Mashable

Syndicate content
Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 26 min 52 sec ago

How to watch F1 live streams online for free

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 22:00
How to live stream 2026 F1 for free at a glance: Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

This season of F1 is going to be really interesting. Every season of F1 has a number of fascinating storylines to follow, but due to a major set of regulation changes, there's so much uncertainty right now. And uncertainty can lead to exciting racing.

Lando Norris secured an incredible title victory on the final day of last season. Now the pressure is on McLaren to defend that title against a long list of talented drivers and motivated teams. Expect the likes of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen to challenge for race wins this season. Ferrari and Mercedes look like the teams to beat after testing, but we won't know for sure until real racing gets underway.

If you are interested in watching F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is F1?

Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars. A season consists of a series of races (Grands Prix) that take place in multiple countries and continents on either purpose-built circuits or closed public roads.

Lando Norris is the defending champion. McLaren won the Constructors Championship in 2025.

When is F1 in 2026?

The 2026 F1 season is the 77th edition of the championship. This year's championship features 24 Grands Prix events held all over the world between March and December:

  1. Australian Grand Prix — March 8

  2. Chinese Grand Prix — March 15

  3. Japanese Grand Prix — March 29

  4. Bahrain Grand Prix — April 12

  5. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — April 19

  6. Miami Grand Prix — May 3

  7. Canadian Grand Prix — May 24

  8. Monaco Grand Prix — June 7

  9. Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix — June 14

  10. Austrian Grand Prix — June 28

  11. British Grand Prix — July 5

  12. Belgian Grand Prix — July 19

  13. Hungarian Grand Prix — July 26

  14. Dutch Grand Prix — Aug. 23

  15. Italian Grand Prix — Sept. 6

  16. Spanish Grand Prix — Sept. 13

  17. Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Sept. 26

  18. Singapore Grand Prix — Oct. 11

  19. United States Grand Prix — Oct. 25

  20. Mexico City Grand Prix — Nov. 1

  21. São Paulo Grand Prix — Nov. 8

  22. Las Vegas Grand Prix — Nov. 21

  23. Qatar Grand Prix — Nov. 29

  24. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Dec. 6

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore GPs will host a sprint race.

How to watch F1 for free

In the U.S., F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV. An Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year, but it's possible to gain access to Apple TV without spending anything.

Apple TV Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV (7-day free trial) Apple TV comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. This is a sneaky trick, but you could sign up to watch the next F1 race and then cancel your subscription before you need to spend anything. This obviously isn't a long-term fix, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream select F1 race weekends for free. Shop Now Apple TV Prime Video Channel Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel (7-day free trial) Already an Amazon Prime member? You're in luck. You can sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. This lets you watch select F1 races live with the Prime Video app. The subscription typically costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch select races without actually spending anything. Shop Now Apple One Opens in a new window Credit: Apple One Apple One (30-day free trial) Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial. Time it right and this trial could provide access to up to four race weekends for free. You do need to be a new or returning subscriber to each of the included services to get the free trial. Shop Now

It's worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple TVs. This special offer goes live for 90 days after the new device is activated — that's a good chunk of the season.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best dating apps for serious relationships

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 22:00

Finding love isn't for the weak. Dating app exhaustion is realer than ever, and while people want to branch out and meet in person, they're finding it difficult. 

One reason is that dating apps are a legitimate way to find a partner, and not just a short-term one. Nearly 44 percent of adults say they use dating apps to find a long-term partner rather than just casual dating or hookups, according to the Pew Research Center. One in 10 partnered adults met their current partner through a dating app, and for younger adults and LGBTQ people, that number rises even higher. 

SEE ALSO: The best 9 dating apps for men who are tired of being alone

Dating apps aren't going away, despite fatigue. And it is possible to make them work for you if you want to find your special someone.

Are dating apps worth it?

Even using the "right" app for you may still bring moments of uncertainty and frustration (you're dating, after all), but finding the app with features that most closely align with your dating style and the type of partnership you're looking for can still make online dating worth it.

If you've been using apps for a while and are experiencing serious burnout, it's always fair to take some time off and come back to them when you feel ready. Our guide will be here for you! Even the best app can feel exceptionally tedious when you simply don't have the energy.

Which dating app is best for serious relationships?

There are so many dating apps, but not all of them are created equal when it comes to finding a serious, committed relationship.

Some free dating apps are better suited for casual flings or hookups (e.g., Tinder, Grindr, etc.), while others have matching algorithms and profile features specifically designed to help users find meaningful connections (e.g., eharmony, OkCupid, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel).

The good news is that we've done the research (and hands-on testing) to figure out which apps work best for long-term relationships, and Match Group isn't the only player in the game. Plus, all of these platforms are available via Google Play and the App Store, so having an Android or iPhone won't limit your options. Some old-school dating sites still maintain desktop versions.

To find your match, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships in 2026:

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Ireland vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations online for free

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 21:45

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

The 2026 Six Nations is taking shape, and it's looking increasingly likely that France are marching towards an impressive grand slam. Ireland responded to their opening-round defeat to France with victories over Italy and England. Now they face Wales at the Aviva Stadium. They'll be expected to secure another win here, but Wales did produce an improved performance against Scotland last weekend.

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

When is Ireland vs. Wales?

Ireland vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 8:10 p.m. GMT on March 6. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.

How to watch Ireland vs. Wales for free

Ireland vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

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

Live stream Ireland vs. Wales from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit ITVX

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

United Airlines will ban passengers who dont use headphones while flying

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 21:29

United Airlines flyers will experience a little more peace in the air as the company steps up enforcement of its noise rules.

In a recent change to the air travel giant's Contract of Carriage — essentially United's Terms and Conditions for ticket holders — the airline reserves the right to remove, and even ban, passengers who do not use headphones to listen to their music, movies, and social media feeds.

