some of our favorite items are sitting at under $25. A great pair of budget earbuds, fancy smart bulbs, and an emotional-support water bottle are all on sale before Prime Day. Shop now, and you'll avoid potential shipping delays.

These are the top early Prime Day deals under $25, should you want to get a head start on shopping.

Best deal under $25

Opens in a new window

Credit: Soundcore

Soundcore P30i

$24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

The Soundcore P30i earbuds fall well within a budget price but don't skimp out on features. As an early Prime Day treat, Amazon has them on sale for only $24.99 in select colorways, down from the list price of $49.99 at Soundcore.

According to Mashable's list of the best budget earbuds, the Soundcore P30i have the most impressive sound for an option under $50 (now under $25). "The active noise cancellation on them is impressive for their price, able to block out the bustle of busy streets or the noisy gym," wrote Mashable Shopping Reporters Bethany Allard and Samantha Mangino.

More deals under $25

• Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2 pack) — $19.99 $25.99 (save $6)

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

• Owala FreeSip (24 ounces, off road) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

Best TV deals ahead of Prime Day

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Best 55-inch TV deal

Insignia 55-inch QF QLED 4K Fire TV

$239.99 at Amazon (save $160 )

Get Deal

---

Best 65-inch TV deal

TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD Mini LED 4K TV

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

Get Deal

---

Best 75-inch TV deal

Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED 4K TV

$1,197.99 at Amazon (save $802)

Shop Now

Prime Day season is one of the best times of year to buy a TV on sale. That's been etched into our mental calendars in July for the past decade, but this year, hype for one of the year's biggest shopping events starts in June: Prime Day 2026 will run from June 23 to 26. As always, worthwhile TV deals are already popping up in the weeks preceding the event.

The good pre-Prime Day TV deals aren't just at Amazon. Half the time, the reason that TV deals during Prime Day go so hard is that competing retailers like Best Buy refuse to let Amazon get all the attention — and it has already started this year. If you don't want to wait until the end of the month to grab your new TV, here are 25+ of the best TV deals I've found at Amazon and Best Buy ahead of Prime Day. Most models in this list match or beat their all-time record-low price, according to Amazon price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Best TV deal ahead of Prime Day overall

Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED 4K TV

$1,197.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $802

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Hisense finally launched its highly-awaited RGB TVs on June 2. While both the UR8 and UR9 RGB TVs are on sale at Best Buy, there's another 2026 Hisense TV with a much wilder discount: The 75-inch Hisense U7 Mini LED TV is just $1,197.99 after a massive 40% price drop from its usual $1,999.99.

Just released in March, the Hisense U7 series has a pretty incredible lighting system for its price range. Its backlight benefits from full-array local dimming, which uses clusters of tiny LED bulbs that can fully turn themselves on or off for more precise contrast during any scene or livestream. Other impressive numbers include a peak brightness of 3,000 nits (great news for FIFA fans trying to watch a game during the daytime) and a native 165Hz refresh rate (great news for gamers on a budget).

Deals on 43-inch TVs and under

• Insignia 43-inch Class F50 Series 4K Fire TV — $139.99 $199.99 (save $60)

• Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $139.98 $299.99 (save $160.01)

• Hisense 43-inch QD6 QLED 4K Fire TV — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

Deals on 50-inch to 55-inch TVs

• Hisense 50-inch E7 Cinema Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $427.99 $699 (save $271.01)

• Hisense 50-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K Art TV — $797.99 $1,299.99 (save $502)

• Insignia 55-inch QF QLED 4K TV — $239.99 $399.99 (save $160)

• LG 55-inch 75B QNED 4K TV — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Hisense 55-inch E7 Cinema Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $497.99 $749 (save $251.01)

• Hisense 55-inch U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $597.99 $849 (save $251.01)

• TCL 55-inch NXTVISION QLED 4K Art TV — $629.99 $999.99 (save $370)

• Samsung 55-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,597.99 (save $500)

Deals on 65-inch TVs

• 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 U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $749.99 $1,099.99 (save $350)

• 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)

• 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)

Deals on 75-inch to 77-inch TVs

• Toshiba 75-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $379.99 $729.99 (save $350)

• Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $549.99 $799 (save $249.01)

• LG 75-inch 75B QNED 4K TV — $729.99 $999.99 (save $270)

• Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $848.99 $1,399.99 (save $249.01)

• TCL 75-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,497.99 $1,999.99 (save $502)

• Hisense 75-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K Art TV — $1,499.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,000)

• TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD Mini LED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,499.99 (save $700 plus get a free 55-inch QLED TV)

• Hisense 75-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $2,199.99 $2,499.99 (save $300)

• LG 77-inch C5 OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,699.99 (save $1,700)

Deals on 85-inch TVs

• Insignia 85-inch Class F50 Series 4K Fire TV — $549.99 $899.99 (save $350)

• Insignia 85-inch QF QLED 4K TV — $659.99 $1,099.99 (save $440)

• Hisense 85-inch QD6 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $749.99 $1,099.99 (save $350)

• TCL 85-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,000)

• Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,999.99 (save $802)

• Hisense 85-inch UR9 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $3,999.99 $4,499.99 (save $500)

Not quite a tablet and much more compact than a book, e-readers are basically a compact, digital library. And having tested a lot of e-readers and tablets for Mashable, I can tell you the Amazon Kindle lineup comes closest to perfecting the devices.

