Mashable

It seems no matter how many safeguards are put on AI assistants and chatbots, crafty hackers will find a way around them. Just earlier this month, malicious actors tricked Meta's AI support into providing access to some of Instagram's largest accounts.

This time, cybersecurity researchers at Varonis Threat Labs have uncovered a new three-stage vulnerability chain that "turns Microsoft 365 Copilot Enterprise Search into a silent data exfiltration weapon."

What does this mean? Basically, by deploying this chain of attacks, which has been named SearchLeak, Microsoft Copilot could be used to send your emails, two-factor authentication codes, or any other sensitive data on your computer to an attacker.

According to Varonis, the vulnerability involves the deployment of three separate attacks: a new AI-specific vulnerability called Parameter-to-Prompt Injection (P2P), along with two old fashion web bugs — an HTML injection race condition and a Content Security Policy (CSP) bypass via Bing server-side request forgery (SSRF).

"Since SearchLeak targets the Enterprise tier of Microsoft, the blast radius isn't limited to personal data — it's able to surface anything the user has access to inside the organization, including emails, meeting invites and notes, SharePoint documents, OneDrive files, and other indexed business content," reads Varonis' report. "Depending on how M365 is connected to the environment, the blast radius could extend even wider."

Microsoft has built safety guardrails into Copilot that usually prevent the AI assistant from sending data to a bad actor. If any of these steps were carried out alone, the attack would not work. However, as a combined three-stage vulnerability chain, SearchLeak is a workaround that obtains the information for an attacker.

This may sound like a lot, but the attack is fairly simple once you break it down. Here's what a hacker would do to steal your data via SearchLeak.

First, the Parameter-to-Prompt Injection. As Varonis explains in its report, an attacker would simply send their target a URL with a prompt as the query parameter. What is an URL query parameter, also known as q parameter? A common example of a URL query parameter is the affiliate-tracking details at the end of a link. The q parameter is typically used to add sorting, tracking, or filtering information to a link.

For example, an attacker could send a specially crafted URL such as:

https://m365.cloud.microsoft/search/?auth=2&origindomain=microsoft365&q=

In this example, represents attacker-controlled instructions embedded in the URL's q parameter. When the target clicks the link, Copilot opens the URL and interprets the embedded prompt as instructions to execute.

In Varonis' demonstration of SearchLeak, researchers embedded a prompt instructing Copilot to "search the user's emails, extract the title, and embed it in an image URL." After the target clicked the link, Copilot carried out those instructions.

This is where Microsoft's AI safeguards are supposed to intervene. However, according to Varonis, a flaw exists in how Copilot renders its responses.

"Microsoft knows that AI responses can contain dangerous HTML," Varonis says in its report. "Their mitigation: wrap the output in code blocks so the browser treats it as text, not markup. The catch? This wrapping happens after Copilot finishes its 'thinking' phase. During the streaming phase, while Copilot is still generating its response, raw HTML gets temporarily rendered in the DOM."

In other words, the data can be exposed before Microsoft's protective formatting is applied.

The next challenge for the attacker is retrieving the exposed information. To accomplish this, the malicious prompt directs Copilot to use a domain controlled by the attacker as the image URL destination. The attack also leverages Bing's Search by Image feature as a proxy. This workaround is necessary because Microsoft restricts which external image domains Copilot can access. Since Bing is a Microsoft-owned service, those restrictions do not apply in the same way.

Finally, Bing makes the request, causing the exfiltrated data to be transmitted to the attacker's server. Because the stolen information has been embedded directly into the image URL, it appears in the attacker's server logs, where it can be viewed and collected.

Varonis says Microsoft has since patched the SearchLeak vulnerability in Copilot. However, the incident illustrates a broader challenge for AI security: attackers can often combine multiple seemingly harmless weaknesses into a single attack chain capable of bypassing individual safeguards.

TL;DR: Live stream Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Nobody is really expecting Norway to challenge for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but they've got a really talented squad with some of the biggest names in the tournament. Haaland is one of the star names of this competition, but can he lead his team into the latter stages?

They'll expect to start with a win over Iraq. They'll need those three points, because Group I looks like possibly the toughest of the bunch. Group I also includes France and Senegal, two teams that can give Norway a lot of problems. A defeat here would make progressing into the knockout rounds particularly tricky.

If you want to watch Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Iraq vs. Norway?

Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at the Gillette Stadium.

How to watch Iraq vs. Norway for free

Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Iraq vs. Norway 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 BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Iraq vs. Norway 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 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Iraq vs. Norway (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around 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 BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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 Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Snap co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel — who, at 36, is still young for a tech leader even by Silicon Valley wunderkind standards — unveiled Snap's new Specs AR Glasses at the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California on Tuesday.

That's where Mashable spoke to Spiegel about the new AR glasses, ways to protect users' privacy, and their intimidating $2,195 price tag.

Snap has released five generations of its Spectacles since 2016, but Specs push smart glasses into new territory. Unlike most augmented reality products, Specs don't have a computing puck or USB-C tether, and feature a proprietary liquid-crystal-on-silicon display.

The new smart glasses are scheduled to ship this fall. Spiegel also introduced a kit for developers who want to create products, apps, and experiences for Specs.

Mashable Enterprise Editor Neal Broverman spoke to Spiegel at AWE 2026; the interview has been edited for clarity.

Who do you see as Specs’ target customers — creators, gamers, early adopters, all of the above? 

We're really gonna start with the developer community. There are already 450,000 people who use Snap’s augmented reality tools, who are so passionate about this new era for computing.

And then we'll extend beyond that, with the early adopters and folks who see a lot of value in specific use cases — whether they're trying to improve their golf swing or whether they just want to work on the road and still bring the benefits of that large display or monitor. 

