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SAVE $10: Grab the Iris Woozoo globe fan for $39.97 at Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Iris Iris Woozoo Oscillating 3-Speed Fan $39.97 at Walmart
$49.99 Save $10.02 Get Deal

I've already written about how the Iris Woozoo fan helped save my sheets during this summer's relentless heat waves. And now that we've entered back-to-school shopping season, I wanted to give this fan another shoutout, as it's on sale at Walmart (and Best Buy).

You can find a ton of dorm room essentials, fun decor, and just plain fun products on sale right now. For more recommendations, check out our back-to-school guide for college students. If you're putting together a shopping list, then I highly recommend adding the Woozoo fan.

I got this globe fan as a birthday gift, and it's helped me survive a particularly hot and humid summer in Brooklyn, New York. My dad picked this up after hearing my college-aged cousins rave about it, and Reddit is full of testimonials from college students (and college parents) who are equally enthusiastic. Why do I love this fan?

The compact fan fits neatly in small dorm rooms. Credit: Iris

It's surprisingly strong, quiet, and compact, and I can see why it would be so useful in a dorm room. It's got some cool additional features, such as a sleep timer, a remote control, and a natural breeze setting, which I haven't seen before. The globe shape helps it fit into small spaces, and the oscillation and adjustable speeds let you quickly cool off a small space like a dorm, bedroom, or home office.

You can currently find the best price on the Woozoo fan at Walmart, where it's listed for $39.97, a $10 discount from the usual retail price. Best Buy also has this fan on sale, though for a whopping 2 cents higher price. Amazon also has other Woozoo fans on sale, but none of its deals beat this Walmart Rollback.

Deals on the Woozoo fan The best deal Iris Woozoo Oscillating 3-Speed Fan $39.97 (save $10.02 at Walmart) Get Deal Back-up option Iris Woozoo Oscillating 3-Speed Fan $39.99 (save $10 at Best Buy) Get Deal For Prime shoppers Iris Woozoo Oscillating 5-Speed Fan $59.99 (save $15 at Amazon) Get Deal

The wars in the stars never end. But sometimes they fade away.

That's what happened to the Star Wars franchise after an exhausted George Lucas wrapped the original trilogy with Return of the Jedi in 1983. Decades later, fans still refer to the subsequent 10-year famine of Star Wars entertainment as the Dark Times. It happened again when Lucas wrapped up the prequel trilogy with Revenge of the Sith in 2005, urging fans to "grow up" and leave their moisture farms. It would be another decade before we'd see Star Wars live action on the big screen again.

And it's happening once more in 2025. Lucas himself, of course, is happily divorced from his baby — in his first San Diego Comic-Con appearance ever, the creator was disinterested in Star Wars and focused on his new narrative art museum. But the mouse-eared stewards of his franchise, intentionally or otherwise, are following his lead and letting it lie fallow.

There are just two Star Wars movies and two Disney+ TV shows that are definitely arriving in the next few years. And they skew toward safety, toward a certain kind of built-in Star Wars fandom. More casual fans, or those looking for live-action originality, may be out of luck.

If the messy Mandalorian season 3 finale left you cold, if you're not a fan of the self-referential work of Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni (Clone Wars, Rebels, Ahsoka), there's arguably nothing in your wheelhouse with an official release date. There's volume 3 of Visions, an artsy series of Star Wars aperitifs, coming in October — but no meaty meal for which these bite-size cartoons can whet our appetite.

The Star Wars we're not getting

The critically acclaimed Andor had its series finale, wrapping up Star Wars 2025 on a high note. Despite burning questions that remained, despite the revelation (spoiler alert for the season 2 finale) of an Andor junior, there are no plans to revive Tony Gilroy's thoughtful, uncompromising takes on what the Star Wars galaxy looks like at ground level.

The radar shows no signs of a season 2 for the other critical Star Wars hit of the last 12 months, Skeleton Crew. The High Republic series of books and comics, an attempt to create a brand new pre-Stormtrooper area of Star Wars canon, is wrapping up this summer too, with no ambitious book plans to take its place — just a whole lot of reprints.

The High Republic yielded only one on-screen connection, The Acolyte, canceled at its most interesting moment. Love The Acolyte (we did) or hate it, that dangling Darth Plagueis thread at the end meant the show deserved more than it got this year (fans can order a Visual Guide to the series).

SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte's cancellation is a huge mistake for Star Wars

Perhaps the most successful attempt to keep that whole pre-prequel wing of Star Wars open is Bioware's Old Republic MMO, still going strong after 14 years. (And even that money-minting mini-franchise appears to have ended its line of expansions; the last was in 2022.)

So, what is on the docket for Star Wars' future, and when can we expect it? Here's a brief guide to all upcoming Star Wars live-action entertainment on the big and small screens that actually has a title:

The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

Finally, 49 years after it first hit the big screen, Star Wars returns to cinemas on May 22, 2026. But what we're getting is essentially The Mandalorian season 4, which Lucasfilm decided to convert to the big screen in the wake of the Hollywood writers' strike. Helmed by Jon Favreau, it promises to be a standalone story that doesn't require audiences to be familiar with the first three seasons, in theory.

