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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.
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Sony leads the pack for the best headphones deals available ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 00:02
Best early Big Spring Sale headphones and earbuds deals Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro $169.95 (save $180.04) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Sony WF-C710N $88 (save $41.99) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

Amazon announced the return of its Big Spring Sale, and the headphones deals are heating up along with the weather.

This will be the third year Amazon hosts the sale, and while the mega-retailer puts emphasis on spring-appropriate deals (think outdoor furniture, cleaning supplies, and robot vacuums), the prior two years of the sale show that some tech deals get thrown in the mix.

SEE ALSO: When is Amazon's Spring Sale in 2026? Amazon just announced official dates.

Though the weeklong sale doesn't officially kick off until March 25, I've done my combing as one of Mashable's headphones experts to find over 20 deals that, while not necessarily officially tied to the sale, offer Spring Sale-worthy savings. So far, the best savings are coming from Sony headphones, but brands like Beats, Shokz, and Apple are also starting to show out with some solid deals.

Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.04   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

Before you pay $450 for AirPods Max on sale, I recommend checking out the Beats Studio Pro headphones. Yes, you'll have to forgo the iconic design of the Maxes, but in his testing of these headphones, Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti found that the ANC of the Studio Pros was on par with more expensive headphones. On the sound quality front, Bracetti said the specs of the Pros are even better at producing a robust and clear soundscape. On sale for $169.95, these headphones are so much cheaper than the Maxes that you could purchase them twice over and still have over $100 leftover.

More early headphones dealsBest earbuds deal Sony WF-C710N $88 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $41.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

As much as I love a good pair of premium earbuds, I'm less in love with the idea of paying over $200 for quality ANC and sound when you can get that for much, much cheaper. For day-to-day use, I often find myself reaching for the Sony WF-C710N earbuds. They have great battery life, a compact case for easy portability, really solid ANC, and a rounded sound profile worthy of the Sony name. Bracetti called them the best Sony earbuds you can get for under $100 (when they're on sale), and I'm comfortable saying they're some of the best earbuds under $100, period.

Check out our full review of the Sony WF-C710N.

More early earbuds deals Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

People love the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, but the Sony LinkBuds Clip are just as comfortable, sound at least as good, and cost about $70 cheaper at full price. On sale, they're over $100 cheaper than the Bose Ultra earbuds. Mashable contributor Simon Cohen deemed these earbuds a Mashable Selects winner, which means they're one of our favorite products we've tried. This sale price of $198 marks their biggest discount ever, and the first time they've ever gone below $200. For earbuds that just launched in January, that's not too shabby.

Check out our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More early open earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in March 2026

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 00:00

HBO MAX BUNDLES: HBO Max is offering a few different bundle deals so you can stream from its library without making a massive dent in your wallet.

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in March 2026: Best Disney+ Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $10.99 per month Get Deal Best Student Deal HBO Max Student Save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal

Looking for some exciting new films or shows to watch this spring? HBO Max is the place to find them. With Heated Rivalry, Industry, and a brand new season of House of the Dragon coming in June, there's plenty to keep you busy right now.

If these shows have caught your eye, the good news is that HBO Max has a few different bundles available at the moment that are worth checking out, including a popular bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. With streaming prices on the rise, a bundle like this can be a great way to save some cash while retaining access to your favorite services.

SEE ALSO: Everything we know about HBO's 'Baldur's Gate' show

Alongside bundles, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're interested in its service on its own.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:

Best Hulu bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $11.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $10.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $18.49 per month.

Best student deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal Why we like it

It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $5.49 per month. That's a 50% discount off its $10.99 monthly price. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code that can be used to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.

HBO Max's monthly plans

HBO Max offers a few different subscription plans. If you don't mind having to sit through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $10.99 per month or the annual plan runs for $109.99 per year. If you can't stand ads and don't mind throwing down a bit more cash, the Standard plan will cost you $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year.

Below we've broken down what comes with each of these plans, per HBO Max's website, so you can know a bit more before you buy.

Basic With Ads — $10.99 per month, $109.99 per year

  • Stream on two devices at once

  • Full HD 1080p resolution

Standard (Ad-free) — $18.49 per month, $184.99 per year

  • Stream on two devices at once

  • Full HD 1080p resolution

  • 30 downloads to watch on the go

Premium (Ad-free) — $22.99 per month, $229.99 per year

  • Stream on four devices at once

  • 4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)

  • Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)

  • 100 downloads to watch on the go

If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with a HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Charge everything on the go with one $22 cable that can attach to your keyring

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Make powering up devices much more convenient with this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable, now only $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $21.99
$49.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal

Want to travel a little lighter? A great place to start is by downsizing your charging setup. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable lets you power up multiple devices without packing tons of cords — and it’s small enough to fit on your keyring. Right now, it’s even on sale for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99) while supplies last.

Sick of untangling cords at the bottom of your bag? How about forgetting the cord that powers your laptop? The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable aims to change all that, offering a compact, tidy solution that powers multiple devices in one convenient package.

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The GoCable 8-in-1 provides a Type-C, Type-C+, and Apple Lightning connectors everywhere you go — all you have to do is supply the power bank or wall adapter. You’ll also enjoy 100W ultra-fast charging, so you can power up your gadgets faster. Transferring is also a breeze, thanks to its high-speed file transfer capabilities.

An LED power display shows you the real-time charging status. You’ll also never have to untangle anything thanks to the magnetic cable that stays neat no matter where you toss it.

Aside from charging your devices, the GoCable 8-in-1 also features a bottle opener and a safe-proofed hidden cutter that allows you to open packages safely. The included carabiner clip makes it easy to attach to anything, so it’s always within arm’s reach.

Get this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99) now.

Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic online for free

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 23:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free on Tele Rebelde or Venevision. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spring Training is underway for the new MLB season. That's incredibly exciting news for baseball fans, but there's more: The 2026 World Baseball Classic is here to deliver top-quality international action from around the world.

USA lost in the 2023 final to Japan. That final will always be remembered for Japan's Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout in the ninth inning to seal the game. Can USA bounce back to win its first title since 2017? This edition of the competition has already thrown out some huge performances and shocking results. Now the showpiece event is upon us as USA take on Venezuela for the trophy.

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

What is the World Baseball Classic?

The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. In 2026, the tournament is organized into four pools of five teams. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.

Japan are the defending champions.

When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5-17. Pool rounds will be played in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo. The quarter finals will be split between Miami and Houston. The semi finals and final will be played in Miami.

How to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:

These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.

Access free World Baseball Classic live streams 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 a location with access

  4. Visit Tele Rebelde or Venevision

  5. Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic 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 every game from the 2026 World Baseball Classic before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • 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).

Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

What is Nvidia NemoClaw and how to try it

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 22:05

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang gave OpenClaw, the open-source AI agent recently acquired by OpenAI, big praise earlier this week at Nvidia's 2026 GTC conference.

"Every company in the world today needs to have an OpenClaw strategy, an agentic system strategy," Huang said, comparing what OpenClaw will do for AI agents with what Windows did for PCs. "This is the new computer."

And Nvidia is backing up those words with Nvidia NemoClaw, the company's own stack for the OpenClaw agent platform.

Nvidia appears to think quite highly of OpenClaw. However, OpenClaw's biggest flaw up to this point has been with security and safety issues. Nvidia wants to build upon OpenClaw's AI agent capabilities with NemoClaw.

SEE ALSO: Google opens the door to OpenClaw and other AI agents with new release

According to Nvidia, NemoClaw is "an open source stack that adds privacy and security controls to OpenClaw." Essentially, NemoClaw adds missing security and privacy layers to the AI agent platform to create a safer, more secure OpenClaw using the Nvidia Agent Toolkit.

Nvidia says NemoClaw "installs NVIDIA OpenShell to enforce policy-based privacy and security guardrails, giving users control over how agents behave and handle data." Nvidia OpenShell is a brand new open source runtime from that company that enables AI agents to "operate and adapt faster and more safely."

Developers can now access Nvidia's Agent Toolkit and OpenShell and try a preview version of NemoClaw. NemoClaw is a simple installation that requires just a single command in the terminal. NemoClaw can be accessed here.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Venezuela vs. USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic final online for free

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 22:00

TL;DR: Live stream Venezuela vs. USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic final for free on Tele Rebelde or Venevision. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic has been everything we wanted it to be. The wait for the new MLB season to start can be painful, but this tournament has provided some much-needed relief. We've had heroic individual performances, shocking results, and moments of real controversy. And now the stage is set for the final.

USA take on Venezuela for the title. USA lost in the 2023 final to Japan, so this is an opportunity to forget all about Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout for the victory. This is a chance to make history in front of an expectant crowd at the LoanDepot Park. Of course, Venezuela are not going to make it easy. They've been building momentum throughout this tournament, and will come into this final with a lot of belief.

If you want to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Venezuela vs. USA?

Venezuela vs. USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic starts at 8 p.m. ET on March 17. This fixture will take place at LoanDepot Park.

How to watch Venezuela vs. USA for free

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:

These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Venezuela vs. USA in the World Baseball Classic 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 a location with access

  4. Visit Tele Rebelde or Venevision

  5. Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic final 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 every game from the 2026 World Baseball Classic before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • 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).

Watch Venezuela vs. USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic final for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

10 of the coolest and weirdest Pokémon Pokopia builds weve seen so far

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 19:43

Pokémon Pokopia is a certified smash hit, which means there's no shortage of amazing videos of people doing wild things with the game on social media.

The new Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive has exploded onto the scene, and in just a week or two, players have gotten to work tearing the game apart, figuring out every little thing you can do with it, and then doing all of those things. Sure, it's a very cozy game at its core, but you can also turn it into a big, multi-day construction project if you're so inclined. And it turns out a lot of people are so inclined.

For example, someone went and recreated Kanto, the setting of the original Pokémon RPGs on Game Boy, in Pokopia. People of a certain age will probably feel a rush of nostalgia looking at this.

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Speaking of tributes to other Pokémon games, someone also made a gigantic monument to Arceus, a popular legendary Pokémon.

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Of course, not everything is a huge, elaborate nostalgia-fest. Some people are simply creating fun little comedy skits in their Pokopia worlds. Take this one, for example.

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It's also just inherently funny to put a bunch of adorable Pokémon to work, as this player did. Those furnaces aren't going to run themselves!

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One fun thing you can do in Pokopia is build railroads and ride around them in minecarts. There are a bunch of cool, complicated railroad builds online, and this is just one example.

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Sometimes the coolest builds are simple in concept, but were clearly the result of a ton of effort and love. This pink hotel is a good example of that.

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

But also, some builds are cool because they totally break your conception of what you can even do in Pokopia. This player, for instance, used physical objects to essentially program a lava waterfall that you can activate with a switch.

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

Another example is this player, who built a complex sprinkler system.

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

And then there's my favorite one: a simple but functional giant computer, of sorts.

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

Last but not least, some players are devoting their time to helping others. This person created an online island that anyone can visit, full of rare items for other players to take and use in their own islands. A big salute to that hero.

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

Pokémon Pokopia is available now on Nintendo Switch 2.

Categories: IT General, Technology

ChatGPTs sex-centered adult mode raises red flags at OpenAI

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 19:25

Two weeks ago, OpenAI announced it would be delaying the release of its "Adult Mode," an NSFW chatbot setting that lets users engage in erotic chats and generate "smut."

