Technology

Google already has a relatively small presence in my mobile life. Most of my favorite apps now come from F-Droid, and I long ago swapped out Gmail for Proton Mail. When I recently revisited LineageOS, I got a taste of just how far the open source alternatives to Google have come. Removing the tracking from your phone still comes with sacrifice, but not as much as you might think.

Spotify just made controlling music as easy as talking to a friend. The streaming service is introducing a "conversational experience" beta for Premium subscribers that let you have back-and-forth voice or text conversations to control and learn about whatever you're playing.

I have hated using barrel jacks as power sources for years, but never realized that I wanted a USB-C-powered mini PC until I tried out GEEKOM's latest IT13 Max system. While you can power other mini PCs with barrel jacks, GEEKOM went the extra mile and built in a Power Delivery port just for that purpose.

Watching a new show and constantly changing the volume is one of those small issues that has only gotten worse. Loud action scenes blast you back in your seat, then someone starts talking, and you can't make out a word. Sometimes, the show was badly mixed, but that's not always the case. The usual issue is a combination of things that started long before the content ever reached your TV, and it may be the reason you can’t hear the dialogue.

Performance sedans aren't as easy to find as they used to be. As SUVs continue to dominate showroom floors, the few that remain have become increasingly expensive, with many now starting well north of $40,000.

TL;DR: Volkswagen’s new eBike range starts at $3,999 and comes packed with tech you’d normally expect in a car, including a rear camera, blind spot alerts, and smart lights that signal braking and turns.

For years, e-bike makers have competed on the usual specs: more power, longer range, and bigger batteries. The new Volkswagen-licensed eBike range from N+ takes a different approach.

Instead of focusing on speed, it borrows safety features you'd normally expect to find in a modern car, including a rear-view camera and radar-powered blind spot alerts. Starting at $3,999, the premium eBike range is now available for preorder, with deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

A display integrated into the handlebars

The biggest talking point is Smart View, a built-in rear-view camera and radar system designed to help riders stay aware of traffic behind them.

Instead of turning your head to check for approaching cars, the bike streams a live rear view to a display integrated into the handlebars. At the same time, radar monitors traffic approaching from behind and can warn riders about vehicles entering their blind spots. The goal is simple: help cyclists keep their eyes on the road ahead while staying aware of what's happening behind them.

Car-style lighting comes to an e-bike

Volkswagen's automotive influence is most evident in the bike's lighting system.

A full-length LED light strip runs along the top tube, making the bike easier to spot during the day. More importantly, it doesn't just stay illuminated — it also behaves like a car's lighting system. The strip glows red when the rider brakes and amber when turning, helping communicate the rider's intentions to drivers and other road users.

Smart helmet and HUD glasses Credit: Volkswagen Credit: Volkswagen

The eBike is designed to work with two connected accessories that expand its safety features.

The Smart Helmet pairs with the bike over Bluetooth and mirrors its lighting, making riders even more visible. It also includes a built-in accelerometer that can detect a crash and send a text message to emergency contacts if an accident occurs.

Then there are the Smart Glasses, which work much like a heads-up display. Instead of constantly looking down at a screen, riders can view navigation prompts, blind spot alerts, and riding information directly within their field of vision. According to N+, the display technology was developed by engineers who previously worked on fighter pilot head-up displays.

Pricing and preorder details

The Sport eBike starts at $3,999, and the Crossover eBike starts at $4,349. Both are available for preorder now, with deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 once certification is complete. Customers who pre-order also receive the Smart View Package, normally valued at $699, at no extra cost.

The bike is currently listed in three frame sizes and is expected to launch through selected retail partners and the company's official online store.

A Home Assistant dashboard can be a useful way to see key information about your smart home or even to control your smart home devices. You can spend a small fortune setting up a large, high-end wall-mounted dashboard, but you don't have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to build your own Home Assistant dashboard for under $20.

Whether you adore or despise Ryan Murphy, you have to admit, no one does outrageous TV quite like him.

From the ridiculous high school antics of Glee to the murder and sex (or often, murderous sex) of American Horror Story, Murphy has cemented himself as TV's top provocateur. He looks to keep up that track record in FX's The Shards, a series bursting with high school drama, sex, and murder.

SEE ALSO: The best TV shows of 2026 (so far), and where to stream them

Based on American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis's 2023 autofiction novel of the same name, The Shards brings viewers to 1981 Los Angeles, where a group of high school seniors are about to experience a truly life-changing final year.

Our way into this senior group is Bret (Igby Rigney), who hopes to become a writer some day. His friends Susan (Kaia Gerber), Debbie (Hayes Warner), and Thom (Graham Campbell) welcome a new student into their group: the enigmatic and mildly frightening Robert (Homer Gere).

