Mashable

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

These are special times for Crystal Palace fans. Fresh from winning the FA Cup last season, they now find themselves in the top half of the Premier League and the quarter finals of the EFL Cup. Arsenal stand in their way in the cup, so it's going to be very tough to progress. But Oliver Glasner seems to have the magic touch with this squad — anything is possible.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace?

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup is likely to take place on Dec. 23. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace for free

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Carabao Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Tunisia vs. Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The World Cup is still months away but there's no shortage of soccer excitement thanks to the Africa Cup of Nations , which takes place over the holiday season and pits 24 top Africa soccer nations against each other.

The tournament is held in Morocco, and the host nation — aka the Atlas Lions — are heavy favorites to win the whole thing. But you never know what will happen in the group stages. That's part of the magic of any tournament.

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

Group C kicks off today with Nigeria vs. Tanzania, followed by Tunisia vs. Uganda. Nigeria are probably the strongest team in this group but Tunisia have the talent to do well, including Premier League midfielder Hannibal Mejbri. They're in good form too, having just qualified for the 2026 World Cup without conceding a single goal. They're certainly be favorites over Uganda, a team that has only qualified for AFCON a handful of times in recent years. But like we say, anything can happen in the early stages of tournament soccer.

If you want to watch Tunisia vs. Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Tunisia vs. Uganda?

Tunisia vs. Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 23. This fixture takes place at the Olympic Stadium.

How to watch Tunisia vs. Uganda for free

Tunisia vs. Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Tunisia vs. Uganda for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Tunisia vs. Uganda for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Tunisia vs. Uganda (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Tunisia vs. Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Nigeria vs. Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

If you're looking for a soccer fix over the holidays, the Africa Cup of Nations promises fantastic action. The event, which is held every two years, sees 24 African countries compete — including world class players from clubs in top leagues.

With numerous group games already in the books, including tournament hosts — not to mention favorites — Morocco taking on Comoros, the AFCON excitement continues with Nigeria vs. Tanzania in Group C. Tanzania enter this group opener as the underdogs — this is only their fourth time qualifying for the tournament — while Nigeria are always a team to watch in AFCON. They're multi-time champions and finished in second place in 2023. They've also got striking power in the form of Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen.

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

If you want to watch Nigeria vs. Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Nigeria vs. Tanzania?

Nigeria vs. Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 1.30 p.m. ET on Dec. 23. This fixture takes place at the Complexe Sportif de Fes.

How to watch Nigeria vs. Tanzania for free

Nigeria vs. Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Nigeria vs. Tanzania for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Nigeria vs. Tanzania for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream South Africa vs. Angola (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Nigeria vs. Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Senegal vs. Botswana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Africa Cup of Nations is one of the biggest soccer tournaments in the world and is sure to whet the appetite of fans waiting for next year's World Cup. There's a big game to catch today as Senegal and Botswana clash in Group D, which also sees action today from DR Congo vs. Benin.

Tournament hosts Morocco are overall favourites but Senegal are in good form and, with star player Sadio Mané in their squad, are coming off an 8-0 win over Kenya. This game is an opportunity to Senegal to mark themselves as major contenders. They're also no strangers to silverware, having won AFCON back in 2021.

If you want to watch Senegal vs. Botswana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Senegal vs. Botswana?

Senegal vs. Botswana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 23. This fixture takes place at the Grande Stade de Tangier.

How to watch Senegal vs. Botswana for free

Senegal vs. Botswana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Senegal vs. Botswana for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Senegal vs. Botswana for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Senegal vs. Botswana (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Senegal vs. Botswana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream DR Congo vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Africa Cup of Nations is delivering hot soccer action all through the holidays, with plenty of nations that bring something different to the pitch. Next up is the Democratic Republic of Congo against Benin, who follow the likes of South Africa vs. Angola and Mali vs. Zambia.

DR Congo finished fourth in the 2023 edition of the tournament. They haven't made the final since their winning effort in 1974 but they have some solid players in their squad, including Lille defender Chancel Mbemba and West Ham wing back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Benin enter the game as underdogs — this is only the fourth time the West African squad has qualified for the tournament in their history.

If you want to watch DR Congo vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is DR Congo vs. Benin?

DR Congo vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 7.30 a.m. ET on Dec. 23. This fixture takes place at the Stade El Barid.

