Technology

The beauty of Android is the huge ecosystem of awesome open-source apps available for the platform. There is an entire app store called F-Droid that exclusively features free and open-source apps. Some of these apps are so good that I would pay for them if they weren’t free. I’m sharing a few here.

There are only so many Wi-Fi tweaks we can try before finally buying a new router. The good thing about that purchase is that once you get a router, it'll be good for years and years.

If you look at the back of your TV, there are many ports that you probably never use. Some older TVs include an RS-232 serial port similar to those that you'd find on the back of old PCs. While the main uses of this port include professional diagnostics and servicing, there are several ways you can use your TV's serial port for other things.

If you've been waiting for Obsession to hit streaming this summer, your wish has been granted. The supernatural horror movie is now streaming on Peacock.

Water leak sensors are the smart home upgrade for everyone. Whether you live in a house or apartment, own or rent, these tiny devices can save you money and hassle.

In my daily life, I like to take things slow. I take my time, weigh the pros and cons of various decisions, and stop to smell the roses whenever possible (despite being allergic to them). But when it comes to working or doing projects, I like to be efficient. I use shortcuts, custom key bindings, self-hosting, and many other tools that improve my workflow. Here are 6 applications that make my workflow run extremely well.

Can wildfire smoke get into your house?

Yes. It won't be visibly hazy like it is outside, but particulate matter like wildfire smoke — 20 to 30 times smaller than a human hair — can seep into your home in several different ways. Many air purifiers have sensors that provide live air quality metrics from the room they're in, including PM2.5 (particulate matter).

Indoor air still isn't innately clean when there's not a major air quality event happening. Indoor air pollution can be caused by cleaning products, cooking smoke, or microplastics embedded into dust or pet dander. It's all the more reason to keep an air purifier running 24/7 at home, regardless of whether you have allergies or not.

Just how bad is wildfire smoke for our health?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wildfire smoke can cause breathing issues, headaches, lethargy, coughing, and wheezing, to name a few ill effects. This applies to everyone after repeated exposure, not just "sensitive groups."

Even if you feel fine, smoke particles are small enough to get into our bloodstream. According to Yale Medicine, that means they also have access to other organs like the heart and the liver. Over time, exposure to PM 2.5 might lead to an increased risk of cancers, heart attack, and cognitive issues. Particulate matter like smoke can also mess with your skin barrier and trigger oxidative stress, actively working against your skincare routine.

Those who have asthma, heart disease, or diabetes are at an increased risk of getting sick. Kids and pregnant people are also considered high-risk when it comes to getting sick from wildfire smoke.

Wildfire smoke also affects the health of our pets. It can irritate their eyes, make it hard for them to breathe, or damage their tiny respiratory systems. The American Veterinary Medical Association says that if we can see or feel the effects from smoke, our pets can as well. That's especially true for pets with cardiovascular or respiratory issues.

The benefits of an air purifier

If your neighborhood gets socked in with wildfire smoke, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends you keep windows and doors closed. Even still, it’s possible smoke can seep in under doors, through cracks, or from vents in the kitchen and bathroom. Running a portable air purifier can help cut down on harmful particles that might enter your home. 

Air purifiers work by sucking in the room’s air and sending it through a filtration system.

Most high-quality air purifiers do so with a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) in addition to a few other filters. A pre-filter is a great addition, and it looks similar to a screen with a fine weave. These help capture dust and hair, which leaves the more-important HEPA filter cleaner and less clogged up from larger debris that can float around in the air. A HEPA filter is capable of removing 99.97% of tiny particulate matter in the air that we can’t see, but can cause us discomfort, according to the EPA. That includes wildfire smoke, cigarette smoke, pollution from nearby traffic, pollen, and dust.

A briefing on particulate matter: PM 10 and PM 2.5

When shopping for an air purifier, you’ll see many models explain that they capture particulate matter, or PM. For the most part, that’s stuff in the air that you don’t really want to inhale. We measure PM by its diameter. Either with an on-unit display or in the app, most air purifiers will track the level of PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air. To help get a baseline of understanding, a single strand of human hair measures between 50 and 70 microns in diameter, according to measurements from the EPA.

• PM 10: Particulate matter that measures 10 microns in diameter includes dust, pollen, mold, and some wildfire smoke particles.

• PM 2.5: These tiny particles measure 2.5 microns in diameter, which is true of the majority of particles emitted from wildfire smoke. 

Since PM is so small, it can enter our bloodstream and nestle itself deep in the lungs, according to Yale Medicine.

Do air purifiers help with allergies and viruses?

Since HEPA filters are designed to scrub the air of potentially harmful particles, they can also help cut down on pollen, dust, and even viruses. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says using a HEPA filter can reduce airborne allergens that wind up indoors. That can be from an open window, your clothes you wore to the park, or even when the dog comes home from a walk.

An air purifier with a HEPA filter can also be helpful during cold and flu season. Not all virus particles are large enough to get captured by HEPA filters. However, many are launched into the air via a cough or sneeze so those virus particles are traveling within a larger particle (what the CDC calls a respiratory droplet) which can get filtered out by a HEPA. By no means does using an air purifier mean you won’t get ill if you hang out in a room with a sick person all day, but it might reduce the likelihood.

TL;DR: The 2026 Nations Championship is available to watch for free on ITVX. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This is shaping up to be a special year for sport.

The schedule has been ridiculously busy this year. We've hardly had time to breathe between the Winter Olympics, T20 World Cup, and World Cup, and now the world of rugby has dropped a totally new competition to grab its share of the spotlight.

The Nations Championship is changing the game. This fresh tournament promises to deliver six rounds of elite matchups between top international sides followed by a blockbuster Finals Weekend. It feels like the Rugby World Cup without the filler.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Nations Championship?

The 2026 Nations Championship is an international rugby union competition featuring 12 men's teams. The teams are divided into two pools of six (Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere). Over two international windows, each team plays all the teams in the opposite pool once. Every team plays three games at home and three away.

After six rounds, a finals series will be contested over three days with each team matched against the same ranked team in the other pool to decide final placements.

When is the 2026 Nations Championship?

The 2026 Nations Championship is the first edition of this competition. This year's tournament runs from the first round of fixtures on July 4 to the final on Nov. 29.

How to watch the 2026 Nations Championship for free

The 2026 Nations Championship 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 livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream the 2026 Nations Championship 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 the 2026 Nations Championship 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends 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. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate until that offer comes back into play. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

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

• 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 (after FIFA World Cup)

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 the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

Here at Mashable, we're constantly testing the best laptops based on an exhaustive in-house methodology that combines real-world use with performance benchmarking. In the past two years alone, we've tried over 80 different models across a range of price points.

To determine which of them fit the bill for college students, specifically, I researched the top 10 public universities' hardware recommendations for the upcoming fall 2026 semester. These include processor types, operating system support, RAM and storage minimums, and other spec requirements for different majors. I honed my guidance based on the common threads I noticed.

I also gave special preference to laptops that are long-lasting and portable enough to be toted around campus, and those that are competitively priced for the current market. Laptops aren't cheap right now, but a solid splurge can last you well past graduation. (Take advantage of student discounts whenever possible.)

Based on this analysis, I eventually settled on six top picks that make the best laptops for college students. Whether you're a humanities student, a STEM major, or still undeclared, I'm confident that at least one of my options will be your ideal machine. You can read more about these picks and my research below.

What to look for in a college laptop, based on my research A Windows laptop with a mid-tier Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 7 processor is suitable for most college students. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Six of this year's 10 top-ranking public universities tell their incoming students to purchase Windows 11 laptops or MacBooks that are less than two years old. I wouldn't go any older than that for the sake of future-proofing.

Most of those schools tell their students to purchase laptops with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage at minimum. (Liberal arts majors might be able to get away with 256GB of storage, but you'll probably have to supplement that with an external hard drive.) More RAM and storage is better if your budget allows; more is mandatory if you're an engineering, design, or computer science major. Students in those fields are generally advised to get a laptop with at least 24GB to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer

You can approach your processor options in a similar way. For Windows laptops, most schools suggest a mid-range CPU like an Intel Core/AMD Ryzen 5 at minimum, and a mid- to high-end Intel Core/AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 chip for more demanding workloads. Several schools recommend tacking on a dedicated GPU for such coursework, too (i.e, Nvidia GeForce RTX/Radeon RX graphics). On the Apple side, the MacBook Air and Pro with the base M5 chip are go-to recs for most students.

Two schools tell their students not to buy ARM-based Windows laptops (with Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors) because they can't run certain software natively, and because they don't support older peripherals like university printers and scanners. One software example is AutoCAD, a popular 2D and 3D design app that engineering and design students rely on heavily. I love a lot of ARM laptops because they're fast and long-lasting, and I will say that their compatibility is improving every year. Still, I've opted to keep them off my list of 2026 picks out of an abundance of caution; stick with Intel and AMD CPUs for now.

Be sure to budget for an extended warranty with accidental damage protection, as suggested by over half of the top 10 public universities. For reference, AppleCare+ for Mac costs $67.99 to $139.99 a year for students, depending on the MacBook model.

What type of laptop should college students buy? Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

This is a question that only your college can answer for sure, as laptop type recommendations can vary by major. For example, the University of Virginia and the University of California, Davis approve MacBooks for their general student populations, but their engineering departments tell certain tracks to avoid them. Likewise, UCLA's Anderson School of Management hardware requirement page says, "Mac computers are acceptable to use as primary computers for study at Anderson. However, please note that some elective course software is only available for Windows. Students are responsible for ensuring compatibility and configuring their Macs accordingly."

I can say for sure that you probably shouldn't buy a Chromebook. Three schools in my research pool discouraged them for some or all majors, and one school — the University of Florida — only recommended them "as supplemental devices." I included a Chromebook in a previous version of this guide as a secondary option for note-taking, but price increases amid the ongoing RAM shortage have made many of them just as expensive as Apple's budget MacBook Neo (if not more so), which is a much nicer and more powerful computer, relatively speaking.

Do you need your own laptop for college?

Yes, you should have your own laptop at college. Most universities let students temporarily borrow laptops through their libraries and/or tech desks. However, these loaners are available on a first-come, first-served basis and wiped upon return (i.e., you can't save anything on them long-term).

I wouldn't rely too heavily on your school's computer lab, either, because you can't take bring those desktops to class or your dorm. Ultimately, owning your own laptop is way more convenient and ensures you'll have the exact specs needed for your major's coursework.

I'm pretty loyal to my Nutribullet blender, which is now over a decade old and survived my college years and multiple apartment moves. I wasn't surprised to see the brand expand its horizons into ice cream maker territory. Instant ice cream makers, like the Ninja Creami, which differ from traditional ice cream makers that focus on churning, are all the rage, making homemade ice cream a breeze. No more cooking custards on the stovetop or worrying about hours of churning.

But can a blender brand break into ice cream territory? These instant ice cream makers aren't so different from blenders, using blades to break up frozen confections to create deliciously creamy homemade treats. But how does Nutribullet's Chill ice cream maker fare in a crowded market already dominated by the Ninja Creami? Exceptionally well, if I do say so.

Nutribullet Chill at a glance: The components of the Nutribullet Chill include the 16-ounce pint, blade block, and motor base. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Nutribullet, the brand behind beloved blenders, has debuted the Chill ice cream maker. It's a simple but powerful ice cream maker with five presets that produces creamy, smooth frozen desserts in just minutes. For those looking for mix-ins, the machine doesn't have a preset for it, and be prepared for noise, as it's extremely loud.

It's not too big for small spaces and is thoughtfully designed The blade block attaches to pint containers and then slides into the Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

As a product reviewer with access to a whole world of kitchen gadgets, I have to be picky about what stays in my kitchen because there's only so much counter and cabinet space. While I love the Ninja Creami Scoop and Swirl, it stays in storage most of the time because I just don't have the space for it. But the Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker might just be the device that earns some kitchen real estate.

The whole device comes in three parts: the ice cream maker base, the blade block, and the blade cover. The base is smaller than a kitchen stand mixer, taking up very little square footage as it's taller than it is wide. It's decently hefty at 10.5 pounds, but it is fairly easy to maneuver on the kitchen counter. When not in use, I can easily tuck it away on the counter without losing too much space.

The Nutribullet Chill takes up less space on my counter than my stand mixer. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The blade is sort of a plunger shape and screws onto the top of the pint containers. The blade attachment and pint container are then placed on the base, upside down, as the blade rises and spins through the ice cream.

