Mashable

TL;DR: The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD is on sale for $369.99 at Amazon, cutting $270 off its $639.99 list price. That takes 42% off one of Samsung’s fastest internal SSDs, with read and write speeds of up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB $369.99 at Amazon
$639.99 Save $270 Get Deal

Finding a new internal SSD for your PC or PS5 has been an incredibly pricey endeavour with the ongoing memory crisis in the tech industry right now. In the build-up to Prime Day, however, Amazon has started dropping some deals that can make the cost of upgrading your gaming storage a little less painful. 

As of June 18, the Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 is on sale at Amazon for $369.99, down from its $639.99 list price. With this $270 saving, you’ll be buying one of Samsung’s most popular high-end internal SSD — the 2TB model is a high-speed solid storage boost for gaming PCs, PlayStation 5s, and even creative workstations. 

Depending on your budget and specific needs, Amazon has other 990 PRO options discounted. The standard 1TB model is listed for $219.99, down from $319.99, while the 4TB model is currently $895. 

If you want the built-in heatsink version instead, Amazon has the 1TB model for $299.27, the 2TB model for $495.49, and the 4TB model for $730 after a much larger cut from its $1,139.99 list price. 

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!

As for how well this will suit your gaming rig, the 990 PRO is built around PCIe 4.0 performance, with Samsung promising sequential read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,900 MB/s. That makes it a strong fit for large game installs, fast boot drives, video editing, 3D work, data-heavy projects, and anyone moving beyond older SATA SSDs or slower Gen3 drives. 

If you’ve been eyeing up an m.2 SSD for your PlayStation setup, the version of the 990 PRO with the added heatsink was made specifically with the PS5 in mind — which is a must for managing the high heat it generates and stabilizing its temperature. With that, you’ll be ready to manage the ever-increasing size of Fortnite and the Call of Duty games. 

Check out the best PlayStation deals to grab before Prime Day — including new deals on top games and even the PlayStation Portal. If you’re eyeing up a whole new gaming setup, you can buy the ASUS TUF F16 gaming laptop at $600 off among other new gaming laptop deals. 

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're fit.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 18, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Strength-building

• Green: Behavior

• Blue: Historical figures

• Purple: Fixer upper

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Fitness class types

• Green: Demeanor

• Blue: Peace activists

• Purple: Tools minus last two letters

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1103 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Fitness class types: AEROBICS, BARRE, BOOTCAMP, PILATES

• Demeanor: ATTITUDE, BEARING, CARRIAGE, PRESENCE

• Peace activists: GANDHI, KING, MANDELA, TUTU

• Tools minus last two letters: HAMM, JIGS, PLIE, WREN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 18, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love the ocean.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 18, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Beneath the waves

The words are related to the sea.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe marine life.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Coral Reef.

NYT Strands word list for June 18

• Shark

• Seaweed

• Algae

• Coral Reef

• Plankton

• FIsh

• Urchin

• Crab

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always looking for a way in.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 18, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 18, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Admission.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

ENTRY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

SAVE OVER $700: As of June 18, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 portable power station is on sale for $798.99 at Amazon. This is $700.01 off its full price of $1,499.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station $798.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $700.01   Get Deal

When it comes to early Prime Day deals, portable power stations are one of the many items we've been keeping a close eye on at Amazon.

Quite a few models have already seen some solid price cuts before the sale event, including the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2. As of June 18, you can scoop up this portable power station for $798.99.

This is nearly half off the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2's full price of $1,499, meaning you'll save $700.01. That's a pretty sweet deal before Prime Day begins. It's certainly worth the investment, whether you want it for upcoming camping trips or to have as backup power in case severe weather rolls through.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for Prime Day

For starters, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 offers impressive portability thanks to its lightweight design (weighing 39.5 pounds) and built-in handle. Carrying it from room-to-room, or through the great outdoors, will feel much easier than dragging around a heavy unit. It's also a mighty powerful little device, with three AC ports that offer a total output of 2,200W and a capacity of 2,042Wh.

It also charges quickly, hitting 80% in just 66 minutes through AC Fast Charging or a full charge in 102 minutes using the Emergency Super Charging mode in the app. And it runs quietly: Jackery notes on the store page that it operates at a noise level of less than 30dB. On top of that, it even comes with a LiFePo4 battery that can last up to 10 years, so it'll be with you for many years to come.

Ahead of Prime Day, don't miss out on this great deal on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 portable power station at Amazon.

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

Meta has casually added some facial recognition code for smart glasses to the Meta AI app, but don't worry: the company says its just "exploring" the feature.

Speaking in the monologue above, Jimmy Kimmel remained unconvinced.

"Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, they've got some fun projects in the hopper. They are reportedly testing facial recognition and surveillance software for their smart glasses. Which, if they work, the glasses would have the same technology used by the government and the police to record everything and identify everyone. But it only works on human faces, not whatever this is," says Kimmel, cutting to a photo of CEO Mark Zuckerberg looking particularly robotic.

"Remember when Mark Zuckerberg was just this weird kid from Harvard who created The Facebook so he could hopefully one day lose his virginity? Now he's a sneaky little narc making pervert glasses."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Donald Trump's newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cost almost $15 million, but it's still managed to turn green.

Seth Meyers took "A Closer Look" at the project during Wednesday's Late Night, particularly the fact that the pool is currently not the Bahamas-like turquoise or "American Flag Blue" the president hoped for. Instead, it's green, thanks to algae. And like Jimmy Kimmel, Meyers pointed out the irony.

"Trump gave out a no-bid contract to a friendly company with an inflated profit margin for a project no one asked for, and in the process he took an iconic American institution and turned it puke green. This brings us to a segment called 'The Metaphor Is Way Too Obvious'," said Meyers.

