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I tested the 160MHz Wi-Fi "hack" and it made my network worse
There's a Wi-Fi trick floating around tech forums that promises to dramatically boost your wireless speeds. I tried it, and came away with more questions than answers—most of them wondering about why it keeps getting recommended.
6 distros that prove Linux is the future of desktop PCs
An age-old rhetorical question has plagued everyone’s favorite open-source operating system from the very beginning: Is Linux ready for the desktop? Of course it is! In the early days, when users were forced to use the terminal, battle with device drivers, or even compile their own kernel, things were different. But nowadays, we have clean, attractive desktop environments that are every bit as capable as Windows or macOS.
How to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is showcasing a long list of fascinating matchups, but Portugal vs. DR Congo might be one of the best. There's a growing consensus that Portugal could go far in this competition, but DR Congo will pose a genuine threat. They've got the talent to produce a shock result at the NRG Stadium.
Portugal are repping star names like Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, and Vitinha. And of course, 41-year-old Ronaldo is set to lead the line once again. Could he cap an incredible career by winning the biggest prize in sport?
If you want to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Portugal vs. DR Congo?Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on June 17. This fixture takes place at the NRG Stadium.
How to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo for freePortugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Portugal vs. DR Congo 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 the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Portugal vs. DR Congo for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Portugal vs. DR Congo (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
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 Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
Your Android phone is secretly a loudness meter, light meter, and thermometer
Most of us use Android phones for the same handful of things every day: scrolling social media, watching videos, playing games, and chatting. What many people don’t realize is that modern smartphones are packed with sensors that can do a lot more than just power GPS navigation. You see, with the right apps, you can use your phone’s sensors to unlock a new set of capable measuring tools.
How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for free
TL;DR: All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer/ITVX. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, which recently announced it's an Official Tournament Supporter of the event in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
The world has stopped for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
16 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are welcoming the best international sides from around the world as they compete for arguably the biggest prize in sport. Huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Lamine Yamal are likely to steal the spotlight, but new stars always shine brightly in this prestigious competition.
It's going to be a wild ride. We're still making our way through the first round of group-stage fixtures, but we've already been treated to some stellar performances from top names. The best moment of the tournament so far? Cape Verde's stunning 0-0 draw with Spain is tough to beat. Messi's hattrick against Algeria is another contender.
If you're interested in watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
What is the FIFA World Cup?The World Cup is an international football competition between senior men's national teams. The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout rounds.
The defending champions are Argentina. They won their third title at the 2022 World Cup after defeating France in an epic final.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.
How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for freeA number of streaming platforms are offering free coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Australia — SBS
France — M6
Ireland — RTÉ
Italy — RAI
Norway — NRK
Netherlands — NOS
Spain — RTVE
UK — BBC iPlayer and ITVX (recommended)
These streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
If you're looking for the best VPN to stream the FIFA World Cup, ExpressVPN recently announced that it's an Official Tournament Supporter of the event in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. ExpressVPN was already our go-to recommendation for sports streaming, and now it's also the exclusive VPN supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.
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 sports 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 sports 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
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 a money-back guarantee).
Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
The Widows Bay cast breaks down their favorite scares from Season 1
It's almost unfair for Widow's Bay to be as hilarious and terrifying as it is.
SEE ALSO: 'Widow's Bay' review: Your new favorite TV town awaits in this tremendous horror comedyNot an episode of Apple TV's latest hit went by without me belly laughing or letting out a shriek of terror. From Patricia's (Kate O'Flynn) cursed "Rhythm of the Night" dance circle to the finale's unsettling sacrifice, Widow's Bay crafted some of 2026's most effective horror moments. But which of these scares impacted the cast the most?
In an interview with Mashable, Widow's Bay stars Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, and O'Flynn, as well as series creator Katie Dippold and director Hiro Murai, broke down their favorite scares from the season. Rhys's choice? The murderous Willy the Clown (Tim Baltz).
"He worked on that crawl, and the speed at which he came to me, I actually yelped," Rhys recalled. "I still look at it and go, 'how did he do that?'"
Elsewhere, O'Flynn recalled shooting Patricia's memorable final girl encounter with the Boogeyman (Airon Armstrong), a serial killer pulled straight out of Halloween.
"He did so many amazing stunts in one take, and it was quite extraordinary to watch," O'Flynn said. "I was worried about him walking through the fire, but he did it, no problem."
To hear more about the Widow's Bay team's favorite scares, as well as the show's many horror influences, check out the full video above.
