IT General

In a surprising turn of events, Marvel's Ironheart series has just as much in common with Black Mirror's devastating "Be Right Back" episode as it does with any Iron Man film.

On the Iron Man front, we've got an explosive story of an inventor crafting a high-tech armored suit. In Ironheart's case, that inventor is none other than genius Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. (Wakanda Forever and Sinners director Ryan Coogler also executive produces Ironheart.) Now back in her hometown of Chicago following expulsion from MIT, Riri turns to a life of crime in order to get the money and resources she needs to keep working on her suit.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025 (so far), and where to stream them

It's as Riri's building her new suit that Ironheart takes a turn for the Black Mirror. In her attempts to create a new AI assistant for her armor, Riri accidentally ends up creating one who looks and acts exactly like her late best friend, Natalie Washington (Lyric Ross). The conceit recalls that of Black Mirror's "Be Right Back," in which a grieving widow (Hayley Atwell) communicates with an AI simulacrum of her late husband (Domhnall Gleeson). 

But where "Be Right Back" is an absolutely shattering hour of TV, Ironheart is a bit more hopeful in its portrayal of processing grief with the help of technology. And while it lacks much of "Be Right Back"s tight focus and emotional heft — two things that tend to get lost in a six-episode scramble to establish new major MCU players — Ironheart still finds ways to craft a heartfelt, complicated relationship between Riri and the best friend she thought she'd lost.

Riri's relationship with her new AI N.A.T.A.L.I.E. is the heart of Ironheart. Dominique Thorne in "Ironheart." Credit: Jalen Marlowe

Ironheart's first sequence isn't one of Riri building her suit, or fighting off bad guys. It's of her and Natalie hanging out together, talking about what they want from life. For Riri, that's becoming "bigger than Jobs. Bigger than Gates. Bigger than Pym. Bigger than Stark." For Natalie, all she wants is to be happy. (And maybe to meet Thor.)

The scene is a sweet snippet of Riri and Natalie's dynamic, and in positioning it at the start of the premiere, Ironheart showrunner Chinaka Hodge emphasizes that this friendship will be at the heart of the series. Later in the episode, though, we learn that Natalie, along with Riri's stepdad, Gary (LaRoyce Hawkins), died in a drive-by shooting. Riri witnessed their deaths and was powerless to save them. Their loss spurred her to make her suit, something that could provide fast-acting security to people in danger. So yes, the armor is proof of Riri's brains and the "iconic" legacy she hopes to leave behind, but Ironheart suggests that it's also a coping mechanism, a way to prevent the trauma of Natalie and Gary's loss from ever happening again.

SEE ALSO: 'Ironheart' trailer: Riri Williams combines magic and tech for a thrilling new suit

The arrival of AI N.A.T.A.L.I.E.(or Neuro-Autonomous Technical Assistant and Laboratory Intelligence Entity) further complicates the tangled web between Riri's grief and her inventions. The AI has all of Natalie's mannerisms and memories. She's as close to Natalie as possible, but is she really Natalie? That's the question Riri wrestles with throughout the season, especially as she finds herself connecting with N.A.T.A.L.I.E., laughing and bickering with her like no time has passed. 

For her part, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. doesn't act like an AI who was just programmed to follow orders. She teases Riri, pushes back on her when she hates her plans, and even gets hurt when Riri questions her existence. Ross is especially heartbreaking in these latter scenes, but her joy and energy in more playful moments with Riri is downright infectious. 

With this playfulness, Ironheart seems more prepared to simply accept N.A.T.A.L.I.E. as an extension of her deceased self. Compare that to Black Mirror's "Be Right Back," which is all about the limits of using AI to recreate a lost loved one. But the AI in "Be Right Back" is drawn from a limited number of social media posts, whereas N.A.T.A.L.I.E. was pulled straight from Riri's memories. It's the MCU: Gods are real, half the universe's population disappeared and came back, and AI can be completely perfect.

On top of the Black Mirror comparison, Ironheart also echoes our current reality. Thanks to AI advancements, people are trying to use chatbots to connect with their deceased loved ones, as explored in the 2024 documentary Eternal You. Is this kind of technology a helpful tool to confront grief, or just ghoulish imitation?

