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How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics curling online for free

Fri, 02/06/2026 - 09:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics curling for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is showcasing so many incredible sports that we wouldn't usually get the opportunity to watch. We're circling our calendar for the Alpine Skiing, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, and Luge. In fact, we're making time to watch it all.

The busy schedule starts with curling. You know, that strategic sport where players gracefully slide granite stones towards a circular target. The battle for medals is going to be intense in this competition. In the men's event, Sweden are defending champions but Great Britain and Canada will be confident of taking gold. In the women's event, Great Britain will be looking to defend their crown against the likes of Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Korea.

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If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics curling for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics curling?

Curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics is scheduled for every day of the games, from Feb. 4-22. Curling is held at the Cortina Olympic Stadium in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

How to watch 2026 Winter Olympics curling for free

Curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics curling from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics curling 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 a location with free access

  4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics curling for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the curling plus the rest of the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics curling for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating online for free

Fri, 02/06/2026 - 07:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Has Heated Rivalry got you all worked up? Do not fear, because the 2026 Winter Olympics has got you covered with a figure skating fix.

We've already seen some incredible action from the curling, alpine skiing, and ice hockey, but fans of the Canadian romance will only have eyes for the Forum di Milano as USA, Japan, Italy, Canada, Georgia, France, Great Britain, Republic of Korea, People's Republic of China, and Poland battle it out for the medals. Expect the likes of Ilia Malinin, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Kaori Sakamoto, and Alysa Liu to steal the spotlight.

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If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating?

Figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics takes place from Feb. 6-19 at the Forum di Milano. Here's the full schedule of events:

  • Team Event Ice Dance (Rhythm Dance) — 3:55 a.m. ET on Feb. 6

  • Team Event Pair Skating (Short Program) — 5:35 a.m. ET on Feb. 6

  • Team Event Women Single Skating (Short Program) — 7:35 a.m. ET on Feb. 6

  • Team Event Men Single Skating (Short Program) — 1:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 7

  • Team Event Ice Dance (Free Dance) — 4:05 p.m. ET on Feb. 7

  • Team Event Pair Skating (Free Skating) — 1:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8

  • Team Event Women Single Skating (Free Skating) — 2:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 8

  • Team Event Men Single Skating (Free Skating) — 3:55 p.m. ET on Feb. 8

  • Ice Dance (Rhythm Dance) — 1:20 p.m. ET on Feb. 9

  • Men Single Skating (Short Program) — 12:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 10

  • Ice Dance (Free Dance) — 1:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 11

  • Men Single Skating (Free Skating) — 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 13

  • Pair Skating (Short Program) — 1:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 15

  • Pair Skating (Free Skating) — 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 16

  • Women Single Skating (Short Program) — 12:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 17

  • Women Single Skating (Free Skating) — 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 19

You can follow figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics without spending anything.

How to watch 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating for free

Figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating 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 a location with free access

  4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the figure skating plus the rest of the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for February 6, 2026

Fri, 02/06/2026 - 07:00

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

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

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

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

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

Tools tighten these.

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

SCREW

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Intended.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MEANT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Feathery.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

WISPY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Used to reach the dead.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

OUIJA

Final Hurdle hint

A record.

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

INDEX

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for February 6, 2026

Fri, 02/06/2026 - 05:00

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 6, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 5, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 6 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this green space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this green space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 6 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (16): Everything in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this green space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (21): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 6 Pips

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Work smarter on your Mac with this Microsoft Office license

Fri, 02/06/2026 - 01:00

TL;DR: Get six powerful Microsoft apps for life for just $49.97 with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now through Feb. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $49.97
$219 Save $169.03   Get Deal

Want a major productivity boost? Then give your powerful Mac the best of Microsoft’s tools with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license. It’s an easy way to upgrade your workflow, and right now you can get all six apps for only $49.97 — less than $9 each — until Feb. 22.

From side hustles to schoolwork, Microsoft Office has apps to help you handle whatever life throws your way. And while it used to be reserved for PC users, nowadays Mac lovers can take advantage of these tools too.

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This Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license equips your Apple device with six of the brand’s most powerful tools for life. There are no subscription fees — once you buy them, you own them — and you’ll be able to work offline as needed, since cloud connectivity isn’t required.

Tackle all your document creation needs with Word, build a budget and handle spreadsheets in Excel, and create powerful presentations with PowerPoint. Outlook helps you manage your email correspondence, OneNote elevates your note-taking skills, and Teams makes it easy to connect with your friends, family, and coworkers.

