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NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 28, 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:20:15 +0000

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require knowledge of Formula One.

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.

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.

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: Clothing components
Green: Hockey clubs
Blue: Vroom vroom spots
Purple: Same second half

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

Yellow: Found on a uniform
Green: Teams to reach the NHL conference finals
Blue: 2026 F1 Grand Prix locations
Purple: ____cast

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 #612 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

Found on a uniform: NUMBER, SPONSOR PATCH, SURNAME, TEAM NAME
Teams to reach the NHL conference finals: CAROLINA, COLORADO, MONTREAL, VEGAS
2026 F1 Grand Prix locations: AUSTIN, MADRID, MEXICO CITY, MONZA
____cast: BROAD, POD, SPORTS, STAT

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.

Charge all your Apple devices at once with this Anker 3-in-1 charging station — now on sale for $80 off

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:18:29 +0000

SAVE $80: As of May 28, the Anker 3-in-1 charger is on sale for $149.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Credit: Anker

Anker 3-in-1 Charging Station

$149.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $80

Looking for an easy and neat way to charge all your Apple devices at once? Meet the Anker 3-in-1 charger. This is a handy all-in-one charger that can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, without multiple cables cluttering up your space. And as of May 28, it's on sale for $80 off the list price, now down to $149.99.

It will give you ultra-fast 25W Qi2.2 charging, capable of powering an iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in just 22 minutes. So it's not just a handy charging device, it’s designed to combine speed and convenience in a compact desktop setup.

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To manage heat during fast charging, it uses TÜV-certified aerospace-grade TEC cooling to keep surface temperatures below 89°F, helping to keep it working efficiently and supporting long-term battery health.

It also has a handy built-in 1.65-inch HD smart display that shows real-time charging data, like wattage, temperature, and device status.

The device also has three charging modes: Boost, Ice, and Sleep. These let you adjust the charging level depending on whether you need speed, a cooler operation, or quiet overnight charging.

Get this charger deal at Amazon now.

How to watch the 2026 French Open online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:16:45 +0000

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now and France TV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The world of tennis is focused on clay courts right now. Top players sharpened up in the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open, and now it's time for the main event: Roland-Garros.

Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his title, but this year's tournament is not short of star names. Expect the likes of Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Świątek to be battling it out in the latter stages. It's always a special tournament filled with huge moments.

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

What is the French Open?

The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is a major tennis tournament held over two weeks at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. It's the only Grand Slam tournament held on a clay surface, and is the second of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments.

The current singles champions are Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff.

When is the 2026 French Open?

The 2026 French Open is the 131th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from May 18 to June 7.

How to watch the 2026 French Open for free

The 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now and France TV.

9Now and France TV are geo-restricted to Australia and France respectively, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia or France, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or France
Connect to 9Now or France TV
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

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

What is the best VPN for the French Open?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
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 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for May 28, 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:14:02 +0000

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.

SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, May 28, 2026:

Across

Bangers and ___, classic British pub fare

The answer is Mash.

Crumbs used for coating

The answer is Panko.

Animal that can use tools to open shells

The answer is Otter.

Dwells on angry feelings

The answer is Stews.

Author Hermann who writes disparagingly about crossword puzzles in "The Glass Bead Game"

The answer is Hesse.

Down

Alternative to glossy

The answer is Matte.

Poker payments

The answer is Antes.

Depicts unfairly, as data

The answer is Skews.

Basketball shooting game named for an animal

The answer is Horse.

Expensively elegant

The answer is Posh.

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

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

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

The 9 best e-readers weve ever tested

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:22 +0000

So, what is the best e-reader for 2026? I'm regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. If you're gearing up to read more books this year, I can recommend a model you'll love.

Latest e-reader news

In April 2026, we added two new e-readers to this list. After months of testing, we've included the Durobo Krono, an open Android e-reader that allows you to access your Kindle, Libby, and Kobo libraries on one device. The Xetink X4 e-reader is a unique, compact device that doesn't look like much, but is pretty impressive. We're still in the process of testing the Boox Palma 2 and the Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II).

It's been a busy few months of e-reader news. As of May 20, Amazon ceased support for e-readers released in 2012 or earlier, which includes the first generation of Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite. For Kindle users now in the market for a new e-reader, some are considering a switch to Kobo.

For those on the fence, Kobo just made it a little more enticing. In June 2026, Kobo will launch a Storygraph integration, so your reading progress is automatically synced in the app. This will be available on the Kobo app and e-readers.

Other e-readers we've tested

From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

We've also tested the Remarkable PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7 as contenders for this list. After several weeks of testing, both devices proved to be pretty good but not quite list-worthy.

Whenever you search for e-readers, Remarkable's tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it's hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won't be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.

The Onyx Boox Go 7 is a better e-reader option than the Remarkable. It's the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. To read ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was so much lag while opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo's integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn't work on my device.

What about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?

If you're familiar with the Kindle lineup, it may come as a surprise that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't on this list. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we've compared the devices head-to-head. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE's added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.

If you are prepared to spend $200 on an e-reader, though, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the Kobo Libra Colour.

Where's the Nook on this list?

In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.

Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.

Where to get e-reader books for free

Once you get an e-reader, it's time to fill it up with books, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.

The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with Libby. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn't have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library's digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.

Another way to build your library is through Stuff Your Kindle Day events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.

If you're a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.

Apple Watch doesn’t have a step count widget: Heres a simple workaround

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:14 +0000

Like every other 20-something, Gen-Z-millennial cusp, I've embraced the hot girl walk. Working from home means I have to work to get in my steps since my office is literally just steps away from my bed. On my quest to hit 10,000 steps a day, my Apple Watch is my on-wrist companion, measuring every step and even reminding me to get up and stretch my legs. Unfortunately, step count isn't front and center — you have to scroll down a few pages in the Fitness app.

Right now, Apple only offers a widget displaying your daily mileage, not an actual step count. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

While you can customize your home screen with several widgets from Apple's built-in fitness app, there is an option to display step count, but it doesn't actually show your steps. Instead, it shows your mileage, which is fine, but I'm more interested in my actual step count. After a little bit of research, I discovered that you can add a step count widget to your Apple Watch so you can glance down and see it on your wrist — it just requires an additional app.

Find a pedometer app

Your iPhone and Apple Watch both have built-in pedometers, but if you want to see your step count on your Apple Watch home screen, then you need to download a pedometer app. The good news? There are so many pedometer apps to choose from. I've tried StepsApp, Steps, and Pedometer++, and each works for our purposes.

While some of these apps have paid subscriptions, you don't need one to get an Apple Watch widget. The key piece when setting up these new apps is that they will request access to your health data for more accurate step counts and to ensure your watch and phone data sync with the pedometer app.

Don't forget to install the Watch app

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the Watch app and discover all the apps available to download. Credit: Screenshot / Apple

Once the app is downloaded and set up on your phone, it's not ready on your watch yet. Instead, open your Watch app on your iPhone and scroll all the way to the bottom to reach the Available Apps section. From there, you can download the app to your Apple Watch.

Set up your watch face with the pedometer widget

From left to right, an Apple Watch with widgets from Pedometer, Steps, and Stepsapp. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mangino

In Apple Watch lingo, the widgets you add to your watch face are known as "complications." Once the app is installed on your phone and watch, its widget will appear among the list of complications you can choose from. They won't be available for every watch face style that Apple offers. My go-to for displaying my step count is either Modular or Modular Compact.

Once you select the type of watch face, you can adjust the color and complications, finally adding your preferred step count app widget. Each app has a slightly different widget style, so you may want to pick your app based on the style you prefer.

Gen Z men are more religious more religious online

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

For the first time in decades, young men in the U.S. are more religious than young women. And if you spend enough time on TikTok or YouTube, you can actually watch it happen in real time.

Gen Z male creators, perdominately in the U.S., are posting Bible study routines, church outfit checks, and clips of themselves deleting dating apps and returning to God. Some frame Christianity as self-improvement. Others frame it as rebellion against modern culture, a la the trad wife trend. A lot of it looks less like the traditional evangelism’s mandate to spread the Christian gospel and more like a mandate to spread the masculinity aesthetic.

This could be the most naked giant black hole ever found

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Right now astronomers are dealing with their own chicken-and-egg conundrum: Which came first, the galaxy or the big black hole inside it?

Astronomers often estimate the weight of a black hole by using the brightness and width of certain light signals in space coming from hot gas.

Some researchers have argued those methods severely exaggerate the masses of strange "little red dots" in the early universe. Since their discovery by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, what they actually are has divided the community: Some think they contain growing black holes; others argue the black holes might be much smaller than they seem — or, might not exist at all.

For the first time, a team took a direct measurement of a little red dot, Abell2744-QSO1, and found that not only were the earlier estimates pretty spot on, but also, the object almost certainly contains an enormous black hole, roughly 50 million times heavier than the sun.

Then the study got weird.

Normally, galaxies and their central black holes grow together: Big galaxy equals big black hole. But QSO1 barely seems to have a galaxy at all. The black hole may outweigh all the stars around it combined.

"To our knowledge, this … makes QSO1 the most 'naked' massive [black hole] ever found," the authors wrote in their Nature paper. "This demonstrates the possibility of [black hole] primacy, that is, [black holes] forming and growing earlier than their host galaxy."

To directly measure the object's mass, the researchers mapped the motion of glowing gas around QSO1's center. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / L. Furtak et al / A. Pagan

How astronomers directly measured it

Astronomers see QSO1 as it existed only about 700 million years after the Big Bang because of its extreme distance.

To directly measure the object's mass, the researchers mapped the motion of glowing gas around QSO1's center. Gas near a massive object moves faster because gravity pulls harder on it. The team found that QSO1's gas rotated in a way that matched what physicists expect around a compact, extremely massive object.

The researchers proceeded to test other explanations — like whether a tightly packed bundle of stars sat in the center instead of a black hole — but the numbers just didn't work. To explain the observations without a black hole, the stars would need to squeeze into an impossibly small area — much denser than known star clusters.

A black hole is an area in space where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape it. A supermassive black hole is the same but on a vastly larger scale, containing millions or billions of times the sun's mass. The black hole at the center of the Milky Way, called Sagittarius A*, weighs roughly 4 million suns. Messier 87, the galaxy famous for providing the first direct image of a black hole, is as massive as 6.5 billion suns.

The James Webb Space Telescope has helped astronomers discover loads of "little red dots" in the early universe. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / D. Kocevski

Why they call it "naked"

The team describes QSO1 as a "naked" black hole because it appears to be sitting in a vacant, primitive environment — perhaps before a normal galaxy fully formed around it.

Scientists still don't know how the first supermassive black holes formed so quickly after the Big Bang. The usual models for how galaxies grow struggle to explain these extreme cases.

One idea is that a massive gas cloud collapsed directly into a black hole extremely early in cosmic history. Another concept scientists consider is that some kind of original black hole formed almost at the beginning of time, possibly within the first second.

What's becoming clear is that some black holes were enormous from the get-go, somehow able to form without a gigantic host galaxy to feed them or a phase of many massive stars collapsing and merging, said Roberto Maiolino, a coauthor from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, in a statement.

"It’s a paradigm shift," Maiolino said, "a total revisiting of the classical scenarios of how black holes form and grow."

The latest iPhone 18 news, leaks, and rumors

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Apple's flagship smartphone hasn't taken a year off since 2007, and barring a massive surprise, 2026 won't be any different.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is widely expected to launch a new lineup of iPhones later this year, including both the new iPhone 18 line and the rumored iPhone Ultra, the company's first-ever foldable. And as we await iOS 27 and the iPhone 18, plenty of interesting tidbits of information are trickling out. While we still haven't actually seen any of the new Apple phones in an official capacity, we have plenty of info from the latest iPhone leaks and rumors .

So, here's everything you need to know about the iPhone 18 lineup.

iPhone 18 release date and pricing

To start, you should probably circle early September in your calendar. That has been the timeline for Apple's big showcase event every year for a very long time, and there's no reason to believe right now that Apple will change that for 2026.

But here's the big unanswered question: Will the iPhone 18 cost more? So far, we haven't heard any leaks about an iPhone 18 price increase, but don't rule it out.

Thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the AI industry (also known as RAMageddon), tons of smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles are seeing huge price hikes. Experts who've spoken to Mashable say that trend isn't going to stop anytime soon. As the world's number one smartphone maker, Apple has some advantages over its rivals, but a price increase is definitely possible. Apple raised prices on its new MacBooks earlier this year, while also introducing a low-cost $599 laptop that put big pressure on its Windows rivals.

So, this one could go either way.

iPhone 18 models

Right now, the expectation is that Apple will release a base iPhone 18, an iPhone 18 Pro, and an iPhone 18 Pro Max later this year. One thing that might be a surprise (depending on how much tech news you follow) is that Apple is allegedly going to launch or announce a foldable iPhone alongside the normal iPhone 18 models.

However, to be clear, that phone is rumored to be called the iPhone Fold or iPhone Fold Ultra (or something along those lines). It's not strictly a member of the iPhone 18 family, at least by name, so you'll have to go to our rumor hub for that device to read more about it.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro design

Again, Apple has not released any official teasers or other imagery related to the iPhone 18 lineup yet, so anything that has been reported up to this point could theoretically be wrong. However, based on everything we're hearing, it sounds like Apple isn't really reinventing the wheel, design-wise. However, rumor has it, the iPhone 20 will bring big changes like a curved waterfall display.

Per our friends at CNET (Mashable and CNET are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis), the display sizes will be roughly the same as last year:

iPhone 18: 6.3 inches
iPhone 18 Pro: 6.3 inches
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

However, the display quality might be a little different this year. Prominent leaker Instant Digital shared on Chinese social media that Apple's brightness demands are unusually high this year, so it might be reasonable to expect much brighter displays than in previous years.

One other nugget is that the base iPhone 18 could have a downsized camera bump compared to previous models. There are also rumblings of a slightly redesigned Dynamic Island, with the pill-shaped notification hub potentially being made smaller in the iPhone 18 models. One alleged leaked image purports to show an iPhone 18 Pro with a downsized Dynamic Island cutout.

Wondering about the iPhone 18 color options? We believe the color options for the iPhone 18 Pro have leaked already. Previous rumors indicated Apple was experimenting with a "deep red" color for the more expensive iPhone 18, and a new report from MacWorld more or less backs that up. According to their reporting, the color lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro will be silver, grey, light blue, and something called "dark cherry," which would probably be the previously reported wine red color.

Sadly, we think fans of black iPhones are out of luck again.

iPhone 18: rumored hardware features

While specific software features will probably have to wait until Apple unveils iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, it's not too early to start talking about some of the internal hardware changes Apple is reportedly making to the iPhone 18 lineup.

For starters, it sounds like the lineup will have a standardized 12GB RAM count across the board. In previous years, the Pro models had 12GB, while the base model only had 8GB. According to Korean outlet The Bell, Apple will be upgrading the base model so that it matches the Pro models in that regard. It's also widely expected that Apple will adopt new A20 and A20 Pro chips for the base and Pro models, respectively.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have a new C2 modem for improved cellular connectivity, alongside a new N2 chip for better WiFi performance.

Latest iPhone 18 Pro rumors

For the iPhone 18 Pro, the current expectation is that Apple will improve the battery size in the premium iPhone 18 models this year. Leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo reported that their batteries could be in excess of 5,000mAh, which would be an improvement over the iPhone 17 Pro.

In addition, the smaller camera cutout for the base model is reportedly only for the base model. It's expected that Apple will retain the bigger plateau seen on the iPhone 17 Pro last year for the iPhone 18 Pro. Instant Digital posted in a separate Weibo leak that the back glass has been altered for the iPhone 18 Pro, resulting in a new unified look, as opposed to the two-tone look the iPhone 17 Pro had. Whether that change will have any effect on durability (or if it's just an aesthetic difference) remains to be seen.

The iPhone 17 Pro has helped Apple break sales records in 2026. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

iPhone 18 camera rumors

Last but not least, there are supposedly at least two big camera changes that we know of right now for the iPhone 18 Pro models. First up: variable aperture.

That comes courtesy of Digital Chat Station on Weibo. If you don't know, variable aperture would let the iPhone 18 Pro camera let in different amounts of light for different situations, improving photo quality when used properly. For instance, the bokeh effect famously associated with portrait mode on iPhones would be possible in-camera instead of through post-processing, resulting in better-looking shots.

In addition, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman — the source of many iPhone leaks and rumors — has reported that iOS 27 and the iPhone 18 will have a much-improved Camera app. For instance, Gurman says that Apple users will be able to customize the Camera app, which will also introduce new widgets. AI photo editing may also be on the menu, bringing iOS more in line with Android.

What about AI Siri?

Apple first promised users a newer, smarter, AI-powered Siri two years ago, and the company has since faced lawsuits after it failed to deliver. (The company recently settled a class action suit related to these claims for $250 million.) However, the tech world widely expects AI Siri to make her debut alongside iOS 27 with a big announcement at WWDC 2026 on June 8.

Technically, this isn't a feature unique to the iPhone 18 lineup. Presumably, every iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence will also support the new Siri, and we'll probably know for sure come June 8. Still, if you're on an older phone and plan to upgrade to iPhone 18, the new Gemini-powered Siri will probably be on board.

There will surely be more to say about the iPhone 18 in the coming months before its alleged September launch. We'll keep you updated as best as we can.

National Hamburger Day 2026 deals: Score free food from Burger King, Arby’s, Dairy Queen, and more

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Did you know that National Hamburger Day was a thing? You do now, and you can celebrate by scoring free or heavily discounted food from a number of popular retailers.

National Hamburger Day takes place on May 28. We've scoured the country for the tastiest National Hamburger Day deals to celebrate this special occasion, and we have some good news: Popular names like Burger King and Dairy Queen are going hard this year with limited-time offers.

Check out some of our favorites below:

National Hamburger Day 2026 food deals

Arby’s

From May 28-31, Arby’s is offering a buy one get one free on sandwiches. This offer is valid for online and pick-up-in-store orders. There is a limit of one per person.

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

On May 28, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is celebrating National Hamburger Day with a $10 BD’s All-American Burger and a classic side.

Big Buns

Members of the Thompson Table Rewards loyalty program can get a free Classic Burger with any purchase from May 28-31.

Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay

On National Hamburger Day, visit Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay and enjoy a Crunchburger for $5.28.

Burger King

On May 28, Royal Perks Rewards Members can score a free hamburger with any $3 purchase online or in-app.

Buffalo Wild Wings

On May 28, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering half off any burger. Plus, new rewards members can score a free burger with a minimum purchase of $15.

Checkers & Rally’s

On May 27-28, Checkers & Rally’s is offering a buy one get one free deal on Classic Burgers.

Dairy Queen

Through May 31, rewards members can score $1 off any Signature Stackburger (Backyard Bacon Ranch, Bacon Cheese Deluxe, FlameThrower, Cheese Deluxe, and Original Cheeseburger).

Del Taco

Buy one, get one free on Double Del Cheeseburgers on May 28-30.

Eddie Merlot’s

Order online at Eddie Merlot’s and get Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger and housemade potato chips for $15.

Farmer Boys

On National Hamburger Day, Farmer Boys is offering VIF Rewards members a Big Cheese Cheeseburger for $3.99 when you order in-app.

Farm Burger

On May 28, guests at participating Farm Burger locations will be able to purchase a build-your-own grassfed, grass-finished burger for $6.

Habit Burger & Grill

From May 28 to June 3, get two Charburgers for the price of one. To redeem the offer, you must be a registered CharClub member.

Hardees

Buy one Famous Star, get one for 1 cent on May 28.

Hard Rock Cafe

On May 28, buy one, get one Classic Smashed Burger free from 3-6 p.m. local time. Members of the Unity by Hard Rock global loyalty program get also get a free Classic Smashed Burger.

Jack in the Box

Get a free Jr. Jumbo Jack with an in-app order of $1+ on May 28.

Krystal

On May 28, Krystal will be offering Club Krystal members an in-app exclusive deal of $0.50 Krystals.

Shake Shack

Through May 31, you can grab a free burger with any $10 purchase. In order to score this promotion, you need to order in the Shack app, online, or at a kiosk and use the promo code FREEBURGER.

Smashburgers

On May 28, you can get any single burger for $5.28 with the promo code 528SINGLE. This offer is available in stores, or via Smashburger’s website or app.

Sonic

Rewards members can get a free burger with $5 purchase through May 31.

Steak ‘n Shake

On May 28, wear or show any American Flag item and score a free Double Steakburger.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse

On May 28, order online at Sullivan’s Steakhouse and grab a Signature Angus Burger and fries for $15.

The Greene Turtle

On May 28, score a buy one get one free deal on classic burgers.

Wayback Burgers

On National Hamburger Day, rewards members can get Classic Burgers for $5.

Whataburger

Rewards members can score a free Whataburger when you order a medium fry and medium drink on May 28.

How to watch Norway vs. Latvia online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Norway vs. Latvia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are rolling through the knockout rounds, with Norway and Latvia set to battle it out for a place in the semi-final stage. There are some big names left in contention for the top prize, so things are heating up on the ice.

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

When is Norway vs. Latvia?

Norway vs. Latvia in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 28.

How to watch Norway vs. Latvia for free

Norway vs. Latvia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), 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 a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Connect to IIHF.TV
Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Norway vs. Latvia plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Norway vs. Latvia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Switzerland vs. Sweden online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Switzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships quarter finals are finally here, with some massive matchups on the schedule. Switzerland vs. Sweden is a particularly interesting contest, pitting the hosts against a team that has been hit-or-miss in this competition.

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

When is Switzerland vs. Sweden?

Switzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 28.

How to watch Switzerland vs. Sweden for free

Switzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Connect to IIHF.TV
Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Switzerland vs. Sweden plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Switzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Collignon vs. Shelton online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Collignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's day five of the 2026 French Open and the second-round action sees Ben Shelton return to the court. As the No. 5 seed, Shelton is the highest seeded U.S. star in the men's singles tournament. He's also the only U.S. men's player in the top 10 seeds, following the first-round exit of Taylor Fritz.

Can the 23-year-old star go all the way and become the first American to win Roland-Garros since Andre Agassi in 1999? There's a long way to go and Shelton must now get past second-round opponent Raphael Collignon, a 24-year-old Belgian who showed some fire in getting to the third round of last year's U.S. Open.

If you want to watch Collignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Collignon vs. Shelton for free

Collignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Connect to 9Now
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

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

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Collignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open for free on France TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's only the second round of the 2026 French Open and No. 4 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime has already had an eventful tournament.

The 25-year-old French-Canadian had to battle his way through the first round in a five-set thriller against German star Daniel Altmaier. Now Auger-Aliassime faces Argentinian opponent Roman Andres Burruchaga, who's playing his first-ever Grand Slam second round.

If you want to watch Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga for free

Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on France TV.