An anonymous source from the company recently told journalist Alex Heath the delay was based on updated priorities, a move that appeared to align with OpenAI's decision to scale back in light of ongoing legal battles, build upon GPT 5.4, and score deals with the federal government. But interviews with anonymous insiders, published this week by the Wall Street Journal, tell a different story.

SEE ALSO: Child safety group blasts YouTube for million dollar gamble on AI content for kids

The company's well being advisory council said in a January meeting that they were in unanimous agreement that the company should not move forward with the proposed adult mode, insiders told WSJ. Concerns from psychologists and cognitive scientists had gone ignored, they said, after warning that X-rated chats could foster unhealthy emotional dependence — an existing problem with standard ChatGPT users.

Insiders said that one expert cautioned that ChatGPT would just become a "sexy suicide coach."

In addition, advisors warned that the chatbot's age assurance policies — including its new age prediction technology — were not robust enough to handle the X-rated experience. According to the WSJ, the system was at one point working at a 12 percent error rate when classifying minor users. Insiders said that would result in millions of minors flying under the radar and potentially accessing developmentally inappropriate chat experiences.

SEE ALSO: 'Perfect predator': When chatbots sexually abuse kids

OpenAI competitor Meta weathered a similar scandal last year after internal documents revealed lax chatbot safety policies for teen users. Meta has since overhauled its AI policies for teens, but still allows chatbots and AI avatars to engage in "romantic roleplay."

Despite concerns, OpenAI says it will move forward with Adult Mode in the future.

But OpenAI's safety teams are reportedly still figuring out the finer details of how the experience will work, including how to effectively lift explicit content restrictions while still blocking content like nonconsensual behavior or child sexual abuse, the publication reports. A spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that adult mode would allow users to generate "smut level" text conversations, but not outright pornography.

They also said that the age verification error rate was "industry standard" and that it could never be foolproof.

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

How to watch Arsenal vs. Leverkusen online for free

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Leverkusen in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A number of Champions League matchups are hanging in the balance, including Arsenal vs. Leverkusen. The score is tied 1-1 after the first leg. The expectation for a lot of fans is that Arsenal will prove too strong for Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium, but they'll need to deliver a strong performance to overcome Kasper Hjulmand's side.

Leverkusen are unbeaten in six games, including fixtures against Arsenal and Bayern Munich. They're climbing up the Bundesliga standings and will come into this clash with confidence. It could be a tricky night for Arteta's side.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Leverkusen in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Leverkusen?

Arsenal vs. Leverkusen in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on March 17. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Leverkusen for free

Arsenal vs. Leverkusen is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Arsenal vs. Leverkusen 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 Ireland

  4. Visit Virgin Media Player

  5. Watch Arsenal vs. Leverkusen 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 Arsenal vs. Leverkusen without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

  • 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).

Watch Arsenal vs. Leverkusen in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Manchester City vs. Real Madrid online for free

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free on Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is slowly creeping towards its latter stages, and Real Madrid already have one foot in the next round. They confidently beat Pep Guardiola's Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their matchup, and now they take that advantage to the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City will need to produce something special to overturn that healthy lead.

Forget Mbappe and Vinícius Júnior. It was Federico Valverde who starred in that first-leg contest. Can he lead his side to another victory this week? You can follow all the action from this all-important clash without spending anything.

If you want to watch Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Manchester City vs. Real Madrid?

Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on March 17. This fixture takes place at the Etihad Stadium.

How to watch Manchester City vs. Real Madrid for free

Manchester City vs. Real Madrid is available to live stream for free on Prime Video (30-day free trial).

This free stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can unlock with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Prime Video to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Manchester City vs. Real Madrid 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 Prime Video

  5. Watch Manchester City vs. Real Madrid 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 Manchester City vs. Real Madrid without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, 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).

Watch Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The tech trends getting buzz at SXSW 2026

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 18:53

SXSW isn’t just about movies or music. The annual Austin festival has also become a hub for inventors and entrepreneurs who use technology in exciting new ways.

So while my colleagues in the entertainment section score interviews with Dropout TV stars and hit the I Love Boosters red carpet, I went looking for the latest word in tech. Here's what I learned while attending panels on robots, playing next-gen VR games, interviewing AI experts — plus eating a dangerous amount of tacos to power me through it all.

SEE ALSO: 17 SXSW movies you need to know about right now AI Doom is out. AI Apocaloptimism is in.

If it feels like they’re adding AI to everything, it’s because they’re adding AI to everything. It seemed like every other booth and event at SXSW was about some new way to integrate AI into ... whatever doesn't have it yet. It's a gold rush, still loves a bubble until it pops.

SXSW offered panels about runaway AI, job loss, environmental crisis, cognitive decline, and everything else you need for your full-blown panic attack before heading to the IBM AI Sports Club for a consoling round of drinks with other apparently obsolete humans.

But between the AI doomers and the AI goldrush crowd, a middle path is emerging: AI Apocaloptimism. 

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist is one buzzy new documentary at SXSW. Mashable hosted a panel about the movie with its producer, Daniel Kwan ( one half of the "Daniels" duo that directed 2023 Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All At Once).

An Apocaloptimist, according to Kwan's movie, is someone whose eyes are wide open to the perils of AI, but also to the promises. The AI Doc is also a call to action for viewers to support responsible AI development and regulation. You can catch it in theaters from March 27.

Bleeding-edge tech on display at XR Exhibition

As in years past, SXSW hosted an XR Exhibition, where artists, pranksters, and game developers debuted installations on the bleeding edge of XR technology. It wasn't new, but it has shown more staying power than the AI trend. Of all the tech I saw at SXSW, this is the event crowds were most excited about. There was a line and rush at the door when the hall opened.

Ironically, however, this event's popularity may be a sign that XR in the wider world is not popular. Most people don’t have Meta Quests, Galaxy XR headsets, or Snap Spectacles, so they jump at the chance to try them.