Pedro Pascal, Jon Favreau, and Grogu. Credit: Christopher Jue / Getty Images for Disney

Yet it still relies on characters from elsewhere in the canon — hands up: who's excited to see the return of Rotta the Hutt from the 2008 Clone Wars movie? — and the "reset button" problem from season 3 continues: Mando gets a new version of his previously destroyed Razor Crest ship.

If we're lucky, we may get more of the much-loved villain Grand Admiral Thrawn — not that his first live-action appearance was much to write home about.

Maul — Shadow Lord (2026)

Dave Filoni's next animated Disney+ TV series sees the return of sliced and spurned Sith Lord Darth Maul. We get to see what he did during the reign of his former master, Emperor Palpatine, aka Darth Sidious. This is essentially fulfilling a promise made by Maul's cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), where we learned he was running a crime syndicate during Imperial times.

No exact release date has been set, nor do we know if Maul will take Star Wars into significant new territory.

Star Wars: Starfighter (2027) Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosiling, Dave Filoni, and Kathleen Kennedy on stage at a Star Wars Day celebration earlier this year. Credit: Christopher Jue / Getty Images for Disney

The only other slated movie is directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool and Wolverine) and stars Ryan Gosling. Maybe that information alone is Ken-ough for you to get excited, or maybe you're thrilled about the fact that it's set 5 years after The Rise of Skywalker (2019), finally pushing the franchise's main tale forward into the post-First Order future.

Either way, you'll have to wait until May 2027 to find out if it's any good.

Ahsoka Season 2 (TBD)

The only other TV series we're likely to see around 2027 is Dave Filoni's continuation of his first solo-helmed live-action series, Ahsoka. The eight episodes of Season 2 pick up where Season 1 left off, teasing a continuation of the Mortis arc from Clone Wars. And if that lore-heavy information leaves you scratching your head, you're not alone.

Filoni has teased a larger role for Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), last seen dueling Ahsoka (yet again) in the mysterious "world between worlds". The result could be a satisfying explanation for why Anakin was named The Chosen One in the first place. Or it could reveal this franchise as being entirely dependent on a single narrative, the tragedy of Darth Vader, more than 50 years after it began.

Even the well-teased tragedy of Darth Plagueis is not a story Disney+ will tell us.

SEE ALSO: 'Ahsoka': A Star Wars Easter egg hunt finds no character growth The future of Star Wars: Is there new hope?

The bulk of Star Wars plans going forward live under the heading of "untitled." Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy of Ms. Marvel fame is directing the only other movie in pre-production; this is the one featuring the return of Rey (Daisy Ridley), so it presumably ties in to the Starfighter era of the galaxy far, far away.

Beyond that, here are the slim threads of new hope for the rest of the 2020s: untitled Dave Filoni film, untitled James Mangold film, untitled Taika Waititi film, and Simon Kinberg's untitled trilogy set in a brand new Star Wars era with brand new characters. Hopefully, that effort will have more luck than the untitled Rian Johnson trilogy, which reportedly had the same aim.

And you can at least set your reminders for one more cinematic release in 2027. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is heading back to theaters on April 30, 2027, in time for the franchise's 50th birthday. Expect breathless anticipation about we're going to see the 1977 original, or the latest George Lucas "Macklunkey!" version, which you can already watch on Disney+; maybe Lucas himself could be persuaded to tweak his creation yet one more time.

The Force of nostalgia will be with Star Wars, always. But the Force of creative originality? That's still TBD.

The Nothing Headphones (1) are officially here and can be purchased for the relatively attainable price of $299. There hasn’t been this much hype around a headphone design since, well, the AirPods Max, which speaks to their popularity right now.

The UK brand's signature translucent aesthetic has been one of the biggest trends in the wireless audio sector, inspiring rival brands (e.g., Beats, Sony) to copy this fashion for select true wireless releases. Their debut headphones are the company’s boldest launch to date and pay homage to vintage audio products, like FM radio headsets and the Sony Walkman. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (1) $299
Buy now at Amazon Shop Now

Reviews for the Headphones (1) have been generally positive (I scored them 4.4 out of 5 for my Mashable review). I was impressed with their adaptive active noise cancellation, hi-res sound, and lengthy playtimes, but was disappointed in their wireless performance and appearance. (What can I say, the aesthetic is love it or hate it.)

If you’re seriously considering the Headphones (1) as your next over-ear upgrade, then you’ll want to know how they compare to the best headphones of the year. In particular, the Big Three: the AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sony WH-1000XM6. You may also be interested in how they fare against other newcomers. I've got you covered.

Here’s a breakdown of the Nothing Headphones (1) versus the field — it's all or Nothing.

Nothing Headphones (1) vs. Sony XM6 headphones Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The $449 Sony WH-1000XM6 are much more expensive than the Headphones (1). They are considered the best sound-first headphones by many and an improvement over the critically acclaimed WH-1000XM5. Do the Headphones (1) stand a chance?

Battery life: The Headphones (1) last longer on a single charge. Expect up to 35 hours of noise cancellation and up to 80 hours of playback when disabling the feature. That’s 5 hours more in ANC mode and double the listening time with ANC off than Sony offers. Quick charging goes to the WH-1000XM6: a 3-minute charge generates 3 hours of playtime. This requires a USB-PD (power delivery) compatible charge. Nothing’s quick charging isn’t too far behind with a 5-minute charge netting you 5 hours of use.