"You guys, the metaphor is way too obvious. I mean, do I really need to spell it out for you? My whole job here is to come out and make ridiculous metaphors, but real life is already a metaphor. He said he was going to 'drain the swamp' and he literally drained a pool or lake or small ocean and created an actual swamp.

"At this point, I might as well just quit and move to the Bahamas, so I can swim in a pool that's actually turquoise."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

TL;DR: Head to a participating Best Buy on June 27 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. local time to build and take home a free 133-piece Lego Star Wars Bo-Katan set.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Best Buy: Free 133-Piece Lego Star Wars Bo-Katan Set   Learn More

Lego regularly runs make and take events, giving builders a rare opportunity to walk away with a custom mini-set that money literally cannot buy. We’ve covered a fair share of these freebies over the years, but this upcoming event is particularly exciting for fans of a galaxy far, far away.

On Saturday, June 27, Best Buy is hosting a Lego Star Wars in-store event where you can build and take home a Bo-Katan Lego Star Wars set for absolutely nothing, saving 100% on what would easily be a $10 to $15 collectible.

The event will run from 12-2 p.m. local time on June 27 at participating Best Buy locations (check locations here).

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day toy deals are live: Shop Lego, Pokémon, and more at low prices

When you arrive, you’ll be handed the 133-piece character set and step-by-step instructions to assemble the legendary Mandalorian warrior. Once the build is complete, it's yours to keep. No purchase is necessary, and you don’t even need to show a Best Buy membership card to participate.

A 133-piece set is an incredibly generous offering for a free event. Usually, these store giveaways feature tiny, 50-piece micro-builds (like the N-1 Starfighter event we saw earlier this year).

It's important to note that these events are first-come, first-served. Quantities are strictly limited. If you turn up just before 2 p.m., expect to walk away empty-handed. We suggest arriving slightly before noon to secure your spot.

And no, you can't turn up with a trench coat and try to hoard five of them. It's a strict limit of one build per person.

Good luck to everyone planning to make the trek on June 27 — and may the brick-building Force be with you.

Stephen King has been on a TV and movie recommendation spree over the past couple of days.

On Tuesday the horror master shared his thoughts on Obsession, and on Wednesday he turned his attention to Widow's Bay. The popular Apple TV horror show about a creepy New England island has just streamed its finale, and — given that the show had been described as a "Stephen King mixtape" — it's no big surprise that the author himself tuned in and posted a review on X.

As for King's thoughts?

SEE ALSO: 'Widow's Bay' review: Your new favorite TV town awaits in this tremendous horror comedy

Overall it sounds like he enjoyed it, although he did take the opportunity to shout out another show he's enjoying even more.

"WIDOW'S BAY is good," King wrote on X. "MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED is even better. It's like Hitchcock came back to do it one more time. And Tatiana Maslany is so good. The play of emotions on her face is pretty incredible. She goes from comic to terror in an instant."

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

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is a dark comedy/crime thriller that follows Paula (Tatiana Maslany), a divorced fact-checker who witnesses an apparent kidnapping while on a call with a cam boy (Brandon Flynn).

"Maslany and series creator David J. Rosen have crafted a compelling trainwreck of a character, one whom you'll want to follow to the ends of the earth," wrote Mashable's Belen Edwards in her review. "Or at the very least, the end of 10 pulse-pounding episodes."

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is now streaming on Apple TV, as is Widow's Bay.

"Why are you here?"

"Freedom. And beer. My future ex-wife, hopefully."

"Thank you for your honesty."

Daily Show host Jordan Klepper's conversations with attendees at Donald Trump's Freedom 250 UFC fight birthday party at the White House bring a cornucopia of responses.

On Sunday, the correspondent headed to the president's $60 million celebrations to chat to some of the estimated 80,000 people either invited to the event on the South Lawn or headed to a fan zone nearby.

"This is the American Dream," says one attendee.

"This is the American Dream?" responds Klepper. "Two sweaty guys fighting on the White House lawn?"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

I'm not saying that you can expect every robot vacuum that mops to scrub your kitchen grout with the same tenacity as you could by hand with a toothbrush. But the best robot vacuum and mop combos have gotten much closer to true deep cleaning versus the ol' wet light dusting of the cheap mopping robot vacuums of the early 2020s.

Many have smart mopping settings that unleash deeper scrubbing on specified spills or stains, and some even use AI sensors and cameras to assess whether a mess has been sufficiently cleaned. The mopping mechanisms themselves are also just more physically able to do a better job — from downward-pressing dual-rotating mops that can actually get close to the wall to sturdy roller mops that rinse themselves as they go, automated mopping involves more elbow grease and brainpower than you may be expecting.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it?

You can also set your robot vacuum to take multiple passes over dirty floors in the app's settings — one of my go-to tips for making your vacuum work better.

The self-emptying docks of 2-in-1 robot vacuums are far more advanced than they were a few years ago. The best robot mop combos will also self-dispense detergent, automatically wash and dry their mopping pads, and then refill themselves with clean water. In theory, mopping pad maintenance should be nearly as automated as the cleaning itself.

Recent changes to this guide

• June 2026: I added the Narwal Flow 2 as the new pick for best roller mop robot vacuum overall, bumping the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow to the best roller mop robot vacuum under $1,000. The Narwal Flow 2 has stronger suction power and more advanced AI spill detection.

• March 2026: I replaced the Eufy X10 Pro Omni with the Eufy C28 as my pick for the best budget robot vacuum mop combo. The X10 Pro Omni is two years old at this point, and its suction power, mopping skills, and small obstacle avoidance simply can't keep up with the C28 — especially when their price difference is less than $100.