France TV is geo-restricted to France, 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 France, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in France
Connect to France TV
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

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

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Sinner vs. Cerundolo online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Jannik Sinner is back in action today in the 2026 French Open. Unsurprisingly, the world No. 1 blazed through the first round against Clement Tabur in straight sets — now the Italian dynamo faces second-round opposition from Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo, a 24-year-old hopeful with a number of lower-rung titles to his name.

There have been a few upsets in the men's singles so far — No. 6 seed Daniil Medvedev and No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz both took first-round losses to unseeded opponents — so there's always a chance of a major shock, but the smart money is on Sinner advancing to face the likes of Novak Djokovic later in the torunament.

If you want to watch Sinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Sinner vs. Cerundolo for free

Sinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Connect to 9Now
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

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

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Sinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

Skoove’s lifetime piano lessons are $150 — no schedule, no excuses

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Skoove Premium Piano Lessons is available for $149.99 (reg. $299.99) and includes more than 400 lessons with AI-powered feedback.

Credit: Skoove

Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription

$149.99
$299.99 Save $150

Finding time for weekly piano lessons can be difficult. Between work or school, and everything else vying for attention, even the most motivated learners can struggle to stick to a schedule. Luckily, there’s a helpful program called Skoove and it offers flexible, guided piano lessons you can access anytime you’re ready to play, all for just $149.99 ($299.99).

Skoove is all about helping you build real piano skills. Structured lessons, instant feedback, and a huge library of songs — from modern hits to classical favorites — make learning feel fun and effective.

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With more than 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos for every experience level, there’s always something new to explore. Instead of just watching tutorials, you get immediate feedback as you play. Skoove’s smart note-recognition technology listens and spots mistakes in real time, helping you improve right away.

Skoove also adapts lessons to your progress and preferences, so beginners aren’t immediately overwhelmed! As your skills develop, the platform recommends new lessons and exercises that match your current level, creating a more personalized learning path.

For learners who need extra guidance, Skoove also includes one-on-one support from music instructors. That added layer of assistance may be especially helpful for students who occasionally get stuck or want additional feedback beyond the platform’s automated coaching.

Now for the exciting part … the songs! You’ll get to learn songs inspired by artists like John Legend, the Beatles, and Adele, plus classical masterpieces from composers like Beethoven. New songs and lessons are added regularly, so there’s always fresh material to keep your practice exciting.

Skoove works with both acoustic pianos and digital keyboards, including USB and MIDI-connected instruments. Lessons can be accessed from smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it easier to fit practice sessions into busy routines.

Skoove Premium Piano Lessons is currently available for $149.99 (reg. $299.99), so get your learning on!

StackSocial prices subject to change.

How to watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still buzzing from the international hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but 2026 is not done yet. We know the focus of the ice hockey world is firmly fixed on the resolution of the NHL season right now, but the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is here to offer something to fans without a vested interest in the Stanley Cup.

This tournament doesn't have quite the same prestige as the Winter Olympics, but the 2024 World Championship was the most successful in terms of overall attendance. We're expecting this tournament in Switzerland to be just as popular as the USA, Canada, Czechia, Sweden, Finland, and other top sides battle it out on the ice.

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

What is the Ice Hockey World Championships?

The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual international men's ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. 16 teams are divided into two groups for the Preliminary Round played in a single round robin format. The top-four ranked teams of each group advance to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Czechia.

When is the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships?

The 2026 IIHF World Championships will take place from May 15-31. This year's tournament will be hosted by Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.

How to watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Connect to IIHF.TV
Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

Adult Friend Finder app: Where to download the AFF app and how secure is it?

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

There isn’t actually an official Adult Friend Finder app — AFF likes to keep things decidedly old school — but a lot of the site’s users still access its content via their mobile device. Many of them do so using the site’s mobile version, through either Safari or Google Chrome, but committed AFF users have created a workaround to mimic the experience of using an app.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Credit: AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder

Why doesn’t Adult Friend Finder have an app?

Both Apple and Google strictly police the kinds of content they allow on their respective app stores, and because Adult Friend Finder allows on-site nudity — in profiles, chat forums, and live broadcasts — they're barred from creating an official app for the two most-used mobile platforms.

Unfortunately, these rules apply even if you don’t have nudity on your profile or have turned on all the filters that restrict the display of adult content when using AFF, so there isn’t even a watered-down version of the app available and likely never will be. It's non negotiable, unfortunately.

What’s the best alternative?

If you really want to mimic the experience of using an app on your phone, you can simply create a home screen shortcut to the Adult Friend Finder site. And if you have cookies enabled, you can also stay logged in each time, which saves you having to re-enter your login credentials.

To create a homescreen shortcut on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

Navigate to AdultFriendFinder.com in your Safari mobile browser (no third-party browser will work)
Tap the ellipsis icon in the bottom right corner of your Safari app, and then tap the Share icon at the top of the pop-up menu
Scroll towards the bottom of the option list and select "Add to Home Screen"
You will be prompted to assign a name to the icon before you can hit "Add"

For Android users, the steps are slightly different:

Navigate to AdultFriendFinder.com in your Chrome mobile browser (no third-party browser will work)
Tap the menu icon in the upper right corner of your Chrome app, and then tap "Add to Home Screen"
You will be prompted to assign a name to the icon before you can hit "Add"

How secure is this home screen icon approach?

This method of accessing Adult Friend Finder is functionally no different than opening Chrome or Safari first, so it's no less safe than using the actual site, but there are a few things to consider:

If you share your phone or tablet with someone else, they will be able to see the AFF icon and possibly even access your account just by clicking on the app
If you prefer to keep your Adult Friend Finder use hidden, consider hiding the icon within a sub-folder or within a password-protected folder
To ensure your login credentials aren't saved, create the icon itself using your mobile browser's incognito or private browsing function

The Dyson Airstrait is down to its lowest price of 2026 — save $100 right now at Amazon

Thu, 28 May 2026 08:52:34 +0000

SAVE $100: As of May 28, the Dyson Airstrait is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

Credit: Dyson

Dyson Airstrait

$399.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100

When it comes to hair styling tools, Dyson may be well known for the beloved Airwrap, but it's not the only tool in its arsenal.

Products like the Airstrait still benefit from the same air technology, but target those who prefer a sleek, straight look over a bouncy blowout. And as of May 28, it's on sale for $100 less than normal. Right now it is down to $399.99, it's lowest price this year.

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The best aspect of the Airstrait is how it reduces your hair styling to one step. It's a wet-to-dry straightener, meaning it styles hair from wet to finished in one step, without the need for hot plates or extreme heat. Instead, it uses controlled airflow instead of direct heat, so it reduces damage to your hair while still smoothing and aligning hair.

It works by projecting air at a 45° angle to create the tension needed for straightening, reducing drying and styling time by around 25%, according to Dyson. It even has a smart sensing system that detects when hair is placed between the arms and adjusts airflow automatically for more efficient styling.

Find this Dyson deal at Amazon now.

The Anker Solix C300 power station is ready-made for summer — save $80 at Amazon

Thu, 28 May 2026 08:47:31 +0000

SAVE $80: As of May 28, the Anker Solix C300 is on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount on the list price.

Credit: Anker

Anker Solix C300

$169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80

The Anker Solix C300 is back on sale at Amazon and as of May 28, you can get it for $80 less than normal. It's a great option for powering your personal devices during an outage or camping thanks to its portable design, which is around 30% smaller than similar power stations, according to Anker. And right now it's down to $169.99.

This portable power station has a 300W output and 288Wh capacity, so it's ideal for keeping essential devices charged wherever you go. It features fast dual 140W bi-directional USB-C ports for high-speed charging, so it's great for phones, tablets, and laptops. It includes multiple charging options with seven ports in total, including a car socket, several USB-C outputs, and USB-A ports.

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For recharging, you have different options available. There's USB-C fast charging, solar input (panel sold separately), and car charging. And it can reach 80% battery in just one hour when using dual PD USB-C input.

It's built with a durable LiFePO4 battery system, smart temperature control, and an impact-resistant design, so it'll last for a long time. It's even backed by a three-year guarantee.

Get this portable power station deal at Amazon now.

Your old iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch is now worth more: See the new trade-in values

Thu, 28 May 2026 06:29:20 +0000

Apple has updated the average trade-in value for some of its iPhones, iPads, Watches, and MacBooks. You could now get an extra $10 to $35 off a new device when you trade in your old one, depending upon its model and condition. Here's how much you could save.

The tech giant has run its trade-in program since 2013, launching in the same year as the iPhone 5s. That 13-year-old phone doesn't have any trade in value now, with Apple recommending users recycle them instead. However, if you have a more recent device to trade in, you may be able to knock a few dollars off a new purchase.

As reported and compiled by MacRumors, all iPhone 16 models could now net you a higher discount. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, Pro, and Plus have been given a $10 bump in their estimated trade-in value, going from $685 to $695, $550 to $560, and $455 to $465 respectively. The base iPhone 16 saw a bigger $25 increase in trade-in value, going from $435 to $460.

The trade-in value of iPads has increased as well, with the iPad Pro going from $670 to $690 ($20 increase), iPad Air from $445 to $460 ($15 increase), iPad from $220 to $235 ($15 increase), and the iPad mini going from $250 to $265 ($15 increase).

Other devices that will net you more than they would have previously include the MacBook Pro ($5 increase from $685 to $690), MacBook Air ($35 increase from $485 to $520), and Mac mini ($35 increase from $340 to $375). Some Apple Watches also received adjustments, with the Ultra 2 and Series 9 both valued $10 higher ($295 to $305 and $120 to $130).

However, it isn't all good news. Some devices' trade-in values remain unchanged, such as the iMac and Apple Watch Series 10. Meanwhile, others have actually decreased, with the Apple Watch Ultra's trade-in value dropping $10 from $215 to $205. The Mac Pro, initially priced at $6000 in 2019, will now net you a $2045 discount at trade-in — down $45 from $2090. Apple has reduced the trade-in value of many Android devices as well, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ($230 to $200) and Google Pixel 8 Pro ($170 to $165).

How to watch Canada vs. USA online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Canada vs. USA in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships have hit the knockout rounds. Every fixture at this point is huge, but it really doesn't get any bigger than Canada vs. USA. It's a repeat of the Winter Olympics final for these rivals that go way back. Can Canada secure revenge or will USA advance to the semi-final stage?

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

When is Canada vs. USA?

Canada vs. USA in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 28.

How to watch Canada vs. USA for free

Canada vs. USA in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Connect to IIHF.TV
Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Canada vs. USA plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Canada vs. USA in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Finland vs. Czechia online for free

Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Finland vs. Czechia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are entering the knockout rounds. After weeks of entertaining group stage games, it's win or bust for the eight remaining teams.

Finland vs. Czechia is the first quarter final on the schedule. Can the defending champions overcome Finland to make the semi finals? You can follow all the action without spending anything.

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

When is Finland vs. Czechia?

Finland vs. Czechia in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 28.

How to watch Finland vs. Czechia for free

Finland vs. Czechia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Connect to IIHF.TV
Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Finland vs. Czechia plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
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Live stream Finland vs. Czechia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

Hurdle hints and answers for May 28, 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

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

Earth.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

GLOBE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Queen Elizabeth's favorite dog.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CORGI

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An amenity.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

FRILL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To guzzle.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SWILL

Final Hurdle hint

A tormentor.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

BULLY

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

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

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

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Credit: Proton VPN

Proton VPN (1-Month Plan)

$10.81 only at Proton VPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

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

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

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

Servers in locations all around the world
Easy-to-use apps available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policies so your data is always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Multiple simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantees

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 28, 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 02:00:00 +0000

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

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.

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.

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: Bend down
Green: Journalism
Blue: Your Honor
Purple: Hit the slopes

Here are today's Connections categories

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

Yellow: Get low
Green: Fourth estate
Blue: Parts of a courtroom
Purple: Ski ___

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 #1082 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

Get low: DUCK, HUNCH, SQUAT, STOOP
Fourth estate: MEDIA, NEWS, PAPERS, PRESS
Parts of a courtroom: BAR, BENCH, PODIUM, STAND
Ski ___: JUMP, LIFT, LODGE, SLOPE

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.

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 28, 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you collect perfumes.

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: Talking scents

The words are related to smell.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe pleasant smells.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fragrance.

NYT Strands word list for May 28

Sandalwood
Musk
Neroli
Fragrance
Jasmine
Pear
Bergamot

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you golf.

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:

A chunk of grass.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DIVOT

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.

NYT Pips hints, answers for May 28, 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 02:00:00 +0000

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 May 28 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this red space must be different. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

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

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

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

What do you get with Meta and Instagrams new $3.99 subscription plan?

Wed, 27 May 2026 22:06:17 +0000

Meta officially launched paid subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp on Wednesday, giving users the option to pay a few dollars a month for extra features across its flagship apps. The company made the announcement in an Instagram post, where head of product Naomi Gleit provided an outline of the new paid "Plus" plans.

Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus run $3.99 a month, while WhatsApp Plus is slightly cheaper at $2.99, according to TechCrunch. The plans are now rolling out globally.

For Instagram, the $3.99 gets you more control over your Stories and profile. Subscribers can see how many people rewatched a Story in aggregate, build unlimited audience lists, extend Stories past the usual 24-hour window, and preview a Story without registering as a viewer. There's also a weekly spotlight option, animated Super Heart reactions, custom app icons, customizable bio fonts, and additional profile pins.

Facebook Plus mirrors much of that, with features focused on social expression and profile customization. WhatsApp Plus takes a different angle, adding app themes, custom ringtones, premium stickers, and extra pinned chats.

As TechCrunch notes, none of these plans replace Meta Verified, which remains its own separate offering focused on account verification and protection against impersonation.

For now, Plus plans are just the start. Meta is also testing a broader subscription umbrella called Meta One, which will eventually house AI-focused tiers and professional plans for creators and businesses, perhaps tied to Muse Spark, the company's new flagship AI model. That's still in early testing phases in select markets, though.

Steam Deck OLED gets huge price increase amid RAM shortage

Wed, 27 May 2026 21:14:01 +0000

The Steam Deck OLED has been one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market for years, but it's not the value it used to be anymore.

Valve announced that the OLED version of the Steam Deck has gotten a significant price increase, after months of being out of stock entirely. Well, it's back in stock, but you'll have to pay a lot more to get one now.

The 512GB version, which used to cost $549, is now $789. The 1TB variant, meanwhile, has gone from $649 to $949. That's one of the most substantial price increases we've seen yet for gaming hardware, amidst the ongoing global memory shortage (aka RAMageddon) that's causing everything in tech to get more pricey.

For reference, recent PlayStation 5 price hikes put that device anywhere from $150 to $200 higher than it cost at launch. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 (after less than a year on the market) got a $50 price increase earlier this month. Valve's price increases for the Steam Deck OLED are bigger than those, though they still pale in comparison to the nearly $700 price increase that Dell just applied to some of its XPS laptops.

As IGN pointed out, you can still get a refurbished model for a little less than that. Refurbished 512GB and 1TB OLED models are now $629 and $759, respectively. Meanwhile, the discontinued LCD Steam Deck (which is largely the same device with a lower-quality display) can still be obtained refurbished for as low as $279, but that's with a measly 64GB of storage.

It needs to be emphasized that, prior to the AI arms race that is driving up memory costs, it was normal for hardware prices to go down over time. Now, game consoles are cheapest at launch. Feels backward, doesn't it?

Hands-on: GoPros new Mission 1 Pro bridges the gap between action and cinema cameras

Wed, 27 May 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Before signing on as Mashable's tech editor, I reviewed the GoPro Hero12 and Hero13 Black for the site. They were both equally impressive cameras, while also being slightly underwhelming, with iterative upgrades to battery life and new software features like vertical video. Both cameras had the same GP2 processor and 1/1.9" CMOS sensor as the Hero11.

This year, instead of dropping a Hero14 Black, GoPro is introducing an entirely new line of cameras with some exciting new abilities — the Mission 1 Series. Finally, we have a new GoPro sensor and processor to play with.

GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera

$699.99 at Amazon

I've just started testing the Mission 1 Pro, and like my colleague at CNET (both Mashable and CNET are owned by Ziff Davis), I'm not yet ready to render a final verdict. I can say that I've been impressed with this camera so far, and I'm excited to try and push it to the limits.

I can also tell you that while the new Mission 1 cameras solve some of GoPro's recent problems, they don't solve them all.

Meet the GoPro Mission 1 cameras

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro (the model I've been testing) launch on May 28 for $599.99 and $699.99, respectively. In Q3, GoPro will also launch the Mission 1 Pro ILS, a mirrorless version of the Mission 1 Pro with an interchangeable lens mount, allowing creators to use professional lenses with GoPro's pocket-sized, ultra-durable cameras. I bet a lot of pro photographers and videographers are excited about that one, which will also be priced at $699.99.

Both the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro introduce a new GP3 processor (finally), as well as a larger one-inch sensor with a native resolution of 7,680 x 5,760 pixels. For $100 more, the Mission 1 Pro also offers a headline-grabbing 960fps slow motion video, 8K open-gate recording, and improved low-light video. You can capture 44.2MP stills from video or take 50MP action shots.

Both cameras are noticeably larger and heavier than the latest Hero13 Black, yet they still feel like action cameras and offer all the durability and motion stabilization you expect from a GoPro.

GoPro Mission 1 Series: By the numbers

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Mission 1 is available May 28 for $599 (or $499 for GoPro subscribers).

New 1-inch sensor
New GP3 processor
Open Gate 4K120 video at 4:3
8K30/25 at 16:9
Up to 8x Slo-Mo
4K120 at 16:9
50MP Photo + RAW
HLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2
Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

The Mission 1 Pro is available May 28 for $699 (or $599 for GoPro subscribers).

New 1-inch sensor
New GP3 processor
Open-gate 8K30 video (50MP) at 4:3
Open-gate 4K120 video (12MP) at 4:3
16:9 video up to 8K60/50
960fps slow-motion video (up to 32x)
Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)
50MP Photo + RAW
HLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2
Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

The GoPro Mission 1 Pro with Dual Battery Charger and new Point-and-Shoot Grip. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Along with the new cameras, GoPro is also introducing new accessories, including the new GoPro Wireless Mic Complete Kit (again, finally), a Point-and-Shoot Grip for the Mission 1 Pro, a new Media Mod, an ND Filter four-pack, Protective Housing (waterproof to 196 feet/60 meters), and a Vertical Mount Adapter.

GoPro's Mission 1 Series has a lot to offer pros and creators

GoPro provided this sample photograph shot on the new Mission 1 Pro. Credit: GoPro

In a briefing ahead of the launch, GoPro representatives told me that the Mission 1 Series was specifically designed to support professionals and creators who want the highest level of control over their content. For example, the cameras offer a new 240Mbps high bit-rate mode, which just so happens to be Netflix's required specs for footage.

Their reviewer's guide even helpfully includes recommended LUTs for video editing. And that's a nice and easy way to answer the question: Is the Mission 1 Series worth it for me? I'll put it this way: If you don't work with LUTs, know what GP-Log2 means, or mess around with color grading, then you probably don't need to spend the extra money to invest in the Mission 1 Series.

The GoPro Hero and MAX cameras will do you just fine.

GoPro visualization of the new one-inch sensor in the Mission 1 Series. Credit: GoPro

For pros, creators, and near-pros, the Mission 1 Pro seems mighty impressive to me so far. It's competing more with Sony vlogging cameras and BlackMagic cinema cameras than the average action cam.

The ability to shoot open-gate video in 8K and 4K will be a game-changer for a lot of folks, as will the larger sensor. So, even if I can't yet render a verdict on the new sensor and processor, if you implicitly trust GoPro, I think you can safely invest in these cinematic action cameras.

My very early hands-on impressions

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Having shot with GoPro cameras before, the Mission 1's larger sensor does seem to give you more flexibility. The Hero13 Black already featured digital lenses that let you switch the field of view, but the Mission 1 has even more input to work with. It feels a little bit like a magic trick when you instantly switch from the broad field of view of the Linear (22-27mm) lens to the classic GoPro fisheye look of the Wide (16-24mm) lens.

When editing, you can also switch back and forth from 16:9 to vertical video aspect ratios like 3:4 and 9:16. Again, that's not new with the Mission 1, but with a larger sensor and open-gate capture, you have a much larger and richer canvas to work on.

It's as easy as ever to connect your camera and upload footage in the Quik app. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app

Switch from 16:9 to 9:16 in an instant. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app

Thanks to the larger sensor and new GP3 processor, the new GoPro cameras also have much improved low-light performance. And for adventure athletes, classic GoPro features like motion stabilization and horizon lock should also work better than ever, as will digital zoom and subject tracking. The touchscreen and voice controls, auto uploads over WiFi, and Quik app are all highlights for me as well.

GoPro still faces serious competition, and the Mission 1 is only a partial fix

The name "GoPro" is still synonymous with action cameras, but the company is no longer the only name in the game. In recent years, the Chinese companies DJI and Insta360 have introduced some very impressive action cameras of their own, even offering better specs in some regards.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offered a variable aperture, Leica optics, and 8K shooting (the Hero13 Black's maxes out at 5.3K). The DJI Osmo Action 6 Pro boasts better low-light performance than the Hero line thanks to its large sensor. On top of that, DJI also makes the hugely popular Mic Mini and Mic 3.

The new Point-and-Shoot mount. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

In the last few years, I've seen DJI in particular become hugely popular with Mashable shoppers, and I've had great experiences working with the DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal, Osmo Pocket cameras, and the TikTok-famous DJI Mic Mini. And while GoPro is now releasing its own wireless mic kit, Insta360 just released a very cool-looking wireless mic with a customizable e-ink display. If you want to stick within a single product ecosystem, DJI now has a lot to offer beyond action cameras and drones.

So, while the Mission 1 Pro (and especially the upcoming Mission 1 Pro ILS) offers a boundary-pushing option for professionals and creators, for the everyday consumer, GoPro still has some hard work ahead. For instance, I'm not sure why you'd buy the new GoPro wireless mic kit unless it was part of a bundle or you're deeply brand-loyal to GoPro.

GoPro seems to be catering to its most hardcore customers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Should you buy the GoPro Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro?

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

If you're a long-time GoPro fan looking to upgrade your camera, then the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro have a lot to offer. And with the $100 discount you get as a GoPro subscriber, these cameras are significantly more affordable.

For now, I'll say this: The Mission 1 Pro is expensive for a GoPro action camera, but it's a great price for a cinematic camera.

GoPro Mission 1 Cinematic Action Camera

$599.99 at GoPro

GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera

$699.99 at Amazon

Sony RGB TVs are finally here and skipping the preorder window. What to know about Bravia 7 II and 9 II.

