Mashable

2026 cinema has been a wild ride from the very start.

January gave us jaw-dropping action and musical mayhem with Greenland 2: Migration, The Rip, and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. February brought spicy tales of love for better and worse with Pillion and "Wuthering Heights." March delivered a big hit with Project Hail Mary and the electrifying box office bomb The Bride! April presented provocative indies like Mother Mary and The Drama, as well as the tedious studio tentpole The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Then, came May with devils, witches, and Hutts in The Devil Wears Prada 2, Hokum, and The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Some of these are sensational. Some are major misfires. Below, we'll break down the must-sees of 2026. Whether you go wild for horror, live for comedy, thrive on sci-fi, or adore a genre mashup, this year has got something great for you.

Here's the best movies of 2026 so far.

15. The Bride!

As writer and director, Maggie Gyllenhaal took a big swing with The Bride!, a dizzying reimagining of the Universal monster from The Bride of Frankenstein. Critics were mixed on it, and despite starring Academy Award winners Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale as the Bride and her monster mate, this epic horror offering tanked at the box office.

But the world is wrong. Set in 1936 Chicago, The Bride! offers up a gangster's moll (Buckley) who is fatefully possessed by Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, who's long dead but still has things to say. So begins a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style crime spree with a besotted creature who loves movie musicals. The result is fitful, deranged, and uniquely beautiful.

Apparently, The Bride! is not for everyone. But to me, it was sensational. As I wrote in my review, "Gyllenhaal and her cast don't just dust off a classic tale for a safe money grab. (Looking at you, Disney live-action remakes!) They tear various Frankenstein iterations to bits, then create an exquisite corpse of the pieces, festooning it with elements from other films about violence, revolt, and violation. The result is a film that is utterly electrifying, sure to spark something in hearts young and old." — K.P.

Starring: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penélope Cruz

How to watch: The Bride! is now streaming on HBO Max.

14. Sound of Falling

Director Mascha Schilinski weaves strands of girlhood across generations in Sound of Falling, a magnificent, quiet, and powerful epic. Co-written with Louise Peter, the German director's second feature takes us into the lives of four characters living in the same German farmhouse over a century: Alma (Hanna Heckt) in the 1910s, Erika (Lea Drinda) in the 1940s, Angelika (Lena Urzendowsky) in the 1980s, and Lenka (Laeni Geiseler) in the 2020s.

Each performance is interior and complex, with Schilinski giving these women and girls deserved agency in contexts that refuse to — and their experiences are framed by a magnificent production team. As I wrote in my review, "Capturing the unpredictable, complex tempest that is girlhood onscreen is a challenge many films have wrestled with, and Schilinski assembles a deeply talented production team to make Sound of Falling feel as intimate and private as a diary." — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Hanna Heckt, Lena Urzendowsky, Laeni Geiseler, Susanne Wuest, Luise Heyer, and Lea Drinda

How to watch: Sound of Falling is now streaming on MUBI.

13. Rose of Nevada

If you relished in the eccentricity of The Lighthouse and crave another salt-encrusted voyage into surrealism, get aboard Mark Jenkin's Rose of Nevada. In the third chapter of the filmmaker's Cornish trilogy (after Bait and Enys Men), time becomes a fickle friend for men of a small coastal village. When an enigmatic fishing trawler shows up 30 years after it disappeared, its sea-wisened captain (Francis Magee) is recruiting able (read: desperate) seamen. Valuing financial stability over a bit of folklore, locals Nick and Liam (George MacKay and Callum Turner) sign up as the Rose of Nevada's skeleton crew.

Not your average commercial fishing trip, the film takes the crew and the audience on a strange, harrowing ride. Jenkin weaves a captivating net that traverses time, all captured on a 1976 wind-up Bolex camera with 16mm film. It feels like something found in the trunk of an old seaside cottage, somewhat inexplicable at times but hypnotising all the same. — S.C.

Starring: George MacKay, Callum Turner, Rosalind Eleazar, Francis Magee, and Mary Woodvine

How to watch: Rose of Nevada opens in theaters on June 19.

12. Exit 8

Months after escaping from Exit 8, I remain ensnared in it. Genki Kawamura's haunting adaptation is more than an ode to Kotake Create's acclaimed 2023 game; it's an impeccable thriller that will have you actively participating in its labyrinthine puzzle. You'll genuinely root for Kazunari Ninomiya as a frantic man trapped in a nightmarish looping subway hallway beneath Tokyo, his only chance of escape being his ability to identify "anomalies" within this wretched corridor. A rare triumph among video game adaptations, Exit 8 is a masterpiece of production, from the meticulous sets to the dynamic cinematography and nerve-racking sound design.

As I wrote in my review, "While video game adaptations come in a range of sublime to mediocre, Exit 8 is a triumphant realisation and expansion of the original concept. Kawamura's punctilious direction and his incredibly talented cast and crew amplify this contained hallway in satisfying, chilling ways. You'll remain in this hallway long after you've left the cinema — we're all still staring blankly at that Exit 0 sign." — S.C.

Starring: Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kochi, Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, and Nana Komatsu

How to watch: Exit 8 is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

11. Send Help

Some movies are just so weird that it feels like a miracle they exist at all. Send Help is such a wonder, as it pairs A-list actress Rachel McAdams with much, much, much, much glop.

Directed by Sam Raimi, Send Help is a genre mash-up that combines tropes from adventure and romance, horror comedies, and survival thrillers with an eat-the-rich edge. McAdams stars as a mousy office worker whose hotshot boss (Dylan O'Brien) treats like a pimple that needs to be popped. But when they end up stranded on a desert island, the power dynamics are dramatically flipped. There will be blood. And vomit, and muck, and more blood. And it will be hilarious. As I declared in my review, "It's also a rip-roaring, no-fucks-to-give good time." — K.P.

Starring: Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien

How to watch: Send Help is now on Hulu.

10. Disclosure Day

Steven Spielberg has brought audiences epic movies about extraterrestrial life touching down on Earth, from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to E.T. to War of the Worlds, and now Disclosure Day. With a screenplay from David Koepp, this sci-fi thriller stars Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor as two strangers who are united in their quest to get the truth about alien life out to the world.

