Technology

Take it from a pro vacuum reviewer: The best Prime Day Dyson deals arent at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:21
A quick look at the best Dyson deals ahead of Prime Day: Best Dyson vacuum deal Dyson V12 Detect Slim $479.99 (save $250 at Dyson) Get Deal Best Dyson hair tool deal Dyson Supersonic Nural (Certified Refurbished) $229.99 (save $190 at Dyson) Get Deal Best Dyson fan deal Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 $249.99 (save $150 at Dyson) Get Deal

Dyson feels like one of those brands that'd be everywhere you look during an event like Prime Day. Amazon is a decent spot to find deals on the Dyson Supersonic or Airwrap, but historically, Amazon isn't known for its amazing deals on Dyson vacuums.

Instead, Dyson's website often takes Amazon's sale events as a sign to hold a big sale of its own. Sure enough, a big Dyson sale event with exclusive savings is live from June 21 to 27 this year — the same week as Prime Day, running June 23 to 26.

SEE ALSO: Dyson V16 Piston Animal first impressions: A new apex Dyson vacuum has entered the villa What Dyson vacuum should I buy on Prime Day?

While a few Dyson models are some of the best cordless vacuums you can buy overall, not every Dyson vacuum is worth your money just because it's on sale. For example, the Dyson V8 Absolute's $349.99 sale price looks amazing, right? How can you pass up a $240 discount on a Dyson vacuum?

You may or may not have heard that Dyson just released three new stick vacuums at the beginning of June. One of them is a revamped version of the Dyson V8, offering 30 percent more suction power and nearly double the battery life of older V8 models. The new Dyson V8 Cyclone only costs $399.99 — just $50 more than the weaker V8 Absolute model that's on sale. Plus, a self-emptying docking station for the V8 Cyclone is coming in August.

So far, here are the best early Prime Day deals on Dyson vacuums, hair tools, and fans:

Best Dyson vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V12 Detect Slim $479.99 at Dyson
$729.99 Save $250   Get Deal Why we like it

Any time my favorite vacuum ever gets several hundred dollars cheaper, it's going to be the first deal I recommend. The Dyson V12 Detect Slim on sale for $479.99 makes it $20 cheaper than the Dyson V10 Konical that just came out (at full price, it's the new cheapest Dyson with a laser). The V12 Detect Slim has 150 AW (air watts) of suction power and 60 minutes of run time.

The laser, which illuminates tiny specks and hair that aren't super visible to the naked eye, should be an immediate selling point for any household with pets and a lot of hard floors. You have no idea how dusty your floors get within even 24 hours.

When I'm not using it on the floor in those daily sessions, I'm switching it to handheld mode to clean fur off the couch with the mini motorized attachment or clean out my car with the crevice attachment. It's compact and lightweight enough to comfortably hold with one hand (I can't say the same about the massive Gen5 Dysons or Dyson V16 Piston Animal).

SEE ALSO: The best way to make your Dyson stick vacuum last? Clean it regularly. More Dyson vacuum dealsDyson hair tool dealsDyson air purifier and bladeless fan deals

Another pro tip: I wouldn't recommend the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai even if you see it on sale — there are more reliable robot vacuums on sale at Amazon that offer a much better bang for your buck.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Depot is giving away free power tools over Prime Day — how to claim yours

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:16
Thest Home Depot deals at a glance: Best power tool deal Free DeWalt Power Tool $229 (save $70 + free DeWalt power tool) Get Deal Best robot lawn mower deal Mammotion Yuka mini 600H $749 (save $350) Get Deal Best robot pool cleaner deal Aiper Scuba X1 $899.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 $254.99 (save $45) Get Deal Best fan deal Dreo TurboCool Outdoor Misting Fan 711AS $161.99 (save $18) Get Deal

Prime Day is almost here. All eyes are on Amazon, but smart shopper know it's wise to check out other retailers.

Home Depot is packed with excellent deals right now, and some of them beat Amazon's early Prime Day offerings. That's especially true if you like getting free power tools.

SEE ALSO: Cordless power tool deals are already live at Amazon before Prime Day starts

If you have home improvement projects to tackle this summer or you'll be spending time in the backyard, check out these great sale prices at Home Depot that are well worth shopping before Prime Day hits.

Best free power tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt Free power tool with purchase of DeWalt 20V/60V MAX Flexvolt Battery and Charger Starter Kit $229 at Home Depot
$299 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Who could say no to free power tools? Part of Home Depot's Father's Day Gifts events includes this awesome deal on DeWalt cordless power tools. To get the free tool benefit, you'll need to add the DeWalt 20V/60V MAX Flexvolt Lithium-Ion 9.0Ah Battery and Charger Starter Kit to your cart. It's on sale for $229, marked down from the normal price of $299.

Then you'll be eligible to add a free cordless tool to your cart. The free options include 11 DeWalt tools like a 20V cordless concrete and masonry rotary hammer, a sidewinder-style circular saw, or a cordless hammer drill, to name a few options.

More deals to shop at Home Depot
Categories: IT General, Technology

40+ Best Buy deals that match or beat Amazons Prime Day deals

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:15
The best anti-Prime Day deals at Best Buy (so far): Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $15.99 (save $19) Get Deal Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro (Black/Gold) $159.99 (save $190) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Shokz OpenFit 2+ (Stone Blue) $149.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,199 (save $499) Get Deal Best tablet deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB SSD) $749 (save $200) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $549 (save $250) Get Deal Best unlocked phone deal Apple iPhone Air (256GB) $929.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best video game deal "Madden NFL 26" (Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X) $29.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Star Wars Cobb Vanth’s Speeder 75437 $27.99 (save $7) Get Deal

Prime Day is just around the corner, but it won't be the only huge sale we get this month. Other major retailers are planning to host competing sales that run alongside Amazon's festivities, turning late June into a savings smorgasbord.

Best Buy, for its part, will be running a weeklong "Tech Fest" sale from June 22 to 28. (It's almost double the length of Prime Day 2026, which goes from June 23 to 26.) Historically, the tech retailer has been one of Amazon's biggest rivals when it comes to Prime Day counter-programming, and I expect that to be the case again this year.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day is next week: Here are 20+ early deals to start shopping now

Already, the competition between the two retailers is vicious. Having spent several hours cross-checking their prices on popular gadgets, I've found many instances where Amazon is undercutting Best Buy by anywhere from two bucks to two cents. (That's just petty.) For now, its early Prime Day deals seem to be generally better the Best Buy's pre-Tech Fest offers.