• February 2025: The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete takes over as the best robot vacuum in 2026 so far, and the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow replaces the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best roller mop robot vacuum. Due to the X60 Max Ultra Complete's meticulous corner cleaning and market-leading suction power, the Roborock Saros 10R has been removed from the list.

• November 2025: The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra has been named the best robot vacuum mop combo under $1,000, a mark that it hits when on sale. The Eufy X10 Pro Omni got a similar update: It's now named the best robot vacuum mop combo under $500, which refers to a sale price it hits quite often.

• October 2025: The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller has been added as the best roller mop robot vacuum. Previously our top pick as the best robot vacuum and mop, I've now named the Roborock Saros 10R as the best corner mopping robot vacuum.

A strange clump of stars near the Milky Way's core may be the battered remnant of something far more complex than previously thought.

They call this space region Terzan 5, named after astronomer Agop Terzan, who discovered it in 1968. At first glance, it looks like a dense ball of old stars, the kind astronomers usually label a globular cluster. But new data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, combined with two decades of Hubble observations, show it's much more than that.  

Though globular clusters usually have just one ancient star population, Terzan 5 appears to have at least four generations. The first stars were born 12.5 billion years ago, followed by waves dating back to roughly 4.7, 3.8, and 2.5 billion years ago. 

The chemistry inside the cluster also points to at least two kinds of supernovas happening within it. Early, massive stars exploded and enriched the system with heavier elements. Later, so‑called Type Ia supernovas — white dwarfs that blew apart — added more iron. Over time, the levels of lighter elements, such as oxygen and magnesium, dropped. That pattern fits a system that keeps recycling gas and forming new stars.

To astronomers, these clues suggest Terzan 5 started life far more massive, then shed most of its stars into the Milky Way's bulge, the dense swarm of stars around the center of the galaxy. By reconstructing its lost mass, testing whether it hides dark matter or a central black hole, and mapping how the galaxy disassembled it, researchers hope to use Terzan 5 as a sort of Rosetta Stone for studying how galaxies build their central regions.

"This is like a kind of a galaxy in a bottle," said R. Michael Rich, a research astronomer at UCLA, at the 248th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Pasadena, California. 

SEE ALSO: NASA is daring to rescue a space telescope before it falls to Earth

Terzan 5 sits about 3,000 light-years from the Milky Way's center, in the crowded region astronomers call the bulge. 

Because Terzan 5 resembles a chunk of the material that helped build the Milky Way’s central bulge, the research team is now calling it a "bulge fossil fragment," said Francesco R. Ferraro, principal investigator for the observations at Italy's University of Bologna, in a statement. 

By comparing about two decades' worth of images, the researchers tracked how individual stars drifted across the sky. True members of Terzan 5 move together, while foreground and background stars wander in different ways. 

"We look at the cluster as if it were a flock of birds, and essentially, there are these birds flying together in the flock, but then there are a lot of other birds flying around kind of randomly," Rich said. "The other birds are stars in the galactic bulge."

Now the team wants to rewind its life story. Today, Terzan 5 weighs about 1 to 2 million times the mass of the sun, similar to a hefty cluster. But the team believes the group started life with far more mass — perhaps on par with 1 billion suns — and slowly lost most of its stars to the Milky Way's bulge. The team plans to use Webb to count low‑mass stars in Terzan 5 and estimate how strongly the galaxy stripped stars away over time.

Astronomers used new data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, left, combined with two decades of Hubble Space Telescope observations for the study of Terzan 5. Credit: NASA illustration

They also see hints that something unseen may lurk inside. Earlier measurements suggested that stars along the outer edges of Terzan 5 move faster than the visible matter comfortably explains. That tension helped motivate the Webb study in the first place. 

"We are presently doing detailed analysis to try to find out if we can account for that motion by a population of low-mass stars, or whether we need something else," Rich said. "That something else would possibly be the first globular cluster to host dark matter." 

Another idea points to a massive black hole in the center, which would reveal itself through very fast‑moving stars near the core. So far the team has not seen clear evidence for that.

SEE SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY EARLY: Prime members have the chance to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day at an exclusive early screening two days before its nationwide release. Prime Young Adult subscribers can also claim a free ticket. Tickets are now available — secure yours while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Pictures Get tickets for 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' exclusive early screening   Get Deal

A Prime membership really is the gift that keeps on giving, particularly this season. Besides the usual perks, a paid membership also gives you access to exclusive deals this upcoming Prime Day (which falls on June 23 to June 26), $5 pizza at Little Caesars, a sweepstakes for free groceries for a year, and access to an early screening of the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially hits theaters on July 31, but Prime members have the opportunity to see it two days before its nationwide release. The exclusive screening will take place on July 29, 2026 at 7 p.m. local time in select theaters across the country. Tickets are now available through Fandango on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Spider-Man: Brand New Day landing page on Amazon.com. As a treat, Prime Young Adult subscribers can also claim a free ticket.

Head to the landing page and click on the yellow "Buy early tickets" button. You'll then be prompted to log into your Amazon Prime account and redirected to Fandango to select your tickets. All early access showings will be on premium large format screens, which include Dolby Cinema and 3D. Prime Young Adult subscribers will want to click on "Claim 1 free ticket" at the top of the page and follow the same prompts.

Credit: Sony Pictures

Tickets are going fast and screenings have limited capacity, so be sure to snag yours ASAP if you want to see the latest Spider-Man film before everyone else.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day brings back stars from the previous three films, plus characters from other Marvel franchises. That includes Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Zendaya as MJ, Jacob Batalon as Ned, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher, Michael Mando as Mac Gargan/Scorpion, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, just to name a few. The film picks up four years after the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home in a world where Peter Parker continues to fight crime as Spider-Man in a world that doesn't remember him.

