IT General

September is a big month for Big Tech events, where companies showcase their latest products. And now, OpenAI has just joined the party with DevDay 2026 in San Francisco.

The AI giant held its annual DevDay event on Tuesday and had a slew of announcements to make. OpenAI recently released GPT-6 Astra, an advanced new model, but it's also facing demands for much stricter regulation after its AI agents hacked third-party systems.

The biggest news of the day was the launch of Dots, a new AI agent to rival Meta's Muse AI.

Here are all the biggest announcements from OpenAI DevDay 2026.

Dots Credit: OpenAI

Apparently, every AI company needs cartoon mascots nowadays.

OpenAI is taking a page out of Meta's book, and it's not just the animated characters. Dots are OpenAI's always-on AI personal assistant product, a la Meta's Muse.

According to OpenAI, Dots work and complete tasks across existing context and connected applications. As users work with their Dots assistant, it will learn from user feedback and improve on said tasks over time. Being an always-on AI agent, Dots work in the background via a secure cloud computer as users go about their day, OpenAI said.

For now, Dots are available to users on the Pro and Business Premium enterprise plans. The new AI agents began rolling out to eligible users today.

GPT-6.1 Sol

OpenAI also announced an upgraded version of GPT-6 Sol, the model that can be viewed as a more cost-efficient version of GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI's most powerful model.

OpenAI says GPT-6.1 Sol has "exceptionally strong performance on agentic coding, computer use and professional work." It's nearly as intelligence as Astra but costs less than a quarter the price.

Here's how the pricing breaks down:

• GPT 6.1 Sol costs $2 per million input tokens

• $0.10 per million cached input tokens

• $10 per million output tokens

Pro 500 plan and Ultrafast

If you thought OpenAI's $200 per month plan was expensive, wait until you hear about Ultrafast.

OpenAI announced a new $500 per month plan called Pro 500. The new plan includes access to Ultrafast, a feature that allows OpenAI's Codex and Work apps to work on tasks faster. Ultrafast allows Codex and Work to generate up to 300 tokens per second, or 8 times faster.

"Ultrafast is our premium speed tier for workloads where speed matters most," OpenAI said.

The feature is also coming to the API, which will provide 6 times the standard speed.

ChatGPT Space

AI collaboration will now happen in a new dedicated space, aptly called ChatGPT Space. Colleagues can work together on ChatGPT Space, sharing context, and their Dot AI assistants can access this shared knowledge.

More of OpenAI's DevDay announcements can be found at the DevDay 2026 website.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max were officially released on Sept. 18 (the foldable iPhone Duo won't be available until next month). And when you buy a new phone, that usually means buying a new phone case. The best iPhone 18 Pro cases will protect your phone when it inevitably slips out of your hands and tumbles to the ground, risking your $1,200 investment.

A lot of case companies started selling burgundy and glacier blue iPhone 18 Pro cases before the phones were even announced, and you can now find hundreds (thousands?) of stylish and cute iPhone 18 Pro cases for sale online. Whether you're looking for a cheap $12 clear case, a classic PopSockets grip case, or a more fashion-forward Velvet Caviar case, I've found the top options for iPhone shoppers. I also checked Apple's official collection of iPhone 18 Pro Max cases for you.

SEE ALSO: The best iPhones to buy in 2026: Our top pick might surprise you

If you're upgrading from the iPhone 17 Pro, there are two things you need to know. You can save up to $1,200 on the iPhone 18 Pro thanks to preorder deals, and your iPhone 17 Pro case will fit the 18 Pro just fine. Apple kept the measurements and button layouts exactly the same.