SEE ALSO: Disinformation on U.S.-Iran war takes over the internet

According to the United contract's Refusal of Transport rule, the company has the "right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or shall have the right to remove from the aircraft at any point, any passenger for the following reasons." Buried in the rule's safety provisions, which outline other reasons for removal such as inappropriate dress or carrying weapons on board, the list now includes "passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content."

"We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content — and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones. It seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage," said United spokesman Josh Freed in a statement to the press.

SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite audio brands for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card

Most carriers have policies that urge fliers to use headphones during flights. Southwest, for instance, lists headphones as a requirement on its website FAQ. Frontier also includes headphone requirements in its baggage policy, MSN reported. United appears to be the first to include headphone wearing in its passenger contract with explicit means to enforce the policy.

Across the industry, more and more air travelers are reporting passenger disruptions on flights, including violent altercations with fellow flyers and airline staff.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sarah J. Maas announces two new A Court of Thorns and Roses books

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 21:17

Fantasy author Sarah J. Maas has big plans for the future of A Court of Thorns and Roses. In an appearance on the March 4 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Maas revealed that not one but two new ACOTAR books are on the way — and they'll be arriving just a few months apart.

View this post on Instagram

The sixth book in the ACOTAR series will hit shelves on Oct. 27 of this year, followed by the seventh on Jan. 12, 2027. (Insert 67 joke here.) Speaking with host Alex Cooper, Maas said the upcoming releases are part of a "really, really, really big" story she has been waiting to tell.

Opens in a new window Credit: Barnes & Noble A Court of Thorns and Roses 6 $32 at Barnes & Noble
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Barnes & Noble A Court of Thorns and Roses 7 $38 at Barnes & Noble
  Pre-order Here

"It's meant to be read ideally as one massive, massive story as opposed to like in a trilogy," Maas said. "It's not a trilogy. Arcs aren't wrapped up. It's like if you expanded all of part one, all of part two — all the parts — it would be huge like that. I've never told a story that way. This is how it wants to come out."

Few fantasy series of the past decade have built an online fandom quite like A Court of Thorns and Roses, Maas' bestselling saga about a young woman drawn into the dangerous and seductive world of the fae courts. Part of the blockbuster fantasy empire that has sold more than 75 million copies worldwide, the series has become a defining force of the BookTok era, helping popularize the romantasy genre. Posts dissecting Maas' sprawling fantasy world regularly generate millions of views, from elaborate character theories about Rhysand, Feyre, and the rest of the Night Court to heated ship debates and deep dives into every corner of Prythian.

Unsurprisingly, news of two new books arriving within just a few months immediately sent fans into speculation mode across TikTok, Reddit, and X, where readers began theorizing about the story's direction and which characters might take center stage next.

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

The announcement’s debut on the Call Her Daddy podcast also reflects a broader shift in how major cultural news spreads. In recent years, podcasts have become a place where celebrities and creators reveal major projects directly to fans and occasionally drop the kind of headline-making news once reserved for traditional news outlets.

For ACOTAR fans, however, the biggest takeaway was simple: The next trip to Velaris is finally on the horizon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 Six Nations online for free

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 21:10

TL;DR: Stream the 2026 Six Nations for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Six Nations is a special competition. Want to see incredible speed and skill from supremely talented athletes? Check out the Six Nations. Want to experience intense passion from heated rivalries? The Six Nations offers that in abundance. Enjoy the sight of absolutely huge men smashing into each other at speed? Yep, the Six Nations is for you.

We've already been treated to some huge performances from the 2026 edition of this competition. France overcame Ireland in the opener and followed that up with strong wins over Wales and Italy. The Italians shocked Scotland in front of a passionate Stadio Olimpico but haven't been able to back that up with another win. England confidently dispatched Wales in the opening round but suffered defeats to Scotland and Ireland

After three rounds of fixtures, the big question is whether any team can stop France from winning a grand slam. It's looking unlikely, but the Six Nations is always unpredictable.

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

What is the Six Nations?

The Six Nations Championship is an annual international men's rugby union competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Each team plays every other team once, with home ground advantage alternating from one year to the next.

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!

The current champions are France. England and Wales have won the competition most often (39 titles).

When is the 2026 Six Nations?

The 2026 Six Nations Championship is the 132nd edition of the competition. This year's competition will take place from Feb. 5 to March 14. Here's the full schedule of games:

Fans can watch every game from the 2026 Six Nations without spending anything.

How to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free

The 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

BBC iPlayer and ITVX are both geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This quick and easy action makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer and ITVX 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 or ITVX

  5. Stream the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer or ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to all your favorite free streaming platforms, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Six Nations?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream sport for free, 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 always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Wolves vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup online for free

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 21:00

TL;DR: Live stream Wolves vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The latest round of FA Cup fixtures includes some fascinating matchups, including Wolves vs. Liverpool. These sides just met in the Premier League, with Wolves securing a last-minute victory thanks to a dramatic André winner. Can Wolves continue their fine form of late? Or will Liverpool bounce back to secure their spot in the next round?

If you want to watch Wolves vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Wolves vs. Liverpool?

Wolves vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on March 6. This fixture takes place at the Molineux Stadium.

How to watch Wolves vs. Liverpool for free

Wolves vs. Liverpool in the FA 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 handy 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 from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wolves vs. Liverpool 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. Live stream Wolves vs. Liverpool 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 watch Wolves vs. Liverpool without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the FA Cup before recovering your investment.

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 Wolves vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grindr for lesbians? Here are the best dating apps for LGBTQ women.

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 21:00

As a lesbian, you probably know all about dating apps. Lesbian Americans (along with bisexual and gay Americans) are far more likely to have ever used dating apps than straight Americans: 51 percent to 28 percent, according to the Pew Research Center.