After purchase, you’ll receive an instant delivery and download. Just note that your Mac needs to be running macOS 14 or later.

Get this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now through Feb. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Simplify your AI workflow with this one powerful Chrome extension

Fri, 02/06/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Make AI even more efficient with this lifetime subscription to the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan, on sale now for just $79.

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $79
$619 Save $540   Get Deal

AI is supposed to make our lives easier, but it can be hard to keep up with all the different models and their individual strengths. If you want to simplify the way you’re working with AI on a daily basis, it’s time to check out ChatPlayground AI. This handy tool lets you see results from over 25 AI models in one single window, so you can stop wasting time.

Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for only $79.

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Work smarter with AI, not harder, thanks to ChatPlayground AI. This tool changes the way you use this powerful technology, letting you access over 25 models in one place — from ChatGPT to Gemini and Llama. It displays the results from the different models side by side, so you can pick the one that works best.

ChatPlayground AI works as a Chrome extension, so it’s easy to access whenever you need it. If you need help with your prompt, there’s prompt engineering available to help you get the best response, and you can also upload PDFs or images to get context-aware answers.

Not only is there no more tab-hopping, but you won’t have to pay multiple subscription fees either. ChatPlayground AI saves all your chat history, too, so it’s easy to reference past conversations.

This lifetime subscription gives you access to unlimited monthly messages and priority access to new features and future models. If you run into any issues, you’ll also receive faster assistance from our priority customer support team.

Get this lifetime subscription to the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for only $79.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI releases GPT-5.3-Codex, a coding model that helped build itself

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 23:25

OpenAI released a new coding model today, GPT-5.3-Codex. The company said the new model has improved "reasoning and professional knowledge capabilities" and will operate 25 percent faster than its predecessor.

Anthropic, one of OpenAI's chief rivals, also released a new coding model today, Claude Opus 4.6. Earlier this week, OpenAI also launched the Codex app for macOS, a new app interface for managing multiple AI agents at once.

Crucially, OpenAI says that the new GPT-5.3-Codex model is its "first model that was instrumental in creating itself." Anthropic said something similar about Clade Cowork recently, and engineers at OpenAI and Anthropic say almost all their coding is now done by AI.

In a blog post announcing GPT-5.3-Codex, OpenAI wrote, "The Codex team used early versions to debug its own training, manage its own deployment, and diagnose test results and evaluations — our team was blown away by how much Codex was able to accelerate its own development."

SEE ALSO: Anthropic Super Bowl LX ads mock ChatGPT

Why does it matter if an AI model helped create itself?

People who believe in the technological singularity, or "the singularity," talk about a tipping point at which technology becomes self-improving, leading to an uncontrolled explosion of technological advancement. And now we have some real-world examples of AI improving itself. (At least, according to the AI companies behind the announcements.)

We don't know exactly how much GPT-5.3-Codex was involved in its own development, but the news does reveal just how advanced frontier AI models have become, particularly in writing code.

"With GPT‑5.3-Codex, Codex goes from an agent that can write and review code to an agent that can do nearly anything developers and professionals can do on a computer," the OpenAI blog post reads.

SEE ALSO: Sam Altman's outrageous 'Singularity' blog perfectly sums up AI in 2025

GPT-5.3-Codex is available now in the Codex app.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google reveals Pixel 10a with one subtle change

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 22:02

Google just randomly dropped a Pixel 10a reveal on YouTube, and there's at least one noticeable change to the phone's design.

The video itself is very brief, just showing the phone from a few different angles in a sort of light blue color. No new features or software of any kind are shown, though that's to be expected with a budget version of last year's Pixel 10. The one really noteworthy thing we can glean from this video is that the rear camera now appears to be totally flush with the body of the device, rather then protruding in any way.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps adds Gemini to a major feature in new test

That's a mild divergence from last year's Pixel 9a. That phone ditched the signature Pixel horizontal camera bar, but the lens itself still stuck out a bit when viewed from the side. Aside from that, again, we really can't divine anything from this video about the phone itself. Its specs and features will have to wait until Google feels like sharing more.

An announcement will probably be soon, given that the pre-order date is set for Feb. 18.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch France vs. Ireland online for free

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 20:35

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Six Nations is all about unpredictable games between huge rivals. Any team could win any game — that's the beauty of this famous competition. That being said, the opening game between France and Ireland feels like a final. You expect these sides to be battling it out at the top of the standings come the final round, so the winner here will put themselves in a very strong position.