How to watch DR Congo vs. Benin for free

DR Congo vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream DR Congo vs. Benin for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch DR Congo vs. Benin for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream DR Congo vs. Benin (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch DR Congo vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Uber admits it is routinely approving drivers with violent felony convictions — including assault, child abuse, and stalking — so long as those convictions were more than seven years ago. That's in the wake of a damning New York Times investigation (the second in six months) into Uber's ongoing problems with safety, particularly for female riders.

The ride-hailing app does at least have a blanket ban on would-be drivers convicted of murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, or terrorism. But in 22 states, the Times uncovered approvals for drivers convicted of other violent acts past the seven-year horizon. It also found a loophole in 35 states:

Background checks are only looking for crimes committed in the place the driver lived, letting other convictions slip through the net.

Uber defended the seven-year time window as "striking the right balance" between rider safety and letting people who've been convicted of a crime rebuild their lives. But the company has also admitted — in a roundabout way — that its rides aren't safe enough.

Uber admits a serious report of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct was filed every 32 minutes.

When the previous Times report found that Uber received reports of sexual abuse or misconduct against drivers every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2022, the company responded by saying that 75 percent of those reports were "less serious." By which it meant cases where drivers used explicit language, flirted, or made comments on a passenger's appearance.

Even leaving aside the likelihood that those 75 percent of passengers still felt unsafe enough to report an incident, this still means in effect that Uber admits a "serious" report of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct was filed every 32 minutes.

Meanwhile, a third of people arrested on rape charges have at least one felony conviction, according to a U.S. Department of Justice study. Several Uber drivers convicted of rape in the past five years, and one Lyft driver, had violent felony convictions. Two of these cases took place in California, where people with violent felonies are supposed to be permanently banned from working for ride-hailing apps.

SEE ALSO: Uber, Lyft face lawsuits from male drivers, claiming discrimination

So just how lax is Uber's background check? Our biggest clue comes from officials in Massachusetts, who did background checks of drivers on ride-hailing apps in 2017 and banned 8,000 drivers that had been approved, largely by Uber. (Lyft's policy is not to approve any drivers with violent convictions, no matter how much time has passed; Lyft has also recently allowed riders to block drivers altogether.)

If Massachusetts is any indicator, then, riders have a roughly 1 in 10 chance of getting a driver who would not be approved by state regulators.

Uber reportedly considered but rejected more than 20 new safety measures — including fingerprint checks, deemed too costly and too slow, at a time when Uber wanted to onboard new drivers faster. "We are def not doing everything we can," one Uber executive said in an internal email in 2018.

"The fact this is an internal policy that we don’t feel comfortable talking about," the exec added, "highlights the need for improvement here."

The moon is back into view now, and after a few nights of darkness, if you look hard enough, you should be able to catch a glimpse of come craters of mares.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Dec. 23, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 11% of the moon will be lit up tonight.

With an unaided eye tonight, you can spot the Mares Crisium and the Fecunditatis. If you add binoculars or a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. This is known as the lunar cycle. Throughout this time, it passes through a series of phases as it orbits Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely invisible at different points in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: A dependable, lightweight refurbished MacBook Air (2017) with up to 12 hours of battery life is just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping — an easy upgrade for everyday tasks.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03   Get Deal

Most of us head into the new year with fresh goals. Whether they’re career-focused or more personal, like finally drafting that book idea you’ve been sitting on — this Apple MacBook Air (2017) is a surprisingly ideal companion.

At just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping, it’s an affordable way to add a reliable, lightweight laptop to your productivity lineup.

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

This refurbished model delivers exactly what most people need from a daily-use computer. The 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor handles emails, documents, browsing, and light creative work smoothly. The 128GB SSD keeps things snappy and gives you room for files, drafts, photos, and essential apps.

And with up to 12 hours of battery life, you can work from the couch, a café, or a cross-country flight without worrying about an outlet.

The 13.3-inch display offers crisp clarity for streaming and video calls. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make it simple to stay connected and transfer files. It’s also thin, quiet, travel-friendly, and ideal as a secondary laptop for freelancers or anyone who wants a dependable everyday machine.

As a Grade A/B refurbished unit, it may show minor cosmetic wear, but performance-wise, it’s tested and ready for regular use.