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:54:54 +0000

A quick look at the May 2026 Sony TV releases

Sony Bravia 7 II True RGB 4K TV

starting at $2,099.99 (55 through 98 inches)

Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV

starting at $3,599.99 (65 through 85 inches)

Sony Bravia Theater Trio

$2,199.99 (9 speakers total)

Sony officially unveiled its highly-awaited True RGB TVs on May 27. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II enter the crowded arena of fresh RGB TV releases from Samsung and Hisense, as well as the LG Micro RGB TV that's currently available to preorder. (Tell me RGB was one of the biggest TV trends at CES 2026 without telling me.)

Though Sony's flagship RGB TV announcement came later than those of the other big brands, the two new models are making up for lost time by skipping the preorder window. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II are both available for purchase at Sony.com and Best Buy, along with their new home audio sidekick, the Sony Bravia Theater Trio. Let's dive into the differences.

How are the True RGB TVs different than other Bravia models?

Not to be confused with the mini-LED Sony Bravia 7 or Sony Bravia 9 models without "II" on the end, the Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II use a new type of backlighting that we've never seen from a Sony TV.

The Sony Bravia 7 II comes in six sizes. Credit: Sony

The Sony Bravia 9 II comes in four sizes. Credit: Sony

The traditional LCD panels behind those mini-LED Bravia models stream blue or white LEDs through quantum dots to create color. Those hues definitely beat what you'd see from a regular LED TV without quantum dots, but mini-LEDs still don't achieve 100 percent coverage of the color gamut (the full possible spectrum of colors visible to humans).

Sony's True RGB TVs, however, draw their light from true red, green, and blue light sources — the best you could ask for in terms of color accuracy and saturation. Each of those red, green, and blue LEDs operates independently of one another, offering unprecedented picture quality across the screen. According to the press release, Sony's new RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro processor should improve brightness, reduce blooming, and produce purer color than conventional mini-LED displays.

A Sony OLED TV on the left vs. Sony's new RGB TV on the right. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

This means that the screen should appear just as vibrant to the person sitting on the far edge of the couch as the person in the middle, OLED-style. But unlike OLED TVs, these RGB TVs should be much easier to see in a sunny room.

Both Sony True RGB Bravia TVs also include Ambient Optimization, which will automatically tweak picture and audio to the current environment. From there, the Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II have a few key differences.

First, here's how much the Sony Bravia 7 II lineup costs:

Sony 50-inch Bravia 7 II — $1,599.99 (coming this summer)
Sony 55-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,099.99
Sony 65-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,599.99
Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,099.99
Sony 85-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,999.99
Sony 98-inch Bravia 7 II — $8,999.99

Compared to the RGB flagships from Samsung, LG, and Hisense, Sony will be the only brand to offer a 50-inch RGB model. Until that size launches, the 55-inch $2,099.99 price point isn't outlandish to kick off the tier — that's less than the new 9-speaker Bravia Theater Trio Dolby Atmos system, which costs $2,199.99.

The Sony Bravia 9 II and Theater Trio. Credit: Sony

The Bravia 9 II takes bright room performance up another notch with a special set of advanced backlight controllers and Sony's new glare-free Immersive Black Screen Pro (we saw it in person, and it genuinely is glare-free). The Bravia 9 II may not be an art TV by name or wall mount, but it certainly checks off the matte screen and ambient mode boxes. And yes, Sony has its own art gallery app.

Here's how much the Sony Bravia 9 II lineup costs:

Sony 65-inch Bravia 9 II — $3,599.99
Sony 75-inch Bravia 9 II — $4,599.99
Sony 85-inch Bravia 9 II — $6,499.99
Sony 115-inch Bravia 9 II — $30,999.99 (coming this fall)

Sony is no stranger to being the most expensive TV choice in any given category, but both Bravia models seem pretty reasonably priced compared to the competition. Samsung and Hisense's two RGB tiers are slightly more affordable than Sony's, with LG's Micro RGB evo leading the pack. Though operations under Sony and TCL's partnership aren't expected until April 2027, could we already be seeing a shift toward (slightly) more affordable Sony TVs?

AI content to be automatically labeled on YouTube — but not on YouTube Kids

Wed, 27 May 2026 19:08:57 +0000

YouTube is upgrading its AI labeling system, including a new automatic detection tool, as tech companies ramp up their investments in content provenance.

Previously, videos featuring photorealist AI had to be tagged by their creators or face a strike — once it was tagged as AI, a disclosure label would be added to the description. Now, that label is moving up to the top, more prominently displayed for all to see next to the video's title and in the bottom corner of YouTube Shorts.

In a first since the platform introduced labels in 2024, YouTube will also begin scanning content and automatically adding labels to any unmarked videos with significant AI use. "It’s important to note that a disclosure label alone does not change how a video is recommended or whether it’s eligible to earn money," the platform wrote in a recent blog post. "In a world where AI is changing what’s possible, our goal is simple: make it as easy as possible for creators and viewers to have the right information."

YouTube has faced criticism for an abundance of AI "slop" and AI-generated advertising, and the platform has removed millions of channels and videos in response. YouTube CEO Neil Mohan stated that curbing AI slop is a top priority.

Meanwhile, child safety advocates have recently called on the platform to address what they call a dangerous proliferation of AI-generated, animated content aimed at children. In an April letter sent to Mohan and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, a coalition of child advocacy groups urged the platform to ban AI-generated content on YouTube Kids, institute clear AI labels for all content, and implement new parental controls aimed at limiting AI videos.

At the time, YouTube told Mashable it was working on developing labels for YouTube Kids. The company also explained that its current labeling approach doesn't apply to YouTube Kids because of other safety policies, including a lack of descriptions on Kids content.

For now, the new labels only apply to the main YouTube website, not content found on YouTube Kids. In addition, the automatic labelling system will only scan for "photorealistic and meaningfully AI altered or generated" content, a policy which so far has excluded animated or highly stylized video.

DuckDuckGo is growing thanks to Google users frustrated by AI features

Wed, 27 May 2026 18:39:51 +0000

Google users are flocking to the alternative search engine DuckDuckGo.

According to data provided to Mashable by DuckDuckGo, U.S. installs of the search engine's mobile app are up 18.1 percent week-over-week on average following Google's big I/O event, where the search giant introduced a slew of new AI features into its search product. DuckDuckGo app installs peaked at 33 percent growth on May 25.

Just looking at DuckDuckGo's iOS installs, the growth following Google I/O is even more astonishing, with 33 percent week-over-week growth and peaking at a whopping 69.9 percent on May 25.

According to DuckDuckGo, traffic also spiked to its AI-free search page, noai.duckduckgo.com. This DuckDuckGo search page has every AI featured turned off by default and saw an average of 22.7 week-over-week growth following Google I/O, with a peak of 27.7 percent on May 24.

DuckDuckGo said it wasn't only the timeframe that was relevant, either. The growth happened mainly in the U.S. following Google's "U.S. centric announcement" and does not indicate a coincidental global trend.

The alternative search engine said this growth held throughout the Memorial Day weekend, when traffic usually tends to drop as well.

Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.

"Google is force-feeding AI with no way to opt out," DuckDuckGo Founder and CEO Gabriel Weinberg said in a statement. "As result, their results are getting worse, not better. We want to be the place that puts users in charge and allows them to decide how much or how little AI they want. That's why we're seeing a spike in people coming to DuckDuckGo this week, it's as simple as that.”

For years, DuckDuckGo has enticed privacy-seeking users to switch from Google to its alternative with a focus on a pro-privacy feature set. Now, it looks like DuckDuckGo has found a market among users tired of AI taking over the internet as well.

“Not only do we respect user choice, but also user privacy: everything you do in DuckDuckGo is private, we don’t collect search histories or chats and nothing is used for AI training," Weinberg said.

DuckDuckGo has previously launched AI features for its search engine. Search Assist, for example, is DuckDuckGo's version of Google's AI Overviews. The search engine also has a Duck.AI product, which is similar to Google's AI Mode.

However, DuckDuckGo has maintained that these AI features are optional and never forced on users. The company has also launched features that actively remove AI as well, such as AI Image Filter, which filters out AI images from DuckDuckGo's search results.

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

Xreal unveils new budget line of AR glasses with swappable looks

Wed, 27 May 2026 17:36:51 +0000

Xreal is taking a swing at the budget end of the smart glasses market. The company announced the a01, a $299 pair of display glasses launching under a new sub-brand called X by Xreal (xbx) is arriving in the U.S. in July, according to a press release shared with Mashable.

As our colleagues at CNET noted, the more affordable AR glasses will compete with the TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro glasses, which significantly undercut Xreal when they launched at $299 earlier this year and introduced HDR10 support to the category.

Credit: Xreal

Like Xreal's other glasses, the a01 functions as a wearable USB-C tethered monitor. It does make some trade-offs to hit that price — the field of view is 50 degrees, slightly narrower than the pricier Xreal One Pro and 1S, and it drops the dimming lens and the chipset that locks a display in place.

Where the a01 makes up ground is brightness. The micro OLED panels push significantly higher nits than previous Xreal hardware and add HDR10 video support. The glasses go up to 1,600 nits and have 14 levels of adjustment. The whole frame comes in under 65 grams. A "anti-shake" mode also aims to smooth out video playback during movement.

The most interesting wrinkle, though, is aesthetic: the a01 comes with snap-on swappable faceplates, letting users swap between clear and sunglass lens styles on the fly. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of detail that makes a budget product feel considered rather than stripped down.

Credit: Xreal

The a01 hits China first, then the U.S. in July. An English-language website for the X by Xreal brand is live, but the "Shop" button links to a Chinese order page.

The xbx a01 AR glasses with the Xreal Beam Pro dock. Credit: Xreal

How to watch Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano online for free

Wed, 27 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final for free on SRF or TRT1. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Aston Villa secured an impressive victory in the Europa League final last week, and now the attention turns to the Conference League final. OK, most neutrals are probably looking further ahead to the resolution of the Champions League, but try telling that to fans of Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano. For this dedicated bunch, this is the one that really matters.

It's really difficult to pick a winner from this contest. Crystal Palace haven't enjoyed the most fruitful domestic campaign, but they've saved their best for this competition. Ray Vallecano finished in the top half of La Liga, and beat a strong Starsbourg team to make it to this showpiece event. It's going to be a real battle at the Red Bull Arena, and you can follow all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano?

Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on May 27. This fixture takes place at the Red Bull Arena.

How to watch Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano for free

Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final is available to live stream for free on SRF or TRT1.

SRF and TRT1 are geo-restricted to Switzerland and Turkey respectively, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Switzerland or Turkey, meaning you can unblock SRF and TRT1 to stream the Conference League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano for free by following these simple steps:

Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Switzerland or Turkey
Visit SRF or TRT1
Watch Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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 Conference League final without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for sport?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SRF and TRT1, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries including Switzerland and Turkey
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final for free with ExpressVPN.

Add a Google Pixel Watch 4 to your wrist for $40 off

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:34:19 +0000

SAVE $40: As of May 27, get the Google Pixel Watch 4 for $309.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's a discount of 11%.

Credit: Amazon

Google Pixel Watch 4

$309.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $40

There are plenty of smartwatches out there, but if you're ready to pick one out today, you can get a great deal on one that can pull double duty as a fitness tracker. The Google Pixel 4 is up for grabs at a significant discount, so it's a good time to go ahead and take the plunge, especially if you're a Pixel or Android phone user.

As of May 27, get the Google Pixel Watch 4 for $309.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's a discount of 11%.

This smartwatch has plenty of features, whether you're looking to track your runs, keep an eye on your sleep quality, or manage your day. It has a bright, large Actua 360 domed display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, and a comfortable band that's perfect for wearing while working out, going out, or just living your life.

It features over 40 exercise modes with real-time stats you can check at any time, heart rate tracking, SpO2 metrics, and much more. Plus, it offers 30 hours of battery life, or up to 48 hours on Battery Saver mode.

Mashable's Senior Culture Reporter and resident marathon runner Christianna Silva praised the Pixel Watch 4 for its brighter domed display than its predecessor, clearer speaker audio, smoother interface, and faster charging as well as its "serviceable design".

If you're ready to upgrade your current smartwatch or get one outright, now's the time to pick up a Pixel Watch 4. Be sure and grab it while it's discounted to save some serious cash.

Province of Canada is releasing the Heated Rivalry fleece on June 3. Heres how to pre-order.

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:20:40 +0000

It might be cold in Saskatchewan but now we have the Heated Rivalry fleece to keep us warm! We asked (begged, relentlessly) for a brand to make the Canada fleece we all fell in love with from the hit HBO/Crave show, and Canadian brand Province of Canada was listening. After months of waiting, we finally have pre-order information. Here's everything we know so far ahead of the launch on June 3.

How to score the limited-edition Heated Rivalry fleece jacket

Set your alarm, tell work you're busy, hire a sitter, because pre-orders go live at Province of Canada on June 3 at noon ET. Since the brand expects high demand, they're limiting pre-orders to one fleece per customer.

In June, Province of Canada met with Heated Rivalry costume designer Hanna Puley to design the fleece as a "collectible piece for fans of the series," according to the brand's press release. As of now, we don't have photos that depict the final fleece design. That information will become available on June 3.

It's worth mentioning that while pre-orders go live on June 3, the brand expects to ship all fleece jackets sometime between October 1 and 15. So we won't be wearing the fleece at the cottage this summer. Fall is a more appropriate time for a fleece anyway, right?

How much will the fleece cost with shipping to the U.S.?

So far, we don't have pricing information for the Heated Rivalry fleece. Province of Canada says that information will go live during pre-order launch on June 3. We do, however, have shipping information. Orders heading to the U.S will have a shipping fee of $25 CAD, which works out to about $18 USD with the exchange rate as of May 27.

Hoodies listed on Province of Canada's site sell for about $100 USD and some sweatshirts and fleece overshirts go up to about $150 USD. Since the fleece is limited edition, we wouldn't be surprised to see it selling for more than average.

Province of Canada is donating 10% of net profits from the fleece to support You Can Play, a nonprofit that works with LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. In addition, both the NHL and NHLPA are matching these donations up to $25,000 CAD each, for a potential total of an extra $50,000 CAD.

Sizing and return information

We're thrilled to see Province of Canada will be making the fleece in sizes that range from XS to 5XL. You can check out the size chat here to get an idea of which size will work best. Keep in mind, all sales on the fleece are considered final sale. Province of Canada says that, due to demand, the fleece won't be eligible for returns or exchanges.

How to order official Heated Rivalry merch before June 3

If you can't wait until June 3 to pre-order the fleece or for it to arrive in October, check out the official Heated Rivalry merch store. What was completely sold out for months is now stocked with t-shirts, hats, and accessories.

DJIs 4K Osmo Action 4 camera just dropped to $209

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:02:06 +0000

SAVE 30%: As of May 27, you can get the DJI Osmo Action 4 for $208.98 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 30% discount or $90.02 savings.

DJI Osmo Action 4

$208.98 at Amazon
$299 Save $90.02

If you've ever tried to awkwardly hover your phone over a swimming pool or hang it out of a moving vehicle just to get a good vacation video, it's probably time to invest in an action camera.

As of May 27, you can get the DJI Osmo Action 4 for $208.98 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 30% discount or $90.02 savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked and a great price point for beginners who literally can't afford to put their phone in danger anymore.

The Osmo Action 4 shoots 4K video at 120fps and features a 155-degree ultra-wide field of view. It also has a 1/1.3-inch sensor that handles low light well enough to keep your underwater and evening clips from getting grainy.

Lawn care for less: Save $500 on the Mova LiDAX Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:55:34 +0000

SAVE $500: As of May 27, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower is on sale for $1,299 at Amazon. That's nearly 30% off its list price of $1,799 and its lowest price on record.

Credit: Mova

Mova LiDAX Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower

$1,299 at Amazon
$1,799 Save $500

Still pushing a heavy lawn mower through your yard? It may be time to consider a robot lawn mower. Similar to robot vacuums, these battery-powered, AI-boosted machines are a low-maintenance alternative to traditional gas mowers. Not to mention, they're better for the environment and can give you hours of your time back this summer. If you're ready to make the jump, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 2000 robot mower is a solid all-rounder and is on sale for $500 off.

As of May 27, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower is on sale for $1,299 at Amazon. That's nearly a 30% price drop from its $1,799 list price and marks its best price on record.

While most robot mowers are marketed towards specific types of lawns, the Ultra 2000 is designed to be an all-rounder. Of course, if you have an extremely complex, large, or hilly yard, you may want to adjust your expectations. It packs 360-degree 3D Lidar and AI vision to accurately auto-map your yard and cut with precision, while avoiding obstacles along the way. It also has UltraTrim, a precision-focused edge-trimming feature that cuts within two inches of walls, hedges, and raised edges. It can also handle 45% grade terrain and overcome obstacles up to 1.6 inches high.

Using the app, you can adjust the cutting height between 1.2 inches and 3.9 inches, set mowing zones and schedules, switch up the mowing style and efficiency, and even design custom mowing patterns for your lawn.

If lawn care is the bane of your existence and you have over $1,000 to put towards outsourcing it to a robot, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower is a solid deal at $500 off.

A Samsung phone price increase could be on the way. Thank RAMageddon.

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:28:31 +0000

Stop us if you've heard this before: A popular tech brand is increasing the price of some of its products because of the ongoing RAM shortage. That's right, RAMageddon strikes again.

This time, the culprit is Samsung. Greek outlet TechManiacs (via Android Authority) reported that Samsung will increase the prices of flagship phones in Greece starting in June. These price hikes will apply to Galaxy S series phones, the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold 7 devices, and Galaxy FE handsets. All of those devices will see their prices go up by roughly the equivalent of $116 USD, but versions with higher storage capacities could see even bigger price increases.

While these price hikes are limited to the Greek market at this point in time, they could very well spill over to the rest of Europe and even the U.S. over time.

Samsung already applied slight price increases to the Galaxy S26 lineup in the U.S. earlier this year. Motorola recently hiked prices on some of its phones by 50 percent, and the new Motorola Razr Ultra arrived this month with a $200 price increase. With the next Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for July, more Samsung price increases could be coming this summer.

The global shortage of memory (which is widely attributed to the high demand for RAM and memory components in AI data centers) has prompted several major tech companies, such as Lenovo, Nintendo, and Dell to raise prices on their products throughout this year, a trend that will likely continue into 2027.

So, if you want a flagship Samsung device, now might be the time to go grab one.

The DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for under $390

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:19:05 +0000

SAVE $312.90: The DJI Power 1000 V2 is on sale at Amazon for $386.10, down from the list price of $699 at DJI. That's a 45% discount.

Credit: DJI

DJI Power 1000 V2

$386.10 at Amazon
$699 Save $312.90

Sure, the calendar doesn't say it's summer, but we all know the unofficial start of summer was last weekend. That means it's time to dig out the camping gear, hope to get a campsite reservation, and take off for the great wilderness. Pack the bug spray. But instead of dealing with dead phone batteries this year, upgrade to a portable power station. There's a great model on sale today at Amazon.

As of May 27, the DJI Power 1000 V2 is on sale for $386.10 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $$386.10, marked down from the list price of $699 at DJI. That's a 45% discount.

I've tested dozens of portable power stations over the last few years, and it's clear that DJI is making great models for content creators. The SDC port is unique to DJI and means those with DJI drones can quick-charge drone batteries, getting them back into the air with less time on the ground recharging.

However, if you're not out flying drones, the DJI Power 1000 V2 is still a noteworthy option. That's especially true since today's sale price brings the station down to under $400. By comparison, the Anker Solix C1000 is on sale at Amazon for $449.99 and the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is $449. Both of those have similar battery capacity to the Power 1000 V2.

The DJI Power 1000 V2 comes with 1,024Wh of battery with a stable output rated at 2,600W. It has four standard AC ports, two USB-A, and two USB-C ports, in addition to dual SDC. I also found the station to be relatively easy to carry thanks to the side handles.

If you're a content creator needing extra off-grid power or you're taking the family camping this summer, consider this low price on the DJI Power 1000 V2. Order it soon and it might even arrive before your next adventure.

Save $50 on the Anker Solix C1000 power station to prep for nasty summer storms

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:11:12 +0000

SAVE $50: As of May 27, get the Anker Solix C1000 power station for $449.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499.99. That's a discount of 10%.

Credit: Amazon

Anker Solix C1000 power station

$449.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $50

The summer heat is finally starting to roll in, and that means storms, for many, aren't far behind. If you live somewhere that often finds you losing power when they hit, you might want to pick up a power station to avoid these issues now that it's the season for sizzling temperatures and unpredictable weather. One reliable option you can go for is up for grabs at Amazon at a significant discount right now.

As of May 27, get the Anker Solix C1000 power station for $449.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499.99. That's $50 off and a discount of 10%.

SEE ALSO: Portable power stations explained

This portable power station offers up to 2,400W of output and has 11 ports that you can hook up multiple appliances and other devices into. You can use the accompanying Anker app to alter charging speeds and monitor how much power the unit is using as well. You've got full control that way, so you can cover all the important items you need to juice back up to 100%.

The power station itself is lightweight and portable as well. Anker says it's 15% smaller than other comparable models as well, so if you aren't primarily using it at home, it's easy to transport back and forth. When the battery's depleted, you can charge it up back to about 80% in under an hour as well. With a LiFePO4 battery that offers about 3,000 cycles' worth of capacity, it'll last about 10 years.

Be ready for the storms and power outages you might face this season and grab this power station while it's discounted.

You can score the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 portable power station for under $220 right now

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:02:42 +0000

SAVE 27%: As of May 27, you can get the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 for $218.98 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 27% discount or $80.02 savings.

Bluetti Elite 30 V2

$218.98 at Amazon
$299 Save $80.02

If your neighborhood is prone to randomly losing power the second a summer thunderstorm rolls through (or you just really like camping but aren't ready to totally say goodbye to your electronics for the weekend), a portable power station could be the best purchase you make this season.

Right now, the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 is on sale at Amazon for $218.98, down from $299. That's a 27% discount and about $80 and some change in savings. It's also a pretty reasonable price if you want emergency backup power but don't want to drop a grand on a gigantic generator.

Although this unit is on the smaller side, it delivers 600W of continuous power and features a "Power Lifting Mode" that surges up to 1500W for more demanding electronics (e.g., camping lights, car fridges, CPAP machines). If the power cuts out suddenly at home, it has a 10ms ultra-fast UPS switch to keep your Wi-Fi router or laptop from dying mid-task. Plus, when you need to recharge the unit itself, plugging it into the wall gets you from zero to 100 percent in just 70 minutes.

Erin Brockovich reveals crowdsourced AI data center map

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich has set her sights on a new target: AI data centers.

The activist and consumer advocate has just recently launched the Brockovich AI Data Center Reporting website, which tracks AI data centers being built across the country. The project maps quite a few data centers that are already in operation and under construction. Users can submit AI data centers that are being built or proposed in their community as well.

