IT General

There was a time when appearing on Hot Ones felt like a novelty. Now, it's practically a rite of passage.

Over the last decade, Sean Evans and the team behind the hit YouTube interview series have transformed a simple idea — celebrities eating increasingly spicy wings while answering increasingly personal questions — into one of the most influential talk-show formats in entertainment. Long before Hollywood fully embraced creator-led programming, Hot Ones proved that a YouTube series could land A-list guests and command audiences on the same scale as many traditional television shows.

SEE ALSO: 19 best 'Hot Ones' episodes to binge-watch

Along the way, Hot Ones has become a must-stop destination on the modern press tour, and the show's influence is now so widespread that YouTube is once again submitting it for Emmy consideration. Today, Evans is not only the face of Hot Ones but also part of the ownership group that acquired First We Feast from BuzzFeed in 2024, giving the team control over one of YouTube's most successful franchises.

But behind the viral clips and ghost pepper-induced meltdowns is something more enduring: a creator-built show that has survived platform shifts, changing audience habits, and an increasingly crowded interview landscape.

Mashable spoke with Evans about how Hot Ones evolved from a scrappy internet experiment into a mainstream entertainment fixture, why consistency matters more than virality, what creators can learn from the show's longevity, and how much behind-the-scenes chaos is required to make sure a new episode arrives every Thursday.

Credit: Zooey Liao / Mashable / First We Feast There was a time when landing a major movie star on a YouTube show felt like a novelty. Now, creator-led interview shows are everywhere, and Hot Ones feels like a staple of the entertainment ecosystem. Was there a specific moment when you realized the relationship between Hollywood and internet shows had fundamentally changed?

Sean Evans: When I first started, there were so few interview shows on the internet and almost no celebrity interview shows on the internet. Now there are a ton. Even podcasts back then weren't as guest-fueled as they are now, and now there are so many different kinds of celebrity talk shows and chat formats. That's been incredible to see.

There used to be a time when people would do the late-night couch, and then it would be this big event that they'd done this internet show, Hot Ones. Now the whole ecosystem is basically internet shows like Hot Ones. That's been kind of amazing to witness. As for paradigm-shifting moments, I look back on different tentpole episodes. Our first big episode was Key & Peele. Kevin Hart was a huge moment because that was a capital-A lister relatively early in the evolution of the show. Once we booked him, it shook a couple of other apples from the tree that maybe seemed unattainable.

The Charlize Theron episode was important because she was an A-list actress who was down to eat the wings of death. Then that opens up a whole new category of potential guests. Along the way, we've hit these different tentpole moments that have reshaped the show's trajectory. But overall, it's been kind of a snowball rolling down a hill, getting bigger and bigger. Or a wave getting bigger, and I'm just grabbing my surfboard and trying to hold on.

I know you said last year that Hot Ones deserves to be compared to traditional talk shows, and I totally agree. Do you feel like the industry has caught up to that idea, or are creator-led shows still fighting for legitimacy?

I kind of get it both ways. Ultimately, the crusade that I'm on isn't really about Hot Ones. It's that a kid today with broadcasting aspirations probably doesn't dream about hosting The Tonight Show. Their dream is probably more like Kai Cenat or IShowSpeed, or building out their own YouTube channel, or ranking high on a podcast chart. The longer these shows deny that reality, the more absurd and arbitrary it becomes.

My goal has always been to make good episodes for our fans. When you think about the cultural penetration of a show like Hot Ones, the caliber of its guests, and the ratings — eyeballs to eyeballs — then yes, we are worthy of comparison and competition with these shows that have traditionally dominated these categories. But it's hard for me to bellyache about anything. My life is so charming, and I get to do this incredible job. I'm not going to cry about not getting a statue. Everything has been better than anything I ever could have dreamed for myself.

If I die on a hill, it's this: if you look at people who started as creators and are now directors turning million-dollar budgets into hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office, the future is going to be new formats that are born on the internet. The next wave of great auteurs will start on the internet. These arbitrary lines in the sand are eventually going to blow away because they're denying what audiences are actually watching.

The cool thing about Hot Ones is that you've spent more than a decade building an audience that comes back week after week. What's the difference between creating a viral hit and creating something sustainable?

