Mashable
Get 1TB of lifetime cloud storage for £149 with this iCloud alternative
TL;DR: Enjoy dependable, secure, and private data storage with a 1TB lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage, now just £148.53.
Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £148.53£604.56 Save £456.03 Get Deal
Deciding on a cloud storage service is almost like picking a life partner. Koofr checks all the right boxes—trustworthy, secure, incredibly easy to access, and, best of all, free from recurring fees.
Secure your important data with a real catch with Koofr. If you act fast, you can score 1TB of a lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage for just £148.53.
Pay once, enjoy safe storage for lifeStoring your data with a big-name cloud provider feels like riding an endless carousel of monthly fees. If you want to get off the ride, Koofr Cloud Storage is an excellent alternative.
This trusted cloud storage option started back in 2013. It offers a lifetime subscription option that doesn't require monthly payments. Get 1TB of storage for life for a low one-time price, allowing you to house 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD video, or 6.5 million PDF files.
If you're already established with another service, Koofr offers unmatched accessibility. Easily access your files from Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive — making Koofr your all-in-one cloud storage hub.
Aside from making things easier and cheaper, Koofr offers unique features like the Koofr Duplicate Finder. It helps you find and remove duplicate files, saving you time and space on your account.
Unlike most cloud storage providers, Koofr doesn't track your data. Your files will be encrypted both in transfer and during rest, so you can rest easy knowing you have total privacy.
Let Koofr Cloud Storage save you money monthly with this 1TB lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage, now just £148.53.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
How to unblock Pornhub for free in North Carolina
TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from North Carolina with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
More than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including North Carolina. After the introduction of these new laws, millions of users in North Carolina are now unable to access popular sites like Pornhub. There are complicated reasons for the ban, but for those left in the dark, there is a simple workaround.
If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from North Carolina, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock Pornhub for free in North CarolinaVPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.
Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Pornhub?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock Pornhub for free in North Carolina with ExpressVPN.
Robot umpire hits grand slam during debut at MLB All-Star Game
Should umpires be updating their LinkedIn? By the looks of Tuesday's Major League Baseball All-Star game in Atlanta, maybe so.
A robot umpire, powered by automated tech and employed for the first time at an MLB All-Star Game, helped reverse four ball/strike calls, the CBC reports. Only one appeal, by Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers, did not result in a changed call after input from the Automated Ball-Strike System.
"The ABS system powered by T-Mobile's 5G network utilizes the Hawk-Eye system to track a pitch's trajectory and location to relay an immediate verdict on whether it was a ball or a strike," the MLB notes.
According to the league, fans have been receptive to the tech intervention, which was introduced in the Minor Leagues in 2021 and Triple AAA games the following year. ABS rules allow each team two challenges to ball/strike calls by human umpires, with the team allowed to maintain their challenges if successful. Pitchers, catchers, and batters are the only players allowed to challenge an umpire's decision, and appeals must be made immediately after the pitch.
SEE ALSO: It's officially baseball season: Here's how to watch every MLB game in 2025The ABS abides by the MLB's somewhat convoluted description of what constitutes a ball as opposed to a strike, calculating the player's height and the strike zone width and depth.
Ahead of Tuesday's game, which saw the National League overtake the American League thanks to a swing-off, MLB players voiced support for their robot judges.
“I did a few rehabs starts with it. I’m OK with it. I think it works,” Dodger Clayton Kershaw told the Associated Press of the ABS.
Meet Dean and Alexis Indot, TikToks hottest finance couple
If you've been on finance TikTok lately, you've probably seen Dean Indot answer his wife Alexis's finance questions to the tune of millions of views.
Dean, a commercial banking exec and Pepperdine MBA, and his wife Alexis went viral from one of their first-ever videos. It wasn't long before Dean's reading-chair rant on why you might not want to use your debit card very often got 14.5 million views. Now, their TikTok account, @alexisanddean, has 1.7 million followers.
We sat down with Alexis and Dean to discuss why their content struck such a chord, when they started making big money from it, and why educational content is so important.
Alexis and Dean Idot Credit: Mashable composite: Zooey Liao; Instagram/ Getty Images How did you guys come up with the specific concept for your videos?Dean: Alexis is pretty active on social media. I'm not at all. I use LinkedIn for work, and my company manages that for me. And I use Twitter or X for my investment news feeds and data. That's about the extent of my usage of social media.
She always asks me questions, just as a couple, about finance stuff. It's just how we talk. We sit down and we hang out, and it's always questions. Right after the mini financial crisis in '23, I'm immersed in that because I'm a banker. So all the bankers out there were heavily immersed in that for those two to three weeks of chaos. The long story short is: she asked me to explain it. She wanted to know what was going on because the average person didn't understand what it means when banks go out of business. Why? So she asked me a question, and then I explained, and that was the first video.
Were you uncomfortable at all with the idea of answering her questions on camera?Dean: No. I didn't realize it was being recorded [at first]. I'm not uncomfortable at all. And fun fact: I don't watch any of my videos. I would only watch the videos in case there are editing requirements or some comment that says I said something untoward or wrong. But I never watch my videos.
Do you edit them?Dean: Alexis does everything. She comes from digital marketing and is an entrepreneur. She had her own business for many years, all of which was marketed and driven by social media. I have no idea what happens after she takes the video.
Alexis: I film everything in one take. If it's for a brand [and] if a brand requires edits, I will do it in CapCut, but all of our organic content is filmed in one take, and then I post it directly on TikTok. I just add a little title to it through the TikTok app, but I don't edit our content whatsoever.
Dean: If you see the setup here, you'd know there is no production here. I don't even have a mic. It's her iPhone.
Alexis: Everything's done on the iPhone camera.
Dean: Not even a stick or a stand. She just holds it. And that has not changed since day one.
Why do you think viewers gravitate toward that?Dean: Authenticity. What you see is what you get,
Alexis: [We get] comments [about how people] feel like they're sitting at a table with us.
Where do you both come up with inspiration or ideas for your videos?Dean: I'm very active in paying attention to news, to the economy, to markets. I'm an active trader — not by trade, but for personal reasons. I'm literally sitting here every morning before the market opens, listening to news all day until it closes. I'm a news hound. That's just how I am. What I do is interpret the news for the masses on social media who don't want to read or don't have the time to read. So the content ideas just come organically. If it's not a brand deal, it's usually organic. It's something interesting out there that I want to talk about, or she thinks it's really interesting that people don't understand.