If you’re hoping to kick off the new year with better tools (and without overspending), this pre-holiday sale might do the trick.

Get this quality refurbished MacBook Air for just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping ahead of the new year.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: AdGuard Family Plan is currently just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN — block ads, boost privacy, and protect up to nine devices for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

If your online experience doesn’t feel smooth or optimized, this holiday deal makes it almost too easy to declutter your digital life.

The AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription is just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) when you use code FAMPLAN, and it gives you powerful ad blocking and privacy protection across up to nine devices — forever.

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

AdGuard is more than a simple pop-up remover. It’s a full ad-blocking and safety toolkit designed to make everyday browsing feel calmer, cleaner, and faster. Pages load without the usual clutter of banners, autoplay videos, and distracting overlays, and the built-in privacy shield helps keep trackers from collecting information about your family’s online habits.

Parents also get access to robust parental control tools, making it easier to filter out inappropriate content and maintain a safer digital space for kids. Combined with AdGuard’s malware and phishing protection, your family can click, browse, and stream with more confidence.

Setup is simple, and because this plan covers Android and iOS, everyone in the household can benefit — phones, tablets, and computers included. Even better, this is lifetime access, meaning updates, improvements, and new features are included without ongoing fees.

It’s a small one-time payment for a noticeably smoother online experience, and a helpful upgrade heading into the new year.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in something like this, this is an ideal time.

Get lifetime access to AdGuard’s Family Plan for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Legendary video game designer Vince Zampella, who co-created the Call of Duty series, was killed Sunday in a car crash in southern California.

Zampella, 55, most recently led the Battlefield shooter series at EA Games, but also had his hand in many successful franchises, including Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Apex Legends.

Along with Grant Collier and Jason West, Zampella co-founded the Infinity Ward studio in 2002, which led to the creation of the iconic first-person shooter Call of Duty in 2003. After Infinity Ward was fully acquired by Activision, Zampella was later dismissed and went on to successfully sue the company for tens of millions of dollars in unpaid royalties and bonuses.

SEE ALSO: Electronic Arts nears $50 billion buyout by Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner's firm

Zampella was integral in some of Call of Duty's most acclaimed entries, according to the Guardian, including 2007’s Modern Warfare and 2009’s Modern Warfare 2. The Call of Duty series now encompasses nearly two dozen games and has sold half a billion units.

Zampella co-founded the Respawn studio with Jason West in 2010, which released two Titanfall games under Zampella's leadership before the company was acquired by EA in 2017. While under EA, Respawn released not only Apex Legends, but also Star Wars games, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

SEE ALSO: Where to pre-order 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' — Standard and Vault editions explained

Zampella, along with another person in his car, died on the Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash.

EA released the following statement to TMZ on Zampella's death:

"This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching. A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come."

It's been a tough few years for iRobot, maker of the popular robot vacuum cleaner Roomba. 

After a deal to sell the company to Amazon fell through the year before, iRobot has had trouble finding a buyer amid financial difficulties and mounting debts. Last week, iRobot announced it was filing for bankruptcy. As part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, the company said it was being taken over by iRobot's primary contract manufacturer, the China-based robotics company Picea.

But, most importantly, what does all of this mean for you, the consumer? 

Roombas are an extremely popular brand of robot vacuum cleaners. iRobot holds a commanding 42 percent market share in the U.S. for robotic vacuums. On top of that, the timing of the bankruptcy means that there's likely many brand-new Roomba owners who bought deals for themselves and gifts for others just weeks earlier on Black Friday.

According to iRobot, there's nothing for consumers to worry about. 

TechRadar's Ruth Hamilton spoke with iRobot CEO Gary Cohen who assured the tech outlet that "it's business as usual" at the robot vacuum cleaner company. 

"The app is working, the warranties are going to be honored," Cohen said.

TechRadar also pressed Hamilton on the bankruptcy announcement, which shared that there would be no immediate disruption. Did this mean consumers should be worried down the road?

According to Cohen, no, there's no need for concern and Roombas were "never" going to just stop working due to the company's financial troubles.

"Now that we have a path forward, the app will continue, the products will continue...We'll have firmware updates on the products, which is one of the benefits of this category – we're constantly putting software updates in the marketplace. So those will continue," Cohen said.

