Technology

When MeganPlays started uploading gaming videos to YouTube in 2013, being a "creator" wasn't exactly a conventional career path.

She wasn't thinking about brand deals, TikTok algorithms, audience retention, or the creator economy. A college freshman who had been gaming practically her entire life, Megan saw people uploading videos of themselves playing The Sims and had a simple thought: I could do that.

So she did.

"I just downloaded a capture thing and just talked into it and threw it up on the internet," Megan told Mashable at VidCon in June. "It was really raw. Not a lot of great content there, but it was a really fun start."

More than a decade later, MeganPlays has built an online career spanning YouTube, Roblox, and an audience of millions across platforms. She's also been doing this long enough to watch practically every supposed rule of content creation change.

SEE ALSO: How MeganPlays has adapted through every era of YouTube

YouTube went from raw and relatable to highly produced and back again. Long-form gave way to short-form, only for longer videos to begin creeping onto vertical platforms. Games rise and fall in popularity. Algorithms change so quickly that, as Megan puts it, "what you knew two weeks ago is no longer relevant."

Her career has changed with them — sometimes successfully, sometimes painfully. She's burned herself out running too many channels, learned the risks of sharing too much personal information, struggled to escape the niche that made her famous, and discovered that millions of views on one platform don't necessarily translate into a sustainable business.

For Mashable's Creator Playbook, MeganPlays shares what 13 years online have taught her about building an audience, surviving the algorithm, knowing your worth, and why sometimes the best creator advice is the simplest: Just start.

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Getty Images

Mashable: Take me back to the beginning. How did you get started on YouTube?

MeganPlays: In 2012, I made my channel. In 2013, I started posting content. I saw other people posting gaming content, and I was like, "I want to do that. I could do that." So I just started. I downloaded a capture thing, just talked into it, and threw it up on the internet. It was really raw. Not a lot of great content there, but it was a really fun start.

I started with The Sims, then I went to Minecraft, and then it kind of went into Roblox. It developed from there over, like, 13 years. I haven't done the math.

Was gaming already a natural community for you?

Super natural. I've been gaming my entire life. There's a video of me when I was two years old on my dad's PC, playing an Elmo game. So I've been gaming my entire life. I just kind of naturally fell into place.

You said your advice to people starting out is simply to start. Why do you think people get hung up on that first step?

I feel like a lot of people don't start because they're like, "Well, I don't know if I have the perfect idea. I don't know if I have the perfect editing software. I don't know if I have the perfect title."

You don't need it. You should just start, and you learn that stuff along the way. You figure out what works as you gain experience. No one's going to be amazing at something the first time they try it, so you've got to just start.

And audiences don't necessarily want everything to be perfect anymore, right?

They have swayed back. It started out with people really wanting raw, relatable stuff. Then there was a time on YouTube where it started becoming very overly produced, and people were like, "This is amazing. It's TV quality." Then things started getting overproduced.

Now we're back in the swing of, "No, no, let's bring it back. Let's make it more personable, more real, more raw." People are definitely more interested in that these days, which I love, because I never went the high-production route. I don't have the budget, the time, or the energy. I just like being myself.

What's one lesson you wish you'd learned earlier?

I wasn't very consistent when I started, and I learned that consistency is key. If you do start, of course, as I said, do what you can do. But what you need to do eventually is start getting really consistent with your uploads so people and the algorithm know what to expect, because we are all playing to the algorithm at the end of the day. That's one lesson I wish I had learned sooner. Not that I suffered any consequences from it. I think it just would have jump-started my growth.

Gaming is an incredibly crowded space. What do you think helped your content stand out?

Initially, because I have been in the space for a long time, it was that I was a girl in the gaming space. That was a little bit of an uphill battle.

When I switched to the Roblox space, there were already a lot of women content creators. I think what people really liked and enjoyed about my content is that I was more personable. I spent a lot of time in my comments section talking to people, reacting to them, sharing their comments in my videos, and really building up my community, because that's what I like most about being a YouTuber: my community.

I love coming to VidCon. I love doing stuff like this because I get to meet the viewers. Building that community and having them really close to me makes me feel really happy.

Does meeting viewers in person change your perspective on the numbers you see online?

Yes. It really humanizes it all because you can get really bogged down when you only see the numbers — big ups, big downs, big ups, big downs. Your brain starts to work a little differently, and you start not to really process them as individual people but instead as numbers.

That is really harmful in a lot of ways. It's like, "Oh dang it, this video only got 300 views." Put 300 people in a room and be like, "That many people spent 10 minutes of their time watching a video."

Coming to stuff like this and being close with your community really helps put everything back into perspective whenever things get a little bit too analytical.

You spend a lot of time in your comments. How do you engage with your community without letting the negativity get to you?

I heard a little piece of advice a long time ago. I can't remember where I heard it, but it was: "If they don't know you personally, don't take it personally." They don't know you, so what do they even have to say?

I find that when people are being mean online, they're trying to hurt you. I don't know what that's about, but it doesn't [resonate] with me because I'm like, "OK, if you're trying to hurt me, then it doesn't hurt me because you're only trying to be mean." You don't even know if they really believe what they're saying.

Normally, in those situations, if it's too bad, I'll block it. I'll just delete it. I don't like that stuff to pile on. Constructive criticism is great, but some people can just be really hateful for no reason, so they've got to go. No freedom of speech on the page if you're gonna be a bully. Sorry.

You've watched the internet change dramatically over the past decade. If everything around creators keeps changing, what actually stays consistent?

The person. The creator. The personality and what they like to do. That's what's steady. That's what brings people back, and that's your anchor. Your anchor should always be yourself or your community. You can ride those waves, and you can always learn and adapt.

How much should creators actually be paying attention to their analytics?

Personally, I'm not making decisions based on the algorithm, which is not a smart decision. If I were to give advice to somebody who's more left-brain than me — because I'm very, like, whatever, la la la — you want to play to the algorithm.

You have two seconds to catch somebody's attention. If somebody's dipping out at one part of the video where you're kind of lulling a bit, you can learn so much in your back-end analytics: when people are jumping out, when they're jumping in, what they're rewatching.