It's such a new way of computing — such a different way to think about what a computer even is. And so the big project for us over the next couple of years is just showing people how Specs work, what they do, and really just helping people try them. 

How do you see these glasses fitting into people's daily lives?

I think there are a lot of ways — with three major buckets or categories.

The first would be utility use cases. Things like heads-up directions or translation, when you're exploring a new place. I actually really love the measurement feature [a built-in virtual tape measure]. It's super fun if you're working. We're building some interesting new projects for retail. It's just incredible to have that utility right there, and especially in three-dimensional space.

The second category would be this large private display. That's really meaningful if you're trying to get work done out in the world or on the go. You're sitting on an airplane, or you just want to lie back and stream something on the big screen. I think that's really valuable.

The last category, I'm probably the most passionate about, but I think it will take time for people to discover — which is the ability to have these shared computing experiences — whether that's a game or you're getting work done together because you're looking at a 3D model and sharing that.

There's just so much opportunity to take computing from something that's been historically single player and make it something that's shared. That, to me, is one of the real strengths of Specs.

Google, Samsung, Apple and Meta are all working on smart glasses. What are the advantages of being first?  The new $2,195 Specs AR Glasses. Credit: Snap

Well, I think there are enormous advantages to being the early mover in this new category. Smart glasses are sort of phone accessories, right? Almost like AirPods or something. And then you have these headsets, which are very, very capable, but so heavy and uncomfortable to wear.

Where I think it's really exciting to be an early mover is in augmented reality glasses that are wearable, but also have these really powerful and immersive capabilities to be able to bring a computer into the glasses. 

So that, to me, is the opportunity. And because we've been investing over the past 12 years in the full stack, from the developer tools to the operating system to the optics themselves, I think we have a real competitive [product]. 

Tell us about the privacy aspect.

The outward-facing LEDs are a really helpful indicator that recording's happening. I mean, it's not something that your phone has today, right? So, I think there are real benefits to that.

In addition, one of the things that'll be really important is when people start learning how Specs are actually used. The same way you might be working on a laptop, [that’s] not just a device for recording videos. That sort of understanding, when someone says, ‘Hey, are you recording?’ And that person says, ‘No, I'm watching Netflix?’

That's a real paradigm shift in how people think about Specs and glasses, and I think that will go a long way in helping people understand that folks are wearing Specs to get things done, or to play a game. They're not, you know, using them to record surreptitiously. 

As far as the price, do you see it coming down anytime in the near future? When could we maybe see prices come down in this category, if at all? 

We care a lot about making Specs more accessible, so that's something that we're really prioritizing and pushing towards. But I think, you know, as I look at other sorts of new computers that are out there, Specs really stands out as something that's more and more accessible than the Macintosh was at the time, or where other new spatial computers are today, like the Vision Pro.

So I feel good about being able to offer Specs and have a ton of value, you know, at a price that may be unattainable today for some folks, but hopefully in the near future, we'll be able to make progress. 

Specs are available for preorder at Specs.com for $2,195 with a refundable $200 depost.

With summer screen time in full swing, Google has announced Android parental controls are now available on all Android devices.

These on-device settings first launched on the Pixel in late 2025. Now any Android device updated with Android 17 will have them too.

The controls allow parents to set screen time limits on the device — plus a downtime schedule that locks a device at night, and filters for Google Play downloads.

Parents can also block specific apps or limit time spent on them. Changes can only be made via a PIN.

SEE ALSO: How to get your kid off screens for the summer

Android parental controls also help connect caregivers to Google Family Link, a tool for managing a child's Google account and related screen time activity.

Along with the parental controls update, Google announced increased support for its digital well-being fund in order to "introduce new interventions focused on best practices for healthy technology interactions and supports that combat social isolation."

As a society, we're down to spend money on a nice new living room TV every so often. But smaller spaces like the kitchen or a bedroom seem to have been dubbed undeserving of a TV upgrade — even if the current TV is crappy, or even if we spend a lot of time in that room. To be fair, there weren't many exciting options to choose from. I don't know how the stylish budget-friendly small TV market went so untapped for so long, but Hisense was genius for throwing the S5 Déco QLED TV into the mix.

What's special about the Hisense Déco TV

Available in 32 or 43 inches, the Hisense Déco TV is a purposefully small QLED TV with a chic white "art-inspired design." That's not to be confused with matte art TVs that lie flat against the wall like framed art. So while the Hisense Déco isn't a direct dupe for The Frame or the Hisense CanvasTV, it still speaks to the style-conscious part of your brain that cares about the cohesiveness of a space. Why settle for a blatantly techy TV if your bedroom's decor calls for something more whimsical?

The case for an aesthetically pleasing bedroom TV

I've been carefully curating my bedroom's ambiance for years, as most of us do. There are few places more comforting than the personal cave we've designed for ourselves, few activities that sound better than watching something cozy in bed. It simply makes sense for the TV to mesh with the rest of your decor.

The Hisense Déco TV matches my room's color scheme and level of whimsy. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Outside of expensive art TVs with swappable frames, I don't think I had ever seen a TV that strays from the standard black design. Apparently, neither had all of the people who flooded my DMs when I posted the above photo on my Instagram Story.

"What is this?!", "I've literally never seen a white TV before omg", "I'm scared to know how much this costs but I need it", and "This pic is literally so chic omg" were just a few of the replies. You get the point: There was clearly a need for a classy little decor-centric TV that doesn't cost $600, like the smallest Frame TV.