Peep the trailer below:

Not a Prime member? There's still time to sign up and gain access to the early screening, but you'll want to act fast to secure your tickets. And don't forget, Prime Day starts on June 23.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sign up for Amazon Prime free 30-day trial, then $14.99/month Get Deal

Clinical psychologist Dr. Mark McConville was shocked when he learned from a recent poll that half of parents location track their adult children aged 18 to 25.

"It's almost never a good thing," said McConville, author of Failure to Launch: Why Your Twentysomething Hasn't Grown Up...and What to Do About It, of the parental surveillance.

Location tracking an 18- to 25-year-old, he added, is most often an "index" of "parental anxiety" that doesn't "contribute in some concrete way to the development of the child."

SEE ALSO: 'Not everything needs to be known': How one day with no phone changed my life

Those may sound like harsh words to parents who follow their young adult children's every step. Yet the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, which surveyed 1,542 parents on the topic earlier this year, suggest McConville is onto something.

Parents seek peace of mind

Roughly two-thirds of parents who location track do so for peace of mind or in case of an emergency, according to the survey.

The scenarios that make parents more likely to check their child's location? Standard young adult activities like being out late at night or in an unfamiliar place, hailing a rideshare or taxi service, or spending time with someone they don't know.

Another 21 and 17 percent, respectively, use location tracking to know whether it's a good time to call or to stay abreast of their child's activities and whereabouts. Nine percent want confirmation that their child frequents places that meet their approval. Eleven percent said they had no specific reason for the surveillance. Among parents who track, almost three-quarters said they always use a location-tracking app or software.

Tracking without consent

McConville wasn't the only one shocked by the findings.

Mott Poll co-director Sarah Clark told Mashable that the prevalence of tracking surprised her. But the fact that more than 50 percent of parents who track don't give their adult child a say in the matter also dismayed Clark.

"It's one thing if we have a conversation about it," Clark said. "It's another thing for parents just to do it without a lot of input from their young adult kids."

Tracking isn't a surefire reprieve from parental anxiety, either. Nearly a quarter of the poll respondents who track said following their child can make them more anxious than reassured.

Why parents should quit tracking

McConville understands the appeal of location sharing. His wife and golfing buddy both have his location for practical reasons. He also follows his teen granddaughters' activities via their location, but will only do so with their permission once they've left home.

Yet he's concerned about parents of adult children who track in a "supervisory" role or to manage their own anxiety. Tracking for those reasons may impede a young adult's ability to become fully independent from their parents. It can also undermine a young adult's confidence in their ability to manage their own life.

"It is not intrinsically damaging, but is it a signal that the development of autonomy or independence is somehow not being achieved or behind schedule?" McConville said.

How parents can reframe their tracking

While the poll didn't ask parents when they started tracking their adult children, both McConville and Clark suspect that it began for some during high school, when it could've been practical or developmentally appropriate.

Continuing the practice into young adulthood might be innocuous or even normal for parents, but McConville suggests a different approach as they come to terms with the inevitable.

"Do you expect that sometime your child is going to outgrow your supervision?" McConville asks. "Why isn't 19 an appropriate time?"

He also encourages parents to consider whether they're tracking for their child or for themselves.

McConville recommends that parents track their emerging adult child only with permission and only if the behavior is "negotiated as between two parties of equal status." Parents should certainly avoid questioning a young adult's choices based on their location data.

How young adults can push back on tracking

Location tracking may be a routine part of some young adults' lives, particularly if they follow (and are followed by) friends, roommates, and romantic partners.

The behavior is widespread enough amongst adults that it featured heavily in the latest season of the Bravo reality show Summer House. So, asking a parent to stop may not seem worth the hassle.

But if a young adult wants their parent to cease tracking them, McConville suggests beginning a conversation with open-ended questions.

The script could be as simple as, "I know you're tracking me. I'm sure you have some concerns. I'd love to hear what they are," McConville said.

In response, the young adult can present what McConville describes as a "data-based argument" demonstrating their competence. Those data points might include class attendance, grades, community involvement, and job responsibilities. Then they can deliver a straightforward plea for autonomy and independence, noting that being tracked makes them feel like a child.

Learning to tolerate disapproval

McConville acknowledges that some parents may consider tracking as part of the deal if they pay college tuition, for example. When the stakes are that high, McConville said the young adult may just decide to "grin and bear it."

But if temporary parental anger or frustration is the worst that will happen, McConville said that may very well be worth the long-term independence.

"One of the developmental tasks of that era is you have to learn how to tolerate your parents' disapproval," McConville said. "That's a really important thing of becoming a freestanding 25-year-old."

Every year, Apple, Samsung, and Google grace us with plenty of great handsets across the price spectrum. This year is different in one notable way, however. Thanks to RAMageddon, even budget phones are getting more expensive.

If you want something good for under $500, you can still get that. But if you want a true flagship device or a bendy screen, you'll have to set aside $1,000 to $2,000 and up.

The year is almost halfway through, so we thought we would celebrate the greatest smartphone achievements of the year to date. Here are the five best smartphones of 2026 so far, in no particular order.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Apple iPhone Fold: How the rumors compare Best flagship: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 'Ultra' is right. Credit: Chris Taylor/Mashable

Putting together a "best smartphones of the year" list in June is a bit difficult because most companies wait until the back half of the calendar year to unleash their flagships. Samsung is not most companies.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best flagship of the year so far, almost by default, but that doesn't mean it's undeserving. This is a powerhouse of an Android handset, with a huge 6.9-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an excellent camera array, and a massive 5,000mAh battery that keeps it chugging all day long. It's also chock full of Samsung's latest AI features, if you're into that, and it stands out from the competition by including an S Pen stylus for your note-taking needs. Yes, $1,199 is a lot for a phone, but you get what you pay for, in this case.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB Unlocked Phone (Black) $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200   See It at Amazon Best iPhone: Apple iPhone 17e Only one camera is a bummer, but the rest of it is pretty nice. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Apple is one of those companies that waits until later in the year to play its best cards, but the iPhone 17e is quite a nice phone for its modest $599 price tag.