All over the internet, you'll find TikTok users enthusiastically singing the praises of the Kindle and how to make the most of it. For parents, Kindles are a screen you don't have to feel guilty about. For avid readers, Stuff Your Kindle Day and Libby let you cross every last item off your annual reading list. You can even buy Kindle accessories like remote page-turners and gooseneck stands so you don't have to hold your Kindle while reading.

But there's no better Kindle hack then waiting to buy one on Prime Day.

How much will Kindles be on Prime Day?

Here's a fact: Kindles always go on sale during Prime Day. As one of Amazon's most popular devices, they get big discounts, so it's not a question of if but instead a question of how much. Not only do I test Kindles, but I also track the best deals on Kindles, too.

So, ahead of Prime Day on June 23 to 26, I have a pretty good idea of how much Kindles will cost during the sale.

I tracked the price of the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite over the past four sales to predict this year's 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.

2026 Kindle updates

As of May 20, 2026, Amazon no longer lend software updates or provide web services to devices released in 2012 or earlier, essentially bricking them. Users will still be able to read currently downloaded books on the device, but to add new books, they will need to connect the device to a computer. This is a huge hit, especially to Libby users who need web service access to read borrowed books.

The affected Kindles include:

• Kindle (1st generation)

• Kindle (2nd generation)

• Kindle DX

• Kindle DX Graphite

• Kindle Keyboard

• Kindle 4

• Kindle Touch

• Kindle 5

• Kindle Paperwhite (1st generation)

Owners of these Kindle models are obviously upset, as it means they'll need to purchase a new device to maintain access to all features. While some are considering switching to a different e-reader, like a Kobo, Amazon still makes great e-readers, and it's a testament to the brand that devices that are at least 14 years old are still going strong.

Which Kindle is right for you?

If you're concerned about buying the newest tech, that's not an issue. There are six updated Kindle models for sale, as well as older editions still in stock.

Before you choose a Kindle, you need to ask one question first: Do you want it to be waterproof? If you prefer reading near a body of water — whether in the bath, by the pool, or at the beach — that immediately narrows down your options. Since the Kindle Oasis is no longer available, your waterproof options are the Kindle Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, Colorsoft Signature Edition, and Paperwhite Kids.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition settings screen. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Beyond water resistance, here are a few other features to consider:

• Display size: The basic Kindle has a 6-inch display, while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.

• Storage capacity: Kindles range from 16GB to 32GB of storage capacity.

• Battery life: The new Kindles generally have outstanding batteries. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.

• Writing capability: The Kindle Scribe is the only model that allows you to write with the included stylus. 

The latest Kindles all boast a maximum brightness of 94 nits and a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare, so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity, allowing you to download all the reading material you could ever want. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via the built-in Bluetooth connection.

Not to mention, out of all the e-readers I've tested, Kindles have the best compatibility with Libby. I love the digital platform because I can read for free and support my local library. Some other e-readers require you to download your library e-book to a computer and then upload it to an e-reader, but with Kindles, your e-books are sent straight to your device with a click.

And if you were a die-hard Kindle Oasis fan and are attached to page-turning buttons, you may need to stray from the Kindle line-up. Now, your best bet will be the Kobo Libra Colour.

How to get free e-books on Kindle

With just a click, transfer your Libby e-book to your Kindle device. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Your Libby ebook will automatically populate in your Kindle library. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best way to read free e-books on a Kindle is with Libby. Libby allows you to borrow e-books through libraries, and all you need is a library card. Through the Libby app, borrow books and then select the "read with Kindle" option, which allows you to send these e-books to your Kindle library.

Another option for finding free e-books is through Stuff Your Kindle events. These are author-driven events that offer limited-time deals on e-books, often making them heavily discounted or totally free.

How to make the most of your Kindle

Through our testing and daily use, we've spent a lot of time with Kindles, learning how to make the most of them. We've written extensively on all the ways to maximize your Kindle, so be sure to browse through our guides and explainers:

• How to make the most of your Kindle: 8 features you need to use

• The best Kindle accessories for reading in luxury

• What is Stuff Your Kindle Day? The best way to fill your e-reader with free books

• I've read hundreds of free Kindle books with Libby. Here's how.

• What is Kindle Rewards? Earn free credits when shopping the Kindle store

• What is Kindle Unlimited? A library of books at your fingertips for just $12 a month

• Where to get free e-books: Load up your e-reader without spending a dime

• Prime members can get a free e-book every month with Amazon First Reads

• How to download EPUB files on your Kindle

• 8 Kindle features you should be using

• How to delete books from Kindle
  

SAVE $5: The Shashibo sensory fidget toy is down to $19.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount off its $24.99 typical price.

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Credit: Shashibo

Shashibo Sensory Fidget Toy

$19.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $5

 

Shop Now

The Shashibo sensory fidget toy is down to $19.99 at Amazon, which is its lowest price this year. That’s a small drop from its usual $24.99 price, but it’s still nice to see it sitting closer to the lower end of its range as early Prime Day deals start to roll in.

The shape-shifting cube is built around simple hands-on play that keeps your mind lightly engaged. It transforms into over 100 different shapes, so it never really stays in one form for long. Each movement leads into the next, making it easy to keep going without really thinking about it.

Beyond just something to pass time, it keeps your hands busy in a way that naturally gets you figuring out different shapes. Repeating patterns and snapping pieces into place uses memory and spatial thinking without feeling like a big effort.

It also fits easily into everyday use, whether on a desk, in a classroom, or at home between tasks. The built-in magnets let multiple cubes connect if you add more, opening up bigger structures to build.

