Technology

Wi-Fi routers are often treated as plug-and-play appliances. For most people, the setup process begins and ends with plugging in the power cable and, if they're feeling adventurous, setting a custom network name and password.

For three decades, the Subaru Outback has occupied a unique corner of the automotive world, carving out a niche that sits comfortably between a family wagon and a mountain-climbing SUV. With over three million sold since its debut, the Outback has become the literal and figurative utility player of the Subaru lineup.

The biggest night in Hollywood is here, and we're following it all live.

The 2026 Oscars have officially arrived, bringing the film industry's awards season marathon to its glittering finale. After months of campaigns, red carpets, heated debates, and a seemingly endless stream of precursor awards, the winners of the 97th Academy Awards will finally be revealed tonight.

As always, the Oscars promise a little bit of everything: emotional speeches, surprise wins, viral moments, and at least one bit that will immediately become a meme. The ceremony is Hollywood's most visible celebration of filmmaking, but it's also become something of a real-time internet event, where reactions unfold just as quickly on social media as they do inside the Dolby Theatre.

Throughout the night, we'll be tracking the biggest developments as they happen. That means updates on the major category winners, standout acceptance speeches, and the kinds of unpredictable moments that tend to dominate timelines before the show is even over. And at this year's Oscars, there's plenty to watch.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the ceremony is Sinners, which leads this year’s nominations — a sign of just how strongly the film resonated with Academy voters across multiple branches. Ryan Coogler's film will face off against Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another in the race for Best Picture, setting up one of the night's most closely watched showdowns.

Meanwhile, the Best Actor race is widely considered one of the ceremony's biggest question marks, with no clear frontrunner. The category features a stacked lineup of nominees, including Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent).

We'll also be watching the internet’s reaction in real time. Because if there’s one thing Oscars night consistently delivers, it’s discourse: debates about snubs and surprises, instant reactions to acceptance speeches, and the occasional onstage moment that completely takes over the cultural conversation.

Think of this page as your running guide to the night. The show may only last a few hours. The reactions tend to last much longer.

Stay with us as the night unfolds.

DIMM SSDs are one of those oddities that almost look fake at a glance if you're not familiar with them. They take up a RAM slot, but depending on the design, they might behave like a normal SATA SSD or a persistent memory module that sits much closer to DRAM than a conventional drive does.

Fans of Milwaukee and those red power tools know that the company actually makes a little bit of everything. Milwaukee is wildly popular thanks to its capable tools, specialty offerings, and a steady flow of new tools each year. You probably own the basics, but here are a few niche Milwaukee tools you might actually want, along with what they're used for.

Every other month a new Linux vulnerability appears in the news and a CVE number starts circulating. If you use Linux, the reaction is predictable: "Am I vulnerable?" Before assuming the worst, take five minutes and actually check whether your PC is affected.

PC gamers love keeping an eye on their CPU, GPU, and other resource usage and temperatures during intense gaming sessions. While a secondary monitor can handle this easily, I prefer to turn mine off completely so it doesn’t distract me while I game.

Home Assistant is a free and open-source smart home platform that operates entirely on a device on your local network, making it the go-to recommendation for any smart home enthusiast that's concerned about privacy—but there are many other reasons to choose a local smart home hub that isn't operating in the cloud.

Windows 11, Microsoft's newest operating system, got people excited at first because of its fresh look and modern features. However, as the software has been around longer, a clear trend of unfriendly design choices, really pushy ways to make money, and a plain lack of concern for your privacy have emerged. This growing list of unnecessary features shows the worst examples of how Microsoft is making the experience worse just to benefit its own corporate interests.

While March is heating up on HBO Max with several noteworthy new shows and movies, it’s also time to say goodbye to everything leaving the platform this month. Though most of the titles leaving are movies, there are some documentaries and shows in there that you’ll definitely want to see.

While we wait eagerly for some of the new upcoming series coming to Apple TV, including new seasons of For All Mankind (March 27), Your Friends and Neighbors (April 3), and Criminal Record (April 22), there are some solid shows to while away the weeks.

I grew up using Windows and laptops. Now, both of those feel like things of the past. While I can't say for sure that I'm done with laptops, if I do get another one someday, I know it won't come with Windows.