"The RACE to build AI infrastructures is unfolding town by town across America," reads a statement by Brockovich on the website. "In some places, data centers are welcomed. In others, they are delayed, contested or abandoned altogether. This MAP captures the real-world footprint of that race — revealing patterns of growth, conflict and uncertainty."

Data center construction has become a flashpoint in state and local politics, with some communities organizing to stop new construction. Environmental groups and the NAACP have also joined the fight.

Brockovich taking on AI data centers is significant.

In the 90s, while working as a legal clerk, Brockovich discovered major corporate malfeasance from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Brockovich uncovered that the company was covering up the contamination of the water in Hinkley, California. The legal battle that ensued resulted in PG&E paying out a historic $333 million settlement, which at the time was the largest direct-action lawsuit settlement in U.S. history.

Brockovich's story was turned into a movie, titled Erin Brockovich, with Julia Roberts portraying the activist. The film, which was released in 2000, was both a commercial and critical success. Roberts would go on to win an Oscar for her portrayal of Brockovich.

The current map detailing AI data center locations. Credit: Brockovich AI Data Center Reporting

The Brockovich AI Data Center Reporting website currently lists 33 operational data centers, 44 locations under construction, and 27 proposed facilities. There are also 2,716 data center locations submitted by users across the country.

The vast majority of AI data center reports are in Texas, with 612 reports. Sulfur Springs, TX, alone has 297 data center reports.

Users who submitted reports shared that the biggest concerns regarding AI data centers in their city involved water, electricity, and the overall health of the people in their community.

According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, large AI data centers can consume as much as 5 million gallons of water per day, or the equivalent of what a town with 10,000 to 50,000 people uses. Another report from the UK found that AI data centers "could emit nearly one million more tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than previously estimated."

The website also provides interesting events on its Community Impact page, showing how people can actually make a difference. According to the Brockovich AI Data Center Reporting website, more than 15 moratoria or pauses on AI data centers have been passed due to community backlash. In Festus, MO, four city council members were removed from office after an AI data center vote.

Samsungs 98-inch 4K Smart TV just dropped to its best price yet

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:51:54 +0000

SAVE 40%: As of May 27, you can get the Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 4K Smart TV for $8,997.99 at Amazon, down from $14,997.99. That's a 40% discount or $6,000 savings.

Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 4K Smart TV

$8,997.99 at Amazon
$14,997.99 Save $6,000

If you've been looking for a TV that'll impress your guests and do your favorite films the justice they deserve (or you just want a screen that takes up your entire wall), the Samsung 98-Inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN90F Smart TV (2025) is on sale for its best price yet.

As of May 27, you can get the Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 4K Smart TV for $8,997.99 at Amazon, down from $14,997.99. Yes, $9K is still an astronomical amount of money to spend on a TV, but that's a 40% discount — or $6,000 in savings.

The 2025 QN90F runs on Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, which uses 128 neural networks to automatically upscale older, non-4K content. (So you can watch the goodies like The Golden Girls, The Nanny, and whatever other nostalgic TV shows you like in HD.) The screen also has a glare-free coating designed to block out reflections from nearby windows and lamps.

And if you plan to hook up a console, the TV has you covered there, too. It supports tear-free VRR gaming at up to 4K 165Hz.

Memorial Day sales are over but the DJI Mic Mini is still sitting at a record-low price

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:37:31 +0000

SAVE $20: The DJI Mic Mini (2 transceivers, one receiver) is on sale at Amazon for $79, down from $99. That's a 20% discount that matches the record low price at Amazon.

Credit: DJI

DJI Mic Mini (2 transceivers, 1 receiver)

$79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20

The calendar for summer content creation is getting full. If you've been managing with recording audio on your phone, it might be time for an upgrade. Before you start your next recording session, check out this deal.

As of May 27, the DJI Mic Mini (2 transmitters, one receiver) is on sale at Amazon for $79, marked down from the standard price of $99. That's a 20% discount that saves $20 on the recording bundle. This sale price also matches the record low at Amazon.

Spend just a few minutes on YouTube, TikTok, or even Instagram, and you'll spot the DJI Mic Mini. It looks like almost every creator is using the DJI Mic Mini, and there's good reason. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard reviewed the DJI Mic Mini and mentioned it's one of the best upgrades a content creator can buy.

When testing near a busy street on a windy day, Allard found the Mic Mini to have impressive performance. "With and without the noise-cancelling feature, the mic picked up my voice while barely picking up the sound of wind — birds and car engines were lost in many cases," she wrote. Mashable also used the DJI during VidCon when conducting interviews in a loud setting. The DJI had no issues recording crisp and clear audio.

For today's sale price of $79, you get an entire mic bundle that includes one DJI receiver, two transmitters, the DJI Mic Mini charging case, four windscreens, two magnetic mic clips, a carrying pouch, and more.

If you have content creation plans this summer and need a mic upgrade, consider the record-low price on the DJI Mic Mini. For under $80, you'll be able to upgrade to an industry favorite that excels in performance and ease of use.

Take your music on the go with $30 off a pair of Apple AirPods 4

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:32:54 +0000

SAVE $30: As of May 27, get the Apple AirPods 4 for $99 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $129. That's a discount of 23%.

Credit: Amazon

Apple AirPods 4

$99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30

If you're spending time out and about ahead of summer and listening to your favorite songs, a new pair of earbuds may be in order. There are plenty of options out there, thankfully. You just need to pick a pair that's right for you. We'd like to suggest going with Apple AirPods, which aren't just comfortable and great-sounding: you can also save $30 on them right now if you go with the AirPods 4 right now at Amazon.

As of May 27, get the Apple AirPods 4 for $99 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $129. That's $30 off and a discount of 23%.

The AirPods 4 are all about great sound and comfort while listening. They've been revamped from their prior iteration, and they're perfect for long listening sessions, calls, or just catching up on podcasts. With the Apple H2 chip, they're great with audio, but also excellent for sound as well thanks to voice isolation, spatial audio with head tracking, and advanced computational audio that isolates your voice while cutting background noise.

They're also compatible with Siri on iOS, and work in an interesting way: just nod your head yes or shake your head no to reply to Siri and interact with the voice assistant. They'll also pair just with you putting your AirPods 4 near your phone. With up to 5 hours of listening time and 30 hours total thanks to their battery case, you get plenty of time to jam out as well.

If you're ready to choose a new pair of earbuds and save some cash while you're at it, this is definitely a model you can go with right now. Just be sure to get them before they sell out.

The 15-inch M5 MacBook Air, the best MacBook for most people, is the cheapest its ever been

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:25:38 +0000

SAVE $200: As of May 27, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for just $1,099.99. That's 15% or $200 off its list price and its lowest price on record.

Credit: Apple

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

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

The 13-inch Apple M5 MacBook Air dipped below $900 for the first time for Memorial Day (and is still holding strong). While I highly recommend grabbing that deal while it's still around, there's one reason you might want to pass: the 15-inch model is on sale for just $1,099.99. They're both nearly perfect machines, but "most folks will make good use of the larger screen on the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air," writes Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel.

As of May 27, you can grab the 15-inch MacBook Air with the M5 chip, 16GB RAM, and 512GB of solid-state storage for only $1,099.99. That's 15% or $200 off its list price and — just like the 13-inch model — its lowest price to date.

Mashable named the larger M5 Air the "best MacBook for most people." Besides a couple of extra inches of screen real estate, it also packs two more speakers and two more GPU cores than the 13-inch option. Otherwise, they're exactly the same, with the M5 chip's wildly impressive performance and speed, sizable base storage, and support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 technology.

If you're rocking an M3 or M4 MacBook Air, the M5 might be a hard sell. It's not all that different from the M4 Air, with the same vivid Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage webcam, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, 18-hour battery life, sleek all-aluminum build, and spectacular speakers. "By boosting its performance even further...the Air is now too powerful for its own good," writes Mashable Tech Editor Tim Werth.

The one complaint about the M5 Air in Werth's review was that he wishes it was $200 cheaper. Well, wish granted. Grab the 15-inch MacBook Air while it's down to $1,099.99 post-Memorial Day.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma trailer: Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Andersons meta slasher is coming

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:24:29 +0000

Writer/director Jane Schoenbrun has been shaking up horror with such critically heralded indies as We're All Going to the World's Fair and I Saw The TV Glow. Now MUBI, the distributor that brought The Substance to the U.S., has teamed with Schoenbrun for their next offering, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.

After scoring rave reviews out of its Cannes Film Festival debut, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma reveals its first trailer, giving audiences a taste of what had critics giddy.

Hacks' Hannah Einbinder stars as Kris, a queer filmmaker determined to relaunch the long and maligned slasher franchise, Camp Miasma. To get it right, Kris believes she must get the film series' original Final Girl (Gillian Anderson) on board. But little could she know how meeting this hero would go. From the looks of this trailer, their meeting of the minds not only resurrects the movie's possibilities but also its slasher, known as Little Death.

Opposite Einbinder and Anderson is a cast that includes Amanda Fix, Arthur Conti, Eva Victor, Zach Cherry, Sarah Sherman, Patrick Fischler, Dylan Baker, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Quintessa Swindell, Kevin McDonald, and Jack Haven.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma will open in theaters on Aug. 7.

A24s Primetime trailer teases Phoebe Bridgers acting debut

Wed, 27 May 2026 13:00:04 +0000

It's a blink-and-you-miss-it moment but Pheobe Bridgers' feature film acting debut is teased in the trailer for Primetime. Honestly, you can't stop multi-talented musicians making their way into Hollywood.

In the latest A24 unsettler, the Grammy-winning artist joins a talented cast including Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever, and Skyler Gisondo. Pattinson plays investigative journalist and TV presenter Chris Hansen, who famously hosted the controversial Dateline series To Catch a Predator in the mid-2000s.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, Primetime draws inspiration from Hansen's mission to make the notorious NBC show, which has a complicated legacy — Jimmy Kimmel once referred to it as "Punk'd for pedophiles." Hansen's team deployed hidden surveillance and undercover reporting to expose — and assist in arresting — men soliciting sex with minors in online chatrooms. It was true crime on primetime TV, with Hansen's decoy actors and production team working with police and online watchdog group Perverted Justice to confront accused sexual predators as the cameras rolled. And the ratings were through the roof.

It's not clear who Bridgers will play yet, however, with the talent of this cast and the complex notoriety of the show it's channelling combined, we're absolutely in.

Primetime will hit cinemas autumn 2026.

Enola Holmes 3 trailer sees Millie Bobby Brown back on the case

Wed, 27 May 2026 12:42:17 +0000

Sherlock Holmes' clever sister Enola (Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown) is back with a new mystery to solve, and Netflix has an overtly romantic teaser trailer for you.

Following the cases of the missing mum and sister, Enola Holmes 3 will see the young sleuth leave Victorian England behind for Malta with the love of her life, Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge). As the trailer shows, marriage is afoot! But what's a wedding without a kidnapping interruption and a spot of gunfire?

Henry Cavill returns as world famous detective Sherlock, as does Helena Bonham Carter as their mother, Eudoria, Himesh Patel as Dr. John Watson, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Moriarty/Mira Troy.

Enola Holmes 3 debuts on Netflix July 1.

I highly recommend Sonys new PS-LX3BT turntable for beginners — its on sale for its lowest-ever price

Wed, 27 May 2026 12:32:34 +0000

SAVE $51.99: As of May 27, the new Sony PS-LX3BT Bluetooth turntable is on sale for $348 at Amazon (normally $399.99). That's a 13% savings and its best price ever.

Credit: Sony

Sony PS-LX3BT Full Auto Playback Turntable with Bluetooth Connectivity

$348 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $51.99

After testing Sony's updated PS-LX3BT turntable earlier this spring, I can confirm it's still one of the best record players for beginners.

It sounds great, it's super easy to set up, and its Bluetooth connectivity and automatic operation are both very convenient. To quote my review: Having come from a regular manual turntable, "It made me feel so spoiled that I was genuinely bummed to ship it back at the end of my testing period."

The PS-LX3BT also has a USB-B port that lets you rip vinyl tracks onto a laptop — a pretty nifty feature. (If you managed to snag the new Charli xcx singles on vinyl, you can use it to digitize those exclusive B-sides.)

One of the only things I didn't love about the PS-LX3BT was its price. It retails for $399.99, which is significantly more than the competition, so I'd try to find it on sale for less. Right now, it happens to be on sale for its lowest price ever: Amazon has it marked down to $348, or roughly $52 off. Best Buy and Sony also have it on sale with free shipping, but for a buck or two more.

The Sony PS-LX3BT is a fully automatic belt-driven turntable. Just press its green "Start" button to start listening to a record. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The only other thing I dinged the PS-LX3BT for was having a heavy tracking force of 3.5 grams. You generally want it to be between one to three grams to minimize wear and tear on your records. If that concerns you, Sony's higher-end PS-LX5BT turntable has a removable cartridge with a tracking force of just two grams.

The PS-LX5BT is even more expensive, but it's also on sale right now. Amazon's discounted price of $473 (or about $27 off) also beats competing deals at Best Buy and Sony by a teensy bit.

Googles AI Overview still cant spell, and the internet is very aware of it

Wed, 27 May 2026 11:34:11 +0000

Google AI Overviews hallucinated more than Ken Kesey when it first launched in 2024, fabricating facts about drizzling "glue on pizza," among other offences.

And though the Gemini-powered technology has improved its accuracy dramatically over the last two years (unfortunately for publishers), AI Overviews still gets basic questions wrong. And that includes spelling tests.

Google's AI tools remain abysmal at answering questions about spelling, having gone viral two years ago for responding to the question "how many r's are in the word strawberry?" incorrectly. But it's still bad. On Tuesday, X user Naomi Rohatyn tested the large language model's (LLM) current ability to answer to a spelling question.

"How many e's in the word astronomical?" they asked.

"There are exactly 2 'e's in the word "astronomical" (a-s-t-r-e-n-o-m-i-c-a-e-l)," replied AI Overview.

We tried it ourselves, getting the same answer.

Uh, wrong. Credit: Google / Mashable

It appears to work for any word with four or more syllables:

Nope. Credit: Google / Mashable

Incorrect. Credit: Google / Mashable

Suffice to say, people are having another gleeful round of testing the technology's spelling weakness, sharing their findings on social media.

Why can't Google AI Overviews spell correctly?

I don't want to be all Billy Madison spelling bee about this, but considering users are less likely to click on links when an AI summary appears in the results, surely the information provided in AI Overviews should be accurate. But it's complicated.

AI chatbots need exact context and specifics to answer as well as they can, so surely spelling words within their training data seems easy. However, things get knotty when you ask an LLM to consider words letter-by-letter, as the model will process text in chunks rather than individual characters (it's called tokenisation).

I thought I'd ask Google's Gemini itself, to see what it had to say for itself. Defend your poor spelling!

"The short answer is that I don't look at or write text the way you do," Gemini told me. "When you write the word 'apple,' your brain processes five distinct letters. When I read or write text, I see the word as a single unit called a token (a numerical representation of a word or part of a word).

"Because I process words as whole blocks of meaning rather than strings of individual letters, I don't naturally 'spell' out words sequentially. I know exactly what 'apple' means and how it relates to other words, but I don't inherently focus on the fact that it contains two 'p's unless specifically asked to break it down."

Mashable has reached out to Google for human comment.

Samsungs new monitors come with free credits or bonus gadgets worth up to $500 — how to claim

Wed, 27 May 2026 11:16:56 +0000

Samsung unveiled a batch of next-generation monitors earlier this month, and right now, most of them are available for purchase. Over half cost well over $1,000 — you didn't think the world's first 6K gaming monitor would be a bargain, did you? — but Samsung is taking the edge off their prices with some freebies.

For a limited time, the new Samsung monitors come with your pick of a free credit worth up to $300 or a free bonus gadget worth up to $499.99. (The credit can be applied to any future purchase.) The latter options include Samsung's Music Studio 5 and Music Studio 7 smart speakers, valued at $299.99 and $499.99 apiece, as well as its latest Galaxy Buds4 Pro noise-cancelling earbuds. Those normally go for $249.99 on their own.

Credit: Samsung

Shop Samsung's 2026 monitors

Get up to $500 in rewards with your purchase.

This offer is only available through Samsung's website, not at other tech retailers that carry them, so be sure to buy direct.

The lineup includes updated Odyssey, ViewFinity, and The Movingstyle Essential monitors that "push the boundaries of performance and visual quality," said Hun Lee, Samsung's Executive Vice President of Visual Display (VD) Business, in a press release. The star of the show is the new 32-inch Odyssey G8 ($1,599.99), the first-ever 6K gaming monitor, which our sister site PCMag called "pure overkill — in the best way." It's joined by a 27-inch Odyssey G8 with an almost-as-crisp 5K resolution ($949.99).

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G8 G80HS 6K Gaming Monitor

$1,599.99 at Samsung.com

Includes free $300 credit or Music Studio 7.

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G8 G80HF 5K Gaming Monitor

$949.99 at Samsung.com

Includes free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Samsung has also fleshed out its roster of OLED gaming monitors with the new Odyssey OLED G7 and G8 displays. The OLED G7 comes in one 32-inch size ($1,099.99), while the OLED G8 comes in 27- and 32-inch variants ($1,099.99 and $1,299.99, respectively) and adds a glare-free finish. The larger Odyssey OLED G8 also features VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, which indicates elite brightness and contrast.

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey OLED G7 G73SH 4K Gaming Monitor

$1,099.99 at Samsung.com

Includes free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH 4K Gaming Monitor

$1,299.99 at Samsung.com

Includes free $300 credit or Music Studio 7.

On the productivity side, Samsung has launched two new work-ready ViewFinity S8 monitors. A 40-inch model with a curved 1440p display is now available for $1,399.99. A 27-inch version with a sharper 5K resolution will arrive in July — stay tuned for its pricing.

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 40-inch ViewFinity S8 S85TH 5K2K Curved Monitor

$1,399.99 at Samsung.com

Includes free $300 credit or Music Studio 7.

Last but not least is The Movingstyle Essential, Samsung's new 43-inch 4K monitor on an adjustable rolling stand. It's the cheapest of the bunch at $899.99.

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 43-inch The Movingstyle Essential

$899.99 at Samsung.com

Includes free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Read Mashable's launch coverage for more details about all of the new Samsung monitors.

I found Soundcore AeroFit earbuds for under $80 — save over $50 at Amazon

Wed, 27 May 2026 11:10:59 +0000

SAVE OVER $50: As of May 27, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear earbuds are on sale for $79.98 at Amazon. This is $50.01 off their full price of $129.99.

Credit: Soundcore

Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker

$79.98 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.01

Even though Memorial Day sales have officially come to an end, we've still spotted some excellent deals that are worth a look. If you've been searching for some new earbud , the Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear earbuds are still discounted at Amazon.

As of May 27, every color of the Soundcore AeroFit 2 is marked down to $79.98. This is just over $50 off their full price of $129.99, which is an excellent offer to jump on. They're one of our favorite pairs of open earbuds as well, so we certainly think they're worth picking up at this new low price.

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As for why they're one of our favorites? Well, we think they offer the best ear hook design, which is good news for those who like to listen to music while they're working out. Mashable's Bethany Allard writes in our roundup of the best open earbuds: "While most ear hook earbuds come with some degree of flexibility, the AeroFits offer four locked-in angles, making them the most comfortable (and snug) open-ear hook buds we've tried so far."

That's not all, though. They even offer "Solid sound quality for the price", per our best open earbuds roundup. Pair that with up to 10 hours of battery on a single charge (that can even be pushed up to 42 with the case), and the Soundcore AeroFit 2 are a worthy pick.

This deal may not last long beyond Memorial Day sales. If they've caught your eye, now is the time to make a move on the Soundcore AeroFit 2 while they're still on sale.

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

Last chance to save $50 on the Garmin Lily 2 at Amazon — buy now for $199.99

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:34:14 +0000

SAVE $50: As of May 27, the Garmin Lily 2 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. This is $50 off its list price of $249.99.

Credit: Garmin

Garmin Lily 2

$199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50

Retailers like Amazon have wrapped up their Memorial Day sales, but if you're quick, you can still score some excellent savings. The Garmin Lily 2 is one deal that's still hanging around, though not for long.

As of May 27, the Garmin Lily 2 is discounted to $199.99 at Amazon, but the countdown has already started on how long it'll stay at this price. Through the rest of May 27, shoppers can take advantage of this $50 discount before it goes back up to its full price of $249.99.

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What makes the Garmin Lily 2 stand out is it doesn't have the chunky design of most other smartwatches. It's much sleeker, and can blend in as more of a stylish watch on your wrist rather than a bulky tracker. Our review from writer RJ Andersen said it's "a great option for someone who wants a stylish, simple smartwatch to track activity without a ton of bells and whistles."

If you're just looking to track the basics, the Garmin Lily 2 still boasts plenty of features to help with your day-to-day routines. These include a sleep score, respiration tracking, hydration tracking, all-day stress tracking, heart rate monitoring, and a Body Battery energy monitor. It can even track a variety of activities like yoga, pilates, dance fitness, and more. Plus, it offers up to five days of battery life before it needs a recharge.

If you're not looking for a techy timepiece packed with advanced features, the Garmin Lily 2 is a stylish pick worth checking out.

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

The Beats Fit Pro have never been priced this low — save over $60 on my favorite earbuds

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:26:26 +0000

SAVE OVER $60: As of May 27, Beats Fit Pro are on sale for $134.99 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount on the list price.

Credit: Beats

Beats Fit Pro

$134.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $64.96

The 1st generation edition of the Beats Fit Pro are back on sale, and according to camelcamelcamel, they're at their best-ever price at Amazon.

Beats audio is always impressive, and I've said before that the Fit Pro are my favorite earbuds of all time. Years down the line, that hasn't changed.

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There's a lot that makes these earbuds so good, but their secure-fit wingtips stand out for making them the perfect workout earbuds. This design helps keep them firmly in place during workouts of all intensities, as well as for general use.

The custom acoustic platform also delivers powerful sound, and you'll get Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking to create a more immersive listening experience for music. You'll also get three different listening modes: Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, and Adaptive EQ, so you can switch between blocking out noise completely or staying aware of your surroundings.

And for battery life, these will not let you down. They promise up to six hours of listening time on a single charge, extending to up to 24 hours with the charging case. Having used these for several years, I've never been let down by the battery.

Get this Beats deal at Amazon now.

The Pokémon TCG 3-Pack Chaos Rising Blister has been cut at Amazon — save over $5

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:22:33 +0000

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Triple Pack on sale for $37.72, which is $5.01 off its current $42.73 price.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Triple Pack (3-Pack Blister)

$37.72 at Amazon
$42.73 Save $5.01

Since its release last week, products across the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising expansion have taken dips in market price — resulting in price drops that make it the best time to expand your trading card collection with more boosters for less.