Robert enrolls at Bret's school just as a new serial killer is terrorizing Los Angeles. Named "the Trawler," they've been targeting teenagers all over the city. Is Robert's arrival at the same time as the Trawler's rise mere coincidence? Or could he be the boogeyman haunting L.A.?

Based on The Shards' trailer, something concerning is clearly going on with Robert, to the point that Bret even calls him a "psycho" (maybe an American psycho, Bret?). To get a glimpse of Robert's uneasy dynamic with Bret, as well several pool makeouts, watch the whole trailer above. Who knows, this could just be your next summer TV obsession.

The first two episodes of The Shards premiere Aug. 5 at 9 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.

The best T-Mobile back-to-school deals for students: Best phone deal Samsung Galaxy S26 or iPhone 17 Free with T-Mobile Get Deal Best wearable deal Apple Watch SE3 Free with T-Mobile Get Deal Best budget phone deal iPhone 16e + $100 Mastercard Free with T-Mobile Get Deal Best tablet deal Galaxy Tab A11+ (New Tablet Line) Free with T-Mobile Get Deal Best budget phone plan deal Metro Unlimited 5G $20/month Get Deal Best home internet deal 5G Home Internet $35/month Get Deal

Back-to-school shopping is already expensive, and this year, tech upgrades aren’t getting any cheaper. Between the ongoing memory crunch (aka RAMageddon), higher hardware costs, and recent Apple price hikes on some products, finding a good deal on the gadgets students need matters more than ever.

Luckily, not every back-to-school tech upgrade has to hurt. T-Mobile’s latest offers are helping students and families save on the stuff they’re most likely shopping for, from free Galaxy S26 and iPhone 17 deals to tablets and home internet.

Before you start picking your new phone color, there’s a catch worth knowing about. These T-Mobile deals do come with a few strings attached. Depending on the offer, you may need to add a new line, pick a qualifying plan, or trade in an eligible phone to get the advertised price. Some savings are also delivered through monthly bill credits.

Best phone deal for students Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Free Samsung Galaxy S26 or iPhone 17 (New Line)   Get Deal

If you were already planning to upgrade your phone before heading back to school, this is one of T-Mobile’s biggest offers. New customers who switch their number can get a Samsung Galaxy S26 or iPhone 17 for $0 with qualifying plans, with the discount applied through 24 monthly bill credits.

You’ll need a qualifying T-Mobile plan, and depending on the offer, you may need to switch your number to get the full discount. If you cancel service before the credits finish, you’ll be responsible for the remaining device balance.

Best budget phone deal for students Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile Free iPhone 16e + $100 Mastercard   Get Deal

Metro by T-Mobile is offering the iPhone 16e for $99.99 upfront when you bring your existing number to its $50 per month AutoPay plan. After three months of service, you’ll also get a $100 virtual prepaid Mastercard, effectively covering the phone’s cost.

The iPhone 16e is Apple’s more affordable iPhone option, giving students access to features like Apple Intelligence support, a 48-megapixel Fusion camera, and a familiar iOS experience without jumping up to the price of a flagship model.

Best tablet deal for students Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile Free Galaxy Tab A11+ (New Tablet Line)   Get Deal

A tablet can be a pretty handy school sidekick, whether you’re downloading textbooks, taking notes, or giving your laptop a break. Right now, T-Mobile is giving the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 5G (128GB) away with a new qualifying tablet line.

The catch? The $289.99 price is covered through 24 monthly bill credits, so you’ll want to stick with the plan for the full promo period to get the complete discount.

Best home internet deal for students Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile 5G Home Internet for $35/month   Get Deal

Moving off campus usually means adding one more thing to your budget: WiFi. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is down to $35 per month when bundled with a qualifying T-Mobile phone plan, saving you $15 per month.

New customers can also get a free month of service plus up to $200 back via virtual prepaid card, making it a great option for students moving into an apartment or anyone who wants simple setup without a long-term price surprise. Eligible plans come with a five-year price guarantee, so your monthly rate won’t change during that period (excluding certain fees and upgrades).

Google Maps is one of the most convenient apps, and we use it so much that it's easy to ignore or overlook some of its more frustrating aspects. A prime example is all the autoplaying videos when you look up a restaurant in Maps, then click through to the results. Here's how to put the brakes on those videos.

Fans of Prisoners will one to keep an eye out for this one — but parents may have to look away.

Netflix's trailer for The Whisper Man sees a widowed father (Adam Scott) enlisting the help of his estranged, retired detective dad (Robert DeNiro) after his little boy is abducted.