I think we have a format that's very of-the-internet. But when I think about the ways I've been inspired, it's mostly by the classics. I grew up obsessed with Letterman, Conan, Howard Stern, and Jimmy Kimmel. My creative partner Chris Schonberger remembers Channel 4 in Britain — Alexa Chung and those cheeky celebrity chat shows.

We combined those influences into something that feels internet-native, even though it's celebrities eating scorching hot chicken wings. I think it's the combination of something novel and something familiar. We also straddle this unique position where we have one foot in the mainstream and one foot in the internet underground.

And then I think the watch experience is consistently good. Sure, there are duds, but there are more classics than duds. Hot Ones is like a diner burger. You have to eat that burger once a week, and you'll come back the next week, and the week after that. We don't tinker with the recipe every time burger sales dip. We don't reinvent the menu because some food trend pops up. We're pretty classic in our approach, and I think that's given us longevity.

So consistency is the secret sauce?

Yeah. It's the same people making the same thing the same way over and over again because people like the taste of the burger. We're not going to outsmart ourselves.

Everybody knows the gimmick: the wings, the hot sauce. But there's a reason people keep coming back. What's something viewers underestimate about what goes into making a great Hot Ones episode?

Hot Ones is kind of like a duck swimming. Above the water, it's graceful and frictionless. Underneath, the feet are going crazy. I basically live a lifestyle where I grab a carry-on, go to the airport, check into a hotel, do the shoot, go back to the airport, and then do it again in another city. Sometimes we have a season worked out, and a guest cancels 36 hours before we're supposed to shoot. Now we have to find another booking, or there won't be an episode on Thursday. Earlier this year, I literally flew to Italy to shoot with somebody, got there, found out they had to cancel, and then flew back home. No episode. Just flew to Italy for no reason.

The audience shouldn't feel that anxiety. We want to make escapism television. We want you to enjoy a stress-free 24 minutes. But there is a lot of stress that goes into creating that stress-free experience.

Did you at least get to enjoy Italy?

I had a good pasta dinner. I was like, "I'm at least going to do that while I'm here." Otherwise, it was a sad trip.

I know you've said you can basically film Hot Ones anywhere. What's the most unconventional place you've ever turned into a Hot Ones set?

The Charlize Theron episode stands out. She was doing a junket at the Beverly Hills Hotel, so we rented a suite, took the bed out, and hung the black curtains from the ceiling. I remember walking in and seeing sandbags and lights all over the floor and sheets hanging from the ceiling. It looked like a second grader's project. And I'm thinking, "We're about to shoot with an Oscar winner in here."

But that's the Hot Ones experience. You pop it up, put the wings out, do the best you can with the time you have, handle the chaos, then pack it all up and do it again. It's basically a circus roadshow.

Is it fair to say part of the show's success comes from your willingness to go wherever the guest is?

When we can, absolutely. We're halfway through a season right now and already trying to line up dates for the next one. We're constantly trying to match guest availability with release schedules and make sure everything lines up. It's like a Rubik's Cube we're always solving. I think that's part of why we've punched above our weight class in terms of guests over the years. We want to make it the most comfortable, least comfortable interview show possible. We'll do what we have to do to get the episode. We'll hunt it down wherever it is. With the right opportunity, we'll absolutely jump on a plane. I probably do the L.A. to New York flight 50 times a year.

Do you have favorite moments that stand out — not necessarily the biggest or most viral moments, but the ones that mean the most to you?

There are hundreds. I love the show. It's my baby. If somebody is new to Hot Ones, I always recommend Conan O'Brien, Gordon Ramsay, and Paul Rudd. Those are kind of exalted in the lore of the show. I love the Viola Davis episode. I love the Trick Daddy episode. Charlize Theron was important to our evolution.

This year, for awards consideration, we submitted the Kate McKinnon episode, and that one means a lot to me too. There are just so many that I could talk about endlessly.

I have to ask about BTS. I'm a fan, and I know they roll deep with a lot of staff. What did it take behind the scenes to pull that episode off?

I always know we're shooting with a big guest when there's a security sweep beforehand. We'd never done an episode that big before. Seven guests are at the table, with only one member who speaks English. There were so many potential complications. But it went remarkably smoothly. I remember going into the green room, and they were super warm and excited to see me. They just had amazing vibes.