The likes of Antoine Dupont and Louis Bielle-Biarrey will lead the way for the hosts. Ireland will need to rely on the talents of Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan, and Jamison Gibson-Park if they want to secure a massive win under the lights in Paris. It's going to be tough for Andy Farrell's side, but they possess the quality to beat anyone.

If you want to watch France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Ireland?

France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 8:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 5. This fixture takes place at the Stade de France.

How to watch France vs. Ireland for free

France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations 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 handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. Ireland from anywhere in the world 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. Live stream France vs. Ireland for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch France vs. Ireland without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services to watch the Winter Olympics, the T20 World Cup, and more from anywhere in the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla driver’s chilling 911 call transcript: ‘It’s on fire. Help please.’

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 20:34

A new lawsuit has shed a terrifying light on a Tesla driver's death in October 2025.

Bloomberg reported on the wrongful death lawsuit, which is centered around 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett, a driver who passed away after a collision involving a Tesla Model Y SUV in October of last year.

According to the lawsuit, Tremblett was driving a 2021 Tesla Model Y outside Boston when he left the road and struck a tree. He survived the initial impact but was apparently unable to exit the vehicle due to an alleged failure of Tesla's signature electric door system. He eventually died as a result of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Before he died, Tremblett called 911, but first responders were not able to rescue him in time.

SEE ALSO: End of an era: Tesla discontinues Model S and Model X

The most chilling part of this whole story comes from 911 call transcripts found in the lawsuit.

"It's on fire. Please help," Tremblett said, according to the transcript. "I am going to die."

The lawsuit states that police officers arrived quickly to the scene, but were unable to put out the fire or remove Tremblett in time. The lawsuit says it ultimately took firefighters four hours to extinguish the crashed Model Y.

As the fire burned, Tremblett stayed on the phone with the 911 dispatcher:

I’m stuck in a car crash… I can’t get out, please help me… I can’t breathe… It’s on fire, it’s on fire. Help please… I am going to die… I’m dying. Help. I’m dying… Help… Help.

Last year, a Bloomberg report found 15 deaths related to Tesla's electronic door system, part of a wider investigation into the safety of Tesla doors. According to Bloomberg, there is a low-voltage battery in each Tesla vehicle that governs components such as doors, while a higher voltage battery is responsible for propelling the car forward. If the low-voltage battery is disabled for any reason, the doors will not open in their normal fashion.

There is a mechanical release for the doors, but per Bloomberg, many drivers are not aware of this or how to operate it. In addition, panicked drivers in a life-or-death situation may struggle to recall the proper opening procedure.

The lawsuit accuses Tesla of selling vehicles with a “defective and unreasonably dangerous automated door handles.” It further states that “Tesla owed a duty to provide adequate warnings, instructions, and information with the Subject Vehicle before placing it into the stream of commerce” and that “Tesla knew or should have known of the defective and unreasonably dangerous condition of the 2021 Model Y.”

For its part, Tesla said last year that it would update its vehicles so that doors would automatically unlock after a "serious collision." However, the company only reached that conclusion after multiple deaths allegedly involving door failures.

Categories: IT General, Technology

JLab’s comically large new headphones are actually wearable portable speakers — and theyre only $100

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:46

JLab, the California audio brand behind some of our favorite budget headphones, is launching a new pair of oversized headphones with a secret. They're actually Bluetooth speakers you can wear — but around your neck, not on your dome.

The limited-edition JLab Blue XL Speaker Headphones aren't just a bit tied to this weekend's Bad Bunny concert big game. They're a real product you can buy. As of Feb. 4, JLab is selling them on its website for just $99.99 a pair while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab Blue XL Speaker Headphones $99.99 at JLab.com
  Shop Now

JLab gave out shiny golden versions of these headphones to playmakers during the 2025 Birmingham Bowl between Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, of which it was the title sponsor. All Georgia Southern Eagles players received a pair of the Blue XLs for winning the game. They come in an aqua colorway, hence their name.

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The Blue XLs are equipped with faux leather ear cushions and dual 2.5-inch drivers, and they offer up to 20 hours of playtime with a full three-hour charge. They're compatible with Bluetooth 5.4. And like the regular-sized JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones, our top value pick, you can customize their sound settings using the JLab app.

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A JLab rep tells me that the Blue XLs weigh in at 3.3 pounds and that there's a cushion on their band. If your upper traps can't handle the strain, or if you're too shy to wear the Blue XLs in public, the company says you can also prop them up on a table for listening.