That said, I've managed to scrounge up over 40 products that are price-matched or cheaper at Best Buy, or available exclusively there because Amazon's inventory has dried up. (There are some really good deals on older Apple devices that Amazon no longer stocks in new condition, including the M4 MacBook Air and M3 iPad Air.)

Check out the full list below. Just keep in mind that prices could get even better once Tech Fest officially begins next week.

Amazon device dealsHeadphones dealsEarbuds dealsLaptop dealsTablet dealsSmartwatch dealsUnlocked phone dealsVideo game dealsLego deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Target Circle Deal Days sale starts June 23: The best deals are now live

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:14

It's no surprise that Amazon's Prime Day sparks an avalanche of competing sales. At this point, Amazon has basically created a new Black Friday-type event for the summer. Best Buy and The Home Depot run competing sales, and Target's is coming soon. Target Circle Deal Days is meant to celebrate the big box store's most dedicated shoppers, bringing a whole lot of savings into a four-day span.

So, what should you expect from Target Circle Deal Days 2026? While the sale hasn't officially started, the retailer has teased the deals to come, which includes up to 40% off on daily deals — plus some free treats from Starbucks. If you're a fan of the bullseye brand, here's everything to know about the Target Circle Deal Days event.

When is Target Circle Deal Days?

Target's Circle Deal Days runs June 23 to 26, the exact same time as Prime Day. However, unlike Prime Day, which takes place exclusively online, you can shop Target's Sale in person, too.

What deals to shop during Circle Deal Days

While we wait for Target Circle Deal Days to go live on June 23, we're anticipating the deals to come. Here's what Target says to expect:

Do you need to be a Circle member to shop Target's sale?

Like Prime Day, which requires a Prime membership to shop, you must be a Circle member to take full advantage of Target's Circle Deal Days. The good news is, unlike Amazon's paid membership, Circle membership is totally free and essentially pays you back just by shopping at Target.

There is a paid membership option at Target, Circle 360, which is more similar to a Prime or Walmart+ membership. Circle 360 gets you unlimited same-day delivery, free two-day shipping, and an extended two-day windows. Normally $99, during Circle Deal Days, subscribe to Circle 360 for just $49.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything to know about Amazon Prime Day: Dates, competition, and the best deals to shop

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 08:59

Prime Day is nearly upon us. The massive members-only sale is Amazon's biggest savings event of the season and your best chance for some summer inflation relief.

Prime Day typically triggers some of the best, most add-to-cart-worthy deals on smart home devices, Kindles, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, headphones, and other popular tech outside of Black Friday. And this year, it's happening a little earlier an usual. (What's the deal with that? Keep reading.)

Mashable's shopping reporters and editors have been covering Prime Day since 2018. Here's what we think you should know about this year's sale ahead of time. Plus, check out our dedicated guide to the top early Prime Day deals you can shop already.

When is Prime Day 2026?

Amazon's twelfth annual Prime Day sale runs from June 23 to 26. For the second year in a row, the flagship summer savings event will last four days, up from its original two.

What's different about Prime Day this year? Prime Day 2026 got bumped up to June. Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

As mentioned, Prime Day 2026 is happening early. Historically, the sale has almost always fallen in mid-July, not late June.

Speaking to Reuters this month, Jamil Ghani, worldwide VP of Amazon Prime, said the FIFA World Cup and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence were factors in the company's decision to move up Prime Day. Both events are also happening in July. (The World Cup runs through July 19, while the U.S. Semiquincentennial is on July 4.)

SEE ALSO: Why did Amazon Prime Day shift to June? Here's what the company has said (and not said).

Amazon hasn't said as much, but its reasoning there seems to be to position Prime Day as a "stock up for the party" opportunity. Among other products, shoppers will be able to save on groceries and other household essentials for celebrations around July's festivities. Amazon has been going especially hard in the grocery space in recent years.

Speaking of: For the first time ever, Amazon is giving away a free year's worth of groceries (via $10,000 in gift cards) ahead of Prime Day this year. You'll be automatically entered to win if you spend at least $15 on groceries, beauty products, personal care items, and/or pet supplies on Amazon now through June 22, the day before Prime Day begins.

What are the best early Prime Day deals?

Amazon is heavily discounting its own devices and services in the lead-up to Prime Day. Early birds can save up to 65% on its Echo smart speakers and displays, Kindle e-readers (plus Kindle bundles), Fire TVs and streaming sticks, Blink home security gadgets, and eero mesh WiFi systems.

The best early Prime Day deals at a glance: Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 (save $35 with Prime) Get Deal Kindle Essentials Bundle $106.97 (save $55 with Prime) Get Deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $22 with Prime) Get Deal Blink Outdoor 2K+ $34.99 (save $65 with Prime) Get Deal Amazon eero 6+ mesh wifi system (3-pack) $194.99 (save $105 with Prime) Get Deal Kindle Unlimited (3 months) $0 (save $35.97 with Prime) Get Deal Audible (3 months) $0 (save $26.97 with Prime) Get Deal Amazon Music Unlimited (4 months) $0 (save $47.96 with Prime) Get Deal "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" Free ticket with Prime for Young Adults (includes early screening on July 29) Get Deal Little Caesars large pizza $5 (redeemable five times through July 26 with Prime) Get Deal

If you're trying to get a head start on your summer reading list, Prime members can already snag two free Kindle books via Amazon First Reads, plus three free months of both Kindle Unlimited and Audible (worth $36 and $27, respectively). Kindle Unlimited unlocks a huge library of free e-books and digital magazines, while Audible is Amazon's podcast and audiobook service.

If you prefer to read the old-fashioned way, print books of all genres are up to 65% off before Prime Day (starting at $7).

SEE ALSO: Amazon Editors just dropped the 20 best books of 2026 (so far) — find out what made the list

Prime members who haven't tried Amazon Music Unlimited yet get a free four-month trial worth $48. Non-members get three months free. If you're already a Music Unlimited member on an Individual Plan, you can convert your subscription to a Family Plan for free for two months. You'll be able to stream music on up to six devices at a time instead of just one.

