Technology

Have you ever lost anything in an Uber vehicle before? If so, it was probably something normal, like a phone. Some people were not so lucky.

Uber published its 10th annual Lost & Found index on its website this week, highlighting some of the most unusual things people left in cars over the past year, while acknowledging some wider trends along the way. Uber's list of most unusual objects left in cars is pretty long, so we figured we would curate our 10 favorites for you. Here's what we came up with, in no particular order:

• Grass

• Dentures with two teeth

• Two wedding gowns

• Ankle monitor

• Brand new mini fridge

• Package of live butterflies

• Police radio

• Live fish

• Donny Osmond group photo

• Handcuffs

SEE ALSO: Claude can now connect with Spotify, Uber, and a lot more apps

For at least a couple of those, you can sort of rationalize how they might have gotten left in an Uber. For example, I can easily see some forgetful person loading up a new mini fridge for transport and then just departing the car without grabbing it. Live butterflies and a live fish are a little harder to explain, though, as are the two wedding gowns. I could understand someone leaving one wedding gown in a car, but two is a bit bizarre.

Uber also published a list of the top 10 most commonly forgotten items, which is entirely more understandable. It includes phones, wallets, luggage, keys, and headphones, among other things you'd definitely expect people to leave in a car. New York City also ranked as the most forgetful city in the U.S., which is just another metric by which it is the number one city in the country. (Editor's note: Go Knicks.)

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

Audiobook listeners are a passionate crowd, and they deserve all the rewards too. While Kindle users get to enjoy the benefits of Kindle Rewards, it's about time that Audible users get the same. Following the buzz of its Audible Story House, the brand has now launched Audible Rewards, a program that pays you back the more you read.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mashable (@mashable)

“Audible Rewards is built to meet our listeners where they are by rewarding consistent listening, encouraging content discovery, and delivering real value that grows the more you listen,” said Cynthia Chu, Chief Financial & Growth Officer at Audible.

With Spotify providing free audiobook credits to premium users each month, Audible may be leveraging the new rewards program as a way to entice new and existing users. But how does the new rewards system work? Here's everything you need to know about Audible Rewards.

How Audible Rewards Works

There are several different ways to earn while you listen. Plus, it rewards members who have been listening to Audible for years. Members who enroll within the first six months of the Audible Rewards receive a discount toward a future title. But then once you're in the program here's how to earn:

• Listening Day Rewards: Listen for at least five minutes a day to accumulate listening days and unlock milestones with discount rewards redeemable toward future listens. Customers can listen at their own pace, and days don't need to be consecutive. 

• Spend 3 Credits, Get 1 Free: A credit promotion that rewards members for stocking up on titles.

• Refer 3 Friends, Get $15: Members earn a $15 reward for every three friends they refer to Audible. New customers with a referral also receive a $5 reward.

• Anniversary Gift: Every 12 months, Audible celebrates members' listening with a free credit or voucher as a thank-you for another year of great stories.

• Multi-Title Challenge: Listen to 3, 4, or 5 titles within four months to earn an achievement badge reflecting your commitment: Engaged, Enthusiastic, or Dedicated.

• Listening Challenges: At launch, Audible Rewards will include a Harry Potter series challenge where listeners who complete all seven audiobooks in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions will earn an exclusive badge that lives in their achievement collection, with fan-based challenges for additional titles to come. 

It's important to note that rewards status is contingent on continued Audible membership, however, you can pause membership up to 90 days, which maintains your accumulated rewards.

The program is now available to users across the United States. To track your rewards, members can visit the Rewards Hub on the Audible app and website.

I spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars overbuilding my homelab over the years. I really wish I didn't do that. Here's what I wish I did, and why I think you should follow in my (untaken) footsteps.

AVAILABLE NOW: The Hisense UR8 RGB Mini-LED 4K TV lineup is live at Best Buy as of June 2. Prices start at $1,299.99 for the 55-inch model and run up to $4,999 for the 100-inch model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense UR8 RGB Mini-LED TV 55 through 100 inches, starting at $1,199.99 Shop Now

After months of speculation about a release date, the Hisense UR8 RGB TV is finally here and available at Best Buy.