As I celebrated in my review, "With Disclosure Day, I experienced the distinctive thrill of watching a master filmmaker do what he does best. The film, which focuses on a band of people's struggle to release secret information about extraterrestrial contact on Earth, is a dizzying mix of action, humor, adventure, sci-fi, and wonder. Naturally, I laughed, cried, and gasped. But more than that, Disclosure Day made me feel like I better understand the whole of Spielberg's work, and him as a person... On its surface, Disclosure Day is about aliens. But beneath that, it's about us — or more specifically, how Spielberg sees humanity itself. And while he has more faith in us than I do, I hope he's right." — K.P.

Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo

How to watch: Disclosure Day is now in theaters.

9. Mother Mary

Written and directed by David Lowery (The Green Knight, A Ghost Story), Mother Mary is a velvety journey of heartache, hauntings, and healing.

Anne Hathaway stars as a pop icon known as Mother Mary, who's fallen out of the spotlight — hard. Readying for her comeback, she reaches out to Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel), the fashion designer and friend who helped her craft her pop persona. While much of the film is a tense conversation in a crumbling barn repurposed as Sam's design studio, Lowery weaves in surreal flashbacks to reveal not only what came before but also how it hangs over both like a shroud they can't escape.

Rapturous visuals are bolstered by original music performed by Anne Hathaway and written and produced by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX, and FKA twigs. But the best bit of all are the dueling performances of Hathaway and Coel, who are mesmerizing even in a simple scene of arguing over fabric. (The Devil Wears Prada, who?)

As I declared in my review, "Mother Mary is not only slippery, riveting, unnerving, and haunting, but also one of the most enthralling films 2026 is likely to reveal." — K.P.

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer, Atheena Frizzell, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Alba Baptista, Sian Clifford, and FKA twigs

How to watch: Mother Mary is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video or Apple TV.

8. Pillion

One of the most buzzed-about films of the year earned every minute of the attention. Based on Adam Mars-Jones' book Box Hill, Harry Lighton's tender, funny, and spicy debut Pillion sees Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling delivering formidable performances. Melling is a delight as demure and polite parking ticket officer Colin, who meets burly, stoic, and furiously handsome biker Ray (an outstanding Skarsgård) on Christmas Eve, of all eves.

Instantly connecting, Colin and Ray enter a Dom/sub relationship; we join them navigating kink and sexual boundaries — and attempting to explain it all to Colin's parents. Siddhant Adlakha writes for Mashable in his review, "Led by a pair of fine-tuned performances from Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, the movie walks a fragile tonal tightrope with remarkable flair." — S.C.

Starring: Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård

How to watch: Pillion is now streaming on HBO Max.

7. Hoppers

Who knew that one of the most bonkers movies of the year (complimentary) would come from Pixar? The animation studio's latest original, Hoppers, introduces technology that "hops" human consciousnesses into fake animal bodies, allowing scientists to study wildlife up close and personal. But when animal lover Mabel Tanaka (voiced by Piper Curda) uses hopping to try to save a glade near her house, she finds herself caught in an adventure wilder than she could have ever imagined.

SEE ALSO: 'Hoppers' review: Pixar's beaver-centric take on 'Avatar' is its most unhinged film yet

How wild, you might ask? That would be spoiling the fun of Hoppers' third act, which is the most audacious thing Pixar's produced in years. Let's just say there's an assassination plot, a killer car chase, and a juicy riff on Invasion of the Body Snatchers that will have you thinking, "Man, they're really going for it!" (Again, complimentary.) Of course, there's some classic Pixar sprinkled in there, like a sob-worthy grandmother-granddaughter relationship and a sweet message about community. But it's Hoppers' riskiness and inventiveness that lingers, a welcome change after Pixar's last few films and sequel-heavy slate have too often played it safe. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco

How to watch: Hoppers is now available for purchase on Prime Video.

6. I Love Boosters

Writer/director Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You and I'm A Virgo) is back with an unabashedly anti-capitalist satire that's star-studded and outrageously fun.

I Love Boosters centers on a clever quartet of shoplifters (aka boosters), known as the Velvet Gang. Let by aspiring fashion designer Corvette (Keke Palmer), they steal from the stores of fashion titan Christie Smith (Demi Moore) to sell the hot goods at low prices. But like his previous works, Riley brings much more to this Afro-surrealist wonder, including skin-crawling conspiracies, a sci-fi MacGuffin, and a sexy demon in the form of LaKeith Stanfield.

Out of the film's SXSW premiere, I enthused, "Like the fashion in the film, Riley blends whatever fits his vision without apology. By delivering something this messy and marvelous, Riley makes a statement about the glory to be found outside the box. And make no mistake: I Love Boosters is glorious." — K.P.

Starring: Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza Gonzalez, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, and Demi Moore

How to watch: I Love Boosters is now in theaters.

5. The Sheep Detectives

From the director of Minions: Rise of Gru and the creator of the hit TV drama The Last of Us comes a crime story about a slain shepherd (Hugh Jackman), whose homicide case must be cracked by his flock of fluffy and brave sheep, voiced by the likes of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, and Chris O'Dowd.

This movie sounds like a 30 Rock joke, parodying the absurdity of Hollywood movies. However, this cozy crime thriller set in a quaint English village is not just a fun murder mystery, but also a feel-good family film and a mindful meditation about grief.

As I cheered in my review, "Incredibly, The Sheep Detectives is a real movie. Frankly, it could have been a deeply stupid movie with bad CGI animation and a predictable solution, and I still would have been pleased that it even existed at all. I just love a big swing for its bonkers ambition. But props to Balda and his kooky cast, because The Sheep Detectives is so much more than silly fun. It's a smart parody of the detective stories with a cheeky sense of humor, a sensational ensemble, and an ending so poignant that I actually teared up!" — K.P.

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein, and Rhys Darby

How to watch: The Sheep Detectives is now in theaters.

4. Hokum

To date, the scariest movie of the year is Hokum. The latest from Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy (Caveat and Oddity) stars Adam Scott as a misanthropic American novelist who falls down a rabbit hole of folklore and horror.

You see, Ohm Bauman (Scott) has traveled to a remote hotel in Ireland for some grim business, including scattering the ashes of his deceased parents. But when a bartender who was kind to him goes missing, Ohm can't resist the urge to find her, even if he thinks the talk of a witch plaguing the hotel's honeymoon suite is "hokum."