Ironheart carries out its examination of the ethics behind N.A.T.A.L.I.E. with a feather-light touch, mostly focusing on the joy, pain, and confusion that comes from reconnecting with someone you'd lost. Thorne and Ross are electric together, taking on the heavy stakes behind this relationship with care. Elsewhere, reactions of people close to Riri, like her mother, Ronnie (Anji White), help flesh out the N.A.T.A.L.I.E. dilemma even further. For Ronnie, it's a chance to heal an open wound and begin to knit together a missing piece of their community. It's not a coincidence that the more people who come in contact with N.A.T.A.L.I.E., the more people Riri can count on to help her out in a dark time.

Ironheart introduces Parker "Hood" Robbins and his crew of criminals. Anthony Ramos in "Ironheart." Credit: Marvel

However, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. isn't the only person Riri spends much of her time with in Ironheart. Criminal Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos) — nicknamed "Hood" for the mysterious red hooded cape he always wears — recruits Riri to bring some extra high-tech flair to his crew. 

Played by Manny Montana, RuPaul's Drag Race superstar Shea Coulée, Talk to Me's Zoe Terakes, Shakira Barrera, and Sonia Denis, Parker's crew are wise-crackers and badasses, just as Riri has proven herself to be in both Wakanda Forever and her solo outing. The sass and levity they share brings the sense of a casual, fun hangout to each of their heists, even as they battle security guards or hack through firewalls.

Overseeing it all is Ramos' Hood, a charismatic leader who somehow manages to make a red cape not look totally goofy. (It helps that said cape imbues him with magical powers.) Menacing and charming in equal measures, Hood has all the potential to be a standout new MCU villain. Unfortunately, Ironheart's six episodes don't give his backstory or motivations enough development to truly hit. The same goes for the motivations behind each heist. Hood's crew discusses how the rich people they're going after are harming Chicago communities, but Ironheart doesn't take the time to develop these communities or the problems they face. These are big ideas, and certainly ones worthy of exploration. They just need more time to breathe, and that's not time Ironheart can give with only six episodes.

The same goes for Riri and N.A.T.A.L.I.E.'s relationship, which sometimes falls to the wayside as Ironheart gears up for its big set pieces or villain reveals. However, the amount of work Hodge, Thorne, and Ross have put in to keep that friendship as the bedrock of Ironheart is clear, and the results mostly pay off. The series certainly boasts its fair share of armored suit fights and magical mayhem, but it's these carefully built relationships, and the grief that impacts them, that really stick.

The first three episodes of Ironheart are now streaming on Disney+. The final three premiere July 1 at 9 p.m. ET.

Microsoft has developed countless fantastic features for Windows over the years, but for some reason, they usually don’t wind up included by default. Instead, you have to download a separate program called PowerToys to get access to them. Some of them are so great they definitely need to be added to Windows as stock features.

It's a known fact that Microsoft is really into shoving its services down people's throats. I haven't seen attempts at doing so that are as blatant as this one, though. Microsoft will, after all, allow you to continue updating Windows 10 past its EOD date, if you agree to do a little something.

Tired of all the mainstream movie formulas? Sick of yet another superhero film or predictable romantic comedy? So are lots of people, but at the same time, you're probably not keen to jump in at the other extreme and indulge in experimental arthouse movies.

In 2025, dating app fatigue is real, and frankly, who can blame daters? Popular apps are starting to look (and function) more and more like copies of each other and adding more and more AI features. Some daters are going to IRL events, even dungeon sound baths, to find love.

That being said, for those of us who are busy and/or a bit more introverted, dating apps have their pros. You can meet a wide range of people you wouldn't otherwise if you go to your local bar, and you can find out more about them from their profiles than what drinks they order.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps worth downloading in 2025

The truth is, dating apps aren't going away — and they're a big way potential partners meet each other.

So, are dating apps worth it?

Even using the right app for you may still bring moments of uncertainty and frustration (you're dating, after all), but finding the app with the features that most align with your style of dating and the type of partnership you're looking for can absolutely still make online dating worth it.