The display flows right into the central stand, so you don't need to screw on legs. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The remote is your average Fire TV remote. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

My current dresser was my mom's when she was a teenager in the '70s. It's an eggshell color with swirly gold handles, topped with various trinkets like antique jewelry boxes, perfume, a skeleton hand from Michaels' Halloween section that I use as a ring holder... the classics. I always thought that the arrangement was way too elegant for the old black plasticky TV that also lived there. (The mismatch would probably be less obvious if I mounted the TV on the wall instead, but I ain't doing all that.) The 32-inch Hisense Déco is the seamless addition that I had unknowingly been waiting for.

Instead of standing on two stubby legs, the Déco's curved white bezels flow directly into the base of the TV. The sculptural one-piece build feels avant-garde for TV standards, but also means that no assembly is required.

Picture quality is actually quite sharp for non-4K

The Hisense Déco's screen has some serious pop, especially compared to a dull LED screen. The Déco's full HD resolution isn't as granular as the 4K you'll see on 90 percent of TVs, but I don't think the average $200 32-inch TV buyer will be that picky about upscaling. Shadows aren't pixelated like they were on my old TV, and there's no overall fuzziness. I was thoroughly impressed by the sharpness of subtitles, despite the letters being so small.

A coral reef wouldn't be nearly this colorful on my old TV. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The layer of quantum dots picks up a lot of the slack from the lack of 4K. While LED vs. QLED and FHD vs. 4K are talking about two different TV specs (light and resolution, respectively), the range of a QLED TV's color palette does create a crispier image than an LED TV. These tiny nanocrystals can emit over a billion different colors, deepening black levels and brightening light tones to create a more contrasted picture. The colors on the Hisense Déco are legitimately stunning. They were even rich enough to hold their own against the color-changing bulbs in my nightstand, which are the only lights on in my room at night.

SEE ALSO: I've sucked at sleeping for a decade. The Hatch Restore 3 makes bedtime feel less chaotic, but it's not a cure-all.

I struggle to wind down at night as it is, so I typically don't watch anything that I actually need to pay attention to before bed. If I absolutely need some background noise, Planet Earth or Our Planet for the 40th time it is. The Déco really did the habitats on these shows justice. Between spot-on color accuracy and vibrant hues across the board, it's quite the immersive experience for such a little TV.

Bright objects in dark scenes do sometimes have a glow around them. The Déco's screen uses a direct backlight rather than full-array local dimming, so it doesn't benefit from little clusters of bulbs that turn off to reduce the halo effect. But the casual watcher probably won't even notice — a TV this small isn't meant to have the picture quality of an advanced home theater TV.

I hate when movies show the demon. Anyway, the dark scenes in "Rosario" looked awesome. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Déco didn't muddy the overnight recordings from "Paranormal Activity 3" at all. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The occasional blooming didn't affect my weekend horror movie watching, at least. In my time with the Déco TV so far, I crossed Hallow Road and Rosario off my list and threw in a comfort rewatch of Paranormal Activity 3. Dark scene details in all three films were less gray and significantly more legible from a few feet away in my bed than on my old TV.

If you haven't switched to a smart TV yet, do it

Many small space TVs are such an afterthought that they haven't made it out of the dumb TV phase yet. That was me using my bedroom TV from high school at age 30. The ol' Fire Stick rig can make it possible to access streaming apps on a regular TV for several years. But as I learned, a TV can simply get so old that it can't handle an external streaming device anymore.

A single arrow click on the Fire TV remote was enough to send my old TV into shock. It was so frustrating that I stopped bothering trying to watch anything at all. So not only was that TV an ugly plastic box that didn't match my room at all, but it was doing nothing but collecting dust.

SEE ALSO: If your apartment's trash always stinks, consider Dreame's food waste disposer — it's been great for my small space

After a month or so with the Hisense Déco, I can't believe I put up with a non-smart TV setup for so long. The Déco's Fire TV interface is highly responsive and as easy to navigate as Fire TV always is. You mean I can just click on a streaming app and it plays the content? Without the possibility of spontaneous combustion?

Is it a reach to classify a reliable bedroom TV as a productivity hack? That's one surefire way to pair some universally-hated chores — like folding laundry or cursing out the fitted sheet while you make your bed — with an activity you enjoy, like catching up on a show. It's also nice to not be relegated to the living room couch if I want to watch something live. Now, I can throw the new episode of Abbott Elementary or an NBA game on in my room without propping my phone up to watch YouTube TV. (That app would have sent my old TV into orbit.)

Factors to keep in mind

The Hisense Déco TV is the rare QLED TV that isn't 4K. The difference between the Déco's FHD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) would be most noticeable when intently watching a dark film in a dark room or playing video games. But no one would realistically be shopping for the decor-focused Déco TV with expectations for an elevated streaming or gaming experience.

The reflection of my makeup desk in the top left corner was getting distracting. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

QLED TVs are naturally brighter and easier to see in sunlit rooms than LED TVs. That doesn't automatically make them immune to glare in a bright room. The Déco TV definitely struggles to neutralize reflections when watching TV during the day. Because it's designed for such casual use, I'm not that pressed about the lack of glare reduction — plus, there are significantly more expensive QLED TVs that struggle just as much in lit rooms.

The competition

For those in the market for a small budget TV, it makes the most sense to compare the Déco TV to other TVs in its price range. Barring any extra wild discounts that could pop up during an event like Prime Day, a hard $200 cutoff will typically have you looking at 32- through 50-inch 4K LED TVs.

Best Buy often has the TCL 40-inch Q35F QLED FHD Fire TV on sale for $149.99 or the 50-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV on sale for $179.99. Both are obviously larger screens for a little bit less money, but both are the exact plasticky black box design that we were trying to get away from. Hisense can't just make the prettiest small TV you've ever seen and then make it the same price as a boring small TV, you know?