There are a few reasons why LGBTQ people might turn to online dating quicker than straight folks. For one, you might live in an area without a thriving LGBTQ community, and in-person dating may be hard. If you don't know other lesbians to begin with, how can you meet more IRL to date? (Sometimes, lesbian spaces can also be co-opted by The Straights.) And, unfortunately, in-person dating may also be less safe depending on where you live. 

Thankfully, we live in a time where we can find people like us with a few swipes. Lesbians are welcome on major dating apps, and there are also niche ones specifically for lesbians and other queer women and people. But which one to choose?

How to find the best dating apps for lesbians Niche lesbian dating apps aren't your only option for finding love. Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable

In Mashable's recommendations below, you'll find both general dating apps and apps specifically for queer people. As the former appeals to the general population, you'll find more users in these spaces. The caveat, however, is that when you swipe on other women, you might find those coupled with men who are looking for another woman to have a threesome with (aka unicorn hunters). No judgment here, but that's probably not what you're looking for. Then again, people of all types are on dating apps like Tinder and Hinge. You never know who you may come across.

Then there are apps specifically for the community, like HER and Lex. If you yearn for a smaller dating scene, head for these apps. While there's no "Grindr for lesbians" — we go into why in the FAQ section — these apps are more so like stepping into your neighborhood lesbian bar than an app like Bumble. 

You can also try multiple dating apps, as each one below has a free version. You can filter by the gender you identify with and are looking for, and sometimes, as with OkCupid, there are many options to choose from.

Diving into the dating pool isn't easy, but the water's fine. Check out our guide below for the full rundown of our recommendations and dating app reviews.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach online for free

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 20:30

TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Bundesliga action kicks off this weekend with a massive game between Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bayern beat rivals Dortmund last weekend, setting themselves up to march towards the title. Now they need to keep the momentum in this home fixture.

Borussia Mönchengladbach haven't had a great campaign. They sit in 12th place coming into this game. A win at the Allianz Arena wouldbe an incredible achievement, but anything is possible. They'll need to keep a close eye on the likes of Harry Kane and Michael Olise.

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach?

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga kicks off at 7:30 p.m. GMT on March 6. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach for free

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga 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 handy 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 from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach 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. Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach 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 watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the Bundesliga before recovering your investment.

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 Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

White House uses Call of Duty clips to brag about war in Iran

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 20:15

The White House is using clips from popular video game Call of Duty in official posts about the war with Iran, just days after the U.S. entered an armed conflict in the Middle East.

The footage is seen amid a compilation of images of U.S. warfare posted to the official White House X account. The clip begins with gameplay from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, a scene depicting a kill streak animation in which a user unlocks the ability to launch a nuclear arsenal. The video is accompanied by the text "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue."

SEE ALSO: Disinformation on U.S.-Iran war takes over the internet

To many, the post was an unsettling portrayal of a military strike that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Iranians, according to reports. A girl's elementary school in Minab was hit in an attack, killing dozens of children, and it's not clear if the school was an intended target by U.S. or Israeli forces.

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

In a reply to the White House's post, Chance Glasco, founding developer of the Call of Duty franchise, said: "This doesn't surprise me. I remember after Activision took over post-Respawn formation there was a very awkward pressure from Activision for us to make the next CoD about Iran attacking Israel. Luckily the vast majority of our devs were disgusted by the idea and it got shot down."

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

The internet has been rife with misinformation surrounding military operations and counterattacks in Iran, including posts intending to exaggerate or mislead users about the country's response to American and Israeli strikes.

Known political bots began posting decontextualized images and videos, including video game and flight simulator screenshots, just hours after news broke of the coordinated attacks. AI-manipulated images and videos had garnered millions of impressions on X, Instagram, and Facebook in a handful of days, according to researchers. With no sign that the posts would slow down as strikes continued, X announced it would be suspending users from its monetized Creator Revenue Sharing program if they posted AI-generated content depicting armed conflict without proper labeling. 

Video game footage has become a tool for U.S. propaganda, and has been used repeatedly by agencies of the Trump administration.

Last year, the Department of Homeland Security used images from Xbox game Halo in social media posts, emblazoned with the phrase "Destroy The Flood" and a link to an ICE recruitment page. The department had previously posted videos of immigration raids with the Pokemon tagline "Gotta catch 'em all." The posts came amid escalating operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including Minnesota-based "Operation Metro Surge," which would result in the killings of Minneapolis residents Rene Good and Alex Pretti, and Los Angeles resident Keith Porter. All three were U.S. citizens.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Not so fast: Anthropic and US military might do business after all

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 18:57

Anthropic, the AI company behind the popular Claude AI chatbot, received praise last week for standing up to the Trump administration over the U.S. military's use of its AI tools.

However, the company may be reversing course.

According to a new report from the Financial Times, Anthropic and the U.S. Department of Defense have reopened negotiations on how the government can leverage Anthropic tech for military purposes.

The breakdown between Anthropic and the U.S. government began after the AI company received a $200 million contract from the U.S. Defense Department.

However, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei later wanted guarantees that the U.S. government would not utilize its Claude AI models for domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons. The Trump administration refused this request, saying it would use AI technology for any "lawful" purpose.

SEE ALSO: 'The AI Doc' trailer: Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and more discuss the precarious future of AI

As talks between Anthropic and the U.S. government broke down, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth even threatened to designate the company as a supply chain risk to national security.

President Trump called Anthropic a "radical left, woke company" in a post on Truth Social and ordered the federal government to cease using Anthropic's technology over the following six months.

The Financial Times reports that Amodei has now re-entered negotiations in hopes of avoiding the supply chain risk designation. Amodei is now discussing terms of a potential deal with Undersecretary of Defense Emil Michael, who called the Anthropic CEO "a liar" with a "God-complex" in a social media post just last week.