Even when there's a language barrier, there's a common understanding when you're eating scorching hot wings together. Jimin was like, "Come on wing, let's go wing!" and then I'm doing it too. You become bros through the experience. We had spent so much time thinking through every possible complication, and then it ended up being one of the smoothest shoots we've ever had.

SEE ALSO: Milk, tears, and Digimon: BTS' 'Hot Ones' episode was pure chaos Fans loved that episode.

They're great fans, by the way. That's another rewarding thing about doing something like that — capturing a group in that moment where they're re-emerging and coming back out. They didn't do a ton of press, so I'm very grateful that they and their team thought Hot Ones was something the fans would love.

What have you learned about making people comfortable enough to reveal something genuine on camera?

I've always been somebody who could sit at any lunch table in the cafeteria. I like hearing stories. I'm more interested in other people's stories than my own. And I think being a Midwesterner helps. There's a "don't rock the boat, make everybody feel comfortable" instinct. On the show, we try to reflect respect back to the guest. We do a thoughtful, career-spanning interview. That helps build trust. And then you're eating scorching hot wings. Your brain is flashing survival, survival, survival. You're not thinking about the PR talking points you walked in with. All of those things accelerate chemistry and rapport.

Plus, people have a really long leash on Hot Ones. You can cough, curse, blow your nose into a napkin. Where else can you do that? That permission structure makes people more willing to let loose.

Fans are really invested in your friendship with Keke Palmer. She's also a phenomenal host and interviewer. You've had her on Hot Ones, and you've been on her podcast. What do you appreciate about her as an interviewer?

One thing we share is that we're both kind of throwbacks from another time. I talked about my influences earlier, and I think she's very much the same way. When people see us together, there's kind of this throwback late-night-show energy. But it's brought into a new era in a way that younger audiences seem to understand and really enjoy.

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

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

TL;DR: Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has started with a number of really interesting matchups from the first round of group-stage games, and they keep coming in the second round. Every team is tied on a single point in Group B, so Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina takes on greater significance.

If you want to watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at the Los Angeles Stadium.

How to watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free

Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for 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

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

Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

The New York Knicks are NBA champions, and New York City is about to celebrate something generations of fans have waited their entire lives to see.

More than 1 million fans, according to early estimates from the NYPD, are expected to flood Lower Manhattan today for the Knicks' championship parade, marking the franchise's first title since 1973 and its first-ever ticker-tape parade through the city's historic Canyon of Heroes. Mashable will be in the middle of the action, tracking the biggest moments from the crowd and documenting the celebrity sightings, emotional fans, Mitchell Robinson's tricked-out custom truck, and whatever chaotic moments the internet inevitably latches onto from Battery Park to City Hall.

Will celebrity superfans Timothée Chalamet and Spike Lee end up riding with the team? Will Mikal Bridges' dog Sonny make an appearance? Will Alicia Keys perform "Empire State of Mind" for the city that spent the past week treating it like the official soundtrack of the NBA Finals? Will actor, director, and Knicks fan Ben Stiller be capturing footage for his upcoming HBO documentary on the Knicks with A24? And can Fat Joe really pull off a parade float reportedly packed with New York hip-hop royalty? We can't wait to find out.

Follow along as New York throws the biggest block party it's seen in decades.

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

Prime Day is no longer a single-day sales event at Amazon; it's a full-blown online shopping extravaganza. In 2026, Prime Day is not only four days long, but has also shifted to an earlier summer time slot. The official sale runs from June 23 through 26, but of course, deals have been popping up for weeks in the lead-up to the event.

BTW, Amazon isn't the only one with a sale at the end of June, either. The hype of Prime Day has inspired competing sales from other major retailers, including Walmart's Summer Deals event, Target Circle Deal Days, and Best Buy's Tech Fest. Needless to say, shopping this season can be pretty overwhelming.

SEE ALSO: 50+ Prime Day deals to shop now

With an overall hunger for savings amidst inflation-concerned customers, deal shopping is of more interest than ever. And lucky for you, Mashable's shopping team knows a thing or two about finding the best deals. We've got you covered with all the shopping hacks and tips you should know for securing the best deals on Prime Day 2026 and beyond. You'll be shopping like a well-oiled machine in no time.

1. Plan your shopping wisely

It should go without saying, but going into any shopping event without some sort of game plan is risky as hell. It's also a quick ticket to buyer's remorse.