This year, Apple upgraded its budget option with MagSafe support, an A19 chip, and a new starting 256GB storage capacity. That means it can run all the latest AI apps and won't fill up right away, which are both great qualities for a budget phone to have. It's also got respectable battery life for a phone in its price range. The only real disappointments here are the cameras and the 60Hz display, two things that some other budget phones are better at. Still, if you live in Apple's ecosystem and don't have a ton of money to spend, this is a very good phone.

Apple iPhone 17e $599.99 at T-Mobile
  See It at T-Mobile See It at Best Buy Best budget Android phone: Google Pixel 10a Totally flat. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Every year, the Google Pixel A-series represents some of the best value in the world of smartphones. They're usually about 90 percent as good as the flagship Pixel that comes out about six months prior, with some corners cut to reduce the price. That was not necessarily the case with the Pixel 10a this year, but it's still a solid device that's easy to recommend to anyone who wants a $499 Android phone.

Sure, it's missing some of the high-end AI features and didn't get a processor upgrade over last year's model, but the totally flat back means it won't wobble on your desk, which is nice. Google's typical high-quality camera trickery is also at work here, which is no surprise. Google also packed in some more charging options and a brighter display, all for $100 less than an iPhone 17e.

Google Pixel 10a $482.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Google Store Best foldable: Motorola Razr Ultra It's not quite the original Razr, but it'll do. Credit: René Ramos/Mashable

We're still waiting for Samsung's next batch of foldables, as well as the rumored iPhone Fold, but Motorola has our back with the best foldable of 2026 so far: The Razr Ultra.

Aside from its name being a nostalgia trap for elder millennials who remember the old Razr flip phones fondly, this is a very good foldable. Unfortunately, it also starts at $1,499. Still, if you can afford it, you'll get a cool clamshell design, two excellent AMOLED displays, one of the best mobile processors money can buy in the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a 36-hour battery life. Yes, the price is a lot, but it's not entirely unwarranted. Our tech editor loved this Android foldable, and we think you will, too.

Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) $1,499.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at Motorola US Most ambitious: Samsung Galaxy TriFold Look at that thing! Credit: Timothy Werth/Mashable

Our last phone on this list is, unfortunately, one you can't really buy anymore. Samsung released the Galaxy TriFold earlier this year for a very limited window of time before pulling it off the shelves forever. Normally, that'd disqualify it from a list like this, but the TriFold was so cool that we want to pay our respects to it before its memory is lost like tears in rain.

As its name suggests, this was a foldable with two creases instead of one, meaning it had a massive internal display that made it more like something from Star Trek than a regular phone. That kind of display is simply better for things like gaming and reading books than a normal one, but it also meant the phone was probably tricky to manufacture and was never going to be long for this world. Still, it was a really cool experiment, and we're glad Samsung got it into some of our hands, however briefly.

SEE ALSO: Hands-on: I'm still lusting over the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

10. How to Make a Killing

They Will Kill You. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. I Love Boosters. Of all the 2026 eat-the-rich comedies, How to Make a Killing is one of them. It's also the weakest of the bunch.

SEE ALSO: 'How to Make a Killing' review: Glen Powell stars in A24's eat-the-rich comedy

Writer/director John Patton Ford offers a toothless remake of the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets. Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, who comes from a ultra-affluent family line but has been disowned by his conservative grandfather (Ed Harris) for being a literal bastard. Raised by his disinherited single mom, Becket has had to work for everything he has. But when a femme fatale (Margaret Qualley) tempts him with the good life, he realizes the way to win his family's fortune is to kill all of those ahead of him in the line to inheritance. It's a fun premise. But Powell is woefully miscast, and How to Make a Killing is more bland than funny.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: ⁦⁨Glen Powell⁩, ⁨Margaret Qualley⁩, ⁨Jessica Henwick⁩, ⁨Bill Camp⁩, ⁨Zach Woods⁩, ⁨Topher Grace⁩, and ⁨Ed Harris⁩⁩

How to watch: How to Make a Killing begins streaming exclusively on HBO Max June 19.

9. Finnegan's Foursome

Ed Burns is back with a comedy about golfing, grief, and family. Finnegan's Foursome centers on the eponymous Irish American family who loves golf so much they have an annual tournament, compete with a big trophy for the winner. That winner has long been patriarch Jack (Ian McElhinney). But when he dies, he has two wishes. One, that his two sons (Edward Burns and Brian d'Arcy James) scatter his ashes in Ireland. Two, that the competition carry on without him.

The brothers may bicker on the green and off, but with their grown children at their sides, they'll play together to figure out what the Finnegan family's next round will look like. If you revel in Burns' brand of feel-good family drama, you'll enjoy his latest. — K.P.

Starring: Edward Burns, Brian d'Arcy James, Erica Hernández, and Brian Muller

How to watch: Finnegan's Foursome is now available for purchase on digital.

8. The Voices of Our Mother

Intergenerational trauma is alive and well in The Voices of Our Mother, which sees damaged siblings returning to the family home to care for their mysteriously sick mom. But is it possible that the origin of her illness isn't entirely natural? You bet! The trailer for Mark O'Brien's film looks like religious horror with more than a few Hereditary-style scares. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Sheila McCarthy, Mark O'Brien, Georgina Reilly, Carolina Bartczak, and Alex Ozerov-Meyer

How to watch: The Voices of Our Mother debuts on Shudder on June 19.