Need something new to watch? Certain movies and TV shows on Prime Video are up to 50% off for Prime members ahead of Prime Day. (That includes both purchases and rentals.) Plus, Prime for Young Adults members (geared toward ages 18 to 24) can score a free ticket to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day while supplies last. An exclusive early screening option is up for grabs.

Finally, Prime members can get large pepperoni or cheese pizzas from Little Caesars for just $5 apiece this month. You can redeem the offer up to five times from now through the end of Prime Day on June 26.

What will be the best deals on Prime Day? Lots of popular devices drop to record-low prices every Prime Day. Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable composite; Sony, Amazon, DJI, Samsung

Amazon plans on dropping new Prime Day deals "as often as every five minutes during select periods" during the sale, according to a company blog post. A handful of these offers will get a "Today’s Big Deals" label, which identifies limited-time discounts "featuring exclusive products and trending new releases from brands members love, many at more than 50% off," Amazon said. These deals will go live three times a day throughout Prime Day at 3 a.m. ET, 11 a.m. ET, and 4 p.m. ET — set an alarm.

Amazon hasn't revealed the exact deals it's saving for Prime Day proper, Today's Big Deals or otherwise. But it has shared a list of the general discounts shoppers can expect across different categories, including some featured brands and marquee products. In order from most to least savings, the highlights include:

Who is competing with Prime Day?

Other major retailers have always run their own competing sales alongside Prime Day. That will still be the case this year despite the timing change.

Best Buy is having a weeklong Tech Fest sale from June 22 to 28. (It's almost twice as long as Prime Day.) It will probably be Amazon's toughest competition when it comes to deals on big-ticket tech: Look for discounts of up to 50% on laptops, TVs, gaming gear, headphones, and small appliances, including fleeting Deals of the Day. The sale isn't locked to paid Plus and Total members of the My Best Buy program, but they'll be eligible for some extra discounts and rewards.

Walmart will host a concurrent Summer Deals event from June 22 to 28, offering "thousands of offers across top brands, popular categories, and early back-to-school essentials," to quote a company press release. Those deals will be available both in stores and online. Members of its Walmart+ program get exclusive early access to a batch of "Hot Deal Drops" on the first day of the sale, which will only be available while supplies last. (Otherwise, the sale is open to everyone.) For a limited time, shoppers who haven't signed up yet can save 50% on an annual Walmart+ membership.

SEE ALSO: 40+ Best Buy deals that match or beat Amazon's early Prime Day deals

Target is giving Amazon a run for its money with a Target Circle Deal Days sale from June 23 to 26, the exact same days as Prime Day. Members of its free-to-join Target Circle loyalty program will be able to save up to 45% on "thousands of items across apparel, beauty, home, toys, and essentials" in stores and online, according to a press release. It also plans to offer rotating Deals of the Day.

Target might be trying the hardest to lure shoppers away from Amazon. If you show up in person at select Target stores on the first day of Circle Deal Days, you'll get a free hot or iced coffee or a free cookie, so long as you're a Circle member. Those who join the program between now and June 22 will get 15% off their next purchase.

How many times a year is Prime Day?

Amazon's main Prime Day sale only happens once a year, but the company usually hosts two other Prime events a few months before and after it. One is the Big Spring Sale, which runs late March, and the other is Prime Big Deal Days in October, just before Black Friday.

Can anyone shop Prime Day deals?

Prime Day deals are exclusive to Prime members — but that includes paid and trial members, so it's possible to participate for free.

How to sign up for Amazon Prime

Visit Amazon.com/amazonprime to purchase a membership or start your free 30-day trial. If you go the latter route, be sure to cancel your plan before your trial period ends to avoid getting charged. Prime memberships currently cost $14.99 a month or $139 per year.

If you're 18 to 24 years old, you can score a free six-month Prime trial via the Prime for Young Adults program. (Age or student status verification is required.) You'll get 10% cash back on your Prime Day purchases to boot.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime $14.99/month or $139/year; free for your first 30 days Learn More
Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for June 23, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 06:00

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators 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

Written out.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SPELT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A portion.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SHARE

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Spicy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SAUCY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To pry.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

JIMMY

Final Hurdle hint

A cape.

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

CLOAK

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 23, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 04:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love to boogie.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 23, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Get down

  • Green: Board game finds

  • Blue: Found on news sites

  • Purple: A shelf

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Dance styles

  • Green: In a Monopoly box

  • Blue: Content sorting options online

  • Purple: Things with mantles/mantels

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1108 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Dance styles: FOXTROT, MODERN, SWING, TAP

  • In a Monopoly box: DEED, HOTEL, MONEY, TOKEN

  • Content sorting options online: FEATURED, POPULAR, RECENT, TRENDING

  • Things with mantles/mantels: EARTH, EMPEROR, FIREPLACE, YANKEES

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 23, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for June 23, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 04:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a gamer.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 23, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A whole new world

The words are related to gaming.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a popular computer game.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Minecraft.

NYT Strands word list for June 23

  • Food

  • Block

  • Portal

  • Minecraft

  • Loot

  • Storage

  • Building

  • Armor

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 23, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 04:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a foodie.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 23, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 23, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A popular Indian dish.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CURRY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I test vacuums professionally, and I found the 10+ best on sale for Prime Day 2026

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 01:29
A quick look at the best deals on vacuums ahead of Prime Day Best self-emptying cordless vacuum deal Shark PowerDetect Speed — Luxe Collection $399.99 (save $100 at SharkNinja) Get Deal Best Dyson vacuum deal Dyson V12 Detect Slim $479.99 (save $250 at Dyson) Get Deal Best budget robot vacuum deal Eufy C28 $449.99 at Amazon (save $300 at Amazon) Get Deal Best robot vacuum on sale overall Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,459.99 (save $240 at Amazon) Get Deal

As someone who tests new vacuums every month, I could easily make a case for why robot vacuums are better or why cordless vacuums are better. If you're having trouble deciding, my ultimate advice is always just to get both — I promise there are budget-friendly ways to do so, especially when so many good vacuums are on sale for Prime Day.