Unlike Black Friday, when it's common to have a list of gifts you're looking for, Prime Day can be a tempting day to splurge on stuff you don't actually need. With a bunch of sparkly discounts at your fingertips, it's easy to get click-happy. Setting a budget for yourself can go a long way in preventing overspending. TL;DR: Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it. We recommend building out a list of things you actually want or need in the days leading up to the sale and abiding by it (and your budget) religiously.

2. Organize your wishlist

Do yourself a favor and get your wishlist in order before you jump into Prime Day shopping. It's our favorite Black Friday hack, but the same tip applies to Amazon's shopping holiday.

Every product page on the retail giant's website has an "add to list" button. Do this with all of the things (tech, everyday household supplies, books, kitchen gear, etc.) on your shopping list this season to organize everything, view it all at a glance, and even rank items based on priority. You'll be able to see which products have gone on sale and seamlessly scoop them up before they're gone.

3. Download the Amazon app (and any competitors you want to shop)

Shopping from your phone? It'd be smart to download the Amazon mobile app if you haven't already. Beyond just making it easier to shop on the go, the app gives you access to exclusive app-only perks like wishlist alerts, personalized suggestions, and more. You'll even be able to see deals on recent items you've searched.

I also recommend downloading the apps of any competitors you want to shop — Walmart, Target, Best Buy — so you can compare prices in real time, no matter where you are.

4. Use Alexa for Shopping as your personal shopping expert

Amazon has put a lot of effort into its Alexa for Shopping feature, so don't be afraid to utilize it. Available on the app, website, and Echo Show devices, Alexa for Shopping combines two of Amazon's secret weapons, Rufus and Alexa+, to create a personalized AI assistant for your shopping needs. You can ask Alexa for Shopping questions directly in the main search bar, create personalized shopping guides for big purchases, get insight on products and categories in search results, generate product comparisons if you're having a tough time deciding, and even view up to a full year of price history for specific items. You can also automate deal-finding, cart-building, and routine purchases if you desire.

If you have a newer Echo smart speaker, you can also turn on the exclusive advanced deal alerts feature (you'll find it under More > Settings > Notifications > Amazon Shopping) for deal recommendations and shopping recommendations. If you already made a wishlist, you'll get a pop-up alert or a yellow ring light on your Echo speaker whenever Alexa finds out about an upcoming deal on one of the items on your list. Alexa will even let you know if an item on your wishlist is going on sale up to 24 hours before the sale goes live, so you can plan accordingly.

5. Compare prices and check CamelCamelCamel like it's your job

So technically, it actually is our job to find the best deals, but we'll let you in on a little secret. When shopping for deals at Amazon, we always reference CamelCamelCamel to see the historical data on the sale prices for a particular item. At a glance, it allows you to see just how good that deal is (or isn't). Even if you're shopping elsewhere, you can get an idea of a product's price history before purchasing. The creator of CamelCamelCamel also released a Walmart price tracking tool.

As I mentioned above, Alexa for Shopping also offers a full year of price history for specific items if you ask. If a deal seems too good to be true, that's usually because it is.

6. Bookmark Mashable's Prime Day hub

Mashable's Prime Day page is the hub for pretty much every deal you need to know about, with links to all of our coverage, like a massive master list of the best Prime Day 2026 deals, plus spotlights on standout deals, competitor sales at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, as well as by categories like TVs, robot vacuums, streaming services, or headphones. This will save you from wasting time trying to skim websites on your own and getting overwhelmed. Literally, our job is to make your life easier.

We'll be updating all of these lists regularly before, during, and after the Prime Day shenanigans, so check back for all the latest and greatest deals that drop.

7. Sign up for Mashable Deals emails

If you don't want to be glued to your screen, but still want to stay in the loop and score the best deals, we've got you covered. In the days leading up to and surrounding Prime Day, our regular newsletters will be filled with discounts you may want to hop on. Head over to our newsletters page and tick the box for the Mashable Deals emails. You'll be sent a quick rundown of deals we think you'll care about, like the best MacBook or Kindle deals to shop, which streaming services are on sale, or which robot vacuum is worth your money this Prime Day.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read Mashable's full review of the iPhone Air.

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

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

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

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

More early Prime Day iPhone deals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More 65-inch TV deals at Amazon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

65-inch TV deals at Best Buy

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

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

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

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