As of May 27, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Triple Pack (the 3-Pack Blister) available from $37.72, down from its usual $42.73 price. That knocks 12% off the sealed blister, with this lowest Amazon listing shipped and sold by Collectors Expedition for June 2-3 delivery.

If you want your new Chaos Rising Blister as soon as possible, the $37.74 listing from TCG & MORE has an option for delivery as soon as May 29 at the time of writing.

This 3-Pack Blister comes with three booster packs from the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution set’s Chaos Rising expansion, plus a special foil promo card featuring Charmeleon. Each booster pack includes 10 cards, one Basic Energy, and one Pokémon TCG Live code card.

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Chaos Rising is built around a city falling into havoc, featuring many Pokémon from the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game as valuable chase cards (available to buy separately) — including SIR Mega Greninja ex, the Mega Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, SIR Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalage ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex.

If you’re open to saving more money by shopping beyond Amazon, Walmart currently has the Chaos Rising 3-Pack Blister listed at $29.95 with free shipping, sold by Realgoodeal and fulfilled by Walmart, while TCGplayer listings start at $21.50 plus shipping.

Buying the 3-Pack Blister at Amazon will still save you 38 cents per pack compared to buying single Chaos Rising Boosters individually — with the Charmeleon promo card included as a great bonus.

To save even more money per pack, Amazon also has the Pokémon TCG’s 36-pack Chaos Rising Display Box for around $275. Meanwhile, a surprising Amazon price drop now has the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box available for just under $95.

The Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 27, 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:20:58 +0000

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're an avid reader.

What is Connections?

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.

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: A collective
Green: Game night picks
Blue: To glare
Purple: Classic literary characters

Here are today's Connections categories

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

Yellow: Small community
Green: Classic board games
Blue: Homophones of ways of looking
Purple: Ending in the "Little Women" March sisters

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 #1081 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

Small community: COMMUNE, HAMLET, TOWNSHIP, VILLAGE
Classic board games: BATTLESHIP, OPERATION, OTHELLO, TROUBLE
Homophones of ways of looking: AYE, LEAR, PIER, STAIR
Ending in the "Little Women" March sisters: BANJO, MACBETH, MONOGAMY, NUTMEG

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 today's Connections.

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 27, 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:20:50 +0000

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love a good dog.

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: Ketchup or mustard?

The words are related to food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a sausage.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Hot Diggity Dog.

NYT Strands word list for May 27

Brat
Banger
Weenie
Hot Diggity Dog
Footlong
Frankfurter

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 today's Strands.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 27, 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:20:42 +0000

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you tend to overpack.

Where did Wordle come from?

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?

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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:

To cram.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter F appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

STUFF

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 today's Wordle.

Apple reportedly working on anti-phone snatching security feature

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:01:05 +0000

Apple is reportedly working on a new iOS feature that will lock users' phones immediately should they get grabbed by a phone snatcher.

The new feature would leverage technology already on the iPhone, including its accelerometer as well as potentially its connection to an Apple Watch, to detect the snatching and immediately lock the device, according to 9to5Mac.

Phone snatchers in large metropolitan areas often use motorbikes to steal phones from the hands of the unwary. In addition to a quick escape, this strategy allows phone snatchers to potentially obtain unlocked phones. An unlocked phone can be worth up to $1,000 to a thief, about $800 more than a locked phone, according to a recent Wired report.

An unlocked device is more valuable because thieves can access users' personal data and apps and have a much easier route to the phone owner's bank account, the publisher wrote.

This new feature would be the latest in Apple’s Stolen Device Protection features that include Activation Lock, which stops thieves from disabling tracking or resetting the phone without the correct Apple Account login, and the Find My app, which allows users to track their missing or stolen Apple devices.

Users already have access to features requiring biometric authentication to unlock their devices, as well as other security features like Security Delay, which forces anyone changing major passwords or performing similar actions to wait an hour and confirm the decision with an additional biometric authentication.

It’s unclear when Apple might debut this new feature if the 9to5Mac report proves accurate. The next opportunity would be at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Scheduled for June 8-12, this is where Apple often reveals details about the next iOS. So we may hear more about this feature sooner rather than later.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for May 27, 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:54:31 +0000

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.

SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, May 27, 2026:

Across

Rare U.S. bills

The answer is Twos.

94-foot-long model at the American Museum of Natural History

The answer is Whale.

"Cool it, okay!"

The answer is Relax.

Bohemian

The answer is Arty.

Candy in a dispenser

The answer is Pez.

Down

When repeated, "It'll be all right"

The answer is There.

Classic ballroom dance

The answer is Waltz.

Maker of the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

The answer is Olay.

Reason for an R rating

The answer is Sex.

Tortilla sandwich

The answer is Wrap.

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 today's Mini Crossword.

How to watch Royer vs. Djokovic online for free

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:25:12 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Royer vs. Djokovic in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're only a few days into the 2026 French Open but already it feels blockbuster, with a triple header today that sees Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Iga Swiatek all take to the clay.

As always, Djokovic will be one of the most intriguing players of the tournament. Though he's almost 40-years-old, the Serbian remains world class and reached the final of this year's Australian Open. That said, it has been three years since he won the last of his 24 Grand Slam titles, so the No. 3 seed is sure to give everything he's got to make it 25 at Roland-Garros.

If you want to watch Royer vs. Djokovic in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Royer vs. Djokovic for free

Royer vs. Djokovic in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Connect to 9Now
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

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

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Royer vs. Djokovic in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Machac vs. Zverev online for free

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:23:03 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Machac vs. Zverev in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's nothing quite like the sizzling excitement of a major tennis tournament, and the 2026 French Open is no exception.

Next up in men's singles action is Tomas Machac vs. Alexander Zverev. German star Zverev is the No. 2 seed, having bumped up a place due to the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, and he powered through the first round in straight sets.

Zverev has already ruffled some feathers at the tournament with comments about the gulf in quality between Jannik Sinner and the rest of the men's field, saying that Sinner is in a league of his own and that himself, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz are just a step behind. Now it's up to Zverev to prove he belongs in that group by claiming a trophy.

If you want to watch Machac vs. Zverev in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Machac vs. Zverev for free

Machac vs. Zverev in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Connect to 9Now
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

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

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Machac vs. Zverev in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Bejlek vs. Swiatek online for free

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:20:15 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Bejlek vs. Swiatek in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's no surprise that Iga Swiatek is one to watch in the 2026 French Open. The Polish superstar is the world No. 3 and won last year's Wimbledon.

A tournament win at Roland-Garros would have special significance. At just 24-years-old, she's already a four-time French Open winner, and taking the title for a fifth time would put her in an elite bracket — something that hasn't been done since Steffi Graf became a five-time French Open Champion exactly 30 years ago.

But Swiatek must now get through a second-round match with Sara Bejlek, an unseeded 20-year-old from the Czech Republic. Bejlek exited in the second round last year, but she did win the Abu Dhabi Open in February.

If you want to watch Bejlek vs. Swiatek in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Bejlek vs. Swiatek for free

Bejlek vs. Swiatek in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Connect to 9Now
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

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

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Bejlek vs. Swiatek in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Starodubtseva vs. Rybakina online for free

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:16:37 +0000

TL;DR: Live stream Starodubtseva vs. Rybakina in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 French Open is now entering its second round and the action is already hotting up. Elena Rybakina coasted through the first round in straight sets, setting up this match with the unseeded Yuliia Starodubtseva.

Rybakina is the obvious favorite to win this contest — the Kazakhstani superstar is the No. 2 seed and has already won the Australian Open title this year, her second Grand Slam title. That said, it wouldn't be a tennis tournament without some surprises in the early rounds, and Ukrainian hopeful Starodubtseva showed respectable form at last year's Roland-Garros, reaching the third round. Can she cause the biggest upset so far at the French Open and knock out Rybakina?.

If you want to watch Starodubtseva vs. Rybakina in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Starodubtseva vs. Rybakina for free

Starodubtseva vs. Rybakina in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Connect to 9Now
Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

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

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Starodubtseva vs. Rybakina in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

Samsung has launched next-gen monitors including 6K gaming monitor — score free credit or gadget with purchase

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:12:49 +0000

Just in time for summer gaming and streaming shows while we hide away from the heat, Samsung is dropping new gaming monitors, work-worthy monitors, and an updated portable monitor with a stand. Some of these Samsung upgrades are industry firsts and will set the benchmark going forward.

Now, all but one of the new monitors are available to order on Samsung's website and at major retailers. Shoppers who buy direct will earn a free Samsung credit worth up to $300, which you can put toward on a future purchase, or a bonus Samsung gadget worth up to $499.99.

Shop Samsung's new monitor lineup:

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G8 G80HS 6K Gaming Monitor

$1,599.99 (includes free $300 credit or Music Studio 7)

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G8 G80HF 5K Gaming Monitor

$949.99 (includes free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or Galaxy Buds4 Pro)

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey OLED G7 G73SH 4K Gaming Monitor

$1,099.99 (includes free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or Galaxy Buds4 Pro)

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH 4K Gaming Monitor

$1,299.99 (includes free $300 credit or Music Studio 7)

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH 4K Gaming Monitor

$1,099.99 (includes free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or Galaxy Buds4 Pro)

Samsung 40-inch ViewFinity S8 S85TH 5K2K Curved Monitor

$1,399.99 (includes free $300 credit or Music Studio 7)

Samsung 43-inch The Movingstyle Essential

$899.99 (includes free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or Galaxy Buds4 Pro)

High-performance gaming monitors with better resolution

The Samsung Odyssey lineup of gaming monitors has long been considered some of the best. Naturally, Samsung has decided to outdo itself and we now have 5 and 6K monitors to replace the previous 4K. Both new models feature a DisplayPort 2.1 and have computability with both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync.

The Samsung Odyssey G8 is the world' first 6K gaming monitor. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Samsung's new 32-inch Odyssey G8 (G80HS) marks the very first time we've seen a 6K gaming monitor. That means we'll be treated to better clarity and exceptional details. Samsung used a 224PPI and an IPS panel on this model that'll reach the wild 6K resolution with a refresh rate of 165Hz. Dual mode will give access to up to 330Hz at 3K resolution. It retails for $1,599.99 and comes with your choice of a free $300 credit or a free Music Studio 7 smart speaker (worth $499.99).

Going a bit smaller in size, the new 27-inch Odyssey G8 (G80HF) comes with 5K resolution at up to 180Hz with 218PPI. Dual mode brings that to 360Hz. It costs $949.99 and nets you a free $200 credit, a Music Studio 5 smart speaker (worth $299.99), or a pair of Galaxy Buds4 Pro (worth $249.99).

Upgrades to OLED gaming monitors

For great contrast and ultra-quick performance, you might prefer to head into the OLED range of gaming monitors. Samsung has a couple new models to check out.

The 32-inch Odyssey OLED G7 (G73SH) comes with 4K resolution at up to 165Hz which is great news for high-performance with smooth gameplay. A 0.03ms response time is also welcomed for competitive, fast-paced games. Priced at $1,099.99, it comes with a free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or pair of Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

The OLED G8 is ready for gaming at 240Hz with a focus on deep blacks. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The 27- and 32-inch Odyssey OLED G8 monitors (G80SH) have a higher refresh rate of 240Hz. Samsung also used its Glare Free technology on these models, which might make them a more appealing option for those who game in bright rooms or during daylight hours. Samsung also mentioned the 32-inch model has VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification which is an ideal feature if you prioritize deep black and bright, vibrant colors.

The 27-inch Odyssey OLED G8 costs $1,099.99 and unlocks a free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or pair of Galaxy Buds4 Pro. The 32-inch version is $1,299.99 and comes with a free $300 credit or Music Studio 7.

Work stations made better

Of course, Samsung didn't forget about those of us who are looking for an upgrade to monitors designed for work.

The curved 40-inch ViewFinity S8 adds in a Thunderbolt 5. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The 40-inch Samsung ViewFinity S8 (S85TH) has a curved display with 144Hz and a Thunderbolt 5 for intensive tasks and 80Gbps data transfer. Going smaller, the 27-inch ViewFinity S8 (S80HF) has impressive 5K resolution and USB-C connectivity.

The 40-inch model costs $1,399.99 and includes a free $300 credit or Music Studio 7. Samsung hasn't announced pricing for the 27-inch model yet.

Improvements to a versatile, rolling display

For those who want ultimate versatility, Samsung's new The Movingstyle Essential is designed for portability. It has a 43-inch display with 4K UDH resolution that sits on a rolling stand with adjustable height. Plus, it can tilt, swivel, and pivot to your needs. It's ideal for home use that spans gaming, working, or viewing your favorite shows from whatever room you're currently in.

The 43-inch 4K display on the Movingstyle Essential is ready to move from room to room. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The Movingstyle Essential is going for $899.99 and comes with a free $200 credit, Music Studio 5, or set of Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

UPDATE: May. 27, 2026, 5:00 a.m. EDT Most of Samsung's new monitors are now available for purchase. This story has been updated with pricing and links.

Literary devices: What BookTok content creator Ayman keeps in her bag

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:07:00 +0000

As a full-time content creator and the person behind the popular BookTok account aymansbooks, influencer Ayman reads upwards of 70 books in a year.

Based just outside of Chicago, Ayman has amassed a large audience of like-minded readers on TikTok, where her following is quickly approaching 1 million. (As of this writing, the count is 911.2K on TikTok and just over 300K on Instagram.)

The 25-year-old weaves together regular posts about daily life, celebrations of Pakistani food and culture to celebrate her family’s heritage, and a steady stream of book-related posts, memes, reviews, and more.

Ayman says that when it comes to posting content, window lighting is preferred.

“Sunlight is the best,” she says.

Her favorite products include the DJI Pocket 3, which she calls “the best nonchalant camera,” or simply her iPhone.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

$419 at Amazon
$499 Save $80

For shooting still photos, Ayman says that 35mm film is her “recent hyper fixation because it’s so nostalgic.”

Credit: Fujifilm

Fujifilm x100VI

$2,459 at Amazon

“These photos come out so dreamy.”

Credit: Canon

Canon PowerShot G7 X

$1,649 at Amazon

“Best when I’m working with low light, the photos come out so crispy!”

Ayman says she edits everything on CapCut because “it’s so easy to use and there’s so many creative features on there.”

Credit: Ayman / Mashable

We caught up with the content creator about her favorite books, her opinion about e-readers, and the other gear she relies on as a BookTok regular.

Favorite bookish gear and accessories while reading?

Annotating tabs and pens, a really nice bookmark, a reading light, and a good comfy place to sit (my bed usually).

Credit: Kicnic

Sticky tabs

$5.99 at Amazon

Credit: Gritin

Reading light

$15.99

Printed books or e-reader?

It really depends because I love both. If I already have the physical book, I’ll read that. If it’s on [Kindle Unlimited], a fanfic, or I just wanna save money, then e-reader. Even through I have a huge books collection, I believe I would still end up choosing e-reader if that was my last option, simply because it’s convenient. I currently use a Kindle Colorsoft and Kobo Colour with the Kobo Stylus 2. I really like both but now I keep most of my fanfics on my Kobo since they take up so much storage.

Credit: Kindle

Kindle Colorsoft

$279.99 at Amazon

Credit: Kobo

Kobo Clara Colour

$179.99 at Amazon

What is your preferred reading set-up?

In bed at night with my lamp on. The setting has to be quiet. No sounds at all. Pillows all around me.

Top 5 desert island books?

The Scorched Throne by Sara Hashem
Alchemised by SenLinYu
Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V. E. Schwab
Mate by Ali Hazelwood

If you start reading a book and realize you don’t like it — what do you do?

It depends. 90% of the time I push through because when I review the book I wanna stay honest and let my audience know it doesn’t get better. I’ve been getting better at DNFing recently because life is too short to read boring books.

Editor’s note: DNF stands for “Did Not Finish” and is an abbreviation that has been widely adopted by the BookTok community.

What do you love about what you do?

I love that I get to connect with like-minded people that love and enjoy the same books I do. I love that this jobs gives me opportunities that I could only dream of, [for example] attending premieres and meeting authors.

What goals do you have for your digital footprint:

My thoughts lately have been “full-send, just go for it, cringe is dead,” while also staying safe of course.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage and meet The Mashable 101 to discover the internet’s most exciting voices

The Aiper Scuba S1 robot pool cleaner has never been cheaper — save over $200 at Amazon

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:03:46 +0000

SAVE $230.50: As of May 27, the Aiper Scuba S1 is on sale for $549.49 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount on list price.

Credit: Aiper

Aiper Scuba S1

$549.49 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $250.50

Having a pool on hot summer days is one of life’s biggest luxuries. Keeping it clean and properly maintained, however, is anything but.

That’s where a robot pool cleaner comes in. Instead of spending your time skimming and scrubbing the pool, these smart devices do the hard work for you. And as of May 27, the Aiper Scuba 1 is on sale for $549.49 at Amazon. That's over $200 off the list price and the best-ever price at Amazon.

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This robotic pool cleaner is designed to make pool maintenance easy and low-effort. In Eco Mode, it can run for up to 240–270 minutes for general daily upkeep, while Auto, Floor, Wall, or Scheduled modes will provide up to 180 minutes for more intensive cleaning. There is also a Scheduled mode that allows a weekly custom cleaning plan, so your schedule can be totally hands-free.

It also uses a dual-path navigation system that's powered by 11 high-precision sensors, to make sure the whole pool is cleaned efficiently, without missing any spots. And to make sure even the smallest dirt and debris is caught, it used a dual-layer filtration system, combining a 180-micron filter with a 3-micron ultra-fine filter.

This robot pool cleaner deal can be found at Amazon now.

The best stick vacuums, as told by a chronic daily vacuumer: Im pro-Dyson for some situations, but not all

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:02 +0000

Whether you should get a robot vacuum or a stick vacuum boils down to one question: How picky are you about cleaning?

Everyone can probably acknowledge the appeal of not lifting a finger to clean their floors. But to some, that convenience may not be worth the cringe sparked by watching a robot vacuum ignore a crumb or eat a phone charger. Despite notable upgrades in smart mapping and cleaning performance over the past half-decade, even the best robot vacuums of 2026 can't match the precision of the best cordless stick vacuums operated by, you know, an actual human with a brain.

Cordless vacuums also just have the physical advantage in a lot of tricky spots. If you'd like to keep up with couch cushions, car seats, stairs, or the dusty abyss lying behind every door, a stick vacuum that can go handheld (and go outside) is the only option with that flexibility.

But to be real, your willingness to do all the cleaning yourself also matters — if you dread vacuuming by hand so much that you'll just put off doing it, your floors might actually be cleaner with a robot vacuum. I personally have both at the ready at all times and can argue for the value and practicality on either side, depending on the situation. And while the convenience of a robot vacuum is undeniable, I still reach for a cordless vacuum in more cases than not.

Other cordless vacuums I've tested

I've tested several other vacuum cleaners that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Shark Detect Pro with auto-empty station and LG All-in-One Cord Zero with auto-empty station, were a top recommendation at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck.

There are also a few Dyson vacuums from years past that still garner substantial search interest, but that I no longer think are worth your money compared to what else is out there. The Dyson V8 and (seemingly discontinued) Dyson V10 that my parents have lying around have a tendency to push large debris like cat food and rocks around, and leave behind a layer of pet hair on many dark rugs. While these Dysons may have been powerhouses in the late 2010s, $300 could get you a more powerful option — maybe even automatic emptying, like with the Shark Detect Pro I just mentioned. The only upside would be that Dyson includes the motorized hair screw tool with the V8 and V10.

I also bumped the Dyson V15 Detect Submarine out of the list. The Roborock 2-in-1 cordless mop that took its place just offers a more seamless mopping system all around. The swappable wet roller head that turns the V15 Detect into a "mop" completely cuts off airflow to the dust bin of the vacuum, meaning there's no real wet suction going on. During my testing, this just pushed liquid around instead of soaking up spills, which then led to a soggy manual cleaning process that was super prone to leaks and weird smells. It just required way too much maintenance by hand, compared to the self-cleaning features of the Roborock F25 Ace Combo.

I also test robot vacuums. Are they as powerful?

I also test a ton of robot vacuums at home. While I think the convenience of robot vacuums is worth for, say, keeping up with the layer of dust and crumbs that accumulate during the work week, I have found that cordless vacuums are consistently tougher on elusive debris like pet hair or fine powders. This is especially when they've been pressed down into rug fibers or have been caked into corners.

Cordless stick vacuums are generally more powerful than robot vacuums. The upright design is optimal for airflow and has the real estate to house larger motors and more complex cyclone systems that create extra force on top of suction power alone. A robot vacuum's motor can't exceed the three or four-inch clearance that the vac needs to scoot its whole body under furniture. The motor of an upright vacuum typically lives completely separately from the vacuum head and roller brush and is thus under fewer constraints.

Physics aside, you could argue that a cordless vacuum is less likely to leave debris behind because a person is actively assessing where the suction needs to be focused. This includes tricky spots that aren't even on a robot vacuum's radar, like staircases or cars.

There are some one-to-one comparisons where a robot vacuum could be as powerful or more powerful than a stick vacuum. For instance, I've tested both the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and Roborock F25 Ace cordless vacuum, and both offer 20,000 Pa suction power. But robot vacuums with that kind of power typically reside in the $1,000+ category, while it's much more affordable to hit that number with a stick vacuum. Even with identical stats on paper, the cordless vacuum would probably have a higher pickup rate over time just because the person operating it can see when more passes are necessary.

The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones weighs nothing and fits everywhere. Dont get me started on the double lasers.

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Dyson has a slew of new cordless vacuums up its sleeve for 2026. Most of them are apparently being saved for the second half of the year, but one unique little machine was squeaked out in February. Whatever comes to mind when you picture a traditional Dyson stick vacuum, I promise the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones isn't that.

The PencilVac is so thin that it could be stored in just a few inches of free space. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Prior to the PencilVac's launch, Dyson hadn't released a new cordless vacuum since 2023, and even those weren't overly groundbreaking. (We've seen what happens when a once-prestige brand gives up on innovating, à la The Fall of the House of iRobot.) I've had the PencilVac at home for nearly four months now, and the delightful experience further validates my stance that Dyson is such a pro cordless vacuum company that there's no reason to keep forcing the Dyson robot vacuum thing.

Considering that the PencilVac is somewhat a successor to my absolute favorite cordless vacuum of the past three years, I jumped at the opportunity to test them against each other in my apartment. Since 2022, I've been recommending the Dyson V12 Detect Slim nonstop for two main reasons: It's incredibly lightweight, and the dust-illuminating laser completely changed the way I clean. The Dyson PencilVac weighs even less and has two lasers instead of one. Is unseating the GOAT really that simple?