Should I get a robot vacuum or stick vacuum?

A robot vacuum is the way to go if you know, deep down, that the only way your home will be vacuumed every day is if a robot does it. A cordless vacuum is the way to go if you're picky about cleanliness and find the chore to be cathartic rather than tedious. If you feel passionately about one side, there are plenty of deals on splurge-worthy vacuums that I've tested like the Dyson V15 Detect Extra or Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete.

But most people can probably see themselves wanting access to both types of vacuums, depending on how busy their day is. In that case, I'd recommend splitting your vacuum budget. Instead of spending $700 to $1,000 on one really nice vacuum, you could buy a budget-friendly stick vacuum like the $269.99 Shark Clean & Empty and a budget-friendly robot vacuum like the $399.99 Dreame D30 Ultra CE. Both are still incredibly powerful for their price, and there will be a ton of mix-and-match options as more vacuum deals pop up through the end of Prime Day on June 27.

Best cordless vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark PowerDetect Speed — Luxe Collection $399.99 at SharkNinja
$499.99 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

For years, we've been conditioned to shove ugly vacuums into closets when not in use — or let the plasticky gray or black designs sit out in the living space, regardless of how badly they clash with our decor. That changed when Shark released its Luxe Collection at the beginning of June. Its powerful self-emptying PowerDetect Speed stick vacuum now comes in four chic earth tones: Oatstone, Harbor Slate, Walnut, and Sagewood. They're all $100 off at SharkNinja.

The Sagewood vacuum matches my jewel-toned living room deliciously. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable If I'm going to let a vacuum be this visible, it needs to be this pretty. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Not only are these Shark PowerDetect Speed models the prettiest vacuums I've ever seen, but the Shark PowerDetect Speed is the best cordless vacuum for pet hair on carpet that I've ever tested. The suction power is palpable in your hand, but it's not so intense that the vacuum gets jammed on carpet. All debris is automatically emptied into the storage dock each time you hang it up, so your next cleaning session will always start with a clean slate. You'll easily be able to see just how much gunk was sucked up from each room, specifically.

More cordless stick vacuums on saleSelf-emptying cordless vacuums SEE ALSO: Dyson V12 Detect Slim review: A stick vacuum with a laser is a humbling experience. Everyone needs one Best robot vacuum deal Eufy C28 $449.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $350   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Eufy Why we like it

I tested and loved the Eufy C28 when it came out in February 2026. And I have a feeling it'll remain one of my most recommended robot vacuum and mop combos for the next year or so.

The Eufy C28 is probably the most affordable roller mop robot vacuum you'll find, and easily the most heavy-duty mopping robot vacuum out there this season. The fluffy roller spans the entire bottom of the vacuum and rinses itself with fresh water as it's mopping, making it a far more reliable choice for soaking up large liquid spills (without smearing them around) than other cheap mopping robot vacuums. Its self-emptying dock also washes and dries the mop after each cleaning, so it's easier to forgive how painfully loud it is.

More robot vacuums on saleBudget robot vacuum and mop combos on saleRobot vacuums that don't mop
Categories: IT General, Technology

Our favorite kitchen gadgets are on sale for Prime Day: Get up to 43% off Ninja Slushi, Breville espresso machines, air fryers

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 01:12
The best Prime Day kitchen deals at a glance Best air fryer deal Ninja Crispi 5-in-1 Glass Air Fryer (3 containers included) $169.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best ice cream maker deal Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal Best for bakers KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer $379.99 (save $120) Get Deal That's that me espresso Breville Barista Express espresso machine $499.95 at Amazon (save $193.04) Get Deal Best for margarita lovers Ninja Slushi frozen drink maker $199.99 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal

Warm weather has a way of inspiring us in the kitchen. Whether we're trying to recreate a delicious dish from vacation or recreate the vibes of an outdoor happy hour at home, summer is a great time to upgrade your kitchen gadget lineup. And Prime Day is a great time to buy the kitchen gadget you've been eyeing on sale.

SEE ALSO: Why did Amazon Prime Day shift to June? Here's what the company has said (and not said).

Prime Day 2026 will officially run from June 23 to 26, but kitchen deals from Ninja, Instant Pot, Nespresso, and more are already popping up at Amazon. We've gathered the best early deals on air fryers, blenders, coffee makers and more below, many of which match record-low pricing that we haven't seen since Amazon's spring sale.

Best Amazon kitchen deal overall Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $90   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

We're pro Ninja frozen treat makers here at Mashable, but we're also pro dupes when we can find them. At its record-low price of $129.99, Black+Decker's ice cream maker is a solid Ninja Creami dupe to consider. It operates very similarly: Once liquid base ingredients have been mixed and frozen for 24 hours, the ice cream maker whips them into the perfect fluffy texture — regular ice cream, yogurt ice cream, and sorbet are all options. Follow the recipes in the included book or customize your own unique flavors around dietary restrictions or fun mix-ins.

More kitchen deals at AmazonDeals on frozen drink and ice cream makersDeals on blendersDeals on air fryers and pizza ovensDeals on multi-cookersDeals on coffee makers and milk frothersDeals on sous vide devices and meat thermometersDeals on cookwareDeals on cleaning products
Categories: IT General, Technology

Target Circle Deal Days sale starts June 23: How to make the most of the sale

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 01:02

It's no surprise that Amazon's Prime Day sparks an avalanche of competing sales. At this point, Amazon has basically created a new Black Friday-type event for the summer. Best Buy and The Home Depot run competing sales, and Target's is coming soon. Target Circle Deal Days is meant to celebrate the big box store's most dedicated shoppers, bringing a whole lot of savings into a four-day span.

So, what should you expect from Target Circle Deal Days 2026? While the sale hasn't officially started, the retailer has teased the deals to come, which includes up to 40% off on daily deals — plus some free treats from Starbucks. If you're a fan of the bullseye brand, here's everything to know about the Target Circle Deal Days event.

When is Target Circle Deal Days?

Target's Circle Deal Days runs June 23 to 26, the exact same time as Prime Day. However, unlike Prime Day, which takes place exclusively online, you can shop Target's Sale in person, too.