Snag the Shashibo sensory fidget toy on Amazon and let your hands figure out the rest.

SAVE $270: As of June 18, the EF EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon. That’s 39% off its $699 list price.

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Credit: EcoFlow

EF EcoFlow Delta 2 Portable Power Station

$429 at Amazon
$699 Save $270

 

Get Deal

The EF EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon just ahead of Prime Day, a 39% discount off its $699 list price. It’s a solid drop for a 1,024Wh backup battery built to keep essentials running when the power goes out, or you’re off-grid. Portable power stations like this usually feel more relevant once you actually need it, not before.

The portable power station charges fast when plugged into a wall outlet, going from empty to 80% in about 50 minutes. That makes it easy to top up at home before a trip or keep it charged in case of a power outage.

The EF EcoFlow Delta 2 has a flexible setup depending on how much power you need. You can start with the main unit for everyday use and add extra batteries later if you want more capacity for longer trips or heavier use like RVs or off-grid stays. It’s built to last for years, with a long-life battery designed to handle repeated use without wearing out quickly.

You can recharge it in a few different ways, including a wall outlet or solar panels if you’re outdoors or off-grid. It also comes with basic accessories in the box, so you can get started without needing extra add-ons right away.

Catch the price dip on the EF EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station at Amazon while it’s still live.

TL;DR: Get 5 years of flowkey Piano Learning for just $67.97 — the lowest price ever — and learn piano with interactive lessons, real-time feedback, and over 1,000 songs, with code SAVE15.

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Credit: Flowkey

flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription)

$67.99
$899 Save $831.01

 

Get Deal

Five years of piano lessons for $67.97 sounds like a typo. It isn’t.

The flowkey Piano-Learning App Classic Plan is available for just $67.97 (reg. $899), making this the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the app. The math is hard to ignore: that’s $831.03 off the regular price for five full years of access.

Flowkey is designed to take someone from first notes to full songs using step-by-step lessons and real-time feedback. The app listens as you play, so you get instant corrections instead of guessing what went wrong.

It includes features like Wait Mode, which pauses progress until you hit the correct notes, as well as slow-motion playback, looping sections, and split-hand practice. You can also follow synced video performances alongside sheet music, which helps connect theory to actual playing.

The Classic Plan includes access to over 1,000 classical and public-domain pieces by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart, along with arrangements tailored to different skill levels.

There are also foundational courses covering music theory, chords, reading sheet music, and proper hand positioning. It’s structured to support both absolute beginners and returning players who want a refresher.

This fits beginners who want structured guidance without committing to in-person lessons, as well as intermediate players looking to rebuild or strengthen fundamentals. It also works across devices — including laptops, tablets, and phones — as long as you’re using a compatible keyboard or digital piano setup.

This learning app provides a low-risk way to build piano skills over time without recurring monthly costs or high lesson fees.

To learn a new skill and keep things simple, you’ll want structured lessons, interactive feedback, and long-term access with flowkey.

Get it today at its lowest price yet: $67.97 through June 28 at 11:59 p.m.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When it comes to Amazon Prime Day, many gadgets go on sale well ahead of time. Select smart home devices, big-screen TVs, and even flagship headphones get deep price cuts in the days or weeks leading up to the event. (This year, it runs from June 23 to 26.) Shoppers can scoop up early-bird discounts on these products to avoid day-of chaos, including potential inventory issues.

Not laptops, though. This year's early Prime Day laptop deals are... not good.

I'm Mashable's resident expert on all things PCs, and having covered Prime Day for seven years now, I can tell you that Amazon doesn't release many laptop deals until the sale actually starts. I'm talking legitimately excellent laptop deals on popular models, not sketchy listings that come from third-party sellers or unfamiliar brands, which are annoyingly common on Amazon.

The good news is that your patience usually pays off. Lots of Apple MacBooks and Windows laptops will fall to their lowest prices of the year at some point during Prime Day. The bad news is that, well, waiting sucks. (Then again, so does paying too much for a big-ticket item that goes on sale mere days later. But I digress.)

Fortunately, I will be personally updating this page with the best Prime Day laptop deals once they go live, so keep following Mashable's coverage and check back on June 23.

What laptops will go on sale during Prime Day 2026?

While Amazon doesn't share the specifics of its Prime Day deals ahead of time, it has revealed some category-wide discounts that shoppers can expect to see during next week's sale. In the tech department, that includes savings of up to 35% on select laptops (and smartphones and tablets) from brands like HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Keep that in mind, Team Windows.

On the MacBook side, I'd bet on seeing discounts of at least $200 on the M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, which would match their previous all-time lows. The budget MacBook Neo has yet to get a proper discount on Amazon since launching in March, but Prime Day would be a good excuse as any for Amazon to drop it by $50 or so. My fingers are criss-crossed.

For what it's worth, I wouldn't be too loyal to Amazon during Prime Day if stellar laptop steals and deals are your priority. Other major retailers will be hosting competing sales, including Best Buy, which is promising up to 50% off devices, including laptops, during its upcoming Tech Fest. Notably, Best Buy has a much better selection of Windows laptops and older MacBooks than Amazon. (This week, it's offering $400 off high-end configurations of the M4 MacBook Air.)

If you are planning to check out Amazon's Prime Day laptop deals, bookmark this page. Below, I've collected a list of the laptop discounts that would get me to click the "Buy Now" button if they appeared on Prime Day. All of the models I've included are ones that we've tested ourselves and recommend, so you can be sure the laptop you're getting isn't just a cheap one, but a great one.