Comparing the Dyson V12 Detect Slim (left) and PencilVac (right). Credit: Leah Stodart

Four "Fluffycones" give the PencilVac an unbelievably smooth sweep on hardwood and tile. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Setting up the vacuum itself is incredibly easy because the PencilVac design is the definition of minimal. The box is compact and flat, and since it only comes with one attachment, you don't have to dig around through a ton of packaging. Just click the motor, wand, and cleaning head together and find a spot near an outlet for the charging stand. I'm not a huge fan of being forced to use an app with an appliance just for the sake of using an app. But since the PencilVac's screen is so tiny, I'm sure the app will come in handy for notifications about clogged airways or filter replacement.

What's special about the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones?

The Dyson PencilVac is a stick vacuum in the most literal sense of the term. It's legitimately shaped like a pencil and measures less than 1.5 inches around. The battery, motor, dustbin, buttons, and screen are built into the wand, lying completely flush. That means that the wand can reach much further into tight spaces without being hindered by a big cylindrical dustbin or heavy battery pack.

The Fluffycones head can spin vertically to fit right between these table and stool legs. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

In wand form, the PencilVac can slip behind my dresser to reach the dusty baseboards. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Fluffycones cleaning head can swivel 360 degrees around, so it can spin to clean in awkward spots that would typically require you to move furniture or be at a really specific angle. (There's also a cheaper version of the PencilVac with a "Micro Fluffy" cleaner head, which has a singular roller like the V12 Detect Slim's.)

The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones weighs in at less than four pounds with the main Fluffycones cleaning head attached and less than three pounds with the precision wand attachment. That's more than a pound lighter than the V12 Detect Slim (that I already find incredibly ergonomic), and less than half of the weight of the heaviest Dyson stick vacuum.

Holding the PencilVac in the air doesn't feel like a workout. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The PencilVac can go the whole way to the back of my Litter-Robot's waste drawer slot. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

One of my first orders of business with the PencilVac was to vacuum the ceiling corners and any cobwebs that I'd previously been pretending weren't there. Without the top-heaviness from a clunky dustbin, the PencilVac was comfortable to hold above my head with one hand. (I certainly can't say the same for the 8.6-pound Dyson Gen5outsize that my mom has.)

The wand doesn't bend, so you'll have to be awkwardly far away from certain nooks and crannies while you're detailing them. But the long wand also makes it easy to keep up with dusty baseboards without kneeling down, and that's huge news for my allergies and my back.

I'm definitely being normal about the double laser situation

The PencilVac also has two of my favorite Dyson feature ever, the dust-illuminating laser: One that lights the cleaning path ahead and one that lights the trail directly behind the cleaning head.

I've been religiously laser vacuuming since I got my V12 Detect Slim in 2023, so the concept of dual lasers is monumental to someone who can barely remember life B.L. (Before Laser). You truly have no concept of how much dust, dander, and hair accumulate on your floors within the span of a day. Barring any egregiously huge obvious crumbs, hardwood and tile always look pretty spotless to the naked eye... until the laser enlightens you. You can never go back after that.

I can simultaneously see how much litter was tracked in and out of the bathroom. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

For such a tiny vacuum, the PencilVac musters some pretty strong suction. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I love that the double-headed laser provides a 360-degree view of the floor before and after you sweep it. After making a pass with my V12 Detect Slim, I'd often turn around to shine the laser where I just cleaned to make sure no minuscule stragglers would get stuck to my bare feet later. The double-headed laser shows you where the dirty spots are, then provides real-time proof of its debris pickup in the path behind it.

With this flexibility and precision, the PencilVac quickly became a core piece of my cleaning routine. A routine that actually takes longer now, but only because the PencilVac unlocked easy access to spots that were a pain to clean before: the tight space between furniture or the washing machine and the wall, beside and behind the toilet, and small slivers of open floor under crap in various closets.

Conveniently, I got the PencilVac around the same time that I started spiraling over the fact that microplastics live in dust. I'm not sure that I would have been able to sleep without an easy way to keep up with the dust that builds up behind the dresser and TV in my bedroom.

Considerations: The dustbin, carpet use, and one other annoying thing

To empty, you still point the dustbin over the trash and click a button to release debris. But any veteran stick vacuum user knows that a piece of the dust bunny will inevitably need to be pulled out by hand. Since it's so damn thin, the PencilVac dustbin and suction airway are a little harder to keep clear. I realized that a water bottle sponge (one we will NOT be using to wash dishes) fits well enough to wipe out any fine hairs or dust stuck to the sides, but I'm not sure what to do when a wad of hair gets wrapped around up there.

The tiny dustbin just wouldn't be practical for large homes. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Debris compresses in layers that looks like nasty sand art. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

If the 0.02-gallon dustbin sounds tiny, that's because it is. I'm always shocked by the chunk of brown and gray fluff that compiles on the first cleaning session after I've emptied it. I swear it's nearly half full after vacuuming the kitchen, bathroom with a litter box, and living room once — and that's without even attempting the living room rug, because the PencilVac's suction and fluffy fibers just aren't built for digging into carpet.

The PencilVac is also one of the only Dyson stick vacuums in recent memory that doesn't come with a mini motorized pet hair tool. I'm just picturing the PencilVac as the sole vacuum in my friend's and her golden retriever's apartment and can't help but laugh. Since I'm constantly testing robot vacuums at home, my Dyson PencilVac's dustbin probably doesn't fill up as fast as it would without all of the automated help with shedding from two cats. Shoppers centering their vacuum purchase around serious pet hair pickup should definitely keep looking for something stronger with automatic emptying.

Lastly, the Dyson PencilVac's battery life isn't great. You're lucky if you get 30 minutes out of the lowest cleaning mode, and maybe 10 minutes out of the strongest. With that in mind, the charging stand situation is also worth complaining about. It'd be a lot more convenient to have the PencilVac charging all the time if it could charge lying down under a couch or something — aren't we trying to sell the small space fantasy here? Instead, it has to charge between magnetic prongs on the stand, which doesn't feel super stable in a high-traffic area.

So while I would call it the best cordless vacuum for small spaces and hardwood, it'd be an equally bad choice for homes larger than 1,000 or 1,500 square feet or homes with multiple pets.

Pay once and get lifetime Microsoft Office for Mac for $45

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 is on sale for $44.97 (reg. $219) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote.

Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License

$44.96
$219 Save $174.04

Paying monthly just to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can add up without you even realizing it. If you prefer to own your word processing suite outright, this Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 deal trims the price down to $44.97 (reg. $219) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

This deal is aimed at Mac users who want the classic Microsoft Office experience without overcomplicating things.

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You’ll get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote installed on one Mac device. Whether you’re managing spreadsheets, building presentations, organizing email, or drafting documents, the core Office apps are all here in one bundle.

Word is still one of the most widely used document editors around, while Excel remains a staple for budgeting, data tracking, and business tasks. PowerPoint continues to be useful for presentations and school projects, and Outlook helps keep email and scheduling in one place.

Office 2021 may especially appeal to students, freelancers, remote workers, and small business owners who want dependable desktop apps they’re familiar with. Since this is a standalone version, the features stays consistent, which some users may actually prefer over constantly changing software layouts and tools.

The system requirements are also relatively manageable, requiring at least 4GB of RAM and 10GB of storage space.

Unlike Microsoft 365, this version doesn’t include bundled cloud storage or ongoing major feature updates, so if your priority is reliable access to the traditional Office apps on your Mac, this deal keeps the upfront cost low.

Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 is currently available for $44.97 through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Turn your tablet into a Montessori-like digital playroom for $45 through May 31

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Get Pok Pok Lifetime for $44.97 through May 31 and give kids 2–8 an ad-free, Montessori-inspired play app designed to encourage curiosity and learning.

Credit: Pok Pok

Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription

$44.97
$250 Save $205.03

If you’ve ever handed your toddler a tablet and instantly regretted it, Pok Pok might just restore your faith in screen time. This innovative, Montessori-inspired app turns digital play into something that actually feels okay for both kids and parents.

Designed for ages 2 to 8, Pok Pok replaces those noisy, overstimulating apps with calm, open-ended play that encourages creativity, independence, and curiosity.

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Kids explore a beautifully hand-drawn world filled with toys that grow alongside them — from early cause-and-effect puzzles to more advanced STEM-style challenges. It’s like a digital game sandbox for little minds.

Every sound, color, and motion in Pok Pok is crafted to feel soothing and natural — no flashing ads, no pressure to “win,” and no hidden purchases. It’s also fully COPPA-certified, meaning it meets strict safety standards for children’s digital content. Parents can relax knowing their kids are learning, not zoning out.

Perfect for travel, quiet time, or rainy afternoons, Pok Pok runs offline, so playtime never depends on WiFi.

At this low price, this lifetime subscription is the kind of tech investment that doesn’t come with a side of parental guilt — giving your child a fun, educational start in a calm digital space built just for them.

Get lifetime access to Pok Pok while it’s on sale for just $44.97 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The Shark Matrix robot vacuum and mop is on sale for just $130 through May 31

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Get a Grade A refurbished Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum and Mop for $129.97 (reg. $299.99) and let it vacuum, mop, and empty itself.

Credit: Shark

Shark Matrix™ Plus 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop (Refurbished)

$129.97
$299.99 Save $170.02

There’s definitely optimism involved when you spot some debris and tell yourself you’ll vacuum later. Later turns into tomorrow, tomorrow turns into next weekend, and suddenly there’s a suspicious amount of dust under the dining table that everyone has collectively agreed not to acknowledge.

That’s why robot vacuums are becoming less of a gadget and more of a lifestyle adjustment. For $129.97 (reg. $299.99) through May 31, this Grade A refurbished Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum and Mop makes a pretty compelling argument for retiring at least one household chore.

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This one has been cleaned and inspected to work like new, which is the reason why your are getting it for much less than retail.

The Shark Matrix Plus combines vacuuming and sonic mopping in one machine while using Matrix Clean technology to make multiple passes over dirt and debris instead of assuming one lap was enough.

It also uses 360° LiDAR mapping to build a layout of your home, navigate around objects, and clean more methodically.

The details are what make this feel like a practical buy. CleanEdge Detect helps pull dirt out of corners. The self-cleaning brush-roll handles pet hair without turning maintenance into another chore. The HEPA filtration system helps trap dust in the base.

And, amazingly, the self-emptying base can hold up to 60 days of dirt without requiring replacement bags.

For less than the cost of ordering takeout for a group, this is one of those purchases that doesn’t feel like simply buying a gadget; It really is like buying back a little of your time.

Get the Grade A refurbished Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum and Mop for just $129.97 (reg. $299.99) through May 31.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

I watched Spider-Noir in black and white and color, and theres a clear winner

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

So, you've decided to watch Spider-Noir. Good choice, it's a fun ride! But before you press play and settle in for an episode of Nicolas Cage slinging webs and taking names, Prime Video offers you one more choice. Do you want to watch the series in "Authentic Black and White" or "True-Hue Full Color"?

Both options will give you the same story, just in a different color format. The former mimics the black-and-white look of film noir movies, which Spider-Noir references heavily throughout. The latter, on the other hand, offers up a vibrantly colored experience, but one that still feels fairly vintage.

According to star Cage, either option is great, with the color potentially appealing to younger audiences. "The truth is, they both work and they're beautiful for different reasons," Cage told Esquire. "The color is super saturated and gorgeous. I think teenage viewers will appreciate the color, but I also want them to have the option. If they want to experience the concept in black and white, maybe that would instill some interest in them to look at earlier movies and enjoy that as an art form as well."

But Cage's endorsement of both choices aside, which Spider-Noir option really wins out? I watched the season in both black-and-white and color, and one format does reign supreme. However, the race was closer than I thought, and the runner-up does have some merits that make it worth checking out.

You should watch Spider-Noir in black and white.

The show is called Spider-Noir for a reason. It — and the very character of Spider-Man Noir! — is inspired by classics of the film noir genre, the majority of which are shot in black and white. (While "noir" is French for "black," not every film noir movie is in black and white. The "noir" refers more to films in the genre's pessimistic outlook.)

Spider-Noir wears these influences on its sleeves, especially when it comes to lighting. The show is chock-full of chiaroscuro, a technique that contrasts bright highlights with dark shadows, and the result is a visual feast. Light frames detective Ben Reilly's (Cage) head in a darkened bar, cut occasionally by the blades of a fan. Street lamps cast long shadows down New York City streets. Lounge singer Cat Hardy's (Li Jun Li) sparkly gowns stand out against pitch-black mirrors.

These images and more immerse you fully in the world of Spider-Noir, drawing you back into a bygone era. Here, the power of good lighting is more apparent than ever, especially in a growing crowd of underlit TV shows. (Remember the too-dark House of the Dragon debacle?)

To put it more bluntly, Spider-Noir just looks cooler in black and white. That option most clearly matches the show's inspirations, plus it offers viewers the novelty of seeing a new show that's mostly missing from the current TV landscape.

Be sure to check out Spider-Noir in color too!

That being said, you should definitely make time to watch at least one Spider-Noir episode in color. In this format, you're able to see the wide array of hues the show's creative team was working with, from set designers to costume designers to makeup artists.

Take Robbie Robertson's (Lamorne Morris) suits. They're sharp in black and white, but they truly pop in color. At one point he sports an orange ensemble that I wouldn't expect many people to carry off, but somehow he manages it!

The same goes for Cat's dazzling makeup looks, or the walls in almost any room. As I alternated between black-and-white and full-color episodes, I was always astonished that people had been having discussions in bright yellow- or red-painted rooms. Clearly, the interior designers in Ben's New York were having a blast.

Just like how Spider Noir's black-and-white version outdoes underlit TV shows, its colorful version fixes another complaint I tend to have with modern film and TV. They tend to be undersaturated to the point of flatness, but Spider-Noir is happy to go buck wild and prove just how vibrant TV can be.

My only complaint with the colorful version of Spider-Noir is that occasionally, surfaces take on a waxy or even plasticky sheen. This is especially true for flat, unadorned walls, although the effect was lessened somewhat when I moved from a laptop to a TV.

Both Spider-Noir options offer viewers to appreciate different elements of the show's craft, and I'd recommend checking out both just to take in what a difference a lack of color can make. Still, if you want the best encapsulation of the show's tone and atmosphere, you can't beat black and white.

Spider-Noir is now streaming on Prime Video.

Power Ballad review: Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas fall short of charming

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Out of SXSW, Power Ballad got a lot of love from critics, who cheered its feel-good comedy vibe. I'll concur that it's a warmly silly movie with a big heart, an appreciation of music, and a happy ending. But frankly, I still hope for more from writer/director John Carney.

In 2007, he gave audiences the wondrous Once, an original musical drama about an Irish busker (Glen Hansard) who falls for a struggling musician (Markéta Irglová) in Dublin. Visually, it was scrappy, shot in the early days of digital filmmaking. But emotionally, it resonated with lived-in performances and a soundtrack that won an Academy Award for Best Song, launched a real band, and led to a Broadway adaptation. That movie felt like magic. And I know that by writing this I risk turning this review into a reprise of my take on his last film, Flora and Son. But Carney can do — and has done — better.

Once was so alive in its songs and their performances that it felt blisteringly original, like no one but Carney could make it. Then in 2016, he thrilled with Sing Street, a enchanting coming-of-age comedy that also relied on a crackling soundtrack and lesser-known actors. But then Carney made Begin Again, Flora and Son, and now Power Ballad, all of which lean into tedious Hollywood tropes about love and music, making for middling movies.

Sure, the promotional posters and feisty trailers for Power Ballad promise comically fired-up Paul Rudd facing off against an untouchable Nick Jonas, a busted has-been versus a pop prince. But Power Ballad itself never ignites, or even sizzles. Its flame is squelched before it begins.

What's Power Ballad about?

Credit: Lionsgate

Paul Rudd stars as Rick Power, a middle-aged American who came to Dublin 15 years ago on tour with his rock band. What might have been a path to fame and fortune was rerouted when Rick met the cool girl who'd become his wife (Marcella Plunkett), and they had a daughter (Beth Fallon) together. Nowadays, he still rocks, but as the lead of a wedding band called the Bride and Groove. As such, he mostly plays cover songs, though he still yearns to make music of his own. So, when one wedding gig throws him in the path of former boy bander Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), Rick is giddy to spend the night jamming and talking shop.

Both men walk away feeling great and grateful for the camaraderie. That is, until Danny struggles to create a single for his first solo album. That's when he snatches a chorus Rick played for him to construct a song that becomes a smash hit in record time. Now, in a genuinely charming turn, Carney scripts Rick to be not furious but hopeful. He believes he just needs to get in touch with Danny to get his due, be it credit or a check. But when it becomes increasingly clear that Danny is dodging him — thanks to his snarling manager, Mac Darling (Jack Reynor) — Rick and his weird bestie, Sandy (Peter McDonald), set off to Los Angeles to set things right. Hollywood hijinks ensue, but the laughs are cheap and the humanity is shallow.

Power Ballad is infuriatingly thin.

Credit: David Cleary / Lionsgate

After their pivotal meeting, it seems Power Ballad will shift into two-hander mode, by paralleling each man’s journey home. Rick returns to the cozy but cramped house he shares with his wife and child in the suburbs of Dublin, Danny nods to fans at LAX, piles into a luxury convertible, then pulls up to a mansion in the Hollywood hills, with no one to greet him.

Danny has a girlfriend. But she is barely given a name, much less any personality, which is a real waste of Havana Rose Liu (Bottoms). This thinness applies to the women in Rick‘s life too. His daughter, in her early teens, chiefly exists to roll her eyes at her dad. His wife either bursts with horny enthusiasm for him, or stern scorn.

This might be expected if this was supposed to be about two men in arrested development facing their own shortcomings, but the film quickly loses interest in Danny’s psychological journey. There are some glancing scenes where he talks about whether or not he feels like he stole the song, but there will be no satisfying answer on who he is and what he wants, beyond avoiding the pitfall of being a failed solo artist.

This leaves the film to center firmly on Rick Powers. His middle-aged bitterness is tempered by his chaotic sidekick Sandy, who is similarly undeveloped, though thoroughly entertaining. The same cannot be said for Power Ballad as a whole.

The film's pace is meandering at best, swerving from moments of sentimentality to scenes of Rick’s impotent frustration, to comedy set-ups that are just never as funny as one might hope for a Paul Rudd movie. For a film that is centered on someone who is undeniably angry, Power Ballad is weirdly toothless. The aforementioned happy ending feels like a forgone conclusion, even if it’s not remotely earned by plotting or emotional flow.

And none of this is helped by the fact that the music is just not that good. When Carney broke out with Once, he offered songs that felt soul-shakingly earnest. They were so beautiful that the tiny Irish film with no big stars would not be ignored by the world at large. Power Ballad isn’t looking to change the world. In playing to mainstream audiences who love Paul Rudd, pop music, and Nick Jonas, Carney has sacrificed spark and soul.

To Paul Rudd's credit, he throws himself into the comedy here. But when it comes to singing, everything feels processed and potentially enhanced with autotune, which undercuts the movie's message about musical authenticity. Jonas, on the other hand, can sing the hell out of these pop songs. But when it comes to the comedy, he's as wooden as the acoustic guitar Danny gifts to Rick.

In the end, Power Ballad is an unchallenging comedy that is sure to make many smile, maybe even laugh. But it’s a far echo from the cinematic magic that Carney has shown himself to be capable of.

Power Ballad opens in limited release on May 29, expanding on June 5.

What to do when your teen replaces you with a chatbot

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Dr. Matthew Leahy, a licensed psychologist, treats adolescents who've developed such an intense relationship with an artificial intelligence chatbot that they stop confiding in their parents.

Sometimes, their parents are shocked to discover a chatbot has won over their child so dramatically. In other cases, the parents seek out Leahy at the Momentous Institute, a Dallas mental health services provider, precisely because they know the extent of their child's chatbot relationship and want his help regaining their child's confidence.

Intense chatbot relationships can have disastrous mental health consequences for adolescents who become isolated, develop a romantic relationship with the chatbot, or routinely consult a chatbot instead of a human for anything. Last fall, child experts declared AI chatbots unsafe for teen mental health.

"When you're talking to a computer as opposed to even your peer, but especially your parents, that's when it starts to get really messy, really quickly," Leahy says.

The effects can be short-lived if parents spot chatbot dependency and work on it with their child, Leahy says. The goal? Rebuilding the rapport that convinces a child their parent is willing to guide them through anything.

Just how much are teens talking to chatbots?

Leahy's anecdotal observations about childhood and adolescent chatbot relationships might seem like outliers. Reddit posts authored by concerned parents who've experienced something similar, however, suggest the phenomenon isn't unique to Leahy's office.

Recent survey data from Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) also illustrate a broader gravitation toward AI assistants and chatbots, at least among girls.

Nearly half of the 1,000 girls ages 5 to 13 surveyed believe AI is superior to their parents for homework help. Admittedly, some parents might be relieved to let AI handle that work, but they might be unnerved to learn that a full 50 percent of respondents preferred it for music, TV show, and movie recommendations.

The start of chatbot intimacy

If tutoring and entertainment suggestions lay the groundwork for a child-chatbot relationship, then asking more sensitive questions is likely to deepen it. Half of 11 to 13-year-old girls surveyed said they'd asked AI for help when they felt sad, anxious, or lonely.

The survey, which polled girls and their guardians, also indicates that parents significantly underestimate how frequently their child talks to a chatbot. Half of girls said they used AI once a day, but only a third of parents believed their child used it that often.

Sarah Keating, vice president of Girl and Volunteer Experience at the GSUSA, told Mashable that the survey data demonstrates that girls turn to AI chatbots and advice apps when dealing with topics that are uncomfortable to discuss with their parents or trying to understand questions they don't think their parents can answer.

"What that says to me is that it's all about opening up lines of communication again," said Sarah Keating, vice president of Girl Experience at the GSUSA.

Get your child to start opening up to you instead of a chatbot

When he's working with parents, Leahy maps out a strategy to help them do exactly that.

But first, he must persuade parents skeptical that there's even a problem with their child's relationship to a chatbot. The parents may think it's entertaining or educational, not dangerous in any way.

To reframe their thinking, Leahy closes his laptop, points to it, and says, "That's your child's best friend right now." Leahy says he watches the parent's face change in real time as they register the alarm.

The importance of one-on-one time

Leahy's approach to helping parents re-establish a relationship with their child varies depending on the context.

Some parents, he says, are starting from scratch. Others once had close ties to their child that weakened with adolescence and chatbot use.

Either way, it's crucial that parents intentionally set aside one-on-one time with their child. One father he works with plays catch with his son. Another parent has a standing boba date with their child.

Leahy says parents shouldn't start out by asking their child deep questions. The point of these experiences is to build rapport, which is why parents must stay present rather than distracted by their phone. The groundwork laid in those moments, over weeks or months, eventually gives way to conversations about their life.