I escaped Amazon's Kindle ecosystem without getting rid of my Kindle—it was easier than you'd think
I've used my Kindle for many years. Until recently, I was still using Amazon's Kindle ecosystem for buying and uploading books to my Kindle. I finally decided to cut ties with Amazon, and doing so was easier than I expected.
More storage won't fix your data problem—I learned this the hard way after 20TB of mistakes
Do you remember when storage used to be cheap? It's a little hard to do that right now given that every type of computer component seems to be undergoing price surges from unending data center demands, but ten years ago I was on a storage buying spree that lasted a few years.
Prime Day is next week: Here are 50+ early deals to start shopping now
No matter what type of shopper you are, whether you use sales to stock up on household essentials like dish soap and paper towels or as a time to splurge, the time is nigh because Prime Day is coming.
Usually taking place in early July, Amazon has decided to shake things up this year and run the sale in June. Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs from June 23 to 26, and while the timing may have changed, we're still expecting the same great savings.
We're still a week away from the official start of Prime Day, the deals kicked off as soon as the sale was announced. Each day we get closer to the sale, more deals go live. Look for early savings on Amazon devices, toys and games, kitchen appliances, and gadgets from Sony, Sonos, and Apple.
So if you're eager to start saving, we rounded up the top early Prime Day deals to start shopping now — including nearly the lowest price ever on the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
Best early Prime Day Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 at Amazon$249 Save $69.01 Get Deal
Leading up to Prime Day, we're obviously hunting for the best Apple deals, and a major one just dropped. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are down to $179.99, which saves you $69.01 off its $249 price tag. That's just $0.99 more than the earbud's lowest price ever.
This is the type of deal we normally see during Prime Day, so the fact that it's coming two weeks early is something to celebrate.
Apple Watch dealsApple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) — $219 $249 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100)
Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499 $549 (save $50)
Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $299.99 $349 (save $49.01)
Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, 128GB, WiFi) — $474 $499 (save $25)
$179.99 Save $85.99 Get Deal
When Prime Day actually starts, our attention will be on the big names in headphones: the Sony WH-1000XM6s and the Bose QuietComfort Ultras. But leading up to it, those big brands still have lots of savings to give. Right now, the best deal on headphones is on the Sony WH-CH720N, an affordable pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. Normally $179.99, the WH-CH720N just dropped under $100 ahead of Prime Day. Snag them now for as low as $94 and save $85.99.
More headphone dealsSony WH-CH520 — $38 $69.99 (save $31.99)
Soundcore Space Q45 — $139.99 $149.99 (save $10)
Logitech G735 — $142.53 $259.99 (save $117.46)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $219.99 $299.99 (save $80)
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $399.99 (save $121.99)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — $329 $429 (save $100)
Sony WH-1000XM6 — $398 $459.99 (save $61.99)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499.99 $549 (save $49.01)
Soundcore V20i Open-Ear Headphones — $26.99 $49.99 (save $23)
Sony WF-C510 — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)
Technics AZ100 Earbuds — $232.99 $299.99 (save $67)
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal
Echo prices dropped in the week leading up to Prime Day. The latest Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both hit new, all-time low prices. But the biggest discount is on the Amazon Echo Spot, the smart alarm clock. This tiny speaker sits compactly on nightstands but provides everything you need to start your morning including a weather report and tunes to get you out of med.
Ahead of Prime Day, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $44.99. That saves you $35 off its $79.99 price tag for a 44% discount.
More Echo dealsAmazon Echo Glow — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
Amazon Echo Dot — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)
Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25)
Amazon Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)
Amazon Echo Dot Max — $64.99 $99.99 (save $35)
Amazon Echo Show 8 — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)
Amazon Echo Show 11 — $149.99 $219.99 (save $70)
Amazon Echo Studio — $174.99 $219.99 (save $45)
Amazon Echo Show 21 — $319.99 $399.99 (save $80)
$479 Save $100 Get Deal
Whether you're hosting summer movie nights or dinner parties, if you want to upgrade your home's audio, early Prime Day deals are coming in clutch. The advanced Sonos Era 300 is equipped with Dolby Atmos and powered by six drivers for surround sound. Right now, grab it for just $379, saving you $100 off its $479 price tag.