SEE ALSO: If dark scenes are too dark on your TV, play around with these settings Is the Hisense Déco TV worth it?

I'd recommend the Hisense Déco TV to anyone looking for a small space TV. You really couldn't ask for a more seamless TV setup: It's bright and responsive when you are watching it, stylishly camouflaged when it's off, and either size costs several hundred dollars less than The Frame of the same size.

I've been firmly on the living room side of the "bedroom person vs. living room person" conversation forever. Now, I'm convinced that some of my living room tendencies stemmed from the fact that my old bedroom TV sucked. The switch to the Hisense Déco has genuinely been such a delight, and I find myself carving out time to hang out in there instead. It's bright and bold enough for the full range of my TV watching needs, but more importantly, the satisfaction of its cohesiveness with the rest of the room never gets old.

With the world as overwhelming as it is, the safe space that is your bedroom deserves a little extra adornment. In this case, that adornment is a TV that serves c*nt.

Hisense Déco 32-inch TV $249.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Hisense Déco 43-inch TV $349.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

A wise band once said, "The years start coming and they don't stop coming." That's how I feel watching the trailer for Shrek 5, which of course, makes good use of Smash Mouth's now-franchise staple "All Star."

SEE ALSO: The internet's crashing out over Shrek's redesign in the 'Shrek 5' teaser trailer

Shrek celebrated its 25th anniversary this past May. Now just one year from being kicked off its parents' health insurance, the Academy Award-winning movie has spawned four sequels, a musical, two Puss in Boots spin-offs, and even a fan-created festival. However, there hasn't been a new Shrek film since 2010's Shrek Forever After. So what's happened in the 15 years since we last saw Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers), Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz), and Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy)?

According to Shrek 5's teaser trailer, Shrek and Fiona's triplets grew up, and they're voiced by a new generation of stars. Zendaya voices Felicia, while Saturday Night Live's Marcello Hernández and Superman's Skyler Gisondo voice her brothers, Fergus and Farkle.

While the trailer doesn't give us a sneak peek of Zendaya, Hernández, or Gisondo's ogre voices, it does tease plenty of Shrek and Donkey shenanigans as the pair head to the big city of Further Further Away. There, they encounter a sleazy snowman, who asks, "Wanna date a snowman?" in a clear shot at Frozen. (Look, it's been 15 years since Shrek Forever After, so Shrek 5 surely has a ton of Disney jokes to get off its chest.)

For more Shrek chaos, including a twerking Gingerbread Man (voiced by Conrad Vernon, who co-directs Shrek 5 with Walt Dohrn) and a family trip to jail, check out the full teaser above.

Shrek 5 hits theaters in the summer of 2027.

Meta is now using public posts from across its social platforms to power AI-generated search results on Facebook.

The search option, AI Mode, appears alongside standard search filters and generates responses drawn from publicly shared content, according to The Verge.

SEE ALSO: Porn company can sue Meta for torrenting its adult films for AI training, judge rules

The move is part of a broader rollout of Meta's Muse Spark model, which launched in April — the fruit of an internal AI reorganization that the company's CTO recently called "atrocious."

Muse Spark, the first AI model to come out of Meta Superintelligence Labs, was designed with everyday personal use in mind — health, shopping, visual understanding, and social content.

Meta says the model will eventually pull its recommendations from across the company's empire of social apps: Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

The approach mirrors what Google has done with Reddit threads in its AI Overviews. The main difference is that Meta is leaning on its own ecosystem of user-generated content.

Users can also ask Muse Spark follow-up questions based on the results it generates.

The privacy implications, however, are worth watching.

Meta says the feature relies on content people have already chosen to share publicly. Unmentioned was the fact that those users may not know a "public post" is being used to train a commercial AI product.

Muse Spark is available now at meta.ai and in the Meta AI app. The company says a more advanced reasoning mode called Contemplating is in the works, but it has no confirmed release date.

With Toy Story 5 coming to theaters this week, Disney is ready to give a look at what their animation studio has coming next. Hexed is a coming-of-age adventure about a misfit teen girl named Billie (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), who discovers she's got magical powers. What could be a super cool moment that many a kid might dream of turns out to be a big mess as it happens chaotically in her school bathroom.

"I don't even know where we go from here," her mother Alice (Rashida Jones) laments when the bathroom snafu gets Billie expelled. The answer, it turns out, is that Billie will be whisked far away from her safe suburban home to the magical realm of Hexe. There, she'll make new acquaintances like Ms. Quill (Tracey Ullman) and Elias Quire (Stephen Fry), and take on a mysterious quest that will change not only her life but the world of witches forever.

Based on this teaser, Hexed is giving The Craft meets The Owl House, and we're here for it.

Hexed opens in theaters on November 25.

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be absolutely electric. Most of the drama will be reserved for the knockout rounds, but that doesn't mean we aren't getting huge games in the group stage.

Take France vs. Senegal, for example. It's one of the favorites to win the competition against a special Senegal team that some argue won AFCON earlier this year. Could Senegal turn back the clock and beat France in the group stage like they did in the opening match of the 2002 tournament? What a story that would be.

All eyes will be on the battle between Kylian Mbappe and Sadio Mane, but there really are too many stars to name in this blockbuster matchup.

If you want to watch France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Senegal?

France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at the MetLife Stadium.

How to watch France vs. Senegal for free

France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. Senegal 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 BBC iPlayer

5. Watch France vs. Senegal 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 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream France vs. Senegal (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around 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 BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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• 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. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced the launch of the company's new Specs AR glasses on Tuesday during a keynote speech at the AWE (Augmented World Expo) virtual reality expo. Unlike most other augmented reality products, the Specs are fully wireless, marking a big step forward for the product category.