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

“Near the end of the negotiation the [department] offered to accept our current terms if we deleted a specific phrase about ‘analysis of bulk acquired data’ which was the single line in the contract that exactly matched this scenario we were most worried about," Amodei said in an internal memo to Anthropic employees as reported by The Information. "We found that very suspicious."

Days after talks between Anthropic and the DoD fell apart, OpenAI announced that it had secured a deal with the U.S. government for the use of its AI tools for military use in "classified environments."

OpenAI quickly received blowback from users, forcing CEO Sam Altman to attempt to address concerns. Just days later, an internal memo from Altman leaked, where the OpenAI CEO told employees that it would be amending its agreement with the federal government, as the deal was rushed. Altman stated that the U.S. government assured OpenAI it would not use its technology for domestic surveillance.

Amodei's internal memo reportedly knocked Altman, calling OpenAI and the Pentagon's statements about the issues with Anthropic “just straight up lies." Amodei accused Altman of partaking in “safety theater” regarding his presentation of the deal and stated that OpenAI employees who believed the company were “sort of a gullible bunch.”

If Amodei is successful in securing a new agreement with the federal government, the U.S. military would continue to use the technology, which is reportedly already being used to launch strikes in Iran.

“Want to learn more about your favorite tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.” 

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google drops 30 percent app store fee. What that means for you.

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 18:43

Google is doing away with its 30 percent fee in the Android App Store, which could potentially ease costs for everyday users.

The news dropped this week that Google planned to revamp its app store's inner workings amid a settlement with Epic, the gaming company that makes Fortnite. (Google and Epic have been involved in a years-long legal feud, which ended in Epic's favor.)

Now, the tech giant has announced it's cutting service fees to 20 percent and, in some cases, 15 percent. It also cut its subscription fee to 10 percent. Note that these savings are for developers and companies that make apps and not, necessarily, for the end user.

The cuts were announced a host of other changes within the Android App Store. It's not entirely clear what those changes will mean for everyday users, but we have an idea.

First of all: With Google cutting the service fee, you'd hope the companies on the other end would pass those newfound savings back to users. I wouldn't hold my breath, but it is a possibility.

But Google also noted that developers will be allowed to guide users away from their app store, which could end up creating savings for users in other ways. Cutting out the middleman entirely could allow app developers to offer lower prices via direct sales.

Wrote Google in a blog post:

"Mobile developers will have the option to use their own billing systems in their app alongside Google Play’s billing, or they can guide users outside of their app to their own websites for purchases. Our goal is to offer this flexibility in a way that maximizes choice and safety for users."

So, in short, nothing really changes too much for you, the user, yet. At best, you might be able to save a bit of cash down the line.

“Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.” 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime members can get a free e-book every month with Amazon First Reads: See the March 2026 picks

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 18:16

There's a lot to enjoy with an Amazon Prime membership: a plentiful streaming service full of acclaimed originals, same-day shipping, and Grubhub+. But that's just a sampling of the extensive benefits for members. Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program.

Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon First Reads   Learn More What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 per book.

Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite

Some months, like Prime Day's July and Black Friday's November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.

To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you'll see the option to "read now for free " when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it'll automatically be added to your Kindle library.

Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon's publishing imprints, so they're exclusive to Amazon's shelves.

In addition to the eight full-length books offered each month, there's typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You'll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

March 2026 Amazon First Reads books Amazon's March First Reads collection features nine titles, including a short story from 'Big Little Lies' author Liane Moriarty. Credit: Amazon / Mashable

In March 2026, Amazon dropped eight new books and one short read in the First Reads collection. This month's short read author is none other than Liane Moriarty, author of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. Headlining this month's First Reads collection is As Far As She Knew by Diana Award, part of Mindy Kaling's Book Studio at Amazon. On As Far As She Knew, Kaling says "Diana Awad crafts a thriller that is both heart-stopping and heartbreaking."

Here are all of the First Reads picks for March 2026:

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you're asking if you should get a Kindle, that's a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you're in the market.

Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy
Categories: IT General, Technology

The new Apple products are finally live at Amazon: Shop the new MacBooks, iPads, and more right now

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 18:12
Pre-order new Apple products at Amazon: MacBook Neo (256GB) $599 at Amazon Pre-Order Here M5 MacBook Air (13-inch, 16GB, 512GB) $1,099 at Amazon Pre-Order Here M5 MacBook Air (15-inch, 16GB, 512GB) $1,299 at Amazon Pre-Order Here M5 MacBook Pro (14-inch, 24GB, 1TB) $2,199 at Amazon Pre-Order Here M5 MacBook Pro (16-inch, 24GB, 1TB) $2,699 at Amazon Pre-Order Here Apple Studio Display $1,599 at Amazon Pre-Order Here Apple Studio Display XDR $3,599 at Amazon Pre-Order Here M4 Apple iPad Air (11 inch, WiFi, 128GB) $599 at Amazon Pre-Order Here M4 Apple iPad Air (13 inch, WiFi, 128GB) $799 at Amazon Pre-Order Here

What a week for Apple. We have new MacBooks, iPads, a new budget-friendly iPhone, and fresh Apple Studio Display models. We all have to wait until next Wednesday, March 11 to get these new Apple devices in our hands, but preorders are live.

You have retailer options when to comes to preorders, but if Amazon is your preferred shopping site, you can snag nearly every new Apple product with one-click at Amazon. Here's a quick guide to pre-order new Apple devices from Amazon.

Pre-order the MacBook Neo at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Neo (256GB) $599 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

If you're in the market for a MacBook but don't want to spend major dollars, the new MacBook Neo might appeal. With prices starting at $599, it's the least expensive MacBook on the market.