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 44 percent of adults say they use dating apps to find a long-term partner rather than just casual dating or hookups. This survey also found that one in 10 partnered adults met their current partner through a dating app. So, even if you've yet to find that magical, swoon-worthy connection, the statistics show that it's definitely possible to find true love through online dating. Some of our own writers and editors have even found lasting love on these apps.

If you've been using apps for a while and are experiencing serious burnout, it's always fair to take some time off and come back to them when you feel ready. Our guide will be here for you! Even the best app can feel exceptionally tedious when you simply don't have the energy.

Which dating app is best for serious relationships?

There are so many dating apps, but not all of them are created equal when it comes to finding a serious, committed relationship.

Some free dating apps are better suited for casual flings or hookups (e.g., Tinder, Grindr, etc.), while others have matching algorithms and profile features specifically designed to help users find meaningful connections (e.g., eharmony, OkCupid, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel).

The good news is that we've done the research (and hands-on testing) to figure out which apps work best for long-term relationships, and Match Group isn't the only player in the game. Plus, all of these platforms are available via Google Play and the App Store, so having an Android or iPhone won't limit your options. Some of the old-school dating sites still maintain a desktop version as well.

To find your match, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships in 2025:

Paper-like screens are regularly pitched as an eyestrain-reducing alternative to LCD or OLED. And, when it comes to reading, I have to agree. But I see a lot of people doing weird stuff on their E Ink monitors and tablets, like watching YouTube videos or browsing the web. So, I decided to take this absurdity to the extreme by loading up Minecraft on my BOOX eReader.

iPhone users are getting unexpected push notifications from the Wallet app promoting Apple’s new movie, F1: The Movie. These ads, which offered a limited-time Fandango discount for two tickets, don't really have any good reason to be pushed to you.

Have you deleted the empty inetpub folder from your Windows installation drive, thinking it was of no use? If so, you should restore it using the PowerShell script that Microsoft has shared, as this folder is very important for your device’s security.

Last month, it was discovered that Google was working on some big changes for the Phone app. Now that Android 16 is available, we're getting our first look at what those changes look like—and I'm very excited about it.

Windows Recall, a "privacy-focused" AI tool for Copilot+ PCs designed to make it easier to retrace your digital steps if you forgot what you did the day before, is going to receive a major update: a homepage.

A new horror subgenre has developed in the last few years: the terror of winding up at a double-booked vacation home.

2022's Barbarian drums up scares with its tale of strangers sharing an Airbnb rental, while 2022's Gone in the Night centers on two couples who have accidentally booked the same remote cabin. Now, the double-booking trend continues in 2025's Bone Lake, directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, who also directed 2022's twisted Shudder original Spoonful of Sugar.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2025 (so far), and where to watch them

In this erotic thriller — with a name like Bone Lake, would you expect it to be anything else? — couple Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi) are excited to spend a relaxing vacation together at a lakeside mansion rental. However, their plans for a romantic getaway fly out the window when another attractive couple, Cin (Andra Nechita) and Will (Alex Roe), show up. And guess what? They've rented the mansion for the very same weekend. What are these two couples to do?

According to the teaser above, they decide to share the rental and get to know each other, even toasting to a new friendship. Of course, that's before the blood starts flowing.

The rest of the teaser promises some wild gore involving crossbows, kitchen knives, and chainsaws. It also hints at serious sexual tension between the couples, leading to some, ahem, boning by Bone Lake.

The film received mostly positive reviews out of its world premiere at 2024's Fantastic Fest, so if you're a fan of erotic thrillers or just really want to watch more double-booking horror films, Bone Lake seems like a promising destination.

Bone Lake hits theaters Oct. 24.

Ahead of its massive summer Prime Day event starting July 8, Amazon announced it's expanding its Same-Day and Next-Day delivery to more rural areas. This investment means more connections and jobs for thousands of American communities, as well as additional threats to local businesses.