SXSW saw the global debut of Fabula Rasa, a virtual reality game driven by fully improvised and AI-generated conversations. I wrote about the experience immediately after trying it, and it could be a preview of what RPG games will become in the AI era.

Imagine this: No more dialogue trees or circular conversations. You can talk, in real time, to every character you meet.

SEE ALSO: 'Fabula Rasa' is the new AI VR game that made me ask: Is this the future of RPGs?

Snap also hosted the U.S. debut of a new augmented reality art exhibition with Jonathan Yeo, the painter behind a controversial portrait of Sir King Charles. Yeo's exhibit powered by the Snap Spectacles.

Some AI is doing good

ElevenLabs, the AI audio company, announced a new initiative at SXSW that’s genuinely exciting — the company pledged to restore 1 million voices for people with permanent voice loss.

The company announced the news with Rebecca Gayheart Dane, the actress and wife of actor Eric Dane, who recently died after a struggle ALS. Dane worked with ElevenLabs to clone his voice prior to his death, which he used to talk to his family and care team. Now ElevenLabs is looking for people all over the world to participate in the 1 Million Voices Initiative.

"Because [AI] can be used for good, and maybe this will inspire others, other AI companies, to do something good with their capabilities instead of something nefarious," Gayheart Dane said.

One Silicon Valley founder told me that EleveLabs is “dialed in,” and the company’s lawyer said they’ve been shipping products and models at a furious pace. While the company’s AI music album was a swing and a miss, the company is certainly generating buzz with its new models and AI tools. I heard from multiple people at SXSW that they were using ElevenLabs voice models in their own products, including Fabula Rasa.

Robotaxis are everywhere Two Waymos and a Cybertruck drive into a bar... Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

For Austin locals and San Francisco visitors, robotaxis are old news. As someone coming from New York, I got to take my first Waymo robotaxi rides in Austin. It was weird!

SXSW itself was sponsored by Rivian, which showed off a self-driving electric truck. I also saw a lot of Zoox robotaxis, and Tesla took the opportunity to show off its new Tesla Robotaxis. (I saw a Robotaxi in a big display case ... being towed by a Cybertruck.)

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Welcome to the future. The cars aren’t flying, but they are driving themselves.

Sustainability tech

Climate and sustainability has long been a popular topic at SXSW, and this year was no exception. Several sustainability startups were recognized at the annual SXSW pitch competition, and preventing waste was a common theme among the winners.

Promising new companies like PLNTmatter take plant waste and turn it into sustainable fabrics. EcoSphere Organics sends a robot around Detroit collecting food waste to make upcycled products. MayimFlow helps eliminate water waste at data centers.

I also saw a startup called Flotier that wants to bring compact wind turbines to commercial rooftops, so that buildings can harness solar and wind. It's one of those ideas that makes you think, why aren't we doing this already?

The Ammortal Chamber, built for Darth Vader Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Have you ever wanted your very own Darth Vader chamber you can climb into when you need to refresh?

That's how I've taken to describing my experience inside the Ammortal Chamber, the $160,000 rejuvenation machine that combines light therapy, molecular hydrogen, breathwork, vibroacoustics, pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF), and guided meditation into one experience that will refresh even the crankiest Dark Lord of the Sith.

As the Ammortal sales rep told me, it lets you plug yourself in like a cell phone. If you frequent medspas, you may see Ammortal Chambers on the spa menu soon. The devices are also popular with pro athletes, I was told.

The creator economy grows up

The days of creators negotiating brand deals themselves in lengthy negotiations with a massive power imbalance are over. Or, at least, that's the idea. I interviewed Arthur Leopold, the CEO and co-founder of Agentio, a platform that lets creators match with brands and sign deals in a couple of clicks.

AI analyzes their body of work to find natural brand partners, and creators don't need to worry about sketchy contracts they don't understand.

Agentio hosted a panel with YouTube megastars Rhett and Link, the company's marquee clients, and they made a compelling case that billions of ad dollars will soon be shifting to creator marketing.

I also spoke with Snap's head of creator partnerships team, who walked me through monetization tools like Snap Spotlight and the newly launched Creator Subscriptions tool, currently in beta.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Teens sue xAI for Groks reported sexual image generation issues

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 18:15

Three Jane Does, two under 18, filed a lawsuit against xAI yesterday about the generation of child sex abuse material (CSAM) on Grok, Elon Musk's AI tool.

"Like a rag doll brought to life through the dark arts, this child can be manipulated into any pose, however sick, however fetishized, however unlawful," the complaint states. It goes on to allege that while other AI companies recognize the dangers of AI and put up guardrails to prevent child sex predators from using them, "xAI did not."

SEE ALSO: Adult performer Siri Dahl doxxed by Grok: 'Go f*ck yourself you nazi clanker'

"Instead, xAI — and its founder Elon Musk — saw a business opportunity: an opportunity to profit off the sexual predation of real people, including children," the suit, which is a class action, states.

In January, Mashable reported that xAI admitted that Grok generates images of "minors in minimal clothing." A report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate stated weeks later that Grok was able to create around three million sexualized images, including 23,000 of apparent children, between Dec. 29 and Jan. 8.

Several countries, including France, the UK, Ireland, India, and Brazil, have announced that they're now investigating Grok. Stateside, California is also investigating the chatbot. Now, the lawsuits have begun.

This one, filed March 16, has been filed in federal court in California. It states that the Jane Does, who live in Tennessee, have suffered severe harm from xAI's production of CSAM.

Around Dec. 6, 2025, Jane Doe 1 discovered from an anonymous Instagram message that images of her had been generated by someone she knows and disseminated on Discord. The perpetrator had created images of at least 18 other girls, many of whom Jane Doe 1 recognized. Jane Doe 1 is now an adult, but was a minor in the photos used of her, according to the lawsuit.