"The MacBook Neo marks Apple's first dedicated entry in the low-cost laptop space. It replaces the M1 MacBook Air that Apple started selling through Walmart for $699 in March 2024, then eventually discounted to $649. That model has been out of stock in new condition since early 2026, fueling reports of the MacBook Neo's arrival," wrote Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel.

The MacBook Neo comes with a 13-inch display and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. Amazon is listing a delivery date of March 12 for preorders.

Pre-order the MacBook Air at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M5 MacBook Air (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB) $1,099 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M5 MacBook Air (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB) $1,299 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

This year, the MacBook Air got the zippy M5 chip upgrade. Apple also ditched the 256GB storage option, so the base MacBook Air now comes with 512GB of storage.

Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel explained one of the biggest shocks with the M5 MacBook Air is the pricing. "The 512GB base models will retail for $1,099 and $1,299, respectively, which is the biggest news here. Those prices represent $100 discounts compared to the M4 MacBook Airs with the same amount of storage. They started with 256GB at $999; that configuration option is no longer available," she wrote.

Pre-order the MacBook Pro at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 14-inch, 24GB, 1TB) $2,199 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 16-inch, 24GB, 1TB) $2,699 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

More power and quicker processing is essential for professions. The new MacBook Pro line, as expected, brings both of these elements to the party. "Mashable gave the MacBook Pro M5 a stellar review, and these long-awaited MacBook Pros with the M5 Pro and M5 Max are basically just more powerful versions of that device for professional users with advanced computing needs," wrote Mashable contributor Matt Binder.

Pre-order the Apple Studio at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Studio Display (27 inch) $1,599 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Studio Display XDR $3,599 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Apple's fresh 2026 lineup didn't ignore those of us who love monitors. We got an update to the Apple Studio Display and got a brand new Apple Studio Display XDR. "Studio Displays are premium monitors designed for creative professionals such as video editors and 3D artists. Apple says the more advanced Studio Display XDR features the 'world’s best pro display,' and it has a 27-inch 5K mini-LED backlight display," explained Mashable Associate Editor Tim Marcin.

Pre-order the Apple iPad Air at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M4 Apple iPad Air (11 inch, WiFi, 128GB) $599 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M4 Apple iPad Air (13 inch, WiFi, 128GB) $799 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Starting at just $599, the new iPad Air comes with the M4 chip in an 11 and 13-inch size. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beth Werth noted, "The M4 processor and enhanced wireless/cellular connectivity will undoubtedly deliver performance upgrades. Apple promises the new iPad Air will be 30 percent faster than the M3 model, with '50 percent more unified system memory.'"

The previous iPad Air with M3 chip is listed as Mashable's favorite iPad. While we haven't tested the new model just yet, we expect to remain a favorite with snappier performance from the updated chip

Categories: IT General, Technology

Rooster review: Steve Carell finds himself in feel-good college comedy

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 18:00

Between projects like Ted Lasso and Shrinking, showrunner Bill Lawrence has cornered the market on feel-good coming-of-middle-age comedies. His new HBO comedy Rooster, created with Matt Tarses (Scrubs), is the latest entry into that subgenre. It's also the most literal on the "coming-of-age" front, with its college setting evoking ideas of students discovering themselves and their independence.

However, the focus here is not really on the students but on the faculty, including new writer-in-residence Greg Russo (Steve Carell) and his daughter, art history professor Katie (Charly Clive). Just like their pupils, these teachers have a lot of soul-searching to do. Their ensuing stories of college reinvention prove sweetly warm, even if they tread familiar ground by Lawrence standards.

SEE ALSO: Everything we know about 'Ted Lasso' Season 4 What's Rooster about? Credit: Patrick Wymore / HBO

A best-selling author of gripping beach reads, Greg never expected to teach. The only reason he visited New England's quaint Ludlow College in the first place was to check in on Katie. Her husband, fellow professor Archie (Phil Dunster), has left her for grad student Sunny (Lauren Tsai)... and everyone on campus knows it. Faced with all this humiliation and scrutiny, Katie has a perfectly reasonable crash out and burns Archie's house down. OK, maybe it's not that reasonable, but it was an accident!

With Katie about to lose her job, college president Walter Mann (John C. McGinley) offers Greg a deal: He'll let Katie keep teaching if Greg teaches a creative writing course for the semester. This way, Ludlow gets a boost from having a best-seller in its classrooms, and Katie's life doesn't implode any further. Greg accepts, hoping to get more involved in Katie's life, while also unknowingly launching himself into the trials and tribulations of modern academia.

SEE ALSO: 'Vladimir' review: Rachel Weisz goes full 'Fleabag' Rooster is a sweet father-daughter comedy. Steve Carell and Charly Clive in "Rooster." Credit: Katrina Marcinowski / HBO

Rooster marks a journey of self-discovery for both Katie and Greg.

Katie has to reckon with the trauma of Archie's betrayal, which tanked her self-esteem and sense of place on campus. Her father's new, consistent presence at Ludlow is both a comfort and a claustrophobic reminder of why he came to see her in the first place, resulting in a push-and-pull between exasperation and genuine thankfulness. Clive walks that line perfectly, acting as the slightly prickly foil to Carell's overeager father figure.

Similarly to Jason Sudeikis in Ted Lasso and Jason Segel in Shrinking, Carell's Greg is often enthusiastic to the point of overbearing. Yet his meddling in Katie's life is tempered with just enough sweetness to turn those overbearing qualities endearing, and Carell's performance bursts with warmth and self-effacing charm.

In addition to helping Katie through the roughest of rough patches, Greg also realizes that his new role at Ludlow could be a fresh start for him. He didn't go to college as a young adult, but as Rooster proves, it's never too late to embrace college's transformative power. For Greg, that means a chance to step out of his meeker shell and become more like Rooster, the suave hero of his books. So begins his party era, complete with beer pong with students, hookups with Walter's assistant Cristle (a delightful Annie Mumolo), and a pair of cool guy shades.