The best iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max cases so far Opens in a new window Credit: Pitaka Pitaka Edge iPhone 18 Pro Max Case $59.99 at Amazon
If you prefer razor-thin cases, then Pitaka makes some of the best iPhone cases around. The brand's Edge line is a good alternative to Apple's FineWoven tech cases, and it's just 0.04 inches thick and weighs 0.81 ounces. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: OtterBox OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Profile Series Case $39.99 at Amazon
Let's start simple with this classic OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Profile Series Case. It's not fancy or eye-catching, and that's exactly the point. The minimalist case is also MagSafe compatible. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Casetify iPhone 18 Pro Max MagSafe Case $64 at Amazon
Here's another classic option, available for both the Pro and Pro Max. It's shock and drop-proof, and incldues an opening for a phone lanyard or strap. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Casetify iPhone 18 Pro Max Ripple MagSafe Case $56 at Amazon
Looking for a case to match the new burgundy color? Casetify's MagSafe Ripple case provides extra protection — and extra color-matching. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Casetify Cloud case for iPhone 18 Pro $52 at Amazon
This Casetify iPhone 18 Pro Max case not only looks funky (that's a good thing), but it also has extra padding and bumpers to protect the phone's cameras and display. It comes in white, pink, and blue. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Torras Torras Clear iPhone 18 Pro Case $11.02 at Amazon
$13.99 Save $2.97 If you like the color of your new burgundy or glacier blue iPhone 18 Pro, then don't cover it up. This affordable iPhone case protects your phone without hurting your wallet, too. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: ESR ESR Clear MagSafe Compatible iPhone 18 Pro Case $14.99 at Amazon
Looking for an affordable clear case that works with MagSafe? Try ESR's straightforward clear case, which will still protect your phone against sudden drops. ESR promises military-grade drop protection. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets iPhone 18 Pro Case Mirror Abalone $40 at PopSockets
Looking for something a little funky? PopSockets has some of the best iPhone 18 Pro case designs, and they obviously fit great with PopSocket phone grips, too. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Pela Pela iPhone 18 Pro Case Navy Stripes $49.99 at Amazon
Pela has a huge selection of iPhone 18 cases on Amazon, and the company uses eco-friendly, plant-based materials in its phone cases. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Moft Moft Pink iPhone 18 Pro Max Case $42.49 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $7.50 Here at Mashable, we strongly believe that every new generation of iPhones should come with a pink color option. Until Apple hears our prayers, you can get this pink case, which will look great with the new glacier blue iPhone 18 Pro. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Velvet Caviar Velvet Caviar Jelly Glow Aura iPhone 18 Pro Case $39.99 at Amazon
It's giving pastel, it's giving Lisa Frank, it's giving 90s tie-dye. (It's also giving drop protection and MagSafe.) Shop Now SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free — how to claim Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Clear Case with MagSafe $49 at Amazon
Apple's official phone cases aren't always the most affordable, but they are some of the best, for obvious reasons. Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Apple.com iPhone 18 Pro Max TechWoven Case with MagSafe $59 at Amazon
Apple's TechWoven cases offer a firm grip and solid protection, and you can match the case to the color of your new phone. If you want the very best iPhone 18 Pro cases, this is a very safe bet. Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Apple.com Opens in a new window Credit: Mous Mous for iPhone 18 Pro Case, Limitless Purple $74.99 at Amazon
Mous's purple iPhone 18 Pro case is definitely a splurge (it's even pricier than Apple's own cases), but just imagine how good that deep purple will look with your new burgundy phone. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Popsockets PopSockets Low-Pro 3-in-1 Grip Case $60 at Amazon
PopSockets has integrated its popular Low-Pro grips into a new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max case. It provides extra-strength magnets, a telescoping grip, and a phone kickstand in one. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casely Casely iPhone 18 Pro Case Shell Shocked $44.95 at Amazon
If you love the look of tortoise shell accessories, which, fortunately, are not made from actual tortoises, then try this Casely case on for size. Click the link to see dozens more styles from the brand. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Casetify Dark Cherry Jelly iPhone 18 Pro Case $64 at Casetify
Here's another burgundy-themed case to match your new iPhone. The dark cherry is a near perfect match for the new iPhone color. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Smartish Smartish iPhone 18 Pro Wallet Case $29.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $5.00 Save $5 on this convenient iPhone wallet case. This product has racked up more than 60,000 reviews on Amazon. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Bellroy Bellroy Shadow iPhone 18 Pro Max Case $49 at Amazon
Bellroy is an Australian EDC and bag brand known for its tasteful accessories. This iPhone 18 Pro Max case comes in a deep black and includes a polymer camera lens cover and an adjustable wrist strap for under $50. Shop Now The top iPhone 18 Pro accessories to buy

OK, so you've reviewed the best iPhone 18 Pro cases and picked out your favorite, but you're not done yet. Apple rolled out a bunch of new accessories and cases for the iPhone 18, and brands like PopSockets have hundreds of grips, stands, wallets, and accessories.