Cohen also told the outlet that iRobot and Picea are already working on new products for the new year and that the transition has been smooth because the two companies were already working together.

So, Roomba fans, it seems like there's no need to worry just yet. Your robot vacuum should be good to go – at least for now.

SAVE 25%: As of Dec. 22, you can get the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Smart AI Glasses for $246.75, down from $329, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount or a $82.25 price cut. It's also a new record-low price, according to our trusty price tracker CamelCamelCamel.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Smart AI Glasses $0 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy

If you’ve been interested in smart glasses but haven't moved forward because they seem a little too "techy" or intimidating to wear, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses are probably the easiest way in. They look just like classic Wayfarers, so you don't feel like you're wearing a computer on your face.

SEE ALSO: Despite awkward demos, Meta Ray-Ban Display early testers say it's the real deal

Right now, you can get the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Wayfarer Smart AI Glasses for $246.75 at Amazon. That’s 25% off the $329 list price. It's also a new all-time low, according to CamelCamelCamel.

Kimberly Gedeon, a tech expert and former Mashable editor, says these smart glasses are a "useful extension of your phone." She was particularly impressed by the sound quality, noting that music sounds "rich, full, and smooth" through the discreet open-ear speakers.

They also have Meta AI built in, which can answer questions or provide real-time translation between Spanish, French, and Italian without WiFi. Plus, they feature an ultra-wide 12 MP camera for photos and 1080p videos, along with a five-mic system so you can take calls or livestream directly to Facebook and Instagram.

Just a heads up: Gedeon's "golden rule" is to keep a close eye on the charging case — if you lose that, you're pretty much screwed since it's the only way to power them up.

Spotify's library was scraped and released by pirate activists Anna's Archive just two weeks after the streaming giant released its "largest Wrapped ever."

The unprecedented data grab of nearly 300 terabytes was announced by the website in a Dec. 20 blog post. The archive says it obtained metadata for 99.9 percent of Spotify's 256 million tracks and audio files for 86 million pieces of music, or a library that represents about 99.6 percent of listens on the platform.

SEE ALSO: Barack Obama just dropped his 2025 'Best Of' list. The internet has thoughts.

"It’s the world’s first 'preservation archive' for music which is fully open (meaning it can easily be mirrored by anyone with enough disk space)," said Anna's Archive. "With your help, humanity’s musical heritage will be forever protected from destruction by natural disasters, wars, budget cuts, and other catastrophes."

Anna's Archive made the metadata library immediately available for public download, and says it will release the rest of the scrape in stages, including music files and album artwork. It also released an expansive breakdown of the metadata including stream count, genre, and popularity analysis.

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

"An investigation into unauthorized access identified that a third party scraped public metadata and used illicit tactics to circumvent DRM to access some of the platform’s audio files. We are actively investigating the incident," Spotify wrote in an initial statement to Android Authority. As of Dec. 22, Spotify said it has "identified and disabled the nefarious user accounts that engaged in unlawful scraping." The streaming platform also said it is implementing new safeguards against further copyright attacks to combat piracy.

Anna's Archive, an open source search engine that directs users to pirated, paid, or paywalled content like books and articles, has become a bane of copyright holders across the internet. Last month, Google removed more than 749 million search result links that directed to Anna's Archive, a vast majority of the 784 million link removal requests the company received. According to reporting by TorrentFreak, Anna's Archive URLs (annas-archive.se, annas-archive.org, and annas-archive.li) face the highest amount of Google takedown requests.

SAVE $60: The Kindle Colorsoft is on sale at Amazon for $189.99, down from the standard price of $249.99. That's a 24% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $190 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $59.99   Get Deal

If we think about the best tech gifts of 2025, some are geared toward gamers while others are perfect for kids. But if you're searching for an item that's likely to thrill almost anyone on your Christmas shopping list, it's an e-reader. Almost everyone is either constantly diving into new titles or has the best intentions to stop scrolling and read more. If you're looking for an e-reader, check out this Amazon deal.

As of Dec. 22, the Kindle Colorsoft is on sale for $189.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $249.99. That's a 24% discount.

A Kindle is the perfect device for anyone looking to cut down on doom scrolling. The doom will still be there tomorrow so why not head into the wonderful world of a book instead? The Kindle Colorsoft is a great version if you like manga, studying maps at the beginning of books, or reading graphic novels. It's Mashable's top pick for the best Kindle if you want a color version.