SEE ALSO: 'Shrinking' Season 3 review: My heart can't take it

While it's fun to watch Carell cut loose, he and Rooster are at their best when they zero in on Katie and Greg's complicated relationship and Ludlow's departmental shenanigans, brought to life by an incredible ensemble cast. McGinley's gossip-loving Walter is a hoot, taking most of his meetings in a sauna so hot that his colleagues have no choice but to sweat out their emotional hang-ups. Danielle Deadwyler shines as poetry professor Dylan, whose dry wit and experience at Ludlow make her the perfect guide for Greg's first semester. And Dunster exudes nauseating pretentiousness as Archie, the one character who can truly turn Greg venomous. ("You're a bad person, and I hate you," Greg spits at him, recalling Michael Scott's pure hatred of Toby in The Office.)

Elsewhere, Rooster and Tsai focus in on Sunny's aspirations to make her more than just the Other Woman in Katie and Archie's marriage. (While she was not Archie's actual student, I still think he deserves jail time for being the worst to both women!) Even minor characters like Sunny's roommate (Robby Hoffman) and a local cop (Rory Scovel) become instant scene-stealers, and the students we encounter at Ludlow, while often archetypal try-hards or slackers, still feel real enough to give the campus a lived-in feel.

Rooster tackles intergenerational divides on college campuses. Danielle Deadwyler and Steve Carell in "Rooster." Credit: Katrina Marcinowski / HBO

Greg has a tough time adjusting to life on a small liberal arts campus, as students are a lot more vigilant than he is about what is appropriate to do or say. Greg calling a stubborn student his "white whale" as a Moby Dick reference won't fly here. Nor will performing the "Walk Like an Egyptian" dance in an awkward attempt to salvage an embarrassing fall.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Both these instances result in behavioral write-ups for insensitivity. Yet somehow, Rooster manages to play off this divide between Greg and Ludlow's students in a way that's neither patronizing of the students' social consciousness, nor scolding of Greg's lack of awareness. It lightly ribs all parties involved, while still finding validity in their positions. The students can be too much, but they're also eager to change the world for the better. And Rooster highlights that Greg is coming from a good place of wanting to listen and learn, something he shares with Lawrence's other recent heroes.

To that end, it's hard not to think of Ted Lasso and Shrinking throughout Rooster. Workplace patter-turned-therapy sessions abound, and the often-cheerful Greg is, like Ted and Jimmy, harboring a deeper hurt. His close relationship with troubled student Tommy (Maximo Salas) also feels reminiscent of Jimmy's dynamic with patient Sean (Luke Tennie) in Shrinking.

That familiarity risks feeling cloying at times, but the college satire element gives Rooster just enough bite to set itself apart. It's a charming tale of finding yourself again and helping others along the way, and that's certainly worth crowing about.

Rooster premieres March 8 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Buy has launched a huge Apple Shopping Event: Shop new MacBooks, iPads, and more all weekend

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 17:40

GET A $100 GIFT CARD: As of March 5, Best Buy kicked off a major savings event on Apple products. The sale includes savings on the recently released MacBook Neo, Air, and Pro models. Right now, get the Apple MacBook Neo for $599 and get a $25 gift card with your purchase.

The best deals from the Best Buy Apple Shopping Event: Best MacBook Neo Deal Apple MacBook Neo (A18, 8GB RAM, 256GGB SSD) Get $25 gift card with purchase of MacBook Neo Get Deal Best MacBook Air Deal Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) Get $50 gift card with purchase of MacBook Air Get Deal Best MacBook Pro Deal Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Get $100 gift card with purchase of MacBook Pro Get Deal Best iPad Deal Apple iPad (M4, 128GB, WiFi) $559 (save $40) Get Deal

It's been a big week for Apple. The brand had a week of announcements, dropping six new or upgraded products. Among the new products announced were the iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo, two brand new and budget-friendly devices. To cap off all the excitement, Best Buy is launching a massive Apple sale event (live until March 8), marking down the brand's products across multiple categories.

The deals from Best Buy aren't just on previous MacBook and iPad generations. In fact, there are special savings on nearly all of the devices announced this week. So while Apple's latest products aren't technically available until March 11, pre-ordering now guarantees you some extra savings.

Here are all the best deals to shop during the Best Buy Apple Shopping Event.

Best MacBook Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Neo (A18, 8GB RAM, 256GGB SSD) $599 at Best Buy
Get $25 gift card with purchase of MacBook Neo Get Deal Why we like it

This week, Apple dropped an array of new devices across categories: iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. While most of the drop was upgraded existing models, there was one totally new product: the MacBook Neo. With an A18 chip, it's the most affordable MacBook yet, the same starting price as the iPad Air. If you're eager to get your hands on the new budget-friendly MacBook then Best Buy has the best deal.

During Best Buy's Apple sale event, when you purchase the new MacBook Neo for $599, receive a $25 gift card. So while the laptop itself isn't technically discounted, that $25 gift card is basically free money.

More MacBook and Best Buy gift card dealsBest iPad Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (M4, 128GB, WiFi) $559 at Best Buy
$599 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

This week, Apple finally gave the iPad Air the M4 treatment. Now, its midrange tablet is as powerful as the MacBook Air, just in a more compact device. Unlike the new MacBooks, which Best Buy is running a gift card deal on, the new iPad Air is discounted outright. Apple didn't raise the price of the new iPad Air with M4 chip, so it still starts at $599.

However, during Best Buy's Apple event, you can preorder the new iPad Air with M4 chip for just $559. That saves you $40 off, the new iPad's first discount.