Here are some of the top phone grips, screen protectors, and other goodies to pair with your new iPhone.

Opens in a new window Credit: Spigen Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Screen Protector for iPhone 18 Pro $19.99 at Amazon
This screen protector comes with its own applicator so you can get the alignment and fit just right. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Phone Grips for MagSafe $28.99 at Amazon
PopSockets has a ton of MagSafe-compatible phone grips in a variety of styles and colors, all conveniently available via Amazon Prime. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Kate Spade New York Kate Spade New York Magnetic Card Holder/Wallet $40 at Amazon
This Kate Spade iPhone accessory has enough room for some cash and cards, and it attaches magnetically to your iPhone. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Torras Torras MiniMag Power Bank 10,000mAh for iPhone 18 Pro $49.99 at Amazon
If you watch a lot of video or use your cameras a lot, then this portable charger will be a lifesaver. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Octobuddy Octobuddy Magnet Suction Grip $29.99 at Amazon
The Octobuddy went mega-viral among creators filming their own content, and it's a very convenient way to capture the perfect hands-free shot. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Suction Phone Grip for MagSafe $23.99 at Amazon
$35 Save $11.01 Pssst... PopSocket's answer to the Octobuddy is on sale over at Amazon. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Wrist Strap for iPhone $29 at Apple
This is one of the most affordable products you'll find on the Apple website. Match the color to your new iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe $59 at Amazon
Apple's FineWoven MagSafe Wallet comes in nine different colors. Apple shows the bright pink magenta color with the new burgundy iPhone, but we're not sold on that color combo. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone (MagSafe Compatible) $54.95 at Apple
We've never been quite sure what to make of this Hikawa phone grip, available only at the Apple Store. It's definitely stylish. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Mkeke Mkeke Screen Protector for iPhone 18 Pro (3-Pack) $9.99 at Amazon
$16.99 Save $7.00 This screen protector pack features laser-cut 9H tempered glass. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Magnetic Power Bank, 5,000mAh $54.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $5 Finally, we have one more recommendation: This mini magnetic power pank from Anker, on sale now. This device wirelessly charges your phone whenever you're suffering from low-battery anxiety. Get Deal

If you’re like me, you have an old laptop lying around somewhere collecting dust. It’s not that it doesn’t work anymore; it’s just that you got a different laptop that better fits your current needs, or you just wanted an update.

At Dev Day 2026, OpenAI's annual tech conference, the company made more than 20 announcements, but none bigger than the launch of Dots, always-on AI agents "built to handle everything."

The launch of Dots comes shortly after the launch of Apple's new Siri AI app and, more recently, Meta's Muse AI. Muse has jumped to the top of the app store charts. Like Muse, OpenAI said that each user's Dot runs on its own private and secure cloud computer, and also like Muse, Dots comes with cute little guys as its mascot.

"Dots are frontier intelligence that have your back," reads an announcement blog post from OpenAI. "Powered by GPT‑6 Astra, they have their own cloud computer, learn from feedback over time, and can work towards your goals 24/7. Through our ecosystem of plugins, they can readily connect to over 4,000 apps, giving them the tools to help wherever you need them."

Credit: OpenAI

In recent weeks, AI industry leaders have laid out a vision in which everyone will have their own personal AI agent handling all manner of tasks. Agentic AI has progressed rapidly in 2026 with the introduction of OpenClaw (originally known as Clawdbot, then Moltbot). As Mashable has reported, AI agents with control over a user's apps, devices, and data can accomplish a wide variety of tasks, but the greater their access, the greater the potential cybersecurity risk.

Just last week, a group of large banks warned that as customers hand over their devices and financial information to AI agents such as Dots, OpenClaw, and Muse, there is a growing risk of AI-enabled scams and fraud.

How do Dots work?

OpenAI announced that Dots will operate on its own private cloud, meaning users won't have to set up their AI agent on a local device.

"Dots can do nearly anything using their own cloud computer, their own browser, and the apps you’ve connected. You can open your dot’s computer at any time to inspect its work. Dots can connect to other devices in addition to their own, and you can also give your dot permission to connect and use your laptop, where it can then be useful directly alongside you."