If they're rewatching a part, add more bits like that. If they're clicking off at a part, stop doing those bits. That's stuff you try to wire into your brain to know what people consistently want to see throughout your content, and to get them to stick. The longer people watch your content, the better it does in the algorithm and the better it monetizes.

Is it difficult to move an audience from one platform to another?

It's very hard to transfer audiences per platform. A lot of people have tried over the years, and many have failed. If someone's enjoying short-form, they often aren't enjoying long-form. Those ideas don't really overlap for a lot of people.

But remember: We had long-form, then we're all doing short-form, and now the short-form verticals are going back to long-form, and they're making them all 10 minutes again. It's going back to long-form, but now vertical. These algorithms, these trends — they all cycle.

So how did you approach building your TikTok audience?

On TikTok, you just post every day, multiple times a day. Whatever you want, anything you think of — if it comes to mind, do it. If there's a filter, put it on. Just anything at all.

What I like to do is little vlogs and stuff like that, and connect with my audience that way. But sometimes a fun little lip sync doesn't hurt. Makes you feel cute. Throw it up.

You've always been very open with your audience. Have you ever felt like you shared too much?

I've always just had no filter. I kind of went in being an oversharer. That's always who I've been. I would say I'm a super open book — but also, not everything. But that's why I'm like, don't do everything I did, for sure.

I had a whole year of burnout, and it was really difficult. It was after COVID, in 2021, because I had my biggest year during COVID in 2020. I was running four or five channels at the time, and they were uploading consistently. It was a lot of work. I got really tired, then really uninspired, and hit a wall. It was really hard to create content after that. You do not want to burn yourself out.

Also, if I could go back and do anything, I would not have shared my last name or my middle name online. There are people making TikTok pages with my full government name on there, and I don't like that. Do not share your name online. Just your first name. Make a fake last name.

Are there any other hard lessons you've had to learn from spending so much of your life online?

It's really hard to go into a space and assume that everybody is your friend, because I do that. Then you find out they're not your friend. You've done a lot for them, they've taken from you, and all of a sudden, you're left in a position you wouldn't have been in.

I'm not saying don't trust anyone. Keep your heart open, but guarded. Don't give everybody everything. Don't over-pour yourself into anybody, and always take care of yourself first.

You have millions of followers on TikTok, but you've said that doesn't necessarily translate into income. How do you decide which platforms are actually worth investing in?

Personally, I've just acquired little knowledge over time, so I kind of do what feels right in my gut. Looking at it from a fresh perspective, I think YouTube is really valuable, and TikTok is really valuable. Those are your two most important platforms for growth.

TikTok is really good for discoverability. It's not good for monetization. YouTube is good for monetization, but it's very oversaturated. That's the thing you have to juggle.

For me, I'm doing amazing on TikTok. I have 5 million followers, and each of my TikToks right now is getting like a million views. I'm not making any money. So I'm going back to YouTube and starting to make Roblox content again, long-form, because that's what monetizes.

At the end of the day, creators have to pay their bills, so you kind of have to go where the money goes.

When you first started getting brand deals, how did you figure out what you were worth?

I didn't. And a lot of people don't. When brands come to you, they'll offer you anything, and you kind of just take it because you're like, "Oh, this is exciting." You've got your hat in the ring. You're making connections in the space. Everyone does that.

Over time, I started talking to other creators. I'd be like, "Hey, I got this deal. What do you think I should charge for this?" You can always ask your big brothers or sisters in the space what they're doing, and that can be helpful. At this time, I still wouldn't know what I'm worth. I hand it over to one of my friends — and "friend" is a fancy word for agent — and I'm like, "Can you just give them a price?"

I would ask around. Ask your friends. Ask your creator friends and see what they're doing.

Do you find that creators are pretty open with one another about rates?

I'm an open book. Everybody that I've ever asked has been helpful. I know it can be rude to ask, so I like to ask close friends. I'm not going to randomly walk up to somebody. But if I'm hanging out with somebody or I'm collaborating with them, I'll be like, "Hey, this brand did this. What do you think I should do?" And they'll give you advice. You should always, first and foremost, never go back to a brand immediately and give them your numbers. Say, "What's your budget?"

These brands have a lot more money, and they will lowball you. Ask, "What's your budget? And I'll see what I can do with your budget." Do that in reverse. And if they're like, "No, you tell us," say, "No, you tell me."

If somebody created their first channel tomorrow, what's the one piece of advice you'd give them?

Find a niche and follow it. If you really like Roblox, find a niche within Roblox. Find out what you want to do.

If I had a recommendation, it would be variety content. I think that's everyone's dream because it doesn't put you in a box. But that is very hard to achieve. The more niche the niches, the easier they are to achieve.

Because if you get too niche, you risk putting yourself in a box.

And when that box goes down the river, you're going with it. That happened to me. I'm not saying that to throw shade at anyone but myself. I put myself in a box. I was the Adopt Me! girl. I was doing Adopt Me! all the time. Then people stopped caring about Adopt Me!, and they no longer needed to watch my videos for news. All of a sudden, I had built this profile of, "Oh, this is the Adopt Me! girl." Then I tried to break into other spaces, and it just didn't work as well because they didn't know me for that. They already had their other favorite creators that they went to for that.

Putting yourself in a corner can be difficult. But, you know, you go where the money goes because you have bills to pay.

I feel like you're going to break back in. You're going to find it.

Adopt Me! is back up, baby! I'm excited. I love Adopt Me!, so that's the best news for me.

TL;DR: Prime members can get Audible for just $0.99 per month for four months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Audible: $0.99 per month   Get Deal

If your audiobook backlog is getting longer and longer, this new Audible deal is a great excuse to start making a dent in it.

Right now, eligible Prime members can get Audible Standard for just $0.99 per month for four months. That's more than 80% off the usual $8.99 monthly price, with Amazon calling this Audible's "best deal of the year."

With an Audible Standard membership, you can select one audiobook each month from Audible's entire collection and listen to it for as long as you remain a member. You can also purchase additional audiobooks at the full price if one book per month isn't quite enough to satisfy your listening habit.

There's no long-term commitment, so you can cancel at any time. Just remember that the membership will automatically renew at the regular price of $8.99 per month after the promotional period unless you cancel. If you don't want to continue at full price, set a reminder on your phone for the day before renewal.