More speaker dealsJBL Go 3 — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)
JBL Go 4 — $39.95 $49.95 (save $10)
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 — $51.44 $99.99 (save $48.55)
Ultimate Ears Miniroll Ultra — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Sony ULT Field 1 — $88 $139.99 ($51.99)
Sonos Roam 2 — $134 $179 (save $45)
Sonos Beam Gen 2 — $369 $499 (save $130)
Sonos Move 2 — $399 $499 (save $100)
$1,499 Save $699.01 Get Deal
Ready for summer adventures? If you're gearing up to pack the car and head into nature, don't forget to invest in a portable power station to keep your campsite powered. Plus, it can serve as an at-home power backup in an emergency.
Right now, there's an outstanding deal on the Anker Solix C2000, which is 50% off. That takes it from $1,499 all the way down to $749. Ahead of Prime Day, that saves you $750.
More portable power station dealsJackery Explorer 1000 — $429 $799 (save $350)
Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $499.99 $799 (save $299.01)
Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $799 $1,070 (save $271)
Anker Solix F3800 Plus — $2,199.99 $2,699.99 (save $500)
$1,697.99 Save $400 Get Deal
Getting ready for the World Cup? If you want to watch every heart-racing moment in 4K and your TV isn't up to par, then shop the early Prime Day deal on the Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV. Normally $1,697.99, it's down to $1,397.99, saving you $300. That also means it's just $100 away from its lowest price ever. It's an exceptionally crisp TV with deep contrast and built-in AI.
More TV dealsGoogle TV Streamer — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Roku 65-inch QLED 4K Smart TV — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)
TCL 75-inch T7 QLED 4K Google TV — $739.99 $899.99 (save $150)
Hisense 65-inch U7 ULED 4K Google TV — $947.99 $1,499.99 (save $552)
$799.99 Save $300 Get Deal
Mashable in-house vacuum expert Leah Stodart named the Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop the best affordable vacuum-and-mop combo. Despite its budget price, Stodart says it's the most heavy-duty robot mop you'll find, and delivers spotless cleans. Ahead of Prime Day, get the Eufy C28 for just $499.99. That's the vacuums lowest price ever, and provides $300 in savings.
More robot vacuum dealsiRobot Roomba 105 Robot Vacuum — $248.98 $449.99 (save $201)
Dream X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 $1,049.99 (save $150)
Roborock Saros 10R Robot Vacuum and Mop — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)
Bissell Little Green Mini — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Shark HV343AMZ Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum — $119.99 $179.99 (save $60)
Shark IZ363HT Cordless Vacuum — $219.99 $349.99 (save $130)
Bissell PowerClean FurGuard Cordless Vacuum — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120)
$89.95 Save $30 Get Deal
Here's a summer hack to keep your house cool: Don't turn on the oven. That doesn't mean only eating cold salads all summer. What you really need is an air fryer. My air fryer has saved me countless times in the summer, letting me cook dinner without breaking a sweat. Ahead of Prime Day, grab the Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer for just $59.95 and save $30.
More home dealsLevoit 36-inch Tower Fan — $54.95 $74.99 (save $20.04)
Dreo 36-inch Tower Fan — $69.96 $79.99 (save $10.03)
Lasko 42-inch Tower Fan — $75.64 $88.99 (save $13.35)
Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender — $69.95 $99.99 (save $30.04)
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker — $64.99 $109.99 (save $45)
Instant Pot 6-Quart Vortex Plus Air Fryer — $69.99 $149.99 (save $80)
Ninja Pod and Grounds Single Serve Coffee Maker — $99.98 $129.99 (save $30.01)
$59.99 Save $26.50 Get Deal
While novelty Lego sets are fun, there's something special about a set that gives you full creative control. The Lego Classic Large Brick Box has 790 pieces to build the neighborhood of your dreams. Just in time for summer break when kiddos need some entertainment, this box set is on sale for 44% off. Grab it now for under $30 ahead of Prime Day.
More Lego dealsLego Botanicals Happy Plants — $18.39 $22.99 (save $4.60)
Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid — $23.95 $29.99 (save $6.04)
Lego Botanicals Bonsai Tree — $39.98 $49.99 (save $10.01)
Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)
Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon — $67.99 $84.99 (save $17)
Lego Art Mona Lisa — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle — $136.99 $169.99 (save $33)
Amazon devices are up to 65% off ahead of Prime Day — shop Fire TVs and Blink cameras
The countdown is on for Prime Day. Amazon's annual flagship sale runs June 23 to 26, but deals are here already. We always expect some of the best deals during Prime Day to be on Amazon's very own devices, and that's certainly the case ahead of the sale. Prices have been slashed on Amazon devices with discounts up to 65% off.