OpenAI said that guardrails are built into the AI agents to protect users from "harmful behavior." In addition, OpenAI said that a monitoring system will be on guard of safety concerns, allowing the company to pause a Dot's work.

Before a Dot takes a sensitive action, such as changing a password, the company's auto-review⁠ system will check in with the user. Companies will also be able to create custom dots to serve their organization's needs.

Who can try Dots? Credit: OpenAI

OpenAI said that Dots would begin rolling out immediately, but the new AI agents will only be available on the company's $100/month Pro plan and for Business Premium users. Dots will not be available in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK, OpenAI said. (Siri AI faces similar geographic restrictions due to Europe's stricter AI regulations.)

Customers on Pro and Business Premium plans will have access to their first Dot at no extra cost. In addition, OpenAI said that conversations with Dots will not count toward users' ChatGPT usage limits. However, on an FAQ page, the company clarified this is only in effect "for the next month".

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Most Android Auto users never look past the main settings screen because it feels like the app was built ready to go. Google and car manufacturers keep the interface locked down on purpose, and it's honestly great for daily driving. However, if you get into the developer menu by pressing the "Version and permission info" text about 10 times in the app's settings menu, you'll get way more tools to use. It looks a little rough, but the developer settings hold plenty of cool features that can make things smoother.

Singapore's government is trying its hand at matchmaking again.

The country's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) has launched FirstDate, a pilot dating service for singles aged 21 to 35. For now, it's open only to public officers, according to the service's website. Applications close Oct. 5.

FirstDate is designed as an alternative to endless swiping. Instead of browsing a stream of profiles, users fill out a questionnaire about their interests, habits, values, and preferences. The service then sends them one match per cycle (the time it takes to mutually accept and presumably meet up). Each match includes a compatibility score, a brief description of the person, and a personal note.

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

The matching relies on the Gale-Shapley algorithm, a well-known mathematical method for pairing people based on their ranked preferences. It's the same approach used in some school admissions and medical residency matching systems. Most notably, the Match Group-owned Hinge also uses a version of it for its app — and Hinge is the top dating app in Singapore, according to SimilarWeb, followed by Tinder and Bumble.

Once matched, both people receive a text message and have 72 hours to accept the match. Contact details are exchanged only if both say yes. Couples who meet up can try "Date Quests," suggested activities meant to break the ice. Afterward, users get a short survey asking how things went, including whether they actually met in person. GovTech's site acknowledges that compatibility on paper doesn't guarantee chemistry.

Every account is verified through Singpass, the national digital ID system, which is meant to weed out fake profiles. A user's profile is only visible to their match. GovTech says user data complies with government security standards and won't be sold or shared with third parties except where required or permitted by law. Users can deactivate their accounts and request that their data be deleted.

The pilot arrives as Singapore's birth rate hits a new low, according to the Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times. The country's total fertility rate fell to 0.87 children per woman in 2025, down from 1.24 a decade earlier. In April, the government announced a new workgroup tasked with addressing falling birth rates, which is expected to report its findings by early 2027, The Straits Times reported.

It's also not the first time the government has played matchmaker. In 1984, Singapore set up the Social Development Unit to help university graduates meet and marry. Its successor, the Social Development Network, shut down its website in 2023. More recently, the Ministry of Social and Family Development helped organize For Real Fest, a Gen Z friendship festival that started in 2024 and was pitched as a response to youth loneliness, according to The Straits Times.

Whether FirstDate expands beyond the civil service will likely depend on how the pilot goes. For now, GovTech is asking its early users to tell it whether anything sparked.

Android apps will soon get to charge you based on how often you need them. Google is rolling out usage-based billing in the Play Store, letting developers meter your access to services.

Tailscale is pretty much the default option when you want to access anything remotely. It's definitely the option most people will give you when you ask them for recommendations. There's a good reason for that: Tailscale handles NAT traversal automatically, usually establishes direct encrypted connections, and can always fall back to a Tailscale Peer Relay or DERP when there's no direct path.

The retro aesthetic audio brand Nothing released its first pair of over-ear headphones just over a year ago, and already, they're back with improvements.