The best deals for watching the Oscars live without cable: BEST BUNDLE DEAL Hulu and Disney+ with ads $4.99/month for 3 months (save $8/month) Get Deal BEST long-term deal Hulu with ads annual subscription $119.99/year (save $23.89) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Hulu Student $1.99/month (save $10/month) Get Deal GET HULU FOR FREE Hulu with ads Free for T-Mobile customers (save $11.99/month) Get Deal BEST LIVE TV STREAMING DEAL YouTube TV Free 21-day trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months (save $46) Get Deal MOST AFFORDABLE LIVE TV STREAMING SERVICE Sling Select $19.99/month Get Deal

It's been another stellar year for cinema, and now it's time to award the films that shone brightest. The 98th Oscars are upon us. On March 15, the Academy will honor the best movies of 2025 on Hollywood's biggest night. Conan O’Brien is set to host the ceremony once again, and many of your favorite winners from years past will present the biggest awards of the night.

We're hoping some of our favorites receive the awards they deserve — One Battler After Another, Sinners, Hamnet, and more — but it's anyone's game. Want to see who takes home the titles of Best Actress, Best Director, Best Picture, and beyond? Here are all the details you need to know to watch the 2026 Academy Awards live with or without cable.

When are the 2026 Oscars?

The 98th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and will air live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu, with the pre-show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Who are this year's Oscar nominees?

Sinners leads this year's Oscars with a record-breaking 16 nominations. Basically, every award it could be nominated for, it is. One Battle After Another follows close behind with 13, while Marty Supreme earned nine, and Hamnet nabbed seven nominations.

Each year, there are just as many snubs as there are surprises, and 2026 is no different. For instance, we were a bit flabbergasted that Wicked: For Good came up totally empty with zero nominations. Our favorite sad boy, Paul Mescal, newcomer Chase Infiniti, and Jesse Plemons were also ignored by the Academy.

See a full list of the 2026 Oscar nominations below in the FAQ section of this story.

How to watch the Oscars live without cable in 2026

For those with cable or over-the-air TV, you can tune your TV to your local ABC station or watch online via ABC.com or the ABC app by logging in through your pay TV service provider. No cable access? No worries: For the second year in a row, the awards will stream simultaneously on Hulu for subscribers.

You also have the option of signing up for a live TV cable replacement service to catch the Oscars live. These services essentially act just like cable, giving you live access to a well-rounded channel selection via your internet connection (rather than a cable connection). They're contract-free and often offer trials to test them out. That means you could very well watch the Oscars for free, then cancel before being charged. But we'll leave the details up to you. Here are the best options (and deals) to watch.

Hulu streaming deals

Hulu is one of the most generous (if not the most generous) streamers, offering new and eligible returning subscribers a free 30-day trial. That means you can easily sign up and watch the Oscars for free during that time period. If you don't qualify for the free trial, we've also rounded up a few ways to save some money on your subscription.

Limited-time bundle deal: Save $8/month on three months of Hulu and Disney+ Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) $4.99/month for 3 months (save $8/month) Get Deal

Through March 24, new subscribers can get both Hulu and Disney+ with ads for only $4.99 per month for three months. Typically $12.99 per month for the bundle, you'll save $24 total on a three-month subscription. Only new and returning subscribers can score the deal; current Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, and bundle subscribers are not eligible.

Best Hulu deal for most people: Save 16% on a Hulu (with ads) annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with ads annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

The best way to cut the cost of a Hulu subscription on any given day is to sign up for an annual plan with ads. You'll have to endure a few interruptions to your content and pay upfront, but it'll save you 16 percent, or just shy of $24, over the course of a year. A yearly subscription costs $119.99 (or $9.99 per month), while an $11.99 monthly plan would add up to $143.88 over a year. If you want to cut ties with ads, the price jumps to $18.99 per month, and there's no annual offer available at this time.

Best for students: Save $10/month with Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month Get Deal

Students can sign up for Hulu for only $1.99 per month and stream the Oscars live. That's more than 80 percent off the usual cost of a Hulu with ads plan. The only requirement is that you can verify your college email address using SheerID.

Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for select customers Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with ads Free for T-Mobile customers on Experience Beyond plan (save $11.99/month) Get Deal

Aside from a 30-day free trial, the only other way to get Hulu for free in 2026 is by switching your phone plan to T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. Customers on this plan can enjoy Hulu with ads for free, as well as Netflix and Apple TV.

Already on the Experience Beyond plan? Download or open the T-Life app, select Manage > See plans > Manage add-ons, then scroll to the Hulu streaming benefit and click "Continue." Follow the prompts to link an existing account or create a new one.

Live TV streaming deals

If you prefer a cable alternative that gives you access to your local ABC station and hundreds of other live channels, we recommend a few options. And many of them offer free trials and introductory pricing. Here are a couple of options.

Best introductory offer: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 21-day free trial, then $59.99/mo for your first 2 months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan includes over 100 live channels, including your local ABC network. You'll also get unlimited DVR space, three simultaneous streams, and up to six individual accounts with personalized recommendations. For a limited time, you can get a 21-day trial to test the waters, which means you can watch the Oscars for free. Then, your first two months will cost just $59.99 per month instead of the usual $82.99 per month.

Most affordable overall: Sling TV Select package (for select areas) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Select package (select areas only) $19.99/month Get Deal

Sling's a la carte setup and affordable pricing make it a huge competitor in the live TV streaming market. You can pick your package and channels depending on what you actually want to watch. You'll need access to ABC to watch the Oscars live, which is included in Sling's Select package for only $19.99 per month. Unfortunately, since ABC is a local network, it's only available in some local markets. Check whether your local market includes ABC before you pull the trigger — Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, and more are included.

Honorable mention: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo Fubo free 5-day trial, $48.99 for your first month Get Deal

FuboTV offers a 5-day free trial for newbies, letting you watch the Oscars on your local ABC station. You'll get access to over 200 other networks, as well as unlimited cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 different screens. After your trial, the cost for your first month is $48.99 ($73.99 per month thereafter).

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Oscars for free on 7Plus, RTÉ Player, or ITVX. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Yes, the Oscars are almost here. It’s time for the film industry to come together to congratulate itself. Expect stunning gowns, polite clapping, fake smiles, and chaotic acceptance speeches. The group chat is going to come alive for one night only.

Whether you're interested in the red carpet looks, the musical numbers, the award winners, or the sweet unpredictability of live television, you can watch this special event without spending anything. So clear your schedule and invite your sassiest friends. There's always something from this night that causes a huge stir, and we wouldn't want you to miss out on the drama.

If you want to watch the 2026 Oscars for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What are the Oscars?

The Academy Awards (the Oscars) are the awards for artistic and technical merit in film. The Oscars are widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the film industry.

When are the 2026 Oscars?

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. ET on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Comedian Conan O'Brien is set to host the show for the second consecutive time in 2026.

How to watch the 2026 Oscars for free

The 2026 Oscars are available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:

• Australia — 7Plus

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• UK — ITVX

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

Live stream the 2026 Oscars from anywhere in the world 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 a location with access

4. Visit 7Plus, RTÉ Player, or ITVX

5. Live stream the 2026 Oscars 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Oscars before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Oscars?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to access free live streams, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 Oscars from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The idea of a modern smart home can sometimes be better than the reality. This generally happens when you treat it as a simple 'plug-and-play' gadget rather than the infrastructure of your home. You might have thought that kind of sluggishness was just part of the deal, but you can fix this by changing the way your devices operate.

All the different power tool brands produce a ton of excellent tools, especially Ryobi, which makes a little bit of everything. Every once in a while, you'll stumble onto some weird, obscure item that you never knew you needed. That's exactly what happened to me late last year at Home Depot, and that tool ended up solving one of my biggest workshop woes.

If you're learning python, chances are you started with tutorials–and honestly, there's nothing wrong with that. They give you a solid foundation and help you get familiar with the basics. But at some point, you can get stuck in an endless loop of tutorial hell, this cycle limits real progress without you noticing. I'm now two years in, I've made enough mistakes to know which habits actually make you better. Here are the ones worth your time.

There's been an online trend of people ditching their ChatGPT subscriptions in the wake of OpenAI's deal with the Department of War. I've used ChatGPT for years and have always been reluctant to change, but it felt like the right time, so I asked ChatGPT which AI was the best for my needs. The answer surprised me.

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Failed 3D prints can be disheartening, but there are some things you can do to improve your chances of success. Printing with dry filament is a good starter, but even the driest of filaments can come undone if your build plate isn’t prepped correctly.