One thing to remember is that not all audiobooks remain accessible after you cancel. Any titles you've purchased outright with cash or credits are yours to keep, but you'll lose access to books from the Plus Catalog and any audiobooks you selected as part of your Audible Standard membership. These will show with a lock icon in your library and become available again if you resubscribe.

Interested? Don't wait too long to sign up. This offer is available to eligible members but ends on Oct. 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT / 2:59 a.m. ET.

TL;DR: Ahead of October Prime Day, Prime members can get four months of Apple Music Unlimited for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Music Unlimited: Free for 4 Months (Prime Exclusive)   Get Deal

Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, the list goes on. There are plenty of platforms to consider when it comes to your tunes. And the best way to decide? A free trial. And this month, Amazon Music is taking that trial to new extremes, giving you a chance to try Amazon Music Unlimited for four months, totally free.

The offer gives you access to the Individual Plan for four months (after which your subscription will automatically renew at the standard price of $12.99 per month, or $11.99 per month for Prime members). You can cancel at any time in your Amazon Music settings, but make sure you do so before the trial ends to avoid being charged.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for Prime Big Deal Days, its 48-hour 'October Prime Day' sale

This is a limited-time offer available only to new Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers. It also can't be combined with any other promotion and is limited to one offer per customer and account. If you're not a Prime member, you can still try out the service for three months.

Find this Amazon Music Unlimited deal online now.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Display Box is on sale for $354.39 at Amazon, down from its $377.53 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Display Box (36 packs) $354.39 at Amazon
$377.53 Save $23.14   Get Deal

All eyes in the Pokémon TCG space may be on the 30th Celebration expansion, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t deals on other collections. In fact, you can save a good amount of money on Mega Evolution right now.

As of Sept. 16, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Display Box is $354.39 at Amazon. That puts $23.14 back in your pocket for a discount of roughly 6%. The listing comes from third-party seller Collectors Expedition, with free delivery currently estimated for Sept. 22, and only 10 units left in stock at the time of writing.

When that listing sells out, third-party seller Air Capital Supply is also selling the display boxes at a discount for only $354.40. 

Split across all 36 booster packs, Amazon's price works out to approximately $9.84 per pack before tax. Each pack contains 10 random cards, giving you 360 trading cards to crack through altogether. That’s over $5 cheaper compared to buying single Mega Evolution packs à la carte — currently going for $15.20 on Amazon.

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Walmart and TCGplayer have swept in with opportunities to save you even more money. TCGplayer's English unopened listings start at $308 shipped, while Walmart has the same Mega Evolution Booster Box for $299.95 with free shipping. That even undercuts TCGplayer’s own market price of $314.34. 

Those 36 packs give you three dozen chances to pull one of Mega Evolution’s most valuable chase cards — including the $240+ MHR Mega Lucario ex. 

If there is a particular card you want from the expansion, you can buy any single Mega Evolution card right now on TCGplayer. 

SAVE $4.01: Preorders for the new Apple AirPods 5 are down to $124.99 on Amazon. That’s a 3% discount on brand-new ANC hardware before release day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 5 $124.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $4.01   Get Deal

Preordering brand-new Apple gear usually means paying full retail price and waiting by your front door for the delivery truck. But Amazon is bending the rules just enough to make hitting "preorder now" feel a little sweeter.

While you won't see dramatic clearance-rack strike-throughs on unreleased tech, Apple's new AirPods 5 are already seeing a quiet preorder price drop. They technically sit at a $129 list price, but Amazon currently has them listed for $124.99 right out of the gate.

SEE ALSO: AirPods 5 review: Are these really open earbuds?

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your daily earbuds, the AirPods 5 hit a really nice sweet spot. In her coverage for Mashable, Bethany Allard points out that "unlike the previous gen, both [AirPods 5 models] feature active noise cancellation — but this doesn't result in a price hike." Even at the base level, you get solid upgrades. Apple packed in "50% more active noise cancellation than the AirPods 4," an "improved transparency mode for a more natural sound," and an "updated adaptive EQ, which helps power better spatial audio."

Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking creates a theater-like soundstage across movies, music, and games. On top of that, it includes Live Translation and hands-free access to the upgraded Siri AI via Apple Intelligence.

Where it holds back compared to the $149 step-up version comes down to charging and battery. This base pair comes with an ultra-compact USB-C wired charging case — so you'll need to plug it in rather than using a wireless charging pad — and offers up to four hours of listening time per charge with ANC (or 20 hours total with the case).

Claim this early $124.99 preorder deal on Amazon ahead of the official release date.

How to watch 'Toy Story 5' at a glance: Best long-term deal Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $189.99 per year (save $37.89 per year) Get Deal Best bundle deal Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu and Disney+ with ads) $11.99 per month for 6 month (save $11.99 per month) Get Deal Best deal for Verizon customers Disney Bundle: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal Best way to get Disney+ for free Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan (save $18.99 per month) Get Deal Another bundle deal Disney Bundle: Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max (with ads) $19.99 per month (save $14.98 per month) Get Deal Buy it Buy "Toy Story 5" on Prime Video $19.99 (save $10) Get Deal Buy it Buy "Toy Story 5" on Fandango $19.99 (save $10) Get Deal

It's hard to believe that a sequel, let alone a fifth installment of an animated feature film, can break records, but Toy Story isn't just any old franchise. Raking in over $1 billion globally, Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5 now ranks as the highest-grossing movie in the beloved franchise and the highest-grossing release of 2026.

Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko calls the sequel "wacky, warm, and unapologetically weird" in her review of the film. While it grapples with the theme of tech versus analog toys, Puchko says the film uses that debate as "a way to explore how to find human connection."

If you missed it in theaters or can't wait to watch it again, Toy Story 5 is officially coming to streaming this month. Keep scrolling to find out how to watch the latest Toy Story film at home.

As a bonus, if you can't get enough of Taylor Swift's hit single "I Knew It, I Knew You" or the original score from Randy Newman, you can preorder the Toy Story 5 Original Soundtrack on vinyl or CD now. Both will be released on Friday, Sept. 25.

