Mashable

TL;DR: Babbel helps you learn languages for real communication, and you can get lifetime access for 75% off via StackSocial with code LEARN.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$646.20 Save $487.20   Get Deal

Learning a new language does more than expand your vocabulary — it opens doors. Whether you’re navigating a new city, joining an international work call, or simply trying to connect with someone outside your comfort zone, being able to communicate changes the experience entirely.

Babbel is built around that idea. Instead of focusing on isolated words or abstract grammar rules, Babbel teaches you how to use a language in real situations. From travel conversations and workplace discussions to everyday social interactions, lessons are designed to help you speak clearly and confidently when it actually matters.

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!

With access to 14 languages and more than 10,000 hours of content, Babbel supports learners at every stage, from first-time beginners to advanced speakers refining their fluency. Lessons are short and structured, typically taking just 10–15 minutes, making it easy to stay consistent without burning out.

Babbel’s approach is rooted in research and developed by expert linguists, not guesswork. Features like speech recognition help improve pronunciation, while personalized review sessions reinforce what you’ve learned so it sticks.

An AI-powered conversation partner also lets you practice expressing yourself in real time, which is handy when preparing for trips, meetings, and everyday conversations.

Invest in a skill that keeps paying off, whether you’re traveling abroad, advancing your career, or simply broadening your worldview.

For new users in the U.S., lifetime access to all Babbel languages is currently available for $159 (reg. $646.20) with the exclusive StackSocial code LEARN.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Some home theater soundbars go to town on features and performance, aiming to check as many audio boxes as possible. These systems tend to have correspondingly high prices and can get a little complex to operate. Sony’s Bravia Theater Bar 6 ($699.99) runs in the other direction. It's still a full-fledged Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system with an impressive 3.1.2 channels, but it maintains a laser focus on simplicity, ditching flexibility and connection options in favor of a set-it-and-forget-it solution.

It’s an approach that works, as long as you’re content to stick within the Bravia Theater Bar 6’s somewhat restrictive limitations.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 $498 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $201.99   Shop Now Minimalism to the extreme

Design-wise, the Theater Bar 6 takes minimalism to the extreme. The main bar, at 37.5 x 2.6 x 4.3 inches, is made entirely from matte black plastic. It’s as unobtrusive as a full-size soundbar gets, and when you dim the lights, it all but disappears. There are no controls at all, save for a tiny power button hidden on the right side. Owners of Sony Bravia 5, 7, 8, 9, 8, A95L, or Bravia 8 II TVs get the added benefit of on-screen controls; for everyone else, you’ll need to use the Bravia Connect mobile app to access the speaker’s settings. A tiny LED on the front tells you if the Theater Bar 6 is turned on, and which input is in use.

Speaking of inputs, you get just three: HDMI ARC/eARC, optical, and Bluetooth. Realistically, it’s only two, since the ARC/eARC and optical inputs are both dedicated to your TV. You can use one or the other, but not both. Sony provides an HDMI cable in the box, which makes sense: only HDMI ARC/eARC connections support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. If your TV doesn’t do HDMI ARC, you’ll need to source your own optical cable.

Credit: Simon Cohen

This means that from a music listening point of view, it’s going to be Bluetooth streaming from your phone, or perhaps dedicated music apps on your TV or TV-connected streaming device. There’s no WiFi and no available digital or analog inputs.

Sony also includes little rubber feet that can lift the Theater Bar 6 high enough to clear the built-in feet on many of Sony’s TVs (when they’re in the middle position), and there’s a wall-mount template to help you find the right anchor points for a set of screws (no additional hardware needed).

The subwoofer is a blessing and a curse

The included wireless subwoofer is a big, boxy affair — standard issue for most home-theater-in-a-box systems — but just like the main bar, it should fade into the background if you can find a discreet spot to place it. Just keep in mind that this particular Bravia soundbar can’t be expanded with wireless surround speakers. If you need that flexibility, the Theater Bar 8 and 9 are better choices.

When you get the sound settings dialed in, the Bravia Theater Bar 6 does a very good job of bringing movies and TV shows to life. It provides a far larger soundstage than any built-in TV speakers, and thanks to both a dedicated center channel driver and an excellent available voice mode, you won’t miss a word of dialogue. 

Still, some managed expectations are in order. Even when you hit it with Dolby Atmos content, as I did with several clips from No Time To Die, Unbroken, and Dune, the system isn’t going to wow you with its 3D immersion. Its main benefit is its power (it can get impressively loud) and its energy (even at lower volumes, the sound signature conveys lots of detail and emotion). Overhead and surround effects, on the other hand, are hinted at rather than delivered directly.

Credit: Simon Cohen

One very important tip: If your TV only supports HDMI ARC (as opposed to eARC), always keep Sony’s Sound Field mode turned on when watching Atmos or DTS:X content, otherwise the Theater Bar 6 treats it as 7.1 Dolby Audio surround sound — a less rewarding experience.

The subwoofer is both a blessing — it’s the key to getting deep, cinematic punch for your movies — and a curse: if you’re not careful with the settings, it can overwhelm the mid-frequencies with a dull smear of low-end bass. This is especially true when listening to music. I had to reduce the bass substantially from my preferred movie-watching level to achieve a balanced EQ for music.

It’s easy to recommend the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, particularly if you can find it on sale. But there are also plenty of great alternatives. One of my favorites is the Klipsch Flexus Core 200. It costs less than the Theater Bar 6, and while it doesn’t come with a subwoofer, it punches out impressive bass on its own. Plus, it’s expandable with Klipsch Flexus wireless subwoofers and surrounds, or you can use a wired sub if you happen to own one.

TL;DR: Live stream Sabalenka vs. Rybakina in the 2026 Australian Open final for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

After weeks of electric competition, we've reached the 2026 Australian Open finals. Sabalenka takes on Rybakina in the showpiece event of the women's draw. Neither player has dropped a single set making it to this huge matchup, so this final is a mouth-watering prospect for fans.

Top seed Sabalenka has won this Grand Slam twice before, but she was beaten in last year's final. Fifth seed Rybakina was Wimbledon champion back in 2022, but that's her only Grand Slam triumph. She was beaten by Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final. Will history repeat itself in Melbourne? Or can Rybakina deliver something special to overcome the seemingly unstoppable Sabalenka?

If you want to watch Sabalenka vs. Rybakina in the 2026 Australian Open final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Sabalenka vs. Rybakina for free

Sabalenka vs. Rybakina in the 2026 Australian Open final is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open 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 services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Sabalenka vs. Rybakina without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes 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 Sabalenka vs. Rybakina in the 2026 Australian Open final for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It feels like we're inundated with tennis tournaments over the summer months, and then nothing. After the US Open, tennis fans have a painful wait for the next Grand Slam.

But thankfully, the 2026 Australian Open has come to the rescue to deliver epic contests between the best players in the world. It's the first chance to see the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka on the biggest stage. And better yet, it's possible to follow all the action from this showpiece event without spending anything.

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

What is the Australian Open?

The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. It's the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year, followed by the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

The current singles champions are Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys.

When is the 2026 Australian Open?

The 2026 Australian Open is the 114th edition of the tournament. This year's event takes place from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1.

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free

The 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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 eight 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 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.