Noise cancellation: The WH-1000xM6 have superior noise cancellation. These headphones eliminate close to 90 percent of noise and suppress high-frequency sounds at a high level. Sony’s 20-level transparency mode also does a remarkable job of increasing ambient awareness. Nothing’s real-time ANC effectively optimizes noise neutralization for all environments. I was shocked by how well the Headphones (1) silenced most low- and mid-frequency sounds. Their transparency mode was just as rewarding, though some noises sounded tinny. 

Sound performance: Only a handful of companies can compete with Sony’s wireless audio. Nothing isn’t one of them. Despite having KEF-engineered drivers, the Headphones (1) lack the WH-1000xM6’s dynamic range and personalization. Sony’s headphones feature a more balanced soundstage, stabler bass, and various proprietary technologies that enhance audio. These include DSEE upscaling, Equalizer with numerous preprogrammed presets, and smooth-streaming LDAC codec support. You have to tinker with the Headphones (1)’s EQ and enable LDAC to get the best audio possible. Otherwise, songs sound compressed with limited detail. Nothing’s spatial is OK. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio platform is more convincing. Lossless playback is equally satisfying over USB-C connection.

Usability: You’re looking at two of the best multiplatform headphones around. They have companion apps (iOS/Android) and support popular Android features like one-tap Google Fast Pair. Connectivity goes to Sony. Multipoint technology (pair to two devices simultaneously) is more reliable on the XM6 and doesn’t cause stuttering like the Headphones (1). Controls also go to Sony. The XM6 have meticulous motion detection, physical/touch inputs, and voice assistance. I love the Headphones (1)’s unique controls, specifically the multifunctional roller for seamless volume adjustment and paddle for track management. However, their iffy voice assistance and terrible wear detection leave much to be desired.

Should you buy Nothing Headphone (1) or Sony XM6 Headphones?

The Nothing Headphones (1) might get you more for your dollar, but the Sony WH-1000XM6 win out with class-leading performance. However, if you can't afford the $450 price of entry for flagship headphones, then the $299 Nothing cans are a more than worthy alternative.

Nothing Headphone (1) vs. Apple AirPods Max Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

These two smartphone makers are now duking it out in the over-ear headphone market. Apple recently updated its flagship headphones with lossless audio, USB-C charging, and... not much else. The Headphones (1) should have this in the bag. Right?

Battery life: This is the one category where Nothing destroys Apple. The AirPods Max receive a measly 20 hours per charge, whereas the Headphones (1) get between 35 to 80 hours of playtime, depending how you use them. Quick charging is stronger on the Headphones (1). You’ll earn 5 hours on a 5-minute charge versus the AirPods Max’s 1.5 hours in the same charging time.

Noise cancellation: Nothing’s ANC is up there with Bose and Sony, at least based on Mashable's testing so far. Apple’s is not. I've worn the Headphones (1) in multiple environments and have rarely been caught off guard by the fracas around me. Not everything goes unnoticed (i.e., my crying baby). Still, the Headphone (1) minimize high-frequency sounds better than the AirPods Max. It’s hard to judge between the two transparency modes. Both are solid. I'm leaning toward Apple’s version since it makes ambient noise sound more natural.

Sound performance: The Headphones (1) are more suitable for standard listening, and the AirPods Max are ideal for 3D audio. Nothing offers more hi-res playback options via lossless audio over Bluetooth and USB-C connector. The AirPods Max only provide the latter, and the results are great. Bluetooth playback is where the AirPods Max stumble; the standard AAC codec lacks the clarity and nuance delivered by LDAC on the Headphones (1). Apple’s spatial audio creates immersive stereo sound that places you in the middle of live performances. The Headphones (1) have decent spatial audio with raised acoustics. That’s about it.

Usability: Apple’s intuitive ecosystem allows for flawless interconnectivity with all compatible brand devices. The Headphones (1) don’t operate as intuitively as the AirPods Max do on iOS/macOS, but they perform fine. They’re also more Android friendly (e.g., Google Fast Pair) and can pair to two audio sources at the same time, granted the technology isn’t as polished as it is on other headphones. Several features on the AirPods Max are disabled when using an Android phone, like Siri voice assistance. The Nothing brand makes most features available on both platforms via companion app. The AirPods Max have a more versatile control scheme, highlighted by the Digital Crown (aka the multifunctional dial) and unbeatable “Hey Siri” voice activation. As previously stated, the Headphones (1)’s roller and paddle controls are efficient, but their spotty voice assistance and wear detection diminish functionality. 

Should I buy Nothing Headphone (1) or AirPods Max?

As convenient and high-performance as the AirPods Max are for iOS/macOS users, the Headphones (1) beat their foe in most categories, and do so at nearly half the price. There's a reason the AirPods Max are conspicuously missing from our guide to the best headphones.

Nothing Headphone (1) vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra currently stand as the best noise-canceling headphones overall. This a steep hill for any newcomer to climb, and Nothing puts its best foot forward, even if the outcome isn’t favorable. But there’s more to this battle than just noise cancellation.  

Battery life: Nothing pulls off the trifecta and beats the Big Three in playtimes. Up to 80 hours of listening time (35 hours with ANC on) is sufficient for several weeks of moderate use. Battery life remains Bose’s kryptonite. Not only do the QC Ultra max out at 24 hours, but their quick charging is weaker: 2.5 hours on a 15-minute charge versus 5 hours on a 5-minute charge. 