What deals to shop during Circle Deal Days

While we wait for Target Circle Deal Days to go live on June 23, we're anticipating the deals to come. Here's what Target says to expect:

Do you need to be a Circle member to shop Target's sale?

Like Prime Day, which requires a Prime membership to shop, you must be a Circle member to take full advantage of Target's Circle Deal Days. The good news is, unlike Amazon's paid membership, Circle membership is totally free and essentially pays you back just by shopping at Target.

There is a paid membership option at Target, Circle 360, which is more similar to a Prime or Walmart+ membership. Circle 360 gets you unlimited same-day delivery, free two-day shipping, and an extended two-day windows. Normally $99, during Circle Deal Days, subscribe to Circle 360 for just $49.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Review: The Fitbit Air is the most comfortable fitness tracker I’ve ever worn

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 01:00

I knew I was in trouble when I saw the first images of the Fitbit Air. I was smitten from the beginning. I’m all about simple and non-flashy wearable tech, so the Fitbit Air was speaking to me, personally. Then I saw the $99.99 price and stopped breathing for a second. Google’s first take on a faceless fitness tracker launched recently, and I’ve worn it nonstop for nearly a month to test out its features.

Google offers several bands for the Fitbit Air including a silicone Performance Band. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

My favorite element of the Fitbit Air has to be how it feels to wear. By far, it’s the most comfortable smartwatch or fitness tracker I've ever experienced. And since this is an honest review, I even like the Google AI fitness coach, which has given me almost daily workouts and has kept me on track more than any other fitness routine I’ve tried in recent years. Here are my thoughts about the budget-friendly Fitbit Air and who should consider owning one.

Worth the $100 for the comfort and simple looks

Google designed the Fitbit Air to feel as if you’re wearing nothing, and I can confirm this is the most comfortable thing I’ve worn on my wrist. I’ve been wearing my beloved CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro for months now, but I set it aside to test the Fitbit Air. The difference in comfort, size, and weight on my wrist was significant, especially while sleeping.

The Fitbit Air is tiny compared to my CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

The Fitbit Air weighs 12 grams or 0.03 pounds. I don’t notice that I’m wearing it during the day or while sleeping. That’s about half the weight of the popular faceless fitness tracker, the Whoop 5.0, which clocks in at 26.5 grams. 

I took off the Fitbit Air to shower and swim in saltwater. That’s not necessary since it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters, but Google recommends taking it off to shower, as soaps could cause damage. Other than that, I wore it nonstop and got several compliments on the look. Some friends at dinner even assumed it was a bracelet and not a fitness tracker. 

Week-long battery life and quick recharging

Google claims the Fitbit Air will get up to seven days of battery life on a single charge, and they weren’t lying. In my testing, I got a bit over eight days of wear before my watch got to about 4 percent and I set it on the charger to make sure I didn’t miss a night of tracking sleep. For comparison, the Apple Watch 11 gets about 24 hours of battery life per charge. 

The brain of the Fitbit Air easily pops in and out of the bands. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

In addition to the impressive one-week battery life, the Fitbit Air takes hardly any time to recharge. On my first test, I reached a 100 percent charge in 67 minutes. That dropped to 65 minutes on my second recharge. After just 10 minutes of the Fitbit sitting on the charger, it had reached 44 percent. 

Because of this excellent battery life and quick recharging, you don’t have to worry about skipping a night of sleep tracking or missing out on steps on account of the fitness tracker recharging.

Google Health Premium kind of rocks 

I tested the Fitbit Air with Google Health Premium, which comes free for the first three months. After that, it costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 for an annual plan. Built with Gemini, Premium comes with advanced AI features like the ability to ask Coach health and fitness questions, dive into mindfulness sessions, and get a customized weekly fitness plan. I told Coach I was focused on getting stronger and lowering my resting heart rate, and it popped out a five-session plan each week that incorporated my Hydrow rowing machine.

The Google Coach formulated a weekly fitness plan for me that was simple to adjust. Credit: Screenshot: Google Health Video of each activity helps with understanding each workout or stretch. Credit: Screenshot: Google Health

I’m not heavily on the AI train, so I’m a bit ashamed to say I love Google Health Premium, specifically the personalized workouts. I grew up in a Catholic school, which is to say, I’m a hardcore follower of the rules. So when the Google Coach told me to stretch, row for 20 minutes while keeping my heart rate in zone 2, and then stretch to cool down, I damn well did it. And that was enough to majorly up the frequency of my workouts.

Sleep, nutrition, and hydration tracking on the Fitbit Air are exceptional

We’re all looking for a fitness tracker that gives us great sleep metrics in detail and automatically detects napping. Since I barely noticed wearing the Fitbit Air, I’m giving this the award of my new favorite sleep tracker. The detailed sleep metrics are insightful, and with each night I wear it, they get even better since Google is getting used to my sleep norms.

The Fitbit Air did an accurate job at automatically detecting naps. Credit: Screenshot: Google Health Testing out the ability to capture a photo of food to log in the app. Credit: Screenshot: Google Health

Google also lets you track nutrition with the Fitbit Air, and that can be as easy as scanning a barcode or taking a photo of your plate. It even breaks down macro goals, so you can aim for the ideal amount of carbs, fat, and protein each day. Hydration tracking is also simple, and Coach would even send me a reminder to get my ounces in before it was time to wind down for the night, since I have a tendency to chug 20 ounces right before bed, leading to a midnight wake-up.

Like all AI-driven tech, the Fitbit Air has some flaws

No AI is perfect, and when testing the Fitbit Air, I landed in some errors. I skipped my daily workout, and Coach asked me if I did any other activity. When I said I had picked blueberries in the yard in the afternoon (gotta be some yoga moves in there), the Fitbit said it had logged that I ate one cup of blueberries. While that was probably true, I was trying to log light movement.

In all fairness, I did probably eat one cup of blueberries while picking. Credit: Screenshot: Google Health

I also noticed some inaccuracies when working out. Each Fitbit Air workout crafted by Coach begins with a warmup, which is usually stretching. Start the workout, and the app shows you a video of a person doing the stretch, which is incredibly helpful. However, the written description of the stretch didn’t always match the movements the person was doing in the video.