Opens in a new window Credit: Disney "Toy Story 5" Original Soundtrack on Vinyl $37.99
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Disney "Toy Story 5" Original Soundtrack on CD $11.98
  Pre-order Here How to watch Toy Story 5 Credit: Walt Disney Studios

Toy Story 5 will be available to watch at home a few different ways as of Sept. 23. We've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

About two months after its theatrical release, Toy Story 5 made its digital debut on Aug. 18, 2026. While it was originally available to rent for $24.99 or purchase for $29.99, the rental option has now disappeared ahead of its streaming debut. You can still purchase it on digital, however, for a reduced cost of $19.99. The rental option will likely return in the coming weeks.

Here are some quick links to purchase the film.

• Apple TV — buy for $19.99

• Fandango — buy for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $19.99

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99

• YouTube — buy for $19.99

Stream it on Disney+

Toy Story 5 will officially make its streaming debut on Disney+ on Sept. 23, 2026, which is right on track with most Disney theatrical releases. It joins the four previous Toy Story films in the Disney+ catalog, so you can plan the ultimate marathon.

Not yet a Disney+ subscriber? Subscriptions start at $11.99, but we've rounded up a few of the best ways you can save some money on the streaming service below.

The best Disney+ streaming dealsBest Disney+ standalone deal: save 17% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $189.99/year (save $37.89) Get Deal

You can save over $37 on a Disney+ subscription on its own by signing up for an annual plan upfront. The yearly plan without ads will cost you $189.99 per year, which breaks down to just $15.83 per month instead of the usual $18.99 per month. That's 17% or a total of $37.89 in savings. When you check out, be sure to select Disney+ Premium, then "annual" to secure the discount for the year. Unfortunately, there is no annual plan available for the cheaper ad-supported tier.

Best Disney+ bundle deal: save up to 52% on Hulu and Disney+ Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) $11.99/month for 6 months (save $11.99/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu Disney+ and Hulu Premium (no ads) $17.99/month for 6 months (save $19.99/month) Get Deal

Want more bang for your buck? Disney's bundle deals are hard to beat. You can bundle Disney+ with Hulu with ads for just $11.99 per month for your first six months or without ads for $17.99 per month for your first six months. Either option basically gets you one streamer for free. After your first six months, the price will only go up one dollar.

You could also go ad-free and get both for $19.99 per month (about 47% in savings) or throw HBO Max or ESPN into the mix for a three-part bundle. We've rounded up some other bundle options below for comparison.

More bundle deals:

• Disney+ and Hulu for Students — $6.49/month $12.99/month (save $6.50/month)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $10/month with select Verizon plans $19.99/month (save $9.99/month)

• Disney, Hulu, HBO Max (with ads) — $19.99/month $34.97/month (save $14.98/month)

• Disney, Hulu, HBO Max (no ads) — $32.99/month $56.47/month (save $23.48/month)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $19.99/month $36.97/month (save $16.98/month)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited bundle — $35.99/month $53.97/month (save $17.98/month)

Best way to get Disney+ for free: get the Total Wireless $60 plan Opens in a new window Credit: Total by Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total Wireless $60 plan (save $18.99 per month) Get Deal

Total Wireless customers on the $60 per month prepaid Unlimited+ plan can enjoy Disney+ Premium (no ads) for free. No terms or trial periods; just keep your account in good standing. That's an $18.99 per month value tacked onto your phone plan for $0. If you're on the $50 per month plan, you're also eligible for six free months of Disney+ Premium. You can extend your trial by upgrading to the $60 per month plan.

Venus' sluggish spin may be the key to why it doesn't have a moon — anymore, at least, new research says.

The study, led by University of California, Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane, appears in The Astrophysical Journal. Kane's team built computer simulations of how gravity ties a planet to a moon in space, then ran Venus through them again and again.

Nearly every run ended the same way. An ancient Venusian moon crashed onto its host planet — sometimes within 30 million years, sometimes after 1.7 billion. At any rate, it was destined for demise.

That may crack one of the solar system's oldest cases: why Earth and Venus, near-twins in size, weight class, and composition, turned out nothing alike. Though scientists don't yet know whether a world needs a moon to be habitable, they do know that our moon plays many crucial roles for Earth, such as steadying its tilt and controlling ocean tides. It's not far-fetched to suppose the moon may also help keep the planet geologically active. If Venus once had a moon but lost it, its absence could have bent the arc of that scorched world's history.

"Venus didn't require a catastrophe to arrive at what we can see today," Kane said in a statement. 

SEE ALSO: Scientists knew Mercury was shrinking. They didn't know the true extent.

The physics comes down to spin. Earth turns once every 24 hours — fast enough to fling energy outward into the moon's orbit. NASA astronauts left mirrors on the lunar surface during Apollo 11, and by bouncing lasers off them, scientists have been able to measure the moon retreating about four centimeters per year — roughly the rate your fingernails grow.

Venus does the opposite. It takes 243 Earth days to turn around once. At that pace, the planet's gravity wins the tug-of-war and reels in an orbiting moon instead of pushing it away.

NASA's robotic Parker Solar Probe, which studies the sun, caught a rare view of Venus during a flyby in February 2021. Credit: NASA / APL / NRL

Kane tested moons ranging from half the mass of ours to 10 times heavier. The heavier the moon, the faster it spiraled in.

"When I made this discovery, I was shocked," Kane said. "I thought surely the broad range of scenarios I was exploring would lead to a variety of results. But it all went pretty much in the same direction."

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Earlier explanations of why Venus doesn't have a moon leaned on drama. Perhaps something enormous smashed Venus' ancient moon apart. Perhaps Venus never suffered the kind of collision that builds a moon in the first place. Kane's research undercuts both — and the reason centers on how moons get made.

Moons don't come from nowhere. Ours formed when a massive object struck the young Earth and threw debris into orbit, where it clumped together. That same blow did something else: It set how fast the planet spun for billions of years afterward.

On Venus, those two outcomes work against each other. A big moon lasts only if the collision leads to the planet spinning once every 10 to 12 hours. But impacts that leave a planet spinning that fast scatter their debris too close, where the rubble falls back to the surface before it can coalesce into anything in space. The crashes that throw debris far enough away to build a moon leave the planet turning slower than that.