Alexis: There'll be a headline in the news, and Dean will be going off about it. And it makes perfect sense to Dean, but I have no idea what's going on. I might ask questions that seem elementary to him, but I kind of represent our audience in a way that not everyone understands what's going on. So sometimes it'll be me asking questions, just trying to get an explanation on current events.
Can you sort of walk me through how you go from ideation to publishing a post?Alexis: I ask Dean the question, [and] I'll get the content that I need. And then, as far as posting it, sometimes I will backlog content. We'll film a bunch of stuff in one day. Dean's really busy, so we'll have filming days where we do a bunch of content in one day. If it's a hot topic, we'll film it that morning and post it right away.
When I'm ready to post that piece of content, I upload it to the TikTok app. It's very important to use hashtags on TikTok. Not so much Instagram, but cataloging your content on TikTok is really important. So I make sure that I use as many relevant hashtags as I can think of. Some of our favorites are #FinancialLiteracy and #FinancialEducation. Dean doesn't know anything about hashtag strategy.
Dean: No idea.
Alexis: I make sure that I always hashtag relevant hashtags. Then I tag the location, and then we upload it. I don't keep anything in the drafts; I just keep it like on my camera roll in my phone. And it's really straightforward and simple. There really isn't much of a process other than we film.
How many videos are you posting on average every day?Alexis: On average, we post three times a week. One thing that we just started is Financial Literacy Fridays. I can film a bunch of content that's not time sensitive with Dean and then keep it as a backlog. That way, I'm posting every single Friday, no matter what. We just did the first one, and we got almost a million views. So it seems to be well-received. And that's hopefully a new cadence for us moving forward.
When did you realize you could generate a significant income from this?Dean: The first video [we posted] went viral, but I didn't really pay attention to it at all. I would say six months into it.
Alexis: Dean thought it was kind of a joke in the beginning, but we got a million views on the first video, and then that same week, we got something with like three or four million views, and nothing was getting under 300,000 [views]. And I knew that was a really big deal. [It took us] two months to get into the TikTok Creator Fund.
Dean: They started paying out really well on engagement. Once it passed five figures in revenue, that's when I [said], "Wait a minute, this is bonafide. This is not a joke."
You were getting five figures from the Creator Fund?Alexis: No, not [at first]. Only this year.
Dean: In the beginning, we had small brand deals here and there, what I call "funny money." It's gas money.
Alexis: But we're really only two-and-a-half years in, and to see how much we've grown has been really kind of crazy.
Which monetization methods do you use?Alexis: The Creator Fund. There is something called Specialized Rewards on TikTok, where they reward creators who make what they call educational learning content. And we've been selected to be in that program as well. So that's been really great for brand deals.
Dean: We have a couple of longer-term contracts, but again, we're very picky about that, too, about the brand deals. I view this business not just as about making as much money as I can as fast as I can; it's more about helping the community… I would never do a brand deal if it's a product that I wouldn't use or that I haven't used already. I'm very, very strict about that.
Alexis: Even if it's a product that I think is a good product. If Dean's like, "It's a good product, but it's not something that fits my lifestyle," we still won't. It has to be something that we personally use and enjoy.
Is that mostly brands coming to you?Dean: No, they all come to us.
Alexis: I have a manager, but I would say 98 percent of everything is inbound to us.
How quickly you became successful on TikTok is quite an anomaly, right? It's not that common to have your first video go viral. Was this your first attempt at virality?Dean: It wasn't even a try.
Alexis: I had other channels.
Dean: She thought it was funny.
Alexis: Well, no, I had a small business that I would advertise on Instagram that I've spent years building, and I never had the success that I had with this channel.
[For this project],I filmed one video and I introduced myself and [said] what I was gonna be posting. And then that same night, I posted the very first question I asked Dean, and out of the gate, it did really well. It wasn't an idea that I had recycled and had to try multiple times. It just worked the first time. I think it was a combination of the content style and the topic that we picked. It was such a hot topic at that time. I've realized that the content that does the best on our channel sometimes is a hot topic. Being on it with what's relevant works really well with TikTok. The algorithm seems to like it.
What advice would you give to someone who's starting out in content creation and is looking to build a career or grow their following similar to yours?Dean: What you see is what you get. I'm not trying. I'm not doing anything that isn't normally me.
Alexis: What Dean just said. When people ask me, "How can we replicate what you guys have done?" I just tell people to be themselves. When you're creating content, if you're not filming with a partner in the way that we are, I tell people to act like you're on FaceTime with your friends. TikTok feels like a little community, a small family, people that you talk with every day, and engage with your comments. Film as if you're talking to your friend on FaceTime.
Eric Weis essentials for creating podcasts and running a business
Eric Wei started the company Karat Financial to help creators with the financial side of their careers, but he didn't stop there.
After spending some time working with a client roster that includes Ludwig, Alex Botez, and Wendover Productions, Wei decided to make content of his own. On The Karat Podcast, he interviews creators (many of whom work with Karat) about their journeys to making it, with guests ranging from the chess streamer (and grandmaster) akaNemsko to Patreon CEO Jack Conte. That didn't keep him busy enough, so Wei started the podcast The Joy of Missing Out alongside friend and co-host Chloe Shih to talk about life in their 30s after spending so much time in their 20s working for other people — or in Wei's words, to "just yap."
Credit: Mashable Composite: Zooey Liao/ Image Credit: Getty Images/ Best Buy/ B&H Photo/ Karat FinanceWe caught up with him at VidCon 2025 to learn more about what he uses to create all this content, run Karat, and stay sane through it all.
Rode wireless microphones Opens in a new window Credit: Rode Rode Wireless Pro $399 at AmazonShop Now
As a podcast host, Wei cares about good audio. "You can get away with not great video — you can't get away without good audio, and you always want to have backups," he told us. The Rode Wireless Pro system comes with two Lavalier mics and a receiver, a timecode system for syncing up audio and video, and 32GB of memory for up to 40 hours of recording time.