The $4 billion project will triple the commerce giant's delivery network and include building out hybrid delivery facilities for 4,000 communities. According to Amazon, these facilities will serve multiple purposes and reduce transportation distances. The company expects to complete the project by the end of the year.

SEE ALSO: Why the 'digital divide' persists within Indigenous communities

The new "hybrid hubs" will overhaul and expand existing rural delivery stations, allowing the storing of inventory and the preparing of deliveries. In addition to physical upgrades, Amazon will also begin implementing machine learning to "predict which items will resonate with local Prime members based on their unique needs" and stock accordingly, the company states.

"This expansion goes beyond speed. It's about transforming daily life for rural customers, who typically live farther from brick-and-mortar retailers, have fewer product and brand choices, and face limited delivery options when shopping online," Amazon officials wrote in a blog post.

In the past, Amazon has been accused of geographically limiting its expedited Prime shipping, even for Prime subscribers. In December, Washington D.C. attorney general Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming Amazon imposed secret "delivery exclusions" that slowed down service in select, predominantly Black, neighborhoods. In response to previous accusations of discriminatory delivery practices, Amazon said that the policies were merely protective actions in areas where there had been targeted incidents against delivery drivers.

Elsewhere, large retailers are testing new, human-less ways to speed up the delivery process, including Walmart's latest fleets of flying delivery drones now piloted across five states.

1080p (Full HD) has been the standard display resolution for a long time. It’s had a good run, but its time is up. I upgraded both my monitor and TV this year, and I haven’t looked back. Now, I’m convinced it’s time to ditch 1080p for good.

TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. El Salvador in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup action continues with the final round of group-stage fixtures. Canada need a win over El Salvador to guarantee top spot in Group B.

If you want to watch Canada vs. El Salvador in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. El Salvador?

Canada vs. El Salvador in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on June 24. This fixture takes place at the Shell Energy Stadium.

How to watch Canada vs. El Salvador for free

Canada vs. El Salvador in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

These free live stream is not available all around the world, but fans in excluded territories can still watch this game for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access (like Italy), meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Gold Cup from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup 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 Italy

4. Visit YouTube

5. Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup 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 the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Canada vs. El Salvador (plus the rest of the tournament) 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 YouTube?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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 plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Xfinity Mobile, Comcast Business Mobile, and NOW Mobile customers are being moved to premium data plans that use Quality of Service Class Identifier (QCI) 8. This upgrade will give users a better experience when connected to the cellular network, with faster speeds and less delay.

You can just tweet Zohran Mamdani's name and immediately get 1000 likes.

The sentence above has been tried and tested, becoming the reason for several dozen viral posts. Zohran Mamdani, one of New York City's Democratic mayoral candidates, has been at the center of internet fervor for months leading up to the Democratic primary election taking place Tuesday, June 24. From influencer endorsements to "extremely wearable" merch, Mamdani has led a digital campaign that caught eyes and mobilized voters.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, is the leading favorite in a race against Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor who resigned in disgrace back in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment. A poll released on Monday shows Mamdani passing Cuomo in a ranked-choice voting simulation, with Mamdani winning an estimated 52 percent against Cuomo's 48 percent. The survey, conducted by Emerson College Polling, PIX11, and The Hill, found that support for Mamdani surged over the last five months, from 1 percent to 32 percent.

And it was over these last five months that millions of social media feeds were flooded by Mamdani's presence. People in New York City will recognize the facets of his campaign immediately: Mamdani's name written in blue-and-orange tone bubble letters; grainy, aesthetic video footage of the candidate walking the length of Manhattan on a warm Friday evening; interviews as he rides the subway; and TikTok speeches delivered in Bengali, Hindi, Spanish, each garnering thousands of likes.

In these posts across the internet, Mamdani highlights what he hopes to deliver to New Yorkers: rent freezes, city-subsidized grocery stores, fare-free buses, and universal childcare. The candidate has spoken out for trans youth and mental health, protested against the war in the Middle East, condemned ICE snatching New Yorkers off the streets, and suggested wealthy New York corporations could be taxed at higher rates.

And somehow, all of this has come packaged with charisma, humor, and a striking sense of sincerity. He speaks about his policies and ideas while carrying heart-shaped balloons through the city, interviewing voters outside Madison Square Garden, eating a burrito on the subway, and plunging into the water at Coney Island.

Is this how Mamdani won over young, online voters? Dr. Jess Rauchberg, a social media expert and an assistant professor of communication technologies at Seton Hall University, thinks so.

"Zohran’s campaign feels fresh and personal," says Dr. Rauchberg. "When the videos come up in a user’s FYP, it feels personal and intimate, like a friend talking to you. He’s not just feeding voters sound bites, he’s giving us concrete ideas on his policies and ways to get involved."

Media outlets have pointed out his social media use for months, with many focusing on the quality of production and his wide reach. "You couldn’t get on social media without seeing one of his well-produced videos pitching his vision," writes the AP. The City touts Mamdani as a "digital native", drawing in New Yorkers by "mixing big policy proposals with a little silliness." The New York Times described Mamdani as a "magnet for attention", managing to rise in polls "through a mix of social media savvy and a plain-spoken, everyman approach."

Supporters of Mamdani back both the message and the method. Online, Gen-Z and millennial voters, in particular, have voiced their support for his digital prowess and how effectively Mamdani has relayed his vision. "It's one of the most genius campaigns I've ever seen," said TikTok creator @chummertok in a video. "Not only is he making relatable content, it's objectively entertaining to watch."

His campaign has lent itself to TikTokkers churning out their own Mamdani-centric content. For instance, over 200 creators have made videos with an audio clip of Mamdani taking down Cuomo in a primary debate. Mamdani's words are heard over cheers: "I have never had to resign in disgrace. I have never cut Medicaid, I have never stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from the MTA, I have never hounded the 13 women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment, I have never sued for their gynecological records, and I have never done those things because I am not you, Mr. Cuomo."

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

With this strategy, it's little surprise that Mamdani appears to have cinched the youth vote. Among college graduates aged 18-34, 67 percent ranked Mamdani first, compared to Cuomo's 6 percent, according to a poll by the Manhattan Institute. However, the institute's poll still shows Cuomo will beat out Mamdani in both the primary and the general election in November. Whether that holds true — or whether Mamdani’s online strategy flips the script — remains to be seen.

SEE ALSO: Swifties for Kamala: How Taylor Swift fans are creating a new blueprint for political organizing

The role of social media in elections over the last decade cannot be understated. But just as social media has won over voters and brought candidates to the finish line, it has also failed to bring tangible momentum to certain campaigns.

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

Take America's 2024 presidential election. Mashable's Tim Marcin wrote of the 2024 election, "Today's presidential campaigns are Too Online, and it's to the point where real-life issues might get lost in the noise of memes and digital posturing." Democratic candidate Kamala Harris ran a noticeable social media campaign, one filled with memes and aligned with online trends. And while she gained traction amongst voters, there is a real risk that online engagement doesn't translate to meaningful action. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump used platforms like his very own Truth Social to push out misinformation and ultimately win over the disillusioned. Within the right-wing echo chamber online, Trump and his administration pulled favor with such posts.

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

Mamdani's campaign falls in the realm of Extremely Online, but it's already surpassed the mistakes of political campaigns in the past. He has accomplished what Harris and other politicians, especially Democrats, have failed, by delivering both cohesiveness and authenticity. Politico suggests that Mamdani is achieving what politicians on the right have done in recent elections: winning over young people by creating connections online, in a way that Democrats have been "flailing" to achieve. Mamdani's messaging is clear, and his content is personable, likely creating a blueprint for future politicians in their online pursuits.

"We’re in an increasingly conservative media environment," says Dr. Rauchberg. "I’ve said before that politicians need to play the campaign game like influencers, and that’s something Zohran has done exceptionally well. Regardless of the outcome, he’s spread himself across platforms and balanced in-person and media appearances."

"I think there’s a lot politicians can learn from Zohran, especially for Dems," she says.

Crucially, the action of his campaign hasn't just taken place behind a screen. Mamdani posted on X to let us know that, on the eve of the primary election, his campaign volunteers managed to surpass knocking on over 1.5 million doors across the city. If he wins, it won't just be because of TikTok. But it's fair to say the internet was behind him.