MacBook deals I want to see during Prime Day

• Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — now $589.99 $599 (save $9.01); new record low of $549?

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — now $949.99 $1,099 (save $149.01); previous all-time low was $899

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — now $1,149.99 $1,299 (save $149.01); previous all-time low was $1,099

• Apple MacBook Air, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $1,549 $1,699 (save $150); previous all-time low was $1,499

Windows laptop deals I want to see during Prime Day

• Acer Aspire 16 AI (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — now $699.99; previous all-time low was $429.99

• HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $859.99; previous all-time low was $449.99

• HP OmniBook 3 16 (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $991.30 $1,099.99 (save $108.69); new record low of $949.99?

• Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 15-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $1,499.99 $2,099.99 (save $700); previous all-time low was $1,049.99

• Acer Swift X 14 (Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $1,999.99; new record low of $1,799.99?

• MSI Stealth 16 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, Nvidia Geforce RTX 5070Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $3,099.99; new record low of $2,799.99?

We will be regularly updating this guide with the best laptop deals, so keep checking back. You can also visit our Prime Day 2026 hub for all the latest updates and price drops.

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.

Interested in watching? We can help.

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

Opens in a new window

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.

It's frustrating when you can see a better game inside of a game you enjoy. Case in point: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.

Square Enix's latest in a series of smaller, throwback-oriented "HD-2D" games (using the same tech and art style as games like Octopath Traveler 0) is clearly intended to appeal to people who like the old-school Legend of Zelda games. It's also got a big infusion of Chrono Trigger and some elements of other RPGs like the venerable, criminally underrated Ys series.

Those are all things I love, so naturally, I was pretty excited for this one.

Unfortunately, Adventures of Elliot's best qualities aren't enough to overshadow how half-baked its structure feels. Between that and a lackluster story that takes entirely too long to reach its zenith, it's hard to call this one of the best 2D Zelda homages, though it's still pretty fun and worth your time if you're into this sort of thing.

Adventures of Elliot's best moments feel like an arcade game

In Adventures of Elliot, you play the eponymous adventurer. Elliot wears a cool hat. Elliot is a solid guy, known far and wide for being kind and reliable. I'd grab a beer with him if I could.

Some typical fantasy video game stuff happens in the game's first few hours, setting Elliot on a quest to save a princess. He's joined by an exceptionally talkative and annoying fairy named Faie. The two of them quickly gain the ability to travel through time, ultimately unlocking four different periods the player can freely explore.

Adventures of Elliot wears its Zelda inspiration on its sleeve. It's all about running around a relatively open-ended (but not very big) world, using a combination of Elliot's weapons and Faie's fairy powers to explore a cornucopia of caves and dungeons.

Faie's powers are one of the more novel aspects of the game, as you can control her separately with the right analog stick. The game will often ask you to direct her around obstacles that Elliot can't pass in order to light torches or carry items from one point to another.

This is one element of Adventures of Elliot that makes it stand out, and I appreciated it.

He's got swag, I can't lie. Credit: Square Enix

I found it fun to ignore quest objectives and idly explore Elliot's world, largely because the simple and accessible real-time action combat is the highlight of this adventure. Elliot quickly unlocks six different weapons, including a sword, a spear, a bow, and a hammer, and he can equip himself with any two of them at the same time.

None of the weapons are all that complex on their own — but there's a cool upgrade system which allows you to add unique traits to each one, unlocking an admirable amount of versatility. By the end of the game, my bow could do the following things, all at once:

1. Home in on enemies with a charged shot

2. Bounce additional arrows between enemies after the initial hit

3. Light any enemies who had been hit on fire

4. Cause explosions every time an arrow hit an enemy who was on fire

Every weapon has a unique, cascading set of upgrades like this, and it rocks. There's also a simple, arcade-like combo meter that goes up when you get a kill and resets when you take damage (the higher the number, the better the loot you'll get from enemies).

In short, combat is fast, fun, and generally a great time.

This time travel story does little with its premise

The only town on the world map is basically the only part that meaningfully changes from one period to the next. Credit: Square Enix

Sadly, good combat is pretty much all Adventures of Elliot has to offer. There is a story with lots of cutscenes and voice acting, but most of it is a particularly forgettable brand of corny and overly sentimental.

There are worse sins for a fun action RPG to commit than having uninteresting cutscenes, though. And I regret to inform that Adventures of Elliot has other skeletons in its closet.

The time travel mechanic adds next to nothing to the game, aside from padding. There are four versions of the world map set across the ages, a la Chrono Trigger, but they simply aren't different enough from one another. The volcano zone is always a volcano zone and the swamp area is always a swamp area.

There are plenty of optional caves and dungeons, but the most Adventures of Elliot has to offer, if you're thorough about exploring every cave in every time period, is an extra treasure chest or two.

Ultimately teh game fails to make good on its premise, both mechanically and narratively. The different stories in the different time periods fail to meaningfully interact with one another until very late in the game's plot. Adventures of Elliot has multiple endings, and the path to the true ending is the only time the game does anything compelling at all in this regard.

I'm fine with a game saving its best for last, but a 25-hour adventure that is only just OK for the first 20 hours doesn't feel particularly satisfying .

The fact that Adventures of Elliot is fun to play only serves to make the rest of it more disappointing. This really could have been a neat fusion of Zelda and Chrono Trigger, but it's merely a fair imitation of the former and doesn't even come close to reaching the heights of the latter.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales launches on June 18 for PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series consoles, and PC.