Noise cancellation: The QC Ultra prove why Bose is the King of ANC. Adaptive algorithms and more strategically placed mics produce elite noise reduction. It takes incredibly loud commotions to disrupt the soundstage, especially when ANC is set to level 10. Whatever breaks through will sound like background effects on songs. Bose’s Aware Mode accurately picks up ambient noise. The Headphones (1) have superb noise-canceling and transparency modes, but they don’t block out or capture as much ambient noise as the QC Ultra.

Sound performance: Bose gets the nod solely on spatial audio. Its universal Immersive Audio mode works with all stereo content, meaning you can use the feature with practically any media device and take in exceptional 360-degree sound. The QC Ultra also utilize proprietary CustomTune technology to personalize audio based on the unique properties of your ear and ear canal. It works surprisingly well and produces well-balanced frequencies. Then there’s aptX Adaptive codec support for detailed, hi-res playback with minimal latency. The Headphones (1) come with more lossless playback options (LDAC and USB-C), both of which deliver clear, dynamic sound. It’s the restrictive soundstage and so-so spatial audio that prevent Nothing’s wireless cans for making a bigger sonic splash.

Usability: Operating the Headphones (1) is much more fun, thanks to the paddle and roller on the right earcup for track management and volume, respectively. If only their digital assistance and wear detection were on point. The QC Ultra’s physical button scheme, voice activation, and wear detection all work well. Connectivity is stronger on Bose’s headphones. Range extends up to 40 feet when in multipoint mode before stutter occurs. Stepping past the 20-foot mark causes some dropout on the Headphones (1). Both models pair instantly to iOS/macOS and Android devices and have serviceable companion apps.

Which is the better investment? This is another scenario where the Headphones (1) get you more bang for your buck. However, the QC Ultra present the absolute-best noise cancellation and spatial audio money can buy. They're also the most comfortable headphones Mashable has ever tested, and perfect for long flights. Not to mention these headphones are occasionally on sale (I've seen them go for as low as $299), making them just as affordable as the Headphones (1) during annual shopping events like Amazon Prime Day. 

How do the Nothing Headphones compare to other top contenders? Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The $449 JBL Tour One M3 come to mind. These are feature-rich headphones with robust ANC and a remote controller that doubles as a transmitter to connect to any audio source. The higher MSRP translates to more features and stronger audio performance. Some consumers may find the Headphones (1)’s ease of use and striking ANC more appealing for the price. Another model worth considering is the $399 Sonos Ace, which have engaging sound and fantastic ecosystem integration for Sonos soundbar owners. App support, noise cancellation, and playtimes are greater on the Headphones (1), however.

Curious how the Nothing Headphones (1) compare to mid-range gems like the $199 Sony ULT Wear or some of the best headphones under $100? Give us your feedback and we may put together another comparison piece in the future.

So, should you buy the Nothing Headphone (1)?

I reviewed the Nothing headphones for Mashable, and overall, it was a very positive review. While these lose out on a technical level to some elite flagships, I actually like them better than the Apple AirPods Max, which cost a lot more. And if you're a fan of Nothing's retro-futuristic aesthetic, then I think you'll be very pleased with these cans.

Here's the bottom line: If you want the best headphones money can buy, I have to give it up to the XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra over the Nothing Headphone (1). However, that $299 price tag is hard to resist, and this is the only pair of over-ears that lets you get true flagship quality for under $300.

Products featured in this review: Nothing Headphone (1) $299 at Amazon Shop Now Sony ULT Wear Headphones $199 at Walmart Shop Now Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones $449 at Amazon Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $449.99 at Amazon Shop Now Apple AirPods Max $449.99 (save $99.01 at Amazon) Get Deal JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx Wireless Headphones $449.95 at Amazon Shop Now

A James Webb Space Telescope study is setting the record straight on the ages of some known ancient galaxies, which have turned out to be much older and farther away in space than previously thought. 

Webb, a joint observatory of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, took a fresh look at a piece of the sky made famous by the Hubble Space Telescope's ultra-deep field view more than 20 years ago. At that time, Hubble's long-exposure image was extremely ambitious: Scientists pointed the telescope at a seemingly starless area, unsure what photons they'd collect. 

In the end, that ultra-deep field image was "found to be anything but blank," Webb researchers said, "containing thousands of distant galaxies." 

Now with Webb, this patch of sky is revealing more about the universe — even shuffling the cosmic timeline. Known as the MIRI Deep Imaging Survey, the project involved the Webb telescope's mid-infrared instrument, which detects light wavelengths invisible to the naked eye. The new findings from the survey are published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

SEE ALSO: New telescope captures interstellar comet speeding through space in video

With Webb, astronomers are able to observe the faint infrared glow from ancient stars and the structures they formed. The telescope trained on the Hubble Ultra Deep Field area for 100 hours, according to the research, including 41 hours with one particular filter. The resulting image picked up dim signals from galaxies when the universe was barely a few hundred million years old — a mere whippersnapper.

To understand a deep field space image, think of it as you would a core sample taken from the ground, collecting older rocks and soil the farther down you go: The image is a tiny-but-distant slice of space, revealing cosmic history by cutting across billions of light-years, each deeper layer revealing an earlier time. 