Then, around Feb. 12 this year, Jane Does 2 and 3 were notified by local law enforcement that their images were used by the same perpetrator to generate CSAM. They are still minors.

Another lawsuit against xAI was filed in the same court on Jan. 23. Another Jane Doe, an adult, is suing due to Grok "undressing" an image of her, rendering her in a bikini.

Mashable has reached out to xAI for comment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best MacBook deals to shop ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 18:07
A quick look at Amazon's best MacBook deals ahead of the Big Spring Sale: Best MacBook Air deal Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 (save $300) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499.99 (save $199.01) Get Deal

Amazon is gearing up to host its third annual Big Spring Sale from March 25 to 31. The event mainly revolves around seasonal essentials like cleaning supplies and outdoor gear, but in the past, it's also featured deals on tech — including flagship Apple products. Since the company just refreshed (and expanded) its MacBook lineup earlier this month, I'm thinking Amazon will put a big focus on clearing out its remaining inventory of last-gen models.

In the days leading up to the sale, I'm already seeing some pretty great deals on M4 MacBook Airs and Pros. Amazon's biggest discount thus far is going to a 15-inch M4 Air with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is now $300 off — its lowest price ever. (No other M4 MacBook is more than $200 off.) That's one deal I would definitely grab ahead of time, before the Big Spring Sale officially starts, in case it sells out. Apple has discontinued the M4 MacBooks, so once third-party retailers' supplies dry up, they'll only be available on the refurbished market.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back: The best deals already live on Apple, robot vacuums, headphones, and more

If you'd prefer a MacBook Pro with a nicer display, more ports, and fans that prevent thermal throttling, I've spotted a 14-inch M5 model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage that's only $1,499.99 (or about $200 off), another all-time low. It's the best option for most people, though a couple of M4 Pro models with 24GB of memory are enjoying the same discount if you're a professional creative who needs even more power.

The brand-new M5 MacBook Airs and M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros are all $50 off ahead of the Big Spring Sale, and that's probably going to be as cheap as they get for now. (The then-new M4 models got the same discount during last year's sale.) Look for better deals in a couple months around Amazon's summer Prime Day sale.

The one MacBook that isn't on sale just yet is the MacBook Neo, Apple's all-new budget laptop. I doubt that will change once the event begins — the Neo is already super affordable (and a bestseller) at its regular MSRP — but you never know. A decent MacBook Neo deal is my 2026 Big Spring Sale white whale.

Note: Deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to a record-low price.

Best MacBook Air deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 🔥 $1,299 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $300   Get Deal Why we like it

The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air may be a last-gen laptop, but it's still an incredibly capable ultraportable. In multitasking scenarios and heavier tasks like video editing, it's faster than nearly 80 percent of the models in our current testing database (including much pricier Windows laptops). It has the same 12MP Center Stage webcam, Liquid Retina display, and 18-hour battery life as its fresher M5 counterpart, which just offers slightly faster performance and newer wireless connectivity. This particular model is well future-proofed amid the ongoing RAM crunch — thanks, AI.

Read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4).

More MacBook Air dealsBest MacBook Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) 🔥 $1,499.99 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $199.01   Get Deal Why we like it

An October 2025 release, the M5 MacBook Pro features a dazzling 120Hz mini-LED display; creative-friendly ports like a SDXC card slot and an HDMI port; and a longer battery life of around 21 hours per charge. It's a great upgrade pick for photo and video editors. This 16GB RAM/1TB SSD variant is technically the new base configuration: Apple bumped the M5 MacBook Pro from 512GB of starting storage upon announcing the upgraded M5 Pro and M5 Max variants in early March. Again, it's never been cheaper before.

Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M5).

More MacBook Pro deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Dune: Part Three teaser is here to get you back on the Timothée Chalamet train

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 17:59

Following his Marty Supreme press run, Oscar loss, and beef with the entire ballet and opera communities, I'd understand if you were experiencing Timothée Chalamet fatigue. But after watching the teaser for Dune: Part Three, I no longer share that same fatigue.

The conclusion to Denis Villeneuve's epic, Academy Award-winning sci-fi trilogy takes place 17 years after Dune: Part Two. (In Frank Herbert's novels, there's roughly a 12-year time jump between Dune and Dune Messiah.) By the end of that film, Paul Atreides (Chalamet) became Emperor, took Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) as his wife, and declared the very holy war he'd been struggling all movie to prevent. Horrified at what Paul has become, his lover Chani (Zendaya) flees into the desert.

Based on Dune: Part Three's teaser, though, Chani and Paul's story is far from over. In tender scenes, likely flashbacks to their time together during Dune: Part Two, the pair wonder about what they'd name their children. If they have a girl, Paul declares she'd be called Ghanima. If they have a boy, Chani says she'd name him Leto, after Paul's late father (Oscar Isaac). These are the names of Paul and Chani's children in Herbert's books, so you can guess we're in for some Dune babies in Part Three.

SEE ALSO: 'Dune: Part Two' ending explained: What comes next for Paul and Chani?

Aside from Paul and Chani's sweet musings on their future children, there's very little comfort to be found in the teaser. Everyone is going through it because, you know, the whole universe is at war.

Between pulse-pounding action scenes and sneak peeks at new locations in Dune's vast world, Dune: Part Three's teaser introduces some new major players. Paul's sister Alia (Anya Taylor-Joy) is all grown up now, and likely wrestling with the immense powers she absorbed when her mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) drank the water of life when she was pregnant. Robert Pattinson stars as Scytale, a shape shifting Face Dancer from the genetically altered Bene Tleilax order. On top of all that, Jason Momoa is back! While his character Duncan Idaho perished in the first Dune film, he returns in a fashion as Hayt, a ghola, or artificial human created from dead matter, created by the Bene Tleilax.