The Specs AR glasses are available for preorder now for $2,195 (with a refundable $200 deposit), and according to Snap, they'll ship this fall to customers in the United States, the UK, and France. The glasses come in two sizes, with a 47mm model weighing 132 grams and a 52mm model weighing 136 grams.

Smart glasses are an umbrella term that includes a wide range of augmented reality and AI technologies.

With the Specs, Snap seems to be taking an all-of-the-above approach, which is reflected in the price tag.

"We gave ourselves a very difficult challenge," Spiegel said during his keynote. "Specs had to be capable, they had to be wearable, and they had to be more accessible than any other spatial computer has ever been before."

Smart glasses are a fast-growing category, with Apple, Samsung, and Google all confirmed or rumored to be working on upcoming products. However, the Spec's AR glasses house never-before-seen features for the category, which are closer to headsets like the Apple Vision Pro than other smart glasses.

The new Specs feature a proprietary liquid-crystal-on-silicon display, and the glasses can create the equivalent of a 24-inch desktop display for work tasks or a 115-inch screen for entertainment. Unlike AR glasses from companies like TCL RayNeo and Xreal, the Specs do not connect to another device via a computing puck or USB-C tether. They also support hand-tracking for gesture control.

The new Specs glasses from Snap, parent company of Snapchat. Credit: Snap

Snap said that it has filed more than 7,000 patents while working on Specs glasses over the past decade. The previous version of Snap smart glasses, the Snapchat Spectacles released in 2024, were bulky and served more as a proof-of-concept than a practical consumer gadget. However, with a $2,195 preorder price, the new Specs are also significantly more expensive than other AR glasses.

Previous generations of Snapchat smart glasses were bulky and impractical for everyday use. Credit: Snap

Snap said the glasses will provide a "more seamless view of the world with minimal distortion." The glasses also feature electrochromic lenses, which can shift from clear to tinted in 10 seconds.

"Specs are not designed to replace the world," Spiegel said. "They're designed to bring computing into it."

How do the new Specs glasses work? Previous generations of Specs glasses on display at AWE 2026. Credit: Snap

Specs are a head-worn computer in the shape of glasses, and according to a press release, they feature two on-board processors.

The untethered AR glasses are powered by two Snapdragon processors. One powers computer vision, while the other is dedicated to running the display lenses, hand tracking, and interactivity. Snap said the glasses offer "7-millisecond motion-to-photon latency, helping digital content feel anchored in the real world."

In that sense, the glasses are more similar to the Samsung Galaxy XR or Apple Vision Pro headsets than other display glasses, like the Meta Ray-Ban Display or Even Realities glasses.

Other key specifications include:

• A 51-degree field of view, equivalent to looking at a 115-inch screen at 10 feet away

• Custom stereo speakers

• Six high-SNR MEMS microphones

• Swiss TR90 polymer frame

• Display supports 16 million colors

Snap said the glasses will provide up to four hours of mixed-use battery life, which reportedly includes both audio and video playback, as well as AI interaction. A charging case will provide additional charges, for a total battery life of 20 hours.

To attract third-party apps and partners to the Specs ecosystem, Snap also announced the launch of a new developer preview and native development kit. The developer tools will be available in the Snap Lens Studio, and a developer preview will also be available in Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor.

The glasses are available for preorder starting today at Specs.com.

Mashable Enterprise Editor Neal Broverman provided additional reporting for this article.

UPDATE: Jun. 16, 2026, 1:34 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with additional information about the Specs glasses.

SAVE $150.99: As of June 16, get the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series espresso machine for $599, down from its usual price of $749.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series $599 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal

Making your own coffee at home can end up saving you a significant amount of money in the long run. Whether you love an espresso or you like to make creamy, milk-centric shakes, it's a good idea to invest in at least some sort of coffee maker if you're spending a lot of cash at Starbucks. If you're looking to grab a machine ahead of Prime Day, we've found one that's well worth the price, especially at this discount.

As of June 16, get the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series espresso machine for $599, down from its usual price of $749.99. That's $150.99 off and the best-ever price.

SEE ALSO: 6 early Prime Day deals under $50 worth shopping before the sale begins

This machine has the ability of four in one. It can brew coffee, cold brew, espresso, and more, with the touch of a button. It has its own independent hot water system with five espresso styles and two cold brew styles as well as varying sizes of drinks should you want a little more or a little less each day.

Its goal is to make getting coffee into the real world and into your digestive system as easily as possible, and it does that with weight-based dosing, customized grind-size recommendations, and active brew adjustments so you don't have to do any of the guesswork. Plus, it has hands-free frothing so all you have to worry about is drinking the finished product.

It's an investment to be sure, but well worth the cash if you want to get the most out of your mornings without spending an arm and a leg.

GET A FREE AUDIOBOOK: From June 12 to 22, shop Libro.fm's BOGO sale. Get a two audiobooks for the price of one with a Libro.fm membership.

Opens in a new window Credit: Libro.fm BOGO audiobook sale at Libro.fm Get two audiobooks for the price of one during Libro.fm's BOGO sale. Get Deal

We're not here to settle the debate on if audiobooks count as reading (it totally does,) but we are here to get you a good deal on audiobooks. Libro.fm is like the Bookshop.org of audiobooks. With a monthly membership, get up to two credits a month to redeem audiobooks. Plus your membership directly supports an indepedent bookstore of your choice.

But this month, your credits stretch further. During Libro.fm's BOGO sale, you get two books for just one monthly credit — aka a free audiobook to add to your library.