If there had been a moon-forming collision in Venus' ancient history, it resulted in the planet turning once every 12 hours at best — most likely slower. That means one blow could hypothetically give the planet a satellite, along with the power to destroy it, with nothing else having to go wrong.

But proving whether Venus swallowed a moon is hard. A resurfacing event about a billion years ago paved over roughly 80 percent of the planet, wiping out older scars. Any evidence now lies deep below the surface. 

Scientists have detected strange structures within Earth that may be leftovers from the collision that created our own moon; similar measurements at Venus could turn up something comparable. NASA's planned DAVINCI mission, which could drop a probe through the Venusian atmosphere in the early 2030s, may also catch chemical traces of a moon that broke apart.

The researchers stop short of claiming Venus once had a moon. Though Kane suspects it did, he insists that remains an open question. What his team's work shows is that a massive moon could not have lasted — something he believes astronomers should keep in mind as they hunt the galaxy for habitable exoplanets, the rocky worlds around other stars. 

"My feeling is there are benefits to having a moon, but it isn't required for habitability," Kane said. "The moon has definitely changed the way Earth has evolved through time, but we don't fully know how important that role is." 

TL;DR: This refurbished HP EliteBook 830 G8 PRO is on sale for $389.99 (reg. $549.99), with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen.

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Elitebook 830 G8 2020 (Refurbished) $389.99
$549.99 Save $160   Get Deal

If you’re looking for a business-class laptop that provides both power and portability, you’ll want this refurbished HP EliteBook 830 G8 PRO. It’s currently on sale for $389.99 (reg. $549.99), giving you capable hardware and professional features without the steep price tag.

The EliteBook 830 G8 impresses with its 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen and a 360° convertible design — practical whether you’re typing reports, giving presentations, or catching up on streaming after hours.

The 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics are built to handle heavy workloads, multitasking, and creative projects with ease. You get up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, ensuring quick startups and smooth performance.

Security is another reason you’ll like having this EliteBook. HP Wolf Security features include HP Sure Start, HP Sure Sense, HP Sure Click, and TPM 2.0, with an optional fingerprint reader for an extra layer of authentication. Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers, AI-powered noise reduction, and a multi-microphone array also make it suited to video calls and remote meetings.

At 2.8 lbs, the CNC-machined aluminum chassis is built for portability, making it easy to move from meeting rooms to coffee shops. Battery life stretches up to 16.5 hours — and HP Fast Charge means less time plugged in, more time getting things done.

The Grade A refurbished rating means the laptop should arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to no visible scuffing.

For those seeking a dependable, feature-rich laptop at a reduced price, this refurbished EliteBook is on sale for just $389.99 (reg. $549.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: IsThisSpam Ultimate Personal Plan is on sale for $29.99 (reg. $179), offering unlimited checks of suspicious emails, messages, websites, links, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: IsThisSpam IsThisSpam Ultimate Personal Plan: Lifetime Subscription $29.99
$179 Save $149.01   Get Deal

A suspicious message can look convincing enough to make you hesitate before clicking. IsThisSpam gives you a place to stop and check first. The Ultimate Personal Plan is on sale for $29.99 (reg. $179), with unlimited standard checks and AI-assisted investigations across up to five personal devices.

Rather than depending on a database of known-bad threats, IsThisSpam analyzes the content and context of strange-looking emails, messages, websites, links, and phone-related signals. Results come with straightforward results: Low Risk, Needs Caution, or High Risk, plus explanations and supporting evidence.

This service is especially useful when an unexpected message asks you to click a link, provide information, or take some other sketchy action. You can check questionable websites and links before interacting with them, investigate unfamiliar phone numbers, or run a more detailed SuperScan when a standard check doesn’t provide enough information.

IsThisSpam also works as a browser extension inside Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Facebook, and LinkedIn, so checking a suspicious message doesn’t necessarily mean leaving the platform you’re using. There’s also web and PWA access, plus priority email support.

That makes the service a practical extra checkpoint for people who regularly encounter unfamiliar messages, links, or contacts and want more context before deciding how to respond.

It can also be useful for households where several people regularly deal with online accounts, messages, and unfamiliar links. With support for up to five personal devices, the plan can cover multiple phones, computers, or tablets under the same subscription without limiting the number of standard checks.

Get IsThisSpam Ultimate Personal Plan for $29.99 while it’s discounted from $179. The lifetime subscription covers up to five personal devices with unlimited checks, giving you another place to pause and investigate before you start clicking away.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get an Apple MacBook Pro 2020 (refurbished) for $369.99 (reg. $1,580.00), and a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac for $89.97 (reg. $219.00).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $369.99
$1,580 Save $1,210.01   Get Deal

If you’ve been saving up for a MacBook at a price that doesn’t hurt your wallet, this Grade A refurbished 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro is worth a look. It comes with a 2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz), 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Those are great specs for everyday productivity, light creative work, and most things in between. The 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone is sharp, and the battery lasts up to 10 hours. Four Thunderbolt 3 ports let you charge, use DisplayPort, and transfer data quickly without a hub for most setups.

Yes, it’s a 2020 model, but for most everyday workflows, the difference between this and the latest MacBook is hard to notice. Grade A refurbished means it’s in near-mint condition, with minimal to no scuffing. It ships with a charger and a 30-day aftermarket warranty, with returns accepted within 30 days of shipment. Contiguous US only.

Get the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 (Refurbished) for $369.99 (reg. $1,580).

Once you’ve got the laptop, a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac gives you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote for a one-time payment of $89.97. With Microsoft recently raising the price of Microsoft 365 for the first time in 12 years, a no-subscription alternative is really worth consideration.

Worth knowing: this is not Microsoft 365. It’s a permanent license for one Mac, tied to your Microsoft Account rather than your device. It also works fully offline, so you don’t need cloud access to get things done. Compatible with macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe, and you must use your redemption code within 7 days of purchase.

Get Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac for $89.97 (reg. $219).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get the GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for $24.99 (reg. $49.99), combining charging, Type-C and Lightning connectors, data transfer, an LED power display, magnetic cable management, and handy travel tools.

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $24.99
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal

Most charging cables have one job. GoCable apparently looked at that job description and decided it needed seven more. It’s the kind of practical, tech-forward surprise that makes people say, “Wait … this does that too?”

At first glance, GoCable looks like a sleek little keyring accessory. But once you start using it, it quickly proves it’s more than just a charging cable.

Designed as an everyday carry essential, it combines ultra-fast charging with genuinely useful built-in tools, all wrapped in a compact, tangle-free design that clips neatly onto a bag, belt loop, or keychain.

With 100W charging capabilities (when paired with a compatible power source), GoCable can power everything from phones and tablets to laptops, drones, and cameras.

Universal connectors mean you’re covered whether you’re using USB-C or Apple’s Lightning — no more digging through tangled cords or carrying three different cables just in case.

What makes it especially satisfying, though, are the thoughtful extras. An LED power display shows your real-time charging status. The magnetic wrap keeps things neat and frustration-free. There’s even a built-in bottle opener and a safe-proof cutter for impromptu moments like opening a package on the fly or cracking a drink at a picnic.

The GoCable makes for an unexpected but incredibly useful little gadget — especially for travelers, creators, commuters, and anyone who lives even slightly tethered to their devices.

Priced at $24.99 (reg. $49.99) for a limited time, get the GoCable while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Connections.

TL;DR: Score the 30th Anniversary Mewtwo promo card for free by spending $15+ on Pokémon TCG products at select retailers. This special offer starts from Oct. 2.

If you're a Pokémon card collector, you know the absolute nightmare that is fighting off secondary-market scalpers the second a limited-edition card drops.

There is another way.

To celebrate three decades of pocket monsters, The Pokémon Company is dropping a limited-edition Mewtwo promo card starting Oct. 2. Instead of forcing you to drop $100+ on a massive Elite Trainer Box, you only need to spend $15 or more on any Pokémon TCG products to trigger the gift-with-purchase.

The card features an exclusive "Pokémon 30" foil stamping that won't appear in standard booster packs. Plus, every promo card comes with a secondary QR code card that links directly to the Pokémon Night Out event experience. It's valid both online and in-store, but given how quickly anniversary merch disappears, you'll want to lock in your order without delay.

The participating retailers are as follows:

• Barnes & Noble

• Best Buy

• BoxLunch

• Five Below

• GameStop

• Hot Topic

• Macy’s

If you're trying to figure out what to buy to hit that $15 spend limit, the actual 30th Celebration expansion lands worldwide on Sept. 16.

The set is a massive trip down memory lane, featuring remastered artwork, classic card reprints, and an unprecedented gimmick: every single booster pack contains a guaranteed rare Pikachu card out of a set of 30 unique designs. Grab a four-pack of individual booster sleeves or a single Booster Bundle at checkout, and you'll hit that $15 threshold for the Mewtwo card. It's that easy.

TL;DR: Get an extra $50 off the iRESTORE Elite helmet and Laser Face Mask Pro red light therapy bundle with the coupon code EMW50.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRESTORE iRESTORE Elite and Laser Face Mask Pro   Shop Now

Red light therapy and LED masks are having a moment. How do we know this? Because two of these devices just appeared on Alix Earle's Netflix series Earle Meets World, the reality show about the TikTok influencer and her family.

Alix’s fans and followers will know that she only showcases the hottest, most on-trend products — in this case, the iRESTORE Elite helmet and Laser Face Mask Pro. The red light therapy devices are seen in the final episode, when Alix’s dad and stepmom try them out. 

iRESTORE is now offering the Elite helmet and the newly-launched Laser Face Mask Pro as a bundle for $2,698, saving $1,100 off the list price of $3,798. And now you can save an extra $50 off the bundle with the coupon code EMW50.

The iRESTORE Elite uses clinical-grade red light to thicken and strengthen your hair. It uses 500 lasers and LEDS to deliver triple-wavelength red light. According to iRESTORE, it’s been clinically shown that the combination of lasers and LEDs is effective for treating hair loss. The helmet is designed to cover the entire head for maximum protection. All you need to do is wear it for 12 minutes a day, and you should see results in 3-6 months.

The iRESTORE Laser Face Mask Pro is a new addition to the brand’s product lineup. It uses similar technology for firmer, younger-looking skin. It’s iRESTORE’s most powerful mask ever, boasting 800 lasers and LEDS for 8 wavelengths of red light. You just use it for 10 minutes, 3-5 times per week. With five smart modes to choose from, it helps smooth out lines, brighten your complexion, and tackle blemishes — not to mention generally tighten and brighten your skin.

Don’t miss your chance to get an extra $50 off the iRESTORE Elite helmet and Laser Face Mask Pro bundle with the coupon code EMW5. This coupon deal is available through Sept. 27 and is limited to one bundle per customer. 

TL;DR: Physical preorders for Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are already $10.11 off at Amazon and Walmart. Both retailers have them listed for just $59.88 (normally $69.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time $59.88 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.11   Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time $59.88 at Walmart
$69.99 Save $10.11   Pre-order Here

The recent Nintendo Direct livestream brought us some long-awaited details about the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for the Nintendo Switch 2. That includes an official release date of Nov. 5 and a first look at gameplay footage featuring modernized visuals, free camera controls, and a dedicated jump button. Hyah!

Digital and physical copies of the Ocarina of Time remake are now available for preorder. The digital version costs $59.99, while the physical version goes for for $69.99 — unless you buy it from Amazon or Walmart. Both retailers are selling physical copies for just $59.88, or a little over $10 off. (That offer wasn't being matched by Best Buy, Target, GameStop, or the Nintendo Store at the time of writing.)

Try to get your preorder in soon. In a press release, Nintendo said the first print run of the game's physical version will have "special packaging that features textured foil cover art."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Nintendo is also releasing some Legend of Zelda-themed hardware this fall, in honor of the franchise's 40th anniversary. That includes a special-edition Switch 2 console, Pro Controller, and carrying case, all out Oct. 29. Mashable contributor Lauren Allain has all the details.

It's now cheaper to buy a brand new EV than a petrol car in Australia. Chinese EV giant BYD has slashed the Australian price of its entry-level 2026 BYD Atto 1 Essential, cutting it from an already affordable $AU23,990 down to a mere $AU19,990 inclusive of all additional fees. At the current conversion rate, that's a reduction from approximately $17,000 to a little over $14,000.