"To our knowledge, this constitutes the longest single-filter exposure obtained with (Webb) of an extragalactic field as of yet," the authors wrote. 

The project, dubbed MIDIS for short, found nearly 2,500 light sources, most of them distant galaxies. About 1,000 now have revised distance estimates, based on how their light has shifted.

Webb was built to observe an early period known as "cosmic dawn," between 100 million to 1 billion years after the Big Bang, detecting light at invisible infrared wavelengths. In short, light gets stretched — or "redshifted" — over time and distance by the expansion of the universe. Those infrared waves can also pierce through the prevalent gas and dust in space that could otherwise obscure far and naturally weaker light sources. 

The James Webb Space Telescope used its mid-infrared instrument to look at the region captured in Hubble's famous Ultra Deep Field Image. Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustration

In one case, the project found that a galaxy previously believed to be 11.8 billion years old was closer to 13.3 billion — pushing its origins back to when the universe was perhaps just 450 million years old. That puts the galaxy squarely in the first wave of galaxies formed.

Other objects in the MIDIS image reveal a different story: hundreds of red galaxies, some of which got their color because they’re dusty or contain mature, cooler stars. Either way, the results show Webb's MIRI instrument can be a powerful tool for uncovering missed or misidentified ancient galaxies. Not even NASA's Spitzer, a now-retired infrared space telescope, saw with this level of clarity. 

That bodes well for researchers looking into how the universe evolved from birthing the first galaxies to a time when star and supermassive black hole formation seemed to peak. 

"MIDIS surpasses preflight expectations," the authors wrote. "Deep MIRI imaging has great potential to characterise the galaxy population from cosmic noon to dawn."

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon (Prime member discount). Not a member? You can still score this drone for under $300.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Get Deal

DJI is one of the biggest names in drones, with a strong reputation for creating incredible aerial shots. The DJI product range is the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers. That being said, we were surprised to see the DJI Mini 4K drone so near the top of the charts of best-sellers over Prime Day. We knew these drones were popular, but surely not as popular as AirPods?

Then the real reason hit us like a drone to the head.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. The measures don't actually order a full ban on Chinese-made drones (yet), but talk of a ban on DJI drones has been doing the rounds for a while now. That uncertainty is clearly causing an uptick in sales.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

The good news for anyone hoping to buy before a potential ban is that you can still find the DJI Mini 4K drone on Amazon. In fact, it's on sale for $249 at Amazon for Prime members. It's being shipped and sold by AeroTech Hubs. We don't generally recommend third-party sellers, but AeroTech Hubs has an excellent track record and times are tough right now. With stock running low, we'll take what we can get.

The DJI Mini 4K is full of helpful features for beginners and advanced users alike. It has one-tap takeoff options and a return to home function. But perhaps most importantly for content creators is the three-axis gimbal and 4K quality, as well as advanced wind resistance and extended battery life. It's a step up from the DJI Neo Mini 4K that we think creators will appreciate.

Prime members can get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $250 at Amazon. Everyone else can still get their hands on this drone for under $300.

Director Akiva Schaffer's Naked Gun reboot is chock-full of deliriously stupid gags, celebrity cameos, and deadpan goodness — in short, all the things that made the original Leslie Nielsen classic so beloved.

SEE ALSO: 'The Naked Gun' review: Liam Neeson is a comedy genius in this brilliantly stupid reboot

But in a film full of comedic highlights, the standout sequence has to be the ridiculous romantic montage between Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) and Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson), in which they head to a romantic snowy cabin getaway, summon a magic snowman, have a threesome with said snowman, make the snowman jealous, and then flee for their lives from the killer snowman. It's Naked Gun meets Jack Frost, and it had me going from "no way they're doing this" to "please, I never want this to end" in the span of mere minutes.

Given that the snowman romance-turned-slasher is such a fever dream, it only makes since that it came to Schaffer in the wee hours of the morning.

"One night, at four in the morning, I woke up to go to the bathroom, and I just saw the entire thing," Schaffer told Mashable in a Zoom interview.

Schaffer, along with co-writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, had always wanted to include a love montage in the film. It would serve as one of the reboot's many tributes to the original Naked Gun, which throws Nielsen and Priscilla Presley into a gloriously cheesy parody of other '80s movie montages. But Schaffer, Gregor, and Mand knew that they couldn't just recreate that beat for beat: They'd have to do something different enough to make it stand out.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Aug. 1, 2025)

Enter Schaffer's early morning vision of the killer snowman, which he wrote up "in about 10 minutes" and sent to Gregor and Mand straight away.

"[What I wrote] is almost beat for beat what's in the movie," Schaffer said. "It barely changed."

Once the love montage was written, the focus turned on how to bring the snowman itself to life.

"The VFX department flagged a million dollars for a VFX snowman, and then, very quickly, everyone's like, 'Well, you can't do that sequence, it's too expensive,'" Schaffer recalled. "We had to keep being like, 'It's not going to be CG. It needs to be a puppet, a mascot costume.' So we got the Jim Henson Company involved."

"They came in late to the process," added producer Erica Huggins. "They knew exactly what the assignment was, and they worked very closely with Akiva to make sure that [the snowman] wasn't too slick."

"It was basically like Jabba the Hutt," Schaffer joked.