The brand announced its latest flagship product, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro, on Sept. 28. This will be the second over-ear headphones release from Nothing this year, following March's budget-friendly Nothing Headphone (a), which I found to be a more well-rounded and better value pair of headphones than the initial launch.

The Headphone (1) Pro, though, show some serious potential. Though I've only spent a few days with the headphones so far, I have some initial thoughts, alongside everything else to know about Nothing's newest release.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro $399 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Nothing Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: Price and specs

The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro cost $399, putting them $100 over the asking price of the Headphone (1) upon launch. The specs are as follows:

• Drivers: Bass dynamic driver, precision dynamic driver, and xMEMS driver

• Active noise cancellation: Adaptive, powered by 10 microphones

• Battery life: 30 hours with ANC on, 68 hours with ANC off

• Quick charge: Two hours of listening from a five-minute charge

• Spatial audio: Yes, five modes of dynamic spatial audio (standard, Studio B by Metropolis Studios, live house, club, concert hall)

• IP rating: IP52

• Multipoint: Yes

• Connection: Bluetooth 6.1, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair

• Colors: Black and white

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro vs. Nothing Headphone (1)

While the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro retain the same distinctive retro-rectangular look of the Headphone (1), the brand brought some updates that separate the newer model as the premium one. For instance, the transparent part of the ear cup is made of shatter- and scratch-resistant glass, while a combination of titanium and aluminum provides for a lighter overall product.

Last year's Nothing Headphone (1) are similar in appearances, but the brand made key changes for the update model. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Nothing also claims to have upped the noise cancellation power by 40 percent, thanks to the 10-microphone system with more optimally placed mics. Unlike the older headphones, all the microphones are placed inward on the ear cup, meaning less interference from wind and airflow.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend

The headline with these headphones, however, likely lies with the broad listening experience. The triple driver architecture isn't one too common on headphones, but it's designed to provide the most robust listening experience. In the companion app, you have the option in the equalizer to tune the main drivers or the precision driver specifically.

In addition to the drivers, Nothing included five different modes of dynamic spatial audio, optimized for different genres of music.

If you're into audio editing, music mixing, or any aspect of audio production, Nothing also included a Flat EQ mode, which is designed to provide the most faithful reproduction of the original audio as possible. The headphones also feature an on-ear switch for this mode on the interior of the left ear cup.

Speaking of on-ear switches, it's worth noting that something that hasn't really changed between the two headphones is the excellent on-ear controls.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: First impressions The improved comfort on this design is a huge plus. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Though I haven't had much time with these headphones so far, immediately I could tell they were more comfortable than the Headphone (1), which I could not wear comfortably for more than an hour. Nothing claims the Pro headphones have 50 percent softer ear cushions and an overall lighter frame, both of which feel accurate and make the experience of using these headphones significantly more pleasant.

I've yet to put them through the wringer on the ANC front, but claims of improvements there also feel accurate so far — even the standard sounds of my apartment, like my own typing and the AC running, are basically impossible to hear when I'm streaming audio with the ANC on.

What I'm really looking forward to testing extensively is the robust sound profile. These headphones offer an impressive amount of customization, from the custom equalizer, presets, spatial audio options, and flat EQ mode. As a freelance podcast producer and editor, I'm particularly interested in trying out that last mode against my usual editing headphones.

Ultimately, I'm struggling to come up with critiques in my first days of testing, which I didn't experience with the Headphone (1) — we'll see how that develops over the rest of my testing period.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: Where to buy

The Nothing Headphone (1) are available to purchase for $399 at Nothing's website, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Where to buy the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Amazon Nothing Headphone (1) Pro $399 Shop Now Best Buy Nothing Headphone (1) Pro $399 Shop Now Nothing.tech Nothing Headphone (1) Pro $399 Shop Now

YouTube and I have a long and storied relationship. It’s one of the video platforms I turn to the most when I want to hear music or find out news about my favorite bands. Like many YouTube users, I also use it to learn new skills, figure out new songs, fix my cars, or get more out of the guitar and music production gear I spent good money on. YouTube does a lot of heavy lifting in this space for me.