In my review, I called Hokum "a seriously scary masterpiece," explaining, "It's a nerve-shredding, bone-rattling, scream-pulling good time, and an absolute blast to see in a theater." And in case you're on the fence, know this: This movie made me scream myself hoarse while watching it. —K.P.

Starring: Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Michael Patric, Will O'Connell, Brendan Conroy, and Austin Amelio

How to watch: Hokum is now in theaters.

3. Is God Is

In a strong position to be the greatest feature directorial debut of 2026 is Is God Is. Playwright Aleshea Harris adapted her award-winning play of the same name into a scorching thriller about twin sisters (Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on a vengeance-fueled road trip.

SEE ALSO: Vivica A. Fox on how 'Is God Is' director compares to Quentin Tarantino

Tasked by their long-lost mother (Vivica A. Fox) to slay their vicious father (Sterling K. Brown), these sister set off on a violent journey, where they encounter wild character, horrid secrets, and an inner strength that could be the death of both of them. Beyond its engrossing story, Is God Is is swamped in rich visuals, blisteringly poetic dialogue, and performances so electric that you can feel them in your spine.

As I raved in my review, "Is God Is delivers filmmaking that is so mythic, mesmerizing, and menacing that it's easily one of the best movies of 2026." — K.P.

Starring: Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Mykelti Williamson, Josiah Cross, Vivica A. Fox, and Sterling K. Brown

How to watch: Is God Is is now in theaters.

2. Project Hail Mary

When Ryan Gosling hosted Saturday Night Live in March to promote Project Hail Mary, he said, "People are saying it's like E.T. meets Interstellar, which is crazy, because those are like, what, two of the best films of all time? So they're kind of saying it’s like, what, double that?" 

SEE ALSO: How Ryan Gosling's 'Project Hail Mary' made a rock spider lovable

While it might take a bit more time to determine Project Hail Mary's all-timer status, this sci-fi blockbuster absolutely earned its spot as one of the best movies of 2026, winning over crowds and critics alike. Based on the novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary lures you in with an apocalyptic premise: Earth is launching a last-ditch space mission to save our sun. Soon, though, it morphs into a rich, hopeful tale of friendship between middle school science teacher Dr. Ryland Grace (Gosling) and alien Rocky (voiced and puppeteered by James Ortiz). Thanks to their heartwarming connection, some epic set pieces, and even more epic sweaters, there's really only one word that can truly sum up Project Hail Mary: Amaze! — B.E.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, and Lionel Boyce

How to watch: Project Hail Mary is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

1. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

One of the great crimes against cinema of 2026 is that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple flopped at the box office.

Critics went wild for Hedda director Nia DaCosta's bold and brilliant sequel to Danny Boyle's resurrected zombie thriller. But audiences didn't turn out in the droves this heady blend of horror, heart, and heavy metal deserved.

SEE ALSO: Nia DaCosta and Jack O'Connell on that epic 'Bone Temple' musical number

Picking up the story of runaway Spike (Alfie Williams), The Bone Temple plunged us deep into the cult of Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), whose bizarre introduction at the end of the last film had fans freaking out with theories. A self-styled Satanist with a fixation on torture, Jimmy Savile, and the Teletubbies, Jimmy was an instant icon in horror. But even he was awed by the uncanny stage presence of Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes). The gentle doctor spent most of the movie getting stoned with the Alpha undead Sampson (Chi Lewis-Parry), in sequences that were tender and funny. But the climax of this movie had theaters cheering, as Kelson embraced his inner demons with a fiery performance of Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast." And it was one of the most riveting and surprising things I've seen in a movie, ever. It was magical, chaotic, and unforgettable.

As I cheered in my review, "This horror offering — like its prequel and also like 2025's other smash horror hit, Sinners — transcends the grimier aspects of the genre to unearth something gnarly and sublime." —K.P.

Starring: Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry

How to watch: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now streaming on Netflix.

TL;DR: Live stream USA vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Tournament Supporter of the event.

The USA is the last host nation to start its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, and it's probably got the toughest matchup. Mexico battled it out with South Africa in the opening game, Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, and now USA meets Paraguay in Group D.

Australia and Turkey are the other sides competing in this group. It's a really difficult group to predict, but it feels like there's a genuine chance that the team doesn't even qualify for the knockout rounds. They'll need to be at their best to take anything from a decent Paraguay team.

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

When is USA vs. Paraguay?

USA vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on June 12. This fixture takes place at the SoFi Stadium.

How to watch USA vs. Paraguay for free Credit: ExpressVPN

USA vs. Paraguay 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.

And luckily for World Cup viewers, ExpressVPN recently announced that it's an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Live stream USA vs. Paraguay 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 USA vs. Paraguay 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 USA vs. Paraguay (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 sports 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 sports 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 a money-back guarantee).

Live stream USA vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 starting with a number of huge matchups, including Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All eyes will be on hosts Canada as they look to secure a positive result against a team that beat Italy to qualify for this competition. Qatar and Switzerland are the other sides in Group B. There isn't really a favorite to qualify for the knockout rounds, so every contest is absolutely vital for securing all-important points.

If you want to watch Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 12. This fixture takes place at the BMO Field.

How to watch Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free

Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (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 Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE OVER $200: As of June 12, the Dreame L10s Ultra is on sale for $379.92 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame L10s Ultra $379.93 at Amazon
$589.99 Save $210.06   Get Deal

Prime Day is still over a week away, but Amazon has already started releasing early deals and discounts on a number of products. Like this latest deal on the Dreame L10s Ultra, for example. As of June 12, this robot vacuum has dropped to its lowest-ever price, now priced at $379.92. This deal saves you over $200.

This robot vacuum is a powerful one, designed to clean hard-to-reach areas, including under furniture and in tight spaces. It delivers 10,000Pa Vormax suction for deep cleaning, and it also has a floating rubber brush that helps detangle hair. There’s also a pet care mode that identifies areas for more intensive cleaning. 

It comes with a mopping function too, with the DuoScrub mopping system using two high-speed rotary mops to apply pressure while cleaning, helping to lift stubborn dirt and spills. 

