IT General

Waymo is once again recalling all its robotaxis over a potentially critical safety issue. The Alphabet brand has warned that at least 13 of its 3,871 cars have driven into freeway construction zones in the past several weeks, prompting a recent halt to service on those roads.

Routers are among those pieces of tech that hardly ever go up in flames and completely stop working. At least, it's never happened to me before, although I've dealt with my share of various router issues.

I used a Kindle Paperwhite for over six years, but I never liked Amazon’s proprietary services and restrictions. Recently, I acquired a Kobo eReader—and I’m very happy with it—but there’s one thing the Kindle weirdly does better.

Apple AirPods have become so ubiquitous, people use them with their Android phones and Windows PCs. There's no denying that the buds are good, but there is increasingly little reason to spend that much money if all you need are a decent pair of buds.

Here's a fun fact that nobody tells you when you set up your home network: your laptop, your phone, your router, and even your web browser can all be using completely different DNS servers at the same time, and none of them are talking to each other about it. You might think you've got one tidy address book for the whole house, but you actually have four, and they disagree.

EVs can still be huge hits even when some markets are rough. BMW is reportedly set to open pre-orders in Germany for the new 2027 i3 (aka the electric 3 Series) two months early due to strong demand.

Sending files and texts between your phone and computer is somehow always more work than it should be. These three apps promise to make it less annoying, so I tried all three over the past few weeks to find out which one does the best job.

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

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ (Annual Membership) $49 at Walmart
$98 Save $49   Get Deal

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Amazon Prime Day: Dates, competition, and the best early deals to shop already

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

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

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

Best early Prime Day Kindle deals Best Kindle Deal Kindle Essentials Bundle 106.97 (Save $55) Get Deal Best Paperwhite Deal Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Bundle $177.97 (Save $89) Get Deal Best Colorsoft Deal Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Bundle $244.97 (Save $108) Get Deal

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

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

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2026

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

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

Best early Prime Day Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Essentials Bundle $106.97 at Amazon
$161.97 Save $55   Get Deal

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

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

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

More early Prime Day Kindle deals

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

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

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

How much will Kindles cost during Prime Day?

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

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

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

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

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

Are you still logging into your homelab services one by one? This weekend, take the time to set up both Caddy and Authelia (or Tinyauth), and your homelab will be better for it. Then, when you're done with that, deploy Homebox and get organized. You'll thank yourself later.

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

The world has stopped for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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

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

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

What is the FIFA World Cup?

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

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

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

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

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free

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

• Australia — SBS

• Austria — ORF and ServusTV

• Belgium — RTBF and VRT

• France — M6

• Germany — ARD and ZDF

• Ireland — RTÉ

• Italy — RAI

• Norway — NRK

• Netherlands — NOS

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer and ITVX (recommended)

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

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

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

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

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

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

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

A good office chair should not force you to sit perfectly still in the name of comfort. The Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 is built around full-body adaptive support that adjusts as you move throughout the day, and right now it's reduced from $499.99 to $429.99 for Prime Day on the brand's site. Even better, How-To Geek readers get an extra 6% off with code: SIHOOHTG2, discounting the chair to its lowest-ever price of $404.20. Customers will also enjoy free shipping, a three-year warranty, and a 30-day worry-free return window.

The best early Prime Day iPhone deals at a glance: Best iPhone 17 Pro deal Apple iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) Free with Experience More or Experience Beyond at T-Mobile (save $1,099.99) Get Deal Best iPhone Air deal Apple iPhone Air (256GB) $929.99 at Best Buy (save $70) Get Deal Best budget iPhone deal Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) $529.99 at Best Buy (save $70) Get Deal

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

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

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

Best iPhone 17 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro $0 at T-Mobile
$1,099.99 Save $1,099.99   Get Deal Why we like it

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

Best iPhone Air deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone Air (256GB) $929.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the iPhone Air.

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

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

Best budget iPhone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) $529.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

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

More early Prime Day iPhone deals

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

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

If your smart home network isn't working as well as you want it to, the last advice you might expect would be "just add more devices." However, if you're running a Zigbee network, that might just be the best advice. Your Zigbee network can get better if you add more of the right types of devices.

You probably know Microsoft 365 saves your work automatically. What many people miss is that when your files are stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, AutoSave and Version History work together to create a powerful safety net—even after you've saved, closed the file, and moved on.

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

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

SEE ALSO: The big question LGBTQ daters are asking, according to Hinge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Google TV (built on the Android TV platform) is an extremely popular smart TV operating system, available on a wide range of TVs from various brands. Google TV has a lot to offer, but a common problem is all the bloatware and pre-installed apps, which is why one of my first steps is to purge anything I can. So, here are some of the apps I uninstall on every Google or Android TV.

A glance at the best deals on 65-inch TVs before Prime Day: Best high-end 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch Q8ML Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,799.99 at Amazon (save $700 at Amazon, plus get a free 55-inch TCL Q65 TV) Get Deal Best Amazon TV deal Amazon 65-inch Ember Artline QLED Art TV $899.99 at Amazon (save $200 at Amazon) Get Deal Best budget 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch QM64L Mini LED QLED Fire TV $529.99 at Amazon (save $270 at Amazon) Get Deal

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

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

SEE ALSO: 15+ streaming services you can get for 99 cents, plus more early Prime Day streaming deals

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

Best 65-inch TV deal ahead of Prime Day TCL 65-inch Q8ML Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,799.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $700.00 Plus, get a 55-inch TCL Q65 TV for free Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

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

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

Best 65-inch Amazon TV deal Amazon 65-inch Ember Artline QLED Art TV $899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

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

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

More 65-inch TV deals at Amazon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

65-inch TV deals at Best Buy

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

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

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

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

Your passwords are the keys to your entire digital life, so it only makes sense to prioritize their security. Now, Bitwarden is genuinely one of the best password managers out there, but there’s an even more private and secure setup available. What’s more, you get this extra layer of privacy without sacrificing any of the familiar convenience—and it’ll cost you $0 and less than an hour to set up.

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

At least this one isn't another delay.

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

SEE ALSO: 'Grand Theft Auto VI' gets a surprise second trailer after being delayed

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