SEE ALSO: Chinese EVs are spreading across the globe, but not in the U.S.

The BYD Atto 1 made headlines at its Australian debut last year, when its $AU23,990 launch price made it the cheapest EV in the country at the time. This new price reduction has now made BYD's budget EV the cheapest car in the country overall, inclusive of EVs, hybrids, and petrol-powered vehicles. 

Previously, Australia's cheapest new car was the manual 2026 Kia Picanto Sport, a petrol vehicle with a base price of $AU19,190 (around $13,500). Adding mandatory on-road costs easily pushes the Picanto Sport's cost beyond the Atto 1 Essential, whose new $AU19,990 price tag already includes such fees.

BYD's Atto 1 Essential does technically share the title of Australia's cheapest new car with MG's petrol-powered MG3 Vibe, whose current $AU1,000 cash back offer prices it at $AU19,990 inclusive of fees. However, this deal is set to end soon on Sept. 30. Once it expires, and barring any further challenges, the BYD Atto 1 Essential will stand alone as the most affordable new car in Australia.

Unfortunately, the Atto 1 Essential's new $AU19,990 pricing isn't permanent either, only available for three months as a limited time offer from Sept. 15 until Dec. 15. Even so, it's an encouraging signal regarding the increasing affordability and uptake of electric vehicles across the globe. Also known as the Dolphin Mini in Latin America, Dolphin Surf in Europe, and Seagull in China, the BYD Atto 1 has been known to retail for as little as ¥56,800 (around $8,400) in its home market.

Australians get cheaper EVs, while Americans get left behind Credit: BYD

EV sales recently overtook petrol car sales for the first time in Australia, accounting for 24.9 percent of all new vehicles sold in August. Up 171 percent compared to the same time last year, EV sales individually outstripped petrol, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid car sales across the country. BYD was also Australia's second most popular automaker, following Toyota but edging ahead of Tesla.

"Australians have seen through the scare campaigns and are voting with their wallets for cars that are cheaper to run, cleaner, and reduce their exposure to international petrol prices shocks," said Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, calling the milestone a "landmark moment."

Yet while Australians are enjoying cheaper EVs, U.S. drivers' options remain considerably more limited. The U.S. government's high tariffs continue to block Chinese vehicles from import, with former president Joe Biden previously stating that the effective ban is partly due to other automakers' inability to compete with China's "unfairly low prices." The Trump administration's elimination of EV tax credits last year has also increased prices on the smaller pool of vehicles that are available. As such, EVs in the U.S. continue to come at a hefty cost.

Earlier this year, U.S. automaker Slate announced that its upcoming two-seater Blank Slate electric pickup truck will cost $24,950 excluding fees (around $AU35,000) — a notable increase compared to its initial goal of a sub-$20,000 price tag. Upgrading it from two doors to four will further bump up the price to at least $29,950 (around $AU42,000).

The most affordable EV currently available in the U.S. is the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, which starts at $28,995 excluding fees (around $AU40,000). That's more than double the Atto 1 Essential's Australian price, even without BYD's current offer. The Bolt may not be available for long either. General Motors previously announced that it was retiring the Bolt in 2023, intending to replace it with a new lineup of EVs. Though the automaker quickly reversed its decision due to popular demand, this is only a temporary stay of execution, as the latest 2027 Bolt is a limited run that's scheduled to end less than two years after launch.

After the Bolt, the next most affordable EV in the U.S. is the Nissan Leaf S+, which starts at $29,990 before fees (around $AU42,000). While Nissan announced plans to release a cheaper model in the U.S. last year, this has since been delayed, with no official word regarding if or when it might now arrive.

If brevity is the soul of wit, then Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) lost his wits a long time ago.

Richmond's affable coach has never been afraid to talk someone's ear off. However, his wordiness becomes a problem in Ted Lasso Season 4, episode 7, titled "Yes & Baby."

SEE ALSO: 'Ted Lasso' finally starts to do right by the Lady Greyhounds

The episode sees Ted trying to build a dating profile on Bantr, but he constantly gets stuck on the first prompt: Describe yourself in three words. How can he sum up his character in such few words? More importantly, how can he do that without sounding like he's bragging?

That's not the only trouble Ted has with making his profile. As he and Keeley (Juno Temple) try to whip his Bantr account into shape, they also have a hard time describing what he wants in a romantic partner within the designated character limit. (Apparently, he wants someone with a love of "banger" show tunes.)

"I'm starting to think I may skew a bit loquacious," Ted laments.

Ted's struggle to keep things brief has been a charming quirk of his since Season 1. However, it's become a decidedly uncharming fault of the show as a whole.

In Season 1, episodes stayed around the half-hour mark: a standard length for a streaming comedy. However, as the seasons went on, episodes ballooned in length until audiences were routinely sitting through 50-minute episodes. The shift in runtime matched Ted Lasso's pivot into overt dramedy territory, but it also left the show feeling like a worse version of itself. The jokes weren't tight. Subplots piled up. Ted Lasso's saccharine niceness, welcome in short bursts, became cloying over longer periods of time.

Coming three years after Ted Lasso's supposed series finale, Season 4 felt like the perfect opportunity to reset the show and address major criticisms, such as the bloated runtimes. Instead, Season 4's installments remain squarely in the 45-to 50-minute range, so the problems remain. With the Lady Greyhounds in the mix, the problems feel even more pronounced, as the show strains under the weight of its massive ensemble and its myriad storylines.

As Ted's dating app woes suggest, Ted Lasso is too long-winded for its own good. If it were a Bantr profile, Bantr's servers would implode under all the excess. What the show needs to do is refine itself. That doesn't necessarily mean it needs to describe itself in only three words, Bantr-style. However, if it did want to go that route, I have a suggestion: Needs. Some. Trimming.

New episodes of Ted Lasso premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

In its first four minutes, Ted Lasso Season 4, episode 7 addresses my biggest complaint with the season: It finally prioritizes the lives of the Lady Greyhounds.

SEE ALSO: Ted Lasso’s dating profile problem says a lot about the show itself

For the entire season, Richmond's women's team have operated more as a mob than as a crew of individuals. They've attended parties and pub trivia together, they've practiced and played games together, and they've heard their fair share of Ted (Jason Sudeikis) pep talks together. But, with the exceptions of Coach Alice (Tanya Reynolds) and striker Gemma (Abbie Hern), we've barely gotten to see who they are by themselves, off the pitch.