After cleaning your floors, the robot vacuum will return to its docking station where it will hold up to 75 days of dirt. It also washes and hot-air dries the mops, refills water, and automatically dispenses cleaning solution. 

And you won’t need to manually guide this vacuum either. It uses Smart Pathfinder and 3DAdapt technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.

Get this robot vacuum deal at Amazon now.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once famously said a touchscreen MacBook was never going to happen, but that was a long time ago, and things are changing.

A leaker known as Instant Digital, known for some eerily accurate Apple-related predictions, seemed certain about it in a recent Weibo post (via MacRumors).

"It's 100% confirmed that the MacBook screen will be touch-enabled," he wrote.

The leaker did not add any other details, so we don't know which version of the MacBook is getting the touchscreen, nor when this is supposed to happen. But the post builds on previous reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, with both previously stating that Apple is working on a touchscreen variant of the MacBook.

Rumors about such a device have circulated for years, though, and nothing ever came to fruition. Gurman's report dates February 2026, and back then he said the initial batch of touch-enabled Macs are coming "this fall." Gurman said the company would be pretty lax about the touchscreen, allowing the users to use it as much or as little they'd like, instead of positioning the Mac as a better version of the iPad.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s WWDC 2026 recap: What did Apple announce?

Apple is also rumored to launch a high-end "MacBook Ultra" later this year; this top-of-the-line device should come with Apple's most powerful chips, an OLED display, and it might be the first one to be touch-enabled.

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

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 June 12, 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 June 12, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 12 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 12 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 12 Pips

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

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

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, 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.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and one of the loudest voices of the internet, made numerous X posts Wednesday and Thursday in support of deporting immigrants from the United Kingdom, perhaps under violent conditions.

His comments and reposts, shared on the eve of SpaceX's initial public offering, channeled outrage over a knife attack against an Irish man in Belfast on Monday evening. A 30-year-old Sudanese refugee and legal resident allegedly committed the stabbing and has been charged with attempted murder, according to officials.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk found the cheat code for capitalism. The SpaceX IPO proves it. What did Elon Musk say about the Belfast stabbing?

Among his posts, Musk amplified Rupert Lowe, a member of the British Parliament and founder of the anti-immigrant Restore Britain movement.

In one video clip Musk shared, Lowe calls for the deportation of migrants who can't financially support themselves. Musk reshared a post from Restore Britain announcing that the movement would "reverse the third-worldification of our country." Musk also replied "Yes" to an X post of Lowe's in which he declares, "Britain doesn't have a racism problem, it has an immigration problem."

Musk used the same single-word affirmation to reply to an X user's post quoting Lowe's support of "reverse mass migration" and adding the commentary, "Deport the invaders. Imprison the government." Lowe said on X earlier this week that "[m]illions and millions need to leave or be made to leave."

Anger over Monday's attack led to riots in Belfast and other locations in Northern Ireland. The protesters set cars, garbage cans, and a city bus on fire, according to the New York Times. They also appeared to target the homes of immigrants, the Times reported. Firefighters aided families when their homes were set on fire Tuesday night.

The victim, who was hospitalized with serious injuries, called for calm in a statement shared by his family, the New York Times said.

The UK regulator Ofcom will not reprimand X for surfacing or promoting posts that incited violence against immigrants for at least two months, according to the Guardian.

Musk denied that social media contributed to the riots and instead blamed "murderous migrants" as the source of people's anger.

Will Elon Musk's comments affect the SpaceX IPO?

When SpaceX filed for an IPO with the Securities and Exchange Commission last month, it acknowledged the chances that Musk's public commentary could influence the company's business.

"The actions and statements of Mr. Musk and his affiliated ventures, whether or not directly relating to us, may draw significant public attention and scrutiny to us and could potentially have a positive or negative impact on our business, relationships with customers and regulators, or stock price," the SpaceX filing read.

Musk's company xAI, which became part of SpaceX earlier this year, is also facing a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of plaintiffs whose real photographs were allegedly used to create child sexual abuse material via the AI chatbot Grok.

Ahead of the IPO, a 40-foot tall inflatable effigy of Musk appeared in New York City's Times Square as a reminder of those cases. The inflatable's torso had an unmissable message tying SpaceX and Grok to the creation of child sexual abuse material. It was placed there by Safe AI Now, or SANE, a coalition of groups concerned about AI safety, according to Wired.

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SpaceX announced Thursday that it will make 555,555,555 shares available for purchase at $135 per share. The IPO is scheduled for Friday, June 12. SpaceX is on track for a $1.75 trillion valuation.

Musk's endorsement of forcibly removing millions of immigrants from the United Kingdom hasn't yet appeared to affect investor appetite for SpaceX stock. Retail traders have reportedly ordered $100 billion in SpaceX stock ahead of the public offering, according to Forbes.

The IPO is expected to make Musk the world's first trillionaire.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal using their independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.

TL;DR: Mashable readers can get the HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm for $15.89 after clipping the Amazon coupon and applying code OFORSXRF.

Opens in a new window Credit: HUANUO HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm $15.89 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $34.10 Use code OFORSXRF Get Deal

Prime Day is rapidly approaching, and it's a great time to stock up on new tech. Level up your desk setup with a new monitor arm that's heavily discounted.

The HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm typically retails for $49.99, but Mashable readers can snag it for just $15.89 by clipping the on-page Amazon coupon and using the code OFORSXRF at checkout.

The FlowLift Pro is compatible with 13-inch to 32-inch screens and has a max load of 19.8 pounds. It features smooth adjustment and positioning without any sagging. Find a view that's comfortable for you with a max height of 16.5 inches, 90-degree rotation, 90-degree swivel, and +85-degree/-25-degree tilt. It has a quick-release design, so popping your monitor into place is a breeze.

Do you prefer recording a quick video to writing a text? If so, you'll really like what Reddit just unveiled.

Reddit announced the launch of video comments for all of its users on Thursday. The feature allows any Redditor to upload or record a short-form video reply right in the comments of any post in Reddit communities or subreddits. 

Reddit users were already able to comment with text, images, and GIFs. Now, they can reply with video too.

“We are continually evolving Reddit to deliver a more immersive and authentic human experience," said Reddit's Chief Product Officer Maria Angelidou-Smith. "The ability to reply with video gives users more creative ways to engage in communities they love."