Dust off those Amazon gift cards — Amazon Prime Day is back and runs from Tuesday, June 23, to Friday, June 26 (and plenty of great deals are available). 

If you previously redeemed a gift card and want to check the remaining balance, we’ve got you covered. We'll also explain how to reload a gift card. Follow the steps below to make sure your Amazon gift cards are ready for the four-day Prime event. Happy shopping!

How to check your Amazon gift card balance on your desktop

Follow these quick steps to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance from your computer browser:

Total Time

• 2 minutes

What You Need

• Computer

Step 1: Navigate to Amazon

Open the Amazon website.

Step 2: Accounts & Lists

Click on Accounts & Lists in the top right corner of the screen.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website

Step 3: Select Gift cards

A new menu page will open on the website. Select Gift cards.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website

Step 4: Redeem or reload gift card

Once you click, you'll be able to see the existing balance on your gift card. If you are checking the balance on an unredeemed gift card and wish to redeem it, you can click on Redeem a Gift card. You can also opt to Reload your card in this menu or check your transaction history, which is listed below the gift card balance.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website

How to check your Amazon gift card balance in the app

Follow these simple steps to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance from your phone or tablet:

Total Time

• 2 minutes

What You Need

• Smartphone

Step 1: Go to Account

Open the app and click on the account icon at the bottom of the landing page (the little person illustration). Then choose Account at the top of the landing page.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Navigate to Payments

Scroll down until you see the Payments section.

Step 3: Manage gift card balance

In the Payments section, click on Manage gift card balance.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Check balance or reload

Use the new menu that opens to check your gift card balance, reload your gift card, or check past activity.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Early Prime Day deals on AirPods

---

Best AirPods Pro 3 Deal

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$179.99 (save $69 at Best Buy)

Get Deal

---

Best AirPods 4 Deal

Apple AirPods 4

$99 (save $30 at Amazon)

Get Deal

---

Best Open-Box Deal

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC (Open-Box)

$67 (save $38)

Get Deal

---

Best Apple headphones deal

Apple AirPods Max 2

$499 (save $50 at Amazon)

Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day season is upon us, and the mega-retailer isn't waiting until the sale proper to drop deals on AirPods.

While Prime Day usually takes place in mid-July, it got bumped up in the schedule this year: the four-day sale will now take place from June 23 to June 26. With only a few days left before the sale, Apple products are starting to get marked down. Already, a classic $99 deal on Apple AirPods 4 wireless earbuds is available at Amazon, and we're expecting even more discounts to drop during the sale itself.

And if you prefer AirPods with active noise-cancellation, you're in luck. We've seen the Apple AirPods Pro 3 as low as $169.99 at competing retailers like Walmart. Also at Walmart, you can grab an open-box deal on the AirPods 4 with ANC earbuds starting at just $67. Still, we wouldn't blame you if you wait until next week, when, if we're lucky, we'll see new record-low prices on the entire AirPods lineup.

Until the sale ends on June 26, the Mashable shopping team will be bringing you the top Prime Day deals on Apple products. For now, you'll find all of the best Prime Day AirPods deals right here on this page.

Best AirPods deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods 4

$99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Technically, we've seen the Apple AirPods 4 drop all the way down to $69, and we're hoping we'll see the same deal when Prime Day begins on June 23. However, given the recent wave of price increases in the tech world, we're not counting on it. So, if you're hoping to avoid the Prime Day sales pressure, pick up these classic Apple earbuds while they're under $100.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, Open-Box — $67 $105 (save $38)

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

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

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

We will be regularly updating this guide with the best Prime Day AirPods deals, so keep checking back. You can also visit our Prime Day 2026 hub for all the latest updates and price drops.

Get ready to say goodbye to some of Google's older smart home products.

The Nest MIni and Nest Audio smart speakers have been discontinued by the search engine giant, TechAdvisor reports. The former was a $35 entry-level smart speaker released in 2019, with the latter launching in 2019 as a $100 version that offered a larger form factor and better audio quality.

“As we continue to build the future of the smart home, we are refining our portfolio of Google Home and Nest devices," Google told TechAdvisor via a statement. "As part of this evolution, we have ended production of the Google Nest Mini and Google Nest Audio.”

Google also said it would continue supporting the Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers via patches, security updates, and customer service.

Sunsetting products that launched more than five years ago is hardly unusual, and it's made all the more unsurprising by the fact that Google just unveiled a new, all-purpose $100 Google Home Speaker this week.

That device was made with Gemini AI interactions in mind, theoretically making it a more sophisticated and capable device. But if you want to keep using your old Nest speakers, you'll be fine — at least for a while.

TL;DR: Live stream USA vs. Australia 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 second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage games includes some really interesting matchups, including USA vs. Australia. Both teams are tied on three points after impressive victories over Paraguay and Turkey respectively. Can Australia shock the hosts? Or will USA secure qualification to the knockout rounds?

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

When is USA vs. Australia?

USA vs. Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Seattle Stadium.

How to watch USA vs. Australia for free

USA vs. Australia 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 USA vs. Australia 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 USA vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

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 USA vs. Australia (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. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, 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. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream USA vs. Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

It's Amazon Prime Day season again, aka the best time of year to score excellent deals on Apple gadgets (outside of Black Friday, at least). Amazon typically offers extra-low prices on Apple Watches, AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks during its annual members-only sale, and the Mashable team is already closely monitoring the best Prime Day Apple deals.