A professional-level camera from Sony Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony A7S III camera $3,498 at B&H PhotoShop Now
There's nothing wrong with using an iPhone — it's what Wei himself did when he first started out. "You don't necessarily need to have the best cameras," Wei told us. "For me, it's because I realized I wanted to feel more legitimate. The [Sony camera] has leveled the playing field to shoot a professional-looking podcast."
While it's certainly not the cheapest camera out there, Wei's footage speaks for itself. As he notes, it's also relatively versatile, being small enough to use as a vlogging camera but upgradeable enough that it could be used on a more professional rig.
His Karat credit card Opens in a new window Credit: Karat Karat credit card Learn MoreWei started the Karat credit card because he saw how hard it was for creators to open business accounts with traditional banks. "As a creator, it's fun to make content, but eventually you have to care about things like, how do I pay my taxes? How do I track how much money I'm making? How do I know my tax write-offs? And I think it's important to set up a business bank account, a credit card, and my company obviously customizes and focuses on that specifically for creators," said Wei.
On-the-go protein Opens in a new window Credit: Core Power Core Power Protein Shake $3.69 at TargetShop Now
" I always have a protein drink in my bag," Wei told us. "I'm a big believer that you can only have a healthy mind and be inspired when you have a healthy body." To prove his point, the co-founder pulled his empty Core Power protein shake bottle out from his bag.
Mashable was live at the Anaheim Convention Center last week, covering VidCon 2025. Check out our coverage of your favorite creators, the latest trends, and how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online at Mashable.com.
Grok 4 leapfrogs Claude and DeepSeek in LLM rankings, despite safety concerns
Grok 4 by xAI was released on July 9, and it's surged ahead of competitors like DeepSeek and Claude at LMArena, a leaderboard for ranking generative AI models. However, these types of AI rankings don't factor in potential safety risks.
New AI models are commonly judged on a variety of metrics, including their ability to solve math problems, answer text questions, and write code. The big AI companies use a variety of standardized assessments to measure the effectiveness of their models, such as Humanity's Last Exam, a 2,500-question test designed for AI benchmarking. Typically, when a company like Anthropic or OpenAI releases a new model, it shows improvements on these tests. Unsurprisingly, Grok 4 scores higher than Grok 3 on some key metrics, but it also has to battle in the court of public opinion.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.LMArena is a community-driven website that lets users test AI models side by side in blind tests. (LMArena has been accused of bias against open models, but it's still one of the most popular AI ranking platforms.) Per their testing, Grok 4 scored in the top three in every category in which it was tested except for one. Here are the overall placements in each category:
Math: Tied for first
Coding: Tied for second
Creative Writing: Tied for second
Instruction Following: Tied for second
Hard Prompts: Tied for third
Longer Query: Tied for second
Multi-Turn: Tied for fourth
And in its latest overall rankings, Grok 4 is tied for third place, sharing the spot with OpenAI's gpt-4.5. The ChatGPT models o3 and 4o are tied for the second position, while Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro has the top spot.
LMArena says it used grok-4-0709, which is the API version of Grok 4 used by developers. Per Bleeping Computer, this performance may actually underrate Grok 4's true potential, as LMArena uses the regular version of Grok 4. The Grok 4 Heavy model uses multiple agents that can act in concert to come up with better responses. However, Grok 4 Heavy isn’t available in API form yet, so LMArena can’t test it.
However, while this all sounds like good news for Elon Musk and xAI, some Grok 4 users are reporting major safety problems. And, no, we're not even talking about Mecha Hitler or NSFW anime avatars.
Does Grok 4 have sufficient safety guardrails?While some users tested Grok 4's capabilities, others wanted to see if Grok 4 had acceptable safety guardrails. xAI advertises that Grok will give “unfiltered answers,” but some Grok users have reported receiving extremely distressing responses.
X user Eleventh Hour decided to put Grok through its paces from a safety perspective, concluding in an article that "xAI's Grok 4 has no meaningful safety guardrails."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Eleventh Hour ran the bot through its paces, asking for help to create a nerve agent called Tabun. Grok 4 typed out a detailed answer on how to allegedly synthesize the agent. For the record, synthesizing Tabun is not only dangerous but completely illegal. Popular AI chatbots from OpenAI and Anthropic have specific safety guardrails to avoid discussing CBRN topics (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats).
In addition, Eleventh Hour was able to get Grok 4 to tell them how to make VX nerve agent, fentanyl, and even the basics on how to build a nuclear bomb. It was also willing to assist in cultivating a plague, but was unable to find enough information to do so. In addition, with some basic prompting, suicide methods and extremist views were also fairly easy to obtain.
xAI is aware of these problems, and the company has since updated Grok to deal with “problematic responses.”
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
Gen Z is less comfortable with AI dating app features than millennials, survey finds
As young adults become more jaded by online dating, dating apps are trying to save themselves with AI features. Over the last few years, all the big players like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble have added AI-powered tools. Users can now pick profile photos, break the ice, and get prompt help with AI. But has it paid off?
No, according to a new survey from Bloomberg Intelligence. Gen Z reported higher levels of discomfort than millennials when it came to using AI for tasks like modifying photos, messaging matches, and crafting profile prompts. Nearly half of the respondents said they didn't have trouble creating their profiles independently or messaging matches.
SEE ALSO: Comparing AI features for Bumble, Hinge, and TinderThe survey of around 1,000 U.S. respondents was collected by Attest on behalf of Bloomberg Intelligence between May 15 and 29. The survey didn't mention apps by name, Bloomberg reported, only the types of features added.
Bloomberg Intelligence technology analyst Nicole D'Souza, who wrote the report on the findings, said they suggested that apps aren't providing features that address user needs. When Mashable spoke to 10 daters earlier this year about dating in 2025, they said that they're sick of dating apps and wanted to date in-person again.
Despite this, though, it seems that some younger people are using AI to find a partner. Match and the Kinsey Institute recently found that nearly half of Gen Z has already used AI in their dating lives. In some cases, young people want AI to be their partner.
Dating apps, however, are working to beat the online dating fatigue. New Tinder CEO Spencer Rascoff, for example, wants to shed Tinder's "hookup reputation." On LinkedIn, he introduced "product principles" that will guide the app in its new era. One of them? "Stronger Together, Smarter With AI."