SEE ALSO: AI is fueling Reddit's spam problem

With the new feature, Reddit users will see a video icon alongside the existing image and GIF icon options in the comment box. Clicking on the video icon will allow users to either upload an existing video or record a new video right there in the comment box.

According to Reddit, videos in comments will not play automatically. Reddit's safety systems will also check video comments before they are posted.

The company says a community must be listed as public and "suitable-for-work (SFW)" to be eligible for video comments.

Unlike other social platforms, Reddit has a large number of users that prefer complete anonymity. However, there's no requirement that the video posted in a comment be created by a user — so the feature can easily become simply yet another way to post a meme response, this time in video form.

As an example, Reddit shared a link to a video AMA with Mel C. from the Spice Girls that was conducted two months ago on the platform. The AMA utilized the video in comments feature before it rolled out to all users. In other words, Reddit is promoting at least one way they hope the feature is used.

OpenAI is considering massive product-wide price cuts to address industry concerns and keep up with the rising popularity of competitor AI companies, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Speaking to anonymous insiders, the publication reported that the Sam Altman-led company is debating reducing subscription usage costs to retain its customer base — competitors like Anthropic are reportedly debating the same move.

According to those close to the company, this may include lowering costs for ‌highly sought after tokens, a response to an ebbing trend among tech companies known as "tokenmaxxing" or the burning out of processing tokens (and entire corporate budgets) in order to boost the productivity of their AI products.

SEE ALSO: New safety rules for under-16 Snapchat users

According to the Wall Street Journal, business executives across the industry have criticized AI costs. Altman recently said that high prices are a "a huge issue" for the company, but the decision hasn't been finalized just yet, insiders told the Journal. Meanwhile, investors are also beginning to cool on AI, amid ebbing stock market numbers from major players like Nvidia.

Still, OpenAI is making moves to become a more profit-driven company. On Monday, OpenAI officially announced it was filing for an IPO, with a yet-undetermined timeline. Industry rumors suggest OpenAI could go public as early as September and could be valued at $1 trillion. Anthropic also recently filed for public status, suggesting the AI price wars are only just getting started.

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.

For roughly two hours Wednesday night, Knicks fans collectively prepared for heartbreak.

By halftime of Game 4, Madison Square Garden was on edge, social media was melting down, and the Spurs looked poised to even out the score of the NBA Finals.

Then the Knicks pulled off the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

New York erased a 29-point deficit, beat San Antonio 107-106 on an OG Anunoby tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining, and moved one win away from its first championship since 1973.

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The result transformed social media from a digital wake into a rolling highlight reel of celebration, as videos of Knicks fans screaming in bars and on city streets flooded timelines.

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Here are some of the biggest moments from Game 4, both on the court and online.

OG Anunoby's game-winner instantly became the play of the night

For most of the fourth quarter, social media was busy trying to process how the Knicks had climbed back into the game. Then Anunoby gave everyone something else to talk about.

With seconds remaining, the Knicks forward tipped in the go-ahead basket, sending Madison Square Garden into a frenzy. Within minutes, timelines were full of every possible angle of the play, from television broadcasts and slow-motion replays to fan-shot footage captured from the upper deck — and Ben Stiller's courtside iPhone.

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The Knicks' playoff run has turned Madison Square Garden into one of the internet's recurring characters, and Wednesday night was no exception.

As the comeback gained momentum, cameras repeatedly cut to celebrity fans sitting courtside, including Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Swift, Spike Lee, and Mariska Hargitay, who collectively lifted Donald Trump's curse. Their reactions quickly became viral content in their own right, with clips spreading across social media almost as quickly as game highlights. Who will ever be able to forget Taylor Swift's white-girl dancing to Jalen Brunson's three-pointer? Or Larry David's near heart attack over Josh Hart's missed layup in the fourth?

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. Madison Square Garden completely lost its mind

MSG quickly became the center of the internet's attention. Fans posted videos from every level of the arena, capturing everything from the mounting stress before the Knicks' comeback to the chaos that followed Anunoby's game-winner. While television cameras focused on the court, fans documented the comeback from every imaginable angle, creating a crowdsourced record of the historic night.

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The final buzzer marked the beginning of another wave of viral content.

Videos posted throughout the night showed fans — like New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani — erupting inside bars, chanting in the streets, and celebrating well after the game ended. For a few hours, timelines became a live feed of New York City's collective joy.

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No major sports moment is complete without memes, and Game 4 produced plenty. Social media users compared Anunoby's game-winner to everything from classical works of art to scenes from the viral thriller Obsession, while others turned Victor Wembanyama's reaction into an instant meme format. Knicks fans also resurfaced years-old posts from Josh Hart to spur up some momentum.

In the hours after the final buzzer, timelines became a mix of celebration, disbelief, and attempts to explain the inexplicable through increasingly absurd references.

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The Knicks still need one more win to secure their first NBA championship in more than five decades. But regardless of what happens next, Game 4 already feels destined to live on as one of those rare internet moments that transcends sports.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking over the airwaves this summer, and it all starts today, June 11. The 23rd and biggest edition of the global tournament to date is hosted by three different countries for the first time (United States, Mexico, Canada) and features more competing teams than ever (48 teams across 16 different host cities). It's going to be epic and you won't want to miss out on the action.

The first day of the tournament opens with live coverage of Group A starting at 1 p.m. ET today, as host country Mexico welcomes opponent South Africa. We've broken down everything you need to know to tune in live.

FIFA World Cup schedule today: June 11

• Group A: Mexico vs. South Africa (Mexico City Stadium) — kickoff at 3 p.m. ET

• Group A: South Korea vs. Czechia (Guadalajara Stadium) — kickoff at 10 p.m. ET

How to livestream FIFA World Cup games todayWatch Mexico vs. South Africa

Mexico welcomes South Africa to Mexico City today to start the entire tournament. While the game doesn't officially kick off until 3 p.m. ET, live coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET on Fox and Fox One. Tubi will also be streaming the match for free, and Peacock will have the Spanish-language coverage.