The twist? There seems to be a connection between his son's disappearance and a serial killer known as The Whisper Man, whom his dad was responsible for catching years earlier — and who is still in prison.

As Scott's character asks in the trailer: "Then how is he killing again?"

Based on Alex North's novel of the same name, this dark crime thriller also stars Michelle Monaghan, Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, Acston Porto, and Will Brill.

The Whisper Man begins streaming on Netflix on Aug. 28.

SAVE $40: As of July 14, the Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon. That's $40 off its full price of $129.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal

When the weather feels a bit too hot, as it has so far this summer, an iced coffee is the perfect pick in the morning. The Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker can help brew these up for you (alongside hot coffee, for when you prefer that), and it's currently on sale at Amazon. What better time to check it out?

As of July 14, both the white and gray models of the Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker have been marked down to $89.99 at Amazon. Compared to their full price of $129.99, you're saving $40.

SEE ALSO: De'Longhi has expanded its espresso machine lineup — where to buy Classic Matte Black and Classic Stainless Steel

If you're hoping to enjoy a fresh iced coffee in the mornings, the Keurig K-Iced automatically adjusts the brew temperature of your preferred coffee so it starts out hotter to get a full flavor, then cools down. That way it won't taste watered down while you're drinking it. A hot cup of coffee can be brewed just as easily and there's even a "Strong Brew" function that makes it a bit bolder.

No matter what you're brewing, the Keurig K-Iced can accommodate three cup sizes: 8, 10, and 12oz. For iced coffee, this includes ice. Plus, it can brew with any K-Cup pod, including the My K-Cup universal coffee filter.

Be quick to score this great deal on the Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker at Amazon while it's still on sale.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Spain 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 is racing towards its dramatic conclusion. We're left with four teams after the quarter-final stage, and the first semi-final matchup could well decide which team ends up lifting the trophy.

France and Spain were both pre-tournament favorites, and for the most part, they've delivered on those lofty expectations. Spain have stuttered at times and relied on late goals to beat Portugal and Belgium, but they've got the job done like all good teams do. France have probably been the most impressive team in the tournament, but you do get the sense that they've not been truly tested yet.

That will change at the Dallas Stadium when they meet the Euro 2024 champions. We're expecting an electric content showcasing some of the best attacking talent in the world.

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

When is France vs. Spain?

France vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on July 14. This fixture takes place at the Dallas Stadium.

How to watch France vs. Spain for free

France vs. Spain 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 France vs. Spain 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 France vs. Spain 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. Spain (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 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 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 France vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

You might think that a brand new HDD is the safest it's ever going to be, but that's not true. Worse yet, just like an SSD can fail at 100% health, an HDD can fail without showing any SMART errors whatsoever.

After three developer betas, Apple has launched the first public beta of its mobile operating system, iOS 27. While still not a final release (that one is coming in September), the public beta is the first stable release for the adventurous users to try.

And try it they should, as iOS 27 brings a number of cool new features and improvements, including a number of upgraded AI features.

We've been using the developer beta since the first day, and sifted through every feature and improvement to see which ones actually count. Here's our list of the seven best new features you should try right now.

Before we start, here's a big caveat: A lot of these, including the most important ones like Siri AI, are not available anywhere in the EU or China due to Apple's dispute over AI with European regulators. Unfortunately, the timeline on when they might become available is pretty murky.

SEE ALSO: These 29 iPhones support iOS 27 and the public beta: Is yours on the list? Siri AI

If you're in the U.S., Siri AI will work for you, and you can access it by either uttering the "Hey Siri" voice command, pressing and holding the iPhone's side button, or swiping down from the Dynamic Island on top of your screen.

Besides being smarter, Siri now looks better, too. Credit: Apple

Once it's activated, you can use it to search for documents, emails, and photos on your device, ask it questions about a website on your screen (or any sort of general questions), get recommendations for places and activities, and easily create home automations. For a detailed overview of Siri's new features, go here.

Visual Intelligence

Unfortunately, the same caveat goes for this one: It's not available in the EU at launch.

It's a pity, because it's a cool feature that lets you point your camera at things and get information about them from Siri. This includes splitting a restaurant bill, getting working hours for a business, figuring out which plant or animal you're looking at, and more.

You can access Visual Intelligence by clicking and holding the Camera Control button, or (if you have an iPhone that doesn't have the Camera Control button) either through Control Center or by customizing the Action button or Lock Screen.

Child Safety

Every parent knows what a nightmare the parental control features can be. You think you've set up everything right, only to discover that your kid still has unlimited access to YouTube (and is using it without any limits whatsoever).