It's a fascinating design choice compared to other instant ice cream makers I've tried, like the Ninja Creami or Cuisinart FastFreeze, which has a blade spinning down from the top. However, its unique design definitely works.

Perfectly creamy texture on the first try

The ice cream maker's efficacy ultimately comes down to how well it spins the ice cream, and the Nutribullet Chill does an exceptional job. I made four different mixes on this machine: a classic vanilla ice cream, a dairy-free protein ice cream, a chocolate hazelnut frozen yogurt, and a strawberry frozen yogurt with fresh fruit.

The vanilla ice cream appeared a little melted while the dairy-free chocolate had a Wendy's Frosty-like texture. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

In most of Nutribullet's recipes, they recommend blending your concoctions before freezing — not entirely surprising from a blender company.

Across the board, the machine processed all of the flavors I made well. The textures were smooth and creamy, but to varying degrees of success. The vanilla ice cream was the least successful as it was surprisingly melted and loose in texture; however, I don't discredit the machine, it may have been a matter of the recipe, as other recipes fared much better.

The Nutribullet Chill makes exceptional frozen yogurt. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The dairy-free protein ice cream had a lovely, fluffy texture, almost like a Wendy's Frosty. The frozen yogurts were the highlights, though, developing a texture between a hard and soft serve. As a frozen yogurt aficionado, I was extremely pleased with the results, excited about my next batch.

None of the mixtures needed a respin, and it was ready after just one spin cycle, which is better than most ice cream makers I've tested. But it's also for the best since it doesn't have a respin option.

Five pre-built settings — but no option for mix-ins or re-spins The Nutribullet Chill comes with five pre-programmed settings: ice cream, sorbet, gelato, smoothie bowls, and frozen yogurt. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Preloaded with five settings, the Nutribullet Chill comes ready to make ice cream, sorbet, gelato, smoothie bowls, and frozen yogurt. The different settings worked well for their designated types, but I did feel a few were noticeably missing.

I expect a respin sitting on preprogrammed devices in case it doesn't come out the right texture. However, Nutribullet may not need it, since all the recipes turned out well. But the most egregiously missing setting was a mix-in setting, which most ice cream mixes I've tested recommend.

Checking in with what the brand recommends, Nutribullet says to add in your mix-ins before freezing, which get blended and incorporated in when it processes. I took that route with the strawberry frozen yogurt, which had fresh fruit mixed in that got fully blended. If you want chunks mixed into your ice cream, then you'll have to fold those in after.

It sounds like a truck and gets...hot?

One thing that I've come to expect with instant ice cream makers is the machines' volume — they're extremely loud. The Nutribullet Chill is the loudest ice cream maker I've tested, and while I can't measure its specific decibels, I can say that it shocked me, sounding like a garbage truck was in my house, and making me wonder if I should be wearing earplugs while using it. Apartment dwellers, be warned — I'm lucky to have some very understanding neighbors.

Be warned, the shaft of the blade comes out hot to the touch after use. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

What was most shocking was that for an ice cream maker, it gets pretty hot. The blade block has a metal shaft that slides into the machine, and after use, the shaft gets very hot. The ice cream maker has multiple "shaft hot" warnings (I know, I know), but it still surprised me how warm it was, and I wondered how that heat might affect the texture of the frozen treats, especially since the vanilla ice cream turned out so melted.

A total breeze to clean

Maybe I'm still salty about having to clean the Cuisinart FastFreeze, but cleaning the Nutribullet Chill components is a breeze. Luckily, nothing on the motor base needs cleaning, but the blade block, blade cover, and pint containers are all top-rack dishwasher safe. This was a pleasant surprise, considering most ice cream maker parts are not dishwasher-safe.

But if you don't have a dishwasher, don't fear. I hand-washed all the parts and found them very easy to clean.

Is the Nutribullet Chill worth it? The Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker is a worth competitor to the Ninja Creami. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker is a worthy rival of the Ninja Creami. It whips up perfectly creamy, smooth ice cream with no icy or watery texture. Be prepared for noise, as it's the loudest ice cream maker I've tested, but it's a nice option for people in smaller spaces, too.

If you just want the basics, making ice cream, sorbets, and frozen yogurt, then the Nutribullet Chill is a great machine and $30 cheaper than the Ninja Creami. But if you're looking for mix-ins or a milkshake option, the Creami may be more your speed.

Nutribullet Chill Ice Cream Maker $149.62 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.37   Shop Now at Amazon

How to choose an LED face mask: Look at wavelength first

There are some ways to tell that a red light face mask won't be effective before you buy it and use it for a few months.

Wavelength is the first factor anyone will tell you to consider. You want to find products that emit light within the therapeutic window, or the range of wavelengths that can be effective when treating common skin conditions. There is now an abundance of evidence that specific wavelengths of red light can be effective for:

• Reduction of fine lines, dark circles, and crow's feet

• Improving skin texture

• Fighting wrinkles

• Boosting collagen production

• Reducing inflammation and redness

To be effective, the light coming from the mask must penetrate different layers of your skin. There are optimal wavelengths for each type of light a face mask emits, and any reputable brand will put their mask's wavelengths front and center in the listing. These carefully chosen ranges are strong enough to penetrate your skin, but gentle enough to avoid over-activating delicate face skin.

Red light does its work in the middle layer (dermis) of your skin, requiring wavelengths between 630 and 633 nm to reach past the top layer. There, red light stimulates cells to produce rejuvenating proteins like collagen and elastin, evening out surface redness, and preventing scarring or post-pimple red spots.

The Shark CryoGlow's Better Aging routine combines red and near-infrared light. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Shark CryoGlow's Skin Clearing routine uses a special sequence of red, near-infrared, and blue light. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Most red light masks also use near-infrared red light therapy, which requires longer wavelengths to travel further than regular red light. Near-infrared light between 830 and 850 nm reaches into tissue under the dermis to further stimulate cell turnover, firm skin, and heal deep-seated spots or stubborn dark circles.

Blue light operates on the top layer (epidermis) of your skin, so its ideal wavelength is shorter than either red light standard. Blue light at 415nm has an antimicrobial effect, ideally killing the bacteria that cause acne before a breakout starts. If hellbent bacterial acne makes it past the blue light phase — or if you're also dealing with hormonal or cystic acne not caused by bacteria — red light swoops in to neutralize inflammation and speed up the healing process.

The thing is, most mainstream LED face masks hit those wavelength marks. So, how do you choose between masks if their wavelength numbers are all the same?

The importance of irradiance

Irradiance is another major element that determines whether or not a red light mask actually works. While wavelength refers to the length the light can travel, irradiance refers to the amount of light energy that's actually reaching your skin per session (not just the intensity of light being generated at the bulb). If wavelength numbers are correct but irradiance is low, the mask will still be kind of a dud.

Irradiance is officially expressed as milliwatts per square centimeter. The optimal irradiance range for a red light face mask is pretty wide (anywhere between 30 to 100 mw/cm²), though many brands don't directly provide that number.

Most brands do note the length of each session, which is one way to quickly gauge irradiance without getting into calculations. Dr. Mamina Turegano sums it up best on her YouTube account: "Higher irradiance means more effective energy delivery per minute of use." Longer sessions don't automatically mean that results will be more powerful — a mask with sessions that last for less than 10 minutes has higher irradiance than a mask with sessions that last for 20 to 30 minutes. Since a mask with lower irradiance needs to sit on your face for longer, you might be less likely to keep up with wearing it.

Are bulb count and bulb placement a big deal?

The number of bulbs and the placement of bulbs inside the mask can also impact efficacy, especially if you're expecting results on a specific area of your face. Masks with more bulbs packed evenly across the face will provide more even coverage across every inch of your face than masks with more sporadically-placed bulbs. Some masks provide more light sources overall by emitting both red and blue light simultaneously from every single bulb, like the Shark CryoGlow. This would be a better option for full-face acne prevention than masks with blue and red LEDs only concentrated in certain spots, like the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite.

What red light masks work?

Of course, you probably didn't come here for a science lesson. You want to know which red light masks Mashable's testers used and loved.

After trying out 10 different products, we ultimately found five that we can recommend. These masks delivered visible results for our product testers.

Remember: Consistency is essential for the best results (or any results). You'll need to wear your mask consistently for at least 1-2 months.

If last week's trailer for Dune: Part Three wasn't enough to tide you over until the film's Dec. 18 release, you're in luck. You might be able to catch exclusive footage from Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic before screenings of The Odyssey.

Roughly four minutes of footage from Dune: Part Three will play before IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey. The large film format is The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan's preferred way for audiences to see the movie, and only 41 theaters in the world are capable of screening it.

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' has made IMAX 70mm a status symbol

If you're one of the lucky few who snagged tickets to these sold-out screenings, you'll be able to head back to the universe of Dune a little bit sooner. Just be sure to get to the screening on time! However, if you got tickets to any other format, including non-70mm IMAX, you'll tragically be Dune-less for a little while longer.

Last year, The Odyssey pulled a similar marketing tactic, showing six minutes of footage before IMAX 70mm re-releases of both Sinners and One Battle After Another. While that footage was exclusive to the 10 theaters showing those re-releases, the same footage later screened in front of all IMAX showings of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Hopefully, Dune: Part Three will keep following The Odyssey's playbook and similarly broaden its footage to more screenings.

What happens in the Dune: Part Three footage that plays before The Odyssey? Javier Bardem in "Dune: Part Three." Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Now, what if you didn't get IMAX 70mm tickets to The Odyssey, but desperately want to know what happens in it? You've come to the right place.

Earlier this year, at CinemaCon, Warner Bros. screened footage from a battle sequence in Dune: Part Three. The same footage screened again, in IMAX, at July 8's trailer release event, at which Villeneuve said "a glimpse of this scene" would play before The Odyssey.

Having seen the extended footage, I can confirm it is spectacular. It depicts a fleet of ships flying down to an unnamed planet. Onboard the ships is an army of soldiers, including Fremen leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem), ready to wage war in the name of now-Emperor Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). The planet they head towards is a far cry from Arrakis: cloudy, muddy, and rainy as can be. For some of the Fremen in the group's ranks, this is their first time seeing water fall from the sky, making it a monumental occasion.

That wonder dissipates once the soldiers land and the planet's surface becomes a horrifying war zone. A gargantuan gun tower rises from the ground. Lasers mow down Stilgar's soldiers. An explosion shakes the ground (and the theater). The entire sequence is grimy and visceral and loud, reminiscent of classic war movies like Saving Private Ryan. It marks a major shift from the sandy battles of the first two Dune films, making it a perfect introduction to the darker horrors of the galaxy under Paul's rule.

A shortened version of this sequence is what plays before The Odyssey, so all of the details above may not be present before those screenings. However, come December, everyone headed to Dune: Part Three will be able to catch this battle in all its terrible, thundering glory.

The Odyssey is now in theaters. Dune: Part Three hits theaters Dec. 18.

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey follows one of literature's most famous and most laborious voyages home. In Homer's epic tale, Odysseus (Matt Damon) is challenged by the gods, the elements, and a fair few mythological creatures on his way home from the Trojan War.

Many of these myths will be easy to spot for classical mythology enthusiasts and newcomers alike, with goddess of war and wisdom Athena (Zendaya) being Odysseus' constant companion, the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron) keeping Odysseus marooned for almost a decade, and the mighty cyclops Polyphemus (Bill Irwin) crunching his way through the more known moments of the poem.

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey's ending makes it a stealth 'Oppenheimer' sequel

But what of the hinted-at, untold stories buried in The Odyssey? What of Circe's (Samantha Morton) bird sister, of the fallen soldier Sinon (Elliot Page), and the ill-fated sisters Helen and Clytemnestra (Lupita Nyong'o)? I'm going to drag out my uni textbook, Barry B. Powell's Classical Myth, as well as Edith Hamilton's Mythology, alongside Emily Wilson's translation of Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey (the latter of which Nolan leaned on), and more, to give you a little overview.

What happened with Helen and her sister, Clytemnestra? Lupita Nyong'o attends "The Odyssey" London premiere. Credit: Jeff Spicer / Getty Images for Universal Pictures

As both Helen of Sparta/Troy and her sister Clytemnestra, Lupita Nyong'o plays two of Greek mythology's major female, human players, both of whom suffer enormously at the hands of men. But what actually happened between the scenes we get in The Odyssey?

Let's start with Helen. She's is married to King Menelaus of Sparta (Jon Bernthal), but her abduction by Trojan prince Paris, son of King Priam, sparks the Trojan War. She's "the face that launched a thousand ships," according to Christopher Marlowe. However, in Nolan's The Odyssey, Helen's face has been scarred, a mark of physical abuse, possibly by her husband, possibly by her captors.

The blame laid on Helen for the Trojan War reeks of misogyny. Wilson writes in her Odyssey translation, "In The Iliad, Helen tells Priam she wishes she had 'chosen death' rather than leave her husband for Paris… In The Odyssey, a much more self-possessed and cheerful Helen declares that the Greeks made war 'for the sake of’ her face — a formulation that suggests that the woman’s appearance is the men’s supposed motive, but does not imply that it, let alone its owner, can be blamed for their actions." In The Odyssey film, Helen is back on her Spartan throne beside Menelaus, and it's here they're visited by the young Telemachus (Tom Holland).

Featured Video For You What It Was Like Shooting One of Oppenheimer’s Most Remarkable Moments

And now, to Clytemnestra, Queen of Mycenae. In The Odyssey film, we learn the wife of King Agamemnon remained ruling their kingdom during the Trojan War. However, before he set sail, the king murdered their daughter Iphigenia as a sacrifice to Artemis, goddess of the hunt and the moon. This isn't detailed in Homer's Odyssey, but it's in Aeschylus' Oresteia. We see these flashbacks in Nolan's film, as well as Agamemnon's fate, which is in Homer's poem. We learn that Clytemnestra schemes with her lover, Aegisthus, to murder Agamemnon in vengeance on his return from Troy, as the dead king himself tells Odysseus of his plight in Hades.

In The Odyssey poem, Clytemnestra also kills Cassandra, the Trojan priestess abducted by Agamemnon after the war. Per Wilson's translation, Agamemnon tells Odysseus, "You must never treat your wife too well. Do not let her know everything you know. Tell her somethings, hide others." OK, guy. Enjoy the underworld.

Who is Sinon, the soldier played by Elliot Page? Elliot Page attends "The Odyssey" London premiere. Credit: Jeff Spicer / Getty Images for Universal Pictures

Not a character from Homer's Odyssey, Sinon (Elliot Page) can instead be found in the Aeneid, the epic poem by Roman poet Virgil. An Achaean soldier who fought alongside the Greeks in the Trojan War, Sinon is tasked with staying behind to convince the Trojans to take the colossal horse inside the city walls. Virgil writes, "When Sinon, favour'd by the partial gods, Unlock'd the horse and op'd his dark abodes; Restored to vital air our hidden foes, Who joyful from their long confinement rose."

Nolan does a couple of things here, namely Page's Sinon does not know the Greeks are inside the horse, instead thinking it's a genuine gift. It's the major betrayal he calls Odysseus out for in Hades. "You lied to me," he says, having drunk from the sacrificial blood puddle that enables him to speak as a shade. "I needed you to believe," Odysseus replies. In the Aeneid, Sinon volunteers for the job, which Odysseus kind of hints at him doing in Nolan's film, but the key thing here is Sinon thought the horse was empty. It's unclear how the Greek army hid inside it without him knowing. 

In his film, Nolan makes Sinon an Ithacan shepherd boy, who is pressured by the wealthy Antinous (Robert Pattinson) to take his place in the Trojan War. Avoiding conscription by trading tokens with the boy who Odysseus would later betray will come back to bite Antinous in the ass. But just know that Sinon and Antinous aren't associated in Homer's Odyssey or Virgil's Aeneid.

Who is Circe's sister, turned into a bird, in The Odyssey? Samantha Morton attends "The Odyssey" London premiere. Credit: Jeff Spicer / Getty Images for Universal Pictures

In Nolan's Odyssey, Odysseus' encounter with Circe (Samantha Morton) is a standout scene. A sorceress who can transform anyone she so wishes into animals, Circe quite literally molds Odysseus' men into pigs, stretching their jaws and shaping their bodies into porcine forms as they greedily throw back her stew. 

However, these aren't the only humans Circe has transformed. Her hut entrance is guarded by a lion, tiger, leopard, and panther, who could be humans, though Homer writes in The Odyssey of Circe's home, "Round it were mountain wolves and lions, which she tamed with drugs," so they very well could be actual animals. Italian Renaissance artist Dosso Dossi painted Circe and Her Lovers in a Landscape, with the sorceress surrounded by seven animals — so if you thought those big cats were once men, you're not the only one.

However, another transformed human becomes very clear during Circe's meeting with Odysseus, when she speaks of her sister, referring to a caged raven on the table. "We get on better this way," she says, indicating that she has used her transfiguration magic on her own sibling. 

But who is Circe's sister? In Greek mythology, that would be Pasiphaë, the wife of King Minos and mother of the formidable Minotaur, the half-man, half-bull creature that stalks Minos' labyrinth on Crete, according to Powell's Classic Myth. There's no mention of a woman-turned-bird in this story, however. It's a stretch, but The Odyssey could be referencing another myth. The brutal Athenian story of sisters Procne and Philomela, recounted by Roman poet Ovid in Metamorphoses, sees the women turned into a swallow and a nightingale by the gods after they murdered Procne's son Itys, and served him to his father, Tereus, for dinner — it was an act of vengeance, but wow. However, Circe's sister bird in The Odyssey film is a raven, so it's probably a coincidence. 

The Odyssey is now in cinemas.

Critics have been singing the praises of Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey, not only for its ambition but also for its astounding execution. The British American filmmaker looked to an ancient Greek epic to unfurl a joltingly sharp critique of contemporary American politics. And it turns out that casting Matt Damon in the lead role was Nolan's secret weapon for this cutting commentary. 

Damon, who'd previously appeared in Nolan's Oppenheimer and Interstellar, stars as Odysseus, a lauded hero of the Trojan War whose journey home is packed with peril. The Odyssey is the story of his quest to get home, but in Nolan's hands, not one that regards him purely as a noble hero. So, why cast Matt Damon?

Let's get into it. 

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' review: Christopher Nolan turns an epic myth into a movie masterpiece The Odyssey begins with Odysseus as a good man and a kind king.  Matt Damon (center) is Odysseus in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

In a move sure to rile so-called Odyssey traditionalists, Nolan's film starts with a bard (Travis Scott) theatrically singing an antiquated song of Odysseus. He uses heightened language to emphasize the extraordinary elements of the story, but he is cut off by Odysseus' long-waiting wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway), who's had enough of this telling. 

Notably, this mention of Odysseus is not his visual introduction to the film. Instead of a flashback to the Trojan War, we hear those who knew him personally speak of his worth, like the smarmy suitor Antinous (Robert Pattinson), who recounts Odysseus teaching the boys of his kingdom to hunt. Close-up shots of Odysseus' strong arms prepping and plucking his bow reveal his physical might. However, Nolan still doesn't show the face of his protagonist yet.

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' has made IMAX 70mm a status symbol

Damon's face isn't revealed until his loyal servant Eumaeus (John Leguizamo) tells Odysseus' son Telemachus (Tom Holland) how the king saved the puppy Argos from being pitched off a cliff. Here, cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema tilts his camera up from the fluffy pup being held in strong hands to Damon's face, which is licked by the grateful doggo. 

In screenwriting, this scene might be described as the "save the cat" moment, in which the film's protagonist does something the audience likes, making us more inclined to root for him. That it's literally saving a dog feels like Nolan's version of a wry filmmaking joke. Beyond that, this scene introduces Odysseus not as an epic warrior but as a good man who taught the youth of his community and cared for a helpless animal. In that respect, of course you cast Matt Damon. 

Matt Damon is the modern American hero.  Matt Damon is Odysseus and Zendaya is Athena in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

Yes, yes, this is a Greek story — one in which everyone speaks in American accents, in a modern dialect. Far from this being a decision to pander, Nolan's translation uses elements of American culture (including our accent, diction, and most well-known actors) in his anti-colonizer critique. He does so by setting up The Odyssey like a traditional American action movie. 

It's not enough that Odysseus is strong and brave. We also need to see his soft side. Like John McClane fights for his wife in Die Hard, Bryan Mills for his daughter in Taken, and John Wick for his puppy in John Wick, Odysseus has loved ones he cares for and will protect at all costs. 

And rather than choosing a gruff American action icon for this role, Nolan chose the '90s star who changed the genre with The Bourne Identity. With his boyish charm, Damon brought a new kind of action hero to prominence, one who could be hard-hitting and wide-eyed all at once, shifting things away from the stoic James Bond model.

Many jokes have been made online about how between Saving Private Ryan, The Martian, and now The Odyssey, untold fortunes have gone into getting Matt Damon home. But even this recurring element in the actor's filmography reflects how audiences see him, cling to him, and root for him. He's our guy, a good guy, even when things get violent or bleak. Of course, Damon has occasionally subverted this expectation. Yet even in Martin Scorsese's Boston mob thriller The Departed, where Damon plays a corrupt cop, his all-American good looks and winsome charm are used as a terrific façade for his character's devious nature. 

Simply put, audiences love Matt Damon and expect to like him in movies. Nolan knows that. In an interview with Brut, he said, "He's a movie star who is capable of bringing the audience with him into his way of seeing the world. And as a filmmaker that lets you to leave the character's rough edges. It lets you have the character be more challenging. Because you're confident that the audience trusts Matt. They go with him. So you can sort of use that, challenge that relationship with the audience a bit."

Because he cast Damon as Odysseus, audiences will expect this translation of the character to reflect Damon's usual niche of hard-hitting good guy. Flashbacks before Troy show this king of Ithaca hunting honorably, by plucking his bow as a warning to his prey. Besides cuddling a puppy, Odysseus is also seen canoodling with his wife, and having a tough conversation about what it means to go to war with Troy, for their family and their country. 

This is Damon in his comfort zone — or perhaps our comfort zone for him. But as the story shifts to Odysseus' years-long journey home, red flags arise. 

The Odyssey reveals Odysseus is its anti-hero.  Director Christopher Nolan on the set of his film "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

Sailing home, Odysseus and his three ships stop at islands to refresh their provisions. But they are shocked when a humble village is abandoned as they approach. While the soldiers interrogate an old man, thatch roofs burn in the background. Nolan curiously skips over Odysseus' men setting the blaze, but shows the results as Odysseus marvels that he and his men weren't greeted as guests like Zeus' law demands. But are they guests? 

Again and again, Odysseus and his men show up unannounced and armed to the teeth. Yet they are offended when they're perceived as threats. They also have the attitude of colonizers, where everything is theirs for the taking. Perverting Zeus' law to treat others as you would like to be treated, they expect others to treat them as they want to be treated, and respond with violence when those expectations aren't met. 

Consider the cyclops (Bill Irwin). They show up on his island. They invade his home, which they recognize by pointing out the fire in the cave and the cheese hanging high on its walls. Without even waiting for the resident to return, Odysseus begins eating the cheese. (As a cheese lover, I may have gasped in alarm. That's not your cheese, sir!) His men await for more sheep, presumably to slay them for their meat. But instead, they become a meal for the returning cyclops. 

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' hints at 3 myths without detailing them. Here are the untold stories.

Though in Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus and the monster speak to each other, Nolan's protagonist never even considers this creature so different-looking from him could possibly speak. His ignorant sense of superiority will cost him. He and his men defer to violence. Even when they are on the brink of escape, Odysseus fires on the already blinded cyclops again.

It's cruelty, and it's something that Circe (Samantha Morton) senses as soon as they roll up onto her island. When Eurylochus (Himesh Patel) intrudes on her and her cottage, she surrenders immediately, offering all of the soldiers soup. Of course, then she uses her magic to turn them into pigs, insisting to Odysseus this is who they really are — greedy pigs who take, take, take without mercy.

At this point, Odysseus begins to understand how he and his solders are perceived by those they accost. And while he's able to cajole Circe into giving the men back their human forms, they will later be doomed by their sense of entitlement when they eat the cattle of Helios. 

The sack of Troy in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

Through Odysseus' story, Nolan delivers an incisive critique of American exceptionalism. Wherever Odysseus and his soldiers go, they expect to be embraced as guests and liberators, even when their arrival is unwelcome, disruptive, and violent. They expect to be treated with honor and kindness, even if they don't offer that in return. 

Finally, when Odysseus reflects on what happened at Troy, we see the truth of this war. A ten-year siege — which began for murky reasons — ends in senseless slaughter of women, including Cassandra (Zendaya). Where Odysseus brushes off most of the trauma he's caused over his years away, her decapitation haunts Odysseus for years to come, as hers is the face he sees when he calls upon Athena. 

Here, in a grizzled gray beard and racked with remorse, Damon delivers the strongest leg of his performance. In these scenes, it's not enough to be tough. He is weighed down not only by age and exhaustion, but also by the guilt for what hell his actions have wrought for others. He wears the rags as disguise, but also, arguably, to suffer under the same cruelty and disrespect that he has subjected others to.

Early on in the film, Damon embraces his standard persona, a winsome good guy who can be tough when toughness is required. Then, over the course of The Odyssey, we the audience are challenged to overlook our affection for Damon to see what sins his charisma is covering. 

This protagonist is no hero, but a thief, a liar, a colonizer, and a killer. If Nolan had cast an actor more known for playing villains, the third-act reveal of Odysseus' trespasses wouldn't be so disturbing. Casting might have telegraphed it. Instead, by choosing Damon, Nolan creates a brilliant bait and switch. We come in expecting another Hollywood movie in which a handsome American action star plays a good guy with a gun (or in this case, a bow and arrow), who knocks down all the foreign baddies to protect his home and family. Then, Nolan subverts this expectation, not only by chipping away at Odysseus' reputation through revealing a critical perspective of his actions and so-called enemies, but also by grounding the audience in the chaos he has caused at home. 

His wife, loyal and strong, is preyed upon by gold-digging, power-hungry fools. His son is threatened by this lot, while his servant is beaten, and his dedicated dog is literally left on a pile of shit to die. And why? As Odysseus returns home, aged, battered, and dressed as a beggar, this is the question he and his audience is left to answer. What does it mean to have sacked Troy? What is the bloodspilling and the lost years worth? What does it really mean to be a hero? 

Through using Damon, a movie star audiences have happily related to for decades across genres, Nolan urges us not just to take in the shock and awe of Odysseus' journey, but to reflect on how this translates to our lives right now. 

The Odyssey is now playing in theaters and IMAX.

TL;DR: Geeky Sex Toys limited-edition Pokémoan Collection goes live on July 21 at 7 p.m. ET. (Note: These will sell out.)

Becoming a Pokémon "master" just got a brand-new meaning...

In 2016, Geeky Sex Toys released a small collection of Pokémon-inspired sex toys (which they very cheekily named "Pokémoan"), and it sold out instantly. (Because, like, of course it did.)

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

Now, 10 years after its first launch, Geeky Sex Toys is blessing Pokéfans with a brand-new, limited-edition collection of sex toys. I'm not a Pokémon fan per se (cue collective gasps, I know), but I always thought that Pikachu and Rapidash were super cute. And, after taking a peek at this collection, I have to say I'm coming on to Bulbasaur.

The new lineup includes four toys:

• Bulbypulse ($169): Bulbypulse is an air-pulse suction toy that features eight patterns and three speeds. It also has a pretty impressive runtime of two hours and 30 minutes (do with that what you will).

• Charmybuzz: ($169): Charmybuzz is a curved G-spot vibrator. It has eight patterns and five speeds, with a runtime of two hours and 15 minutes.

• Squirtyblast ($169): Squirtyblast (my fave name of them all) is a flexible-head wand vibrator with rumbly power. A rumbly wand is the best wand, IMO. It has eight patterns, five speeds, and a runtime of an hour and 20 minutes. Pro tip: Try deep, G-spot stimulation followed by clitoral stimulation to help yourself squirt.

• Pikyplug ($69.00–$100.00): The Pikyplug is a non-vibrating, tapered, silicone butt plug. It comes in three sizes (hence the pricing structure). The Small is 7 inches long / 4 inches circumference, the Medium is 8.5 inches long / 5 inches circumference, and the Large is 12 inches long / 7 inches circumference.

The new lineup includes four toys. Credit: Geeky Sex Toys

Each individual toy comes with a unique, 350gsm holographic trading card and a magnetic charging cable. You'll also get a hard case with the vibrating toys, but it doesn't look like the butt plug comes with one. (They're all IPX7 waterproof too, so you can take them into the bath or shower.) The site limits two of each toy per customer.

If you want to go all out, you can buy the Ultimate Collectors Edition box set on sale for $399. (This is a total steal; if you do the math, buying each toy individually is way over that price.) The full collector set includes all four toys packed in a hard case, plus an exclusive fifth "Master Bedroom" holographic card.

You'll have to act fast if you want to add these to your collection, though. The limited first-edition drop goes live on July 21 at 7 p.m. ET, and there are only 151 public collector sets available worldwide. Want to be one of the first ones to know when it goes live? You can sign up for "early access" by entering your email on the site. (At the time of writing, 299 people had already signed up.)

TL;DR: T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 for free this weekend. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

Everyone is talking about Samsung right now.

Samsung Unpacked is taking place on July 22, and everyone is prepping for Samsung's next batch of foldables to launch. It's an exciting time for Android users, but what about Apple fanatics? Are they supposed to just sit back and watch Samsung get all the attention? No, they should check out T-Mobile's latest batch of free deals on iPhones:

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

T-Mobile isn't simply handing over new iPhone without some strings attached. The world doesn't work that way. Instead, the retail cost of your new phone is offset by 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Your monthly statement will show a standard charge for financing the phone, which is immediately balanced out by an equal credit.

What's happening here is you are signing up for a 24-month commitment with T-Mobile. If you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to the iPhone 18 before the end of the 24-month contract, the remaining unpaid balance will become due immediately. You will also need to cover the standard upfront taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee, but that's a small price to pay for an iPhone that "has never been better."

Score the Apple iPhones 17 for free this weekend with T-Mobile.

The 2026 World Cup final is what everyone is focused on right now, but before we get there, England and France will compete for third place. Both sides suffered disappointing defeats at the semi-final stage, so they'll be desperate to head home on the back of a win.

Here's all the information you need to watch this third-place playoff.

FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 18

• Third-Place Playoff: France vs. England (Miami Stadium) — kickoff at 5 p.m. ET

How to watch FIFA World Cup games todayWatch France vs. England

Both teams would much rather be competing in tomorrow's fixture, but the World Cup is cruel. The third-place playoff is always a weird event, because nobody really wants to play. That being said, we're hopeful for a competitive matchup between two sides that performed really well over the course of the tournament. Expect some changes from both teams.

Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

More live streaming optionsLive TV cable replacement

Not interested in signing up for a standalone streaming service like Fox One or Peacock? You can sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.

These services carry over 100 live channels, but run off a WiFi connection. You'll get live access to Fox and FS1, plus a whole lot more. Here are some options to consider:

• YouTube TV — 10-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months

• Fubo Sports — 1-day trial, then $45.99/month for 1 month

• Hulu + Live TV — 3-day trial, then $89.99/month

Watch the World Cup for free with a VPN

It's possible to watch the World Cup for free on international services like ITVX, BBC iPlayer, NOS, or RTÉ. Our global World Cup watch guide can walk you through the process.

You will need a VPN to live stream the World Cup on these free streaming services. We recommend ExpressVPN — a Mashable-tested service and an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe — as our VPN of choice for sport. It offers servers in 105 countries, a user-friendly app available on all major devices, a speedy connection, and up to 10 simultaneous connections.

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

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. 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 only a couple of games left to play. The focus is firmly on the final, but there's the small matter of the third-play playoff to contest before the showpiece event.

Truthfully, neither team will want to play in this game. Both sides suffered agonizing defeats at the semi-final stage, and they'd probably rather be heading home. That being said, there's still the chance to see some of the stars of this tournament compete for pride. We're hoping to see more from the likes of Mbappé and Bellingham before everything wraps up.

If you want to watch France vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. England?

France vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on July 18. This fixture takes place at the Miami Stadium.

How to watch France vs. England for free

France vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer 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 BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. England 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 BBC iPlayer

5. Watch France 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 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 France vs. England (plus the World Cup final) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the Summer Tech Sweepstakes promotional period (July 11 to Aug. 11), but you do have a chance of winning an iPhone 17 Pro. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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 France vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey draws from the literature of antiquity, but there's an art history reference in the film that's relatively more recent. And deeply gory.

In a major moment from Homer's epic poem, Odysseus (Matt Damon) is heading home from the Trojan War with his men when they stop by an island for food and supplies. It's here they find themselves trapped in the sheep-filled cave of the mighty Polyphemus (Bill Irwin), a towering cyclops who casually changes up his daily diet of homemade artisanal cheese for a bloody feast of weary Ionian soldiers.

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' review: Christopher Nolan turns an epic myth into a movie masterpiece

The Odyssey's production design of Polyphemus is terrifying and weird: a colossal, awkward, human-like form with twisted facial features including a solitary, rotated eye. Snatching up Odysseus' crewmates like popcorn, the cyclops stands for a moment crunching on a newly headless man, his bleeding body limp in the creature's hand.

It's this moment that art history nerds (hi) might connect with a familiarly gory scene, of a wild god feasting upon a torso: Francisco Goya's early 1820s masterpiece, Saturn Devouring His Son.

Francisco Goya's "Saturn Devouring His Son." Credit: Fine Art Images / Heritage Images/ Getty Images

Nolan has confirmed the cyclops was inspired by the 19th-century Spanish artist's famous work, which depicts a violent moment from ancient Greek myth. As detailed in Barry B. Powell's Classical Myth, Zeus' dad Cronus (called Saturn by the Romans), was the leader of the Titans, powerful beings who sired the Olympian gods. Cronus' mum Gaia (Terra) and dad Ouranos (Uranus) had a prophecy that he would be overthrown by one of his divine children — Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, Hera, or Hades. So, what did Cronus do? He ate them.

In fact, Cronus threw back his kids whole, which is important later in the story (Zeus, who was born in secret, managed to get his dad to vomit up his siblings and they indeed rose up against the Titans). But in Goya's painting, Saturn/Cronus has not eaten his brood whole. With those wild eyes open, he's ripped the head and arms off one of his children and is snacking away on the torso like a baby with a teething rusk. It's pure madness.

And this is exactly how Nolan has Polyphemus feast on the Greek soldiers in The Odyssey. Like a child. A wild child of gods. Which, incidentally, is what Polyphemus is — the son of sea god Poseidon and oceanid or sea nymph Thoosa.

Featured Video For You 'The Vampire Lestat's Sam Reid on Magnus, Claudia, Sofia, and more

It's no wonder Nolan had Goya's gruesome visual on his mood board. Back to the original ancient text, Homer's description of the cyclops' feast (translated by Emily Wilson) is just as grisly, as he writes, "Leaping up high, he reached his hands towards my men, seized two, and knocked them hard against the ground like puppies, and the floor was wet with brains. He ripped them limb by limb to make his meal, then ate them like a lion on the mountains, devouring flesh, entrails, and marrow bones, and leaving nothing."

Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens also did a horrifically figurative version of Saturn Devouring His Son earlier in the 17th century, a moment of infanticide and child cannibalism which can't really be unseen.

So, when you're watching The Odyssey, think of Goya's bloodthirsty, paranoid Saturn and one of the most gory snackscapades in art history.

The Odyssey hits theaters July 17.

TL;DR: Save $195 and own Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for $54.99 with a lifetime license for one Windows PC — no recurring subscription fees.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $54.99
$249.99 Save $195   Get Deal

Monthly subscriptions make sense for some software. But if you use the same Windows PC every day and simply want Microsoft Office installed and ready to go, paying once can be the simpler option.

That’s what makes Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus worth a look. You can currently grab a lifetime license for $54.99 (reg. $249.99), giving you permanent access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access on one Windows PC.

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The important thing to know is that this version uses a device-linked license, not one tied to your Microsoft account. That’s the trade-off that helps keep the price lower. If you’re buying Office for a computer you plan to keep for a while, that may be a perfectly reasonable compromise.

You’ll also avoid recurring Microsoft 365 payments while still getting the productivity apps most people use every day. Whether you’re building spreadsheets, writing reports, creating presentations, or managing email, the core experience is designed for long-term stability.

It also includes Dark Mode and is built to perform well on a wide range of hardware without requiring an ongoing subscription.

If your goal is simple — a full Office suite on one Windows PC with no recurring fees — this is an easy way to get there.

Get Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for a one-time $54.99 (reg. $249.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.