Watch South Korea vs. Czechia

South Korea will take on Czechia in what could prove to be an early switch match in Group A on June 11. It kicks off at 10 p.m. ET at Guadalajara Stadium, and live coverage will be on FS1 and Fox One. Peacock will also carry the Spanish-language coverage.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One (3-month subscription) $39.98
$59.97 Save $19.99 only for a limited time Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tubi Tubi (Mexico vs. South Africa only) Watch for free Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock (Spanish language coverage only) Starting at $10.99/month Get Deal More live streaming options:

• YouTube TV — 10-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months

• Fubo Sports — 1-day trial, then $45.99/month for 1 month

• Hulu + Live TV — 3-day trial, then $89.99/month

• Watch for free on ITVX, BBC iPlayer, and more with a VPN

Is it too time-consuming for you to search for and buy products you need on the internet? ChatGPT and Visa have a solution.

OpenAI and Visa, the world's largest non-Chinese payment network, have worked to integrate Visa into ChatGPT, per the Associated Press. Thanks to this integration, users can now have ChatGPT operate as a shopping agent of sorts, scouring the internet for products based on natural-language queries and making purchases on the user's behalf.

SEE ALSO: Florida becomes first state to sue OpenAI over ChatGPT's alleged links to violence

“As AI agents become active participants in the economy, Visa's focus is to ensure transactions are trusted, secure, and seamless,” said Visa executive Jack Forestell.

To get an idea of how this works, one example given involved asking ChatGPT to find a new pair of headphones under a certain price threshold. Ideally, the chatbot would quickly search the internet for one, present options to the user, and complete the purchase if the user asks it to. According to Visa, some of the guardrails in place to prevent fraud or out-of-control spending include spending limits and a list of approved merchants, in addition to the basic requirement of user approval.

If you trust AI to make purchases for you, this could be a godsend. If you don't, well, nobody is making you use it.

SAVE $70: As of June 11, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 have dropped to a new best price ever of $179 at Amazon, Walmart, and Target — down from their usual $249. That's 28% or $70 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal

Just the mere mention of Amazon Prime Day has sent prices into a tailspin. Though the shopping event of the season doesn't officially kick off until June 23, we've already got mad deals to shout about. The Apple AirPods Pro 3, in particular, have never been this cheap.

As of June 11, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are down to just $179 at Amazon, Walmart, and Target (mysteriously, Best Buy has them at full price). That's $70 or 28% off their list price of $249 and a new all-time low price.

"The AirPods Pro pop up on most best of lists, and though we've always been fans, the third generation takes these earbuds to a new level," writes Mashable's reviewer. The Pro 3's noise cancellation is twice as good as the Pro 2's. They have even better battery life at eight hours with ANC and 10 hours in transparency mode. Plus, they added the heart rate monitoring tech from the Powerbeats Pro 2 (our favorite workout earbuds), a live translation feature, and new foam-infused tips that come in various sizes for the right fit.

If you already own a pair of AirPods Pro 2, you probably don't need to upgrade to the 3s. But if you're buying AirPods for the first time or need to replace ones you lost, this price drop should seal the deal. There's always a chance they could get even cheaper for Prime Day, but $179 is already the cheapest they've ever been.

VidCon 2026 kicks off in less than two weeks in Anaheim on Thursday, June 25, with three days of panels, events, creator meetups, and festivities.

While some sessions are open to all VidCon attendees, most are organized by a ticket holder's track and pass level: the Fan track (VidCon pass), the Creator track (Creator pass), and the Industry track (Pro pass).

SEE ALSO: Why VidCon still matters in 2026

The Fan track focuses on more interactive events and IRL meet-ups, while the Creator and Industry track passes are geared towards networking events and informative sessions for creators and industry professionals.

Think of this as your guide to the events you need to keep on your radar heading into this year's VidCon.

The VidCon Hall of Fame

VidCon's second annual Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for 6 pm on Thursday, June 25, and is open to all attendees, regardless of ticket tier. 

The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees include Markiplier, Philip DeFranco, Michelle Phan, and Blogilates founder Cassey Ho. 

"The objective is to recognize legacy and impact with creators that have sustained high-performance over time and continuously innovated to set new creative standards in our industry," VidCon said on its website.

GorillaCon

VidCon attendees need to purchase a separate ticket to attend GorillaCon, described by VidCon as the "first-ever official live event celebrating the world’s largest virtual reality game, Gorilla Tag."

GorillaCon attendees will have the opportunity to meet their favorite Gorilla Tag creators, purchase limited-edition merchandise, enjoy concerts and trivia, and more. 

GorillaCon is set to take place throughout all three days of VidCon.

Mentorship Series

VidCon's Mentorship Series, described as a "fast-track to insider knowledge," is open to Creator and Pro pass holders.

Top digital creators and industry leaders — including Mashable! — will lead small-group sessions on specific topics, such as how to turn AI into a creator system, building a sustainable career as a creator, and turning views into revenue. 

The sessions, scheduled throughout all three days of VidCon, have a maximum capacity of 19 people and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Featured hosts include senior vice president of Shorthand Studios, Jared Naylor; co-head of Community at Fixated, Kai Plunk; Evan Frasca and Sean Henderson of the Spotify Content Partnerships team; YouTube audience development and optimization expert Jamie Rawsthorne; and former lead vertical editor at MrBeast, Spencer Hileman.

Creator pass holders also have access to other sessions hosted by companies like Kineto and YouTube. 

Think Tank 20 and VidCon Speed Networking

Pro pass holders have exclusive access to Think Tank 20 sessions, the VidCon networking app, and VidCon speed networking. 

Think Tank 20 sessions are similar to the Mentorship Series sessions but are focused more on topics affecting the creator economy. 

There are two Think Tank 20 sessions scheduled for Thursday: one focusing on the new rules of music licensing and one on what it takes to build a business that attracts buyers. The sessions are led by Soundstripe CEO Jeff Perkins and RockWater founder Chris Erwin, respectively.

VidCon is also holding speed networking sessions on Thursday, June 25, and Friday, June 26, during which Pro pass holders can meet with fellow industry executives.

Pro pass holders also have access to other sessions hosted by companies like Chartbeat, iFLYTEK, Soundstripe, and Dots.

Opening Day Keynote presented by POP.STORE

Creator pass and Pro pass holders also have access to the Opening Day Keynote on Thursday, presented by POP.STORE.