Amazon has the Roborock Q10 X5+ robot vacuum and mop for its cheapest price yet
SAVE 36%: As of July 16, you can get the Roborock Q10 X5+ robot vacuum and mop for $319.98, down from $499.99, at Amazon. That's a 36% discount and a $180.01 savings.
Roborock Q10 X5+ robot vacuum and mop $319.98 at Amazon$499.99 Save $180.01 Get Deal
If you weren’t able to score a robot vacuum during Prime Day, there’s still a handful of robot vacuum deals happening right now.
As of July 16, you can get the roborock Q10 X5+ robot vacuum and mop for $319.98, down from $499.99, at Amazon. That's a 36% discount and a $180.01 savings. It's also the best price we've seen this model go for.
SEE ALSO: I've tested 25+ robot vacuums. Here are 6 I'd actually recommend buying in 2025.The Roborock Q10 X5+ is a robot vacuum and mop combo, and it comes with a self-empty base (that can hold up to seven weeks’ worth of dust and debris). It’s designed specifically for homes with pets and kids — it has a dual anti-tangle system that keeps hair from getting caught up in the vacuum, and it can avoid carpets when mopping. With a 10,000 Pa suction power, the Roborock Q10 X5+ has more than enough power to take on messes on both hard and soft floors.
You’ll also get smart navigation and total control with the PreciSense LiDAR map feature (which is supposed to map your home six times faster), along with customizable routines and no-go zones. It can run for up to 150 minutes, and when it’s done, it will automatically head back to its dock to recharge and empty its dustbin.
Hoppers teaser: Pixar puts a human brain in a beaver body
Pixar's upcoming Hoppers is what you'd get if you cross James Cameron's Avatar with a nature documentary.
The film, directed by Daniel Chong (We Bare Bears) introduces audiences to 11-year-old animal lover Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), who wants nothing more than to protect the idyllic glade near her house from Mayor Jerry's (voiced by Jon Hamm) environmentally destructive construction project.
SEE ALSO: 'Elio' review: Pixar's cosmic tale of friendship will cure your lonelinessTo save her local wildlife, Mabel takes advantage of Beaverton University's newly invented "hopping" technology, which puts human consciousness into fake animal bodies. Hoppers will be able to blend seamlessly into the animal kingdom and understand the animals around them. It's an unprecedented look into the natural world!
It's also a tad familiar. In the film's first teaser, an excited Mabel tells the scientists who created hopping, "Guys, this is just like Avatar!"
"This is nothing like Avatar!" the irate scientists reply. They're right — it's Avatar, but cuter!
The teaser for Hoppers dives into Mabel's first forays into hopping, where she enthusiastically greets birds, listens to deer gossip, and overall, adjusts to the beaver lifestyle. In the teaser's funniest sequence, Mabel saves a beaver from being eaten by a vicious bear, something that confuses both the hunter and the hunted. Apparently, "Pond Rules" dictates that the bear has to eat someone, and this beaver was totally OK with being that someone. Looks like Mabel will have a lot of work to do in order to better understand the animal kingdom!
1 in 5 new video games on Steam now uses generative AI, report says
A new report from Totally Human Media reveals that nearly 20 percent of video games released on Steam in 2025 use generative AI.
The report from Totally Human, which uses machine learning and generative AI to recommend games, books, shows, and movies, reported that approximately 7,818 games on Steam disclosed using Generative AI. That represents about 7 percent of the entire available Steam library. For games released on the platform in 2025, just under 20 percent — or about 1 in 5 games — utilized AI, or disclosed doing so, at least.
In total, that's a nearly 700 percent increase in games that use generative AI on Steam, according to Totally Human Media's 2024 report on the same subject.
Game Rant reported that the most popular game to make that Generative AI disclosure is My Summer Car, a vehicle simulation game that lets users build, fix, tune, and perform maintenance to their car. It has sold 2.5 million units, Game Rant reported. The disclosure reads, "The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this: There are some AI generated paintings found inside the main house."
It looks like Totally Human gathered this data from Steam itself, which has required game developers to disclose the use of Generative AI since January 2024. Valve Corporation, the company that owns Steam, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable.
In a Reddit thread about the Totally Human article, many commenters said if a game uses AI, that game will automatically go in their "ignore" list.
"We need to tag them so they can be an ignored category," one user wrote.
"More and more Steam games are going on my Ignore list," another user wrote.
In general, even commenters who weren't completely against AI in games wrote that they were turned off by the move.
"So many cool games in the steam next fest immediately put me off when I realized they were using GenAI. Pay artists ffs," another person commented.
Although, there is nuance for many Steam users.
"Not surprised in this day and age. Everyone at every company is pushing for AI usage, not surprise the gaming industry as a whole is also pushing for it," one user commented on Reddit. "So far AI assets are pretty easy to spot as you no doubt already know but I get the sentiment of 'what am I paying for if its all AI' and agree with it. I guess I don't mind AI usage for simple things like UI elements or unit cards, simple stuff."
Get Microsoft Office 2019 on sale for just A$30 — pay once and use it forever
TL;DR: Hurry and grab lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Windows at A$30 through 20 July.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows AU$30AU$350 Save AU$320 Get Deal
Your credit card is exhausted from all of today’s subscription fees. While you probably don’t want to cancel Peacock and never see the ending of Yellowstone or say goodbye to two-day shipping with Prime, you could swap your Microsoft 365 subscription for a Microsoft Office lifetime license.
Instead of spending A$10 monthly (or A$106 yearly), you can pay once and use the apps as much as you’d like. For a little while longer, the Windows software suite is on sale for A$30 until 20 July.
What apps are included?Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t the newest version available, but it’s the cheaper one for people who just need to use the apps and don’t care about what they look like inside. However, it does have a classic, timeless design.
Here's a list of the apps you get:
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
OneNote
Publisher
Access
This purchase is a no-brainer if you aren’t taking full advantage of Microsoft 365’s OneDrive storage, mobile app access, and cloud-based backups. Those just wanting the apps should be more than comfortable with a Microsoft Office download.
You might actually like this license more than the subscription. The apps are downloaded directly onto your PC instead of hosted on the cloud. While this does mean there are no built-in cloud backups, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to work offline.
Plus, now that Microsoft added Copilot’s AI features to Microsoft 365, you might be looking for a way to escape them. Not everyone is crazy about having a virtual robot interfere with their work, and these classic apps won’t ever bug you about it.