A word of caution: Don't fill your cart just yet! Having covered Prime Day for Mashable for seven straight years, I can tell you with 100 percent confidence that most of these offers will get even better in just a couple of days when the event formally begins. Amazon saves its very best deals for the main event, and this year, Prime Day runs from June 23 to 26.

I say "most of these offers," not "all," because there are a handful of exceptional deals that I would in fact shop early. Some devices, including the Apple Watch Series 11, are currently sitting at record-low prices, and you can also pick up the Apple AirPods 4 for just $99.

Over the next week, we will regularly update this page with the best Prime Day Apple deals, and not just at Amazon. We'll also check prices at competing retailers like Best Buy and Walmart to make sure you're truly getting the lowest prices on all things Apple. Plus, we'll tell you how low we expect prices to go on AirPods, MacBooks, iPads, and more.

The only Apple deals I'd shop before Prime Day

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods 4

$99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30

 

Get Deal

Why I like it

There's just something about the phrase "$99 AirPods" that feels good, doesn't it? Ahead of Prime Day 2026, you can already score the latest Apple wireless earbuds on sale. Technically, this isn't the product's lowest-ever price, but we wouldn't count on a better discount next week, though that is possible. In the past, we've seen these buds hit $69 before, so you may want to wait just in case Amazon revives that deal next week.

If you want the pricier version of AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, Walmart currently has open-box deals on these buds starting at just $67.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200

 

Get Deal

Why I like it

Last Prime Day, the M4 MacBook Airs only got discounts of $150 apiece. Ahead of this year's sale, the 15-inch M5 model is already a whopping $200 off. Its current record-low price of $1,099 (normally $1,299) is another seemingly unbeatable deal. The only reason you'd want to wait is if you prefer the sky blue, starlight, or silver finishes: This deal only applies to the midnight variant at the moment.

Read our full review of the M5 MacBook Air.

Prime Day AirPods deals to watch

• Apple AirPods Pro 3: Ahead of Prime Day, we've seen these noise-cancelling earbuds on sale for $169.99 to $179.99 at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Check back during Prime Day, when they'll surely get another discount.

• Apple AirPods Max 2: These snazzy over-ear headphones have been hanging out at their record-low price of $499.99 since early June (normally $549). That's not bad, but the first-gen AirPods Max with USB-C charging were a full $100 off on their first Prime Day and $120 off last Black Friday. Let's see if Amazon can get these new ones down to around $449 at least.

Read our reviews of the AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Max 2. Plus, see where they land on our guides to the best wireless earbuds and the best noise-canceling headphones.

The best early Prime Day AirPods deals for now:

---

Apple AirPods 4

$99 (save $30)

Get Deal

---

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

$148.99 (save $30.01)

Get Deal

---

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$179 (save $70)

Get Deal

---

Apple AirPods Max 2

$499.99 (save $49.01)

Get Deal

Prime Day Apple Watch deals to watch

The best Prime Day deals on Apple products always include savings on the latest Apple Watch, plus the SE and Ultra models. Wait a few more days, and you'll be able to buy these smartwatches at their lowest-ever prices.

• Apple Watch Series 11: Apple's latest smartwatch is currently marked down to $299 (normally $399), which is its lowest price to date and a $100 savings. However, it's probably going to get even cheaper on Prime Day. Amazon has given flagship Apple Watches $120 discounts during past Prime events, so I can easily see it hitting $279 in the coming weeks.

• Apple Watch SE 3: Apple's budget wearable has hit $199 before, and its predecessor dipped down to $169 during last October's Prime Big Deal Days sale. It was on sale for $219 at the time of writing (typically $249), or only $30 off, so don't add it to your cart just yet.

• Apple Watch Ultra 3: This premium rugged smartwatch is only $20 off on Amazon right now, a measly discount that brings it down to $779 (normally $799). Wait for it to return or surpass its record-low Black Friday price of $679 come Prime Day.

Read our review of the Apple Watch Series 11. If you're not sure which model is right for you, check out our guide to the best smartwatches you can buy right now.

The best early Prime Day Apple Watch deals for now:

---

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm)

$299 (save $100)

Get Deal

---

Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm)

$219 (save $30)

Get Deal

---

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm)

$779 (save $20)

Get Deal

Prime Day iPad deals to watch

• Apple iPad: Apple's entry-level tablet is on sale for $299 right now, down $50 from its usual sticker price of $349. I'm thinking Amazon will revive its Prime Day 2025 price of $279 later this month.

• Apple iPad Air: The 11- and 13-inch M4 iPad Airs weren't around last Prime Day, but they've previously hit record lows of $519 and $699, respectively — a savings of up to $100. Ahead of this year's sale, they're $559 and $749 apiece (or just $40 and $50 off); hold out for better deals.

• Apple iPad Pro: The 11- and 13-inch sizes of the ultralight M5 iPad Pro are both at least $27 away from their all-time lows right now. Don't hit the buy button until you see them drop to $799 and $1,149, respectively (or lower, ideally). Their regular retail prices are $999 and $1,299.

• Apple iPad mini: The most compact Apple tablet is on sale for $474 in the lead-up to Prime Day (usually $499) — a hard skip. I'd be happy if it returned to last year's Prime Day price of $379, but hope Amazon can match its best-ever Black Friday price of $349.

Read our reviews of the M4 iPad Air, the M5 iPad Pro, and the iPad mini. Plus, find out which iPad you should buy.