And of course, using AI health and fitness is not meant to be a replacement for getting professional medical care.

Is a screen-less fitness tracker right for you?

It took me a while to get accustomed to wearing something on my left wrist that did not tell me the time. I’m used to it now, but I could see this driving some people nuts. However, I prefer not to have instant access to my emails or text messages, so the faceless design is my ideal, though I understand it’s not for everyone.

In a way, the Fitbit Air is a great option if you’re heading more into the analog life and you’ve Bricked your phone, for example. But because there’s no face, everything about the Fitbit Air is done via the app, which is located on (you guessed it) your phone. So while you won’t get texts on your wrist, you do have to look at your phone to check steps, heart rate, and other metrics.

Is the Fitbit Air worth it?

I’d recommend the Fitbit Air to anyone who likes the idea of an affordable fitness tracker that doesn’t double up as a smartwatch. It’s a simple fitness tracker that’s comfortable to wear and includes plenty of health and fitness tracking. It’s also one of the budget-friendly options, costing $99.99. However, I found the added features from Google Health Premium to be well worth the price, so add on another $99.99 per year for access to those deeper insights.

I don’t think the Fitbit Air is great for people who are strongly anti-AI. The benefits of health and fitness tracking lean heavily on AI. At times, it felt creepy to get a Google Health notification that confirmed I had arrived on vacation at my destination and had already gone for a walk on the beach. 

Google Fitbit Air $99.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

Autopiloted Tesla reportedly involved in Texas crash that killed a woman

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 00:35

Tesla, one of several businesses owned by now-trillionaire Elon Musk, has been implicated in another deadly crash involving the vehicles' autopilot driving mode.

On June 19, a driver in a Tesla Model 3 crashed into a Texas home, killing a 76-year-old female resident. According to Harris County Sheriff's authorities, the driver was using "an automated driving assistance system" that failed to remain in its lane and instead veered into the residence at a deadly speed. The driver did not show signs of drug or alcohol impairment, according to reports.

SEE ALSO: SpaceX stock price: Where it stands, what you need to know

It's not yet confirmed if the driver had attempted to break or disengage the autopilot mode before the crash.

Tesla has faced several legal fights over its fleet of self-driving vehicles and robotaxis, including a 2025 decision that found the company partially responsible for a fatal autopilot-related crash in Florida. Despite regulator pushback, the company has fought to retain the right to refer to its systems, including Tesla's Full Self-Driving Capability (FSD), as an "autopilot" mode.

Days before the Texas accident, European traffic safety authorities accused Tesla of exaggerating the safety record of FSD vehicles in documents presented to regulators in Switzerland and the Netherlands. The document suggested that FSD fleets could have "saved 32,000 lives and prevented 1.9 million injuries" in the U.S., Reuters reported, but independent researchers told the publication that the claims are misleading.

While autonomous vehicle fleets are rapidly expanding across the U.S., many riders are still skeptical about their safety. On June 18, robotaxi giant Waymo announced it was recalling 3,900 vehicles after several incidents in Arizona and California showed the cars' self-driving software failed to recognize ramp closures and construction zones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 stand-out Paramount+ movies to watch this week (June 22-28)

How-To Geek - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 00:31

If you're not at least a few episodes into the new season of The Agency, or haven't started watching all the Scream movies in order on Paramount+ yet, then you're either too busy enjoying the weather (good on you) or those selections just might not be your jam.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I saw House of the Dragons Jace Velaryon DJ his own funeral

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 00:00

On Sunday, House of the Dragon's Harry Collett watched hundreds of fans witness his onscreen death. But first, he DJed for them.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 3, episode 1: Let's talk about that major death

HBO celebrated House of the Dragon's Season 3 premiere with a rooftop viewing party of the episode at New York City's Pier 17.

Before the screening began, treating fans to the spectacular Battle of the Gullet (including the tragic death of Collett's Jacaerys Velaryon), the event featured DJ sets from Mister Sunday, Marc Kinchen, and Collett himself, sporting a House of the Dragon-themed soccer jersey.

For people who didn't know what was in store for Jace, Collett's DJing was a fun way to ring in the new season. For people who knew what was coming, it felt like a rager before a funeral.

It didn't help that the graphics on the screen behind Collett foreshadowed his character's fate. The screen read "Harry Collett" against a watery background littered with ship wreckage, hinting at the Battle of the Gullet and how Jace dies: clinging to driftwood. Not cool, graphics designers! I wanted to boogie to Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real," not be reminded of Jace's impending death!

The good vibes from the DJ sets shifted once the episode began, with the energy moving from party mode to House of the Dragon mode. Attendees locked in harder than Jace locking Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) in Dragonstone. (Too soon?) Watching alongside a group of passionate people, you could hear watercooler moments being born in real-time.

Fans applauded as Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) claimed Sheepstealer, screamed at Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Alicent's (Olivia Cooke) upsetting kiss, and experienced non-stop panic attacks throughout the entire Battle of the Gullet.

When Rhaena crashed the Gullet, cheers erupted. But when Sheepstealer went rogue, those cheers turned to anguished yells. Elsewhere, Alyn of Hull's (Abubakar Salim) takedown of Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn) earned satisfied hoots and hollers, which faded into despair as viewers reckoned with the fact that Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) might be dead.

Harry Collett gives a speech after a "House of the Dragon" premiere screening. Credit: Gabe Yeh

It all culminated in Jace's death, which earned the loudest (and most pained) shouts of the night. As sad as it was to see the poor prince peppered with arrows, Boromir-style, hearing these reactions was a reminder of the communal power of TV, especially event TV like House of the Dragon. It's just more fun to watch with other people, to experience these blistering highs and lows together, even if what you're watching is a beloved character sink to his watery grave.

While the night ended poorly for Jace, the same was not true for Collett.

After the screening, he returned to the stage, with the screen now reading "All men must die." On the one hand, ouch. On the other hand, who else gets to say they DJed their own funeral?

"Thank you for accepting me as your Jace for the past five years," Collett told the audience. "It's honestly been the job of a lifetime."

Collett went to cut a large Iron Throne cake with — what else? — a giant sword.

After the cake had been thoroughly massacred, he gave fans one last tease of what's to come in a post-Jace House of the Dragon: "I hope you enjoy the rest of Season 3, because it's an absolute banger."