Be curious instead of offering advice or judgment

This is where things get tricky, Leahy says. Once adolescents open up, they might share something that makes their parent feel uncomfortable. A chatbot, by contrast, is unlikely to have the same reaction.

"Especially if you're not used to these conversations, it's going to raise emotion in you," he says. "You might be disappointed in what you hear. You might get angry pretty quick about what you hear, and that's where the test is."

To pass this test, Leahy recommends listening with curiosity and not offering advice. While that skill takes time and effort to hone, Leahy says the payoff is invaluable because it demonstrates trustworthiness.

That doesn't mean parents silence concerns about safety or behavior. Instead, Leahy suggests coming back to those issues and asking the child to collaboratively discuss them.

Don't expect them to immediately abandon their chatbot

In Leahy's experience, it takes time for teens to reset their chatbot use. In the beginning, they might still talk to it "feverishly," but Leahy generally recommends gradual scaling back. Parents can consider limiting the time the child is on their device.

Leahy isn't necessarily worried about teens who spend a half hour talking to a chatbot then return to their regular activities. That might be the sweet spot of engagement, he notes.

Importantly, parents should ensure their child has in-person activities like sports or social engagements so a chatbot can't so easily command all of their attention. Those experiences can also help build their confidence in ways that a chatbot cannot.

It's normal for teens to not tell their parents everything

Dr. Dana Suskind, a pediatric physician and child development expert who studies how language and human connection shape the developing brain, says teens typically seek counsel from sources who aren't their parents, like peers, trusted adults, and the internet.

The challenge with chatbots, she explains, is that they're very effective at building intimacy and attachment, which can displace human relationships.

Suskind encourages parents to reflect on AI technology, particularly with their child, and consider questions such as what the product was designed to do, whether it interacts with them and their child, and how so.

"It is the slippery slope issue, because these technologies...engage the social aspect of us," says Suskind, author of the forthcoming book Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity, and Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI.

Red flags to watch for

Leahy says parents should be concerned and consider consulting a mental health professional in the following circumstances:

A child under 12 years old using a chatbot for personal conversations.
When chatbot use takes up a lot of time and displaces other healthy activities, including socializing, exercise, and sleep.
Constant consultation of a chatbot, including for basic decision-making.
When a child personifies a chatbot so that it seems like a real person to them, or they believe they're talking to a sentient being.
Regular sexual role-play with a chatbot.
Developmental conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder, that may put the child at risk for dependency.

Leahy is optimistic that parents can restore their relationship as their child's guide with the right investment of time and energy.

"A restored relationship looks like parents feeling they have their child back, and children feeling their parents have their back," Leahy says.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for free

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The world will stop this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

16 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will welcome 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. It's going to be a wild ride.

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 knockouts 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 live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

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

Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)
Watch 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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 with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for accessing live sport on free streaming platforms, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

AdultFriendFinder success rate: Real AFF info from someone who’s tried it

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

If you’ve even so much as glanced in the direction of the online dating world, you're surely aware of AdultFriendFinder. It's one of the founding fathers of online hookups. Created all the way back in 1996, it had become one of the 100 most popular sites in the U.S. by the late 2000s. But despite its obvious popularity, it’s never managed to break into mainstream consciousness like Tinder or Hinge.

There’s a very good reason for that.

AFF, as it’s known among members, is explicitly an “adult” dating site (and we do mean explicit). It's a badge that AFF wears proudly, but one that also has hindered its mainstream reach. Users aren't likely to talk about their AFF activity in the same way they talk about their Tinder hit rate.

But what if you’re curious about how it works, whether it works, or who it works for? What if you’ve always wondered whether you’re missing out on the best-kept online dating secret and want to join the party? Or maybe you’re worried it’s more hype and chatbots than organic, spicy fun. Don't fret about FOMO — we've done the work for you.

Here's a breakdown of the AdultFriendFinder experience and what you can realistically expect to get from it if you decide to dip your toe into these naughty waters.

Credit: AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder isn’t a traditional dating site

If you sign up for AdultFriendFinder expecting a traditional online dating experience, you’ll be disappointed. It’s not that AFF members aren’t interested in serious dating; it’s more that sex and sexuality are placed front and center, with everything else emerging from there.

You'll see that for the first moment to logon. Unlike mainstream dating sites, which ban nudity from profile photos, AFF allows it — encourages it, even — so that regular dating-app selfies sit side-by-side with full-on full-frontal nudity and live webcam feeds. There is a content filter, accessible in your profile settings, but it defaults to "off," so if you would rather not see any nudity, or only see it when you deliberately choose to click on a NSFW picture, you should navigate to this setting ASAP.

For some people who aren't looking for a bare-all experience, this might be off-putting, but to those who are looking for exactly that, it’s refreshing. (And if you're not on AFF to see a little nudity, what are we even doing?) Unlike traditional dating apps, where early conversations often revolve around figuring out what the other person actually wants, AFF members tend to be refreshingly upfront and transparent (wink wink) about their intentions. Kinks and sexual preferences are the whole point.

How to meet people on AdultFriendFinder

Every online dating site lives or dies by its algorithm, with new platforms constantly rolling out novel ways to connect singles. AdultFriendFinder, however, takes a maximalist approach to interacting with strangers.

You can search for members the conventional way, using specific criteria like gender, sexual orientation, age, location, and more, but you can also jump into themed chat rooms or follow members’ live streams. Through the “Who’s Hot” tab, which highlights popular members as well as trending photo and video uploads, you can easily discover someone you might otherwise never have come across.

One thing you’ll notice quickly, however, is the presence of obviously fake profiles. When I searched for singles near me, I encountered a surprising number of stunningly beautiful women in a small rural town near my city — all with airbrushed photos and vague, AI-sounding profile descriptions.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Tinder subscription

AFF makes it extremely easy to sign up and create a profile, requiring little more than a username, password, and basic personal information. The upside is that it lowers the barrier to entry; the downside is that scammers can exploit that same simplicity. You'll be fine as long as you're aware of scams and stay vigilant on AFF and use good old common sense.

To help counter this, AdultFriendFinder offers a blue checkmark verification system and even incentivizes users to complete it by boosting their visibility as a reward. Verification requires a government-issued ID, which AFF uses to confirm your age, photo authenticity, location, and gender. It's an optional step, but one worth completing since it helps you signal to others that you are who you say you are.

If avoiding scammers and catfishers is a priority, looking for that blue checkmark before engaging is a smart move.

What kind of success rate can you expect from AdultFriendFinder?

So far, so good, but there is a catch. While you can browse and explore AFF for free, meaningful one-on-one interaction requires a paid Gold membership, available in one-month ($39.95/month), three-month ($26.95/month), or one-year ($19.95/month) packages, all of which renew automatically.

Understandably, most people hesitate to pay for a dating site from the off. And because AFF places its best features behind a paywall, it requires a leap-of-faith to enter those credit card details. But in our experience, a premium AFF membership largely justifies its price.

With an AFF Gold membership, you unlock all kinds of features including unrestricted messaging, high-resolution member videos and webcam streams, expanded profile galleries, and advanced filters that make narrowing down potential matches far easier. You'll quickly see the benefits of AFF's paid tier.

Does paying guarantee attention from everyone you message? Of course not. The usual dating-app dynamics still apply — heterosexual men, for instance, should expect to work harder for responses than heterosexual women. Being attractive, fit, or witty helps. Being all three helps even more, though we're not all so lucky when it comes to attracting the opposite sex.

How to watch Champions League live streams online for free

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: PSG vs. Arsenal in the Champions League final is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Sure, winning your domestic league is great. But winning the Champions League is on another level.

If you want to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single leg final.

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2025-26 Champions League?

The 2025-26 Champions League is the 71st edition of the competition (and the 34th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament runs from July 8 to 30 May.

How to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media (select fixtures including the final)
Turkey — tabii (select fixtures)
UK — Prime Video (select fixtures including semi final with 30-day free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League by following these simple steps:

Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the Champions League
Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, or Prime Video (free trial)
Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

ExpressVPN is the best service 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 always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 10 best free dating apps to find your spring fling

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

If you're on a budget and things look bleak in the relationship department, don't panic. You don't need to shell out hundreds to find a genuine connection. As the weather warms up and the spring dating pool thaws out, there are plenty of free dating apps that let you chat, match, and meet a partner without shelling out cash upfront.

Dating itself will cost you time and money, so why should dating apps eat at your wallet, too? Especially when some platforms are rolling out premium subscriptions that cost as much as a car payment (yes, we're looking at you, Grindr). You don't have to resort to dating an AI to save money. Most popular apps are free to use — no credit card required.

What dating apps are completely free?

Mainstream dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and Hinge all have robust free membership tiers that compete with paid subscriptions. Some free, more niche dating apps, like Archer and Lex, are also worth checking out. It just depends on what you're looking for and how much work you're willing to put in to get it.

Critics will tell you that the big-name dating apps (like Bumble, or Match Group giants such as Tinder and Hinge) are all the same, forming a single, amorphous dating platform. However, these apps still have distinct differences. For instance, Bumble just announced it's officially killing its iconic swipe feature to change how users match. That said, dating app companies are moving more features behind paywalls, frustrating daters on a budget.

Below, find our top picks for the best free dating apps. Use them to find your forever partner, a casual encounter, or something in between — all without paying a dime.

Note: All the free dating sites listed below offer a free membership option that allows you to talk and match with people at no cost. Though most offer paid premium memberships, these aren't apps like Match or eharmony, where you need to pay to match or chat with other users. And if you're being pressured to send money to someone on a dating app, you might be involved in a romance scam.

We found Sony XM6 headphones at a new all-time low price at Amazon — save over $60

Wed, 27 May 2026 08:59:49 +0000

SAVE $61: As of May 27, Sony XM6 headphones are on sale for $398 at Amazon. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Credit: Sony

Sony WH-1000XM6

$398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99

If you're looking for a quality pair of headphones for a great price, head to Amazon because the Sony XM6 headphones are on sale for an all-time low price. As of May 27, these popular headphones are on sale for $398, down from $459.99.

These headphones are truly designed to give you the best possible sound at all times. They have been specially designed with a carbon fiber dome driver to keep sounds true to the original recording. If you're a true audiophile, these are a great choice.

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These are also designed with long listening sessions in mind, with a comfortable foldable build with a compact carry case to make listening on the move easier. Plus, they have a wider headband and smooth synthetic leather for reduced pressure over time.

The battery life is impressive, giving you up to 30 hours of listening. It also has a quick charging feature that gives you three hours of playback in just three minutes. You'll also get different listening options, with support for both Bluetooth and wired listening. And to suit your environment, you can choose between different noise cancellation: Adaptive NC Optimizer and Auto Ambient Sound modes.

Get this Sony deal at Amazon now.

The Dyson V8 vacuum is back on sale at Amazon — save almost $200

Wed, 27 May 2026 08:54:34 +0000

SAVE $190: As of May 27, the Dyson V8 is on sale for $349.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Credit: Dyson

Dyson V8

$349.95 at Amazon
$539.99 Save $190.04

The Dyson V8 is back on sale at Amazon. As of May 27, this vacuum is down to $349.95 from $539.99, saving you $190 on list price.

This cordless vacuum is ideal for whole-home cleaning, capable of cleaning messes of all levels. This is thanks to its Motorbar cleaner head that deep cleans all floor types at the same time as actively detangling long hair and pet hair as you go. It comes with three attachments, all designed for different cleaning needs and those hard-to-reach areas.

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For run time, you'll get up to 40 minutes of suction when in standard mode, or up to five minutes of maximum power for tougher, targeted messes.

It's also lightweight and incredibly easy to handle, and it even converts into a handheld vacuum for cars, stairs, or upholstery. And like you'd expect from a Dyson, it has an advanced filtration system that captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, helping to put out cleaner air while you clean.

Get this Dyson vacuum deal from Amazon for a limited time only.

The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is on sale at Amazon — act fast to save almost $5

Wed, 27 May 2026 08:46:14 +0000

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle on sale for $55.49, down from its $59.99 price. That's a $4.50 discount on the six-pack bundle, with this listing shipped and sold by Amazon.

Credit: The Pokemon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle

$55.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $4.50

Chaos Rising preorder prices were on the high side, but now that the Mega Evolution set has fully hit the Pokémon TCG, we’re starting to see welcome price drops from various retailers.

As of May 27, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle available for as low as $55.49, after knocking 8% off its $59.99 list price. At the time of writing, this listing is shipped and sold by Amazon, with free delivery for June 5-19.

This bundle includes six booster packs from the Pokémon TCG’s titular Mega Evolution Chaos Rising expansion. Each pack includes 10 trading cards, which puts Amazon’s $55.49 listing at about $9.25 per pack before taxes.

The Booster Bundle has dipped in price, but there are still plenty of high-value individual chase cards you can pull — such as SIR Mega Greninja ex, the Mega Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, SIR Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalage ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex.

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There are cheaper listings elsewhere if you’re open to buying trading cards from sites other than Amazon. For instance, TCGplayer has unopened Chaos Rising Booster Bundles starting at $49.98 with shipping included (only $1.11 above market price), while Walmart has a marketplace listing at $52.95 — but is sold and shipped by third-party retailer VMG Enterprise.

To add more packs to your Pokémon TCG haul, you can buy single Chaos Rising Booster Packs at Amazon for just under $13. To get the lowest price per pack, you can purchase the 36-pack Chaos Rising Booster Display Box for under $275.

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is now under $95 on Amazon — save $25

Wed, 27 May 2026 08:36:29 +0000

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box on sale for $94.95, down from its $119.99 list price. That’s a $25.04 saving on an ETB that’s only just come out, with free delivery from June 6-13.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box

$94.95 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $25.04

Even though the expansion was only released last week, the very popular Chaos Rising ETB has had a huge price cut on Amazon.

As of May 27, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box available for $94.95, down from its usual $119.99 price. With this 21% discount, you’ll be saving $25.04 on the trading card game’s newest collector-friendly Greninja-themed box. What’s more, this listing is sold and shipped directly by Amazon rather than a third-party listing — with free delivery from June 6-13 at the time of writing, with the fastest delivery window listed for June 6-11.

Walmart is selling the Chaos Rising ETB for $94.95 — though through third-party seller Realgoodeal. TCGplayer is sitting slightly lower, with unopened listings starting from $82.98 plus shipping. That's close to the current market price of $91.

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

With Chaos Rising now fully out in the wild, there are plenty of valuable single chase cards to pull (which are also available to buy at TCGplayer separately) — including SIR Mega Greninja ex, the Mega Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, SIR Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalage ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex.

If you want to grab even more of the Pokémon TCG expansion’s new packs, you can buy single Chaos Rising Booster Packs for just under $13. To pay even less per booster pack, you can also buy the 36-pack Chaos Rising Booster Display Box for under $270.

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is now available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 27, 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 08:27:01 +0000

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require knowledge of sports roles.

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.

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

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.

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: Where to watch games from home
Green: Diamond points
Blue: Gridiron spots
Purple: Same last name

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

Yellow: Sports TV networks
Green: Baseball positions, abbreviated
Blue: Football positions, abbreviated
Purple: ____ Smith

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 #611 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

Sports TV networks: ESPN, FS1, NBA TV, NBCSN
Baseball positions, abbreviated: C, OF, P, SS
Football positions, abbreviated: CB, DT, K, TE
____ Smith: JR, LOVIE, OZZIE, STAN

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 today's Connections.

Hurdle hints and answers for May 27, 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

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

To growl.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

GNARL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Poison.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TOXIN

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Nearby.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

CLOSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

TV character Ted ___.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

LASSO

Final Hurdle hint

Aim.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

SHOOT

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

NYT Pips hints, answers for May 27, 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 02:00:00 +0000

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.

How to play Pips

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 May 27 Pips

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (15): Everything in this space must be greater than 15. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 27 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 27 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pressure review: Andrew Scott is low-key hilarious in this World War II drama

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:45:00 +0000

I wasn't prepared for Pressure. Walking into the World War II drama, which stars Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser, I knew it was about the lead up to D-Day. As such, I braced myself for a serious, stiff-upper-lip drama about soldiers and the cruelty of war. And it's not that Pressure isn't about those things. Rather, adapted from David Haig's 2014 stage play of the same name, Pressure comes from an unexpected angle in exploring war strategy.

Andrew Scott stars as Group Captain James Stagg, a Scottish meteorologist for the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, who was assigned to aid American ally General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) by figuring out the forecast for the beaches of Normandy for D-Day.

Now, you might be thinking that weather and war don't sound like rich terrain for laughs. But Pressure's humor comes from the crackling cultural conflict between this no-nonsense Scot and the American general in desperate need of a sunny day.

Pressure is as much about social pressure as it is weather and war.

Brendan Fraser and Andrew Scott in "Pressure." Credit: Alex Bailey / Focus Features / STUDIOCANAL

Pressure begins with bloodshed in 1944. Before the Allies carried out the biggest seaborne invasion in history (aka D-Day), there was a test run known as Operation Tiger, which failed miserably. Pressure begins in the immediate aftermath of this disastrous exercise, where a boyish young man in uniform stares blankly into the sky, blood washing around his prone body as the tide comes in.

Up and down the beach, there's a scramble among the survivors to aid whatever soldiers may be saved. Eisenhower looks on, stricken, cursing under his breath. With one brief yet brutal scene, director Anthony Maras, who adapted the screenplay with playwright David Haig, has succinctly established the life-or-death stakes of planning an invasion.

Six weeks later, Eisenhower is in a remote country estate filled with U.S. and UK military, all planning to launch D-Day in 72 hours. The fatal failure of Operation Tiger hangs over him, whether he's being barked at by a brash British field marshal (Damian Lewis), cajoled by his Irish aide, Kay Summersby (Kerry Condon), or placated by the American's lead meteorologist, Irving Krick (Chris Messina).

While the energy of these allies ranges from stern to abrasive, patient to bombastic, they're all pushing for D-Day to launch on Monday morning. Then, on a Friday arrives Stagg, who warns major storms could sink D-Day out the gate.

Introduced in his home in the midst of a cozy morning ritual, Stagg prepares breakfast for his very pregnant wife (Tamsin Topolski), gently assuring her he has time for this bit of intimacy. He is a man of few words, and this will come to frustrate his colleagues as the pressure builds. No sooner does he reach the estate than he's making curt commands. He points out errors in his men's work, dismisses the directives of another meteorologist, and is visibly vexed to discover Summersby in his office.

To borrow from reality TV, Stagg is not here to make friends; he's on mission. Like in Conclave, another excellent Focus Features release, there's a brilliant humor that erupts when this very serious setting collides with cutting replies to arrogance.

Krick is Stagg's foil, a suave American who literally performs a lively song and dance ("Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy") to amuse his troops. Stagg, by contrast, demands the piano be taken away, and literally hits a bad note when slamming its cover closed.

Where others swoon over Krick's easy-going attitude, name-dropping stories, and retellings of professional glory, Stagg simply stares, seeming to resent the wasting of time. Later, when arguing against Krick's proposed forecast of beautiful sunny weather, Stagg flatly calls the man "moronic." And when Krick complains that Stagg is insulting him to his face, Stagg responds sharply, "I'm not insulting you. I'm describing you."

In this ruthless honesty, there's an exciting — and yes, funny — rejection of social norms. And maybe even the thrill of vicariously being so good at your job that you don't need a charm offensive to be heard.

Pressure is competency porn.

Andrew Scott and Chris Messina in "Pressure." Credit: Alex Bailey / Focus Features / STUDIOCANAL

Fun fact: I'm the person who introduced this bit of slang to Pressure's leading men. In an interview with Scott and Fraser, I explained how Pressure reminded me of HBO Max's hit series The Pitt, because both feature people who are so dedicated to their work, and so skilled at it, that it's deeply — almost orgasmically — satisfying to watch.

While it's tempting to flatten Eisenhower, Krick, Summersby, and Stagg into symbols to make them broader critiques of American attitudes versus British ones, Pressure bristles against such simplicity. For one thing, Stagg is Scottish, Summersby is Irish, and Eisenhower and Krick are two very different representations of American masculinity. The former is a tall, stern man, haunted by his failures. The other is a dynamic hero, held up by his wins and charm.

Looking at the two of them, it's tempting to think Krick gives Eisenhower the sunny forecast to please him. But in Messina's intensity opposite Stagg, it's easier to believe that a soldier with so many victories may be blind to his own potential defeat. None of these people are stupid or lazy or incompetent. But, as Stagg declares almost as soon as he arrives, it's incredibly difficult to determine the weather in Northern Europe for sure, more than 24 hours in advance. No matter how much these military leaders want the answer to be something else, Stagg won't bend on being certain.

Here's where the tension becomes satisfying and humane. This is not one man's battle to be heard in a realm where he's surrounded by fools. Pressure presents people who are the best at what they do. Their forces combined, we might think it's easy to see how D-Day was a success, marking a major turning point in World War II. But Stagg, staunch and soft-spoken, is like a mountain, unmovable as he reminds them that nature, that science, cannot be bellowed at or bullied into submission.

There's a glint in Eisenhower's eyes that reminds us of the dying boy on the beach without the need of a flashback. The stakes are clear. It's electrifying to witness humans who are determined to do the hard, right thing, while having to face that we're not as in control of the world as we wish to be. So, who will make the tough call, stay or go?

Andrew Scott is remarkable in Pressure.

Andrew Scott and Kerry Condon in "Pressure." Credit: Alex Bailey / Focus Features / STUDIOCANAL

There's an incredible restraint in Scott's performance that allows the humor to reverberate without feeling forced. It's not that Stagg is trying to be funny or cutting. Scott gives no wink or smile to suggest Stagg enjoys dressing down Krick (though who could blame him?).

Whether caressing his wife or arguing his position against the towering wrath of Eisenhower, Stagg is a man who values time and truth above all else, and so will waste none of the former with a denial of the latter. Because Messina's boogie woogie American is scripted as the dashing dynamo, Scott suppresses the sultriness and mischievousness that made fans of Fleabag and Sherlock go wild. He holds in the throbbing heartache that made All of Us Strangers radiant in its grief, and the anchoring empathy of Blue Moon. He plays none of the biting barbs as punchlines or reads. Resolute and restrained, he is nonetheless riveting, perhaps especially as Stagg's anti-social tendencies irk those around him.

Maras smartly sets Stagg apart from his peers with a hint of color. Cheers to Maras and his cinematographer Jamie D. Ramsay for rejecting the contemporary obsession for desaturated palettes. In Pressure, a rich saturation brings depth to ornate rooms filled with soldiers in brown, khaki, and more brown. Flesh is allowed to flush red in frustration. But most notably, Stagg, in a crisp blue dress shirt, is visually in opposition to the troop of brown around him. Even in a group shot, even with his back turned, this simple choice of embracing color and a simple choice from costumer Liza Bracey, makes him stand out. Perhaps to remind us of how he feels alone in this fight. Or perhaps, stripped down from his dress jacket in moments of high stress, this blue shirt is meant remind us that these icons of history are also just men, as flawed and fearful as they may be revered and brave.