Some of the biggest savings are on Amazon Fire TVs. Every size and a variety of brands are all on sale, saving you hundreds of dollars on 4K TVs. But there are also some big savings on home security and smart home devices, too.
So what's not on sale right now? Unfortunately, Kindles. That's not to say they won't be, we just expect those deals to drop once Prime Day actually starts.
Here are all the early Prime Day deals on Amazon devices to start shopping now.
Best early Prime Day Echo deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal
Echo prices dropped in the week leading up to Prime Day. The latest Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both hit new, all-time low prices. But the biggest discount is on the Amazon Echo Spot, the smart alarm clock. This tiny speaker sits compactly on nightstands but provides everything you need to start your morning including a weather report and tunes to get you out of med.
Ahead of Prime Day, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $44.99. That saves you $35 off its $79.99 price tag for a 44% discount.
More Echo dealsAmazon Echo Glow — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
Amazon Echo Dot — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)
Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25)
Amazon Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)
Amazon Echo Dot Max — $64.99 $99.99 (save $35)
Amazon Echo Show 8 — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)
Amazon Echo Show 11 — $149.99 $219.99 (save $70)
Amazon Echo Studio — $174.99 $219.99 (save $45)
Amazon Echo Show 21 — $319.99 $399.99 (save $80)
$299.99 Save $160.01 Get Deal
There's nothing better than a smart TV that provides access to all your favorite streaming services, no extraneous streaming sticks or devices needed. Ahead of Prime Day, the Fire TV sales are plentiful. The best deal is on the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 LED 4K Smart TV, which is down to $139.98, saving you over $160 off. This 4K TV comes equipped with Dolby Vision Atmos for clearer sound and picture for the best possible viewing experience.
TV deals move fast during big sales so if this deal looks good to you, buy it quick before it sells out.
More Amazon Fire TV dealsInsignia 24-inch F40 Series LED Smart Fire TV — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Insignia 32-inch F20 Series LED Smart Fire TV — $69.99 $129.99 (save $60)
Insignia 40-inch FE Series LED Smart Fire TV — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Amazon 40-inch 2-Series Smart Fire TV — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)
Insignia 50-inch F50 Series LED 4K Smart Fire TV — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)
Amazon Ember 55-inch 4-Series Ultra HD Smart Fire TV — $279.95 $459.99 (save $180.04)
Amazon Fire 55-inch Omni QLED 4K Smart Fire TV — $279.99 $499.99 (save $220)
Insignia 65-inch QF Series LED 4K Smart Fire TV — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)
TCL Amazon Exclusive 85-inch QM64L Series QLED Smart Fire TV — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)
Remote and soundbar deals
Amazon Fire TV Voice Remote Pro — $22.99 $34.99 (save $12)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus — $144.99 $249.99 (save $105)
Streaming stick deals
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $15.99 $34.99 (save $19)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22)
$419.99 Save $273 Get Deal
Looking to boost your home's security? Well ahead of Prime Day, find major savings on Amazon's Blink security cameras. Right now the Blink Outdoor 4 XR is down to $146.99. That saves you $273 off the six camera system. The XR cameras in this bundle provides a 70% more reliable wireless connection with fewer disconnections to WiFi so you can feel more secure in your security system. Plus, the cameras have a two-year battery life.
More Amazon home security dealsBlink Wired Floodlight — $29.99 $99.99 (save $70)
Blink Outdoor 4 5-Camera System — $104.99 $299.99 (save $195)
Blink Outdoor 2K+ Wireless Security Camera — $156.99 $349.99 (save $193.99)
$449.99 Save $120 Get Deal
If your WiFi isn't cutting it, it might be time to optimize with Amazon Eero system. Ahead of Prime Day the Eero Pro 6E Mesh WiFi system is down to $329.99, saving you $120 off its $449.99 price tag. It supports over 100 devices over 6,000+ square feet. Even if you're not the most technologically savvy, set-up will be a breeze thanks to the step by step guide in Eero's app.
More early Prime Day smart home dealsAmazon Smart Plug — $12.99 $24.99 (save $12)
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor — $44.99 $69.99 (save $25)
Amazon Smart Thermostat — $57.99 $79.99 (save $22)
Fire tablets
Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet — $54.99 $109.99 (save $55)
Kindle deals
Amazon Wireless Charging Dock for Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition — $29.99 $44.99 (save $15)
Amazon Kindle Scribe Premium Pen — $51.99 $79.99 (save $28)
Should you buy a robot vacuum before Prime Day? I test them for a living and found some early deals.