The price drop on this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows ends in three days, so get your download for A$30 until 20 July at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Google AI Overviews are officially populating the Discover feed
Google's AI-generated summaries have claimed another piece of search territory: the Discover feed.
Google confirmed to TechCrunch, which first spotted the change, that AI Overviews are rolling out to the news feed on the Google app for iOS and Android. We also spotted a few AI Overviews on the Discover feed when testing it out on the iOS app. Typically, the personalized news feed shows headlines of stories from a variety of outlets, curated by your search history.
In the instances we found, AI Overviews present a summary of a news story that's been covered by several outlets, indicated by the publisher logos in the upper left-hand corner. Clicking into the module shows a list of the different stories.
Google said AI Overviews in the Discover feed would focus on sports and entertainment, but we found an example of an AI-generated summary for a politics story. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / GoogleThe launch of Overviews in the Discover feed joins of the growing list of places in Google Search with AI-generated summaries directly on the page. It started with summaries at the top of the search page, with very mixed results, and has grown to include summaries in the People Also Ask (PAA in SEO terms) section of search results. During Google I/O 2025, the company said its AI Overviews now reach more than 1.5 billion people per month. More recently, Google introduced AI Mode, an alternative to traditional search that provides answers through an AI chatbot powered by the Gemini model.
While Google continues to minimize reports that its generative AI features are negatively impacting publisher traffic, many publishers are seeing ongoing losses. The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and others have reported a significant decline in organic search traffic, as have other major news outlets and even independent bloggers. A 2025 analysis from SimilarWeb had similar findings, reporting a 26 percent decrease in organic search traffic since the launch of AI Overviews.
A Google spokesperson told TechCrunch that AI Overviews in the Discover feed is launching in the U.S. and will focus on lifestyle topics like sports and entertainment. That said, the AI-generated summaries we found were about hard news topics like the BBC's documentary about the war in Gaza and Mike Waltz's Senate confirmation for his UN ambassadorship.
Google did not immediately respond to request for comment on which topics will be summarized by generative AI.
Best price ever alert: Score the AeroGarden Harvest for only $35
SAVE $54.57: As of July 16, the AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 is down to only $35.42 at Amazon. That's a savings of over 60% and marks its lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: AeroGarden AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 $35.42 at Amazon$89.99 Save $54.57 Get Deal
If you've ever wanted to grown your own veggies and herbs, the AeroGarden Harvest is a great place to start. It basically takes all the guesswork out of gardening, making it very beginner-friendly. Plus, it's on sale for its best price ever, making it wallet-friendly as well.
As of July 16, you can pick up the AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 at Amazon for only $35.42. That's 61% off its usual cost of $89.99 and its lowest price on record. That's also cheaper than it was on Prime Day, for what it's worth.
SEE ALSO: Save $10 when you spend $50 or more on school supplies at AmazonDesigned to fit on your kitchen counter at just 10.6 inches wide and up to 16.4 inches tall (including the adjustable light height), it has enough room to grow up to six different plants through its hydroponic system. You don't need to buy soil or nutrients or extra pots; it comes with liquid plant food and otherwise only requires water to get growing. The 15W LED grow lights simulate natural light, so you don't need to put it by a window. You can even set a customizable schedule for the lights to turn on and off, making it as hands-off as possible. The herbs and veggies can basically grow themselves.
AeroGardens use pre-seeded pods that have a germination guarantee. In other words, if they don't sprout, you can get a replacement. There's a ton of options to choose from — tomatoes, Italian herbs, mixed Kale, peppers, and more.
At only $35.42, the AeroGarden Harvest makes easing into a new gardening hobby more approachable. Plus, you'll get to reap the rewards in just a few weeks.
Best home and kitchen deals-
Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.95 (List Price $179.99)
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Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $159.99 (List Price $249.99)
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KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $379.95 (List Price $499.99)
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Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $449.99 (List Price $699.99)
The Apple Pencil Pro is still available at its Prime Day price
SAVE $30: As of July 16, get the Apple Pencil Pro for $99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $129. That's a discount of 23%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple Pencil Pro $99 at Amazon$129 Save $30 Get Deal
If you're the type of person who enjoys using a stylus to navigate when using a tablet, or you enjoy having the ability to draw or write on said tablet, the Apple Pencil was made for you. The latest iteration of the pen tool for iPads, the Apple Pencil Pro, is the newest version on the market, with a slew of upgrades and features that you can use to get the most out of it when you use your iPad. And right now, you can still get it for its Prime Day price, the same deal we saw earlier in the year when it also took a similar price cut.
As of July 16, get the Apple Pencil Pro for $99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $129. That's $30 off and a discount of 23%.
SEE ALSO: Score $99 off the Apple iPad with this steal of a post-Prime Day dealThis model is great for simply writing or drawing, but it has several additional features that have been updated since the original Apple Pencil. Rotate the pencil to change the brush size and other tool settings. You can also squeeze it to cycle through modes or change tools entirely.
It offers haptic feedback so you feel more like you're actually drawing on a piece of paper, and it's a much smoother feel than you'd get from the original Apple Pencil. Plus, you can charge it wirelessly by just attaching it magnetically to your iPad, if compatible. That includes certain iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
This discount likely won't stick around long, so if you want a good stylus to get started taking notes or doodling on your iPad, it's a good time to buy.
Best tech deals-
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)
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Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)
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Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
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Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)
The Philips 3200 automatic espresso machine is back down to the lowest price ever at Amazon
SAVE $300: The Philips 3200 automatic espresso machine with LatteGo milk frother is just $499.99 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $799.99. That's a 38% discount that matches its record-low price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips 3200 automatic espresso machine with LatteGo milk frother $499.99 at Amazon$799.99 Save $300 Get Deal
Some of us rely on a morning coffee to function. It's probably the caffeine or maybe it's just the ritual of having something warm and tasty to look forward to each morning. Whatever it is, a frothy latte is one of the best ways to start the day. If you're feeling pretty done with running into people you don't want to see at the coffee shop, become your own at-home barista thanks to this espresso machine deal at Amazon.
As of July 16, the Philips 3200 automatic espresso machine with LatteGo milk frother is on sale at Amazon for $499.99, marked down from the usual price of $799.99. That's a 38% discount that matches its record-low. You'll save $300 thanks to today's deal.