There's been a lot of movement in Hisense's RGB sector in the past few weeks. First, news broke that Hisense quietly slashed prices of its flagship UR9 RGB TV by nearly 40 percent just weeks after launch — presumably because the UR9 line was way too expensive compared to the rest of the RGB market.

The day before the June 2 announcement, a post to the r/Hisense subreddit had users wondering when the UR8 was coming. It's been quite the highly awaited budget model, considering the RGB prices we've seen on the LG Micro RGB Evo, Sony Bravia II 7 and Bravia II 9 True RGB TVs, and Samsung's flagship R95H Micro RGB TV.

The Hisense UR8 comes in sizes 55 through 100 inches. Here's a closer look at the price breakdown:

• Hisense 55-inch UR8 Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,299.99

• Hisense 65-inch UR8 Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,799.99

• Hisense 75-inch UR8 Mini-LED 4K TV — $2,199.99

• Hisense 85-inch UR8 Mini-LED 4K TV — $3,199.99

• Hisense 100-inch UR8 Mini-LED 4K TV — $5,999.99

For reference, each size of the Hisense UR8 is around 20 percent cheaper than the next-most-affordable RGB TV, the Samsung R85H.

SEE ALSO: Comparing the best art TVs: How to decide between The Frame and its growing list of competitors

Compared to the UR9, the UR8 is still a premium mini-LED TV that should dazzle in both dark and well-lit rooms. It's the most affordable path so far to the new technology that utilizes pure red, green, and blue LEDs for enhanced color vibrancy and more robust coverage of the color spectrum altogether. Because each LED is individually controlled like OLED bulbs are, RGB TVs offer seriously precise lighting that's less susceptible to blooming.

According to Hisense, the UR8 can reach an impressive peak brightness of 3,500 nits and will soon support Dolby Vision 2. The 180Hz refresh rate and panel of four HDMI ports lob the UR8 into the conversation about the best budget gaming TVs. The UR8 is also the only of Hisense's two RGB options that comes as small as 55 inches.

I've always been the kind of DIYer who ends up with a lot of weird problems to solve. Between cars, motorcycles, vintage arcade games, pinball machines, guitars, and the endless list of things that break when you own a home with a small farm, there's always something that needs attention.

TL;DR: Amazon Prime members can buy tickets to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day, two days before its official theatrical release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Pictures See 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' two days early   Learn More

There are so many perks included in an Amazon Prime Membership, like cheaper gas, prescription discounts, and free shipping, but did you know that as a Prime member, you can also get early access to see select movies in theaters before they even come out?

Earlier this week, Amazon announced that all Prime members in the United States will get the chance to see Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day in select theaters on July 29 — two days before the general public release on July 31.

SEE ALSO: Are you 18 to 24? You can get 6 months of Amazon Prime for 0 dollars.

All you have to do to secure your spot is visit Amazon's Spider-Man: Brand New Day landing page and sign up for alerts to get updates on when tickets will go on sale via Fandango.

If you don't have a Prime Membership, you can sign up for a 30-day trial for free (though if you're doing that to get the tickets, you may want to hold off until they're actually available to purchase). Also, Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner from June 23 to June 26, so you'll get the best deals then, too! A standard Prime Membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and you can cancel anytime.

The company hasn't mentioned whether or not those tickets will be discounted, but it definitely pays to sign up just to see it early and avoid a weekend full of internet spoilers.

I've been using Linux exclusively on my workstation for almost four years now. But well before that, I had tried (and failed) to make the switch for just as many years. I'd like to share the many mistakes I made along the way and what I learned from them.

If you're using Windows Terminal for WSL or Powershell, there are some features from Linux terminals that you might miss. Fortunately, it's easier to customize Windows Terminal than ever. Here are some tweaks that can make it behave more like Linux terminals.

SAVE $14: As of June 3, get the DJI Mic Mini (1TX + 1RX) for $45 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $59. That's a discount of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic Mini (1TX + 1RX) $45 at Amazon
$59 Save $14   Get Deal

Whether you're a content creator or just recording footage of you or your friends, great audio matters. That's why an external mic is an important part of recording. If you're looking for the perfect one that'll sound great without costing you an arm and a leg, DJI's viral microphone is a fantastic choice, and it's on sale for under $50 right now.