Phone, keys, speaker that looks like giant headphones... good to go. Credit: JLab

JLab's release of the Blue XLs comes hot on the heels of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where the Mashable team encountered a much more practical take on the speaker headphones concept. With a simple twist, TDM.’s Neo Hybrids transform from headphones that play audio from their cups into a compact portable speaker with external audio. Senior Tech Reporter Matt Binder called them "one of the most impressive things I found" at CES. They'll soon launch on Kickstarter for $249.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag the budget-friendly Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds for their lowest price yet

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:41

SAVE $50.01: As of Feb. 5, get the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds for $58.99, down from their usual price of $109. That's a discount of 46% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds $58.99 at Amazon
$109 Save $50.01   Get Deal

If you're looking to shop for a new pair of earbuds, you've got plenty of options. You don't have to stick to the familiar, like Apple's AirPods, for example. If you're willing to try something else, there's a great pick right now at Amazon, and it's back at its lowest price yet.

As of Feb. 5, get the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds for $58.99, down from their usual price of $109. That's a discount of 46% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds of 2026, tested by audio experts

These earbuds are unique from the top down, from their transparent, square charging case to their budget pricing. They integrate ChatGPT in addition to offering great audio, which means you can use the voice portion of the chat assistant to handle search questions while out in the world. This optional addition makes them a solid choice that you'd be paying far more from another manufacturer for.

Of course, they're also excellent for listening to your favorite songs and podcasts or hanging on calls. They have compact 11mm drivers for great bass as wll as active noise cancellation that can help you block out the world when you don't want to hear it.

While they come with these intriguing additional features for a low price, they're jut an overall all-around good pair of headphones that you'll actually enjoy using -- and others might ask where you got them due to their unique look. Grab yours while they're back at this extremely palatable price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Our favorite open earbuds, the Shokz OpenDots One, are on sale for $30 off

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:33

SAVE $30: As of Feb. 5, the Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds are on sale for $169.95 at Amazon. That's $30 or 15% off their typical list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds $169.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $30   Get Deal

If you're ready to jump on the open earbuds bandwagon, but aren't sure which pair to grab, we highly recommend the Shokz OpenDots One clip-on buds. They're the best pair we've tested and they're on sale for $30 cheaper than usual.

As of Feb. 5, the Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds are on sale for $169.95 at Amazon. That's 15% off the typical list price of $199.95. While that's not the cheapest we've ever seen them, it's the best price we've seen so far in 2026.

Mashable's reviewer Alex Bracetti called the OpenDots One "a trustworthy running companion that keeps you entertained and fully aware of the world around you." If you plan on using open earbuds mostly for workouts, but also want a solid pair of earbuds for everyday life, we think these offer the most bang for your buck. They have an unobtrusive and modern clip-on design, surprisingly solid sound quality with Dolby Audio support, 10 hours of battery life (40 with the case), full environmental transparency, and intuitive touch controls that actually work. They're not super feature-heavy and can get uncomfortable after hours of wear, but otherwise we think they're the best choice for most people — especially when they're on sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bitcoin price plummets further. Is crypto crashing?

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:30

It's official: Bitcoin, as well as other cryptocurrency markets, are crashing.

On Thursday, Bitcoin plummeted below $68,000, blowing past a key level that crypto investors were hoping to hold. Bitcoin is now trading at its lowest prices since November 2024, essentially erasing all gains made in more than a year.

Other popular cryptocurrencies like Ether and Solana are also down. Solana, for example, has currently hit a two-year low.

Bitcoin and other altcoins began experiencing a noticeable downturn in the market late last week. Crypto analysts provided key market levels for Bitcoin to hold in order to avoid the worst. Some analysts said holding at $80,000 would be key while others said $70,000. Falling below those levels, analysts said, could drive further decline as investors look to sell off their holdings. 

Bitcoin has now fallen below both key levels. Now, some analysts are saying that Bitcoin could land in the $60,000 to $65,000 range while others are forecasting potential further drops landing the cryptocurrency at $40,000.

The downturn isn't unique to crypto, as stocks especially in the tech sector are currently dropping, but cryptocurrency is experiencing the worst of it. As a highly volatile and still largely unproven asset class, crypto is among the first investments to go in a sell-off from institutional investors.

According to a report from CryptoQuant, institutional firms that were buying up tens of thousands of Bitcoin just last year are now net sellers this year.