TL;DR: Live stream Panama vs. Jamaica in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup action continues with the final round of group-stage fixtures. Panama vs. Jamaica is a particularly interesting matchup, with everything still to play for in Group C. Panama have won both of their games so far, but Jamaica might be their toughest test.

If you want to watch Panama vs. Jamaica in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Panama vs. Jamaica?

Panama vs. Jamaica in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on June 24. This fixture takes place at the Q2 Stadium.

How to watch Panama vs. Jamaica for free

Panama vs. Jamaica in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

These free live stream is not available all around the world, but fans in excluded territories can still watch this game for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access (like Italy), meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Gold Cup from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup 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 Italy

4. Visit YouTube

5. Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup 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 the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Panama vs. Jamaica (plus the rest of the tournament) 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 YouTube?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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 plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

The buzz around iOS 26 has been going since WWDC 2025. The major visual revamp, known as Liquid Glass, is the highlight, but Apple has stuffed all kinds of goodies in with it, and those goodies are being slowly filtered into the beta release, which people can try right now. 

The first beta made its rounds the same day iOS 26 was announced, and Apple has officially launched beta 2 with some improvements and enhancements. As with most beta releases, Apple is working mostly on stability and bug fixes, but has tossed in a few changes and extras here and there that you might not find unless you know where to look. 

So, without burying the lede too much, here is everything that Apple included with the iOS 26 beta 2 release. If you have access to the beta program already, you should be able to update your phone to the beta right now.

Liquid Glass changes

Apple’s primary focus on iOS 26 beta 2 was fixing some Liquid Glass complaints. The primary one was the Control Center. In the first beta, the transparency caused the Control Center’s various buttons and sliders to blend in with the content behind it, making it often difficult to see what you were trying to do. As we predicted, beta 2 fixes this problem with a stronger blur effect. 

This also applies to the notifications, as the glassy appearance could also make them difficult to read. The changes here are subtle and will likely require some additional tweaking, especially on light backgrounds. However, they are a little clearer than before. 

There were some other minor changes to the UI. Here is a brief list:

Dock - Apps are now left-aligned instead of center-aligned when fewer than four apps are present. 

Parallax effect - This feature was announced at WWDC 2025 but left out of beta 1. It is now available in beta 2. Parallax effect is a 3D display feature that creates a subtle sense of depth when you tilt the phone. It affects your iPhone's wallpaper, notifications, and app icons.

High Contrast Mode - Adds a border to Liquid Glass elements to make them easier to see. You can see what they look like on this Reddit post. 

New ringtone and notification badge

We’ll group these two together since they deal in the same arena. First, Apple included a new ringtone called Alt 1. It’s a different take on the Reflection ringtone, and is filed under it in the ringtone menu. The default version still exists in the menu as well. You can listen to the new ringtone here. 

Additionally, there is a new blue notification badge. This badge only shows up if you get a notification from an unknown sender. Regular notifications still deliver red badges. 

Credit: Apple Myriad app tweaks

For the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple made a lot of minor changes to the iPhone's core apps. Here’s a brief rundown:

Safari - Apple moved the new tab button to the bottom left corner instead of the top left corner. The More Menu has been reorganized as well. 

App Store - There is a new Accessibility page available on product pages. Developers can provide information about which accessibility features are compatible with their apps. 

Wallet - Apple announced an order tracking feature at WWDC 2025. It is now present in the Wallet app in beta 2. 

Apple Music - There is a new Live Radio widget available if you just want to listen to quick tunes and don’t mind letting Apple Music make the selections for you. 

Save Call Transcripts - Apple changed the name of its Transcribe Calls feature to Save Call Transcripts. The description is also updated to let the user know that the other caller will be warned that they’re being recorded. 

Siri - Siri now shows ChatGPT usage limits and offers a Plus subscription upgrade to remove those limits. 