7. Never Change!

Search Party's John Reynolds writes and headlines Never Change!, a comedy about an unusual high school reunion. Imagine if, in 2008, a batch of seniors saw their final year disrupted in a school-leveling tornado. Instead of finishing up their last semester, they moved on to wherever life might take them. Now in their thirties, the would-be class of 2008 is invited back to finish their final two weeks of high school with "no drama." But much silliness ensues.

How will teen cliches like the high school play, prom, house parties, and graduation look with a bunch of thirtysomethings reconnecting to their teen angst? From the look of this trailer, it's gonna get weird. — K.P.

Starring: John Reynolds, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Carmen Christopher, Jo Firestone, Rudy Pankow, Topher Grace, Jackie Cruz, Ana Gasteyer, Patti Harrison, and Zach Cherry

How to watch: Never Change! is now streaming on Hulu and on Disney+.

6. I Will Find You

Netflix has been on a run of Harlan Coben adaptations that are equal parts addictive and ridiculous, and fans will be pleased to know that I Will Find You looks set to crank that dial up to 11. The story follows David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), a father imprisoned for the murder of his own little boy. But wait! Not only is David innocent, but it seems as though his boy might be alive after all — and rather than waiting for the slow cogs of justice to turn in prison, he decides to break out and find him with the help of his former sister-in-law, Rachel (Britt Lower). — S.H.

Starring: Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia, Erin Richards, Jonathan Tucker, Madeleine Stowe, Clancy Brown, Logan Browning, Vas Saranga, and Chi McBride

How to watch: I Will Find You is now streaming on Netflix.

5. The Season

In the mood for yet another show about the lives of the ultra-wealthy? Then check out Hulu's The Season, a six-part series about Hong Kong's elite — and the outsider hellbent on taking them down. That outsider is Cola Pierce (Jessie Mei Li), a banker from Michigan who finds herself running in the same circles as the powerful Hext family. Backstabbing and eat-the-rich intrigue ensue, all taking place in a series of lavish locations sure to satisfy anyone yearning for a Crazy Rich Asians follow-up. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Jessie Mei Li, Toby Stephens, Chris Pang, Kôki, and Justin Chien

How to watch: The Season is now streaming on Hulu.

4. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Season 1

Ever wish that Star Trek got a bit more high school? Then you'll squee over Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Teen drama meets sci-fi thrills with this new series from Gaia Violo, which focuses on the school where cadets learn the ways of Starfleet, meaning science, diplomacy, and bravery — for starters.

If that genre mash-up alone isn't enough to get you giddy, then how about this: Holly Hunter stars as Captain Nahla Ake, a tough-as-nails commander with a sharp mind, a compassionate heart, and a breezy attitude that already has me swooning. Then, along with a terrific ensemble cast, rich with rising stars, THE Paul Giamatti stars as Nus Braka, a space pirate who is this first season's Big Bad. Could this be as good as it sounds? I can assure you, it's better.* — K.P.

Starring: Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and Oded Fehr

How to watch: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is now streaming on Paramount+, Season 1 is available for purchase on digital, complete with over one hour of special features.

3. Pressure

This World War II drama is mostly set far from the battlefields, and yet it reveals the pivotal decisions that led to a successful D-Day.

SEE ALSO: 'Pressure' review: Andrew Scott is low-key hilarious in this World War II drama

Based on true events, Pressure reveals the story of Scottish meteorologist James Stagg (Andrew Scott), who was chosen to advise General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) on how impending weather could impact their attack strategy. Told over the course of a few tense days, Pressure is a fascinating look at how science, international allies, and nature can impact human history. And much like Conclave, another Focus Features release, Pressure has a brilliant undercurrent of humor and humanity. Don't miss it.* — K.P.

Starring: Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon, Chris Messina, and Damian Lewis

How to watch: Pressure is now available for purchase on VOD.

2. Project Hail Mary

Amaze! Amaze! Amaze! You can now watch sci-fi crowdpleaser Project Hail Mary at home. Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary imagines a terrifying scenario: Earth's sun is dimming, and we have one last-ditch hope at figuring out how to save it. That hope is Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a science teacher stranded alone in space. Alone, that is, until he meets Rocky (voiced and puppeted by James Ortiz), everyone's favorite new movie alien. 

That encounter kicks off the heartwarming bromance that fuels the rest of Project Hail Mary, which bursts with humor, apocalyptic drama, and riveting spacewalks. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Imagine The Martian meets Half Nelson meets E.T., and you'll get some idea of the mirthful mash-up that is Project Hail Mary."* — B.E.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, and James Ortiz

How to watch: Project Hail Mary is now streaming exclusively on MGM+.

Best of streaming this week: House of the Dragon, Season 3

It's been two long years, but House of the Dragon is finally back for its third season. And what a ride it is! Forget any frustrations you may have had with Season 2's lackluster ending, because Season 3 kicks off with a bang. I'm talking naval battles, new dragonriders, and cataclysmic moves in the Dance of the Dragons. 

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon': Everything you need to remember about Season 2 in 60 seconds

As I wrote in my review, "[Season 3's] first four episodes manage to make up for Season 2's finale and then some, delivering jaw-dropping spectacle and somber truths about the cost of war." Be sure to watch the premiere live if you can, and if you need a quick refresher before tuning back into the world of Westeros, we've got you covered with a 60-second recap. — B.E.

Starring: Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Sonoya Mizuno, Fabien Frankel, Olivia Cooke, Matthew Needham, Jefferson Hall, Harry Collett, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Kurt Egyiawan, Kieran Bew, Abubakar Salim, Clinton Liberty, Tom Bennett, Ellora Torchia, Freddie Fox, and Gayle Rankin

How to watch: House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres on HBO and HBO Max on June 21.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

Mashable's team of shopping experts spends all year researching, testing, and writing about the best products available at any given moment. A ton of gear comes through our homes for rigorous hands-on testing, so we know exactly what's worth buying. So, what do we actually spend our own money on?