Social media users are noticing that other whales are also selling off, which further tanks the price of Bitcoin. World Liberty Financial, the crypto company owned by the Trump family, liquidated more than $5 million of its Bitcoin holdings on Thursday. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $20 on the new Amazon Echo Dot Max, back down to its lowest price

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:25

SAVE $20: As of Feb. 5, Amazon's Echo Dot Max is back down to its lowest price ever. Shop now for $79.99, down $20 from its $99.99 list price for 20% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot Max $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20   Get Deal

This week, Amazon made its upgraded Alexa+ available to all Prime users. While you don't technically need an Echo device to use Alexa+, it certainly helps. At the end of 2025, Amazon launched a series of new Echo devices that are compatible with Alexa+, including the Amazon Echo Dot Max. The Echo Dot Max debuted on Oct. 29, but it already has a record low price.

As of Feb. 5, the Echo Dot Max is back down to its all-time low price of $79.99. That knocks $20 off its list price of $99.99 for 20% savings. We haven't seen it go lower than this, so you know it's the best price out there.

The Echo Dot Max is the newest device in Amazon's smart home line-up. It combines delicious rich audio with quick smart home processing thanks to its new AZ3 chip. It features three times more bass than the 2022 Echo Dot. Plus, it operates more complicated tasks with Alexa+. With the new voice assistant you can do more than play music, turn on the lights or adjust the thermostat. Now, it'll help you make a grocery list or plan a date night.

Shop the Amazon Echo Dot Max for just $79.99, saving you $20 and 20% off at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Order the new Anker Solix E10 whole-home backup while its on sale at Amazon — save at least $1,500

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:13

SAVE AT LEAST $1,500: The new Anker Solix E10 whole-home backup system is available at Amazon and on sale for at least 26% off, depending on your desired package.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solix Anker Solix E10 whole-home backup (E10 Power Module, B6000 Battery Module, 400W Solar Panel, plus extras) $4,299 at Amazon
$5,799 Save $1,500   Get Deal

If you're heading out camping and want something to keep your campsite's phones and lights powered up, a portable power station is perfect. But if you're looking to keep your home's appliances and HVAC system online when the power goes out, you want something beefier. Anker Solix makes some of the best portable power stations, but the brand now has the new E10 for a whole-home solution, and it's on a great discount.

As of Feb. 5, the Anker Solix E10 whole-home backup system is available at Amazon and on sale for as low as $4,299, down from the normal price of $5,799. That's at least 26% off or a saving of $1,500, depending on your desired package.

A power outage is no one's idea of a fun time. There's the worry about food in the freezer dethawing while also worrying about inside temps dipping into a uncomfortable territory. Solix has a new solution on the market that launched at CES 2026 — the E10 backup system.

Each E10 comes packed with 37.2kW of power, and stacking two together will get you to a major 66kW. If you go with three E10 units, you'll be in line for 90kW which Anker says can keep your home online for up to 15 days. That'll make a massive difference if you live in an area that experiences long outages each winter.

SEE ALSO: Get $600 off the Bluetti Elite 400 portable power station and stay prepared for emergencies

Anker made set-up simple, and all you'll need to do is stack and plug-in to get your home equipped before the next outage. The most affordable option the E10 Power Module with one B6000 Battery Module. This combo also comes with a 240V output cable, 120V AC charging cable, and a fixed bracket. But if you snag this deal before the end of the month, Solix is tossing in a 400W solar panel, power strip, AC generator adapter, a metal pad, and an extended 3-year warranty.

Considering we're still in unpredictable winter weather and the Solix E10 is on sale, this is a great opportunity to make this home upgrade.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid online for free

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're approaching the business end of the Copa del Rey. Two teams have already booked their spots in the semi-final stage, but Real Betis and Atlético Madrid still need to fight it out.

This is probably the toughest quarter-final matchup to predict. Both teams are towards the top end of the standings in La Liga, but Atlético Madrid are probably slight favorites. The question is whether the passionate home support at the Estadio La Cartuja can drive Real Betis towards the next round.

If you want to watch Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid?

Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This fixture takes place at the Estadio La Cartuja.

How to watch Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid for free

Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey 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 Copa del Rey for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey 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 Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid 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 Copa del Rey without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey 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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding online for free

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is here to deliver weeks of intense action across a number of disciplines. We get to see some of the best athletes in the world compete in events like alpine skiing, ice hockey, curling, and more in Milano Cortina 2026. There's a lot to watch, so some difficult decisions will need to be made. You can try and watch everything, but that's probably not good for your health.