Created with care and great humanity, Pressure explores the hard work, intense co-operation, and tricky social dance of warfare, in a way that is enlightening and entertaining. Maras is respectful without ever falling prey to a stony reverence that would make his characters statues instead of people. Fraser is committed and suitably stern as Eisenhower. Condon balances warmth and clarity as the middleman between Eisenhower and Stagg. Messina is delightfully smarmy. Along with Scott, they create portraits that don't feel stiff, but are pulsating, precious, and alive.

Pressure is outstanding cinema, propelled by passion, intellect, and spirit. Don't overlook it.

Pressure opens in theaters May 29.

This tiny desktop miner gives you a shot at Bitcoin block rewards for life for under $50

Tue, 26 May 2026 22:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: The Bitcoin Ticket Miner gives you a chance to passively win block rewards, and it’s only $40.

Credit: Rochas Divine Mart

BitCoin Ticket Miner

$39.99
$99.99 Save $60.00

Most people who are curious about Bitcoin mining assume it requires serious hardware, a technical background, and an electricity bill that makes the whole thing pointless. Bitcoin Ticket Miner is a compact desktop miner that sidesteps all of that. It plugs into any outlet, connects to Wi-Fi, and starts generating solo-mining tickets for a chance at a Bitcoin block reward, with no PC and no complicated setup. It’s on sale for $39.99 (reg. $99.99) right now, too.

Instead of competing in a standard mining pool, it uses a solo-mining approach where the device continuously generates and submits tickets for a chance at a block reward, which the Bitcoin network awards approximately every 10 minutes. Running at 1,000 KH/s through a BM1370 ASIC chip, it submits tickets up to 18 times faster than traditional ticket miners, which compounds your odds over time. There’s no guaranteed payout, and odds shift as network difficulty changes. Think of it less like an investment and more like a lottery ticket that runs itself in the background.

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Day to day, it barely makes its presence known. Power consumption sits at around 18 watts, less than a standard light bulb, and the silent cooling fan keeps temperatures in check without adding any noise. The 2.8-inch display shows hashrate, mining status, temperature, and power usage at a glance, so there’s nothing to log into or monitor remotely. Pool mining, solo mining, and lottery mining modes are all supported, giving you options depending on how you want to approach it. Lifetime firmware updates keep the software improving after purchase, and universal voltage support means it works anywhere.

At 3.3 by 2.2 by 0.3 inches and under 2 ounces, it fits on any desk without taking up meaningful space. A USB-C power cable and a one-year manufacturer’s warranty are included.

Right now, it’s only $40 to get a Bitcoin Ticket Miner.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Adobe Acrobat’s replacement is only $24 for life

Tue, 26 May 2026 22:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Instead of paying monthly for Adobe Acrobat, get a lifetime license to AcePDF Editor on sale for $24 with code PDF20.

Credit: Acethinker

AcePDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License

$23.99
$99.99 Save $76

Adobe Acrobat costs around $15 a month. If you’re using it to convert the occasional PDF or merge a few documents, that math stops making sense pretty quickly. AcePDF Converter and Editor handles converting, editing, merging, splitting, and protecting PDF files on both Windows and Mac, and a lifetime license is on sale now for $23.99 (reg. $99.99).

AcePDF makes working with PDFs quick and painless. If you need to switch between file formats, you can convert a PDF to Word, turn a spreadsheet or presentation into a PDF for sharing, or pull text out of a scanned document using the built-in OCR, which preserves the original formatting rather than spitting out a garbled mess. Conversions work both ways between PDF and Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, and image formats, and everything processes fast enough that you’re not sitting around waiting.

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Editing is just as complete. Merge multiple PDFs into one, split out specific pages, rotate or delete pages, add watermarks, annotate with comments and stamps, or build fillable forms from scratch. Need to shrink a file before emailing it? Compression is built in, along with password protection and unlocking, so you’re not bouncing between apps to get one thing done.

For anyone dealing with high document volume, batch processing is worth calling out specifically. Instead of converting files one at a time, you can run multiple PDFs through in a single pass, which makes a real difference if you manage contracts, invoices, or client files on a regular basis.

You don’t have to pay for your PDF editor every month anymore.

Use code PDF20 to get an AcdePDF Lifetime License on sale for $23.99. Sale ends May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

NASAs new moon base plan bets big on moon trucks and hopping drones

Tue, 26 May 2026 21:45:56 +0000

NASA has started locking in the first missions it says will turn the moon's south pole into a place where astronauts can actually stay and work.

The U.S. space agency announced Tuesday that three initial moon base-building missions this year will send cargo and vehicles for moving crews across the surface to the lunar south pole. The work builds on the recent Artemis II crewed flight around the moon and sets up a busier end to this decade, when astronauts start spending more time on the lunar surface.

The accelerated plan unfolds amid a broader rivalry with China, which has mounted a series of lunar missions and sketched out a long‑term research station for its own astronauts, known as taikonauts. Both countries now see the moon as the next stage for human exploration and a race for leadership in deep space.

China has its first human landing in its crosshairs and could beat NASA back to the surface of the moon. The United States' last crewed landing occurred in 1972, and no other nation has ever put boots on the lunar ground. Right now, NASA is targeting a landing of its Artemis IV mission in late 2028.

"What we are embarking upon is extremely challenging, and we know so little from what is a combined 80 hours of lunar astronaut EVA time across the Apollo missions, and that was more than a half-century ago. So we are not jumping right into the glass-dome moon base," said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman in Washington during a news briefing. "We are leveraging the NASA playbook from the 1960s, figuring out what works and what doesn't, in this epic science of survival."

The moon base's construction at the south pole is split into three phases. First, it focuses on making landings reliable, trying out ways to survive the brutal polar environment, and delivering an initial trickle of cargo. Next, NASA and its partners add bigger power systems, more cargo runs, and, eventually, places where astronauts can live and work for longer stretches.

In the final phase, heavy cargo versions of commercial landers haul larger hardware — habitats, bigger power plants, more capable rovers, and science instruments — so astronauts can assemble the base over dozens of flights.

The moon base push comes as a clear pivot from NASA's earlier plan. Until recently, the agency's roadmap leaned heavily on Gateway, a small space station proposal that would have orbited the moon rather than established an outpost on the ground. Leaders now say they will shift their funding and workforce toward the base effort and look for ways to reuse some Gateway components.

The south pole sits at the center of the new strategy. Craters there stay in permanent shadow and likely hold frozen water. Nearby ridges can get sunlight for most of the lunar day. Water could supply drinking water, oxygen, and even rocket fuel. Steady light makes solar power easier. NASA wants to learn how to run a base in this region before it sends people on months‑long trips to Mars.

"The moon base is as beautiful as it is hostile," Isaacman said. "We go for the technology we will pioneer to get there, the science, and all that we will learn that will make life better here on Earth."

"The moon base is as beautiful as it is hostile."

The first big step is Moon Base I, which will fly Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander to a spot NASA calls Shackleton Connecting Ridge near the rim of Shackleton crater. The mission, targeted for launch no earlier than fall 2026, will carry NASA instruments, including stereo cameras to watch how rocket exhaust throws lunar dust and rocks and a laser reflector that helps orbiting spacecraft pinpoint their exact location using bounced laser light. NASA says this flight will cut risk for crewed Artemis landings.

Two more missions follow. Moon Base II, planned for launch later this year, will ride on Astrobotic's Griffin lander and deliver more than 1,100 pounds of cargo, including Astrolab's FLIP rover, to shake out early mobility systems. Moon Base III, also targeted for this year, will fly on Intuitive Machines' Nova‑C Trinity lander and carry the Lunar Vertex science package to study strange bright "swirl" markings on the surface, along with instruments from the European Space Agency and South Korea's astronomy institute.

NASA has begun to stage missions intended to deliver hardware and vehicles to the lunar south pole for the construction of a moon base. Credit: NASA illustration

To help crews and robots get around, NASA picked two companies to build lunar terrain vehicles — essentially moon‑ready utility trucks. The agency awarded about $219 million to Astrolab and $220 million to Lunar Outpost for the first phase of these rovers, which it wants operating by 2028. Astrolab's CLV‑1 rover weighs about 2,000 pounds in its stowed form, carries two astronauts plus cargo, and can top 6 mph on flat ground. Lunar Outpost's Pegasus rover can drive for up to a year, run under manual, remote, or autonomous control, and reach more than 9 mph.

NASA also plans a hopping‑drone mission, called Moonfall. In 2028, a Moonfall flight will send four small drones that make short hops across the south pole, then settle in and keep working for several months through the harsh lunar night. They will scout rough terrain, search for signs of buried ice, and beam back sharp images that help later landers avoid hazards. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California leads the drone design, and Firefly Aerospace will build the spacecraft that ferries them from Earth orbit to the Moon.

All of this plugs into the broader Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the surface and then push on to Mars. Artemis III, targeted for mid‑2027, will test more of the pieces the moon base needs, including docking with commercial landers.

NASA officials say they do not know yet exactly where a long‑term base will sit or what it will look like. For now, they want many landers, rovers, and drones to explore different ridges and craters, then gradually build up something more like a small lunar neighborhood spread across a wide area, said Carlos García-Galán, the program executive for the moon base.

"With crews coming to the surface twice a year, we can expand the time that they can expend there before they come back home," said García-Galán. "Eventually, when we've matched the assets, habitation modules, with the logistics and all the things to move the logistics around, then we'll be able to say, 'Hey, we're permanently here, and we're not giving it up.'"

Scammers and hackers target GTA 6 fans as pre-order hype begins

Tue, 26 May 2026 21:11:27 +0000

Be careful, Grand Theft Auto fans. Cybercriminals are already weaponizing your excitement for GTA 6 to hack your devices and scam you out of money.

According to a new report from NordVPN’s Threat Intelligence research unit, multiple malware and scam campaigns have rolled out recently, looking to capitalize on the impending release of perhaps the most anticipated video game of all time, Grand Theft Auto IV.

Developer Rockstar Games finally announced a release date of Nov. 19, 2026 for GTA 6, which means it'll be 13 years between its release and its predecessor, GTA 5. Bad actors know GTA 6 fans can hardly wait a few more months and are itching to purchase a pre-order or download a beta release. And those cybercriminals are looking to take advantage of that.

"GTA VI is one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history, and that level of public excitement is exactly what criminals look for," says NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis. "When people are desperate to get early access to something, their guard comes down. That's the window attackers exploit."

Fake GTA 6 beta websites

According to NordVPN, its researchers have uncovered fake GTA 6 beta websites. These fake GTA sites claim to offer beta keys for PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Users are asked to fill out a form, go through a verification process, and then asked to pay for a subscription service or download an unknown application.

Fake GTA 6 beta site Credit: NordVPN

Rockstar Games have yet to announce any sort of public GTA 6 beta. These fake websites don't actually have beta keys to offer. Instead, they're looking to charge a user for a service they don't want or, even worse, steal their information or install malware on their device.

Fake piracy websites

Malicious actors are even faking "legitimate" piracy websites in order to scam GTA 6 fans.

NordVPN has uncovered fake clones of gaming piracy websites that are being used to spread malware to Grand Theft Auto fans. While downloading pirated or cracked games inherently has their own risks, gamers have come to trust certain well-known sites like FitGirl, DODI, and ElAmigos.

According to NordVPN, in one instance detected earlier this month, a "malicious package" on one of these clones "presented itself as a legitimate game installer." However, once downloaded, a trojanized malicious file hides under the disguise of a NVIDIA graphics driver component.

Operating undetected, this malware modifies a computer's memory, downloads other malware, and connects to external servers where cybercriminals can send instructions to the malicious file.

Fake GTA 6 Android apps

NordVPN has already uncovered at least one Android app masquerading as a GTA 6 beta application.

The fake GTA 6 app has branding and an intro video that makes it look officially connected to Rockstar Games. However, there's no actual game in this app. Instead, the app tricks users into believing that they just need to download additional data to run the app.

Fake GTA 6 beta Android app Credit: NordVPN

A prompt sends users to full-screen ads and external page redirects that pressures the user to subscribe to a paid service or to download malware. The report says that the bad actors even disguised the actions they want users to take as steps in a fake human verification process.

According to NordVPN, researchers discovered that the app was connected to a domain with a "documented history of distributing infostealers, banking trojans, adware, and ransomware on both Android and Windows."

Rockstar Social Club phishing campaigns

GTA fans who have an account on the Rockstar Social Club platform are specifically being targeted as well, according to NordVPN.

Researchers have already tracked "hundreds of amateur phishing pages targeting Rockstar Social Club credentials through fake login forms."

NordVPN says that scammers often weaponize trusted platforms like GitHub and Vercel as hosts for these fake pages in order to perpetuate their phishing schemes.

Once a bad actor compromises a user's Rockstar Social Club account, they often try to sell the account on the dark web or utilize the account for in-game fraud.

GTA 6 fans should be extra careful in the coming months as hackers are likely to ramp up their campaigns as the game's release date gets closer. The notorious hacking collective ShinyHunters breached Rockstar Games just last month, so it appears no one is safe from GTA inspired schemes.

Did WWE star Danhausen help the New York Knicks reach the NBA Finals?

Tue, 26 May 2026 20:11:39 +0000

The New York Knicks are going to the NBA Finals, thanks to some help from a pro wrestling ghoul.

That's not a bit. That's just what happened. The Knicks are heading to their first Finals since the Clinton administration, and a meaningful portion of the internet is crediting Danhausen — a vampire-gremlin-ghoul character from the world of professional wrestling who makes a habit of cursing people who irritate him — with nearly derailing the whole thing.

We say 'derail' because Danhausen initially cursed the Knicks ahead of their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks. During his appearance on ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith, who has never been accused of being easy to deal with, apparently rubbed Danhausen the wrong way. Danhausen then cursed the Knicks, and the New York team went down 2-1 to a Hawks team they were heavily favored to beat.

He then uncursed the New York Knicks after a pro wrestling podcaster paid him on Cameo to do so. "Alright, I guess I've been paid, so the New York Knicks, I guess you can be uncursed."

The uncursing happened the morning of Game 6. The Knicks won by 51 points, the sixth-largest margin of victory in NBA playoff history. They then won their next eight games without losing, finishing the postseason on a 10-0 run — the fifth-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history, one game shy of the 11-game runs by the 1989 and 2003 Lakers.

The collision between the NBA and pro wrestling is not rare. Dennis Rodman famously appeared on an episode of WCW Nitro in the middle of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. Shaquille O'Neal has made multiple WWE appearances and got speared through a table in the early days of All Elite Wrestling. That iconic meme of a young LeBron James taking a picture with his flip phone is from a 2003 episode of Monday Night Raw. More recently, in 2024, Knicks star Jalen Brunson got in the ring with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton on a June episode of Smackdown — just weeks after Haliburton knocked New York out of the Eastern Conference Finals.

So a vampiric wrestling gremlin getting paid on Cameo to uncurse the Knicks is, to anyone who has watched pro wrestling, probably the least surprising thing on this list. For everyone else, it's admittedly pretty weird.

Danhausen, for his part, is having a blast with it. He's already selling t-shirts commemorating the uncursing. He debuted for WWE this past February and got off to a rocky start, but has since become the company's second-highest merchandise seller despite having wrestled exactly two matches since his debut.

So, did a wrestling ghoul's Cameo alter the trajectory of a professional basketball team? Probably not. Jalen Brunson is very good at basketball. Karl-Anthony Towns is a seven-footer who can shoot threes and run the offense. These things matter more than curses. However, they did win a playoff game by 51 points, the same morning Danhausen got paid to nonchalantly uncurse them. They're going to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.

Probably a coincidence. Almost certainly a coincidence. The kind of coincidence, though, that Knicks fans are going to be telling their kids about.

American Air inks deal with Starlink for fastest Wi-Fi in the sky

Tue, 26 May 2026 20:09:30 +0000

American Air inked a deal with Starlink to equip 500 of the airline’s planes with the satellite internet provider’s WiFi.

In an announcement made today, American described Starlink "as the world’s most advanced satellite constellation" and touted its ability to deliver powerful broadband internet via its thousands of satellites flying in low Earth orbit.

Starlink will connect to American’s narrow body planes — smaller aircraft that typically fly shorter routes — starting in the early months of 2027. Starlink, part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will connect to the planes via its Aero Terminal, which can support up to 1 Gbps of data per antenna.

American promises that Starlink WiFi will enable fliers to not just smoothly access their email, but stream entertainment and play online games.

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"American is committed to elevating every aspect of our customers’ travel journeys, which in the air means keeping them connected and comfortable with the assurance they won’t have to download documents ahead of a flight or worry about lag time," American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said in a statement. "Starlink’s high speed and low latency make the Wi-Fi more reliable, which matters when customers are trying to load pages, join real-time collaboration tools or stay connected consistently throughout a flight."

American, the largest airline in the world, uses Viasat or Intelsat for WiFi on its larger, wide-body planes. It was just in January that the company announced it would start offering free AT&T WiFi for nearly all of its AAdvantage rewards members.

Starlink is already working with several major airlines, including United and Lufthansa. However, Starlink is also facing competition for control of the internet at 30,000 feet. Amazon Leo, the satellite internet service from Amazon, will support WiFi on Delta planes starting in 2028.

I found 11 surprise Memorial Day Apple deals that are still live: Grab M5 MacBook Airs for $899, AirPods for $99

Tue, 26 May 2026 19:38:36 +0000

Top Memorial Day Apple Deals that are still live:

Best Overall

M5 MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$899 (save $200 at Amazon)

Best AirPods Deal

Apple AirPods 4

$99 (save $30 at Walmart)

Best Past-Gen Deal

Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (A16, 128GB)

$299 (save $50 at Amazon)

Best Deal at Best Buy

Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M4, 1TB)

$899 (save $200 at Best Buy)

Best Apple Watch Deal

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm)

$299 (save $100 at Amazon)

Best Beats Deal

Beats Studio Pro Noise-Cancelling Headphones

$249.95 (save $100.04 at Amazon)

Best MagSafe Accessory deal

Anker Nano MagSafe Portable Charger

$45.99 (save $9 at Amazon)

I'm Mashable's Tech Editor, and I drew the short straw as the editor on call for Memorial Day. But I'm kind of glad I did, because we spotted an unexpected price drop on the new M5 MacBook Air. While the long weekend is technically over, almost all of these deals are still live.

In my review of the latest MacBook Air, I said that this is a pretty much perfect laptop, though I wasn't in love with the price. So, with the new record-low price of just $899 at Amazon, the MacBook Air just erased my one and only gripe. In the days of RAM-ageddon, this is a phenomenal price — and it's not the only Apple product on sale today.

At Best Buy, you can pick up previous-gen iPad Airs starting at $499, or save $200 on the M5 iPad Airs with 1TB of memory. At Woot, you can score a 4-pack of the original AirTags for only $59.99. And at Amazon, Prime Members can save $50 on iPads and AirPods.

Get your clicking and scrolling fingers ready as we break down the best Memorial Day Apple deals that are still kickin', with big savings on Apple AirPods, MacBooks, AirTags, iPads, and Beats headphones.

Best Apple Deal: M5 MacBook Air

Credit: Apple

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

$899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200

Credit: Apple

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

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

Why we like it

As we mentioned above, we weren't expecting this one. We were excited when the newest MacBook Air dropped to $949, but here we are after MDW, and this sleek Apple laptop is still at its lowest-ever price: $899. With the lightning-fast M5 chip, Apple's famous Liquid Retina display, powerful and well-balanced speakers, and a svelte form factor, I think this is the best laptop in the world for the money, full stop.

With a worldwide memory shortage causing tons of price hikes in the laptop space, I highly recommend jumping on this price while you still can!

More Memorial Day deals on Apple products:

Apple AirPods 4 — $99 ~~$129~~ (save $30 at Walmart)
~~Apple AirPods Pro 3~~ — $199 ~~$249 (save $50)~~
Beats Studio Pro Noise-Cancelling Headphones — $249.95 ~~$349.99~~ (save $100.04)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS 42mm) — $299 ~~$399~~ (save $100 at Amazon and Walmart)
Apple iPad, 11 inches — $299 ~~$349~~ (save $50)
Apple Watch Ultra 2, Refurbished — $399 ~~$799~~ (save $400)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $509 ~~$549~~ (save $40)
Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M3, 128GB) — $549 ~~$599~~ (save $50)
Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M4, 1TB) — $899 ~~$1,099~~ (save $200 at Best Buy)
Apple iPad Pro, 11-inches (M5, 256GB) — $899 ~~$999~~ (save $100)

Apple accessories deals

UGreeen Qi2 MasSafe Charging Stand — $29.99 ~~$45.99~~ (save $16)
Anker Nano MagSafe Portable Charger — $45.99 ~~$54.99~~ (save $9)
Apple AirTag 4-pack (1st Gen) — $59.99 ~~$99~~ (save $39.01 at Woot)
Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe iPhone Charger — $89.99 $119.99 (save $30)

The new version of my favorite stick vacuum for carpet is $150 off: Get the Shark PowerDetect Speed for $350

Tue, 26 May 2026 18:21:36 +0000

SAVE $150: As of May 26, the Shark PowerDetect Speed stick vacuum with Clean & Empty System is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's 30% off of its usual $499.99.

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty

$349.99 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $150

There's a new best Shark stick vacuum in town, but you don't even have to pay close to full price to bring it home. Less than two months after launching in April, the Shark PowerDetect Speed and its self-empty dock are on sale for just $349.99 at Amazon and Best Buy — a massive 30% discount that's surprising to see on a vacuum so new. In my humble opinion as Mashable's resident vacuum reviewer, this is one of the absolute best Memorial Day deals on a vacuum, beating Dyson.

The PowerDetect Speed is the chicer version of my favorite cordless vacuum for pet hair on carpet, the original Shark PowerDetect. The suction power hasn't changed much — it's still wickedly powerful, and you'll literally be able to feel the TurboPro brush roll digging into rug or carpet fibers to untether fur or crumbs. Since this stick vac empties itself whenever it's hung up to charge, the transparent dustbin starts with a clean slate every time. You'll be able to see exactly how much debris was embedded in the current room you're cleaning. And trust me: There's way more gray fluff embedded in your floors than you think.

The Speed model's cleaning head looks a little different from the original PowerDetect, and not just because it's orange. This one is a little more compact and shoots out a blue LED light to illuminate debris that you may not see with the naked eye. The PowerDetect Speed just has a more slender build overall, too. It barely weighs over seven pounds, shaving more than two pounds off the bulky OG PowerDetect.

Despite the smaller design (and presumably smaller battery), the PowerDetect Speed can still clean for up to an hour on one charge.