Don't ask ChatGPT which robot vacuum you should buy on Prime Day — ask the person who has tested nearly 40 robot vacuums in their own home. Most of the best robot vacuums of the past few years, including new 2026 models, will be on sale for Prime Day between June 23 and June 26. But if your floors need automated cleaning earlier than the end of the month, I found a handful of worthwhile robot vacuums on sale to buy ahead of Prime Day.
That doesn't just refer to the models with the biggest discounts. I've further whittled down the list to the robot vacuums with the best ratio of cleaning specs and smart features compared to their sale price.
SEE ALSO: HGTV hive, rise up: The best Shark robot vacuum and cordless stick vacuum just dropped in 4 earth tonesFor example, the Roborock Saros 10R that I loved last year is $500 off, now back at its record-low price of $999.99. That sounds like a steal until I remind you that you can get significantly more suction power for $749.99 with the Dreame L60 Ultra FE. The self-emptying Shark Navigator for $246.95 sounds great until you realize that just $30 more can get you mopping and small obstacle avoidance with the Roborock Q10 S5+. (If you're shopping for a really high-end robot vacuum, I'd wait for the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete or Narwal Flow 2 to go on sale.)
So, here are the early Prime Day deals on robot vacuums that are worth your time so far:
Best Amazon robot vacuum deal ahead of Prime Day Dreame L60 Ultra FE $849.99 at Amazon$999.99 Save $150 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
Not to rope the Roborock Saros 10R back into it, but it really does make the Dreame L60 Ultra FE's value stand out. This model was just released at the end of April 2026, and its 30,000 Pa suction power isn't too far off from the 35,000 Pa of the most powerful Dreame robot vacuum. With accurate AI obstacle avoidance and heated self-washing mopping pads thrown in, this is a really solid vacuum for less than $800.
I can personally attest to the L60 Ultra FE's cleaning power for the price — it's currently sitting in my living room. I'm a sucker for the corner mopping of a spinning mopping pad, which still squeezes into 90-degree angles better than roller mop robot vacuums that can slide out to clean edges. This Dreame model has done a commendable job with cat litter, crumbs under the kitchen counter, and cat scratcher flecks stuck in the rug.
Deals on robot vacuum mop combos (+ self-washing mopping pads)Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 2 — $379.92 $589.99 (save $210.07)
Dreame D30 Ultra CE — $399.97 $499.99 (save $100.02)
Mova P10 Pro Ultra Gen 2 — $498.99 $599 (save $100.01)
Eufy C28 — $529.99 $799.99 (save $270)
Narwal Freo Z10 — $649.99 $899.99 (save $150)
Ecovacs Deebot T90 Pro Omni — $699 $899.99 (save $200.99)
Roborock Qrevo CurvX — $849.99 $1,499.99 (save $650)
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150 at Best Buy)
Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 — $799.99 $1,299.99 (save $500)
Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete — $1,459.99 $1,699.99 (save $240)
3i G10+ — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)
Dreame D20 — $219.99 $269.99 (save $50)
Roborock Q7 M5+ — $249.99 $359.99 (save $90)
Roborock Q10 S5+ — $279.99 $549.99 (save $270)
Shark AI Ultra — $289.99 $599 (save $309.01)
iRobot Roomba 105X — $129.99 $249.99 (save $120)
Note: You don't need to be a Prime member to shop most of these early deals, but that will change come the official Prime Day kickoff on June 23.
I stopped paying for creator apps after finding these 4 open-source tools
I've been creating content for more than 20 years, and the tools have changed a lot in that time. In many ways, they're better than ever. It's easier to record a screen, capture video, clean up a rough audio track, cut together a simple edit, and get a file into the format I need. The problem is that many of the tools built for that work have also gotten more expensive, especially as more companies have moved toward subscriptions.
I replaced these 3 subscriptions with a Raspberry Pi and never looked back
You’ve probably noticed that your monthly subscription costs keep creeping up. Within the last few years, most of my favorite services hiked their prices.
4 reasons CLI apps are better than GUI alternatives on Linux
Linux desktop environments have never been better. Modern distributions offer polished graphical interfaces, excellent software stores, and user-friendly applications that make it possible to accomplish almost anything without touching a terminal.
Google Home Speaker finally arrives with Gemini—and it's a real threat to Echo Dot Max
Several months after the first peek, the Google Home Speaker is finally on sale. It promises to be a good deal and a much-needed update to the company's smart speaker line, although you might need a Gemini subscription to make the most of it.