Check out the busy schedule and pick your priorities. We're not going to tell you what to watch, but we are going to suggest you find some time to watch the snowboarding.

It's tough to compare anything else to the range of snowboarding competitions on display over the next couple of weeks. If you like seeing gravity-defying athletes doing things that no human should be able to do, snowboarding is for you. Frankly, they shouldn't be allowed to do some of the things they do. But anything goes in the quest for medals.

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If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding?

The snowboarding schedule from the 2026 Winter Olympics is busy. Here's the schedule for all the finals:

  • Men's Snowboard Big Air Final — 1:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 7

  • Women's Parallel Giant Slalom Finals — 8:26 a.m. ET on Feb. 8

  • Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Finals — 8:36 a.m. ET on Feb. 8

  • Women's Snowboard Big Air Final — 1:30 p.m. ET ET on Feb. 9

  • Men's Snowboard Cross Finals — 8:56 a.m. ET on Feb. 12

  • Women's Snowboard Halfpipe Final — 1:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12

  • Women's Snowboard Cross Finals — 8:41 a.m. ET on Feb. 13

  • Men's Snowboard Halfpipe Final — 1:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 13

  • Mixed Team Snowboard Cross Finals — 8:35 a.m. ET on Feb. 15

  • Women's Snowboard Slopestyle Final — 7 a.m. ET on Feb. 17

  • Men's Snowboard Slopestyle Final — 6:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 18

Snowboarding fans can follow all events live without spending anything.

How to watch 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding for free

The 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding 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 a location with free access

  4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the snowboarding plus the rest of the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Every size of Amazons 4-Series Fire TV is at an all-time low price

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 18:55

SAVE UP TO $180: Amazon's 4-Series 4K Fire TVs from 2025 are all down to new record-low prices in every size — 43 inches, 50 inches, and 55 inches. Save up to 40% in time for the Big Game.

Quick links for every size: Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $199.99 (save $130) Get Deal Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $239.99 (save $160) Get Deal Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $279.99 (save $180) Get Deal

Looking to upgrade your TV ASAP to watch the Big Game in 4K or the Olympics in all their glory? Amazon's 4-Series 4K Fire TVs from 2025 are all down to new record-low prices in every size.

As of Feb. 5, you can grab the Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV for just $199.99 (reg. $329.99), the 50-inch for $239.99 (reg. $399.99), or the 55-inch for $279.99 (reg. $459.99). That's around 40% off each model, which brings prices down to their lowest ever by a long shot. For comparison purposes, we saw the 55-inch model drop to $379.99 on Black Friday, then $359.99 in early January. This deal beats that previous low by an extra $80.

While it's not the most advanced TV in Amazon's lineup, it is the most popular. Most people don't need all the extra bells and whistles anyway. The 4-Series was redesigned last year to sport an ultra-slim bezel that fades into the background, which brings your content front and center. It features a new quad-core processor for speedy navigation and load times, 4K UHD picture quality with support for HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Sound, and Omnisense technology that wakes up the TV when you enter the room to show you artwork or your favorite comfort show. The 2025 model was also designed with Alexa+, the new AI assistant that can do far more than just answer your questions.

If a TV is on your tech upgrade list, this is the best time to add this particular one to your cart.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bad Bunnys Grammys pause is now the internets go-to reaction meme

Thu, 02/05/2026 - 18:45

Bad Bunny is truly a man of the people.

The Puerto Rican superstar's moment of quiet humanity at the 2026 Grammys — when he stayed in his seat for a long, stunned beat, hands over his eyes in disbelief, before slowly rising to accept Album of the Year — didn't just make headlines; it's now become immortalized in meme history.

The reaction GIF is everywhere on social media feeds like X, Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky. Honestly, this is the kind of meme that works in any situation, but it hits hardest when paired with moments that are mentally exhausting or emotionally overwhelming: surviving a brutal workday only to realize the week isn't even halfway over, sitting through a long meeting that could have been an email, or finally buying that thing that's been in your cart for weeks...only to remember the money actually has to leave your account.

Somehow, Bad Bunny's quiet, tearful pause perfectly captures that mix of disbelief and pure human vulnerability, making it endlessly relatable.

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. View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Middle Class Fancy (@middleclassfancy)

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

when your public moment of vulnerability undergoes memetic semantic degradation

[image or embed]

— Coffee Porter Jr. (@unlox.bsky.social) February 3, 2026 at 4:31 PM

In a world full of chaos, sometimes sitting in stunned disbelief is all we need to go viral.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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