Creator and journalist Jon Youshaei and POP.STORE CEO Gautam Goswami will discuss ECHO-ME, a new AI business tool for creators, and the use of AI in the creator industry.

Other events open to all VidCon attendees

All VidCon attendees have access to Meet-and-Greets with featured creators, Expo Hall events, VidCon's inaugural Pickleball Creator Tour, the Live Podcast Studio, and VidCon After Dark.

The weekend will conclude on Saturday with Creator Xplosion, a live art crossover event between FAN EXPO comic creators and VidCon artists, and the VidCon Street Fest, a festival full of food trucks and booths.

The full schedule and session details are available on the VidCon website. Here's how to purchase tickets.

Mashable will be on the ground at VidCon 2026 from June 25-27, covering the creators, trends, and conversations driving internet culture, from breaking news and creator interviews to industry insights and live updates.

Now that the Trump Mobile T1 phone is available for purchase, we finally have a chance to see what's it really made of. And, as suspected, it's not a very original device.

The folks at iFixit have torn down the Trump Phone (as it's colloquially known), and found that it's very similar to HTC's U24 Pro phone. Very, very similar. OK, they're the same phone, with some very minor differences.

If you're unfamiliar with HTC, it's a Taiwanese consumer electronics company that used to be a big smartphone player, but these days it's a company with shrinking revenues that focuses on VR and niche Android phones. The HTC U24 Pro came out in 2024; it's a 6.8-inch smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, a triple, 50/50/8-megapixel camera, and a 4,600mAh battery.

The similarities between HTC's phone from 2024 and the Trump Phone were apparent after the two devices were scanned with an industrial x-ray CT scanner (see image below).

They're the same picture. Credit: iFixit/Lumafield

Of course, the proper teardown, as well as the similarities between the two devices' specs confirmed the suspicions (the Trump Mobile T1's official specs are here). The visual changes between the two devices boil down to a slightly different chassis, the gold paint on the Trump Phone and the shape of the holes in the speaker grille.

Inside, the components are either the same or very similar, but there are certain differences, including a slightly larger battery on the Trump Phone. It also appears that several components of the Trump Phone were made in the Phillipines, in an apparent move to avoid components made in China (where phone batteries are typically made).

SEE ALSO: So, the Trump Phone is real

One of the key selling points of the Trump Phone was that it would be made in the U.S., though the wording was later changed to phrases including "designed with American values in mind," as well as "American teams helping guide design and quality." The fact that the phone was very likely made by HTC doesn't prove it wasn't at least partially assembled or designed in the U.S., but it's definitely not a phone that was made in the USA (the FTC standards on that are quite clear).

Oh, and by the way: the HTC U24 Pro was priced $469.99 when it launched two years ago. The Trump Mobile T1 is available now for $499.

Ever felt like social media sites don't really care about your interests anymore, instead showing you random stuff you don't even like? Instagram is taking some steps to change that.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri announced the change on Threads on Wednesday, with Instagram adding a new feature called Your Algorithm.

"As software gets better at predicting what we want, our sense of agency gets smaller. The main feed on every major app is now mostly accounts you never decided to follow, surfaced by algorithms rather than your explicit choices," he wrote. No s***, Sherlock.

View on Threads

The way to remedy that is through the Your Algorithm tool, which allows you to choose which topics you want to see in your Instagram feed. While this sounds like the same thing you go through when signing up for a new social site, Your Algorithm is a welcome change as these topics previously weren't explicitly visible on Instagram. It also gives you the option to choose the topics you don't want to see.

When I checked my Instagram to see which topics the algorithm was serving me, I've found several that were off the mark. For example, a topic that was included for me was "Muay Thai," and while I have nothing against this type of content, it's not something I actively want to see more of in my feed.

SEE ALSO: Threads is adding a Grok-like AI search feature Drum solos? OK, I'll allow it. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable How to personalize your algorithm on Instagram

The Your Algorithm feature is easy to tweak, but it is buried pretty deep in Instagram's settings. Here's how to access it on your iPhone:

1. Open the Instagram app and tap the profile icon in the lower right corner.

2. Tap the three lines icon in the top right corner, scroll down, and tap on "Content preferences".

3. From here, tap on Your Algorithm, and pick the topics you want or don't want to see.

4. You'll notice that Instagram is surfacing several suggestions for you, but you're also free to tap "+ Add" and pick any topic you want.

Mosseri says that this is "the start of something bigger than a feature," and that more features are coming in the future, including setting moods, vibes, content types, and more.

Insta360 has launched a Hello Kitty-themed action camera, collaborating with Sanrio to give the GO Ultra a cute new look.

The Insta360 GO Ultra x Hello Kitty Limited Edition's specifications are identical to the original GO Ultra action camera, boasting 1/1.28-inch sensor and 70-minute battery life (or 200 minutes when in its Action Pod), and weighing 53 grams (though the Action Pod adds another 109 grams). Its highest video resolution is 4K at 60fps, though its frame rate can reach 240fps at 1080p, and it uses microSD cards for storage. 

SEE ALSO: Insta360 unveils Luna Ultra, its Osmo Pocket competitor

Like the original GO Ultra, the Hello Kitty version is a versatile little camera that's easy to throw in your bag, with a magnetic backing that significantly expands your mounting options. Insta360 has also added an exclusive Hello Kitty watermark that owners of this limited edition camera can apply when exporting their footage.

However, the real attraction of the Insta360 GO Ultra x Hello Kitty Limited Edition is its aesthetics. 

Credit: Insta360

While the Insta360 GO Ultra comes in either Midnight Black and Arctic White, the limited edition Hello Kitty collaboration gives it a pastel pink makeover. Miss Kitty White herself is printed on the camera's corner, peeking out curiously at whatever it is you're filming. She appears on the Action Pod as well, holding her own GO Ultra under the flippable screen, while the recording button is decorated with a picture of a pink spotted bow.

The Kitty-themed bundle comes with several Kitty-themed accessories as well. Insta360 has given its Mini 2-in-1 Tripod 2.0 and its GO Ultra Quick Release Safety Cord exclusive pink colourways, with the latter sporting an adjustment buckle in the shape of a cute Sanrio bow. Also pinkified are the included GO Ultra Magnet Pendant, Magnetic Easy Clip, Quick Release Mount, and even the USB-C charging cable.