How to get a free audiobook during Libro.fm's BOGO sale

To get your free audiobook, you need to be a Libro.fm member. So first, make sure you sign-up for as low as $14.99 a month. Once you have your membership, you need to redeem your monthly credits.

To get a free audiobook, you must redeem the deal on the Libro.fm's BOGO sale page. The deal is available on a selection of audiobooks. Titles include Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and All Systems Red by Martha Wells.

Make your selections then hit checkout where you'll be prompted to use one credit for the two audiobooks. And just like that, you have two audiobooks for the price of one and your library is stocked with two new summer reads.

OnlyFans isn't doing enough to protect creators from exploitation, according to an investigation from the BBC, which includes interviews from 60 UK OnlyFans creators, human rights experts, and lawyers.

The report focused on OnlyFans "agents," "managers," or "OFMs" (OnlyFans management) who allegedly take control of creators' accounts and earnings. It's also subject to a BBC Three documentary, OnlyFans: Inside the Machine.

SEE ALSO: The connection between Kim K and OnlyFans, according to new book

OFMs claim to help creators become more successful and gain an audience and subscribers, but experts say they actually take advantage of creators.

OFM contracts shown to the BBC show that management takes up to 70 percent of creators' earnings, while the platform itself takes 20 percent. Several creators who spoke to the BBC said their managers lied about earnings in order to get more money themselves, with a couple claiming their managers changed the password to their OnlyFans account and bank account details, respectively.

Managers have also threatened creators with bodily harm, with one creator believing a physical attack was connected to her manager.

An OnlyFans spokesperson told the BBC that, "The allegation we 'turn a blind eye' [to these issues] is unfounded."

The spokesperson continued, "OnlyFans' relationship is with our creators and fans and we are not connected with, and do not endorse, any third parties including management agencies."

OnlyFans takes user safety "incredibly seriously," and invests in protection measures and meets its duties under the UK's Online Safety Act, the spokesperson said. "Unfortunately, we cannot review or influence any contractual relationships creators choose to enter into outside the platform as we are not party to them.

"If anyone raises a concern about a Creator's account, we will immediately restrict the account, conduct an investigation and take action to ensure the Creator is in control of their OnlyFans account," an OnlyFans spokesperson told Mashable.
 
"Despite repeated requests, the BBC refused to share account details of any OnlyFans users or the agencies that they claimed formed the basis of their reporting," the spokesperson added.

UK's anti-slavery commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, told the BBC that the cases of exploitation that have been reported but not properly acted on "raises serious concerns about whether OnlyFans is meeting its legal duties to protect users." She is engaging with the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, which also stated that the BBC's findings were "deeply concerning."

Last year, a lawsuit against OnlyFans claimed that subscribers believed they were direct messaging with creators, but were actually scammed by management pretending to be them. The lawsuit was dismissed in Dec. 2025.

UPDATE: Jun. 16, 2026, 12:48 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with a statement from OnlyFans to Mashable.

SCORE A $5 PIZZA: Through the end of Prime Day on June 26, Amazon Prime members can get a $5 large pizza (pepperoni or cheese) from Little Caesars once per day (up to five times) with the Prime Day pizza promo.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon / Little Caesars Little Caesars: $5 Large Pizza (Prime members only) Get Deal

Amazon is really breaking boundaries this Prime Day. Beyond early deals on tech like TVs, headphones, and MacBooks, it's also offering digital deals on streaming services and subscriptions, a sweepstakes for free groceries for a year, early access to see Spider Man: Brand New Day, and $5 pizza. Yes, Amazon now has a Prime Day pizza promotion and it's live through June 26.

As of June 16, Prime members can nab a large pizza for just $5 at Little Caesars once per day until the end of Prime Day on June 26. The offer is limited exclusively to online orders only from Prime members in the U.S. and an Amazon code is required. If you're not already a Prime member, now's a great time to sign up. Not only can you unlock this pizza deal, but plenty of other early Prime Day offers.

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

Head to the pizza promo page and click on "claim code "in the black box. You'll be redirected to the Little Caesars website to place your order. A large classic pepperoni pizza will automatically be added to your order, but feel free to change it to a large classic cheese if you want. You can add any sides or extras to complete your meal, then head to checkout. That's it — if you followed the steps correctly, the unique promo code will automatically be applied to your order at checkout.

The rules are you can only get one $5 pizza per day and you can only claim five pizzas total. Still, that's a lot of pizza. Just remember to return to the Prime Day Little Caesars offer page each time to claim a new code.

The best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch Deal Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle $499 Get Deal Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch game deal Star Fox $49.94 (Save $10.04) Get Deal Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch accessory deal 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller $59.92 (Save $10.07) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is almost here once more, and the retailer has started the savings early for anyone with a Nintendo Switch on their wishlist. Several of our favorite Switch and Switch 2 games and accessories are already discounted ahead of the main event, and you can shop them right now.

The four-day sale doesn't officially begin until June 23, but early deals are live as of June 16. The console itself is the exception, though. The Switch 2 turns one this month and is set for a price increase to $499.99 on September 1 rather than a cut. The real savings you'll find right now are on games and accessories.

If you'd rather not wait, these are some of the best Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals here worth grabbing now. We'll keep this guide updated as the sale gets closer, but for the moment, the best Switch and Switch 2 discounts so far are below.

Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle $499 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

While technically not a "deal" in the sense that you'll save money for Prime Day, this bundle is a good way to pick up both a Nintendo Switch 2 and the game of your choice out of a decent selection. You get the console itself, Joy-Con controllers, and games like Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Kart World, and Donkey Kong Bananza with the bundle, so you can get started playing right away. With a 7.9-inch LCD touch screen, three play modes, and backwards compatibility with most Nintendo Switch titles, it's well worth picking up, especially given the price hike coming in September.

Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Star Fox $49.94 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10.05   Get Deal Why we like it

This upcoming remake of the classic Nintendo title is out next week, and you can go ahead and save on it before Prime Day ever arrives. Hurtle through space on a fast and furious adventure with Fox, Slippy, Peppy, and Falco as you experience this new take on the Star Fox 64 story. It has new fully-voiced dialogue, a new orchestral soundtrack, and completely new graphics for a whole new generation. You can also invite a second player to join you on your adventures.

Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller $59.92 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.07   Get Deal Why we like it

This excellent Pro Controller alternative is much cheaper at the moment, and it'll get the job done with style and panache. It has special joysticks with better precision, higher sensitivity, and improved durability so no matter what game you're into, you know it'll feel great to play. It also features an integrated charging dock so you can always stay charged up, no matter what kind of schedule you keep. Plus, it has a slew of customizable features you can change up for different games, offering a much more bombastic experience than a Joy-Con controller.

More Nintendo Switch deals

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder — $53.99 $59.99 (save $7)

• Yakuza 0: Directors' Cut — $24.88 $49.99 (save $25.11)

• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S — $24.88 $39.99 (save $15.11)

• Sonic X Shadow Generations — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

Best early Prime Day deals under $50 Best Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 (save $35) Get Deal Best headphones deal JLab JBuds Lux ANC $49.95 (save $30.03) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender $48.98 (save $21.01) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket (42221) $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Classic Series Insulated Portable Cooler (52 quarts) $37.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best beauty deal Renpho Eyeris 1 Smart Eye Massager $49.82 (save $10.17) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is set to kick off on June 23, running though June 26 this year. It'll be a great time to save on tech, home appliances, and back to school gear. But like all Amazon sales, you might not have to wait for the official start day to cash in on major savings. In fact, sometimes it's better to shop early and avoid potential shipping delays.

Amazon has already dropped prices on plenty of great items like noise-cancelling headphones, Apple Watches, and portable power stations. But if you're sticking to a budget this summer or you're shopping for an affordable gift, the early sale has a great selection of options that cost under $50.

We'll continue to update this list as we get closer to the official sale. For now, these are the best early Prime Day deals that cost under $50.

Best Amazon Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal Why we like it

When it comes to sorting out the best Amazon Echo device, the Echo Spot wins as the best model that serves as an alarm clock. While spending about $80 on a smart speaker combo alarm clock might feel steep, today's sale price of $44.99 brings it down to a much more comfortable level.

The Echo Spot is easy to set up straight out of the box and it has customizable faces and sounds. Plus, it's the perfect compact size for your nightstand.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux ANC $49.95 at Amazon
$79.98 Save $30.03   Get Deal Why we like it

If the price alone doesn't convince you, consider the awards the JLab JBuds Lux ANC have won at Mashable. They're our top pick for best budget headphones this year, the best noise-cancelling budget pick for flying, and the top budget headphones option for students.

In addition to having decent ANC, they have great battery life, getting up to 70 hours of total playtime or about 40 hours with ANC turned on. We're also pretty smitten with the colorway options.

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender $48.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $21.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Ninja makes a variety of exceptional kitchen appliances, but if you're short on counter space, the Ninja Fit compact personal blender might be the best option. Use it to whip up a daily smoothie, a weekend frozen margarita, or a dessert chocolate milkshake. The Ninja blender comes with the 700W motor base as well as two 16-ounce Ninja cups and lids that are perfect for taking your blend on-the-go.

Best early Prime Day fitness tracker deals Best fitness tracker deal Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 (Save $60) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Epix Pro (47mm) $499.99 (Save $500) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal Best Samsung Galaxy deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) $289.99 (Save $90) Get Deal

Prime Day deals can be totally overwhelming with the sheer volume of products on sale, but the smartest way to shop is to go for what you really need. If you've been in the market for a new fitness tracker, just in time to hit your summer fitness goals, Prime Day is the best time to buy.

Right now there are a wealth of fitness trackers and smartwatches on sale. Find Fitbits, Garmin smartwatches, and Apple Watches all on sale for their lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day. That's some stellar savings a week before Prime Day has even kicked off.

Best early Prime Day fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00   Get Deal

Fitbits are one of the OG fitness trackers, helping people get on their feet and stay active. The Charge 6 displays your daily steps and heart rate. It automatically detects activity and can even link to compatible exercise machines to display your heart rate. And right now, the Fitbit Charge 6 is 38% off ahead of Prime Day.

Grab it for just $99.95 and save $60 off its $159.95 list price. This early Prime Day deal also brings the Charge 6 down to its lowest price ever.

More fitness tracker deals

• Fitbit Sense 2 — $199.94 $249.95 (save $50.01)

• Fitbit Inspire 3 — $79.95 $99.95 (save $20)

Best early Prime Day smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Epix Pro (47mm) $499.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $500   Get Deal

Garmin smartwatches are a staple among runners who want elite GPS tracking alongside health monitoring. The Garmin Epix Pro is usually a big investment at $999.99, but ahead of Prime Day, it's been cut in half, down to just $499.99, saving you $500.

It has 1.3-inch always on AMOLED display with a built-in LED flashlight. It's for true endurance athletes, providing a hill score for big climbs and endurance scores as you train. For a complete picture of your health, it'll monitor your health 24/7, providing pulse ox and HRV status.

Grab it now ahead of Prime Day for its lowest price ever.