The best early Prime Day iPad deals for now:

---

Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB)

$299 (save $50)

Get Deal

---

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB)

$559 (save $40)

Get Deal

---

Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB)

$749 (save $50)

Get Deal

---

Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB)

$937.76 (save $61.24)

Get Deal

---

Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB)

$1,176 (save $123)

Get Deal

---

Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB)

$474 (save $25)

Get Deal

Prime Day MacBook deals to watch

• Apple MacBook Neo: Apple's new budget laptop has been enjoying a $9 discount on Amazon for a couple of months now (normally $599). It would be suuuper cool if the retailer managed to match Apple's $499 student pricing on Prime Day, but that's very wishful thinking. Realistically, it probably won't get any cheaper than $549, if it gets any cheaper at all. A sizable MacBook Neo discount is my white whale for Prime Day 2026.

• Apple MacBook Air: The 13-inch M5 MacBook Air is only $949 right now (normally $1,099), its lowest price yet. However, I'm thinking Amazon will give it the same $200 discount as its 15-inch sibling come Prime Day: They usually get matching deals during such sales. Hold steady until it hits $899.

• Apple MacBook Pro: The 14-inch base model with the vanilla M5 chip is going for $1,549 ahead of Prime Day (usually $1,699), but its record-low of $1,499 will probably return soon.

Read our reviews of the MacBook Neo, the M5 MacBook Air, and the M5 MacBook Pro. Plus, find out which MacBook is right for you.

The best early Prime Day MacBook deals for now:

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Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$589.99 (save $9.01)

Get Deal

---

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$949.99 (save $149.01)

Get Deal

---

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,099 (save $200)

Get Deal

---

Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

$1,549 (save $150)

Get Deal

One of the biggest arguments at the 2026 World Cup isn't about football — it's about water.

Since the tournament began on June 11, every match has included mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks midway through each half. Referees stop play at a point of their choosing, players head to the sidelines, and in the U.S. some broadcasters cut to — you guessed it — commercials.

Those 3 minutes are worth real money. FIFA's broadcast rules give networks roughly two minutes and ten seconds of sellable airtime per half — enough for as many as 832 commercial slots across the tournament's 104 matches.

This inventory didn't exist at any previous World Cup. FIFA approved the monetization of breaks this past March.

That is a real change for a sport usually defined by its flow, not its ad breaks. Built-in pauses of this length seem much closer to the stop-start rhythm of American sports than that of traditional association football (a.k.a. soccer).

FIFA introduced the hydration break in 2025 as a player safety measure for a summer tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where heat and humidity are often major concerns.

But because the breaks apply to every match, regardless of how warm it is, the weather, or whether a stadium has a roof or air conditioning, they have quickly become one of the tournament’s biggest talking points among players, coaches, and fans.

Complaints began right from the start of the finals. During the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, Fox aired full-screen commercials during the hydration breaks and returned late from one of them, causing viewers to miss the restart.

Social media has been full of anger at the hiatuses. On X, comedian Kevin Fredericks called the hydration break "pure capitalism." Musician Lloyd Cole said U.S. television had "finally got their 4 quarters," Former Daily Show host Trevor Noah judged the rule to be simply about "ad breaks."

IRL, fans are showing up the same way they are online: loud. Thousands have been booing hydration breaks during matches.

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There is also evidence that these breaks may be affecting the matches themselves. Fans point to Curaçao’s game against Germany, the most heated example.

Curaçao’s Livano Comenencia scored in the 21st minute to make it 1-1 against the four-time World Cup champions. Then came the hydration break — after which Germany regrouped and eventually won 7-1.

Former England striker Alan Shearer later saying on The Rest is Football podcast that he “felt sorry” for Curaçao — because the stoppage had killed their momentum.

There is data to support the breaks too. One study out of Northwestern found that one week into the tournament, teams were attempting more shots in the 10 minutes after hydration breaks than in the 10 minutes before them.

Norway, Brazil, Scotland, and Australia all scored shortly after breaks, including Erling Haaland’s opener for Norway against Iraq.

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Not every viewer is experiencing the hydration breaks the same way. Telemundo, which holds Spanish-language broadcast rights in the U.S., made the opposite call to Fox before the tournament even started.

"We're going to be staying on the match feed," Telemundo senior vice president of sports content Miguel Lorenzo told Sports Business Journal ahead of the tournament. "Fans are going to be able to watch the players and the coach's interactions. Our goal is to create an authentic World Cup viewing experience."

During broadcasts, the network's commentary team has gone further. "This World Cup is ours," said one commentator during the Korea Republic vs. Czechia broadcast. "We're not taking a break from it."

U.K.-based commercial network ITV has also chosen not to air ads during hydration stoppage time — and its commentary team has pointed out the booing in stadiums during the breaks.

The split has driven a notable shift in viewing habits, with many English-speaking fans in the U.S. migrating to Telemundo's stream on Peacock even across the language barrier.

As the World Cup continues, the debate is likely to follow — whether or not FIFA wants everyone to cool down.

If the FIFA World Cup were a romantic comedy, Mexico and South Korea would be in the strangers-to-lovers arc.

Before their teams even met on the pitch, fans from both countries had already hit it off. In the streets of Guadalajara, supporters have broken into impromptu performances of "Gangnam Style," greeted one another with chants of "BTS," posed for photos together, and shared not only bottles of tequila but also videos of their celebrations across social media.

Which makes Thursday night's Group A matchup a little awkward. After all, every good romance needs conflict.