Low Power Mode clarification

Beta 2 brings a new description for Apple’s Low Power Mode. The feature is designed to use less system resources to help squeak out as much battery as possible without dramatically impacting phone use. Since Apple is so adept at stuff like this, it results in a pretty big battery increase, but it does make the phone slightly more sluggish for more intensive tasks. 

In any case, here’s what the new description says. 

“iPhone will temporarily reduce some background activities, processing speed, display refresh rate and brightness, and limit certain features such as 5G, iCloud syncing, mail fetch, and more.”

Tons of bug fixes and new features for developers

Apple posted its changelog for iOS 26 beta, and it includes a lot more stuff. Some big issues from beta 1 were resolved, including iPhone 15 and 16 devices showing a low battery symbol and refusing to start up. There are also plenty of new things added to Apple’s SDKs for developers to play around with. Fair warning, the changelog is rather long. 

The iOS 26 beta 2 is definitely an improvement over beta 1. It’s also nice to see Cupertino listening to feedback, like with the Control Center transparency issue. If you’re on beta 1 and are wondering if you should proceed to beta 2, the answer is a resounding yes. For everyone else, we still recommend waiting for the full release later this year with the next iPhone launch. 

Tesla's robotaxi rollout in Austin, Texas might not be off to a sterling start, and we're not talking about the safety concerns reportedly raised by city officials a couple of weeks ago.

The long-awaited robotaxi service launched over the weekend in Austin, available only to a select group of riders. The price? A fixed $4.20 — hahaha, get it? Weed. Just days after the launch, videos surfaced online that appear to show the autonomous vehicles making troubling driving decisions.

About seven minutes into this video, for instance, a robotaxi briefly drives on the wrong side of the road, toward oncoming traffic. At about 21 minutes, it seemingly runs over a curb at the destination.

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

Another video posted to YouTube appeared to show a robotaxi braking hard for parked police vehicles off to the side of the road. Yet another showed a robotaxi speeding by a significant margin.

While Mashable can't independently verify the authenticity of these videos, they've attracted the attention of federal transportation authorities.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reached out to Tesla on Monday about videos that show the robotaxis potentially breaking traffic laws, as Bloomberg first reported.

"NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information,” NHTSA said in a statement, via TechCrunch. "NHTSA will continue to enforce the law on all manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment, in accordance with the Vehicle Safety Act and our data-driven, risk-based investigative process. Under U.S. law, NHTSA does not pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems — rather, manufacturers certify that each vehicle meets NHTSA's rigorous safety standards, and the agency investigates incidents involving potential safety defects."

NHTSA further said it would assess the reports of any incidents and take action from there.

So while robotaxis have launched in Austin, it might be worth keeping track of how it goes from here.

SAVE $230.01: As of June 24, get a refurbished Google Pixel 8 Pro for $389.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $620. That's a discount of 41%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Google Pixel 8 Pro (Refurbished) $389.99 at Woot
$620 Save $230.01 Get Deal

Whether you're chugging along with an old phone or you're just itching for some new tech, a new smartphone is always a good idea, especially if you're a heavy user. But they can be super expensive to keep up with, and if you have to have a new model each year, you're probably shelling out a lot of cash. You might want to instead pick up refurbished models, which get you a new phone experience for much less cash. And thanks to this Woot deal, you can get a great new Google Pixel phone for an excellent price.

As of June 24, get a refurbished Google Pixel 8 Pro for $389.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $620. That's $230.01 off and a discount of 41%.

SEE ALSO: Take $400 off the Google Pixel 8 Pro today and upgrade your smartphone

The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, powered by the Google Tensor G2 processor. Paired with 12GB of RAM, that's more than enough giddy-up to handle just about any task you can throw at it. It also features a 50MP camera and a 5,050mAh battery, which gives you plenty of time to use it.

Mashable's Alex Perry praised its AI feature set as well as photo editing capabilities. Perry also appreciated its battery life, though did note that this model, a step up from the Google Pixel 7 Pro, is mostly comprised of incremental upgrades.

But if you're looking for a new phone and can't afford or don't want to pay full price for something hot off the presses, you really can't beat this deal, especially when it's still going for more at Amazon.

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)