The new Google Home Speaker can run your house with Gemini for $99
Google's first smart speaker in years is finally here.
Or, it will be when it launches on June 25, anyway. Google finally gave us all the details on the new Google Home Speaker, which it says is the first smart speaker in its portfolio that was built with Gemini AI commands in mind. The device costs $99 and comes in four colors: Hazel, Porcelain, Jade, and Berry.
The news from Google also confirms a leak from earlier this month, though now we have additional details and photos.
SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly turning to Nvidia chips for Gemini-powered Siri There they are. Credit: GoogleAs expected, since Google first teased the product last year, this is very similar to the old Nest line of smart speakers in appearance, but it is now a Gemini-powered device. That means it can (theoretically) take natural-language commands that are more complex than what the old Google Assistant devices could do. One example given in Google's press release was "turn off all the lights except my bedside lamp." You'll also be able to string multiple commands together in one sentence.
The main problem with all of this is that $99 doesn't get you access to everything this speaker can do.
If you want all the tricks, you'll need a Google Home Premium subscription (which starts at $10/mo) in order to access conversations with Gemini Live or to ask about things happening on any Nest cameras you have installed. There's also a Home Brief feature that can catch you up on anything that happened around the house while you've been gone, but that seems to be locked behind Home Premium, too.
On the plus side, users who already have a subscription to Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription plans will automatically get access to Google Home Premium at no extra cost. If you're on the more expensive AI Ultra plan, you'll additionally get access to Google Home Premium Advanced, also at no extra cost.
One potential issue here is the efficacy of AI voice commands. Last year, users of previous Google Home products complained about Gemini being worse at taking commands than Google Assistant was. It's been a year, and this is a new generation of more powerful hardware, so that doesn't necessarily mean the new Home Speaker will succumb to these same problems. However, Google may need to earn back some goodwill with the new speaker
I catalogued hundreds of DVDs in minutes by sending photos to ChatGPT
For a few years now, I've been getting into physical media like it's nobody's business. I had a small collection that I got rid of (and partially lost) leading up to the first time I subscribed to Netflix, but I felt no pressure to own anything in physical form during the streaming honeymoon phase.
New York Knicks championship parade: Parade route, start time, livestream details
TL;DR: The New York Knicks 2026 NBA championship parade starts on Thursday, June 18 at 10 a.m. ET. If you can't make it to Lower Manhattan, you can livestream the entire celebration via FuboTV or DirecTV, both of which offer free trials for new users.
It actually happened. After a painful 53-year wait, the New York Knicks are NBA Champions.
Finals MVP Jalen Brunson put away the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5, ending the longest active championship drought among teams that had previously won an NBA title. Predictably, the city has lost its mind. Now it's time to party.
Whether you plan on skipping work to stand 10-deep on the sidewalk or want to stream the entire historic moment from the comfort of your living room, here is everything you need to know about the logistics, the route, and how to watch.
What time does the Knicks parade start?The parade is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026. The floats are set to begin rolling at exactly 10 a.m. ET.
What is the Knicks parade route?The procession will follow New York City’s legendary Canyon of Heroes pathway in Lower Manhattan. The parade kicks off at The Battery (Bowling Green) and travels directly north along Broadway before culminating at City Hall Park.
SEE ALSO: Knicks' Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mike Brown thank fans on 'The Tonight Show'Following the float progression, Mayor Mamdani will host a civic ceremony outside City Hall to present keys to the city to Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the rest of the roster. Keep an eye out for Mitchell Robinson driving his own custom raised pickup truck in the parade lineup. That's the kind of unhinged energy that Knicks fans relish.
How to watch the Knicks parade from homeIf you aren’t willing to brave the swarms of fans taking over the subways (we get it), you will need a reliable livestream. The parade will be broadcast locally on New York news and sports networks (including MSG Network, FOX 5, and ABC 7). If you don't have a cable box, your best bet is a live TV streaming service.
How to live stream the Knicks parade: Our top pick for cord-cutters FuboTV 7-day free trial Get Deal Best Alternative DirecTV 5-day free trial Get Deal3 surprising USB-C-powered gadgets I rely on every day
Devices that once shipped with awkward barrel plugs are now switching to USB-C, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s now something I look for whenever I buy everyday gadgets that I know I’ll have to plug in and recharge regularly.
The solution to this common Android Auto/CarPlay problem is embarrassingly simple
I write about tech for a living and spend much of my life being tech support for various family members. That’s why I was completely ashamed about how long it took me to figure out how to solve a basic volume issue in both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