SEE ALSO: The Kindle Scribe is at its lowest-ever price ahead of Christmas — save $140 right now

Like most Kindles, you'll be in line for excellent battery life. We're talking about up to eight weeks of battery before you'll need to recharge. An iPad could never. The seven-inch display size on the Kindle Colorsoft is a great middle ground, offering enough space to not need to turn the page after two sentences but still small enough to be travel-friendly.

Mashable Shopping Reporter and e-reader expert Samantha Mangino noted the Kindle Colorsoft is just as quick and efficient as the popular Kindle Paperwhite, but she wasn't convinced it was worth the $250 price. However, thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, we're getting way more bang for the buck.

If you're still not thrilled about the price of the Kindle Colorsoft even with the sale, consider the Kobo Clara Colour which is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon. It's one of Mashable's favorite e-readers and comes in at a more affordable price. In either case, your reading wishes for 2026 will be off to a great start with a fresh e-reader.

Save $151.99: The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are back down to their Black Friday pricing of $248 at Amazon and Best Buy. Originally $399.99, you'll score a 38% discount on this deal.

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones $248 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon

A foolproof way to save on headphones this holiday season is by checking out deals on older models.

As of Dec. 22, there's one worth checking out: a $152 markdown on the Sony WH-1000XM5, which brings them down to just $248 at Amazon and Best Buy. Considering most new flagship models are $450 and up at full price, this is an especially worthwhile deal.

I had the chance to test the Sony XM5 headphones directly against the XM6 headphones, and though I appreciated the return of the folding ear cups to the XM6 headphones (from the XM4 model), I was also surprised by the minimal difference between the two. The noise-cancelling ability isn't all that different and though the sound quality was better in the newer model, it was a jump only noticeable as I tested the headphones on the same songs back to back.

SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your own

Mashable editor Timothy Beck Werth also noted in his XM6 review that between the XM5 and XM6 headphones, the changes were "more iterative than innovative." The inputs, 30 hour battery life, and connectivity support remain the same between generations.

Though the XM6 headphones are also on sale as of Dec. 22, they're still $150 more than the XM5 headphones, making the latter a better buy from a pure value perspective (and the superior choice for anyone who doesn't need the latest and greatest tech from Sony). The XM5s still hold their own, and with this deal, you can also take your choice of colorway between the four available options.

SAVE $30: As of Dec. 22, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is still on sale for just $9.99 with the on-page coupon code HOL4KFTV. That's $30 or 75% off its list price and its best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $30 with on-page coupon code HOLFTV4K Get Deal

Amazon really wants you to grab its newest Fire TV Stick this season — so much so that it's practically giving them away.

As of Dec. 22, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is still on sale for just $9.99 with the on-page coupon code HOL4KFTV (make sure to hit "redeem" next to the code). That's a massive $30 price drop from its usual $39.99 tag and 75% in savings. We first saw this deal pop up ahead of Black Friday (it quickly became one of Mashable readers' top buys), then it disappeared and reappeared a few times throughout the month of December. There's really no telling how long it will stick around this time, so we suggest grabbing it ASAP if you have a streaming stick on your shopping list.

The latest Fire TV Stick in Amazon's lineup, the 4K Select is the most affordable option to deliver vibrant 4K quality with HDR10+ support. It also features an ultra-responsive and quick new operating system called Vega. We haven't had a chance to test it for ourselves, but we're glad Amazon is switching things up. The previous operating system was a bit laggy in our tests — an upgrade was in order. Its plug-and-play design is the same as other streaming sticks in the Fire TV lineup and instantly brings all of your favorite streaming apps into one convenient location. Press and ask Alexa to open Peacock or Prime Video or even pick up an episode where you left off.

The new streaming stick offers support for Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, NordVPN, and IPVanish, and will soon also offer Alexa+ and Amazon Kids+. It may not feature Dolby Atmos or Vision, but it's a pretty advanced streaming device nonetheless. Plus, at just 10 bucks, it's much more than you'd expect.

SAVE 40%: As of Dec. 22, you can get the Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement (10345) for $65.99, down from $109.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $44 price cut. It's also the lowest price we've tracked for this Lego set.