In 2026 so far, our purchases show a theme of little, everyday improvements. We've bought new sheets and towels, blue light glasses for when we're locked in at our laptops, and smart bulbs that are more budget-friendly than the big-name brands. Here are our favorite purchases of the year so far. And check back in December when we're sure to have bought even more stuff.

Owala FreeSip Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip $34.99 at Owala
  Shop Now

After saying I simply don't need another reusable water bottle for so long, I finally gave in and bought an Owala FreeSip. I was previously cycling through my Yeti Rambler with a Chug Cap and my Stanley with a straw. The FreeSip's ability to combine both of those drinking methods really drew me in, and this year's Birthday Bash colors finally convinced me to make the purchase. With two months under my belt, I can officially say I'm an Owala convert, and would absolutely recommend the FreeSip to anyone and everyone. — Miller Kern, Deputy Shopping Editor

Brooklinen bath sheets Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Sheets (Set of 2) $126.65 at Brooklinen
$149 Save $22.35   Shop Now

I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but bath sheets > bath towels. Bath sheets give you more surface area to dry off quicker and easier, without having to don a makeshift mini dress. The Super-Plush Turkish Cotton bath sheets from Brooklinen are massive and feel almost like a throw blanket in size. I feel like I can dry off after a shower without individually drying each of my limbs. Plus, I love the striped green and cream colorway. — MK

Abercrombie & Fitch Sunday Mockneck Crew Opens in a new window Credit: Abercrombie & Fitch Sunday Mockneck Crew $50 at Abercrombie & Fitch
  Shop Now

I went to Abercrombie & Fitch during its Memorial Day sale and picked up this mockneck sweatshirt for $30. It's incredibly comfy and quickly became my favorite sweatshirt in my wardrobe. I tried to buy a second one online during the sale, but they had already sold out. Don't be surprised if I've bought a second one in the December update of this story. — MK

Bauer Pro 5-in-1 Hair Styler and Hair Dryer Opens in a new window Credit: Bauer Pro Bauer Pro 5-in-1 Hair Styler and Hair Dryer £39.99 at Bauer Pro
  Shop Now

I spent a month in London this spring and started desperately missing my Shark FlexStyle within the first few days of my trip. This dirt-cheap dupe I found on Amazon UK filled the void. Its build quality is questionable, but it's ultra-lightweight and works fast. (It runs way hotter than the FlexStyle and its even-more-premium cousin, the Dyson Airwrap, so heat protectant is essential.) I plan on bringing it on all future Euro trips; you can safely use it in other countries with just a plug adapter, not a voltage converter. The only catch is that it's not available for U.S. delivery, meaning you have to order it once you're already abroad. — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter

Conair TravelSmart portable charger Opens in a new window Credit: Conair Conair TravelSmart portable charger $14.99 at Target
$29.99 Save $15.00   Shop Now

I impulse-bought this little charger at Target just before heading to London, and it wound up being the MVP of my trip. It's not very powerful, but it gave me some juice in a pinch whenever my iPhone's battery was running low. I bought most things via contactless mobile payments when I was out exploring the city, Tube trips included, so I would've been in some pickles without it. I liked how it fit flush against my phone so I could easily take pictures or pull up a map while it's charging, without having to wrangle a cable. — HH

WiZ Connected Smart Light Bulbs Opens in a new window Credit: WiZ WiZ Connected Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack) $21.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

I got one of these smart bulbs as a white elephant gift a few Christmases ago. I liked it so much that I've been slowly replacing all of the regular bulbs in my house with them. They're colorful, customizable, super easy to set up — and best of all, they always go on sale for super cheap during Amazon's Prime events. I bought my last pair for only $13 over Prime Big Deal Days in March, and I'll probably grab a couple more this coming Prime Day. My kitchen and bathroom lighting still need upgrading. — HH

Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speaker Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speaker $169.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $50   Shop Now at Amazon

I've been slowly building out my vinyl collection over the past few years, and this spring I decided to upgrade my turntable speakers. My husband and I were still using a pair of ancient desktop speakers that he'd owned since college, so they didn't sound the best, plus their volume controls were busted. It was time. We landed on these Edifiers because they got great reviews and came in under $200 on sale. They sound lovely and blend in so nicely on our record console. I especially like that you can control them with a remote or Bluetooth. That adds a little modern convenience to my vinyl listening experience without detracting from the ritual of it. — HH

Kindle Paperwhite Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy

Upgrading to the new Kindle Paperwhite wasn't a game-changing tech milestone for me. I was already using an older generation model, so I was well aware of the benefits of owning one of these e-readers. That being said, the larger screen is a nice touch. And most importantly, it actually charges without me having to balance it upside down at a very particular angle. I don't know why I didn't buy sooner. — Joseph Green, Global Shopping Editor

GE LED+ Color Changing LED Light Bulbs with Remote GE LED+ Color Changing LED Light Bulbs with Remote $22.83 at Amazon
$27.55 Save $4.72   Shop Now at Amazon

I love the idea of Philips Hue bulbs, but because my household avoids WiFi-connected appliances, I’ve been seeking an alternative. I finally found the GE LED+ color-changing bulb that’s controlled by an included remote. I love it for its adjustable warm white tones and fun color options. While there aren’t nearly as many color options as the Philips Hue bulb, I still like the selection nonetheless. I’ve been using the red light to wind down at night and genuinely think it’s improved my sleep. — Samantha Mangino, Shopping Reporter

Brooklinen Classic Percale sheets Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set $185.15 at Brooklinen
$219 Save $33.85   Shop Now

After ditching our Quince linen sheets, we opted for Brooklinen’s classic percale sheets, which have been life-altering. They’re so crisp and cool, and a relief in the hot weather, especially. These are my first Brooklinen sheets, and I’m so impressed by their quality. They’re soft right out of the box and really sturdy, hopefully lasting us years. — SM

Prescription blue light glasses from Gunnar Opens in a new window Credit: Gunnar Mammoth blue light glasses $49 at Gunnar
  Shop Now

After a lifetime with 20/20 vision, I've finally been forced to join the world of prescription eyewear. So far, no one has bullied me for my glasses. Most of the time, I wear a pair of prescription frames from Persol (or whichever pair of smart glasses I'm testing), but at night I switch over to prescription blue light frames from Gunnar. No product has had a better impact on my life this year than these specs, which seem to make my vision even sharper.