That's already a lot to take in, and that's before we get a glimpse of bald Paul Atreides. Check out the full trailer above to witness the Dune: Part Three teaser in all its glory.

Dune: Part Three hits theaters Dec. 18.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nvidia DLSS 5 games list: Every supported title we know so far

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 17:39

Earlier this week, Nvidia held a big press conference where it announced, among other things, something called DLSS 5. The long and short of it is that, using artificial intelligence, DLSS 5 "infuses pixels with photoreal lighting and materials." In other words, it uses AI to supposedly make games look more realistic on the fly, even going so far as to change lighting and character appearances. It will be available for some PC games this fall.

SEE ALSO: NVIDIA GTC keynote: Everything Jensen Huang announced from AI gaming to space data centers This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

According to Nvidia's press release, here is a list of games that will support the feature in the near future. Though, to be clear, more games than just these will support DLSS 5 over time:

  • AION 2

  • Assassin's Creed Shadows

  • Black State

  • Cinder City

  • Delta Force

  • Hogwarts Legacy

  • Justice

  • Narake Bladepoint

  • NTE: Neverness to Everness

  • Phantom Blade Zero

  • Resident Evil Requiem

  • Sea of Remnants

  • Starfield

  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

  • Where Winds Meet

DLSS 5's announcement was met with some controversy online. Specifically, plenty of folks are unhappy about the idea of AI coming in and making transformative changes to a game's art direction, seemingly without any input from the game's creators. If you look at the Resident Evil Requiem example embedded above, Grace Ashcroft looks like a completely different person with DLSS 5 turned on. Environmental lighting can also dramatically change, giving areas a totally different look from what they were intended to have.

The good news is that this will be an optional feature for some PC games, not something that's on by default.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sears AI chatbot chats and audio files found exposed online

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 17:33

Despite having only five remaining retail outlets, Sears still has an active and widely used Home Services division, complete with an AI chatbot. Unfortunately, that chatbot was reportedly quietly leaking customer conversations to anyone who knew where to look, according to WIRED.

Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler discovered three publicly accessible databases last month containing 3.7 million chat logs, 1.4 million audio files, and transcripts captured between 2024 and this year, according to WIRED's report. The exposed data included customer names, phone numbers, home addresses, appliance information, and details about repair and delivery appointments.

SEE ALSO: Former DOGE hire still has 'god level' Social Security data, whistleblower says

The data has since been secured after Fowler notified Transformco, the company that owns Sears and Sears Home Services. Transformco did not respond to WIRED's requests for comment.

What's most unsettling about the report may be the hours-long audio files from customers who thought the calls with the AI chatbot, named Samantha, had long since ended. Several recordings ran for up to four hours, potentially capturing private conversations, background TV, and ambient household noise that customers had no idea was being recorded.

"The thing to remember is that it is real data of real people," Fowler told WIRED, adding that companies rushing to deploy AI cannot afford to cut corners on data security.

As of the writing of this article, Transformco has not publicly addressed the breach.

Categories: IT General, Technology

20 fitness tracker deals to shop ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 17:01
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale fitness tracker deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100) Get Deal Best Garmin deal Garmin vívoactive 5 $174.28 (save $125.71) Get Deal Best Google deal Google Pixel Watch 4 (WiFi, 41mm) $289.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best Nothing deal Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $79 (save $20) Get Deal Best Samsung deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (Bluetooth, 46mm) $369.99 (save $130) Get Deal

Amazon's third annual Big Spring Sale kicks off next week (officially running March 25 through 31), but deals are already starting to roll in. You can find deal stamps across Apple products, robot vacuums, speakers, and even high-end fitness trackers, including Garmin, Google, and of course Apple Watches. Whether you need a new watch to track that 5K you're training for or simply monitor your sleep habits, there will surely be a fitness tracker deal for you during the sale.

Deals are starting slow, with the biggest discounts so far on last-gen Garmin watches, but we'll be updating this list as new price drops appear. There are a few big names that seem to be holding out until the official sale, like Whoop, Fitbit, and Oura. So we'd hold off on buying those brands until the Big Spring Sale commences.

Below, we're tracking all the best fitness tracker deals at Amazon leading up to and throughout the official Big Spring Sale 2026.

Best early Amazon Big Spring Sale fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $174.28 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $125.71   Get Deal Why we like it

While it's since been replaced with the newer vívoactive 6, the Garmin vívoactive 5 is still an excellent choice. It's a perfect all-rounder for someone who wants a fitness tracker with plenty of smartwatch features. It can track everything from long runs and rides to stress, sleep, and body battery, has a bright and responsive AMOLED display, and boasts 11 days of battery power (Apple could literally never). I personally gifted this watch to my boyfriend (he loves it) after snagging an epic Black Friday discount, but it's now even cheaper. At $174.28, it's over 40% off and is down to the lowest price we've ever seen.

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a solid Apple Watch deal, this $100 price drop on the Series 11 makes it a pretty stellar value. It's been chilling at this price for awhile now, so we're hoping to see the Big Spring Sale drop it down even lower. But even if it doesn't, $299 for the newest Apple Watch ain't bad. It brings significant battery improvements over its predecessor, which alone makes it worth the upgrade. It also has a tougher design with more durable glass that's twice as resistant to scratches, 5G capability for seamless connectivity, and a Sleep Score and hypertension tool for flagging high blood pressure.

More fitness tracker deals

Apple

Garmin

Google / Fitbit

Nothing

Samsung

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Comeback Season 3 review: Lisa Kudrow warns us of the AI apocalypse

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 17:00

Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King's cult comedy gem The Comeback has always been a frighteningly prescient satire of Hollywood.