TL;DR: Watch Mexico vs. Peru in an International Friendly for free on TV Azteca. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Mexico suffered a heartbreaking exit at this summer's World Cup at the hands of England, but now the focus switches to the next generation of stars. Gilberto Mora is probably the biggest talent in Mexico right now, and he helped his side secure a 1-1 draw with Colombia last week. Next, Mexico face Peru at the Sports Illustrated Stadium.

If you're interested in watching Mexico vs. Peru in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Mexico vs. Peru?

Mexico vs. Peru in an International Friendly kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Sept. 29. This fixture takes place at the Sports Illustrated Stadium.

How to watch Mexico vs. Peru for free

Mexico vs. Peru in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on TV Azteca.

TV Azteca is geo-restricted to Mexico, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can live stream Mexico vs. Peru for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Mexico vs. Peru for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit TV Azteca

5. Watch Mexico vs. Peru for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

What is the best VPN for TV Azteca?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Mexico

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Mexico vs. Peru for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

LibreOffice Calc is often dismissed as a spreadsheet that's fine for basic number crunching, but something you'd quickly outgrow as soon as your work gets serious. As someone who's used Excel for decades, I understand that view. Excel is incredibly powerful, and after all this time, I still find myself reaching for it when I need to get something done.

Earlier this September, Channel 4 released an NSFW clip from its upcoming comedy It Gets Worse that set the internet ablaze.

SEE ALSO: NSFW clip of 'daddy' Andrew Scott has internet in a chokehold

In the clip, series creator Leo Reich plays Ethan, an unsure 24-year-old who hooks up with a therapist (Andrew Scott). Scott's therapist tells Ethan "you're just a hole for daddy" before spitting in his mouth, reigniting every Fleabag viewer's Hot Priest thirst in the process. Immediately, the internet wanted to know: How could they watch more?

Where is It Gets Worse streaming?

It Gets Worse is set to premiere on Channel 4 in the UK on Oct. 14, coinciding with its premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. American audiences will have to wait a bit longer to catch it, as It Gets Worse hits Paramount+ in early November.

Produced by A24, the series follows three young people spiraling about their worsening adulthoods. In addition to Scott, it features a stacked list of guest stars, including Lena Dunham and Amelia Dimoldenberg.

It Gets Worse is one of three British series from A24 that will call Paramount+ home, the streaming service announced today. The other two series are Major Players, an original drama about two girls hoping to start a women's soccer team, and The Ministry of Time, an adaptation of Kaliane Bradley’s bestselling novel about a civil servant who must help a time-traveling Victorian-era polar explorer get used to the modern world. Neither series has a streaming date yet.

It Gets Worse premieres on Paramount+ in early November.

Seven years after Samsung's first foldable phone, Apple finally joined the club with the iPhone Duo. It's a very solid first attempt, but if you dare suggest it's better than a Galaxy Z Fold in any way, supporters are quick to chirp: "Um, actually, Samsung made the iPhone Duo parts." Respectfully, who cares?

Updated on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 12:40 p.m. ET — Around 10:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday morning, Spotify confirmed that it was experiencing an outage. The company wrote on its X page: "We’re aware of some issues right now and are checking them out!"

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

No further information was available on the Spotify support site; however, a notice reads, "The wait time to speak to an advisor is longer than usual."

Meanwhile, DownDetector shows that user error reports for Spotify are still elevated but have been dropping steadily since around 12:15 p.m. ET.

If Spotify won’t play your morning playlist, you’re far from alone.

More than 15,000 people in the U.S. had reported problems with the streaming service by 10:06 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 29, according to DownDetector.

The problems appear to vary. Some users can play music but can’t search for songs or artists; others are seeing a "Something went wrong" message or having trouble logging in. Reports describe issues on both mobile and desktop, though the app may still work for some listeners.

Credit: Screenshot/Spotify

There’s no confirmed cause or estimated time for a fix yet. If Spotify isn’t working for you, trying its web player or another device may help, depending on which part of the service is affected. We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.

Linux is such a part of the modern landscape that it's hard to remember a time when it was just starting out. Linux's road to world domination could be bumpy at times. Here's how some early predictions about Linux have held up.

TL;DR: Watch Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League for free on RTVE. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spain kicked off their UEFA Nations League campaign with a victory over England. The World Cup winners now face Croatia at home. It's going to be another challenging fixture for Luis de la Fuente's side.