LEGO Botanicals Flower Arrangement Building Set (10345) $73.50 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $36.49   Get Deal at Amazon

Lego sets are a huge tradition in my family — I always get one for both my dad and my nephew for Christmas and birthdays. If you’re looking for a version that’s a bit more "adult" (or just want flowers that won't die while you’re away for the holidays), this Botanicals set is the one to grab.

SEE ALSO: Our 15 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans

Right now, the Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement (10345) is on sale for $65.99 at Amazon. That’s a 40% discount off the $109.99 list price, which is a steal for a set with 1,000+ pieces. Just a heads up: this one currently arrives after Christmas, but at nearly half off, it’s the perfect "treat yourself" project to work on during that weird week between Christmas and New Year's.

This 1,161-piece set includes 14 different flowers (including peonies, camellias, and lilies). It even comes with its own buildable white pedestal vase, so you don’t have to go hunting for one that fits. My favorite part is that you can actually adjust the flower heads and stems to "prune" and style the arrangement however you want. It's a great way to unwind and ends up looking like a legitimate piece of art for your desk or dining table.

TL;DR: Live stream South Africa vs. Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Africa Cup of Nations is keeping us all entertained through the festive period. We've already had Morocco vs. Comoros and Mali vs. Zambia, and now it's the turn of Group B. South Africa face Angola in their opening game. Both sides will be desperate to start with a win, as Egypt will be favorites to top this tricky group.

If you want to watch South Africa vs. Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is South Africa vs. Angola?

South Africa vs. Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 22. This fixture takes place at the Marrakech Stadium.

How to watch South Africa vs. Angola for free

South Africa vs. Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream South Africa vs. Angola for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch South Africa vs. Angola for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream South Africa vs. Angola (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch South Africa vs. Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Google's AI image generation tool got some minor alterations in the Android Messages app.

Specifically, Google slightly retooled how you access the Remix tool (which is powered by Nano Banana) in Messages, per 9to5google. If you wanted to put a funny hat on a picture of your dog or whatever prior to this change, you would long-press on an image and tap the "Remix" button on the lower left corner of the display. That's still true, but the button is now smaller and less prominent than before. Additionally, Google removed the banana emoji that was on the button, replacing it with a more generic AI image icon.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI launches new ChatGPT Images tool to rival Nano Banana: How to try it

Beyond that, if you look at an image in the fullscreen view mode, there won't be a Remix button on top of the image anymore. It's now in the bottom-left corner of that view, as well.

Again, these are not hugely seismic changes to the way Nano Banana Remix works in Google Messages, but they're worth knowing about so you don't get lost the next time you want to use those features.

SAVE $61.99: The Sony XM6 headphones are on sale at Amazon for $398, down from the normal price of $459.99. That's a 13% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal

Want to gift or receive some of the best headphones that came out in 2025? You're in luck if you prefer over-the-ear headphones with incredible sound because the Sony XM6 headphones are on sale at Amazon and they'll likely arrive in time for Christmas.

As of Dec. 22, the Sony XM6 headphones are on sale for $398 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $459.99. That's a savings of $61.99 thanks to a 13% discount. Today's sale price also matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

For anyone interested in top-of-the-line headphones, the Sony XM6 model shines. Freshly launched in the spring, the Sony XM6 is the brands latest flagship model which earned a Mashable Choice Award for their exceptional sound quality. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth reviewed the headphones and said, "The new Sony headphones offer impressive audio quality, and they definitely improve on the XM5 models. The active noise cancellation is particularly phenomenal."

SEE ALSO: The Sony XM5 headphones now come with free earbuds at Amazon

This could be a huge benefit for anyone traveling this holiday season. Another major benefit for those who travel with headphones is the XM6 headphones now fold up for better portability. On Mashable's list of the best headphones, the Sony XM6 earn the top spot as the best option for sound-first headphones.

Big points get added to this sale price on the Sony XM6 thanks to the fact that Amazon might be able to get these on your doorstep today. Depending on your delivery address, these could come with same-day delivery, which could be a lifesaver if you're shopping for a last-minute Christmas gift for family or yourself.

While they're sitting at an all-time low price, upgrade in a major way to the Sony XM6 headphones. You'll be in line for some of the best sound in the industry.