Season 1, which aired in 2005, was ahead of its time in its portrayal of the manipulative tactics that power reality TV. Season 2, coming almost a decade later in 2014, poked fun at prestige antihero dramedies. Now, The Comeback makes its second (and supposedly final) comeback with a third season that's all about Hollywood's hottest topic: AI.

SEE ALSO: 'The Audacity' tears Silicon Valley a new one: Review

That AI focus lends The Comeback Season 3 an urgency that sets it apart from its prior two outings. Yes, it's still hilarious, cynical, and a remarkable showcase for Kudrow in her best role. But on top of all that, it's also something else: a warning.

What's The Comeback Season 3 about? Zane Philips, Brittany O’Grady, Barry Shabaka Henley, Lisa Kudrow, Tim Bagley, and Matt Cook in "The Comeback." Credit: Erin Simkin / HBO

The warning signs begin early, as The Comeback Season 3 picks up during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

"AI is coming after all of us," then-SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher (in one of The Comeback's many celebrity cameos) tells a crowd of striking actors and writers.

The Comeback's embattled sitcom star Valerie Cherish (Kudrow) nods along, but in true Valerie fashion, she's more focused on the optics of her presence at the strike than the strike itself. Now trying to master the social media game to stay relevant, she's too busy directing her Gen Z social manager Patience (Ella Stiller) to truly take in the gravity of the situation. (Kudrow is already on Emmy watch for Valerie's posing with the picket sign alone.)

SEE ALSO: 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' review: An alien OnlyFans is the highlight of Apple's family dramedy

Flash forward to 2026: Valerie is struggling to get a podcast (Cherish the Time) off the ground, and she's taking bit roles in the lowest of low budget films. But her luck is set to change when she's offered the lead of new multi-cam sitcom How's That?!. It's everything she's ever wanted, with one huge catch: It's completely written by AI.

The Comeback Season 3 examines the role of AI in show business. John Early and Abbi Jacobson in "The Comeback." Credit: Erin Simkin / HBO

On paper, How's That?!'s showrunners are two humans, Mary and Josh (Abbi Jacobson and John Early). But in reality, their only job is to babysit the AI program that's actually churning out the show's scripts, sending the two of them down a disillusioned spiral.

Part of that comes from the fact that The Comeback initially approaches AI writing as somewhat competent. It churns out tens of alternate lines before Mary and Josh can think of one. Its jokes resonate more with How's That?!'s live studio audience than the one or two gags Mary and Josh manage to sneak in themselves. In terms of speed and sheer writing volume, it's impressive, and Valerie certainly seems to agree. That she has to deal less with difficult writer types like her past antagonist Paulie G. (Lance Barber) also seems to sweeten the deal.

However, as Season 3 continues, How's That?!'s shiny new tool begins to lose its sheen. AI hallucinations turn scripts incomprehensible, and the program's hastily-produced alts prove unsurprising and dull. Of course they would — they're just scraping other writers' work for inspiration.

That's what The Comeback Season 3 hammers home. AI can crank out script after script, but it's completely soulless. It has no sense of what will truly resonate with an audience. That, The Comeback says, can only come from writers pitching in the crucible of production, grinding it out until they find the perfect one-liner.

According to How's That?!'s network's CEO (played to skeezy perfection by Andrew Scott), the use of AI will help cut costs and optimize the show for maximum audience enjoyment. (Or really, just throwing it on in the background.) Ironically, he asks Valerie to keep it a secret from the cast and crew, a process that requires more effort than simply bringing more human writers onboard.

Featured Video For You Ethan Hawke, Andrew Scott, and Bobby Cannavale bring Broadway history to the big screen

Valerie has never been great at keeping things to herself, which is why she lets How's That?!'s AI use slip to The Comeback documentarian Jane (Laura Silverman). The slip brings Jane back into the fold for a new documentary project: exploring the making of the first-ever AI-written show.

It's clear from the start that Jane understands the existential threat AI poses to the entertainment industry. Things are already awful for the majority of workers in the field. Now an Academy Award winner, Jane's main job isn't filmmaking, but rather working as a cashier at Trader Joe's. Crew members on How's That?! have worked on films whose production has been drastically shortened due to AI, robbing them of over 10 weeks of pay. Elsewhere, The Comeback populates entire coffee shops with talented writers who have to pivot because the industry is a mess. As one writer notes in the show, the normalization of AI in TV won't just be an evolution of the form, it'll be "an extinction event."

Yet somehow, Valerie is the rare example of someone in the entertainment industry benefitting from AI. It's given her the job of a lifetime, and in her mind, she's willing to set aside a lot of her misgivings in exchange for a lead role and a shiny executive producer credit. But really, Valerie is the proverbial frog in a slowly boiling pot of water. She doesn't realize that the danger is coming for her too, even as The Comeback works its way up towards a Black Mirror-esque conclusion.

The Comeback Season 3 isn't all AI doom and gloom, though. It's full of standout running gags, including Valerie's obsession with her under-viewed show Mrs. Hatt. (Nobody watched it because it was on Epix, a cutting jab at the sheer amount of streaming shows.) It also provides a touching send-off to Valerie's hair stylists and closest friend Mickey, whose actor Robert Michael Morris passed away in 2017. Trust The Comeback to make me tear up and belly laugh all at once.

Kudrow's performance remains pure comedic excellence, managing to make even Valerie's most selfish moments endearing. That The Comeback plays more loosely with its documentary format helps here as well: We tend to see Valerie through the lens of Jane's camera, Patience's phone, or security footage in her and Mark's (Damian Young) apartment. Often, though, The Comeback Season 3 allows us to see parts of Valerie's life that the cameras don't capture, a tactic that closed out its touching Season 2 finale. In keeping it up, Season 3 offers up the most humanized view of Valerie yet, and Kudrow is spectacular through each high and low.

Of course, much of those lows revolve around AI. The Comeback can occasionally get uncharacteristically heavy-handed about the subject matter, but then again, in a world where entertainment giants like Disney are investing in OpenAI, it's not wrong to sound the alarm about something that could so thoroughly decimate the industry.

In The Comeback's eyes, bringing AI into TV will result in nothing but lowest common denominator "content," and that's about as far from the show's sharp, superb swan song as you can get.

The Comeback Season 3 premieres March 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt online for free

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 16:45

TL;DR: Live stream Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next round of Champions League fixtures includes some really interesting matchups, including Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt.

Bodo/Glimt have been the story of this Champions League. They've already created history, beating some of the biggest names in European football. And now they hold a 3-0 advantage coming into this huge second-leg matchup with Sporting. The Portuguese side will need to produce something special to come back into this contest, but we've seen it all before. Anything is possible in this competition.

If you want to watch Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt?

Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on March 17. This fixture takes place at the Estádio José Alvalade.

How to watch Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt for free

Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sporting vs. Bodo/Glimt 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 Ireland

  4. Visit Virgin Media Player

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Pragmata combines thrilling sci-fi action with endearing uncle energy

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 16:00

For far too long, video games have been besieged by the scourge of Dad Games. Things like the recent God of War entries and The Last of Us have popularized the idea of giving players some kind of paternal duty over a young, mostly helpless companion. It's played out and boring, among other things.

That's one of the reasons why I'm so into what I've seen of Capcom's upcoming Pragmata so far. This sci-fi third-person shooter, originally announced six years ago, has a similar enough premise to those other games I mentioned. You play as a guy named Hugh who finds himself needing to protect and work with a strange little girl named Diana as they try to escape a space station full of angry robots.

The difference, though, is that I would categorize Pragmata as more of an Uncle Game than a Dad Game. I got to play about 90 minutes of Pragmata at a press event recently, and it seems like a totally kick-ass action game with a really neat hacking-based hook, but the lighthearted interplay between Hugh and Diana was also significantly more endearing than the heavy-handed self-seriousness of something like The Last of Us.

SEE ALSO: How Resident Evil Survived Itself Pragmata is basically Resident Evil 4 with an air dash The hacking aspect of 'Pragmata' is extremely sick. Credit: Capcom

In case you haven't been following along with Pragmata's marketing (there's also a free demo available on every platform), the main thing to know is that it's a space-based third-person shooter with similar gameplay guts to that of the more action-oriented entries in Capcom's Resident Evil series.

Of course, Pragmata is not a horror game, so the vibe is pretty different. But at its core, this is still a game about carefully positioning yourself in the middle of overwhelming fights and trying to precisely line up shots on the weak points of enemies who (mostly) creepily move towards you in a slow manner. An obvious difference is that Hugh can also sprint, jump, and dash around the environment, giving it a much more fast-paced feel than you'd get as Leon S. Kennedy of the Resident Evil series.

These guys suck to fight. Credit: Capcom

The real meat of Pragmata's combat comes from Diana's hacking abilities. She sits on Hugh's shoulder at all times, and aiming at an enemy will bring up a square-based hacking grid that you navigate using the face buttons. In essence, you're doing a hacking mini-game while also running and shooting, and successfully hacking an enemy can open up weak spots or stun/slow them down. It is absolutely key to success, and the first time you do it, you'll immediately understand why it's a cool idea.

All of that had been known about Pragmata prior to this recent hands-on opportunity, though. One major new thing I got to see this time around was the game's hub area, which you can travel to from any checkpoint in the world. It's got a training range, upgrade stations, and even a friendly robot named Cabin who exists to help you do whatever you need to do in that space. Just from the demo I played, Pragmata seems like it's got a pretty satisfying upgrade loop to it. You collect different kinds of currency from exploring levels and defeating enemies, which you then use to upgrade Hugh's core functions like health, as well as all the different guns he uses along the way.

It's straightforward enough, but Capcom is one of the best purveyors of this type of single-player action game. I think they know a thing or two about player progression, and it showed in the demo I played.

Pragmata also has a ton of personality Of course, there are fun costumes to unlock. Credit: Capcom

While the actual gameplay side of the demo didn't show me a ton I didn't already know about Pragmata, it was set in a substantially more interesting environment than we had seen previously. Specifically, I got to run around a weird, 3D-printed simulacra of Times Square in New York City, but inside a space station. Billboards and ads were full of fun references to other Capcom games like Ghouls 'n Ghosts, while the buildings and storefronts sometimes faded halfway out of existence because they clearly weren't fully completed before...whatever happened in this space station.

Going back to the whole "Uncle Game" thing, what impressed me most about Pragmata is the amount of heart there is in all of Hugh and Diana's interactions. She's never been to Earth, so Hugh spends most of the NYC level explaining various Earth concepts to her to sate her infinite curiosity on the subject. I especially dug a bit where Hugh mentioned that the fake NYC wasn't nearly as dirty as the real one.

Cabin's a cool dude. Credit: Capcom

Most importantly, I didn't get a ton of paternal energy from what I saw between Hugh and Diana. There was one scene where he had to save her from her own curiosity, but other than that, what I played was bereft of Hugh scolding, lecturing, or otherwise acting like much of a parent towards Diana. Rather, he feels a bit more like an uncle who's been tasked with watching a kid for a weekend. Just like any good uncle, you can even find gifts in the world and give them to Diana in the hub area, at which point she will adorably go and play with them.

At this point I've only played about two combined hours of Pragmata at various press events, but every time I see it, I want to play the final game more and more. I really think Capcom has stumbled onto something very cool here, between the sweaty, stressful sci-fi combat and the cute interplay between its two leads. We'll find out pretty soon whether or not it holds up over the course of a full game.

Pragmata launches on April 17 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series consoles, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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