More smartwatch deals

• CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro — $61.75 $99 (save $37.25)

• Garmin Vivoactive 5 — $189.99 $299.99 (save $110)

• Apple Watch SE 2 (44mm) — $249 $279 (save $30)

• Garmin Vivoactive 6 — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm) — $289.99 $349.99 (save $60)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) — $289.99 $379.99 (save $90)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm) — $549.99 $649.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Venu X1 — $599.99 $697 (save $97.01)

• Garmin Forerunner 970 — $649.99 $749.99 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm) — $699.99 $799 (save $99.01)

In 2007, Apple introduced a lot of folks to the idea of a cell phone with a touchscreen. Since then, a ton of laptops have shipped with touch support, but Apple has avoided doing the same with MacBooks. It seems like that trend will end soon.

Bloomberg's resident Apple guru Mark Gurman did some analysis of the latest batch of Apple software betas and found evidence of touchscreen support coming to at least one future MacBook model. Specifically, the developer beta for macOS 27 Golden Gate features things like support for pull-to-refresh (like how you refresh social media feeds on an iPhone), as well as a pill-shaped Siri interface that looks a lot like the iPhone's Dynamic Island feature.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iOS 27 will have three more unannounced features, report claims

These are small things, but they're part of a longer trend of evidence piling up for a touchscreen MacBook.

A recent leak out of China, for example, said it was definitely happening, while Gurman has also previously reported on the topic. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of specific info about this laptop, such as price, release date, or any other unique features it might have. But Gurman did call it a MacBook Pro in a previous report, so it might not be one of the cheaper models. (Remember: Apple is also rumored to be working on a high-end MacBook Ultra.)

Currently, the MacBook line includes the new MacBook Neo, the Air, and the Pro.

Canopy is best known for its stylish small home gadgets, including its iconic humidifiers. On June 16, the brand announced a new product offering: The Sound Machine + Aroma. It's a 3-in-1 sleep device that combines sleep sounds, a night light, and aromatherapy diffusion.

The Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma retails for $69 and comes in white, moonstruck, cream, lavender, and jade.

Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma specs and settings

• Sleep sounds: 15, including white noise, brown noise, ocean waves, and rain

• Volume levels: 10

• Battery life: 15 hours

• Night light colors: Red, white

• Aroma levels: 2

• Timers: 30, 60, 90 minutes

Choose red or white light to wind down for bed or keep the monsters away. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma first impressions

I live in New York City, so you'd think my sleep is interrupted by loud noises all night, but I actually have the opposite problem. My street is incredibly quiet overnight, which means any time there is a noise — like my upstairs neighbors' creaking floorboards — I'm super aware of it. I can't sleep in dead quiet, so I've used different sound machines for years (my Echo Spot, and more recently the Babelio sound machine).

I've only used the Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma for four nights, but I can already tell it's going to earn a permanent spot on my nightstand. I prefer brown noise to white noise, and the Canopy's brown noise setting is perfect. Some of the programmed sounds are definitely geared toward babies, like shushing and lullabies, and I don't see myself ever using those. But there are enough white noise and nature soundscapes that I will use to justify the device's price.

I have a Vitruvi essential oil diffuser, which I love, but it's not the quietest while running. So I've been enjoying the absolutely silent aromatherapy from Canopy. I just squeeze a few drops of my lavender and peppermint oils, and the scents are diffused throughout the night.

The front of the device houses controls for power, light, aroma diffusion, timer, settings lock, sound selection, and volume. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Open the back of the device to access the aromatherapy diffuser. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

I'm not a night light gal, but I do like to wind down the evening with soft, dim lighting. The red and white built-in lights are soothing and not at all too bright. You are able to adjust the brightness as well.

The 15-hour battery life means I get two nights' worth of use out of the Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma before having to recharge. I can also leave it on the charger overnight to avoid a lapse in my precious brown noise.

It's only been a few nights, but so far, I'm impressed. The Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma is stylish, portable, and packed with great sleep tools. I would absolutely spend my own money on this.

Opens in a new window Credit: Canopy Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma $69 at Canopy
  Shop Now

When Elon Musk bought Twitter back in 2022, rebranded it to X, fired most of the staff, and significantly loosened moderation (leading to a reported increase in hate speech on the platform), it opened the door for new Twitter-like services, and Meta was one of the first to take it seriously with Threads.

The gamble appears to have paid off. On Tuesday, Meta announced that Threads now has 500 million monthly active users.

SEE ALSO: Threads is adding a Grok-like AI search feature

For context, X doesn't officially report the number of monthly active users it has, but estimates put it at around 560 million.

According to the company, one of the biggest growth drivers on Threads were Communities, which are groups of people engaging in conversations around certain topics. To celebrate the occasion, Meta said it's "graduating" Communities out of beta and launching several new features.

The new features include a Communities Hub, which resides in the app's main menu and makes it easier to find new communities, as well as switch between them. Communities have also gotten distinct icons, which makes them easier to recognize. Community Progress is a visual cue on how a certain topic is close to becoming a Community (topics need to reach a certain critical mass in popularity and engagement to become Communities).

This topic is close to becoming a Community. Credit: Meta

Also, more people who frequently contribute to communities are getting the community champion status. Finally, Meta is launching local Communities, starting with native language tags in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Meta also launched another new feature, called Your Algo, allowing you to (privately) control which conversations you see in your feed. It's a complement to Dear Algo, which tells Threads what you want to see more or less of, but a little more granular, as you can choose whether you want this request to last one, three, or seven days (there's no permanent option, so you'll have to keep tuning this every now and then if you want it to stick).

Notably, Meta recently introduced similar algorithm controls in Instagram.

Your Algo is rolling out today in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.