If you have trouble sleeping and wear glasses, I highly recommend investing in Gunnar glasses. — Timothy Beck Werth, Tech Editor

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 2TB of Drime Secure Cloud Storage for just $110.97 — the lowest price ever — and skip cloud storage subscriptions for good.

Opens in a new window Credit: Drime Drime Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $110.97
$299 Save $188.03   Get Deal

2TB of lifetime cloud storage at a 63% savings is already a compelling offer. The fact that it’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen on this plan makes it even more interesting.

Drime Secure Cloud Storage is currently available for just $110.97 (regularly $299), saving buyers $188.03 upfront. More importantly, it replaces the ongoing monthly charges that have become standard across much of the cloud storage industry.

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!

But this isn’t just a place to dump files and forget about them. Drime leans more toward being a full workspace. You can upload, sync, and access files across devices, but also edit documents, leave comments, and collaborate with others without switching tools. It’s useful if you’re juggling projects, clients, or even just shared folders with family.

Security is a big part of the pitch. Files stored in the encrypted Vault are protected by end-to-end encryption, and everything is hosted in Europe in compliance with GDPR standards. This means your data isn’t floating around unsecured, and you have more control over who sees what.

There are also a lot of small quality-of-life features that make a difference over time — like version history for restoring older files, advanced link sharing with passwords and expiration dates, and even built-in e-signature tools.

It’s a simple way to get more control over your files without adding another monthly expense.

Don’t miss out on lifetime access to 2TB of Drime Cloud Storage for its lowest price ever — just $110.97 (reg. $299.99) through June 28.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a three-pack of Tangem Stealth Wallets for $55.92 and store crypto offline with a credit-card-sized hardware wallet that works with a simple NFC tap.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tangem TANGEM Stealth Wallet 3-Pack Secure Offline Crypto Hardware Wallet $55.92
$69.90 Save $13.98   Get Deal

Most hardware crypto wallets seem designed by people who assume you’ll happily carry around another gadget.

Tangem goes in the opposite direction. Instead of a bulky device, cable, or keychain-sized accessory, the Tangem Stealth Wallet looks and feels like a standard credit card. It slides into your wallet, sits next to your driver’s license, and stays out of the way until you need it.

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!

A 3-pack of Tangem Stealth Wallets is available for $55.92 (reg. $69.90). That’s a savings of $13.98, plus a primary wallet and two backup cards for additional peace of mind.

The appeal isn’t just portability. Tangem stores private keys offline using a Samsung EAL6+ certified secure element, helping protect digital assets without requiring batteries, Bluetooth, USB cables, or charging. In other words, there’s nothing to plug in, nothing to pair, and nothing to keep powered.

Using NFC, you simply tap the card against a compatible smartphone to connect with the Tangem app. From there, you can manage crypto holdings, transfer assets, interact with decentralized applications, and access NFT collections.

The wallet supports more than 13,000 tokens across 70+ blockchains, making it flexible enough for most crypto portfolios. The three-card system also provides built-in redundancy, helping users maintain access even if one card is lost or damaged.

For many crypto owners, security and convenience usually feel like a tradeoff. Tangem’s biggest strength is that it doesn’t force you to choose. It delivers offline protection in a form factor you’ll actually want to carry every day.

Get a 3-pack of Tangem Stealth Wallets for just $55.92 (reg. $69.90) while stock is still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan is on sale for $54.97 (reg. $619) and lets you compare responses from over 20 AI models in one interface.

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $54.97
$619 Save $564.03   Get Deal

With AI tools, one challenge remains surprisingly common: different models often give different answers to the same prompt. Instead of opening up multiple tabs and paying for multiple subscriptions, ChatPlayground AI brings many of today’s most popular AI models into one place. You can get ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan while it’s on sale for $54.97 (reg. $619).

The platform’s biggest attraction is its side-by-side comparison feature. You can enter a prompt once and instantly see how models like GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet 4, Gemini 1.5 Flash, DeepSeek V3, Llama, Perplexity, and others respond. For those who utilize AI regularly, whether for writing, research, coding, brainstorming, or business tasks, comparing outputs can help identify the strongest answer.

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!

ChatPlayground AI isn’t limited to text prompts, either. Users can upload images and PDFs for context-aware conversations, generate AI-created images, and save chat histories for future reference. The platform also includes prompt engineering tools designed to help users refine requests and improve response quality.

For startups, prompt engineers, content creators, developers, and teams experimenting with AI, the Unlimited Plan offers unlimited messages, which means users can run as many tests, comparisons, and iterations as they need without worrying about monthly message limits.

One reason platforms like ChatPlayground are gaining attention is that AI capabilities continue to evolve rapidly. Rather than committing to a single model, users gain access to a broad selection of tools through one interface, making it easier to adapt as new models emerge and existing ones improve.

If you regularly rely on AI for work, creative projects, or research, ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan offers a convenient way to compare leading models side by side for $54.97 (reg. $619).

StackSocial prices subject to change.