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Mexico and South Korea enter the June 18 match with plenty at stake, but unlike most World Cup rivalries, this one comes with an unusual amount of affection. Eight years after South Korea's famous upset over Germany helped send Mexico to the knockout stage, fans from both countries have rekindled a friendship that has become one of the tournament's most unexpected storylines.

The relationship even has a slogan: "Coreano, hermano, ya eres Mexicano," which translates to "Korean brother, you're Mexican now."

And if the videos flooding TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X are any indication, plenty of fans seem to mean it.

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Part of that affection can be traced back to the 2018 World Cup, when South Korea stunned Germany in the group stage. The result helped Mexico advance to the knockout rounds, turning Korean players into unlikely heroes among Mexican supporters. Mexican fans famously gathered outside the South Korean embassy in Mexico City to celebrate and even crowdfunded beer for Korean fans. Eight years later, the amity hasn't disappeared. If anything, social media has only strengthened it.

The relationship now extends well beyond football. Mexico has become one of the largest markets for Korean pop culture outside Asia, with K-pop acts regularly selling out arenas across the country. According to Spotify data, Mexico ranked fifth globally for K-pop listening in 2025. So when South Korean supporters arrived for the World Cup, many found themselves welcomed by fans who were already familiar with their music, food, and culture.

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That welcome wasn't just online. Earlier this month, hundreds of Mexican supporters greeted South Korea's national team when it arrived at its hotel in Guadalajara, a scene that quickly went viral on social media.

The affection has become so pronounced that some supporters have half-jokingly suggested the ideal result would be a draw, a way for both teams and both fanbases to walk away happy.

Of course, goodwill only goes so far once the whistle blows. For 90 minutes, at least, Mexico and South Korea will have to set aside their status as the World Cup's friendliest rivalry and do what every tournament demands: Try to beat each other.

As one fan told NPR ahead of the match, "Whoever wins, that's my team."

Most World Cup rivalries don't work that way.

Xbox's studio portfolio may look very different, very soon.

Earlier this week, reports suggested Microsoft's games division was in the process of closing or spinning off several of its subsidiary studios. Though no studio closures have been officially confirmed yet, some employees have posted on social media that they are looking for work.

Here is everything we know right now.

Every Xbox studio rumored to be closed or spun off

Per Bloomberg, the focus is on three studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory.

Compulsion is best known for South of Midnight, an action-adventure game based on southern U.S. folklore that won many accolades in 2025. PCMag called it "beautiful, unique, and tear-jerking," and it won a Peabody Award last year.

Compulsion was said to be closing and then to be negotiating with Microsoft for its future, according to Kotaku. Some Compulsion employees have said they are looking for work, but the studio hasn't officially shuttered or been spun off yet.

Double Fine is the most venerable of the three, having been around for more than 25 years. The San Francisco-based studio is best known for creative games with a focus on sharp comedy writing, like Brutal Legend, Psychonauts, and Costume Quest.

Double Fine's fate is murky at the moment; the only thing we've heard from the company is a single sweating face emoji posted to its social accounts earlier this week.

The third studio rumored to be closed or spun off is Ninja Theory, which has been around in some capacity for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming an Xbox subsidiary, Ninja Theory was best known for highly cinematic action games that made early use of performance capture technology — such as Heavenly Sword and Enslaved Odyssey to the West, both of which featured performances by Andy Serkis.

More recently, Ninja Theory has been focused on the Hellblade series. The third game in that series, Senua, was announced earlier in June.

Other unnamed studios are also said to be at risk. Insider Gaming's Mike Straw reported that Arkane, developers of the Dishonored series and the upcoming Marvel Blade game, is fearing for its future right now; we don't know anything beyond that.

Xbox's problems go back many years, but the current round of anxiety started when former executive Phil Spencer left, leading Microsoft to hire AI executive Asha Sharma to take over the Xbox business.

Sharma has tried to win the hearts and minds of fans by teasing the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, but Xbox's reputation is not in the best place right now.

Between possible studio closures, game cancelations, and a movement to boycott Xbox due to Microsoft's relationship with the Israeli military, many gamers have already decided they are done with the brand entirely.

The Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon is finally flying back for a third season and you need to get caught up on all things Targaryen. Mashable's Belen Edwards is here to catch us all up to speed, and in just under 2 minutes!

We'll re-introduce you to Rhaenyra Targaryen's Team Black and Alicent Hightower's Team Green and take you all the way up to the moments before Season 3's much anticipated return. Give this a quick viewing before the show aires on June 21st as there is much to catch up on.

House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres June 21 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with a new episode every Sunday.

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.

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

---

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

Opens in a new window

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

---

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

---

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

$194.99 (save $105 with Prime)

Get Deal

---

Kindle Unlimited (3 months)

$0 (save $35.97 with Prime)

Get Deal

---

Audible (3 months)

$0 (save $26.97 with Prime)

Get Deal

---

Amazon Music Unlimited (4 months)

$0 (save $47.96 with Prime)

Get Deal

---

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day"

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

Get Deal

---

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

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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 how much behind-the-scenes chaos is 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

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 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

• 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 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

---

Best speaker deal

Sonos Era 300

$379 at Amazon (Save $100)

Get Deal

---

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

---

Best Lego deal

Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box

$33.49 (Save $26.50)

Get Deal

---

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

 

Get Deal

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

 

Get Deal

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

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Best Paperwhite Deal

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Bundle

$177.97 (Save $89)

Get Deal

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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.

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

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Best iPhone Air deal

Apple iPhone Air (256GB)

$929.99 at Best Buy (save $70)

Get Deal

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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.