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

During Deal Days, it’s only $33 to get Visual Studio Pro for life

Mashable - Tue, 06/23/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Through June 28, you can get Visual Studio Pro 2026 for life for only $33.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 $32.97
$499.99 Save $467.02   Get Deal

Licensing Microsoft Visual Studio Pro is a constant cost for developers of all experience levels, but there’s actually a way out. Once in a while, Microsoft allows a few lifetime licenses for its flagship IDE to be sold, and you can actually pick one up now during Deal Days. Instead of paying $499.99 for Visual Studio Pro 2026, you can get a lifetime license on sale for only $32.97.

Microsoft shipped this release as a 64-bit IDE, so it loads very large solutions and heavy workloads without choking the way a 32-bit editor would. From a single window, developers can build cross-platform mobile and desktop apps with .NET MAUI, spin up responsive web interfaces in C# using Blazor, and target Windows, Linux, and containers in the same project. Hot reload pushes code changes into a running app instantly, so testing a tweak never means restarting from zero.

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IntelliCode reads the context of your codebase, then completes a line or a full block based on patterns it learns from your own work. Ranked suggestions surface the next likely move, and AI-assisted refactoring trims boilerplate and catches bugs before they stack up. For anyone tired of retyping the same scaffolding, that saved time adds up fast across a workday.

CodeLens surfaces recent changes, authorship, tests, and commit history right inside the editor, so checking who touched what never pulls you out of your flow. Live Share runs real-time collaboration sessions without making teammates clone the repo or install every dependency first, so pair programming and debugging stay quick even on a remote team.

Stop paying every month to license Visual Studio Pro. During Deal Days, you can get it for life for only $32.97. Offer ends June 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Be sure to check out the full Deal Days Collection, too.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Underdog joy is the heart of this World Cup

Mashable - Mon, 06/22/2026 - 23:27

Since it began in 1930, the World Cup's most memorable moments are rarely the ones that end with a team lifting a trophy. And the 2026 FIFA World Cup is no exception.

So far, this tournament has been defined by its underdog celebrations: Curaçao fans erupting after their team walked away with a draw, Cape Verde exploding into a global fan favorite team in just two games, and lesser soccer powers like DR Congo, Haiti, Uzbekistan, and Egypt hitting milestones they've awaited for decades.

To bring you up to speed, here are our picks of the best underdog moments from this World Cup so far.

Curaçao celebrates its first World Cup point like a win This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

In Willemstad, Curaçao’s capital city, fans gathered to watch their national team play Ecuador in its first-ever World Cup. The match ended 0-0 — but for Curaçao, a draw still meant history. The team had earned its first point in the tournament standings.

That point mattered even more because of how the match played out. Curaçao had opened the tournament six days earlier with a 7-1 loss to Germany. Ecuador controlled most of the team's second game, finishing with nearly 30 shots and more than three expected goals.

But goalkeeper Eloy Room kept Curaçao in it, making 15 saves and helping the team hold on for the draw.

By the final whistle, Curaçao had not scored, but it had done enough to give fans something to celebrate. The country has a population of about 156,000, making it the smallest nation ever to play at a World Cup, so its presence at the tournament was already historic. Its first ever point made the moment feel even bigger.

Cape Verde becomes everyone’s favorite debut story This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Cape Verde has been one of the easiest teams to root for at this World Cup, and not just because it is making its tournament debut.

The team, nicknamed the Blue Sharks, arrived with a fanbase already ready for the moment, with Cape Verdean communities around the world watching a small island nation see its name on soccer’s biggest stage.

But the games gave everyone even more reason to pay attention. Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in its first-ever World Cup match, then followed it with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay. Kevin Pina scored the country’s first World Cup goal with a long-range free kick from 31 meters out, and Hélio Varela came off the bench to score the second-half equalizer.

The team has also found a breakout star in Vozinha, its 40-year-old goalkeeper. After helping shut out Spain, he became one of the viral names of the tournament, with his Instagram following jumping from around 50,000 to more than 15 million.

Vozinha's virality also brought attention to one of the tournament’s most touching off-field stories. The keeper revealed he was crying after the Spain game because his mother could not attend because of visa costs. But with some help from the State Department and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, she was able to get a visa in time for Cape Verde’s match against Uruguay in Miami.

That's not the only amazing underdog story in the Cape Verde team. Another player, an Irishman with dual nationality, found himself in the squad after being recruited by its coach on LinkedIn — via a DM he initially thought was spam.

With a final group match against Saudi Arabia still ahead, the Blue Sharks now have a chance to turn one of the tournament’s best stories into something even bigger, and potentially make it into the final 32 teams.

Iran left Los Angeles with a handwritten thank-you note This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Not every touching moment has looked like fans running into the streets.

After Iran’s 0-0 draw with Belgium at SoFi Stadium, the team’s most-shared moment came from the locker room. Before leaving, Iran left behind a handwritten note thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality and thanking Iranian fans who gave their “heart, voice and soul.”

“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity,” the note reads.

The message stood out because Iran’s tournament has unfolded under unusual circumstances. The team has been based in Tijuana, Mexico, and traveling into the U.S. for matches because of restrictions around its stay, with some staff and officials reportedly banned from entering the country. Iran arrived in Los Angeles the night before the Belgium match, played at midday, and was expected to leave again that night.

On the field, Iran still managed to hold Belgium scoreless and leave Los Angeles with a point. Off the field, it left a note that gave the result a different kind of weight, turning a 0-0 draw into one of the tournament’s more human moments.

Uzbekistan lost, but still made history View this post on Instagram

Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut did not end with a win, but that was not the only thing people were watching for.

The game against Colombia marked the country’s tournament debut and the first-ever World Cup appearance by a Central Asian nation — and its first goal. The game drew public screenings and early-morning crowds, and gave fans a debut they had waited years to see, even with a 3-1 loss.

Haiti returned after more than five decades View this post on Instagram

Haiti is back at the World Cup after a 52-year absence, and its return this year has been about more than just soccer.

The team also qualified despite playing every match away from home, which has made its presence in the tournament feel especially meaningful for Haitian supporters.