Sometimes you just need a few simple options. Credit: Apple

In iOS 27, Apple has overhauled the Child Safety features with an easier setup, more granular control over apps and websites, and better screen time management. The Communication Safety feature can even intervene before a child sees gore or violence in videos and images shared over Messages and FaceTime.

There are detailed options for time allowances across several categories, including Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. Perhaps most importantly, there are now simple controls to either fully pause device use, or allow unlimited use of a device.

Better photo editing Not happy with the perspective of the photo? You can now change it after the fact. Credit: Apple

The new, AI-enhanced photo editing tools are a pretty cool way to fix your photos, even some of the ones which came out quite poorly. The three new tools, available under "Tools" when you start editing a photo, include Clean Up, which lets you remove unwanted objects with a tap or a gesture. The Extend tool will automagically add content around the borders using AI, and Reframe lets you adjust the perspective of a photo.

New Image Playground

Yeah, another thing that's absent in the EU. If you have it, it's a cool one. Image Playground was actually there before, in iOS 26, but the images it could generate were mostly cartoons or simple illustrations. Now, you can get photorealistic images, too.

Image Playground is no longer limited to cartoon images. Credit: Apple

If you don't like your result, you can fine-tune it by adding additional prompts, with the option to precisely mark the part of the image that you want changed.

Smarter Shortcuts

I don't know a lot of people who use Shortcuts, probably because the idea of manually setting up a chain of actions for your phone sounds pretty tricky to do.

In iOS 27, however, Apple has simplified this by adding the option to describe the shortcut and have it created automatically. To access it, open Shortcuts and tap New Shortcut, and just describe what you want the Shortcut to do. Stuff like "Turn the lights on, turn on Do Not Disturb, and start playing my favorite album" should work.

Liquid Glass adjustment Too liquid? You can change that. Credit: Apple

This is a small one, but it's important to a lot of folks. Under Settings - Appearances, you can now set exactly how clear or tinted you want your "liquified" apps and UI elements in iOS 27 to be.

Personally, I push the slider to the left for a maximum clear look, but folks who want more readability over visual pizzaz might want to push it the other way to get a more tinted appearance.

AirPods EQ

How long have we been waiting for this one? In iOS 27, Apple finally added detailed equalizer settings for AirPods.

Finding those settings is a little tricky, though. When your AirPods are connected to your phone, go to Settings - Bluetooth, navigate to the AirPods, and tap the little "i" to the right. Then go to Audio and Routing - Equalizer - Custom. From there, you can adjust the bass, midrange, and treble to whatever your heart desires.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Tour de France for free on SBS on Demand. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We know there's a lot of sport taking place right now and your schedule is probably stacked with live action from the World Cup and Wimbledon, but can we suggest making a little time for the Tour de France? It is the world's most prestigious cycling race, after all.

This edition of the Tour de France is shaping up to be pretty special. Tadej Pogacar will be tough to beat. He's seeking a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title, but he's going to face stiff competition from his rival Jonas Vingegaard and new star Paul Seixas. It's going to be a fascinating ride over the next few weeks, and it's already started with a number of days of intense racing.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Tour de France for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Tour de France?

The Tour de France is an annual men's multi-stage bicycle race held in France (and often passing through nearby countries). This famous race forms part of the Grand Tours (alongside the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España).

The defending champion is Tadej Pogacar.

When is the 2026 Tour de France?

The 2026 Tour de France is the 113th edition of the event. This year's event takes place from July 4-26.

How to watch the 2026 Tour de France for free

The 2026 Tour de France is available to live stream for free on SBS on Demand.

SBS on Demand is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world 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 Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2026 Tour de France from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Tour de France 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 (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Connect to SBS on Demand

5. Stream the 2026 Tour de France from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Tour de France without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to follow the 2026 Tour de France before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tour de France?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free live streams from around the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight 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).

Live stream the 2026 Tour de France for free with ExpressVPN.

I have always had a rocky relationship with smart bulbs. I never really saw much benefit beyond the initial novelty, which wore off rather quickly.

When you hear "open source" it's natural to immediately think of Linux, but what software license an application uses has nothing to do with which operating system it runs on.

Android 17 is the year’s big version update, but it’s admittedly not the most exciting one we’ve seen in recent years. That’s not to say there’s been nothing useful added, though. One of the quieter new features will make location access a much more locked-down permission.

Copying around a couple of small files, like screenshots or documents, is, for the most part, normally fine. They’re normally small files, and you won’t have much trouble moving them around. The problem, however, comes when you actually have to move around a file that’s several gigabytes in size, or worse, several of them—using the regular tools meant for that purpose, your PC will be struggling.