As of June 3, get the DJI Mic Mini (1TX + 1RX) for $45 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $59. That's $14 off and a discount of 24%.

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators defining the internet in 2026

This popular mic is famous for a reason. It comes with one transmitter and one receiver, and it's perfect for just about any of your audio needs while creating content. It offers excellent audio and several features, including a charging dock, windscreen, clip magnet, carrying pouch, USB-C mobile phone adapter, and more, all for under $50. That's everything you need to start recording with a minimalistic, perfectly portable setup.

Mashable's Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard praised the DJI Mic Mini as "one of the best upgrades for content creators", highlighting its generous noise cancellation features and "crisp and clear" audio. It can shine in several situations, most notably when dealing with outside noise that could interfere, effortlessly offering clear recordings that mean you don't have to mess about with redos.

Whether you need a mic for your personal content or making professional recordings, this is your most affordable and best bet, especially now that it's currently under $50.

Dating app Bumble is apparently launching a paid group-date feature soon, Business Insider reported.

The feature, called Plans, will launch in New York and require users to pay a flat fee to RSVP to an IRL "Plan" — a small IRL gathering. Bumble users can also invite a plus-one, who will also have to pay the fee, according to Business Insider.

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

After users attend, they'll be asked if they liked any other participants, and then they can match from there.

Business Insider also noted a new Instagram account, @plansbybumble, which is currently private.

The news comes weeks after Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd announced that Bumble is killing the swipe feature and promising a new experience. In recent earnings calls, Wolfe Herd has discussed a new AI-powered Bumble akin to an assistant and matchmaker — which led to backlash from users online.

While the app is becoming more AI-forward, the company is also investing more in IRL events. It's hosting several meetups in New York City this summer, for example. Plans also isn't the app's first foray into helping users make the leap from screen to scene. In 2017, the app launched an IRL hub called The Hive, and it hosted other singles events in 2022.

Bumble's revenue and paying users are down year over year, according to its latest earnings report, so it's no surprise it's trying multiple tactics to try to win users back.

Recently, Tinder launched a similar Double Date Mode that lets users invite friends to group dates. (Though that doesn't cost extra.) It's also adding more AI features, including its own AI matchmaker, Chemistry. Tinder has also had some financial losses recently, but its latest earnings report indicated that the decline may be slowing.

Mashable has reached out to Bumble for comment.

SAVE $150: The 15-inch LG Gram Book (8GB, 512GB SSD) is on sale at Best Buy for $549.99, down from the normal price of $699.99. That's a 23% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG 15-inch LG Gram Book (8GB, 512GB SSD) $549.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $150   Get Deal

We've all watched tech (and storage) prices go wild this year. The problem is, we still need that tech to function in everyday life. If you're in need of a fresh laptop but don't feel like spending six digits, check out this limited-time offer from Best Buy.

For the rest of June 3, the 15-inch LG Gram Book (8GB, 512GB SSD) is on sale at Best Buy for $549.99, marked down from the normal price of $699.99. That's a 23% discount that takes a hefty $150 off the price.

Equipped with the new Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 1 processor, the LG Gram is a great option if you're looking to go ultra-lightweight. This 15-inch model weighs just 3.74 pounds with a 0.76-inch thickness. That makes this an ideal model for travel or for college students taking a laptop to classes.

Keep in mind this model with 8GB RAM doesn't have a ton of internal memory, so it'll be best for simple tasks like web browsing, emails, or streaming shows.

SEE ALSO: The giant 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor is on sale for $600 off

LG added an anti-glare screen to help with easy viewing and it gets up to 300 nits of brightness. There's also a built-in shutter closure for when you're not on video chats. Unlike some modern laptops, the LG includes all the ports you'd want: two USB-C, a headphone jack, and an HDMI.

For those in need of a laptop that's lightweight and affordable, it doesn't get more attractive than this Best Buy deal. But don't think for too long because the 15-inch LG Gram Book is only available for $549.99 for a handful of hours.

One of Google’s oldest Pixel-exclusive features is the ever-present “Now Playing” music recognition. It also happens to be one of the most difficult to hack onto other Android phones. Thankfully, there’s already a built-in solution that’s almost as good.

There's no doubt that Google Sheets has closed the gap on a ton of everyday spreadsheet tasks. However, Microsoft Excel still offers a handful of specialized power tools that set it apart. From automated data cleaning to heavy-duty optimization and brilliant layout tricks, these features are a big reason Excel still leads in many workflows.

Espressif’s ESP32 series is the go-to choice for many people looking to take on microcontroller-powered projects. Not only are they cheap and versatile, but they’re also available in a variety of configurations for just about every need.

Did you know that an estimated 75% of all American silent films have been lost? Over 90% of the films made before 1929, and about 50% of American films made before 1950.

Be honest: When did you last check your Ethernet cables? If the answer is "probably not since I've installed them," I can't blame you. I also didn't care about the state of my wired connections until they finally backfired and prompted me to investigate.

TL;DR: Live stream Auger-Aliassime vs. Cobolli in the 2026 French Open for free on France TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

After the highly eventful early rounds at the 2026 French Open — which saw shocking exits of No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Novak Djokovic at the hands of underdog opponents — the action seemed to settle with yesterday's quarter final, as No. 2 Alexander Zverev powered through Rafael Jodar in straight sets.

Zverev is the favorite to win the whole tournament but just behind him is No. 4 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who now faces No. 10 Flavio Cobolli in the quarter finals.

Cobolli, a 24-year-old Italian, has looked dominant so far, and will prove tricky competition for French-Canadian Auger-Aliassime. It should be a fast and furious contest between two in-form opponents.

If you want to watch Auger-Aliassime vs. Cobolli in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Auger-Aliassime vs. Cobolli for free

Auger-Aliassime vs. Cobolli in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on France TV.

France TV is geo-restricted to France, 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 France, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Connect to France TV

5. Watch the 2026 French Open for free 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 streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Roland-Garros without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2026 French Open before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Auger-Aliassime vs. Cobolli in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

Samsung makes some of the best phones, and I've been buying and reviewing them for the last 14 years. A common problem is all the bloatware and pre-installed apps, which is why one of my first steps is to purge most of them. Samsung is slowly moving toward Google apps by default, but here are the apps I uninstall or disable on every Galaxy phone.

Our daily routines are rarely fixed. The way we interact with our smart homes changes from day to day. Using Home Assistant, my smart home has learned my routines without the aid of AI or cloud services.

SAVE $30: As of June 3, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro by Anker earbuds are back to their lowest price yet at Amazon for $149.99. This is $30 off their full price of $179.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro by Anker $149.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $30   Get Deal

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro is a pretty special pair of earbuds. Not only are they open earbuds, allowing for more awareness of your surroundings while listening, but they also have noise-canceling features. Mashable's Bethany Allard said they're "the answer for people who can't decide between open and noise-canceling earbuds" in her review. If they've been on your radar, they're actually on sale right now at Amazon.

As of June 3, every color of the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro by Anker earbuds are discounted to $149.99 at Amazon. This saves you $30 off their full price of $179.99 and marks a return to their lowest price at the retailer so far. Ahead of Prime Day, this is a great deal to take advantage of.

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

Allard highlights in her review of the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro that if you're someone who's "interested in open earbuds, not quite ready to give up ANC buds altogether, and can't reasonably see themselves carrying around two pairs of earbuds, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pros are the best option available." However, she does mention that "you make some concessions: the ANC won't be the best, and you're locked into an ear hook design."

Alongside its dual listening modes, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pros offer a battery life that lasts up to seven hours on a charge in Open-Ear mode or five hours in ANC mode. That's a good amount of time to work with, and it'll last you through a workout or a commute for the day. Of course, those times can be pushed up further with the charging case as well (up to 34 hours in Open-Ear mode or 24 hours in ANC).

On top of all that, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro by Anker earbuds have even landed on our list of the best open earbuds. So, why not scoop them up while they're still on sale at Amazon?

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