More Apple deals at Best BuyAirPods dealsApple accessory dealsApple Watch dealsiMac dealsiPad dealsiPhone dealsMacBook deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Nothings new over-ear headphones arrive with an almost unbelievable battery life and mid-range price

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 17:32

Nothing officially announced the Headphone (a) on March 5, at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona.

The headphones, launched alongside the Phone 4 (a), are the third-ever pair of over-ear headphones from the British tech brand, which made a name for itself with retro-style earbuds and smartphones. Last year, Nothing released its first over-ear model, the $299 Nothing Headphone (1), and shortly followed them with the Headphone Pro from their sub-brand CMF. The brand first teased out the launch of the Headphone (a) earlier this week.

The Headphone (a) stand out for their mid-range price point at $199, and still offers a similar look to the more expensive Headphone (1). They're available for preorder as of March 5, and will be generally available on March 13 in the white, black, and pink colorways. The limited-edition yellow colorway will be available starting April 6.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best headphones of 2026 — see the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats

Mashable just received a review unit ahead of the official launch. I'll have a full review in the coming weeks, but I've already gathered everything you need to know, including specs, feature comparisons, and my first impressions.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (a) $199 at Nothing
  Pre-order Here Nothing Headphone (a): Price and specs

The Nothing Headphone (a) cost $199. They feature:

  • Adaptive and manually adjustable ANC

  • 40 mm RF drivers

  • 135-hour battery life without ANC, 75 hours with ANC

  • Quick charge with eight hours of playback after five five-minute charge

  • Eight band equalizer

  • Spatial audio, including concert and cinema mode

  • Bluetooth 5.4

  • Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC

  • Four mics, with two hybrid ANC mics

  • IP52 dust- and water-resistance

  • Available in white, black, pink, and yellow

Nothing Headphone (a) vs. Headphone (1): What's different?

There's a $100 price difference between the Nothing Headphone (a) and Headphone (1), making it worth understanding whether you'd be satisfied with the newer and cheaper model, or whether the upgrades on the Headphone (1) are worth the extra cash. No matter which you choose, these headphones both have a battery life that outlasts the best headphones in the world.

The Nothing Headphone (a) bear a strong resemblance to the Headphone (1). Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable The same design, kind of

Out of the box, you can immediately see where Nothing scaled back on the Headphone (a). Instead of the hardshell case found on the Headphone (1), the (a) come with a carrying pouch, which isn't ideal if you plan to travel a lot.

Design-wise, they retain the same iconic rectangular look established by the Headphone (1), but swap some features — a plastic decal replaces the transparent one of the older headphones, with the transparency featuring along the perimeter. The Headphone (1) ditch plastic in their ear cups, offering aluminum CNC components instead, which lends to an overall more premium feel. That said, they are noticeably heavier — 329 grams compared to the Headphone (a) 310 grams. In my experience so far with the cheaper cans, that translated to a slightly more comfortable fit.

Rounding out the design, Nothing kept the exact same tactile designs between the two models, which I am personally thrilled to see. Both myself and Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti were impressed by the Headphone (1) on-ear controls. Consisting of a roller for volume and playback, paddle for changing through tracks, action button, and dedicated Bluetooth button on the inside of the ear cup, these buttons — all found on the right ear cup — feel innovative, incredibly functional, and are hands-down some of the best you can find on a pair of headphones. These controls are maybe the only ones that make me feel like I can truly keep my phone out of reach.

SEE ALSO: Nothing’s new, eye-grabbing headphones are impressive, but not in the ways you expect Listening experience

Beyond design, there's a pretty hefty battery life disparity. The Headphone (1) offer 35 hours with ANC, and 80 hours without. As a reminder, the Headphone (a) offer 75 hours with ANC, and 135 hours without. I should note that's not a typo. These headphones really do promise 135 hours of listening time.

While I haven't had a chance to test how they play side by side just yet, it is worth noting the Nothing collaborated with the hi-fi audio brand KEF on the Headphone (1) to give them an extra boost in performance. That said, I do find the sound to be relatively well-rounded and plenty customizable with the app upon my first couple of listens with the Headphone (a). Like their more expensive counterpart, they also offer manually adjustable and adaptive ANC.

Nothing Headphone (a) first impressions

I've spent less than 24 hours with the Headphone (a), so my opinions are subject to change. That said, I don't remember feeling this immediately impressed with the Headphone (1) when I tried them out last year.

Largely, I contribute to that to not noticing a huge difference in the performance between the two headphones, even though the (a) headphones are $100 cheaper. While great mid-range and budget headphones certainly exist, typically, there's a pretty obvious caveat: the design isn't great, the ANC falters, or the app sucks. So far, I haven't been able to identify the obvious flaw of the Headphone (a). The design is way more unique than I'd expect for this price point, the sound is relatively clear and well-rounded, the ANC and sound profile are customizable, and the app is easy to navigate.

And to top it all off, they have the best battery life I've seen on the market — topping the 70 hours of the Marshall Monitor III and the 55 hours of the significantly more expensive Dyson OnTrac headphones.

Where to buy the Nothing Headphone (a)

The Nothing Headphone (a) are available for preorder on Nothing's website in the white, pink, and black colorways, and will be available starting March 13. The yellow pair is limited edition, and will be available starting April 6.

Where to buy the Nothing Headphone (a) Nothing.tech Nothing Headphone (a) $199 Pre-Order Here
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to get a free $100 gift card with Apple MacBook Pro preorders

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 17:01

FREE $100 GIFT CARD: As of March 5, you can get a free $100 gift card when you pre-order the new Apple MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip at Best Buy. The premium laptops will begin shipping on March 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro) Starting at $2,199 + free $100 gift card Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Max) Starting at $3,599 + free $100 gift card Pre-order Here

As you've likely seen by now, Apple had a big week. The company dropped a batch of new products, from the first-ever budget MacBook to an even more powerful MacBook Pro. The latter is pretty darn expensive, but if you lock in a preorder at Best Buy, you'll get a little relief in the form of a free gift card.