The puppet's lack of slick visual realism is why the snowman sequence works so well. There's an endearing, nostalgic quality to the puppeteering — especially the simple yet expressive eyebrows. When the montage takes its turn into slasher territory, that endearing quality takes the comedy to the next level. After all, who goes into a Naked Gun movie expecting to see a Frosty the Snowman Muppet try to kill Liam Neeson?

Even Neeson was astounded by the sequence, telling Mashable: "I remember reading it in the script and thinking, 'No, this is too crazy. It's too outrageous.' But it seems to work."

The Naked Gun is now in theaters.

SAVE $200: The Apple MacBook Air M4 is on sale for $799 at Amazon, down from the list price of $999. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air M4 $799 at Amazon
$999 Save $200 Get Deal

We've spotted some standout deals on Apple over the last few months, peaking over Prime Day. But there's one deal that hasn't just stuck around post Prime Day. It has got even better.

As of Aug. 2, the Apple MacBook Air M4 is on sale for just $799 at Amazon. That's down from the list price of $999, and the lowest-ever price on Amazon. This really is one of the best deals we've come across in 2025 (if not the best). In Mashable's comparison of the best MacBooks, the Air gets the nod as the best overall, and it also happens to be the most affordable. What's not to love?

SEE ALSO: Hurry! Apple AirPods 4 are back under $100 on Amazon.

Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder reviewed the M4 MacBook Air and wrote, "The new MacBook Air is great. It's powerful, silent, and comes with a couple of much-needed upgrades. It's also cheaper than before, making it the best-buy Apple laptop, period."

Get the best-ever price on the MacBook Air M4 at Amazon.

TL;DR: Turn your data into diagrams that make sense — MS Visio 2021 Professional is just $14.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

We can all agree that giant spreadsheets and complex datasets don’t exactly scream storytelling masterpiece. That’s where Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional can help shake things up.

It’s the tool that turns chaos into clarity, transforming your data into clean, shareable diagrams that actually make sense. Whether you’re mapping out a project plan, designing a floor layout, or wrangling a web of network devices, Visio gives you the shapes, templates, and features to do it with style (and sanity).

No design degree required here. Just pick from dozens of built-in templates — flowcharts, org charts, mind maps, floor plans, fishbone diagrams — and drag and drop your way to something that looks like it took hours (but didn’t). With over 250,000 shapes available through Visio’s online library, your visuals can be as simple or sophisticated as you need.

And if you’re working on a touch-enabled device, you can sketch, annotate, or drag shapes around with just a finger or stylus, because sometimes using a mouse just feels wrong.

Got real-time data in Excel? Pull it straight into your diagrams. Need to automatically generate an org chart from Exchange? Visio’s got it covered. You can even collaborate with your team and validate diagrams against industry standards like BPMN, UML, and IEEE.

It’s Microsoft’s ultimate visual solution, and at this steeply reduced sale price, it’s the kind of deal you grab before it’s gone.

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows for just $14.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for Windows $14.97
$249.99 Save $235.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Youbooks turns your ideas into fully written, professionally styled non-fiction books using powerful multi-AI collaboration — get lifetime access now for just $49 (reg. $540).

We all have a book in us — or at least, a great idea for one. But writing it? That’s where most of us get stuck. Youbooks is here to flip the script. With a one-time $49 purchase, you can unlock lifetime access to a seriously powerful AI-driven platform that turns your ideas into full-blown non-fiction books — without the months-long slog or the need for ghostwriters.

Think of it like an AI writing room

Youbooks doesn’t rely on just one AI model — it combines the strengths of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama to create deeply researched, well-structured, and engaging content up to 300,000 words long. It even does real-time internet research while it writes, so that the facts and stats in your book are up to date. Want it to sound like you? You can upload style samples and personal notes so the tone is spot-on.

You define the concept, tone, and direction. Youbooks does the heavy lifting.

Whether you’re a coach looking to package your insights, a content creator repurposing your podcast, or an entrepreneur ready to build authority with a branded book, Youbooks makes it simple — and a little bit thrilling. With full commercial rights, you can publish, sell, or distribute your books as you see fit.

You get 150,000 monthly credits, enough to generate hefty manuscripts or multiple smaller projects. And the platform is built for growth, so you’ll get access to updates and improvements as they roll out.

Youbooks takes your idea, adds AI superpowers, and hands you back a book. No subscriptions. No writer’s block.

Get lifetime access to Youbooks while it’s on sale for just $49 (reg. $540) for a limited time.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Youbooks Youbooks - AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription $49
$540 Save $491 Get Deal

TL;DR: Save big on a Grade A refurbished 16″ MacBook Pro (2019) with a gorgeous Retina display, upgraded keyboard, 11-hour battery, and powerhouse specs — for just $579.99 (MSRP: $2,799).

Whether you’re outfitting your college-bound kid with a dependable machine or treating yourself to a serious productivity upgrade, this offer is one of those rare “wait, really?” moments. For just $579.99, you get a Grade A refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019) — a powerful Apple laptop that originally sold for nearly five times the price.

Let’s talk highlights: a gorgeous Retina display, the improved Magic Keyboard (no more butterfly blues), 11-hour battery life, and a powerful combo of a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. That’s enough firepower to handle everything from Final Cut Pro to 50-tab Chrome browsing marathons.

Oh, and it’s rocking the Touch Bar — love it or leave it, it still looks futuristic as heck — and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics for smooth video editing and design. Whether it’s your main rig, your college toolkit, or your on-the-go creative companion, this MacBook Pro still punches well above its (heavily discounted) price tag.

And let’s not forget versatility. The 16-inch MacBook Pro isn’t just built for creatives — though it can handle Photoshop and Final Cut like a dream — it’s also a solid fit for anyone who juggles spreadsheets, Zoom calls, emails, and everything in between. Thanks to macOS’s seamless integration with iPhones and iPads, it’s an ideal machine for anyone already in the Apple ecosystem.

With a Grade A refurb rating, it arrives in near-mint condition, ready to go right out of the box. You just saved over two grand. Feel free to brag.

Get this MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for just $579.99 (MSRP $2,799) for a limited time.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 16" (2019) 2.6GHz Core i7 Touch Bar 32GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $579.99
$2,799 Save $2,219.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Thousands of retro games, 4K visuals, and dual OS magic — this nostalgia-packed retro gaming console is just $89.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping through September 7.

If your ideal weekend includes mashing buttons, pixelated dragons, and yelling “Hadouken!” at your screen, this one’s for you. The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is a plug-and-play nostalgia machine loaded with thousands of retro and 3D games. And it’s only $89.97 at the moment (reg. $159.99). No monthly subscriptions, no in-app nonsense. Just pure gaming joy, straight out of the box.

What makes this console such a homerun? The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro takes your favorite childhood gaming memories, upgrades the graphics, adds Wi-Fi, and packs it all into a sleek, plug-and-play system that costs less than a new controller.

You’re getting two powerful systems in one: Android 9.0 for apps and streaming, plus EmuELEC 4.6 for all your retro gaming needs. It supports 4K UHD video output, and the included dual wireless controllers mean you and a buddy can dive into head-to-head battles or co-op sessions without fuss.

The X2 Pro comes pre-loaded with classics across platforms — think Zelda, Final Fantasy VII, Sonic, Street Fighter II, and thousands more — plus you can download even more 3D games for free. Whether you’re revisiting your childhood favorites or introducing younger family members to the golden age of gaming, this console brings all the magic back.

Add in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, two operating systems, and compatibility with TVs, projectors, or even your laptop, and this little gray box turns any screen into an arcade.

Don’t miss getting the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro while it’s just $89.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping through September 7.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: No subscriptions, no cloud reliance — just classic MS Office apps for Mac with a one-time $69.97 payment.

We love a good cloud as much as the next person, but sometimes, you just want your tools to live close by, like right on your computer. If you’re on a Mac and tired of subscription fees piling up, here’s a serious upgrade: Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is now available as a one-time purchase for just $69.97.

No monthly fees, no renewals — just Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and even basic Microsoft Teams access, yours to keep forever.

You can rest assured that this isn’t some watered-down online-only version. It’s the full desktop suite — which means you can work offline, organize your life, manage your business, or tackle schoolwork with all the tools you already know and love.

Need to build spreadsheets that auto-calculate your vacation days? Done. Want to make a PowerPoint that actually wows your coworkers? Easy. Would you prefer to write your next great novel in Word while offline in a cozy café? Go for it.

Whether you’re a solopreneur juggling invoices and pitches, a parent managing school reports and schedules, or just someone who likes their digital life neat and organized, this version of Office gives you the flexibility to handle it all. And because you’re using the desktop apps — not cloud-dependent versions — you get faster load times, better file control, and zero surprises if your Wi-Fi decides to take a break.

It’s reliable, familiar, and built to help you get stuff done, even when you’re off the grid.

Since this license is tied to your Microsoft Account (not your device), you can reinstall it if you upgrade your Mac down the road. It’s a pretty rare combo: future-proof, fuss-free, and forever yours.

Get lifetime access to MS Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac while it’s just $69.97 (reg. $219).

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $69.97
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TL;DR: Save $417 on this AI stock-picking app that can help you navigate crazy markets and keep your cool.

I was watching the first of the month’s market crashes and wondered, ‘Does it make sense to invest right now?’ I’d always been curious about the stock market, at least in terms of how people actually got rich by practically gambling, but I didn’t have a single clue where to begin — let alone how to even buy a stock.

Once I saw a TikTok calling this period a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (take that with a grain of salt), I decided to take my chance. But I needed help researching everything: what stocks to choose and how to track them. That’s when I found Sterling Stock Picker, and made my first investment with their $68.99 lifetime subscription (reg. $486).

How I invested my first dollar

My biggest concern wasn’t that the market wouldn’t eventually recover, but that I would choose ‘bad’ stocks due to my lack of experience. Sterling Stock Picker helped me feel calm with the 5-minute questionnaire covering my wants and ability to handle risk.

Then, I started researching stocks with help from AI. I also learned about something called exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are like groups of stocks. I didn’t know what these were at first, so I consulted the AI assistant, Finley AI, and it told me that it’s like putting a stake into a huge nest of companies at once rather than individually.

Once I selected a few ETFs to invest in, I opened a free brokerage account (sadly, you can’t directly invest through Sterling Stock Picker). I purchased my shares and put the information into Sterling Stock Picker so I could view my portfolio with fun graphs and charts and get alerts when prices change — which may help me determine when to sell.

How it’s going

Well, it’s only been a few days since I’ve made my investments and, if you’ve been keeping up with the news, things have been up and down. One day, my $1,000 portfolio was up $100, and the next, it was down $20. 

As a total beginner, I won’t offer any formal advice to you other than to do your research and be well-informed, and Sterling Stock Picker is a great tool to do just that.

Get a Sterling Stock Picker lifetime subscription for $68.99 (reg. $486).

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Opens in a new window Credit: SSP Software Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $68.99
$486 Save $417.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Does the online world seem like a place that you can navigate freely? It might present like that, but it's actually full of content restrictions and blockades. And, of course, that goes double for adult content.

Porn obviously comes with a lot of restrictions, but there's really nothing wrong with adults visiting their favorite sites at entirely appropriate moments. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like Xnxx from any network and location. And fortunately, you can do exactly that without hassle.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

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

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

Unblock porn sites like Xnxx by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Xnxx

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, 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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee.)

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

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.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A foolish person.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

CHUMP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

More impolite.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 2, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

RUDER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A popular peanut butter brand.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 2, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

JIFFY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A roadside restaurant.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 2 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DINER

Final Hurdle hint

To throw away.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SCRAP

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

Ever wondered why the moon looks slightly different every night? This is to do with the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, let's see where we are in the cycle tonight, Aug. 2.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Aug. 2, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, the moon will be 60% lit up tonight.

It's day nine of the lunar cycle, and there's a whole lot for us to see on the moon's surface.

With the unaided eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Mare Fecunditatis, the Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Mare Crisium. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, look to the top right. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, you'll see these on the bottom left.

With binoculars, enjoy a glimpse of the Alps Mountains, Apennine Mountains, and the Aphonsus Crater. With a telescope, you can also see the Rima Arladaeus, the Descartes Highlands, and Rupes Altai.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. Lions for free on 9Now. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 British and Irish Lions secured a massive victory over the Wallabies in the second of three Test matches, but there is still work to do.

The Lions have beaten the Western Force, Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, AUNZ Invitational XV, and the First Nations & Pasifika XV on this tour. Can the Lions win every game in Australia? You can find out without spending anything.

If you want to watch Australia vs. Lions for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Lions?

Australia vs. Lions starts at 11 a.m. BST on Aug. 2. This fixture takes place at Stadium Australia.

How to watch Australia vs. Lions for free

Australia vs. Lions is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can gain access with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to live stream Australia vs. Lions from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Lions for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit 9Now

5. Stream Australia vs. Lions for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Australia vs. Lions without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites 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 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Australia vs. Lions for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch every British and Irish Lions vs. Australia game for free on 9Now. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There really is something for every sports fan this summer, but we would make the case that the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is the most unique event taking place over the next few weeks. This tour only takes place every four years and brings together the best rugby players from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. They are touring Australia in 2025.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 British and Irish Lions for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What are the British and Irish Lions?

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. The team tours every four years, rotating between Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa in order.

When is the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia?

The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia is scheduled to take place between June and August 2025.

The Lions are scheduled to play a three-match Test series against Australia, plus games against Australia's four Super Rugby franchises (Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, and ACT Brumbies), an invitational side made up of players from Australia and New Zealand, and a team of players with First Nations and Pasifika origin. The Lions also played a warm-up match against Argentina in Ireland before departing.

The full schedule for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is as follows:

• British and Irish Lions vs. Argentina — June 20

• British and Irish Lions vs. Western Force — June 28

• British and Irish Lions vs. Queensland Reds — July 2

• British and Irish Lions vs. NSW Warratahs — July 5

• British and Irish Lions vs. ACT Brumbies — July 9

• British and Irish Lions vs. Invitational AU-NZ — July 12

• British and Irish Lions vs. Australia (1st Test) — July 19

• British and Irish Lions vs. First Nations & Pasifika XV — July 22

• British and Irish Lions vs. Australia (2nd Test) — July 26

• British and Irish Lions vs. Australia (3rd Test) — Aug. 2

The good news is that it's possible to live stream the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour without spending anything.

How to watch the 2025 British and Irish Lions for free

The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is available to live stream for free on 9Now (Test matches).

These free live streams are geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can watch the British and Irish Lions for free 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 bypass geo-restrictions to live stream the British and Irish Lions tour from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 British and Irish Lions for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Connect to 9Now

5. Live stream the British and Irish Lions for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the British and Irish Lions without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream every Test match 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 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour for free with ExpressVPN.

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 2 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: To paste

• Green: Intercourse

• Blue: Done in the alley

• Purple: Synonyms and antonyms

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Attach with adhesive

• Green: Polite terms for sex

• Blue: Bowling results

• Purple: Contronyms (Words that can mean opposite things)

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 #783 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Attach with adhesive: ADHERE, AFFIX, GLUE, STICK

• Polite terms for sex: COMMERCE, CONGRESS, INTIMACY, RELATIONS

• Bowling results: FOUL, SPARE, SPLIT, STRIKE

• Contronyms (Words that can mean opposite things): CLEAVE, GARNISH, OVERSIGHT, SANCTION

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 2

Are you also playing NYT 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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 2 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Pretty as a picture

The words are tech-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of camera functions.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Photo Editor.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 2

• Filter

• Markup

• Rotate

• Photo Editor

• Blur

• Adjust

• Crop

• Erase

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.