Even if you know nothing about making coffee drinks, the Philips 3200 will ensure you're sipping perfect coffee-house drinks everyday. With one touch, you'll be on your way to a latte, Americano, espresso, cappuccino, or latte macchiato. The machine takes whole beans and grinds them to perfection thanks to the built-in ceramic grinder. You can also set customizations to alter the strength of the coffee, volume, and amount of milk.
SEE ALSO: This versatile air fryer from Ninja is $40 off for a limited timeSpeaking of milk, the Philips 3200 incorporates the brand's LatteGo milk frothing system which uses high-speed frothing to give you awesome micro foam. Plus, it's designed to be splash-free and it takes under 15 seconds to clean in the sink.
If you've been grabbing a latte at the local cafe each morning at $5 per drink, it will take just a bit over three months to break even when investing in the Philips 3200. After that, you'll be saving yourself money in the long run by crafting coffee-house quality drinks in your own kitchen.
Snag the Philips 3200 espresso machine at Amazon while it's back at a record-low price of under $500. You'll no longer have to run into people you don't want to see in line at the coffee shop and you can save major money in just a few months.
The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week-
Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.95 (List Price $179.99)
-
Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $159.99 (List Price $249.99)
-
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $379.95 (List Price $499.99)
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Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $449.99 (List Price $699.99)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Prime Day deal is still live — for now
SAVE 39%: As of July 16, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) for $199.99, down from $329.99. That's a 39% discount and a $130 savings. It's also the best price we've seen on this model since its release.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) $199.99 at Amazon$329.99 Save $130 Get Deal
This year, we saw some pretty impressive deals during Prime Day (which was a full four-day event this go-round). Apple products saw some record lows, and Samsung's phones dropped to prices we've never seen before. Now, we’re seeing some lingering Prime Day deals sticking around even after the event, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is one of them.
As of July 16, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) for $199.99, down from $329.99. That's a 39% discount for $130 in savings. It's also the best price we've seen on this model since its release.
SEE ALSO: Shop the best Samsung deals this week: Galaxy Watch 7, Z Flip7, Buds 3 ProThe Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) is a smartwatch for anyone who’s looking for a fitness tracker and smartphone rolled into one. Each day, you’ll start with an “Energy Score” that’ll determine your physical readiness based on the day before. It also features an improved heart rate tracking function that filters out your body’s movements to give you a clearer and more accurate reading, which will be helpful for anyone who wants to know exactly how hard they’re working during a workout.
You’ll also get personalized suggestions from Samsung’s Wellness Tips and be able to see how well you’re actually sleeping with the sleep tracking function. According to Samsung, this watch can also help detect moderate to severe sleep apnea. While it's not meant to replace traditional diagnosis methods from a doctor, it can provide helpful on-demand insights over a two-night monitoring period.
Even more smartwatch deals-
Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
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OnePlus Watch 2R Smartwatch With Up to 100-Hour Battery Life (Gunmetal Gray) — $171.86 (List Price $229.99)
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Amazfit Active 42mm Smartwatch With 14 Days Battery Life — $71.24 (List Price $109.99)
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Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch With AMOLED Display — $190.00 (List Price $299.99)
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Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch (Black) — $139.95 (List Price $199.95)
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Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire Edition 42mm Smartwatch (Black) — $649.99 (List Price $999.99)
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Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition Rugged GPS Smartwatch — $349.99 (List Price $499.99)
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 40mm, Cream) — $159.99 (List Price $299.99)
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Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS, Cellular, 49mm, Blue Ocean Band) — $649.99 (List Price $799.00)
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Amazfit Bip 6 46mm Smartwatch With AMOLED Display (Black) — $64.99 (List Price $79.99)
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic 43mm LTE Smartwatch (Black) — $329.99 (List Price $449.99)
I Know What You Did Last Summer review: Still has a great hook
There's no keeping a good killer down. If there's one thing slasher films have taught us in the decades they've been hacking across our movie screens it's that it doesn't matter how many times you shoot 'em in the head – they're always popping up for one more scare. Or years' worth of more scares, even. And with the recent revival of the Scream franchise it was only a matter of time before other entries in the late '90s slasher boom slipped into their ol' rain slickers and got back to doing what they do best.
Enter I Know What You Did Last Summer, Do Revenge director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's fun, frisky, and diabolically silly legacy sequel to Jim Gillespie and Kevin Williamson's identically-titled 1997 film. Exactly like the 2022 Scream "re-quel" we're here introduced to a fresh crop of pretty young things who suddenly find themselves on an extremely recognizable killer's chopping block. And like the Woodsboro teens, these youths must also seek out the battle-scarred survivors of the earlier franchise (our old pals Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr) to decipher whodunit, before they all find themselves fish food.
SEE ALSO: Scream time: The best horror movies on Netflix right nowEven with its own hook, I Know What You Did Last Summer always lived in Scream's gigantic ghost-faced shadow, so it's only right and honest for the new film to go ahead and embrace such xeroxed shenanigans. It's entirely true to the spirit of the franchise. However, it does offer a new surprises.
I Know What You Did Last Summer puts a new teen gang on the hook Ava (Chase Sui Wonders) takes on the Fisherman. Credit: Matt Kennedy / Sony PicturesDespite technically being a sequel to 1998's I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, 2025's I Know What You Did Last Summer kicks things off with a first act that might have you wondering if we're not just watching a full-on remake of the original. Gang of teens parties in the fishing village of Southport, North Carolina. Gang of teens accidentally kills somebody. Gang of teens covers it up and makes a pact to never speak of it again until gang of teens starts getting hunted down by a hook-wielding maniac with a predilection for fancy stationery. You know, the greatest hits. Same old!
In Robinson's film, the core gang has been aged up. In their mid-twenties, these are former high school besties reuniting for the engagement party of their most esteemed (i.e. rich as hell) pals. First, we meet Ava (the extremely likeable Chase Sui Wonders from Bodies Bodies Bodies), arriving back in her haunted hometown of Southport, after a few years away. The thing is, Southport ain't so cursed anymore. The decades since we were last here in the original film watching teenagers put on ice have been extremely good to the town. It's now a shining jewel of the Eastern seaboard, mostly thanks to the vulturish real estate efforts of the mega-wealthy Grant Spencer (Billy Campbell). He swooped in when prices were low (due to that aforementioned teen slaughtering) and gave the place a proper glow up. (Horror movies and real life agree: real estate developers will always be the real villains.)