If you're interested in watching Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Croatia?

Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 29. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

How to watch Spain vs. Croatia for free

Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can live stream Spain vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Spain vs. Croatia for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit RTVE

5. Watch Spain vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Spain

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Spain vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Czechia vs. England in the Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League continues this week with the second round of fixtures, including Czechia vs. England. Both sides are looking to bounce back after losing their opening fixtures. England will be the favorites to win this matchup, but there are no easy fixtures in this competition.

If you're interested in watching Czechia vs. England in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Czechia vs. England?

Czechia vs. England in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 29. This fixture takes place at the Fortuna Arena.

How to watch Czechia vs. England for free

Czechia vs. England in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Czechia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Czechia vs. England for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Czechia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Czechia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Many DIYers start with one brand of power tools, then eventually switch things up. Like initially buying Milwaukee or DeWALT, then moving to Ryobi's more affordable line. A common solution to having a mix of different tools, battery packs, and chargers is to buy a battery adapter. And while some people use adapters just fine, you probably shouldn't use them on your Milwaukee battery packs, and here's why.

Tom Cruise has built his long and wildly successful career as an A-list movie star on his irrefutable charisma, incredible stunt-work capabilities, and a refusal to age. From early dramas like Top Gun, A Few Good Men, and Jerry Maguire, he defined the American hero, fighting the good fight in the face of death, failure, and a bellowing Jack Nicholson. Across Mission: Impossible movies, he created a brand that would define his legacy as an unstoppable force at the box office worldwide. But one honor he hasn't yet earned is an Academy Award. 

Make no mistake. He's been nominated for an acting Oscar three times — twice for Best Actor (Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire) and once for Best Supporting Actor (Magnolia). (That he was snubbed completely for Interview with the Vampire is an outrage that still echoes across the decades.) And while the Academy gave him an Honorary Award in 2026, Digger feels intensely as if it's Cruise's big swing to win at last. And I cannot imagine Iñárritu's latest will earn Cruise Oscar gold. 

On paper, it could. Iñárritu's Biutiful, Birdman, and The Revenant led to Academy Award nominations for Javier Bardem and Michael Keaton, and a win for Leonardo DiCaprio. However, his last film, Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, received less praise and only an Oscar nod for cinematography. And Digger, despite its energetic promotional campaign, has more in common with Bardo than Birdman in terms of the director's indulgences. 

Tom Cruise plays way against type in Digger.  Credit: Seoju Park / Warner Bros. Entertainment

To his credit, Cruise bounds out of his comfort zone in this role. His signature swagger and good looks are caked in head-to-toe prosthetics that make him look older, fatter, and balding. And to the credit of the hair, make-up, and visual effects team, the transformation is seamless. Reminiscent of his makeover as a surly producer in the showbiz satire Tropic Thunder, Cruise doesn't hold back in playing an American titan who is also a raging asshole. 

Digger Rockwell is an oil magnate who has earned unimaginable wealth and privilege through drilling. But when one of his sites in Greenland causes an ecological disaster that could have massive fallout, he's thrown into damage control with his green-energy-pushing sister Emma (Sandra Hüller), an ornery American president (John Goodman), a high-strung scientist (Riz Ahmed), and a barrage of wide-eyed yes-men played by celebrated character actors including Michael Stuhlbarg and Burn Gorman. 

Like Adam McKay's 2021 satire Don't Look Up, Digger becomes a satire about climate change, studded with famous faces, including Emma D'Arcy as a put-upon assistant and Jesse Plemons as a Digger admirer. Unfortunately, also like Don't Look Up, Digger thinks itself wildly clever, when it's really a preachy lecture with splashy cinema spectacle. Far from an effective argument about the graveness of our current situation, it plays as a finger-wagging scold of the common man for presumed apathy, while the film is doggedly not about the common man, but about the 1% who trades in the future of the planet for financial success now. 