That all changes at the top of episode 7, titled "Yes & Baby," which details the many struggles the Lady Greyhounds are facing in their personal lives. Lizzie's (Faye Marsay) flaky ex has bailed on his promise to take one of their sons to school and watch the other, leaving her to juggle getting to practice and caring for them. Twins Siobhan (Rex Hayes) and Niamh (Aisling Sharkey) are facing a steep rent increase, Boots (Jude Mack) can't fix her car, and Shannon (Shannon Hayes) has a side job as a food delivery courier.

It's clear that their careers as second-division pro footballers aren't financially life-changing. Nor does anyone in their orbits seem to care about their achievements. Gemma's law professor dismisses her Richmond career as just a "football thing."

It's a welcome change to see Ted Lasso wrestling with the tougher realities its female players are facing, especially in contrast with the men of its first three seasons. No luxurious bachelorette pads or high-level endorsements await the Lady Greyhounds as Richmond works to get the team off the ground.

While the rest of the episode primarily focuses on Ted Lasso's main ensemble, it still makes much more room for the Lady Greyhounds than it has in the past. We actually get to see more of their dynamic in practice scenes, which have usually been reserved for Ted, Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Alice to chat. Now, as Alice tries to say "yes, and" more, Ted Lasso begins to build a new, more open dynamic between her and the players, one that lets multiple members of the ensemble shine. (Shout out to Mady (Annelise Heywood) for wanting to play blindfolded to "sense" the ball, a gag that I wish Ted Lasso could have followed through on onscreen.)

"Yes & Baby"'s refreshing focus on the Lady Greyhounds culminates in their final locker room scene, when they question the new "Believe" sign. Like much of Ted Lasso, it's a bit on the nose, but then again, why should the women's team just get the men's team's hand-me-downs? And what good is just believing in the face of not being able to pay rent? Alice's amendment of the sign — changing it to "believe and win" — speaks to the fire and drive of every member of the team.

Each of these scenes is a welcome and necessary step toward getting to know the Lady Greyhounds better, both as individuals and as a team. But is it too little, too late? Why, seven episodes in, are we only just really getting to know the team that Ted Lasso came back to London to coach?

The answer is that in attempting a soft series relaunch, Ted Lasso has had a tough time balancing its older characters with the entire team it created to justify bringing the show back in the first place. Episode 7 shows promising signs of finally being able to strike that balance (at the continued sacrifice of the 30-minute episodes I've yearned for since Season 2). However, with three episodes left, the jury's still out on whether Ted Lasso can stick the landing and do justice to the Lady Greyhounds.

New episodes of Ted Lasso premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV.

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TL;DR: Live stream the 2026-27 Europa League for free on CazéTV. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League gets most of the attention, and that makes sense because the very best teams in Europe compete in it. But that doesn't mean you should ignore the Europa League. Some of the most entertaining football in recent years has been played in the Europa League, with up-and-coming teams fighting it out for a moment in the spotlight on the European stage.

If you want to watch the 2026-27 Europa League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Europa League?

The Europa League is an annual football club competition organized by UEFA. It is the second-tier competition of European club football, ranking below the Champions League and above the Conference League.

The defending champions are Aston Villa.

When is the 2026-27 Europa League?

The 2026-27 Europa League is the 56th edition of the club competition (and the 18th since it was rebranded from the UEFA Cup). This year's competition runs from Sept. 16 to May 26.

How to watch the 2026-27 Europa League for free

Select fixtures from the 2026-27 Europa League are available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

These free live streams are geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Europa League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the Europa League 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 Brazil

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Europa League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the Europa League without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures (plus coverage of the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Europa League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 80% 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 a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Another Prime Day is coming, and if you want to shop all the best deals, you'll need an Amazon Prime account.

Amazon's flagship sale may be dead and gone for 2026, but its Big Deal Days event kicks off Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. The now-annual 48-hour event is basically a mini Prime Day that happens in the fall. The retailer is likely to drop thousands of deals during the sale, but to shop them, you must be a Prime member.

Not yet a Prime member? Want to revive your old Prime account? You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and unlock access to the sale. And nothing is stopping you from canceling before the 30-day promo period ends to avoid paying full price — just saying. Students (and anyone aged 18 to 24) can also sign up for a 6-month trial for $0.

Regardless of whether or not you stick around, here's how you can sign up for Amazon Prime:

Total Time

• Under 5 minutes

What You Need

• Internet access
• Email address or phone number

Step 1: Go to the Amazon Prime sign-up page and click on Start your free 30-day trial.

Head to Amazon Prime's sign-up page.

Step 2: Input your email if you have an existing Amazon account or click on Create Your Amazon Account.

A new sign-in page will open up on the website. Input your email or mobile number and password if you have an existing Amazon account, or click on Create Your Amazon Account. If you make a new account, you'll need to provide some basic information such as name, email, and password.

Step 3: If you're creating a new account, follow the steps to verify your email with a One-Time Password.

If you choose to create a new account, Amazon will send an OTP to your respective email address or mobile number for account verification. If you are using an existing account, skip to Step 5.

Step 4: Input the OTP and click on Verify.

Once the OTP verification page appears on the screen, input the code and click on Verify.

Step 5: Sign up for your 1-month trial or purchase a full subscription.

New users have two options: sign up for a one-month trial for $0 or purchase a full subscription. Remember: you may not qualify for a free trial if you have already used this offer in the past with the same email or phone number.

What are your Prime membership options?

If you are purchasing a Prime membership subscription, you have four plan options:

• Monthly Prime Membership — $14.99 per month

• Annual Membership — $139 per year or under $12 monthly

• Young Adult Monthly Membership — $7.49 per month (young adults are also eligible for exclusive offers, including a 6-month no-cost Prime trial)

• Prime for government assistance recipients — $6.99 per month (must verify eligibility)

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Binding.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

TYING

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A slight smile.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SMIRK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

__ Cent.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 16, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FIFTY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Found at a playground.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SLIDE

Final Hurdle hint

Surprised.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

ABACK

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.