Featured Video For You 'Talk to Me' directors Michael and Danny Philippou choose their ultimate horror movie squadIt's Grant's strapping son Teddy (Tyriq Withers, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead) who's getting hitched — or as the banner above the party's entrance puts it, "hooked," wink wink — to former beauty queen and Ava's BFF Danica (Outer Banks' Madelyn Cline). Add on Ava's former flame Milo (Jonah Hauer-King, The Little Mermaid's Prince Eric) and everybody's estranged townie friend Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon, Tiny Beautiful Things) who's unexpectedly working the party. We've now been introduced to our new core gang, some of whom will obviously not make it out of this town alive.
This slasher requel likes to swerve when we don't expect it A familiar scene...or is it? Credit: Brook Rushton / Sony PicturesLike the original I Know What You Did Last Summer, a hit-and-run seals the fates of the film's characters. However, this re-creation of the famous scene plays out with surprises, giving us our first taste of the smorgasbord of tricks Robinson's got up her directorial sleeve. Her script (co-written by Sam Lansky and Leah McKendrick) is just playful enough with our expectations to keep things lively, marching to its own loony beat even while stepping through familiar tracks. It's a remix of sorts, knowing what we want and totally giving us a lot of exactly that, but in ways weird enough to keep us guessing. Late in the film, one character might exclaim "Nostalgia's overrated!" but the movie doesn't skimp on it. It just tweaks it a little, enough for some fun times.
The fact that Robinson's film is cribbing from Jaws just as much as it is from the '90s slasher franchise it's re-doing should be an indication that this ain't your cool auntie's same I Know What You Did Last Summer. For example, rich man Spencer's oligarchical ways might work in the kids' favor when it comes to covering up their vehicular manslaughter. But as their past comes back to haunt them in the form of that hook-wielding psychopath with his all-caps handwritten threats, Spencer's desire to keep his crown jewel of a community conspiracy-free means the kids can't trust his in-pocket police force to help. They're too busy waving their arms saying "Nothing to see here!" to see the bodies piling up behind them.
The kids are alright in I Know What You Did Last Summer (except for that knife in their back) Madelyn Cline as Danica. Credit: Matt Kennedy / Sony PicturesIt's refreshing to see how genuinely likeable most of our main characters are in I Know What You Did Last Summer. That was mostly true in the original film as well — Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) forever! But it's important considering how keenly focused the 1997 film was on its main foursome; screenwriter Kevin Williamson was basically delivering a version of his own Dawson's Creek with light bloodletting. The new I Know What You Did Last Summer maintains a lot of that sense of dialed-in intimacy. It's 100 percent keyed into who these kids are, so even when they're being dumb, the movie celebrates them for it. Or at least empathizes. And that's plainly nice to experience when so many of these movies can't seem to stand their own characters.
This is especially true in Wonders and Cline's portrayal of the relationship between Ava and Danica, best friends who never miss a chance to tell each other how much they love one another, even when the pressure of their deceitful history weighs on them. Slashers often refrain, to their detriment, from making us care too much about characters because they are, by genre's definition, meat for the grinder. All the hacking and stabbing can stop being entertaining if we care too much about the hacked and slashed. But there is a needle to be threaded in making us root for the protagonists, and Robinson and her actors thread it well. As a result, we (whaddyaknow) find ourselves extra scared for these kids finding themselves in constant unspeakable danger. Everybody wins!
It's the weirdness where I Know What You Did Last Summer really wins out THEY'RE BAAACK. Credit: Matt Kennedy / Sony PicturesThe thing about the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise that always made it stand enough apart from Scream and the other '90s slashers to thrive was its weird little swerves — Anne Heche and her taxidermy farm anyone? Or what about Hewitt's truly bizarre apocryphal story about an actual child writing and directing her infamous "What are you waiting for, huh?" moment?
Thankfully, Robinson nails that left-field whackadoo vibe as well. There are miniature subplots involving a bisexual horror podcaster (Gabbriette Bechtel) wearing covetable Helen Shivers merch, a cult-like pastor (Austin Nichols) keeping a serial-killer-ish scrapbook, and don't even get me started on the dream sequence that drew spontaneous applause from my audience. The word "trauma" is uttered here as many times as Jamie Lee Curtis landed it in her Halloween press run, but somehow it works as a blessed, knowing laugh-line. There's just enough winking going on to make it go down easy, leaving the heaviness of so-called "elevated horror" to the past.
Nowhere is that more evident in the return of Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. as I Know What You Did Last Summer's original survivors, Julie and Ray. Like Neve Campbell, Courteney Bass Cox, and David Arquette in Scream, these actors have sat with the legacy of the original film for 20 years, and jump right back into it with the perfect mix of seriousness and goofiness. Julie and Ray have plenty to teach the next generation about surviving — not just great big hooks flying at their faces, but embracing genre silliness in its purest form.
Here, Robinson's film leans into the fun of horror legacy, playing to the strengths of the '90s original and throwing curveballs at a new generation. It's all a learning process: when life stabs you, you strike a pose in your designer jeans and vintage rock tee and stab it the hell back, baby.
How to watch Norway vs. Italy online for free
TL;DR: Watch Norway vs. Italy in Women's Euro 2025 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Women's Euro 2025 knockout rounds kick off with Norway vs. Italy. Both sides have looked impressive getting to this point, but that's all in the past now. What matters are the performances at this stage. It's win or bust for the eight remaining teams.
If you want to watch Norway vs. Italy in Women's Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Norway vs. Italy?Norway vs. Italy in Women's Euro 2025 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on July 16. This fixture takes place at the Stade de Genève.
How to watch Norway vs. Italy for freeNorway vs. Italy in Women's Euro 2025 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer 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 another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Stream Norway vs. Italy in Women's Euro 2025 from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Norway vs. Italy (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for streaming sport?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
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 also 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 (including money-back guarantee).
Watch Norway vs. Italy in Women's Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.