However, even if the snag of snarling politics doesn't put off Academy voters, Cruise's attempts at comedy might. It's not that Cruise can't be funny. Again, look to Tropic Thunder, Interview with the Vampire, Risky Business, and even Rain Man. It's that Digger is astonishingly unfunny. It's a farce without jokes, save fart jokes. The screenplay — which lists a handful of screenwriters, including Iñárritu — achieves absurdity, but rarely laughs. For instance, the film begins with Digger caring for his very, very close-to-death cat Maggie, who is less an animal and more a body-horror puppet of festering wounds, clumpy fur, and a facial expression that meows, "Kill me." The prolonged attention Digger gives this cat as she defecates on his bed, his silk pajamas, and anything else he sets her near, is probably intended to be funny. But it's bizarre, as if the whimsy of Wes Anderson had rotted into a grotesque mockery or the brilliance of Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove were smothered in scatological humor. 

Tom Cruise is outshone by Digger's ensemble.  Credit: Seoju Park / Warner Bros. Entertainment

Aside from Digger being preachy, gross, and annoying in its cynicism, it's also afflicted by putting a leading man in a character actor role. Yes, Digger is the lead. Yes, Cruise slides into a thick Texan accent as earnestly as he does the prosthetics. But the churlishness that's meant to be both revolting and compelling in this clownish carnage machine rings false. It's hard to watch this and not imagine what Paul Giamatti or Stephen Root or even co-stars Goodman or Stuhlbarg might have done with such a role. 

In their bit parts, they are more engaging than Cruise manages to be. Goodman is in his comfort zone, hollering wrath and vengeance as he has in a slew of terrific Coen Bros movies. Stuhlbarg, who can break your heart with one monologue (as he did in Call Me by Your Name), brings subtle humor as a feckless vice president. Hüller is explosive as the only family member who can outshout Digger. Plemons is satisfyingly creepy, while D'Arcy brings screen presence and nuance to a barely written role. But Ahmed is outstanding. 

Perhaps no surprise as the British Pakistani actor has a fine ear for satire, as shown in Four Lions and Nightcrawler. Ahmed doesn't go too big, instead grounding Cruise's showy performance with his sturdy, silent disdain. When his Dr. Ganesh finally has a moment to deliver a monologue of his own, it's both funny, heartbreaking, and an excellent example of acting drunk. If there's an acting nom coming for Digger, my money would be on Ahmed (who was previously nominated in 2021 for his superb performance in Sound of Metal). 

Of course, there will be Cruise defenders who will argue the too-muchness of his Digger is exactly the point. Iñárritu's film tries to lampshade its own outrageousness with layers of jolting reveals that urge the audience to reconsider much of what they've seen. But Digger's convoluted construction ultimately mocks an art form that other contenders this season celebrate. It's a movie that works hard to be clever, and in doing so, loses sight of being interesting, entertaining, or even challenging. It just becomes a barrage of ideas, and monologues, and plot twists that try the audience's patience while chiding them for their presumed apathy. 

Credit: Seoju Park / Warner Bros. Entertainment

In the end, Digger will certainly bewilder and will likely prove polarizing. The one place where I suspect Digger's detractors and fans will agree is that its sound design and production design are incredible. 

In the sound design, Maximilian Behrens brings an eerie heightened humor into a war room scenario, where the sound of yes-men turning their chairs is full of the creaks of wood and the squeaks of metal. In a pivotal moment of human history, these men are so silent that the sounds of their luxurious setting echo loudly; it's a scathing and comedic condemnation. Later, the sound of eating sushi plays as a squishy reminder of mankind's recklessly ravenous domination of the planet. 

Production designer Dennis Gassner creates a world around Digger that is preposterously bedecked in signs of wealth and excess that also echo this theme. Taxidermied animals line not only his walls, but also his ceilings. His boots aren't leather but snakeskin, or perhaps something more exotic. His chosen paintings are of a lion mauling its prey. All of these keenly build the story of Digger Rockwell. 

This makes Digger so frustrating. Iñárritu clearly had a big budget to work with, and he used it toward a dazzling production design and assembling an incredible cast. But this revered director led his movie star astray in a self-indulgent, ugly, and cynical parable that's sure to irritate rather than educate, entertain, or ignite change. And actually, that might have been Iñárritu's point all along. And damn, I'd hate if that's the world we live in, where even one of the most celebrated living directors thinks art is useless in effecting change. 

Digger opens in theaters on Oct 2.