For fans, the World Cup gives Haiti a chance to be seen through football, pride, and family, rather than the crisis narratives that often surround the country in international coverage.

Egypt finally got its first World Cup win View this post on Instagram

Egypt is not a tiny newcomer in the same way Curaçao or Cape Verde is, but its victory against New Zealand still belongs in this roundup — because the country has been waiting 92 years to win at the World Cup.

Mohamed "Mo" Salah, star of mighty club team Liverpool FC, helped Egypt beat the Kiwis 3-1, handing the African team its first-ever World Cup victory. Reuters reported that celebrations continued in Vancouver and in Cairo, where fans went into the streets even though the match ended around 6 a.m. local time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Were tuned into the best Prime Day headphones deals: Sony XM6 and AirPods Max 2 lead the pack so far

Mashable - Mon, 06/22/2026 - 23:12
Best early Prime Day headphones deals Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $398.00 at Amazon (save $61.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) $249 (save $50) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $199.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal

Amazon's annual Prime Day sale is back for the 12th year running, and this time it's going down from June 23 to 26 instead of its usual July time slot. Many deals also arrived early, with a strong showing from premium and budget headphones brands alike. Now that the week of Prime Day 2026 has arrived, Mashable's audio experts are closely watching the best Prime Day headphones deals.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2026: Live updates on Apple, Samsung, DJI, Kindle, and more Amazon deals

Some early standouts at Amazon include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra line on sale (both earbuds and headphones), Sony's flagship XM6 earbuds and headphones, and two of our favorite open earbuds. Soundcore also has a solid early selection, with the budget-friendly Space One headphones and the dual-form open/ANC AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds also on sale. We're also tracking prices on Apple AirPods and other popular audio products to make sure Mashable readers are the first to know about new price drops.

On this page, you can find all of the best early Prime Day deals on headphones and earbuds. If nothing catches your eye just yet, check back on June 23, as we'll be updating this guide before, during, and after Prime Day 2026. You can also visit our Prime Day 2026 hub for all the latest updates and price drops.

Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

In the face-off between the Sony XM5 vs XM6 headphones, most times I'd recommend the XM5s, especially if you don't care about folding ear cups. However, while both headphones are on sale at the moment, the XM6s are currently down at their lowest price ever, while the XM5s are sitting a good $35 away from their record low. If you're looking to buy sooner rather than later, the new headphones are the better bet — and you'll get the best blend of sound quality and noise cancelling available on the consumer market.

Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

More headphones deals Best earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are some of the best I've tried, but even at their sale price, they're a hefty investment. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds don't quite match up in sound quality, they still have some of the best noise cancellation available, and are the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried. For roughly $50 less, they're the deal to beat leading up to Prime Day.

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) earbuds.

More earbuds deals Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Bose was the near-undisputed champion of open earbuds with top-notch sound — that is, until the Sony LinkBuds Clip came along. In my head-to-head testing of the earbuds, I found that while the Bose buds can get louder (an important feature in open earbuds), the clarity and detail of the sound in the Sony buds surpassed that of the Bose. Even though the $70 price discrepancy is smaller with both buds on sale, the sub-$200 price point on the Sony earbuds is hard to pass up.

Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds deals

We will be regularly updating this guide with the best Prime Day headphones deals, so keep checking back! You can also visit our Prime Day 2026 hub for all the latest updates and price drops.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Which streaming services offer free trials in 2026?

Mashable - Mon, 06/22/2026 - 23:00

I think I speak for everyone when I say that streaming prices are getting out of hand. Every year, the monthly fees go up, as does the number of services you need to watch the shows and movies you love.

Fortunately, a good chunk of these streamers will let you test the water before diving in and paying full price for their service. These trials give you the opportunity to sample the streaming library to decide whether it's right for you — or even binge-watch a whole season of a show for free. And watching something for free is a special type of dopamine hit.

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

Most of the big dogs in the streaming world — Disney+, Peacock, Paramount+, and most recently, Hulu (RIP 30-day trial) — no longer offer free trials, following in the footsteps of Netflix and HBO Max. But plenty of other smaller, lesser-known services let you try before you buy. Plus, Prime Video's add-on subscriptions generally come with free trials. Here's a list of all of the streaming services that offer free trials in 2026, updated with the latest pricing and trial length details.

Best free trial: Prime Video Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video (30-Day Trial)   Get Deal Why we like it

Prime Video can sometimes be an afterthought, as it's just one perk of an Amazon Prime membership. However, the streaming service is actually home to plenty of excellent shows — like one of our favorite shows of 2026, Bait, as well as some of our favorites from the last few years, like Overcompensating, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Fallout. Plus, you can't forget the library of hit movies, like Hedda, Sinners, Challengers, Wicked, Conclave, and Blink Twice.

It's $14.99 per month if you choose to subscribe to Prime or just $8.99 per month for Prime Video on its own. Either way, you'll get a free 30-day trial to kick things off. And the best part is that it's not just for newbies; returning Prime members are eligible for free trials as well. So if you cancel every so often, you'll be eligible for another trial period.

Every streaming service that offers a free trial in 2025Acorn TV AMC+Apple TV+BritboxCinemax

The Cinemax trial is only available via Prime Video as an add-on.

Criterion ChannelCrunchyrollDiscovery+DirecTV StreamDisney+

Though Disney+ does not offer a free trial on its own, it’s included in Hulu + Live TV. So, you can try it for free with that trial.

ESPN

Though ESPN does not offer a free trial on its own, it’s included in Hulu + Live TV. So, you can try ESPN Select for free with that trial. There is no trial for ESPN Unlimited.

Fox OneFrndlyTVFubo TVHallmark+Hulu + Live TVMLB+MovieSphere+

The MovieSphere+ trial is only available via Prime Video as an add-on.

MubiNBA League PassParamount+

The Paramount+ trial is only available via Prime Video as an add-on.

Peacock

Though Peacock no longer offers a free trial directly, a free trial of Instacart+ will unlock two free weeks of streaming. There's also a Peacock trial available via Prime Video as an add-on.

Prime VideoShudderStarzSundance NowYouTube TV

UPDATE: Jun. 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect current pricing and remove Hulu as our top pick. The 30-day trial is sadly no longer available.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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