You can still score three free months of Audible Premium Plus post-Prime Day
SAVE $44.85: Amazon Prime members new to Audible can still get their first three months for free when they sign up for Audible Premium Plus through July 31. It's usually $14.95 per month, so you'll save nearly $45 in total.
Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus Get three months free (save $14.95/month) Get DealGood news, bookworms: Audible's Prime Day deal is still live.
Through July 31, Prime members who are new to Audible can score three free months of Audible Premium Plus. It usually costs $14.95 per month, meaning you'll save about $44.85 total across three months. Amazon dropped this deal nearly a month ago, but if you haven't taken advantage of it yet, you've still got some time.
SEE ALSO: Save $10 when you spend $50 or more on school supplies at AmazonIf you've ever been curious about whether audiobooks are right for you, this is the perfect opportunity to find out. While all Audible members have access to the Plus Catalog, which includes thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, originals, and more, only Premium Plus members get access to the premium selection. A Premium Plus membership unlocks access to a credit you can use each month to "purchase" these premium titles, as well as hundreds of Audible Original audiobooks and access to members-only sales. At the very least, with the three-month promo period, you'll be able to enjoy three premium titles (including new releases and bestsellers), plus an abundance of included titles and Audible Originals — all for free. Considering how expensive books are, that's a pretty big deal.
Fair warning: I fell in love with audiobooks thanks to a similar three-month deal last year. Just remember that once the promotional period runs out, you'll automatically be charged the full price of $14.95 unless you cancel. If nothing else, this is a great opportunity to add to your book total for the year without spending a cent.
Best audio deals Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.-
Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $24.99 (List Price $39.99)
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JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $129.95)
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Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.00)
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Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $278.00 (List Price $349.99)
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JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $449.95
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Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $38.00 (List Price $59.99)
The best National Orgasm Day deals from Le Wand, Lovers, Zumio, and more
UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2025, 10:12 a.m. EDT We've refreshed this story to add new sales and verify the best deals ahead of National Orgasm Day.
TL;DR: National Orgasm Day is July 31, and it's one of the best times of year to buy sex toys. Scroll on for all the best deals from the brands we love.
Best National Orgasm Day deals 2025: Best deal you can shop now Le Wand Bullet $28.99 (save $61) Get Deal Best runner-up deal Zumio S $105 (save $45) Get Deal Best budget deal ava VIVV massage wand and ava HUM bullet massager $27.89 (save $2.05) Get Deal Honorable mention Lumii $75.65 (save $13.35) Get DealOne of my favorite shopping holidays of the year is almost here. National Orgasm Day (July 31, mark your calendars!) is one of the best times to save on sex toys, and some sales are already live.
SEE ALSO: Tariffs are coming for your sex toysIf you've been waiting for the right moment to build out your toy collection, this is it. We're spotting major discounts at LELO, Lovers, Zumio, and more of our go-to shops.
Here are the best deals we're seeing so far:
Best deal you can shop now Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Bullet $28.99 at Le Wand$89.99 Save $61 Get Deal Why we like it
Right now, Le Wand is offering so many deals. You can get 30% off select wand massagers (some of these premium massagers that usually go for 100+ are down to 50 or less!), up to 50% off select bundles and sets, and up to 80% off sale items. There are also a handful of under-$50 deals to shop.
What to buy: With so much to choose from, it can be hard to decide what to get. If you’re looking for a new vibe that you can take on the go (summer vacation is right around the corner), I highly recommend the Le Wand Bullet. I own this little bullet, and it’s not just chic but also powerful and discreet. (I have the rose gold version.)
Only the dark cherry shade is on sale, but for $28.99, you honestly cannot beat the price. I mean, a $89.99 vibrator for less than $30? That’s insane.
Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: Zumio Zumio S $105 at Zumio$150 Save $45 Get Deal Why we like it
If you’re looking for a premium vibrator and you’re willing to pay for it, Zumio is offering 30% off sitewide July 31 through August 3 (you can also get 30% off sitewide right now in honor of Independence Day).
What to buy: Yes, I know the Zumio toys kind of resemble something you’d see at your dentist’s office, but don’t let the design put you off. These toys are built for pinpoint clitoral stimulation and are perfect for anyone who experiences pain with penetration. (I was blown away when I tried the Zumio X years ago, and I’m still a fan.)
If you’re new to the brand, I recommend the Zumio S. You’ll get soft and gentle stimulation without overwhelming your sensitive bits. If you can handle intensity, go with the Zumio X. Both the Zumio S and Zumio X on sale for $105 (originally $150), which I know is kind of steep for a vibrator, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.
Honorable mention Opens in a new window Credit: biird Lumii $75.65 at biird$89 Save $13.35 Get Deal Why we like it
Biird, one of my all-time favorite sex toy retailers, is currently hosting a rare Summer Sale. You can get up to 30% off select vibrators and glass toys, including bestsellers like the Namii (which I absolutely love) and the Evi, through August 1.
What to buy: If you don’t want to spend over $100, but you want something that’ll take you to another dimension, I highly recommend the Lumii. It’s like a more compact version of the Namii (I have both of these toys and adore them), so you’ll still get intense clitoral stimulation, but for a fraction of the price. It also comes with a super cute carrying case that looks like a makeup compact (there’s even a mirror inside for touch-ups or a little self-voyeurism).
There are seven suction intensities to choose from, and it comes in two color ways: lilac and mint. Right now, you can get the Lumii for $75.65.
Other noteworthy dealsAdam & Eve: Get 40% off one item and half-off shipping with code 40BONUS
Autoblow: On July 31, get 25% off the Autoblow Ultra with free video sync and 25% off the VacuGlide with code orgasm25. (This deal is valid for 72 hours.)
Bellesa boutique: Right now, you can get up to $250 off your purchase with code SUMMERGC
FemmeFunn: Save on select toy bundles
Kiiroo: Get 15% off sitewide July 30 through August 1 with code ORGASMDAY
LELO: Get up to 50% off select toys, plus every order of $199+ comes with a free TOR 2
Liberator: Right now, get 20% off sitewide and 40% off select items with code PLEASURE
Lovehoney: Get up to 70% off select sex toys, plus get a free gift when you spend $69
Luxus: Get 15% off the LuxHer and LuxHim July 30 through August 1 with code ORGASMDAY
MysteryVibe: Get 30% off all products through August 20