Credit: Insta360

Despite these accessories, the Insta360 GO Ultra x Hello Kitty Limited Edition's most eye-catching inclusion is its pink padded Hello Kitty carry case. With its adjustable rope shoulder strap and magnetic flap covering its zip closure, the soft, structured case could almost double as a cute purse were it not for the collaboration's logo stamped on its front. Even with the logo, I'd still be tempted to use it for non-camera purposes anyway.

Credit: Insta360

Insta360 does introduce a few new features with the Hello Kitty camera, adding three new filters to its existing eight: Frosted CCD, Amber CCD, and Blue CCD. It also upgrades Portrait Mode to Portrait Mode 2.0, which lets users choose whether to minimise skin imperfections with the Smooth option or to Brighten their skin. 

However, these features aren't exclusive to the Hello Kitty collaboration, and will be available on all GO Ultra cameras. To get them, simply connect your GO Ultra to the Insta360 app and update its firmware.

The Insta360 GO Ultra x Hello Kitty Limited Edition is available now for $569.99. That's a $90 price bump compared to the un-Kittyfied version's $479.99 Snap & Shoot Bundle, which includes most of the same accessories but swaps out the carry case for three Sticky Tabs instead. 

Whether it's worth paying the extra for the Hello Kitty edition will depend on how much you value the aesthetic. For some, that cute pink bag may be more than enough.

Boox just dropped a new e-reader, and it looks pretty familiar, but not just because it's a second-generation model.

The Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) is here and available for preorder. Measuring six inches, the Go 6 is Boox's ideal travel e-reader, nearly pocket-sized but slightly larger than the brand's Palma 2. The Gen 2 comes in four new shades: custard, plum, shell, and stone. The Go 6 (Gen 2) is a familiar-looking e-reader, too, as it appears nearly identical to the Kindle Paperwhite.

The new Boox Go 6 (left) resembles the Kindle Paperwhite (right). Credit: Boox / Amazon

Both devices have screens flush to the exterior chassis, the main difference being that the Kindle comes in black while the Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) is white. The new Go 6 also has a ridged exterior for a suitcase-inspired look compared to the Kindle Paperwhite's smooth case.

The biggest upgrade coming to the Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) is its handwriting support. Now you can pair the e-reader with Boox's InkSense Plus stylus, and with a native notes app, you can mark up books, take notes, and journal. That definitely gives the Go 6 a leg up against the Paperwhite, which doesn't have notetaking abilities.

Supported by Android 11 with a built-in Google Play Store, the device has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of SSD. It has a front light with adjustable warmth and brightness and a max brightness of 300 ppi.

The Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) costs $199.99 and is now available for preorder and expected to ship on Wednesday, June 17.

Opens in a new window Credit: Boox Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) $199.99 at Boox
  Pre-order Here

Canada is set to ban social media for children under 16, in a move similar to Australia's historic law.

Announced by the Canadian government on Wednesday, the proposed Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34) aims to reduce online harms to children and hold social media and AI chatbot companies responsible for addressing such harms, citing child sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, self-harm, and the impact on mental health.

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The proposed law will see the Canadian government restricting users under 16 from holding social media accounts. This also means age verification for online services, and legally mandated safety requirements for social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, and companies with AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.

"We have seen the very serious consequences that online harms can have. As technologies evolve, we must ensure our laws keep pace, because parents cannot face these challenges alone," reads a statement by Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, who introduced the bill.

"The safety of children cannot be an afterthought. This legislation will introduce stronger responsibilities for online platforms to ensure their services are safe by design and include appropriate measures to keep children safe."

The bill comes months after Australia made history last year with its unprecedented Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, which banned social media for kids under 16. Notably, Australian kids have found ways around it. In 2026, Brazil, Austria, and Indonesia have followed suit, with governments in the UK, France, Thailand, Spain, and more countries looking into their own initiatives.

Canada's proposed Safe Social Media Act will install a new digital safety commission that will require online services to "identify, mitigate and address the risks" on their platforms. They will also be required to take measures "to reduce children’s exposure to certain content and high-risk interactions," covering seven categories of "harmful content" identified as "content that sexually victimizes a child or revictimizes a survivor, intimate content communicated without consent, content that induces a child to self-harm, content used to bully a child, content that foments hatred, content that incites violence, and terrorism or violent extremism content."

Social media companies will also be required by law to adequately label AI-generated content, "be transparent in terms of their reporting thresholds in crisis situations," and AI chatbot services will be required to "mitigate the risk of the chatbot communicating harmful content" or the risk of it "engag[ing] in harmful behaviour."

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Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, president of the Canadian Medical Association, supported the bill in a press statement, saying, "Time's up. It’s unacceptable for foreign-owned platforms to continue to get rich at the expense of our children’s mental health, privacy and personal safety. This legislation makes Canada a global leader in digital safety and ensures Canadians, especially young people, are protected online and out of harm’s way."

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection also publicly backed the bill. "For over 20 years, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has documented a steep and accelerating rise in online harms against children, including child sexual abuse and exploitation," said with executive director Lianna McDonald in a statement. "The tabling of the Digital Safety Act is a historic day that could turn the tide on this trajectory."

However, Canada's Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms noted Bill C-63 "goes far beyond targeting criminal conduct," and would "undermine freedom of expression, due process, and the rule of law in Canada."

"The Online Harms Act would dramatically expand government censorship powers, punish lawful expression online, and authorize preemptive restrictions on individual liberty," reads their statement. "In doing so, it would represent a fundamental departure from Canada’s long-standing commitment to freedom of expression and due process. Under Bill C-63, lawful speech could be subject to investigation, penalties, or removal based on vague and subjective standards. Individuals could face severe consequences not for committing crimes, but for expressing opinions that are later deemed unacceptable."

Notably, Canada's Safe Social Media Act will inside a larger legislative framework called the Digital Safety Act. This law will also cover "user-uploaded livestreaming and adult content services." This means minimum-age restrictions not only for social media services but also "for accessing pornographic content on regulated services."

The growing trend of age-verification bills, which require individuals to prove their age to access not only adult content but social media sites, has ramped over the last few years. That's despite, as Mashable's Anna Iovine has long reported, experts warning these bills pose threats to digital privacy and free speech.