As of March 5, when you pre-order the new MacBook Pro with either the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip at Best Buy (in any configuration), you'll get a free $100 e-gift card to spend however you please. The laptops will begin shipping on March 11 and you'll receive an email with your free gift once the laptop is in your possession.

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!

The new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros come in two sizes, 14 or 16 inches, and are essentially more powerful versions of the already stellar M5 MacBook Pro. The M5 Pro variants start at $2,199 for the 14-inch laptop and $2,699 for the 16-inch laptop and come with 1TB of base storage. They're built for folks "running complex workflows, like coders optimizing algorithms and photographers processing massive image libraries," according to Apple.

The M5 Max variants are for "those pushing the absolute limits," meaning they're totally overkill for the common laptop user. They start at $3,599 for the 14-inch model and $3,899 for the 16-inch model and come with a base storage of 2TB.

Both the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros also feature Apple's N1 chip for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support. Other than that, their specs are virtually the same as their predecessors.

If you want the best of the best when it comes to Apple laptops, these are it. While both models are certainly a pricey investment, the $100 gift card preorder bonus helps to ease a tiny bit of that blow.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to pre-order the $599 MacBook Neo, Apples new budget MacBook

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 16:54
Everywhere you can pre-order the Apple MacBook Neo: The Apple Store Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 (save $100 with education discount) Pre-Order Here Amazon Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 Pre-Order Here Best Buy Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 + free $25 gift card Pre-Order Here Target Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 Pre-Order Here Walmart Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 Pre-Order Here

Apple finally announced its long-rumored budget MacBook Wednesday, and it's called the MacBook Neo. Its starts at just $599, or $500 less than the latest 13-inch MacBook Air, and preorders are now open. Education buyers save $100 by ordering it directly through the Apple Store. At Best Buy, it comes with a free $25 gift card.

The MacBook Neo will begin shipping on March 11 alongside a slew of other new devices, including new iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Airs, M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, and Studio Displays. Apple announced them earlier this week, and their preorders are also live.

We're still waiting to get our hands on a MacBook Neo for testing, but in the meantime, let's take a closer look at its specs. They were heavily leaked ahead of time, so if you've kept up with the rumors, most of what you're about to read will sound very familiar.

Meet the MacBook Neo The MacBook Neo comes in (left to right) blush, indigo, citrus, and silver finishes. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The MacBook Neo is technically Apple's first dedicated budget laptop. It informally succeeds the M1 MacBook Air, which Apple sold through Walmart for around $699 from March 2024 to early this year. But instead of an M-series chip, the MacBook Neo runs on the A18 Pro chip, the same processor inside the iPhone 16 Pro. This is the first time Apple's ever put an iPhone chip inside a laptop.

The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness chassis. It's configurable with 256GB of storage or 512GB of storage and Touch ID; both options have 8GB of RAM.

The MacBook Neo includes WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 6, two USB-C ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack. Its aluminum chassis comes in four colors: silver, indigo, blush, and citrus.

The new MacBook Neo is now available for preorder at the Apple Store, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Shockingly low number of adults can identify the clitoris, sex toy shop finds

Thu, 03/05/2026 - 16:51

Just three percent of UK adults can correctly identify the anatomy of the clitoris, according to sex toy and lingerie shop Lovehoney.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults — what Lovehoney is calling "The Great British Cliteracy Test" — found an alarming gap between confidence and knowledge of the anatomy. Ninety percent of participants stated they know where the clitoris is, but only 30 percent could correctly locate it on a diagram. Women were only one percent more likely than men (30 percent to 29 percent) to find it.

SEE ALSO: Bumble announces AI-powered Profile Guidance and Photo Feedback

And a mere three percent were able to identify its full internal structure.

When shown a diagram of a vulva, 24 percent thought it was a heart, 13 percent thought it was a vagina (which is the internal organ, not external as the vulva is), and 10 percent believed it to be ovaries.

This is shocking, but it may not be as surprising as when we consider people's lack of sex education. Sixty-six percent of participants said they were never formally educated about the clit, and 78 percent said sex ed failed to properly cover female pleasure. As Lovehoney notes, the complete structure of the clitoris was only fully mapped in 1998 — less than 30 years ago. For much of history, this anatomy wasn't wholly understood.

What's more is that 16 percent of women say they've never learned about female sexual anatomy, and 16 percent taught themselves. Twenty-two percent of men said they learned most from their partner, while 13 percent said porn taught them the most.

Some are even turning to AI to learn about clit stimulation (more male, 23 percent, than female, 13 percent, unsurprisingly).

SEE ALSO: Top 5 NSFW sites to learn what porn didn't teach you

Sex education "should include comprehensive information about female anatomy and sexual health," Lovehoney's sexual health and wellness expert, Sarah Mulindwa, stated in the press release, as "understanding one's body is a fundamental aspect of health literacy."

Not only is this an educational problem, but it's a problem of pleasure. The orgasm gap between men and women in heterosexual pairings is real, and stimulating the clit is the main way most women O. Yet, 23 percent of men believe their partners orgasm every time during penetrative sex, according to Lovehoney's survey. Eleven percent of women say they do.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

"Women need and often prefer their clitoris touched, stroked and stimulated in some way to orgasm," sexual and reproductive health expert, Dr. Suzanne Belton, stated. "The findings of the 'Great British Cliteracy Test' demonstrate that on paper at least, two-thirds of men and women cannot point to a clitoris."

Sad, but true. Hopefully now, these participants — and everyone else — will educate themselves.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker